What You Should Know About Our Rides

Tips for Riding in the Mountains

• This is not an amusement park ride. You can fall off! Listen attentively to and follow all wrangler instructions to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride for everyone
• Horseback riding is not necessarily easier than walking. Though you are sitting in the saddle, you are using a tremendous number of thigh, back and abdominal muscles, which you may not use on a daily basis, making new riders prone to soreness and fatigue even on a short duration ride
• If you have never done an all day ride, this is not the time to start unless you are in very good physical condition. Start with shorter rides and work up to it; your body will thank you
• If you have problems with your knees or hips, you should talk to your doctor before getting in the saddle as riding tends to put a lot of pressure on these joints, especially when you are in steep, mountainous terrain
• Horses have a tremendous capacity to learn and follow your instructions, but remember that they are living, breathing animals with minds of their own
• There are a number of elements, unique to mountain riding, that make the experience incredibly enjoyable, but demand your attention and caution. These elements include, but are not limited to: inclement weather, wild life and insects on or near the trail, travel over rough terrain and unpredictable reactions by the horse to sounds, sudden movements, unfamiliar objects, persons or other animals
• Safety is our number one priority, and as a result, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who we do not believe to be mentally or physically prepared to handle the horseback ride
  

Policies

• Swan Mountain Outfitters - Glacier Division reserves the right to cancel a ride at any time
• Full payment is required for all advanced reservations
• Refunds will be paid in full (less a 3% credit card processing fee) for all advanced payments with 24 hour notice of cancellation. After 24 hours, the ride is non-refundable
  
• Riders must allow an extra 45 minutes for paperwork, safety speeches and demonstrations, adjustment of equipment, etc. For example, a group going on a two hour ride, will actually spend approximately two hours and forty-five minutes with us. All times listed on this website are the check in times. Your party must arrive at the corral by this time and can expect to depart on the trail ride approximately 45 minutes after the stated check in time
• Food and drink are not provided for any rides, however box lunches are available through most hotels and lodges in the park if you do not bring your own. Also, Sperry Chalet has a full service kitchen available to Sperry All Day riders.
  

Restrictions

• No children under the age of seven on the West side (Apgar and Lake McDonald Corrals)
• No children under the age of eight on the East side (Many Glacier Corral)
• No riders weighing over 250 pounds
• No riders with physical limitations that prevent them from safely operating their own horse
• No riders with fear of horses and/or heights
• No double riders
• No smoking or alcohol permitted on any of the rides
• Safety helmets are mandatory for riders under the age of eighteen
• Safety helmets are available and recommended for riders eighteen and over. Helmet waivers are required if you choose not to wear a helmet
• Close-toed shoes and long pants are required. Boots are recommended
• Video cameras, cameras and cell phones may not be used while riding
• No backpacks, purses or fanny packs can be worn while riding. Additionally, no straps can be worn around the neck (i.e. camera straps, binocular straps, etc.).
• All riders must stay on the approved trail at all times
• Horses are to be ridden at a walk at all times and riders must maintain proper spacing between horses
• It is absolutely prohibited to feed or touch any of the wildlife in Glacier National Park
• It is absolutely prohibited to remove anything from Glacier National Park (i.e. rocks, plants, etc.)