Horseback riding has come to be associated with a lot of action movies depicting the Wild West and cowboys. But however exotic it may seem, Horseback riding is still the primary means of transport in many places and in addition to being a certification course for being an equestrian or a jockey, horseback riding is also done as a pastime activity. And this is the best way to enjoy the countryside landscape of Sedona.
Originally home to the Yavapai and the Apache tribes; who were evacuated to the San Carlos Indian Reservation, Sedona initially started as a small village of 155 residents and was named after its first postmaster in the 1950s.
It then slowly became popular as a tourism centre, vacation spot and a hiking centre as it developed through 1960s and the 1970s. Most of the development work was done in the 1990s and gradually it got quite famous as a movie shoot spot as well, with a film named after the place itself “Sedona (2012)” which depicts its story. Sedona also hosts an international film festival every year in addition to a marathon and a charity fundraiser.
Backpacking tourism in Sedona has gained a lot of publicity recently as it has come to represent one of the main hiking centers of Arizona. Rich in red sandstone, most of its landscape is made of rock spires which appear to glow a faint red during dawn and dusk.
The rugged landscape doesn't allow much travelling by motor vehicles. Hence horseback is the preferred mode of transport over here. In addition to that, horseback riding is one of the best ways to enjoy the trips around the countryside. There are plenty of ranches in the vicinity which offer horses on hire and they also have facilities for taking care of horses in case you own one.
Horseback riding has become quite commercialized recently, with a day’s trip costing anywhere from $75-$135 for a 3-4 hour trip which would generally include lunch. The trails taken are usually in the cottonwood area, which is far from the red rocks.
The trails are said to get monotonous sometimes as the horses are led nose-to-tail without any room for trotting or galloping. But this is done mostly because the riders are usually novices and to lose control of your horse could result in a fall and would prove dangerous at times.
Pre training in horseback riding is recommended if not mandatory and there is an age limit of 7 for the rides. If the rules given are followed and the safety precautions taken, horseback riding around Sedona can be quite a memorable experience for budding explorers of all age groups.
