United States
New Mexico (NM)
Cerrillos
Things to Do in Cerrillos
Broken Saddle Riding Company

Broken Saddle Riding Company, Cerrillos: Hours, Address, Broken Saddle Riding Company Reviews: 5/5

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Broken Saddle Riding Company

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Broken Saddle Riding Company
5
387
#1 of 3 Outdoor Activities in Cerrillos
Horseback Riding Tours
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6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
387 reviews
Excellent
371
Very good
5
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
10
Vacationers62
San Diego, CA662 contributions
Great Trail Ride!
Excellent trail rides! Very happy and healthy horses, and great scenery. There were 4 of us on the ride, and our guide was very good with the local history. I love that the horses were allowed to canter/trot, as I hate plodding along in a line. We climbed up to a scenic ridge, where our guide took pictures of us on our horses. Highly recommend this stable.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
S M
1 contribution
Excellent company and experience!
Family
I brought my daughter to New Mexico, a place I had visited several times as a kid, so that she could experience its beauty. We went on a trail ride at Broken Saddle Riding Company. The owner was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and provided an excellent experience. The horses we gentle, beautiful, and very well trained. We had an amazing time. The landscape was absolutely breathtaking.
We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful company. The Broken Saddle Riding Company provided a great horseback Riding experience and we would recommend them to anyone visiting the Santa Fe, NM area. Thank you so much Broken Saddle!
Written May 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GandC71187
Manhattan Beach, CA77 contributions
Best trail ride experience ever!
This is, without a doubt, the best trail ride I've ever been on and I've been on a lot! We were a party of three, myself and my two adult daughters. When I book a trail ride, I expect the horses to be calm, trained to do their job but not necessarily enthusiastic about it. We have owned horses and loved to ride the trails on our own so a trail ride is usually nice and a great way to see the country but relatively boring horse-wise. In contrast, Howard's horses (Shadow, Lily and George) were amazing. They are clearly well cared for and well-trained. The tack was in great condition. The horses were responsive to us and the handling tips we got from Howard and Hannah were all we needed to have a fabulous ride. Hannah was an excellent trail guide and our experience left us all just exuberant with how much fun we had. The trail goes up into the National Forest and the scenery was gorgeous. We were on a sunset ride and I highly recommend it. We saw mule deer coming out for their evening meal which was a nice surprise. We are fairly experienced riders but the attention that we received from Howard and Hannah tells me that they will match you up with the horse and the ride that fits your comfort level. I can't recommend this experience highly enough.
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Heather M
Los Angeles, CA10 contributions
Great ride
Great trail ride. Gorgeous scenery and changing landscapes. We saw two deer right along the trail during the ride which made it extra special. We loved our horses, Shadow and Lily. I hadn't been horseback riding in quite a long time but our wrangler made us feel very safe. I definitely learned more about riding during this ride than I had from previous places. Book a ride here when in Santa Fe, you won't be disappointed.
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JuliaHubbel
Eugene, OR815 contributions
Don't tick off Harold.
Solo
I've been planning a trip to Santa FE, where I travel regularly, for a few months. I'm also an experienced rider, and was interested in setting up three days of riding. I came across Broken Saddle, and began getting in touch with an email. Please note here- this review is NOT about a ride, the horses, it is about a customer experience I had with Harold only, and it needs to be taken only as that, as I chose not to have anything to do with this company as a result. Potential customers be forewarned. My first email was met with another email from someone who explained that Harold didn't use a computer and had to be called, so I began calling. I like to plan my trips well in advance, and since the riding was going to take up the bulk of the time, the rest of the trip had to be planned around those dates. I tried a number of times to reach them, including a few more emails and calls. No one responded. I sent a friendly email expressing my frustration and asking what a customer should do to get a response and that didn't get a response either. Finally I got Harold on the phone about a month ago and we had a friendly talk about what I was after (I'm an advanced intermediate rider) and Harold's situation and he promised to get back with me with three dates. He never did. So this morning I was up at 6:30 hoping to catch him at the barn and I got voice mail. I sent an email that expressed my frustration again at not being able to reach anyone, trying to pin down some dates, and I was now leaving in a week still had nothing to go on. I tried to be friendly but I wasn't happy. Seconds later Harold called me and said it was the most obnoxious email he'd ever gotten and that I would never ride with them and hung up.
It's interesting that in the ensuing calls to his competition I found out that Harold is rude to just about everybody- people who have asked him for help, other customers. Not just me. So he has quite the rep. It troubles me that first, they don't use a computer (hey, what century is this anyway?) and second, I'm more than happy to spend a LOT of money to ride if someone would kindly work with me so that I can put together my trip plans. That's all I had ever asked. When a customer is calling and trying to spend money with your company, and is happy to accommodate, but then you don't do what you say you will do and then you're angry at them for asking for what you promised- and call them obnoxious and slam the phone down as well, that's a good way to get a negative review. I was happy to pay more for courtesy and I got it at Bishop's Lodge where I was able to call in and book four rides with no snarkiness in a matter of seconds. When I told them the story the guy chuckled and said, "that's Harold."

I was determined and interested enough to stick with Broken Saddle for a good long while until I got to the last week of planning and still knew nothing. I couldn't put together the rest of my trip, and asking for the available dates was apparently too much to ask. Sure, maybe I was a little frustrated, but there is no call for rudeness. I didn't call him names or accuse him of anything. The customer is NOT always right no matter what we think we're entitled to. But I do think that working with your customers does include doing what you say you will, returning phone calls and emails, and showing a modicum of patience.

As for the rides themselves, the reviews indicate good things. Personally, I'm not willing to deal with a curmudgeon to get to the riding part. Life is far too short. I don't have time for angry people and I'll bet you don't either. Based on what Harold's neighbors and other residents of Santa Fe have to say, I'm not the only one to be on the receiving end of his bile. I recommend that you don't find yourself there either.
Written August 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Adriaticqueen
Oakland, CA20 contributions
Tip top trail riding outfit!
Family
Harold runs a very professional and conscientious riding outfit.
I could not have dreamed up a more ideal first riding experience for my 11 year old daughter. Harold gave her the most logical, clear and reassuring riding instruction prior to her mounting a very gentle horse. In addition his riding overview was respectful of her intelligence which made her feel all the more secure and confident.
Our guide Sequoia was kind, informative and politely answered our questions about the flora,fauna and history. She also was extremely tuned into our comfort and safety on the ride. The views were sublime, the country side, gorgeous.The horses are well fed and healthy.
I have ridden trail rides all over the world and I can say hands down that the Broken Saddle Riding company is the best I have ever encountered. We visit Santa fe often and this will now be a top hit destination for each trip!
Thank you Harold and Sequoia,
The Suess family
Written August 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrew F
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
"A HUGE NON EVENT"
Couples
Whilst visiting Santa Fe over the Labor day break, my wife a very apt rider booked us for a group ride at Broken Saddle. That night I experienced what I thought was the start of my second heart attack. It luckily wasn't but I felt unwell the following day and called very early to inform them that my wife would be the only rider. I was told that would increase her cost by $15 as she was the only rider! No problem I said. The ride was at 11am. At 10.30 I realized that I had taken a wrong turning and my wife called to say that we were on our way but running a little behind but would be there before 11am. The owner, Harold said "thats it then", and hung up. My wife called back and asked if his hanging up signified that the ride was cancelled. His response was shocking. He said" if your husband had to much to drink last night it wasn't his problem" and we should look in the yellow pages for another stable. An unbelievably RUDE man and certainly not a business man. My advice is look in the Yellow Pages for another stable
Written September 12, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jesmom130
Charlotte, NC9 contributions
"BROKEN BONES" NOT "BROKEN SADDLE"!!!
Family
A year ago tomorrow my family and I arrived at Broken Saddle to take a scenic ride in NM on our first day of Spring Break. I am an experienced rider and very familiar with horses. Once we started out on the trail, I expressed to Harold that the horse I was on "was not happy... his ears are flat back and he is jumpy". Harold casually turned back to look and assured me that "those are peaceful ears" and kept the group moving along. About 5 minutes later I was BUCKED OFF that horse- bucking bronco style. I was just thankful that my 9 year old son was not on this horse. He waited to call the EMS when we got back down to the barn - and hour and a half after the impact. Turns out I had 3 broken ribs and my clavicle broken in several places. Not only did we have to leave NM early, I was out of work for a month and in PT until this past December. The stinger- no follow up from Harold and left with a mound of medical bills b/c I signed the waiver. Consider yourself warned.
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Susan M
2 contributions
The HIGHLGHT of our trip!
This was undoubtedly our most loved Sante Fe family adventure! We arrived early for our 11a.m. ride - my partner and I and our 11 year old son. Despite having prepped him in advance and being assured by him that he was up for the ride, he was terrified once he saw the horses - crying and begging us to leave. Rod and Harold were unbelievable with him, supportive, encouraging and non-plussed by all his ruckus. Harold explained he wouldn't force him to do it and we figured we might spend our two hours talking and feeding carrots to the horses. Within 1/2 an hour we were all on horseback and headed out for a fun guided adventure with our awesome wrangler Rod. He offered our son knuckles when he arrived back and complimented him on his ability to "cowboy up" and overcome his fear. This was a great family experience and a wonderful confidence builder for our son. If we were here for longer, we'd be heading back out. Don't miss this one!
Written April 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa P
7 contributions
Best Stable in the Southwest
Family
I have ridden with Broken Saddle more times than I can count, but at least once a year I head up there from ABQ. I'm an avid rider and have owned my own horses so I'm picky about these things. First, Harold and his crew of guides are extremely knowledgeable about the terrain, New Mexico history and geology and of course their horses. This leads me to my second reason which is that they truly care for their Missouri Foxtrotters and Tennessee Walkers, the Cadillacs of horses. They don't expose them to any conditions they don't enjoy themselves. Thirdly, they tailor the rides to your ability allowing you to experience not just the nose to tail walk, but trotting and cantering if you are so inclined (which we always are on these smooth horses). Finally, the locale of Cerrillos Hills State Park, is New Mexico True and the views in the morning and at sunset are breathtaking. So, if you can only do one authentic thing when visiting our beautiful state, make it Broken Saddle. Now Harold, don't let this go to your head!
Written August 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Broken Saddle Riding Company
Broken Saddle Riding Company is open:
  • Sun - Sat 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM