AMARILLO HORSE FIELD GUIDE
Riding the Rim: A Family Hour on Quarter Horses Above Palo Duro Canyon
A one-hour, family-friendly ride led by experienced cowboys and cowgirls across the rim of Palo Duro Canyon—this guide tells you what to expect from the saddle, the scenery, and the tack.
Riding the Rim: A Family Hour on Quarter Horses Above Palo Duro Canyon.
On the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, a short family ride unfolds across working ranchland and dramatic canyon views. Led by seasoned cowboys and cowgirls on well-mannered American Quarter Horses, the 1 Hour Horseback Riding Experience condenses an authentic Texas-ranch outing into an accessible outing for riders of all ages.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Palo Duro Canyon from the Ranch Rim
The ride runs along the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, offering sweeping desert-ranch vistas across varied terrain — a concentrated taste of West Texas landscape without a long backcountry commitment.
Gentle American Quarter Horses
Riders mount well-mannered American Quarter Horses and working cattle horses selected for steady temperaments, making the hour-long outing suitable even for younger family members.
Cowboys and Cowgirls Who Know the Land
Local cowboys and cowgirls run the rides — knowledgeable, experienced hands who lead an authentic ranch experience across thousands of acres on the edge of the canyon.
What the day feels like
What the Hour Feels Like
The outing is compact and deliberate: instruction and saddling are included, and riders spend roughly two-thirds of the hour in the saddle. Expect a calm, family-focused pace guided by practitioners who balance safety with an authentic ranch rhythm, traveling across a mix of rim-top trails and rolling ranchland.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this short ride suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The operator supplies saddling and tack; equipment is described as high-quality, with many saddles custom made by Oliver’s Saddle Shop in Amarillo.
Rides use top-tier tack and many custom Oliver’s Saddles, reflecting the ranch’s emphasis on well-maintained equipment.
Oliver’s Saddle Shop — the oldest family-owned saddlery in Texas, based in Amarillo — supplies many of the ranch’s custom saddles.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the 1 Hour Horseback Riding Experience?
The advertised duration is one hour; with instruction and saddling included you will have approximately 40 minutes in the saddle.
Where do we meet for the ride?
Rides take place at Los Cedros Ranch on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon; the location is convenient for travelers on Route 66 and I‑40.
What kind of horses will I ride?
The ranch uses American Quarter Horses and working cattle horses that are described as well-mannered and healthy.
Is this ride suitable for young children?
Yes — the one-hour family ride is designed to be gentle and family-friendly, explicitly intended for families with small children.
What if my preferred date is full?
If the 1-hour ride is not available on your preferred date, the operator asks that you check their other ride options or contact them directly.
Are saddles and tack provided?
Yes — saddling and tack are provided by the operator; they emphasize high-quality equipment and many custom Oliver’s Saddles are used at the ranch.