So glad we found this place. A beautiful scenic ride that would be hard to beat somewhere else…read more Friendly and helpful staff. Bit of a drive, but definitely worth it.

I flew out to Colorado to get my best friend back on a horse. The road to get up to the stables was…read morelong, narrow, and a bit scary, however it is worth it! We were greeted by a very nice lady and our group was small with only 4 guests. The trail was lovely. We got to see so many beautiful sights. The ranch itself is cute and perfect for photos. The cantina also had the best brisket Mac and cheese I've ever had in my life. It was so tender and flavorful. The Alabama white sauce and hot bbq sauce were a perfect addition!

I took a group of 9 people to Music Meadows. Absolutely fantastic. Elin Parker Ganschow is a…read morefantastic guide and teacher. She custom tailored the ride to my kids' more advanced riding abilities, so I'm sure she can do the same for your group. She's a bit more expensive than the other ranch near Westcliffe (Bear Basin), but very worth it. Bear Basin would only do "nose to tail" rides where you're stuck in a line the whole time. Elin at Music Meadows encouraged our group to get to know our assigned horse, get them to do what we wanted and explore the open country. (I'm sure you can do regular trail rides in a line as well). Great variety of terrain on a huge, 3800 acre working cattle ranch. A mixture of open grasslands, rolling sage hillsides, aspen groves, water crossings and amazing views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Also, each rider was given a very nice Music Meadows aluminum water bottle for the ride, and got to keep them afterwards (probably supposed to be a secret bonus at the end, so shhhhhh!). Music Meadows is home of "Sangres Best" grass-finished beef, and you can buy some on site to take home. Since I was already covering a ride for 9 people, we just bought some all-beef bratwurst and franks, and they were delicious. She also let us sample some of their new beef jerky, which only had a small handful of entirely pronounceable ingredients. Elin also gave us a tour of the cute (and surprisingly big) cottage on the ranch. It's beautifully decorated and can be rented out. It looks like it could sleep quite a few people. I've been on plenty of trail rides throughout Colorado, and Music Meadows is top notch. Hats off to Elin for working tirelessly to carry on Colorado's rich western heritage. The ranch is protected under a conservation easement through San Isabel Land Trust that ensures it remains in its natural state for generations to come. Dang it. I'm gushing. Give these guys a try. You'll be glad you did.

Great experience! I was in Westcliffe for an offsite work retreat. Music Meadows Ranch was…read morerecommended by a fellow coworker. We had a group of 10 and had a wonderful time! Nicole was so easy to work with and talk to when I was planning the trip. We were unable to do a full day of riding so the ladies were very accommodating and we rode from 9am - 12:30/1pm. This was the first time anyone in the group had the freedom to direct their horse where to go and to trot. We had all only been horse back riding when you ride in a single file line which is... fine. This was SO much better!! They give you a lot of training before you ride so you feel comfortable directing the horse on your own. 5/5 stars definitely recommend! The ladies were also fun to talk to while riding! And the kitties at the barn were cute.

Asia is a great trainer. She is very knowledgeable and competent. Most importantly Asia listens to…read moreher clients and makes adjustments as necessary. We had a difficult horse and without fear, she not only managed but was able to correct problems. Asia goes out of her way to make you a better rider. Never harsh to the animals, patient and always has your best intrest in mind. Asia is honest with you and points out areas for improvement. Couldn't ask for anything better. (We moved from Califorina to Colorado in 2024)

From the owner: At Adkins Horsemanship, our specialty is helping horses and riders build stronger, healthier, and…read moremore confident partnerships through natural horsemanship and science-based training methods. With over 20 years of experience, we focus on understanding each horse as an individual and tailoring training to their unique needs, history, and personality. We specialize in retraining, rehabilitation, and confidence building for both horse and rider. Many of the horses we work with have faced challenges such as poor handling, trauma, gaps in training, or behavioral issues that left them confused or anxious. Through gentle, patient guidance, we create a safe environment where horses can relearn trust and develop a clear understanding of what is being asked of them. Our services include restarting troubled horses, colt starting, confidence-building for horse and rider, and rehabilitation support. Every program is built on clear communication, compassion, and respect for both horse and owner. Whether your goal is to give your horse a fresh start, rebuild trust, or strengthen your partnership, Adkins Horsemanship is here to provide expert guidance and lasting results. Proudly serving the Southern Colorado community, we are committed to helping horses and riders achieve harmony, confidence, and success together.

This ranch is absolutely amazing. From the accommodations, to staff, to the view and location this…read moreplace is 5 stars! I hope to be able to go back soon. Highly recommended!

From the owner: Zapata Ranch is a 103,000-acre ranch owned by The Nature Conservancy of Colorado where guests can…read moreride through and learn about our conservation herd of 2,500 bison, integrate themselves into daily life on the ranch and participate in extensive nature programs. Managed by Ranchlands, Zapata Ranch in nestled at the base of Southern Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Mountains and shares a border with the United States' tallest sand dunes: The Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.

Highly recommend! Our wrangler, Maria was great! She was very knowledgeable, kind and helpful! The…read morehorses were friendly and matched perfectly! The Garden of Gods views were spectacular! My 8 year old son and I loved this adventure!

Excellent riding experience with Academy Riding Stables to see the Garden of the Gods. we did the…read morethe 1 hr and that was perfect for kids 8 & 10 to enjoy. We have all ridden before but this ride was good for any level. The guide. Aaron, was wonderful keeping the group on track, communicating and making it fun. I felt very safe and comfortable. These horses know the drill and made it very stress free. The views are beautiful and you can see some wildlife. Really wonderful way to see the area for the whole family. I would recommend for anyone visiting the Garden of the Gods.

100% WORTH IT!! :) I booked a private horseback riding date with my husband for Father's Day and we…read morehad one of the best days of our lives! Matt is extremely helpful, cool and knowledgeable about horses. He is an super experienced rider and he will work with anyone from beginners (people who have never even sat on a horse) to experts. He lets you set the pace and makes sure you are comfortable and having fun the whole ride. He always has his eye on the riders and will be right there in a flash if you need help. Also, his prices are WAY lower than anywhere else. Just stop what you're doing and call this guy. I promise you'll have an amazing time no matter your age or experience level with horses! I can't wait to go back!!!!!!!

Followed me then immediately unfollowed me on Instagram. Getting pretty sick of local businesses…read moredoing this to grow their social media presence. You just so happened to catch me while I'm bored.

My mother was in Colorado visiting from the east cost so I took her and my gf on the day ride…read morethrough the Sangre de Cristo mountains offered by Bear Basin. Mike was great as a guide! He was very personable answering questions, explaining the plan for the day, and making great conversation along the ride. The three of us had some horseback experience but he made sure we were all comfortable before we started out on the trail. The views at the lake were awesome and they even had a nice packed lunch for us to enjoy when we took a break. Some might be hesitant for the mountains ride even though the cost is reasonable but it's worth it to experience the mountains on the back of a horse!

This place is fantastic! Lee and Mike were great with kids and great to talk to and led us on a…read moregreat two hour ride through some beautiful country. Highly recommend checking them out!

I contacted them last Christmas to book a couples ride for my wife and I. I purchased a gift…read morecertificate obviously assuming we would go for a ride during better weather. I mistakenly assumed that the gift certificate would be good for at least the next year, but it turns out it was limited to nine months. When the weather improved after our busy summer came to an end, we went to book our ride and was told our gift certificate expired one week prior. Nowhere on my receipt did it have an expiration date, and I was never told of one. It was in very small print on the attachment to the gift certificate. I was told there was no exceptions to be made even if I was flexible on our available dates. As locals, this is very disappointing and we will definitely remember this going forward as we could've been long-term customers. We'll be sure to spread the lack of customer service to everybody we know locally as well. My wife was devastated as she was very much looking forward to this after some major life issues during our summer. Sad to see the lack of caring from a local community business.

After multiple calls, and attempts trying to make a reservation it took TWO days of texting. I…read moreoriginally asked if they had any availability, so they asked what day am I looking for, I replied Saturday would be great. They then told me they are booked out for the next two weeks, and I said okay, I'll do whenever available, I'm really wanting to take my daughter on this experience. To which they replied they are booked out until summer. What a waste of time, and why the run around?? Will absolutely avoid this place in the future.

Can you tell which kind of animal at the ranch is my favorite?…read more Let me tell you...holding these little babies is actual LIFE! Are you mad, sad, glad, rad?? Anything you're going through, this is the place for you. Such a spirit lift! When you're headed down the road to get there you almost think you couldn't possibly be going the right way. It's out in the boondocks, and down a dirt road. But it's so worth the trip. The animals love people so much. The goats might trick you into thinking you're their best friend, but in reality they just want your treats. The babies are so lovable. They always have all kinds of cuties; horses, piggies, alpacas, donkeys, sheep, chickens, ducks, bunnies, ostriches... We go all the time. It's an awesome family fun experience. One trip my daughter and I got to watch baby goats be born! I highly recommend checking them out!

This little place is a must if you're in the Colorado Springs area. We are from out of state and…read morethis was our first stop. The owner, Erin, is amazing!! The passion, nurture, knowledge, and love that she has for each and every animal on her farm just gives me goosebumps. This experience is family friendly and even my 16 year old daughter had the time of her life.