hauer ranch

This is our second year riding with Hauer Ranch. The ranch is located in a beautiful area near Fisher towers. We visited in November, and were able to call one day ahead (mid-week) and book a ride for our family of 4 that was just the 4 of us plus the guide. The Hauer family was responsive to my call and very accommodating regarding time. It was low season, so I'm sure this is not always possible, but it was great for us. The local scenery is nothing short of spectacular. We rode to the river, and through the creek. Please remember, Horses are individuals with personality! We have been happy with the horses we rode two years in a row. We are not beginner riders, but not advanced either. I was never uncomfortable with the trail or my horse. I would recommend this ride to anyone who is comfortable on horseback, and wants to enjoy "John Wayne's" view of Moab area. Please do discuss your experience level honestly with the Hauer's before you arrive so they can choose the best horse for you.

I have been riding here with my family for several years. We started them at young ages approximately six and eight years old. The rides cover some of the most beautiful terrain in the Moab area. In addition, compared to other outfitters, this is the one group that will allow you to trot and occasionally even Cantor if you have the experience and skill set. This is very rare for any guided ride. It's an exceptional place to go visit and I highly recommend going here if you have a chance in the Moab area. Just do it.Also, if you have a chance to talk to John one of the owners realize you're in the presence of one of the countries biggest mule aficionados. His book on mules is an excellent and detailed description of the many advantages and unique characteristics of the mule. If you have the inclination pick up the book before you get there and then request a mule for your ride and you won't regret it!

The Hauer Ranch provides horseback trail rides all year round with reservations. The topography varies. There is riding on a trail winding through the blackbrush shrub, in a wide sandy wash, along and through Onion Creek. The trail tightens into stone wall passages and pops out to views of the iconic Priest and Nuns plus the Fisher Towers. Did this trip with four 5th grade (tweens?) girls who absolutely adored every minute.

The ride was absolutely stunning and the horses were well behaved and beautiful. It wasn't the typical 'nose to tail' type of outfit - we got to trot and run quite a bit. Steve made sure everyone was comfortable with it first. The owners were extremely friendly. We're hoping to go back some day and rent one of their guest houses.

Took my kids out on the trail ride towards Fisher Cliffs. Since we had young kids they put is on mules, which turned out to be a great idea. Sure-footed and easy, we all had a great time. Best trail ride I've ever been on.

Thank you John and Sena for a spectacular day on horseback up the LaSal mountains this past September. This was our second time visiting Moab and was definitely the highlight of our stay. You and your wrangler, Steve, gave us a great day. The 1890's mining camp ( ghost town ) was very cool. This was a great place to have lunch, marvel at the spectacular yellow and gold Aspens, and view Moab from 11,000 ft. Great stuff !

This is the most positive experience I've ever had with renting horses. The horses are beautiful, happy, and healthy. The route is varied and beautiful. This is not your typical plodding, nose-to-tail dude ride! The ride is tailored to the group's ability, and we were able to enjoy a lot of galloping on our ride. We rode along the Colorado river, then rode up onion creek, and enjoyed fantastic views of Fisher Towers the entire way. The ranch also takes tours into the La Sal mountains. The horses are obviously well-treated. None are sour, and they all seem to like people and their work. If you've given up on dude rides after seeing too many skinny, unhappy horses, I recommend giving Hauer Ranch a try. It will restore your faith.

We had a fantastic ride on some of the best horses we've ridden that we haven't personally owned. Steve, our guide, gave us a great tour of Onion Creek and Fisher Towers.

My friend and I are adventure seekers and have quite a bit of experience in the saddle. We were looking at red cliffs for some trail rides but based on our desire to have a more authentic and adventurous ride opted to go with hauer ranch instead. They were cheaper, sounded like good people, and the scenery was beautiful! It was only us two ladies and the owner john. We were paired with two beautiful buckskins and all the horses (and mules) looked well fed groomed and happy.We were like two giddy young girls as we started off down the trail and john pointed out the scenery. He took the time to get off his horse and take pictures of us in beautiful areas several times. The whole ride was beautiful and not too challenging, the horses were trail horses but still retained their personality. John asked us if we felt comfortable and wanted to canter. Of course we said yes and he led us through some washes, you could tell the horses loved it as much as we did !!!:) the ride ended with a gorgeous sunset and john let us sit and watch the rock change colors. Not sure who was having more fun, us john or the horses! Would definitely go back out there and recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic ride or trying to avoid the nose to tail feeling.

We were introduced tot he Hauer Ranch by a friend who is a local, and highly recommended it. We were not disappointed. Half of our party were completely green, the other half experienced riders. The leader watched us closely and let the more experienced people explore some paths that weren't just nose-to-tail. Those of us who were green felt included and guided, which was nice. The animals looked well-cared for, which was real important to the experienced riders, who owned and knew horses and mules. We highly recommend this for a must-do in the Moab area, especially if you're a tenderfoot. We actually were there in May of 2013, but the visit selection below doesn't go back that far.

Thanks for your review of Raudy. This horse has taken hundreds of happy guests riding in the last two years, but your comments are a concern. We advise riders that they need to control their horse or mule a horse-length distance from the animal in front of them because all equines can kick or bite at unsuspecting times, both on the trail and when we are stopped to take guests' photos and tighten cinches. Animals have a "personal space" just as do people. We are sorry about the experience you had. If we see further behavior as you have described (and she has been out on the trail dozens of times since your ride, frequently with beginner riders) we will reconsider her future at Hauer Ranch as a dude horse. She has never been known to buck or try to rid herself of a rider as your comment describes, but it is clear you were not comfortable. I welcome your comment on Trip Advisor. But we would have additionally appreciated that your comments be made directly and immediately to us instead of a month after said episode so that if a safety concern existed, you would want to make it known at the earliest time. We have 30 horses and mules and their behavior can vary from day to day. We do appreciate feedback from our guests, because what we view on the trail is not always what our guests experience.

We went on a morning trail ride at Hauer Ranch. The scenery is absolutely amazing and our trail guides were excellent. One thing that I really appreciated is that these horses are really well cared for--that's something you don't often see with trail horses. They have mules (great for the less experienced riders since mules are so steady and sure-footed) and I rode one of their Haflinger horses (Austrian mountain horse). I really appreciated guide Charlie's showing us the filming locations of various Western movies. Great time, I highly recommend Hauer Ranch!

Thank you for your review; you have some valid points and for those safety reasons, the unsaid employee is no longer with us. In that wrangler's defense, however, two of the guests who were on your ride (the ones that showed up a little late) had returned unannounced to ride again because they had such an enjoyable ride the evening before. It is unfortunate that they didn't arrive early or make a reservation, but we try to accommodate enthusiastic guests. That couple even booked a third ride. Two others who were on your ride stayed on the ranch with us for five days and rode twice a day the entire time because they enjoyed the horses (which by the way get fed three times a day), they enjoyed the scenery, and they particularly enjoyed said wrangler. We appreciate your comments. As an owner and wrangler, safety is my first concern. While I tell my employees that they need to spend more time looking behind them than looking ahead, some do not "get it." They don't last long at Hauer Ranch.

Our whole family went on a guided horse ride at this ranch. It was the most beautiful and majestic setting. The guides were great and the trail was easy, fun and a new experience for us. Even the ride up the canyon was beautiful. If you have the time to drive then ride, it is worth it. may be out of the way for some if time is limited

This was a FIVE STAR attraction for our group, but I gave it four starts because it might not appeal to serious horseback riders. We were a group of 15 and only one of us had any riding experience. We had an excellent time on a long trail ride through the most amazing scenery--as in the very same scenery you have seen in movies about the West (from John Wayne who starred in Rio Grande right where we rode, to City Slickers 2, which was filed within a few yards from our trail). The owners and staff were particularly friendly and helpful.