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Helen,
Is that Washington State (on the west coast) or Washington,
D.C., (the nations capital, on the east coast)??
Note: I assume you're coming to the states?
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| Do you mean Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia), the capital of
these United States, or the State of Washington, one of these states in
the top left hand (north west) corner? There is a twenty five hundred
mile difference. Riding will be more expensive near Washington D.C
than in Washington State.
In either case, it may be helpful to get hold of the American
Automobile Association Tour Guides for these locations. While these do
not list riding stables they do show the national and state parks and
what recreational activities, including riding, are offered in each
one. Where riding is shown, obviously there is a stable in the
vicinity. You may be able to get these guides through the AA or RAC.
Another alternative is to get hold of the local telephone Yellow Pages
when you arrive and look up the entries under Riding Academies and
Stables.
Do not expect too much. <FLAME ON> The combination of the avarice of
the American legal profession, the paranoia of the American insurance
industry and the taking up of litigation as a profitable hobby by an
increasing number of Americans has served to very much reduce the
availability of horses for hire. Liability insurance premiums are now
too high to allow anybody to operate a business serving casual riders.
Riding (or any other sport) "at your own risk" has no legal standing in
many states; the operator of the business has an absolute duty to
protect his customers from harm and so if you lose your balance on a
horse, fall off and hurt yourself, you can sue for damages. (The horse
threw you, didn't it?) The problem is compounded by the average
American believing the have a constitutional right and inborn ability
to get on any horse and gallop off into the sunset just like they do in
the movies. When I was involved with a riding stable that had horses
for hire, at least 60% of the people who came in claiming to be able to
ride, could not. <FLAME OFF> So you may be able to find a place where
you can rent a horse for a "follow the leader" trail ride through the
countryside for an hour or so. You might do better to get a western
riding lesson from a stable that offers them. If you are around long
enough for a stable to get to know how well you realy ride, you may get
to do more. Unfortunately short vacations rarely allow this.
There are no dress requirements for riding other than for your own
comfort and safety. Jeans are normal for western riding.
May be other noters have more knowledge of the area you will be
visiting.
Good luck!
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| If your comming to Washington state you have 1 maybe 2 months left,
weather permitting, if you want to ride in the Cascades or Mt. Rainier
area. I can post the names of outfitters and stables that rent
horses if you like.
Larry. (Seattle, Washington)
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