Paul wanted to go horseback riding, something he hadn't done since Wendy and Laura were in middle school in the 80's. The reservation was made and we headed to the corrals at Colter Bay the following day. Ann went along as the official photographer.
When we arrived and walked up to the corral office, this was the view we saw of the horses all saddled and tied to the fence.
When we arrived and walked up to the corral office, this was the view we saw of the horses all saddled and tied to the fence.
The view from the front is more impressive than the rear view of the line of horses. We were surprised at how docile the horses appeared while waiting for their afternoon riders.
Paul is checking out the corral. There are over 60 head of horses kept at the Colter Bay Corral for the summer season; all of which are leased.
After some general instructions, it was time for our group to mount our assigned horses. Here Paul is mounting Elizabeth with the help of one of the wranglers. When mounting the horse, Paul was told to grab the horse's mane and not the saddle horn. One would have thought this would hurt the horse with 200 pounds pulling hair.
Yes, we were given a step to help us get up onto the horse. After mounting Elizabeth, it was time to go back over to the hitching post while the remainder of the guests mounted their horses.
Our wranglers, Austin in the yellow shirt and Katherine in the blue shirt, are giving us last minute instructions.One of our tasks was to never, repeat never, let go of the reins. We were told to hold the knot in the reins like an ice cream cone.
We headed off down the trail to Heron Pond and then to the Jackson Lake overlook before our one hour ride returned to the corral. We have hiked parts of this trail previously. But this time, Paul was about 3 feet higher, which caused him to have to duck under some of the tree branches as we went along the trail. It was amazing in that the horses followed each other and were able to step so gracefully over the rocky path without falling.
Austin told us many facts about the Tetons during our ride. Did you know how the Teton Range got it's name? Upon viewing the Teton Range from the west, the early French trappers dubbed the South, Middle, and Grand Teton peaks "les Trois Tétons" (the three breasts).
On the way back to the corral, we were treated to the sight of an elk cow just enjoying some fresh vegetation off to the side of the trail. Unfortunately, the camera didn't go along on the ride.
It was an amazing ride, as the horses are so well trained to just "follow the leader". The only direction I had to give Elizabeth was sometimes to slow down or stop if she got too close to the horse in front of us.
Paul is checking out the corral. There are over 60 head of horses kept at the Colter Bay Corral for the summer season; all of which are leased.
After some general instructions, it was time for our group to mount our assigned horses. Here Paul is mounting Elizabeth with the help of one of the wranglers. When mounting the horse, Paul was told to grab the horse's mane and not the saddle horn. One would have thought this would hurt the horse with 200 pounds pulling hair.
Yes, we were given a step to help us get up onto the horse. After mounting Elizabeth, it was time to go back over to the hitching post while the remainder of the guests mounted their horses.
Our wranglers, Austin in the yellow shirt and Katherine in the blue shirt, are giving us last minute instructions.One of our tasks was to never, repeat never, let go of the reins. We were told to hold the knot in the reins like an ice cream cone.
We headed off down the trail to Heron Pond and then to the Jackson Lake overlook before our one hour ride returned to the corral. We have hiked parts of this trail previously. But this time, Paul was about 3 feet higher, which caused him to have to duck under some of the tree branches as we went along the trail. It was amazing in that the horses followed each other and were able to step so gracefully over the rocky path without falling.
Austin told us many facts about the Tetons during our ride. Did you know how the Teton Range got it's name? Upon viewing the Teton Range from the west, the early French trappers dubbed the South, Middle, and Grand Teton peaks "les Trois Tétons" (the three breasts).
On the way back to the corral, we were treated to the sight of an elk cow just enjoying some fresh vegetation off to the side of the trail. Unfortunately, the camera didn't go along on the ride.
It was an amazing ride, as the horses are so well trained to just "follow the leader". The only direction I had to give Elizabeth was sometimes to slow down or stop if she got too close to the horse in front of us.
Sounds like a nice ride.
ReplyDeleteYou looked like you needed a bigger stool to get up on the horse.
ReplyDelete