Trail Card Program

The Trail Card Program allows approved owners to retrieve, tack, and lead their own rides. This
is a privilege offered to experienced riders who complete the required training and adhere to the
program’s rules.

Trail Card Eligibility & Testing
● Riders must be at least 14 years old to test for a trail card.
● To obtain a trail card, riders must schedule a training date with the stable supervisor by
emailing stables@rranch.info or (707)320-3781.
● Once the owner feels comfortable tacking and riding a horse to the R Ranch Stable’s
standards, they may schedule a testing date with the stables supervisor.
● Testing includes demonstrating the ability to:
○ Catch and halter a horse
○ Lead a horse properly
○ Saddle and bridle correctly
○ Mount from the ground
○ Walk and trot safely
○ Navigate to and from Pasture D
○ Properly put away tack and equipment

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Trail Card Rules & Regulations
To maintain safety for both riders and horses, the following rules must be followed by all Trail
Card holders:
● Ride Limits:
○ Trail card holders over 18 may take up to two other riders with them.
○ Trail card holders under 18 may have only one accompanying rider (who must be
at least 14 years old).

○ No one under 7 years old is allowed on trail card rides.
● Trail Use & Safety:
○ Walk-only policy: Trotting, loping, or galloping is strictly prohibited.
○ Trail rides must be completed within two hours and should be taken out only
between 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM to ensure horses have proper rest and feeding
times.
○ Riders must check in with stable staff before retrieving a horse and inform them
of their planned route.
● Horse & Equipment Care:
○ All tack must be put away properly on the correct racks and in designated areas.
○ Any manure left in the stable area by the horse must be cleaned up immediately.
○ Horses should never return to the barn in an overworked condition. If a horse is
sweating heavily or breathing hard, riders are responsible for walking the horse
and rinsing, until it has properly cooled down.
○ Horses should only return at a walk—no running or fast riding back to the barn.
● Respect & Conduct:
○ Helmets are mandatory for riders under 18 years old.
○ Alcohol consumption is not allowed on any trail rides. Riders who appear
intoxicated will not be permitted to ride.
○ Horse riding privileges can be suspended or revoked if rules are broken.
○ The first rule violation will result in suspension until the rider completes another
clinic.
○ A third violation will result in revocation of the trail card for a full year, requiring
the rider to retake the full testing process to regain their privileges.
○ Stable staff reserve the right to revoke a trail card at any time if rules are
disregarded or if a rider is deemed unsafe.

Despite guided rides being closed on Thursdays, trail card rides are still permitted. However,
horses for trail card rides on Thursdays will be assigned by stable staff due to the farrier
schedule.

Misc.
● Grooming is available from 9 AM – 1 PM daily. If you’d like to brush, bathe, or care for a
horse, just ask the staff.
● I can send you a trail map to put on the stables page
● The only other thing I'd like to add would be “clinic days” for teaching owners how to
tack, lead, and care for horses
● A Meet the Staff section would be great for the stables page I think.
For any questions, or further details, contact stables@rranch.info.