HORSEBACK RIDING AT RANCHO TANGARÉ - PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE

Rancho Tangaré Nature Reserve has designated areas for eco-friendly horseback riding. Our reserve is home to Quarter, Pure Spanish Race (PRE), and Criollo horses. We have just the right horse for you! Nevertheless, for your safety and the horse's health, we do recommend a 250 lb. maximum weight limit. Since your safety is our priority, we ask our guests to adhere to our mandatory horseback riding rules at all times when on the premises and when riding.   We offer walk rides, galloping rides, and informal instructional rides. The rides include a slow scenic ride and a more advanced loping ride. The scenic ride is a Walking Ride for those who want to enjoy the Ranch's peaceful subtropical forest scenery and learn about our sustainable land restoration, silvopastoral, and agroforestry management systems. The Galloping Ride is a combination of walking, trotting, and cantering. All riders who want to join the galloping ride, regardless of previous riding experience, need to be tested by our wranglers before being allowed to join the Galloping Ride. Note that a wrangler review of an individual's horsemanship skill level is not an endorsement of one's ability to ride safely. 

The informal instructional rides are available for three separate groups of riders: "beginner," "intermediate," and the "experienced." Instructional rides are essential tools for riders at each level. For the beginner, the instruction focuses on the riding fundamentals and teaches the rider how/ to control his horse. For the Intermediate rider, they illustrate the principles for riding a horse at a more paced gait and increase confidence in developing one's riding skills. The instruction is a refresher course for the advanced rider, enabling the rider to enjoy his/her rides at the Ranch quicker and more safely. We strongly recommend these opportunities for everyone! 

The horse is an animal weighing over half a ton, with a mind of its own. Its reactions are quick and unpredictable. Even a small piece of paper or a sudden movement of your arms or hat may cause a horse to shy spontaneously and unpredictably. Therefore, it is essential to control your mount at all times. Nevertheless, when needed, don't be afraid to kick your horse when it needs to be urged on. 

The reins are the most important control point in horseback riding. Rains should be gripped far enough in front of your body so that when pulling back to stop your horse, you do not need to shift the position of your upper torso. The reins' knot is there more specifically to prevent the reins from falling loosely to the ground. In Western Riding, the reins should be somewhat slack; a tight rein signals the horse to stop and back up. Jerking on the reins only confuses the horse and causes it to become nervous. Our horses respond to neck-reining. To turn to the left, move your hand to the left, laying the reins firmly across the top of the horse's neck. To turn to the right, move your hand to the right, laying the reins firmly across the top of the horse's neck. To stop your horse, pull back firmly on the reins and then release. Repeat if necessary. 

Always walk your horse downhill. A rider's added weight may cause a horse to stumble if the horse is allowed to trot downhill, but if your horse does stumble, pull its head up quickly by jerking upward with the reins. Remember, your horse does not want to fall any more than you want it to fall!  Please feel free to ask the wranglers any questions about horsemanship, the sub-tropic, or the flora and fauna of the Rancho Tangaré, as you ride along.   

This information will help you understand our horses and horseback riding operation and enable you to enjoy better the riding we offer in the subtropical Choco Andino. 

The following rules need to be adhered to for us to operate our riding program safely and efficiently. Even though you may be a very experienced rider, ADHERENCE TO THESE RULES IS MANDATORY. Our rules are mandatory because many inexperienced riders, witnessing a specific example, may unknowingly attempt something out of the realm of their skill level. Advanced riders must consider their example in this light and thus willingly accept these safety rules. 

ALL GUESTS AT RANCHO TANGARÉ DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK AND UNDER THE KNOWLEDGE THAT AN EQUINE LIABILITY STATUE APPLIES TO THEIR HORSEBACK RIDING ACTIVITIES WHILE AT RANCHO TANGARÉ. ALL GUESTS MUST SIGN A LIABILITY WAIVER AT THE TIME OF SIGNING IN FOR A HORSEBACK RIDE OR INSTRUCTIONAL RIDE.

1. The wranglers are in charge of all rides and lessons. Their judgment is final on all matters. Guests who do not abide by our riding rules will have their riding privileges suspended with no compensation. 
2. Guests should come to the Corral at least 30 minutes before the scheduled ride or lesson time. Late arrivals penalize those who arrive on time and cut into everyone's lesson or riding times. After the ride starts, we will not return for late arrivals. 
3. A wrangler will provide you with the safety riding gear that you will need to wear during your ride: helmet, gloves, chaps, and spurs (as required). 
4. Guests are not permitted to use other hats during the rode (e.g., Western, baseball caps, golf visors). We do not allow the use of other hats because of safety reasons. Hats could blow off with the wind and can spook (frighten) the horses behind you.
5. Prescription glasses and sunglasses are permitted. However, we strongly recommend that they should be secured using a string holder straps cord (SHSC) for your safety and the safety of others. We do not provide SHSC. 
6. A wrangler will get your horse for you. They will help you mount and dismount. 
7. Do not walk behind horses. Keep clear of all horse's hooves by at least 6 feet. Upon dismounting, leave the saddling area immediately to prevent possible injury. 
8. Always ride in single file, keeping one full horse length between your horse and the horses in front and behind you. Horses too close to each other may kick. Never pass other riders. If you feel a need to exchange places in the line, ask the wrangler first.
9. Do not intentionally hold your horse back in line. This action may make your horse nervous and uncontrollable.
10. Do not feed the horses. Our horses are well fed. If someone feeds a horse one day, and the next day someone else attempts to pet that horse, it may bite their hand, thinking it contains food. While on the ride, do not allow your horse to put its head down to feed.
11. Removing jackets or sweaters while on horseback is strictly prohibited. Ask the wrangler to stop the ride if you need to remove your jacket or sweater.
12. Cameras are only allowed on the slow, scenic rides and need to be secured while riding. Ask the wrangler to stop the ride if you want to take any pictures. Cellular phones need to be on silent mode during the ride. Likewise, on your phone, playing music with or without earphones is strictly prohibited during the ride. 
13. No shorts may be worn on any ride. 
14. Boots or shoes (e.g., hiking boots) with heels are recommended because heelless shoes can slip through the stirrups. Soft sneakers and running shoes are not permitted.
15. Guest are welcome to bring their riding gear. However, your gear will be checked, for safety, by our wrangler, who will determine if it is safe for the ride. If not accepted, the wrangler will provide you with proper safety gear. 
16. Only one rider per horse is allowed.
17. Drinking alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited during a ride. Besides, riders consuming alcoholic beverages in excess before the ride will not be permitted to ride. In such cases, the wranglers will assess your condition using a breathalyzer. Based on this test, the wrangler determines if you can ride or if your riding ability is impaired by the level of alcohol in your blood. Wrangler's assessment and decision are final.