Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Take a ride back in time

Utah is a pretty equestrian place. There are a lot of people who own their own horses, and many who have "horse properties" - where families live in the 4000 sf home, and the horses get a couple of acres. We're exposed to horses regularly.
However, there are still many among us who rarely get a chance to go horseback riding. Or when we do, we "rent" the horse, and follow nose to tail as less-than-spirited horses trudge along trails that they've traveled hundreds of times.

On Antelope Island, things are different. R&G Horse and Wagon provides outfitter-led rides across the plains of the island. If you take your own horse out there, you must stay on the trails. However, when you ride with R&G, they'll ask you where you want to go, or what you want to see - and away you go, across belly-high grass and well off the trails. There are mountain sheep in the rocks above the plains that a trained eye can point out to you. There's also an unmolested herd of mule deer that roam the island without concern of hunters or predators. The pronghorn are numerous, and often visible on the ride. Of course, the highlight is when you can get within a few hundred yards of some of the range bison. It kind of brings to mind the old cowboy song "Give me a home where the buffalo roam, and the deer and the antelope play".

It's actually a step back in time. If you notice, all of the improvements on Antelope Island are on the north side of the island. That includes the campsites, the Island Buffalo Grill, the marina, the Visitors Center, and the beach with showers. This was done on purpose. The southern end of the island is the same as it's been for hundreds,thousands, and even millions of years - with the exception of the road that leads 2/3rds of the way down the east side of the island to the Fielding Garr Ranch. The ranch is the oldest Anglo structure in Utah that is still on its original foundation. Everything else is just as Nature made it. A stop at the Visitors Center will point out that some of the rocks found on the island, are some of the oldest in the entire world.

All of this "desert island" beauty is available for you to see from the saddle of your own horse. Rates are $50 per hour, $75 for 1.5 hours,and $100 for a two hour ride. Children are welcome to ride, but they must be 6 years old. The horses are calm, tame and many are "movie stars" - as Ron, the outfitter, is often asked by Hollywood producers to provide horses to the stars. The DACVB makes reservations up to 48 hours (2 days) before your ride. Give us a call to make a reservation or to get more information(888)878-8002 or (801)774-8200




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