I am proud to say that, to my knowledge, we are the only dude ranch to require helmets at all times while riding. Actually I think it is unpardonable that the Dude Ranchers? Association does not insist that its members require them. No doubt individual ranches might lose the odd guest wanting to make a fashion statement, but just to avoid one or two serious head accidents a year it would be well worth it. Actually I believe there must be dozens of concussions on dude ranches ever year which could have been avoided by wearing a riding helmet

—Bayard Fox

Scholars are fairly certain that horses were domesticated and ridden on the steppes of Asia at least as far back as 5,000 years. They were used in Egypt and Mesopotamia at about the same time. Just as with sheep or cattle there were many other reasons for domesticating horses than riding them. Horse meat is excellent food, they have useful hides and give nourishing milk. It seems that their first use for military purposes in Egypt and Mesopotamia was mainly with horse drawn chariots which provided archers and javelin throwers with a platform from which to launch their missiles and greater speed than opposing foot soldiers. When the chariots were mounted with scythes on the wheels they must have been awe inspiring engines as they charged into massed foot soldiers.

The Mongols carved out the largest empire the world had known in the 13th century and certainly it was their horses which enabled them to accomplish this astounding feat. They galloped across Asia and into Europe with several horses per soldier so that riders could exchange mounts frequently. Often the army moved at such speed that it was able to attack before news came to the target that they were anywhere near. A fascinating aspect of the way they traveled light with such speed and effectiveness is that they had the practice of opening a vein in their horses so that they could suck blood for sustenance while galloping along. Of course blood is extremely nourishing and the traditional diet of the Masai was mainly blood and milk. They could take a certain amount of blood periodically from their cows depending on how good the grass was and it was part of the harvest so to speak. Some Americans are a bit squeamish about eating blood, even cooked, but their inhibitions do not change the fact that it is a very nutritious food high in protein. The British call it black pudding, in Germany it is blutwurst and the French call it boudin noir.

The importance of horses to civilizations and their power is graphically demonstrated by the arrival of Europeans in America. Many say that the horses of Cortez were more important in his victory over the vastly superior number of the Aztecs than his firearms. The Spanish jealously guarded their horses from the Indians, whose civilization they crushed. They were fully aware of the tremendous advantages horses gave them over the Indians. Beyond the tangible advantages of speed and power the horse had a huge psychological impact. The Spaniards were able to maintain their monopoly on horses pretty well until the rebellion in Santa Fe of 1680 where the Spanish government was overthrown and hundreds of horses were either captured or ran wild. The American West was ideal horse country and they quickly multiplied and spread north over the Great Plains so that by the 1740s when the French explorer, de la Verendrye, came into Wyoming and Montana the Indians there were already acquiring them. Having the horse gave the Plains Indians an unprecedented empowerment; completely changing their way of life.? Now they could hunt the buffalo effectively and it made their nomadic way of life following the herds far easier.

—Bayard Fox

The young lady who won our competition prize is still deciding between a free trip at the Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming and the Fortresses & Forests of the Dordogne Ride in France. Its a hard decision!

If you missed it this year we hope to see you in 2010!

Sarah

It is a land of vast forests, huge wilderness areas, rushing trout streams, limpid lakes and abundant wildlife. Wind River Country is twice the size of New Jersey, which has a population density 250 times greater. This means that one seldom sees other people while riding into the wilderness areas of the national forests and the trout streams are not crowded shoulder to shoulder with other fishermen.

If you are coming to Wyoming, this book will enrich your understanding of the area and make your visit more meaningful. If you are wondering what part of the world to visit and aren’t inclined to go to the ends of the earth this year, this may give you some ideas.

Riding at dude ranches varies from great to boring nose to tail on tired old plugs, but the best ones can offer a fine riding experience as well as a way to become better acquainted with horses as well as their breeding and training.

Equitours also emails newsletters with current specials and discounts. To put your name on the list just go to the homepage on the right bottom corner and enter your name and email address.

Happy Riding!

Sarah

Most of our clients should have received their 2009 brochures by now. If you would like to request one please go our website. We have some new and exciting rides for 2009 and look forward to hearing from you.

Please note that the Equitours office will be closed from midday on Christmas Eve for the festive season. We will be back in the office Monday December 29.

Cheers

The Equitours team

We hope you will trust in Equitours proven history in the industry and contact us to help you patch up the pieces of a current booking gone awry, or book your next riding vacation with confidence and excitement.

Most of our 2009 dates and prices are now online at www.ridingtours.com with the rest to follow shortly. Our 2009 printed brochure should hit your mailboxes around Christmas with a great selection of thrilling new rides, scouting trips and non riding excursions.

Feel free to call and talk to one of our expert consultants at 800 545 0019 or email us at info@ridingtours.com

Sarah

My scouting trip to Noosa, Australia was fantastic. Equitours has secured another great ride to add to our repertoire of offerings. This ride which we have called the Sunshine Coast Inn to Inn, offers a fantastic assortment of riding from state forests,to farming, to beach rides and cattle work. It is not for the total beginner although novice riders can certainly join and request instruction along the way from owner and Olympian, Alex Watson.
The steeds, Australian Stock Horses, are well cared for and very sweet to ride. They work hard, are comfortable and forward and have a loving side to their personality. The accommodations you are transported to are comfortable and the food is abundant, fresh and varied. The area offers an excellent base for travel around Australia as it is only 2 hours from Brisbane and close to Fraser Island and The Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Our new ride- Sunshine Coast Inn to Inn- is a great addition for Equitours.

Sarah

I am especially happy about the prospect of this trip because my older son, Bayard, is a wine maker himself (www.renardsyrah.com) who lives in Napa. We will be able to spend one of the evenings during the trip together and he will provide the wines for the dinner. The food in Tuscany and in Bordeaux is certainly some of the best in the world, but again California has a great deal to offer because of the ethnic mix enabling their cooks to draw from the culinary traditions of so many countries. Thanks to the mild climate there is fresh produce available much of the year.

The horses for this tour sound as though they would be a pleasure to ride. Apparently most of them are gaited Rocky Mountain horses. Apparently these versatile animals can trot and gallop as well. The breed is known to be sure footed and willing. In order to visit the most attractive parts of the area, the horses are often trailered from their base enabling us to cover the riding highlights. This adventure should provide California horseback riding at its best.