Grindstone Stables — Local services in Ruidoso

Just got done with our trail ride. They fit us in at the last minute. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful! We had a lead guide and a guide bringing up the rear. The weather unexpectedly turned questionable with a couple of pop-up storms. They sent 2 more guides to keep an eye on the storms. About halfway through our ride one of the storms was dangerously close and it was decided that we would turn around and go back. This was the correct decision! The rain wasn't a concern...it was the lightning! (One lady in our group was unhappy about having to return and let her opinion be known. Her small children were on the ride with us and she was more concerned about having to cut the ride short than the safety of her small children on a horse in a lightning storm in the mountains...go figure.) As we walked to our car we were approached by one of the staff members who compensated us for Mother Nature cutting the ride short. We had no expectations of any kind of compensation considering it was no fault of theirs that the ride was cut short. Sure you can argue they should be aware of the weather conditions, but these were monsoon-season storms that pop up without notice. Oh yeah, the views are awesome! The price is right. The horses range from a little hardheaded, like the horse my daughter was on (who needed a little more encouragement), to mellow - "go with the flow," like Sarge, the one I was on. I highly recommend this place to anyone, old and young, who is looking to trail ride...

My husband and I really loved our ride at Grindstone. It was fairly intense riding up and down the mountain on some VERY suspect ground, but let me tell you- these horses are beautiful, kind and absolutely amazing at their jobs and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly.

I have ridden for 20+ years and was a trail guide back in Florida, and I would trust any of these horses again with my life and my time. I rode a lovely gelding named Flower, and my husband (he is 6ft, 225 pounds) rode John Wayne. They were both brave and surefooted. I never felt like they would trip or act out, and I could not stop telling Flower how amazing and beautiful he was.

My husband and I will definitely be back to Grindstone for another adventure!!! Ride prices were extremely reasonable, and all the horses were well fed and had excellent feet. Saddles were comfortable, well fitted, and guides were attentive to any loose girths or leaning riders.

Major shout-out to Flower and John Wayne. If they ever go missing, they are probably in...

My husband, myself and our 5 children ages 3, 5, 7, 12 and 13-all very inexperienced to horse riding had the best time at Grindstone Stables. I think we all agree it was the highlight of our vacation to Ruidoso.

I held my youngest daughter with me in the saddle on our horse-Handsome Dan. And although I was very nervous about letting me 5 and 7 year old ride their own horses at first, my tension quickly eased I was affirmed they would have a guided tour leader assigned to each of them personally. They took such good care of us and we where thoroughly entertained and enthralled with the guides and beautiful scenery. Such good memories made at this establishment. My 3 year old was so at ease on our huge horse she fell asleep at one point and I felt like a bonified horse rider by the end of the tour. My husband weighs 300 lbs and rode Mongo, a massive steed that hubby fell in love with. Beautiful day, beautiful horses, beautiful scenery and...