Ahhhhhhhh, today I took a ride at Sunset Ranch Hollywood!!! I was soooooo scared! When I was 11 I was bucked off from a horse and I have had a huge fear of ever, EVER getting back on a horse. This fear made me so sad because I love horses very much. I went to the ranch and talked to Austin, he was in the office and took all of my information. He found us a nice tour guide and they discussed my fears. They had me put on a safety helmet and brought me the sweetest horse, Mouse. Mouse was BEAUTIFUL, a magnificent animal. My friend was paired up with Patches, and both horses had adorable, playful personalities. Those horses do like to walk close to the edge of the cliff, and I thought I was going to faint (so I didn't look down), but our guide said that is normal.. Sadly, that didn't make me feel much better.
Our tour guide was Douglas. He was very patient with me considering I was close to crying, facing my fears, and couldn't remember how to be a good rider. He took a lot of time and worked with me. He was very knowledgeable about the ranch, it's history, the horses, and Hollywood in General. He showed us the Hollywood sign, and insisted that I was going to be okay. He encouraged me to ride when I was ready to give up because of my fear. He showed my friend and I the best time, ever. This was just such an amazing day. I really can't believe I finally did it after all of these years.
I've never been up there to see those trails, even though I have been to the ranch, which by the way, is so, so, so rustic and cool! The views of Los Angeles from up on those trails were breathtaking! Who would have known that something this wonderful was just minutes away from Universal Studios, much less, in any part of Los Angeles? 5 minutes away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and there we were in paradise.
The rides are very affordable. We did the one hour ride for $30, but they did have a two hour ride for $45. I'm still in shock that I even got on my horse, Mouse. I love that horse, and WHEN I go back, I want to ride with Mouse again.
Thank you Sunset Ranch Hollywood, thank you Austin and Douglas, and thank you Mouse for helping me overcome my fears (just a little). I'll be back!
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