Imortant Information To Know About Your Ride... Please Read Thoroughly
1. All riders must be 18 and up. Be prepared to show ID.
2. All riders must be experienced and know how to proficiently trot and canter, as we will be trotting and cantering in several designated spots on the trail.
3. The ride to the campsite and back will be 4-6 hours long each way, make sure you are fit and prepared for this journey.
4. The number of riders you pay for equals how many horses will be out for you when you arrive. If you say 3 people will be riding and only pay for 1, 1 horse will be out for you. Making a donation does not secure your reservation, each rider must be paid for.
5. When packing for this trip make sure you include changes of clothes, sleeping bags/blankets/pillows, sanitary and hygiene products, portable phone charger, ect. We provide water and Gatorade for the ride; plus tea, instant coffee, and tents for the campsite (there is an option for an air mattress(s) at the payment screen), make sure you bring any other extra drinks/snacks you may want for the ride and/or the camp site.
6. You may bring treats for the horses. They love carrots and apples. If you bring apples, please cut them in quarters.
7. We will be riding through sandy trails in the Apalachicola National Forest and Lake Talquin State Forest. You will want to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, drinks, non-meltable snacks, bug spray and/or a hat.
8. Dress for the weather. We do ride in the rain. We have ponchos for sale for $2 each if needed. Please wear closed toe shoes, no flip flops or high heels or slip ons. We recommend no loose jewelry.
9. Remove all items from your back pockets as the horses movement will work items out of your pockets during the ride. We do have pouches we can provide for extra items, including multiple drinks and snacks.
10. We do have helmets available should you want one. If you would like to wear a helmet, your hair must be down. No up dos or high pony tails. If you would like to bring your own, it must be an equine helmet.
11. Arrive 10 minutes early. Once you arrive, we will get you signed in, we will be providing a light lunch, your campsite items will be loaded into the truck to meet us at the campsite (we will not be backpacking tents, sleeping bags, clothes, etc), then we will start brushing and tacking the horses. We encourage you to take this time to get to know your horse and bond with them as it is quite the journey ahead, it is always beneficial to get to know your partner. If it has been a while since you have tacked, we are here to assist, and we'll be checking each horse's saddle when done and ready to ensure that it fits both horse and rider. After, we will go over instruction, mount up, and head on out for the trails!
12. Everyone should use the restroom before we leave, or at least try, it is a long ride. We will have baby wipes provided on the trail should anyone need to use the restroom while in the woods. Please remember there are no toilets out there. If you have certain sensitivities, please pack your own wipes/TP, or use a leaf.
13. If you are late, the ride may leave without you. Ride times will not be rescheduled, cancelled, or refunded.
14. Refunds and rescheduling will only happen if Crazy 8 Ranch cancels the ride due to severe weather or insufficient riders. We aim to have a minimum and maximum of 4 riders for this reservation service for safety purposes.
15. If you would like a photo on your horse, please let us know when you first mount up. It's much easier to take photos before we leave than when we get back.
16. Make sure you show these important tips and rules with all riders of your group that way everyone has been informed.
17. Our guides are volunteers whom donate their time to work with the rescues, cash tips are greatly appreciated though not required. :)