Miniature Horses & Pony Rides
available at Elk Brook Ranch in Payson, Arizona
Mini-Horse Experience / Pony Rides
Fall in love with a mini-horse!
Planned Duration: 1.5 hrs
FREE to Guests of the Mini-ranch
Come experience our mini-ranch and common barnyard to meet and pet/interact/train with our American miniature horses, our pony, our goats, and tame/holdable chickens! An easy stop off Houston Mesa Road in Whispering Pines with plenty of parking and
A great Payson experience that's fun for the family/friends, with hands on fun grooming, training/trick work, pony rides, jumping rope with a mini-horse - the sky's the limit! Reach out about options while you're in Payson and we'll get you scheduled for a meet and greet!
NOT STAYING WITH US BUT WANT TO MEET THE ANIMALS?
We have limited availability (first come first served) for those visiting the area who want to bring the family -- please reach out via 888-572-9766 to discuss, or email in advance to sales@elkbrookranch.com.
Mini-ranch Activity:
Hike with Miniature Horses
Planned Duration: 2.5 hrs
Exclusively open to booking by our guests, we'll set aside time to help you get acquainted with our chickens, our mini-goats, and our three mini-horses. We'll meet at the common barnyard, and for 10 to 15 min we'll introduce everyone, go over some basic safety items to observe when around the animals, and answer questions about the mini-farm and the animals.
Once we're all acquainted, you'll help us gear up and lead the horses to our round pen where you'll watch or help us put them through basic ground work including about 20 min of walking, running, jumping, and other activities designed to get the horse(s) into "work" mode!
Afterwards we'll leave the mini-ranch and depending on the weather, you'll go on a short hike with the miniature horses carrying our packs along the East Verde River or up into the pines of the Tonto National Forest. We'll have obstacles to overcome and tasks to perform together as we walk the trails for roughly 30-50 min. Learn what makes the horses such great companions out on the trail while experiencing the beauty of our forest home.
We'll return to the barn afterward where additional activities may include brushing and grooming, collecting eggs, helping with feed for the animals, and if you're interested in composting - a lesson in hot composting that's really "hands on"!
Bring hiking shoes, water, a love and respect for animals, an appreciation for nature, and a willingness to 'work' with mini-animals vs. just feed them!
You'll leave with great photos having learned to "enjoy the little things", and memories that'll last far beyond your trip to the forest.
Destination Hike Options
Q: Can we pick a trail in the area?
A: Sure, depending on the trail. Let's coordinate and we can arrange to trailer the horses to meet you at the trail head.
Q: What's the fee?
A: We charge a single fee for all groups <10, dependent on trail, location, etc.
INTERESTED?
Reach out to us prior to your stay!
