happy trails horse adventures

I have been out with Happy Jack a few times, the most recent was with my 8 year old niece. All my rides have been really enjoyable and I would not hesitate to put other children or even seniors on one of his horses to enjoy the beautiful trails that he has access to. The rides are informative, save, beautiful and fun.

We had a wonderful experience on a 1.5 hour trail ride. Our 8-year old loved it! Great horses, wonderful staff. Very enjoyable.

My best friend and I were looking for a fun scenic trail ride and boy did we get that and beyond at Happy Trails! What a magical place! Happy Jack is a wonderful trail guide who cares a great deal about the human and horse connection. I would go back in a heartbeat. We went during the week, so it wasn't busy and we were just spoiled. Happy jack put time into training before the ride, so we felt comfortable and safe throughout our magical adventure.

We went on the 90 minute ride - my kids' first horseback adventure. they were scared at first (ages 8 and 9) but the guide was great with the kids, knew how to deal with the fear and make it fun, and by the end the kids were hooked!!!! The trail itself wasn't spectacular but the horses were nice, and I recommend it.

Happy Jack Price is a wonderful, sweet, gentle man with a special love of all animals. I have visited Happy Jack's four times and have loved every experience.Summer, spring and winter are the best. You will not be dissappointed!

My whole family went on the sleigh ride and enjoyed playing/sledding in the snow! The kids loved petting the huge horses that came up to the fence in the parking lot. Such a welcoming, safe, and happy environment. Definitely going again next year!

My husband and I have ridden twice in the past 2 weeks with Happy Trails. Happy Jack Price, the owner, is a very patient, kind and thorough instructor and ride leader. My husband has been preparing for a 6 day backcountry riding adventure in the California High Sierra. Jack spent a couple of hours teaching us the details and fine points of how to approach a horse, put on the saddle and bridle, adjust the stirrups, and so on. Then we hit the trail for a half day ride on our first trip. We had a great experience. The horses we rode, Mandy and Bess, were easy going and extremely well trained. Mandy is half Shire, half quarter horse. Bess is 100% Percheron. Both are BIG horses (Shire and Percheron are draft horse breeds.) Jack led our ride and made helpful teaching suggestions to help us communicate effectively with the horses (via the reins and our legs/heels) and ride safely up and down steep inclines; Lloyd, Jack's employee, brought up the rear. Jack also pointed out MANY interesting natural and historical sights along the trail, such as where the bull elk wallow, where the black bears have marked their territory, and so on. Our second ride was an all-day ride; we covered 11 miles, and boy, I was sure tired! But we stopped every hour and a half to stretch our legs, which made it possible for me to spend so much time in the saddle. As far as safety goes, riding horses comes with risks, even merely riding around in an arena (I have had a horse bolt/run away with me inside an enclosed arena, a very scary experience.) These trail rides are out in the countryside and forest areas. There is wildlife that can surprise/spook a horse. My mount, Mandy, was spooked by a deer when we were almost back at Happy Trails, and shied (suddenly jumped sideways) without warning as we rode along. No one's fault! That's what horses do. Our experience is that these are sure-footed, even tempered and well trained horses, and we plan to ride with Happy Jack again. The facilities at Happy Trails include a very clean porta-potty. There is nice cold drinking water in the "clubhouse" (an old trailer) and water for hand washing. The horse manure is cleaned up regularly--it is not an unkempt operation. It is dusty, but that's just the environment of this area. If you love horses and riding, definitely go for it at Happy Trails! If you are interested but not sure, talk over your interests and concerns with Jack. My experience is that he wants you to have a good time and will do his darndest to meet your needs.

My time at Happy Trails was one to remember for the whole family. The staff there are truly genuine in their desire to show everyone a good experience. I can't remember the last time that I was fully satisfied when trying something new, but I can say that Happy Jack is a pleasure to meet and was able to leave us feeling completely satisfied with our trip.

We signed up to take our young children on a half-day ride with this outfit.. Allison is 10 and Jack is 7.But, our day ended with frightened children - myself included!Less than 5 minutes in to the ride WE WERE CHARGED FROM HORSES from their neighbors. The HORSES HOOFED, RAMMED, AND HEADED my husband's horse and the guides horses! Thankfully the children and I were in the back.After watching in complete horror I requested that they take us back to safety immediately, and I told them to distract the horses so we could get out safely. This was not an easy task. The horses rushed us all the way back to the barb-wire fence. So, I told them to get my son (who was shaking and in tears) off his horse and get him to safety. My daughter was next then me and followed by my husband.When we finally got through the gate, my children were shaking and crying and completely frightened - it was horrible!Looking back, it could have turned out very very badly....the horses could have taken off in a full gallop, children could have fallen off - someone could have gotten trampled! Just NOT SAFE!!!Do NOT take your children (or yourself) on a trail ride with this group, they are NOT SAFE. And while their website is pristine - the place is a dirty, run-down dump - with no bathroom or running water!