Southwest Solitude
Horse and Rider|September 2017

Discover history and beauty in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

Kent And Charlene Krone
Southwest Solitude
Canyons of the Ancients. The very name conjures visions of ghostly figures gazing from cliff dwellings in high, shady alcoves. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, located in Colorado’s Four Corners region, is an enchanting place to bring your equine partner and discover both history and beauty. We explored the area aboard our well-traveled Missouri Fox Trotter geldings, Cowboy and Nate.

Canyon Trails Ranch

Canyon Trails Ranch (canyontrailsranch.com) is located about a mile from the Canyons of the Ancients boundary, 15 miles southwest of Cortez. It offers an equine-friendly campground situated on a gentle rise overlooking an emerald field framed in the layered, sun-kissed cliffs of McElmo Canyon. Sagebrush, pinyon pine, and prickly pear cactus adorn the campground. Each campsite has water, electricity, and a corral. We stayed here four nights and had the entire four-unit campground to ourselves.

Ranch owners Kristie and Rodney Carriker are both horse people. Kristie specializes in cutting horses, while Rodney prefers horse packing. Rodney also restores historic carriages and wagons.

Kristie is an amateur archeologist and Native American historian. She’s worked with the Bureau of Land Management on cliff dwellings and generously shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for history with ranch guests.

The day after we arrived, Kristie took us on a six hour, guided horseback tour of BLM property aboard her horse Tonka. Half this time was spent riding, while the other half was spent exploring and learning about the ancient Puebloan people (also known as the Anasazi) who once inhabited this vast country. Overall, there are an estimated 1,400 ruins in this area.

A Glide Through Time

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2017 من Horse and Rider.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2017 من Horse and Rider.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من HORSE AND RIDER مشاهدة الكل
The Horse
Horse and Rider

The Horse

LIFE TAKES US DOWN different paths, but I seem to be on just one, which is with the horse.

time-read
2 mins  |
Fall 2024
Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test
Horse and Rider

Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test

The six-panel test is a diagnostic tool used to assess the genetic predispositions of horses. It's meant to discover if a horse has or is a carrier for certain hereditary diseases and traits.

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2024
Love is Good
Horse and Rider

Love is Good

All horses are assured a hopeful, compassionate plan of care at This Old Horse, a program that helps not only horses but people, too.

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2024
HORSE PACKING 101
Horse and Rider

HORSE PACKING 101

Take your trail riding to the next level with nature-filled adventures in the back or front country.

time-read
6 mins  |
Fall 2024
NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS
Horse and Rider

NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS

Anew horse can bring excitement and energy to the barn, and even reinvigorate your passion. However, there are also a myriad of new problems that can come with a new horse, so learn how to introduce him properly to avoid these common issues.

time-read
8 mins  |
Fall 2024
First-Timer Tips
Horse and Rider

First-Timer Tips

Heading to a young rider's first event with their horse can be intimidating. Use these myths and truths to make it smoother sailing for yourself and your young rider.

time-read
7 mins  |
Fall 2024
Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story
Horse and Rider

Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story

One special gelding learns about three different types of love during his rescue journey.

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2024
The Country's Hottest Horse Motels
Horse and Rider

The Country's Hottest Horse Motels

Take your next trail-riding adventure to the next level by staying at one of these six horse motels across the United States.

time-read
7 mins  |
Summer 2024
Outbreak! What We've Learned
Horse and Rider

Outbreak! What We've Learned

Learn how disease outbreaks in recent years have changed the horse industry, and why it's so important to play your part when it comes to disease prevention efforts.

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2024
TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE
Horse and Rider

TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE

Shift your mindset and grow your sensitive horse's pressure-handling skills to improve his confidence and your riding enjoyment.

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2024