Sunday, July 29, 2012
FPQ (Frequently Pondered Questions)
What are your hours of operation?
Our winter office hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (rides are scheduled from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm) Tuesday through Sunday, Closed Monday (Please note, there will be no one to take calls on Monday). We will also be closed if weather conditions make riding unsafe. It's better to be at home wishing you were on the trail, than on the trail wishing you had stayed home.
Do I need a reservation?
Horseback riding is indeed popular, and we have found that we have to schedule appointments to meet the demand. We are not opposed to walk in traffic, but the chances that someone will not show for an appointment are usually slim. Weekends fill up quickly and holidays can be a problem as well. If you are planning a ride or a special occasion like an anniversary, birthday, or other special occasion, please allow yourself plenty of time for a reservation. The number for reservations is (909) 597-3031.
Are we hard to find?
Not as bad as you'd think. Were located at 5165 Green River Rd Corona, CA 92880 off the 91 freeway near the 71 expressway. You've probably passed us by a hundred times, but unless you were looking up you'd miss us. There is a page called DIRECTIONS on this site with a map, written directions, and a video that actually drives you from the freeway to the parking lot. Your GPS will probably get you to the front gate. If you see a tunnel your almost there. Go through the tunnel and just follow the paved road. I tried wearing a horse costume and dancing out front but they kept roping me and throwing me in the pasture.
What can you expect from you horseback riding experience?
This will definitely be an experience that you will talk
about for a long time. Horseback riding
has elements of other outdoor sports, but it is unique in that you become a
team, you and your horse, to ride out on the trail. Even though a guide will accompany you on
your ride, you have control over your horse to turn, stop and go.
How difficult will horseback riding be?
Our horses are matched to the riding ability of the rider,
so if you are a beginner with no experience at all, we can pair you with a horse
that caters to you riding needs.
What is the trail like?
The trail is roughly a little over two miles in length, and
takes approximately 1 hour to complete.
There are hills to climb and descend, gullies to ride through, and a view you won't believe. Check out the Trail Ride Video page for a sample of what to expect on a ride.
What is there to see on the trail?
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During certain times of the season, Tarantulas may be seen
looking for a mate as this male is doing.
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You may see cows that are left-overs from the cattle ranching days, but you may also see Mule Deer, Coyotes, Bob Cats, Hawks, Road Runners, Tarantulas, and Vultures all from the safety of your horse.
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What should I wear.
Casual and comfortable clothes are recommended: jeans and a t-shirt are perfect. You will be outdoors in a dusty environment, sitting on leather and your body will naturally be moving with the horse, so to avoid chaffing, shorts are not recommended, but certainly not forbidden. There is a good reason why you never saw a picture of a cowboy in shorts out on the range. A hat that won't blow off and sunscreen are also good ideas, and as we head into the warmer season, dress cooler but bear in mind that it gets windy in the evenings so bring a jacket just in case. Footwear is also important: Boots with a heal are best, but tennis shoes are adequate, and please no open toe shoes or sandals.
Personally, I say go for broke! If you're going horseback riding on a ranch why not live the part: Git you some shotgun woollies and a nice pair of boots, a ten-gallon hat, a silver belt buckle the size of a dinner plate, and a western button up shirt YEEEE HAW!!!
Personally, I say go for broke! If you're going horseback riding on a ranch why not live the part: Git you some shotgun woollies and a nice pair of boots, a ten-gallon hat, a silver belt buckle the size of a dinner plate, and a western button up shirt YEEEE HAW!!!
Can I bring my children?
Children are welcome but they must be seven years of age or older to ride in accordance with our insurance company. (not like when I was five and they used to duct tape me to the saddle and slap the horse on the rear...those were the good old days)
How Close is Star Ranch to me?
We are located in Corona, California off the 91 Fwy near the 71 Expressway. Nearby cities are Chino, Ontario, Upland, Claremont, Montclair, San Dimas, Pomona, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, and Fullerton.
Should I wear a helmet when offered one
Why not? Look at all the sports where players wear them: Football, Hockey, Rock Climbing, Skydiving, not to mention Bull Riding, and all Equestrian sports. Besides looking sexy, the number one reason for wearing a helmet is crap happens, and if it happens to you, it's better with a helmet.
Surely that's all there is?
Star Ranch has a few sites to see. There is a Mexican village, a Church used for weddings, and various antique vehicles including an antique carriage
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Western Boots
©Kelly Collins
The Western Cowboy Boot
Nothing says “The American West” like the Cowboy Boot, but
why was it popular among cowboys?
Surely there was more comfortable footwear at the time, and where did
the style originate? The answers might surprise you. Riding Boots were designed with the stirrup
in mind. The “Stirrup” is what you place
your foot in when riding a horse and it is attached to the Saddle. The stirrup aids in getting on the horse from
the ground, and increase the riders ability to stay in the saddle. The ball of
the foot rides on the stirrup and the heels of the boot are down (see photo). Keeping
the heel down prevents the boot from slipping through the stirrup in the event that the rider falls from the horse, and the boot
heel is designed to catch on the stirrup further preventing this occurrence. If the rider were to fall and his foot got stuck in the stirrup, there is a good chance he would get drug by the horse. It’s
not very likely that this would occur while trail riding since commercial trail rides don't come close to the rigors of cattle work, Out on the range, however, there are a large
number of things that might cause a fall, and it was important that if a cowboy did come out of the saddle, his foot would not get caught in the stirrup. This is also the
reason why cowboy boots do not lace since the weight of a fallen cowboy will
pull the boot off thus freeing the rider. The pointy toes on the Cowboy Boot were designed to help the rider get his foot into the stirrup, although, roper style boots have a more rounded toe.
Most people trace the origins of the Cowboy Boot to Texas,
but Vaqueros brought the design over from Mexico, and the Mexicans in turn got
the design from Spain, but if you go back farther, the Western Boot got its
origins from Mongolia where stirrups made their debut. Just like the Tin Can
led to the design of the Can Opener, the Stirrup led to the Riding Boot. Traditional Mongolian boots did not have a
heel, but they did have the pointy toe which was necessary since the first
stirrup was only a strap.
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| Mongolian Boot |
Friday, July 27, 2012
Chaps
Chaps (pronounced shaps)
is a shortened form of the word cha·pa·ra·jos (pronounced shap-uh-rey-ohs) which in turn is a combination of the Spanish
word chaparral (pronounced shap-uh-ral): a type of scrub brush that grows
in California and aparejos (ah-pa-rey-ohs): the Spanish word for Aparrel. Mexicans who worked cattle on the California
landscape needed protection from the tough and often thorny brush they would
encounter. Chaps consist of a belt and
leggings made of leather, but have no seat and are not joined at the crotch. There are two designs: Shotgun and
Batwing. Shotgun Chaps enclose the
entire leg, while Batwing Chaps only attach at the thigh providing easier leg
movement for active riding.
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| Shotgun Chaps |
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Public Comments
Oh how riding a horse here fulfilled some of my past childhood dreams! Do not tell me you have never seen a dog or other animal and wished to have ridden the animal. The cartoons you may have watched are true: riding an animal, a horse, really is fun!
We came on a great temporary deal, $35 for 2, for an hour ride. The ranch is inconveniently hidden, so make sure you map it beforehand! The entrance is a driveway that slopes a little downwards and leans right. After the slope, go past the little cabin and you should be able to see the shed for this place.
Service was really friendly and timely. We all got a few laughs and reassurances from the employees. My lovely horse was named Carbon and was the only "big" horse that was available for the day. It was a little disconcerting mounting the horse (a huge horse named Carbon does not evoke a kind of happy demeanor) and going downhill, but all was better after a few more minutes of seeing how surprisingly easy it is to steer these horses. The hour was satisfying and long enough for the buttocks and other unmentionables to feel uncomfortable, but it was an amazing experience. It is relaxing riding horses! Just do not expect to gallop these horses because riding the horses here is utilized in a safe, slow way. The various hills and turns on the trail makes sure that there is no monotony at least. I am glad I had this experience, I can now check off one of my 5 year old self's goals.
We came on a great temporary deal, $35 for 2, for an hour ride. The ranch is inconveniently hidden, so make sure you map it beforehand! The entrance is a driveway that slopes a little downwards and leans right. After the slope, go past the little cabin and you should be able to see the shed for this place.
Service was really friendly and timely. We all got a few laughs and reassurances from the employees. My lovely horse was named Carbon and was the only "big" horse that was available for the day. It was a little disconcerting mounting the horse (a huge horse named Carbon does not evoke a kind of happy demeanor) and going downhill, but all was better after a few more minutes of seeing how surprisingly easy it is to steer these horses. The hour was satisfying and long enough for the buttocks and other unmentionables to feel uncomfortable, but it was an amazing experience. It is relaxing riding horses! Just do not expect to gallop these horses because riding the horses here is utilized in a safe, slow way. The various hills and turns on the trail makes sure that there is no monotony at least. I am glad I had this experience, I can now check off one of my 5 year old self's goals.
Amazing place to be! A ranch which reminds you of old California. Beautiful open land that is serene and rustic. The staff are so nice and the horses are so loving and gentle. It is such a fun and warm atmosphere. It feels like you just escape the city and find a calm that is priceless! Beautiful horse spirits, wide-open land, and friendly staff make for a perfect time!
Sep 2, 2012
by anonymous
Amazing place to be! A ranch which reminds you of old California. Beautiful open land that is serene and rustic. The staff are so nice and the horses are so loving and gentle. It is such a fun and warm atmosphere. It feels like you just escape the city and find a calm that is priceless! Beautiful horse spirits, wide-open land, and friendly staff make for a perfect
12/11/2012
West Covina, CA
I got two deals on
groupon for this, one for me and my cousin that I'm surprising her with and one
for my parents for Christmas. When I got the deals the expiration said expirations
very so after I paid for it it popped up and said December 26th and I was like
oh crud! Well I called and I talked to the woman in charge and she was extremely
flexible with me! She gave me a close date to surprise my cousin for Christmas
and she helped me work out a future date for my parents since my father’s
schedule is hard to work with. She was so nice and helpful. I also talked to
her about the groupon and the quick expirations and she apologized and was just
very kind. I cannot wait until I take my cousin and I will post again after our
visit!
· Susan B.
Covina, CA
Awesome Ride! you get to
ride in the beautiful hills of Southern California on a working cattle ranch.
Super friendly staff, great well cared for horses and a great atmosphere, I
would recommend it to anyone looking for something new to try
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