White Stallion Ranch, a luxury dude ranch and working cattle ranch in Arizona, USA, is the latest ranch to gain the Top50 accolade. One thing that really stood out for us was not just the ranch's convenient location just 35 minutes from Tuscon International Airport, but the fact that as soon as you step cowboy boot-clad foot inside the Arizona ranch, you could be a hundred miles from the 'outside world'. One reason is that White Stallion Ranch sits right alongside Saguaro National Park, with access to mile upon mile of cactus-adorned desert plains and mountain wilderness. What's more, the luxury dude ranch is nestled into the west side of the Saguaro studded mountains, where only on reaching the very top is the nearest town in sight.

Don't be fooled by the ranch's high guest capacity of 70 and luxury, resort-style facilities and amenities. This family-owned and operated 3,000-acre ranch is steeped in history, and is still a working cattle ranch alongside providing luxury and family dude ranch vacations. Brothers Russell and Michael True took over the guest ranch from their parents, who bought White Stallion in 1965, and go out of their way to get to know each and every guest taking dude ranch vacations at the ranch. This is the kind of place where people treat you like one of the family - so no wonder the Trues are renowned for their high-quality service and first-rate hospitality.

At White Stallion Ranch, it's all about the horse riding. This is the perfect family ranch vacation for parents with children able to ride, as kids aged 5 and above are, if able, welcome to join in the beautiful, scenic trail rides on the diverse riding program. Children aged 8 and above can - again, if able - even join the faster, more adventurous rides, complete with loping and trickier terrain. And if you want to ride without the kids, you must go on the adults-only "Cheese and Wine Ride" - a slower, relaxing ride to one of the ranch's most beautiful areas where you'll enjoy wine, cheese and other treats. With 140 horses, the Arizona dude ranch runs one of the largest horse herds in the state and so can match each guest with more than one perfect horse. Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced rider looking to tackle some 'real' riding, there is a horse and a trail ride for you.

Running 100 head of cattle across the ranch, White Stallion runs a hugely popular team penning program - an arena based riding activity where guests can learn the art of this tricky rodeo sport. And because you'll no doubt be hooked on rodeo by the end of the week, you'll love the weekly ranch rodeo featuring local cowboys and ranch wranglers demonstrating how the pros do it.

Not interested in riding? The guest ranch's wonderful location offers wonderful guided and unguided hiking opportunities, both through White Stallion Ranch and in the adjacent Saguaro National Park. There are also plenty of off-ranch activities to enjoy should you wish to head further afield - all made easy with the option of hiring a car direct from the ranch.

Aside from comfortable lodging and tasty meals, the luxury dude ranch boasts a heated pool with a large redwood hot tub; a fitness room with an exercise room, sauna and massage therapy; a lighted tennis court and sports court; a recreation room with a 27-seater movie theater, lots of fun games; a children’s playground and a petting zoo. Come evening, retire to the beautiful bar and hop up on one of the western-saddle bar stools for a drink with other guests - you don't have to be a rider to get in these saddles! And forget having to trek to town for souvenirs, as the ranch has its own gift shop where you can buy riding gear, gifts, travel items and lots more.

Whether you're travelling alone, with family and friends, with your partner or as part of a corporate retreat, White Stallion Ranch will give you a dude ranch vacation experience you will never forget - and want to return to year after year.

For more information on dude ranch vacations at White Stallion Ranch, visit their ranch profile at Top50Ranches.com

Five-star service is an added luxury on dude ranch vacations. While all of Top50's ranches meet high standards of excellence in food, accommodations, horseback riding and hospitality, there are a few stand-out ranches when it comes to five-star service, from high guest:staff ratios, to personalized vacations and those all-important personal touches.

If you're looking for five-star service on your next dude ranch vacation, you need to check out these Top50 ranches...

The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, USA, has a real commitment to luxury, offering first-class service, and luxurious accommodations and amenities. Step into a world of incomparable creature comforts, gourmet cuisine, decadent spa treatments, hi-tech amenities and, most importantly, a highly personalized service. Stay in the Montana dude ranch's private luxury homes and tents, and enjoy the staff's attentive, anticipatory service, with your own personal butler and chef. Paws Up is ideal if you're after a resort-style dude ranch vacation with privacy and a flexible, personalized schedule.

Luxury and great hospitality at Siwash Lake Ranch, Canada

Siwash Lake Ranch in BC, Canada, treats every guest to their own personal horse for duration of their stay, and private guides will escort you through the beautiful ranch. Here the focus is on supportive and informative mentoring at all times; being such a small, private and exclusive Canada guest ranch, taking a maximum of 16-24 guests, the ranch's 14 staff ensure royal pampering for all. The personal service is complemented by Siwash Lake's intimate, boutique atmosphere, and because it's run by 4th-generation ranches, the luxury dude ranch guarantees authentic dude ranch vacations as well.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in British Columbia is Top50's only luxury tented safari camp, and is a truly high-end and detail-oriented Canada guest ranch. As well as a gourmet food and wine experience, you'll be treated to highly personalized trips with no need to sign up in advance, and your own personal guide if desired. Every evening the luxury dude ranch's Activities Directors will sit with you personally and design your adventures for the next day. A remarkable team of staff provides the Clayoquot Wilderness experience, where nature adventure meets personalized service - from the office staff, to kitchen staff and servers, to the sommelier, to the nature guides.

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), and offers warm and welcoming dude ranch vacations in BC Canada. Owners Norm and Nan, and their highly dedicated staff, will all make you feel right at home while providing a five-star iconic Canadian ranch experience. Not forgetting the award-winning BaanThai and European-style spa - a bit of pampering is a must at this Canada guest ranch! With babysitting service and lots of packages to cater to all needs, Echo Valley does its utmost to make your dude ranch vacation special.

Head to Montana's The Ranch at Rock Creek and experience limitless outdoor recreational opportunities, outstanding accommodation and cuisine, and a full-service spa. The Montana dude ranch offers the feel of the “true West” without sacrificing true comfort, designing an activities program with your individual tastes, preferences and needs in mind. Think tailor-made experiences, no strict schedule, a full-service spa, and five-star dining. At Rock Creek, hospitality and attention to detail is delivered with a subtle excellence and with an ambiance of warmth, luxury and comfort. Staff interaction is casual but professional, making dude ranch vacations at The Ranch truly five-star.

Vista Verde is a luxury Colorado dude ranch with an incredible 1:1 guest-staff ratio! This means dude ranch vacations with flexibility and personalization. Unlike a resort, however, Vista Verde hires down to earth people who treat you like family. The luxury dude ranch's wranglers and guides will go out of their way to tailor each experience to your interest and ability, and you can rest assured that top-notch gear and equipment is provided for your convenience.

Everything at Triple Creek Ranch, MT, is made 'just so' by the caring staff

Triple Creek Ranch in Montana, USA, allows you to relax in world-class accommodations, dine on the freshest contemporary cuisine and sample the world's finest wines. The luxury dude ranch's caring staff pamper you at every turn, and can personally plan special adventures off-ranch, as well as on-ranch. An adult oriented ranch, this is a couple's haven - think luxury accommodations, chef's table dining, candlelit dinners, moonlight strolls and a private cabin, plus movies under the stars! You'll also be welcomed with a bottle of wine and basket of goodies in your luxury accommodations. A winner for adults wanting a secluded getaway with five star service!

For more information on ranches with five-star service, vist Top50Ranches.com

Brush Creek Ranch’s Magee Homestead offers the ideal secluded hideaway for intimate dude ranch vacations for discerning individuals and families, as well as corporate, wedding and leisure groups.

Looking for complete privacy on your dude ranch vacation? Then enjoy the secluded and exclusive Magee Homestead at The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek – the Wyoming guest ranch’s ultra-private “Ranch within a Ranch”. Located just five miles from the main lodge at Brush Creek Ranch, Magee Homestead features a private lodge and a collection of seven historically-restored cabins in a tranquil, creek-side setting, tucked amidst rolling meadowlands and natural rock outcroppings in the heart of Wyoming cattle and ranching country. With its immaculate private lodge and dedicated staff, Magee Homestead offers the ideal secluded hideaway for intimate dude ranch vacations for the most discerning individuals and families, and is also ideal for corporate retreats, weddings and leisure groups.

Says Bruce White, owner of the luxury Wyoming guest ranch: “The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch is located in such a pristine and remote location that we felt compelled to create a place that offers true privacy and exclusivity for a select few. There very few places left in this world that provide complete privacy and luxury while still being understated and down-to-earth, and we believe Magee Homestead is the best of them.”

Much like the rest of Brush Creek Ranch, Magee Homestead has its own fascinating history. The property on which Magee Homestead sits was a cow camp and hay-producing ranch back in the early 1900s. The smaller cabins on the property, which have been renovated and turned into individual lodging cabins, were once used as housing for cowpokes. The names of each individual cabin – TZ, Elk Hollow, Burgess, Wood, Pierce, Downie and Wiant – come from the original property title work, which likely reflects the names of the original homesteaders before the Wyoming ranch was combined into one larger property.

The crowning jewel of dude ranch vacations at the Magee Homestead is the luxurious lodge. Its large, open club room offers a comfortable living area as well as a game room featuring an elegant bar with antique rifle collection. With a Steinway seven-foot grand piano, hand-carved billiards table, poker tables and two indoor fireplaces, dude ranch vacations at this secluded location are more than luxurious. There’s even a fully staffed private kitchen and dining room, serving up gourmet meals and premium beers, wine and spirits. Or why not dine outside, on the spacious outdoor dining and entertainment patio which features an outdoor fireplace and expansive views over the Wyoming guest ranch’s sweeping countryside.

Retire to luxury accommodations within seven historically-restored cabins, totalling nine bedrooms that sleeps up to 25 guests. There are sure to be fights over the three-bedroom TZ Cabin Residence, which includes a full kitchen, dining room and living area. Rest assured, however, that the other cabins are just as luxurious, all with en-suite bathrooms, plush interiors and complimentary Antica Farmistica® toiletries.

Go horseback riding direct from the Homestead

Take your dude ranch vacation at the Magee Homestead and enjoy the privacy of your own manicured lawns and a pergola with spacious outdoor hot tub. The Wyoming guest ranch even provides a private concierge to handle your every need, including scheduling activities such as horseback riding, ranger tours, float trips and more. And it’s all available direct from the Homestead – fly fishing and floating on the restored Elk Hollow Creek, a private tee pee for spa treatments, hiking and biking trails that connect to the Ranch’s 50 miles of maintained trails… Even its own private stable so you can ride out on the ranch horses without having to leave the Homestead. Dude ranch vacations at Magee also include access to the main Lodge and Spa, whether for morning yoga on Falcon Peak Overlook, or poker night at the Saloon.

Magee Homestead is available to book now, as a total package starting at $10,000 per night, with a minimum stay of four nights in peak periods and three nights in off-peak periods.

Discover more about Brush Creek Ranch at Top50Ranches.com

Canada dude ranch Clayoquot Wilderness Resort was recently chosen as one of the world's Top50 Ranches, one of six British Columbia dude ranches to make it into Top50's discerning collection of luxury dude ranch vacations. Clayoquot’s breathtaking coastal location on Vancouver Island, its luxury tented safari camp and its diverse range of land and sea adventure activities are just some of the reasons this luxury Canada dude ranch stands out from the rest.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is Top50’s only luxury tented safari camp, where guests can enjoy the magical, unique experience of sleeping under the stars in canvassed accommodations more luxurious than your average 5-star hotel. Whether you're looking for breathtaking horseback riding, luxury pampering, adventure - or all three, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort won't disappoint.

Horseback riding at this luxury Canada dude ranch is suitable for all ages and abilities, and guests are given opportunity to learn about all aspects of horse care from the experienced team of wranglers. Non-riders, novices and advanced riders alike will love Clayoquot’s personalized approach to their riding program, guaranteeing you get the most out of your horseback riding holiday. Whether you ride through the temperate rainforest, river valley or spectacular mountain trails, all rides are highly personalized and tailored to your specific requests.

For true adventure, Clayoquot’s wildlife safaris offer the opportunity of a lifetime - think spotting the likes of black bear, whales, sea lions, harbour seals and sea otters! Adding to the wilderness experience is Clayoquot's extensive range of adventure activities, including deep-sea fishing, whale watching, surfing, kayaking, mountain biking, sailing, climbing and archery. One thing's for sure, you won't get bored at this Canada dude ranch!

If you're looking for a more relaxing dude ranch vacation, head to the dude ranch's secluded beaches, hot springs or luxury tented spa. Indulge in a spot of yoga, a soak in the hot tub, massages, facials and many more spa treatments, for the ultimate relaxation experience.

And the luxury doesn’t stop there – dining at Clayoquot is a truly gourmet experience, Executive Chef Ryan Orr’s ‘modern natural’ cuisine winning critical acclaim. Fresh and whole-food oriented, Chef Ryan's exquisite meals are created using ingredients sourced from local suppliers and there are menu options to suit every dietary requirement – from vegan to fruitarian, and from low-carb to high-protein diets. Foodies can even enjoy foraging excursions and cookery classes with Chef Ryan himself - simply ask and Clayoquot will arrange.

With such attention to detail and bespoke, personalized service in all it does, it’s no wonder Clayoquot Wilderness Resort has made it into Top50’s discerning collection of luxury ranch vacations – this Canada dude ranch really does offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

For more information and to book, visit Clayoquot Wilderness Resort’s ranch profile at Top50Ranches.com.

The Resort at Paws up puts a new twist on 'glamping'

Luxury glamping at The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

For first-class service, luxury ‘glamping’ and tailor-made horse riding programs, head to The Resort at Paws Up – Top50’s newest luxury dude ranch in Montana, USA.

Getting away to the wilds of a Montana ranch is no longer about roughing it. On paper, The Resort at Paws Up could easily seem like an ordinary western ranch – that is, until you step inside. Here, everyone goes first class. Luxury tented accommodations bring a new meaning to the term ‘glamping’, with canvas lodgings boasting luxury amenities such as flat-screen TVs, wireless internet, heated bathroom floors, organic spa products and hot tubs. Even the gym facilities offer mountain views through canvas doors. Personalized, anticipatory service from attentive staff complements the ranch’s luxurious accommodations, alongside gourmet cuisine, decadent spa treatments and, of course, first-rate western horseback riding.

Owned and run by the Lipson family, who have bred, raised and maintained Black Angus cattle on the 37,000-acre ranch for over 13 years, The Resort at Paws Up is no stranger to accolades. The exclusive ranch resort was included in the Top 20 People’s Choice list for US Hideaways by Andrew Harper, and named as one of the ‘Most wine-friendly restaurants’ by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Unlike many other resort-style vacations, Paws Up offers the ultimate in privacy. Guests can feel like they’re the only people on the ranch while on vacation at Paws Up, with their own personal home or luxury tent, personal butler and chef, and even private picnic rides.

At the same time, Paws Up also welcomes children and families, offering a fully supervised children’s program for ages four and upwards with age-appropriate activities including horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, scavenger hunts, badminton, pool table, and animal and horse care. The Paws Up “Kids Corps of Discovery” offers and full- and half-day programs for children aged five to 12, with activities like trips to ghost towns, and authentic ranch experiences. Families wishing to go horseback riding together can enjoy tailored trail rides or arena lessons at the equestrian center.

Horseback riding activities at Paws Up cater for all levels of rider, from the nervous first-timer to the experienced horseman or woman. Head wrangler Max heads the extensive Paws Up horseback riding program and, with more than 40 years of experience, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge with every guest. Whether it’s a relaxing trail ride, one-to-one horsemanship lessons in the arena, cattle sorting, reining, natural horsemanship, roping or barrel racing, Max will go the extra mile to make sure every guest’s Paws Up horseback riding experience exceeds expectations.

A host of non-riding activities such as wilderness adventures, back-country camping, fly-fishing on the legendary Blackfoot River, zorbing, hot-air ballooning, white-water rafting and ATV riding will keep non-riders – and the saddle-sore – adequately entertained. Or why not relax in the Paws Up luxury spa with a deep tissue massage, rock treatment, manicure, facial or pedicure?

After a day spent outside on the ranch, nothing beats a good meal – and Paws Up believes in great meals. Using sophisticated culinary techniques and the freshest ingredients available, the ranch’s team of chefs create rustic ranch cuisine you’ll want to get out of the saddle (or hot tub) for. Lavish breakfasts include huckleberries picked from the surrounding mountains with French toast. Dinners can be taken in one of the ranch’s two on-site restaurants, with menus featuring the likes of fresh Rocky Mountain trout, leg of lamb and savory chicken breast. Or dine in the great outdoors with a lavish barbeque complete with vintage Pinot Noirs.

For a unique luxury western ranch vacation, it has to be The Resort at Paws Up.

Dude ranch vacations in winter don’t have to mean sleigh rides, snowy trail riding and curling up by a huge log fire to escape freezing temperatures. If your idea of a winter ranch vacation is to find some sun, Top50 has plenty to offer...

Temperatures of up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees centigrade) are not uncommon temperatures in Arizona during winter. To make the most of the warmer climes this US state offers, head to Rancho de los Caballeros for a winter dude ranch vacation. Enjoy horseback riding over 20,000 acres of rolling hillsides and wide open spaces in the Sonoran Desert, and try team penning in the arena. With golfing, tennis, a full-service spa and outdoor swimming pool, you won’t believe that it’s winter on your dude ranch vacation! Open between October and May, and offering a great children’s program, Rancho de los Caballeros is also perfect for family Arizona dude ranch vacations out of season.

Mexico has a similar winter climate to Arizona, so head to a Mexico dude ranch for your winter horseback riding holidays. Los Banos Ranch is the place to go if you want adventure from your Mexico ranch holiday. This genuine Mexico working ranch offers world-class horseback riding, cattle work and trail rides, along with hiking, trekking and box canyon adventures. If you love horseback riding and the outdoors, this sunny ranch is the place to come for your winter horse riding holiday.

Another Mexico dude ranch is Rancho Las Cascadas, a small luxury ranch where guests’ needs are always placed first. Leave all snowy thoughts of winter behind as you relax in the infinity pool with a cocktail, or saddle up and go horseback riding across open countryside and through rock mountain paths.

Rancho Las Cascadas:

Winter is the perfect time to travel for an Australia horse riding holiday if you want some winter sun. Snowy River Horseback Adventure, in New South Wales, enjoys summer temperatures during the northern hemisphere’s winter months, so you can get a tan whilst enjoying horse treks through ‘Man from Snowy River’ country. This is one horseback riding holiday that’s worth travelling the extra miles for.

Neighboring New Zealand also offers horse riding holidays in a great climate when winter sets in for the northern hemisphere. Beaumont High Country Experience operates its guest season between November and April, so escape the throes of winter and enjoy sheep mustering at this authentic working cattle station. Aside from offering great horseback riding holidays through the backcountry, Beaumont also takes guest on a jet-boat excursions, where you’ll ride through white-water rapids!

Known as the Sunshine State, California guest ranches are surely the place to go for a warmer dude ranch vacation during the winter months. The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort is a 10,000 acre working cattle ranch, blending incredible horseback riding opportunities with luxury accommodations and facilities, as well as first-class spa services and fine dining.

Another California dude ranch is Rankin Ranch, as working ranch with a great reputation for family dude ranch vacations. Although the excellent children’s program doesn’t run during winter months, kids and adults alike with enjoy the supervised horseback riding opportunities, complete with trail riding and lessons in the arena – and don’t forget the outdoor pool for added fun and relaxation.

For some real sunshine, head south of the equator to Argentina working estancias for horseback riding holidays with a difference. Estancia Huechahue allows guests to sample life on a Patagonian working estanica, whether it’s horseback riding, horseback pack trips across the Andes, hiking to see Indian burial caves or rafting on the River Alumine. Enjoy the summer temperatures with a soak in the hot tub, a swim in the river and a BBQ dinner on the river bank.

Estancia Ranquilco is another Argentina working estancia, remotely nestled in the foothills of the Andes and boasting 100,000 acres on which to enjoy winter horseback riding holidays. Take a horseback riding pack trip into the mountains, and swim your horse through remote mountain lakes on your horse riding holiday at this Argentina working estancia.

Like the idea of a winter horseback riding holiday in Argentina and want to incorporate a spot of polo into your winter dude ranch vacation? Then head to Estancia Los Potreros, an Argentina working estancia offering just that. As well as trail riding, this working estancia offers horseback riding opportunities like lassoing, moving horses and taking part in traditional ‘gaucho games’ – and, of course, polo! Hop aboard one of the estancia’s polo ponies and learn a new sport on your Argentina horse riding holiday.

Estancia Los Potreros:

What are you waiting for? Escape the snow, wind and rain of winter and head for some winter sun on a Top50 dude ranch vacation, guest ranch vacation or working ranch vacation.

Western ranch vacations combined with a spot of pampering - that's a 'Rope & Soak' at a Top50 ranch! From honeymoons to girlfriends’ getaways, Rope & Soak dude ranch vacations offer a great new way to take a western horseback riding holiday.

You got up at the crack of dawn for a hearty cowboy breakfast before going down to the barn to saddle your horse. You’ve been riding all day, moving cattle and taking in mile after mile of breathtaking scenery. Moseying back to the ranch at the end of a long day, you’re tired but content. Surely the only thing that could top off your day is a soothing massage and a long soak in a bubbling hot tub. On a Rope & Soak vacation at a Top50 ranch, you can do just that.

There’s no reason why getting the most authentic western ranch vacation can’t offer pampering and luxury too, a winning combination hailed by The Hideout ranch in Wyoming, USA. European-style pampering and luxury spa facilities run alongside unbeatable horseback riding with ample opportunity for cattle work on the 250,000 working cattle ranch.

Or head to Bonanza Creek ranch in Montana, USA, which offers a comprehensive range of massages, Reiki, yoga and hot tub facilities alongside regular pasture gathers. Another Montana guest ranch is Triple Creek, where guests can take part in cattle drives and even work with the ranch’s bison herd. After a day riding alongside real cowboys, Triple Creek’s pool, hot tub and spa treatments await, to soothe those aching muscles.

Cowboy by day... (photo taken at Bonanza Creek Ranch, Montana USA)

Not forgetting Echo Valley Ranch and Spa in British Columbia, Canada, with its spa facilities rivaling that of 5-star hotels. Echo Valley is ideally suited to less experienced horseback riders wishing to immerse themselves in western cowboy culture and be pampered to the max! A great ranch for non-riders and families, it has something for everyone in truly beautiful mountain surroundings.

...And pampering by night (photo taken at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, BC, Canada)

The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, USA, offer the feel of the ‘true west’ without sacrificing true comfort. Here, ranch vacations are tailor-made to suit guest requirements, meaning as much or as little horseback riding and pampering as you wish. Guests can get their cowboy fix at the ranch’s weekly authentic rodeo, then rejuvenate at Rock Creek’s dedicated 5-room full spa service. This ranch screams luxury!

C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado, USA, has perhaps the most unique spa for a Rope & Soak vacation. Its outdoor setting suggests western authenticity and gives guests that feeling of reconnecting with nature. Housed inside year-round canvas tents complete with glass-bottom, hydronic-heated floors and furnishings made from the ranch’s very own wood, the spa boasts beautiful views across the creek. After an action-packed day of cattle gathering, this is perfect place to relax and unwind with a massage, facial, or C Lazy U’s signature ‘Cowboy Soak’ – a moonlit soak in old-fashioned, deep copper tubs overlooking the creek, complete with champagne and strawberries.

The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, USA, is the ideal choice for less experienced riders looking for an authentic western vacation with second-to-none spa facilities. The ranch offers arena-based lessons and cattle sorting, as well as pasture gathers for all riding levels. Those new-found riding muscles can be soothed at the Paws Up spa, which offers relaxation massage, deep-tissue massage, rock therapies and countless other spa treatments.

Whatever your requirements on your dude ranch vacation, Top50 Ranches has a ranch to meet your needs. Whether it’s horseback riding action, relaxation, family friendly, true luxury or a mixture of everything, you’ll find it on a Rope & Soak.

Spa treatments at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa (British Columbia, Canada)

It's so interesting what horses can do for an individual. From just plain enjoying yourself at a dude ranch or guest ranch to offering true therapy for individuals. Horses have been proven as positive therapeutic options for individuals experiencing Physical, Emotional or Learning Disabilities.

Horses are incredible animals. They seem to sense when people have special needs and they try their best to adapt to meet those needs. These gentle giants are unbelievably understanding, compassionate and completely non-judgmental. Unless one is deliberately brutal, they continually excuse us for our mistakes. Horses truly give their hearts and souls for the people that love them. It is no wonder that horses can make such wonderful “therapists.”

The concept of therapeutic riding started in Europe in the 1950’s. Following the development of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA) in 1969, an organization that defines safety standards and provides support for the industry, the number of programs in the North America began to increase. As of 2006, there were 717 NARHA member centers serving 38,600 children and adults throughout North America.

The horse’s movements are smooth, and for those who are not able to walk on their own, the riding experience can help to exercise muscles that are used in walking and for balance. For individuals with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, the smooth motion of the horse can help to improve balance, overall gross motor function, as well as trunk, pelvic and hip motion. In fact, miracles occasionally can occur! An adult rider who spent seven years in a wheelchair as a result of M.S., is now not only able to walk, but able to trot along with the horse as a volunteer sidewalker at the therapeutic riding facility where she first attended as a participant.

Therapeutic riding can also be helpful for children with developmental disabilities, mental retardation and learning disabilities. Many discuss how horse interaction and therapeutic riding are particularly helpful for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This type of therapeutic setting may help children to improve their...
 
    * Listening skills and the ability to follow multi-step directions.
    * Communication skills.
    * Social skills.
    * Self-esteem.
    * Left to right orientation and directionality (start at the front, move to the back, move left to right).
    * Sequencing (step one, step two, step three, etc. in order).6

Horse interaction and therapeutic riding can also help the child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder to allow others to enter their world and eventually to join, at least to some degree, the world outside of themselves.

Therapeutic riding and horse interaction is a powerful tool for many as they strive to overcome difficulties in their lives.