A. Guests are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to their scheduled reservation to allow time to sign release forms and get ready for your ride. We like to start right on time, and this gives you extra allowance in case you miscalculate distance or take a wrong turn somewhere (or maybe have to wait for the buffalo to cross the road in the park J). There is plenty to do if you're early.



A. The following are recommendations for what guests might want or need when visiting the ranch.  These are only suggestions, they are not neccessary.

*Water and snacks
*Swimsuit and towel
*Long pants for the ride
*Picnic lunch
*Sunscreen and/or baseball cap
*Camera
*Dress according to the weather

A.  No, we have no weight restrictions to ride horses! We have horses for all weights, including large horses for large people. Though it is generally recommended that persons over 350 lbs not ride, each guest is the best judge of his or her abilities to stay balanced in the saddle and on the horse.  Keep in mind that though we do not have a weight limit, some persons are not physically fit enough to ride horses.

A. No! We love families! Children five years of age and older need to ride their own horse, but children four and younger are allowed to ride with an adult. We usually recommend waiting until a child is 2 years to start riding.  Keep in mind that the adult and child must both be able to fit in the saddle as there is no “riding on the back of the horse” allowed. Children over 4 years old are not allowed to ride double.

A. We feel like we have one of the best and least expensive ranches in the Yellowstone area for horseback riding!  We love families and groups of all sizes, and we want to mae a day of pleasure affordable for EVERYONE, including those who have large families or groups.  There is nothing inferior about riding horses with Yellowstone Horses at the Eagle Ridge Ranch, in fact, we believe you will not find a better horseback riding experience within a 200 mile radius of us!  And what's even better is we offer so much more than just a regular dude ranch: fishing, swimming, canoeing, cookouts, skeet shooting, archery, etc. make us truly unique.  We have simply chosen not to overinflate our prices! 

A. No, the ranch is private property, so no fishing license is required!

A.  ANY of our horseback riding guests are welcome to fish, swim, boat, canoe, catch frogs, etc. at no additional charge.  If you plan on coming to the ranch and staying awhile we recommend bringing a picnic lunch as well as clothes you can change into to get wet!

A. Preferably, no.  The fishing is catch and release.  However, if you are really determined to keep a fish that you've caught, and if we really like you :), we can make an exception for $5 a fish. 

A. In a nutshell, the half-day rides are longer (about three hours) and ride high into the mountains. The short 2 hour morning ride, afternoon and evening rides are about two hours and stay in the lowlands of the ranch. The short morning ride, afternoon family special and the evening rides are essentially the same as each other with two exceptions: the time of day they are offered, and the price. The guests help choose things like the rate of travel, how often informative stops are made, and things like photo-stops.  The ranch in a network of intertwining trails and areas to explore.  Every ride will be somewhat different.

A. Though we do occasionally have guests ride in shorts, it is generally not recommended. Long pants are best for horseback riding. Some may also want a hat for sun protection. In addition, don’t forget your sunscreen!  On cool days, a jacket may be appropriate.  We have saddlebags available if you need one.

A.  Yes! Just remember to bring all trash back out with you so we can keep our trails clean. You can bring a string or shoelace to tie around your water bottle so you can attach it to your saddle horn, or you can come early and get one of our saddle horn bags to use. Some guests prefer to bring backpacks, and you are welcome to do so, but just keep in mind that sometimes it is inconvenient to access them while riding.

Remember, the ranch also has several picnic tables set in beautiful locations for those who would like to pack a lunch.

A.  No. Our goal is to provide an enjoyable experience for everyone. In order for a child to ride with an adult the child must sit in front of the adult, in the saddle; the adult must also remain in the saddle!

There have been occasions, at the last minute, when a child who planned to ride has become terrified. Rather than spend a lot of time telling the youngster, "You're not afraid!", or "There is nothing to be afraid of!” our wranglers and guides will simply mount everyone else on their horse, and leave the child with the anxiety to be mounted last since waiting for everyone else is often the scariest part for the child. After about ten minutes on the trail, the child will always calm down and end up enjoying the experience.

A. No.  We do not offer kiddie rides around the corral. However, we do allow you to take any of your young kids four years and younger as double riders on the trail rides.  Families bring their younger kids on a daily basis, and there is no charge for them!  If you are worried about your child not lasting for the entire trip, here are a few tips for you: bring your child some snacks that are easy to eat, bring water with a lid that is easy for a child to open (preferably the kind of water bottle that allows you to open and close it with your mouth rather than a screw on cap that is easily dropped), make sure you eat a good breakfast or lunch before you come, and work around nap time for younger children if you think it would be beneficial.  You'll be surprised at how well young children actually do on these rides! 

A. Approximately 35 minutes, and it's a beautiful drive.

A. That's no problem! Before every ride, our wranglers and guides teach a basic horsemanship and safety course. At this time we try to determine a guest’s level of ability. Using this determination, we then match our guests with the appropriate horses.

A. No, they must be accompanied, and have a release form signed, by someone who is 18 years of age or older.

A. Yes. After leaving the corral area, your guide will stop and allow riders to change their locations. This can be done as often as you want during the entire ride; you do not have "assigned seats". However, for safety purposes we ask you not to break away from the group, or attempt to pass another horse while traveling. (Horses have a "pecking order" and might kick at, or run from another horse who is trying to pass).

 A. Sure, absolutely!  We understand that not eveyone in your group or family will be able to ride a horse.  Eagle Ridge Ranch will allow These persons to fish in the lake, use the paddle boats and canoes, or go for a walk around the ranch.  There is a nominal charge of $5 per person (payable directly to Eagle Ridge Ranch upon arrival at the ranch) for this.  Also, we will need everyone in your group to sign two release forms: one for horseback riding (including the non-riders) and one for Eagle Ridge Ranch that icovers all water activities. 

A. Sure, that's no problem.  We want to keep your family all together, so if you have members that can't ride a horse for whatever reason, they can still participate in the cookout with everyone else.  The cost for a non-rider per adult is $30 and $20 for children 11 and younger.  Please let us know specifically how many riders and non-riders you will have when you make your reservation.

A. No, not really. We want to reserve the ranch for horseback riding guests and not overcrowd it with just anybody.  Technically, if you really wanted to just fish without the horse ride, you could pay for the ride and just not take it.  The price for fishing only would be the same price as fishing with horseback riding.  

A. No! Our horses are not the sleepy, lazy, fat horses that are frequently found in commercial type riding situations. Most of our horses are either ranch horses, or semi-retired professional horses. Many of these horses have been previously owned by professional calf ropers, team ropers, steer wrestlers, and barrel racers. We have found that these horses, after slowing just a little, and no longer winning in professional competition, are still valuable trail horses; these horses are still competitive and far superior to ordinary saddle horses. Although our professional rodeo horses are now working in a slower environment, they still have their speed and agility. These horses are used in the mountains every day and their physical condition is similar to that of a race horse being used on the track! With these factors in mind, running our horses can be dangerous; not only for the person who is allowing their horse to run, but for the person who is riding another horse that instinctively wants to compete with the running horse! Our meadows are home to many burrowing animals such as rock chucks, wolverines, and badgers; they burrow in the soil leaving holes that running horses could step in and break legs! If you want to run your horse, go to one of the businesses that have the fat, sleepy, horses; you'll actually have to work to make them trot!

A. Yes, there are several cabins of various sizes available to rent at the ranch.  The cabins are very well kept, nice, and comfortable! However, Yellowstone Horses deals strictly with horseback riding and has no connection with cabin reservations.  For more information about cabins, visit http://cabinsinislandpark.com/.