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Vail Stables

. Five minutes from Vail but a world away. We do have the ultimate horseback ride in the mountains of Colorado. Guests from all around the world confirmed it.

Yellowstone? What's that? Book my experience now!

Our Rustic Little Outfit Offers Something for Everyone

pony at the bar

Open May 27th to September 30th 2023  

Located one easy mile (don’t walk!) NE of Vail Village

RIDICULOUSLY STRICT 48 hr and 5 minute cancellation policy.

Dress in layers as Colorado weather is very moody, and the forecast is usually deceiving.

 


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Horseback Rides

Easy Online Booking for the 1 hour, 1.5 hour,  2 hour and Half-Day Horseback Rides

Private Ride and Adult-Only 18 yrs+, please call.

It’s magical, scenic and manageable for most people. 

90% of our guests are first-time riders or have ridden once as a kid.  

We specialize in Kid-Safe and Husband-Safe Horses 

Ages: 5+, (2 Hour and Half-Day rides are for ages 7 yrs+)

Weight Limit: – 220lbs, (6’+ 240lbs, 6’4″+ 260lbs)

Read the FAQs here.  Before you call.

Last day for horseback riding is October 1.  Maybe the 2nd.


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GOGA Vail 

Yoga – with 20, frolicking, baby goats getting in your face and your space.  It’s a fun, novel, weird, zen, bucket list type of thing.  Puts a smile on your dour face.  

8 Yrs and Up (any age, if you buy out the class of 20)

Check out the GOGA schedule online.

They are usually born around April 1st.  No classes earlier than Memorial Weekend.


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G.O.A.T. Happy Hour 

Hammocks, gliders, a great view, chill vibe and plenty of adult beverages like cold beer, mixed cocktail drinks in a can and wine.  Hang with goats and ponies.

An adult hangout that is very family-friendly (all ages) with canned music, a fenced-in area, shaded sandbox, play-on toys, very few rules, (Hey kid, don’t kick the goats!) ponies to ride, 20 baby goats to feed, snacks and kid beverages.  A parent’s dream vacation spot.  Let the goats entertain the kids while you (slightly) check out.  

G.O.A.T. Happy Hour Reservations include a Bartender and a handful of mischievous goats.  $10 admission, per human 6 and over (0-5yrs free),   Walk-Ups welcome!

Nope.  You cannot bring your dog, cat or elephant.  It would be a social media nightmare if your dog bit a goat, your cat scratched a kid or your elephant sat on a pony.  

Last day for goat activities is Sunday, September 25th.


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Pony Time

Add Pony Time for kids (0-5 yrs) five, F-I-V-E

to your  G.O.A.T. Happy Hour experience when booking online (or pay at the Bar). 

An adult, that you know, (not the bartender) must lead the pony.

$15/15 minutes  

Q:  We know you aren’t open for G.O.A.T. Happy Hour now and you all look so busy but can you just get the pony out for us?  Our daughter has been dying to ride a pony.

A:  Neigh.


a group of people riding on the back of a horse

If 2023 is anything like last year, it will be ridiculous. We encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible to secure the ride and time slot or class you desire. You have 48 Hours and 5 Minutes prior to check-in time to cancel your reservation and receive a full refund.

Q:  Why do we have to pay in advance?

A:  Because we are all dumb cowboys and cowgirls and the software people say that’s how it works.

From $10

G.O.A.T. Happy Hour.  Get here for the happiest hours in town!!   Enjoy the relaxed vibe in our beer garden with a beautiful view of Vail Mountain, cool drinks, 20 baby goats, a few ponies, a sandbox and play on toys for the tiniest of kids, and maybe a nap in a hammock.  Feed treats to the goats and horses and listen to the music from our state-of-the-art surround sound system.

Goats are very goaty and ponies are trouble.  They will knock over your just purchased drink, forcing you to purchase another.  They will cause you to spill your just purchased container of treats, forcing you to buy another.  (They receive a commission on every additional purchase.)  They are lovable and pushy, always starving for treats and attention and camera time.   This is where you have to pull on your big person bloomers and be smarter and tougher than the goats.  It’s a great time and you might create a viral Insta post.

Book your birthday, office, bachelorette, reception or corporate party for a unique, fun experience.

Appropriate for small children as we have a sandbox, ride on toys and a fenced-in area.  Relax parents, it’s a good place to chill.

Open often.  Check the online booking system for that information.  Book pony rides while booking G.O.A.T. Happy Hour.

$10 Admission 6yrs+

  • G.O.A.T. Activity
From $40

Goat Yoga is an amazing experience for those who want to unwind, laugh, and relax while attempting to do the downward dog with a young goat or several goats winding around and between your limbs.  There is a lot of poo (and pee) from the goats.  They do not wear diapers.  Let that stuff go!!!  Just let it go.  We are pretty sure those little pellets are probiotics and if you eat one, you will be healthy for at least a year.  Seriously, we hope you don’t actually do that.  It’s supposed to be a joke.  Don’t eat the poo!  It’s hard to believe we even have to add that little disclaimer.  But we are in strange times.  Everyone is looking for the magic pill.

It’s a 1 hour experience.  Your reservation lists the check in time.  In the bar area, you will fill out a waiver.  The instructor will lead everyone to the outdoor yoga studio where everyone will dress the goats for the day, and class will begin. It lasts for 45 minutes.  The final 15 minutes are for posing and pictures with the goats,

 

 

  • 20th Anniversary Ride
From $360

Half-Day Experience

  • Heading to the west, this technical backcountry ride climbs to 10,000ft in elevation by traversing large meadows, steep grades, thick, dark, fragrant stands of Lodge Pole pine trees, densely populated Aspen glades, bubbling creeks and lush undergrowth.
  • Plop down on your belly and slurp from a 2resh, cold spring. Having said that, 7 yr olds do it every day and an amazing Grandma did it at 91. She was very flexible and possessed the will of a Grizzly.
  • We are saying, in advance, that there is not a shortcut home, so you have to be tough. You are in the saddle for half the day.
  • Includes snacks and beverages
  • Available on weekends.

Half-Day Rides require a minimum of 2 spaces, horses, saddles, people, aliens to start a ride, at $360.00 per child ages 7-13 and $390.00 for adults 14+ person.   No.  Two people cannot ride one horse.  Oh, the phone calls we get.  Private Rides $720pp with a 3 saddle minimum.

From $160

This ride is something special, especially when you’re surrounded by a sea of quaking aspen trees. There’s something about those trees, the way they shimmer and shake in the breeze, that just sets your soul on fire.

As you ride through the mountains, you can feel the power of your horse beneath you, their hooves pounding against the earth, carrying you deeper into the wilderness. You breathe in the crisp mountain air, letting it fill your lungs, and you feel alive in a way that only a cowboy can understand.

The aspen trees tower above you, their leaves turning golden in the autumn sun. The sound of their rustling fills your ears, and it’s like a symphony, a song of the mountains that’s been sung for thousands of years.

As you ride through the forest, you can feel the earth moving beneath you, the rhythm of your horse’s gait in perfect harmony with the pulse of the mountains. It’s a dance, a dance that you and your horse know well, and it’s a dance that takes you higher and higher into the mountains.

And when you reach the summit, when you’re standing there atop the world, looking out at the breathtaking vistas that surround you, it’s like a religious experience. You feel connected to something greater than yourself, something that’s been here long before you were born and will be here long after you’re gone.

Riding a horse through the mountains, through the aspen trees, it’s like stepping back in time, a return to a simpler way of life. It’s a reminder of the beauty and power of nature, and it’s something that every cowboy should experience at least once in their lifetime.

 

Appropriate for all ages.  Parents, 5 yr olds usually do better than adults.  They can do it!!  Enjoy a scenic ride on mountainous terrain, with giant mountain views, and through a dense leafy-green Aspen forest we call The Enchanted Forest.   It is a sensory-filled Forest Bath that will leave you speechless!

$160 per child (5-13yrs), $180 per adult (14yrs+).  But, No No Double Double Riding Riding.

Adult Only  $195 per person. No screaming kids, just screaming adults.

Private $360 per person (min 3 people to book)

 

From $220

Say yes, to being transported to another world, a world of breathtaking beauty and majesty. The landscape around you is a tapestry of meadows, wildflowers, lodgepole pines, and quaking aspen trees, and the air is alive with the sound of nature.

As you ride through the meadows, the sun warming your skin and the wind in your hair, you feel a sense of peace and tranquility wash over you. The gentle sway of the horse beneath you is like a lullaby, and you are lulled into a state of pure bliss.

The wildflowers are a riot of color, their petals reaching for the sky in a joyful celebration of life. Butterflies flit from flower to flower, and the air is sweet with the scent of blossoms.

The lodgepole pines tower above you, their trunks straight and true, their branches reaching towards the sky. Their needles create a dappled shade that is cool and refreshing, and you feel a sense of awe at the majesty of these ancient trees.

Wildlife abounds in these mountains, and you may catch a glimpse of elk, deer, or even a black bear as you ride through the forests. The animals seem to sense your presence and regard you with a wary eye, as if wondering what this strange creature on horseback is doing in their territory.

And then there are the aspen trees, those quaking sentinels that stand guard over the mountains. Their leaves shimmer and shake in the breeze, creating a music all their own, and you are struck by their beauty and grace.

Riding a horse through the mountains, through meadows, wildflowers, lodgepole pines, and aspen trees, is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. It is a journey of the soul, a communion with nature that is both humbling and inspiring, and it is something that every person should have the opportunity to experience at least once in their lifetime.

Age limit 7 yrs and older and the kids will do very well!!!!!  (Better than the adults at the end.).

It’s possible for anyone to do this ride as long as your general level of fitness is good for an hour of uphill and an hour of downhill navigation.  Check your core strength and double it before you ride!!

$220 for children 7-13yrs and $240 for adults 14-99yrs.  But, No No Double Double Riding Riding.

Adult Only $260 per person.  No screaming kids, just screaming adults.

Private Ride  $480 per person (min. 3ppl to book)

 

From $110

Riding a horse through the mountains for an hour can be an exhilarating and awe-inspiring experience. As you make your way through the winding trails, you’ll be surrounded by the rugged beauty of the mountains, with towering peaks, cascading waterfalls (we don’t have one), and dense forests all around you.

As you guide your horse through the terrain, you’ll feel a sense of freedom and adventure that’s hard to find in everyday life. The cool mountain air will whip through your hair, and the smell of pine and wildflowers will fill your senses.

But it’s not just the scenery that makes horseback riding in the mountains so special. Your horse will become your trusty companion, carrying you effortlessly through the rocky terrain and helping you feel more connected to nature.

As you ride, you might catch glimpses of wildlife, like deer or elk, and hear the rustle of leaves as birds fly overhead. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the majestic bald eagle soaring through the sky.

Overall, there’s something truly magical about horseback riding through the mountains. It’s a chance to slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and reconnect with nature in a way that’s hard to put into words.

 

There is an abundance of sunshine, gorgeous views of Vail Mountain and East Vail, no steep drop-offs or cliffs, and plenty of time in the Aspens, on this multi-dimensional ride suitable for anyone 5yrs and up.  No No Double Double Riding Riding.

$100 per rider 5-13, $130 for riders 14-99.

Upgrade to Adult-Only Ride (18yrs+) for $140 per person.  No screaming kids, just screaming adults.

Private Ride $260 per person.  (Min, of 3 people [spaces] required to book)

The biggest difference between the Rocky Point and Bear Hollow is that the Bear Hollow includes an additional 30 minutes in the enchanting Aspen Glade.  The Dark Timber includes yet another 30 minutes wandering through the Aspens, Lodgepole Pines and has a second overlook of the gorgeous mountains at an elevation 1000ft higher than it was at the start of the ride.

Discover Vail, Colorado

Vail Stables is uncompromisingly Colorado, specializing in beautiful mountain horseback rides near the town of Vail.

We have been the leading provider of tours on horseback for over 20 years and offer adventurers an all-access pass into the backcountry of the White River National Forest.

The spirit of the Old West rides on the breezes flowing through the quaking Aspens and echoes in the squeaking leather saddles. Our passion is to create transformational experiences through horseback riding.

Our friendly, experienced guides, gentle horses, and awe-inspiring trails await your arrival.

Note:  The information on this website supersedes any other information found on printed materials or other websites.

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Home of the G.O.A.T. Happy Hour - The Happiest Hour in Town

Extremely family friendly.  Relax in our hammocks with a stunning view of the slopes. We have cold beer and wine for the adults, soda and juice available for the kids. Take a selfie with the goats, roosters, ponies and horses.  Feed them some treats and enjoy the chill vibe of farm life in the Rockies

Check the schedule online for reservations.  Random days available.

G.O.A.T. Happy Hour reservations $10 for ages 6+.  0-5 is free, unless you want them to ride a pony.

Pony Rides available for kids 0-5 (zero to five) (f-i-v-e).  Book that option under G.O.A.T. Happy Hour.

 

Treat Yourself to the Ultimate Adventure
★★★★★

Goat Yoga so much fun!

"My daughter convinced me to sign her up for goat yoga. We got there and all decided to join her as a family. It was so much fun. Amy was the instructor and was awesome. She gave us a nice workout and gave us plenty of time to interact with the goats. The goats were sweet and fun. Highly recommend. We may try to do it again before our vacation ends."

– kjtex2016 · TripAdvisor
Visited twice in 3 days- so much fun!

"We booked a family trail ride our first day of vacation in Vail- it was so great- horses were very sweet and gentle, scenery was gorgeous, ride was very relaxing. Then we found out they have Goga (Goat yoga), and the girls HAD to come back for that, so day 3 of our trip we were back at Vail Stables for a really fun session of goat yoga with the sweetest goats and great yogi leading the session. Highly recommend both experiences!!"

– SOonthebeach · TripAdvisor
Excellent Beginner Ride

"Having almost no horseback riding experience, 2 hour Vail Stables tour was perfect for our family with 2 tweens/teens. Climb into forest was manageable, not scary at all, and views were amazing. Horses in beautiful condition and very well trained. On our ride we hardly did any directing, in fact, we could have actually handled going faster."

– KrisC3333 · TripAdvisor
Best ride we've been on. Great route and overall great experience.

"Great experience from the minute we checked in. Our guide was Ellen and she was terrific. Got us ready and off we went on a fantastic 2-hour ride. Great pics along the way. Never considered about the horses or trails and we got up and down the mountain with incredible views and great memories. Highly recommended! Do the 2-hr ride. well worth it!"

– David K. · TripAdvisor
Loved it!

"We decided to go for a horseback riding after my kids (10 and 12 years old) insisted... my husband didn't want to come but somehow we convinced him. We all loved it!!! The horses are so perfectly train that you literally don't need to do anything... it was a great experience and a great way to see Vail from a new perspective! Will definitely be back."

– Karilli · TripAdvisor