www.OceanParkRanch.com
Horses Trails Specials RSVP

Ocean Park Ranch is a private guided horseback riding service.

We offer private trail rides emphasizing the health and beauty of horses.

No groups. You must be 18 years old. 

Safety, safety, safety! 

We are proud of our annual national safety awards from the North American Horsemen's Association.

Safety for both the rider and the horse is always the priority.


Safety consists of:

Awareness of your surroundings and others.

Consideration for the physical capabilities of the horse.

Discipline not to exceed capabilities of either horse or rider.


Nature Trail Etiquette

We all share a love of nature and open space. It's important that hikers, equestrian and mountain bikers share our public lands thoroughly. Shared-use trails are cost-effective, minimize impacts on the environment, and provide all of the various users with the most trail opportunities.

Hikers

What can hikers expect?
  • Expect faster trail users! Always listen for cyclists, runners, or equestrians. They can approach from ahead but still out of sight, or from behind very quickly. If you hear "on your left" from behind this means you should stay to your right to allow them to pass (and vice-versa).
  • Cyclists have a responsibility to yield and pass at a safe speed. Offer friendly communication to let the rider know when it's safe to pass. Give a verbal or visual acknowledgement, step to the side of the trail or wave the rider by on wider trails.
Yielding to horses:

  1. Greet the rider! The human voices alleviate a horse's fears.
  2. Immediately stop and wait on the downhill side of the trail if possible.
  3. Ask how to proceed. If hiking with a child, hold their hand when passing.
  4. Don't approach or pet the horse without first getting permission from the rider.
  5. Horses can perceive a hikers' backpack, umbrella or even baby strollers as threats.
What are a hiker's responsibilities?
  • Share the trail. When hiking as a group, hike single file on narrow trails or stay to the right side of wider trails, leaving room for others to pass. A leader in your group should sheppard encounters with others. When hiking downhill on narrow trails, generously yield to those hiking uphill.
  • Don't tune out. If you wear headphones, keep the volume down or only wear one earpiece so you can hear other trail users approaching and avoid being surprised.
Keep your dog on a leash...
Obey posted rules about dogs and only take your dog on trails where dogs are permitted. Keep your dog on a short leash and under control for dangers of: snakebites, poison-oak, ticks and apex predators. Off-leash dogs can easily find skunks almost anywhere. Other hikers may be frightened by dogs or be unsure of how to pass safely. Always cleanup and pack out dog waste.

Equestrians

What can equestrians expect?
  • Inexperienced trail users. While all trail users should yield to equestrians, many are intimidated by large horses, or just don't know what to do.
What are equestrian responsibilities?
  • Manage your horse. Train and familiarize your horse on wider multi-use trails with room to maneuver so the horse can become more comfortable with cyclists, dogs, backpack-wearing hikers, etc. Your horse should be comfortable with other trail users before venturing onto narrow shared-use trails. Consider desensitization training for your horse if it remains skittish around other trail users.
Negotiate safe passes...

  1. Greet trail users early. Be generous in giving the right of way.
  2. Communicate with other trail users. Offer them a best place to stand or pass.
  3. Both pedestrians and cyclist should yield to horses, but many novice users don't know.
  4. Where safe and appropriate, guide trail users to move to the downhill side of the trail.
  5. Continue speaking with them until all have passed. Only pass others at a walk, never at a trot or gallop.
  6. Small children, the elderly and dogs can be easily frightened by horses and act unpredictably; expect the unexpected.

Mountain Bikers

What can bikes expect?
  • Surprised trail users. Fast-moving bikes can startle coming around a turn or approaching from behind. Always anticipate others being just in the right place.
What are a cyclist's responsibilities?
  • Anticipate and yield to all other trail users. Hikers, horses and uphill cyclists have your right of way. Consider using a bell to help those who are on your trail. SLOW DOWN through blind turns. Anothers' perception of a safe, courteous speed may be different to yours. Always ride under control and avoid skidding. On wider trails and fire roads keep to the right. Try to be exceedingly friendly and communicative. Never put others at risk.
Passing Hikers...
  1. SLOW DOWN to about the same speed as the hiker.
  2. Greet hikers early with a friendly "howdy" or "good morning."
  3. Pass slowly and be prepared to stop if necessary. Show your appreciation if they step to the side for you!
  4. Expect the unexpected: people and animals can be unpredictable or easily spooked/startled by cyclists.
Passing Cyclists...
  1. Announce your intention to pass with a friendly "Let me know when it's safe to pass..."
  2. Give uphill riders the right of way when you're going downhill. It's much harder to get started again on a climb.
  3. Use the "single-track yield" on narrow trails: the yielding rider should stop to the side, put one foot down and lean both body and bike away from the trail.
Passing Horses...
  1. Immediately slow down and stop at least 30 feet from the horse. Greet the equestrian and the horse. Speaking shows the horse that you are a human and not a potential threat. Ask how or when to pass safely. Offer to get off your bike if appropriate.
  2. Pass slowly and steadily, but only after the equestrian communicates safety to you. Sudden movements or noises can spook a horse. Where possible, pass on the downhill side of the animal.


enjoy safer trails


Remember, trails have inherent risks and dangers.
Always be prepared, and use public trails at your own risk.
Good judgment should be exercised at all times to ensure safety for all.



Horses
Bubba
(retired)


Dakota
the
Magnificent


R-Pickle

Kasey-K

Bermshot

Charmin'
Carmen
(in training)




Bubba

Bubba is our 32 year-old Thoroughbred.
He's our retired chairman of the board!

"Bubba"
At Home Bubba dressed for the dance!
so Happy! Bubba prancing after bath!
on the Trail  Topanga Bench

Retired!!!


Dakota the Magnificent (Kody)

Kody is our 21 year-old Registered Quarterhorse.
He offers the smoothest rides for beginners and is fine tuned for professionals.

"Kody"
Topanga State Park
Hub Junction
Temescal Canyon / Eagle Springs Hub
 Waveview Meadows  The world is a salad bar!
Green, green grass... Tail Light
Rainy Day Off Trottin' in Chatsworth

NOTE: The availability of an individual horse is based on the privileges granted to the rider and upon the condition of that horse.

For example: if the requested horse has been utilized for longer rides previously, that horse will need rest.

R-Pickle (Pickle)

Pickle is our 9 year-old gray Thoroughbred.
Always bet on the gray!

"Pickle"
Pickle relish! Pickel enjoying grass...
Birthday Ride!  Happy Birthday!
Aliso Canyon  Another good ride!
Victory Trail  On our way!

NOTE: The availability of an individual horse is based on the privileges granted to the rider and upon the condition of that horse.

For example: if the requested horse has been utilized for longer rides previously, that horse will need rest.

Kasey-K

Kasey-K is our $20,000 winning 8 year-old thoroughbred mare.
She's our herd's matriarch.

"Kasey-K"
above
Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier
Aliso Canyon Park Aliso Canyon Park
Winning!!!
July 20th, 2011
Sacramento California

Kasey-K at Aliso Canyon Park

NOTE: The availability of an individual horse is based on the privileges granted to the rider and upon the condition of that horse.

For example: if the requested horse has been utilized for longer rides previously, that horse will need rest.

Bermshot (Bourbon)

Bourbon is our $20,000 winning thoroughbred
who was a certified mounted patrol horse.

"Bourbon"
12yr-old Bourbon: Chatsworth California
Parker Mesa
Overlook
Santa Ynez TSP
Winning!!!
March 8th, 2008
Los Alamitos California
Bourbon Bermshot

NOTE: The availability of an individual horse is based on the privileges granted to the rider and upon the condition of that horse.

For example: if the requested horse has been utilized for longer rides previously, that horse will need rest.

Charmin' Carmen (Carma)

Carma shares the same Sire (Swiss Yodeler) as Kasey-K;
making her Kasey-K's four year-old sister.

"Carma"
Los Alamitos Grandstand 
Los Alamitos California
Goodbye shed row... Retirement Day!
Acceptance! Dawn accepted by Carma
I'm ready for...
  ..my close-up!
Full Zoom

NOTE: The availability of an individual horse is based on the privileges granted to the rider and upon the condition of that horse.

For example: if the requested horse has been utilized for longer rides previously, that horse will need rest.

Trails
Aliso Canyon Equestrian Park Porter Ranch
Victory Trailhead Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve
Summit Valley Edmund D. Edelman Park
Trippet Ranch Topanga State Park


Aliso Canyon Equestrian Park
this location provides an arena

"Aliso Canyon Park, 18041 Rinaldi Street, Los Angeles 91326"
Rinaldi Street
off the 118 at
Reseda Blvd.
Aliso Canyon
Bird's Eye View 18041 Rinaldi 91326
Aliso Canyon Arena 18041 Rinaldi 91326

NOTE: The availability of desired location is based on RSVP scheduling, rider's experience and stock workload.

For example: horses are located at individual trails in advance. First ride to book secures location/time.

Victory Trailhead

"Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve"
Topographical 
Trail Map
End of Victory Blvd.
 Crummer Ranch 
Lasky Mesa
Lasky Mesa above Calabasas
Valley Oak
Savannas
Victory Trailhead
Upper
Las Virgenes
Canyon
Open Space
Preserve
Wide Open Space

Open Space Preserve

NOTE: The availability of desired location is based on RSVP scheduling, rider's experience and stock workload.

For example: horses are located at individual trails in advance. First ride to book secures location/time.

Summit Valley

"Edmund D. Edelman Park"
Google Maps Summit Valley Park
Bird's Eye View Summit Valley Park
Summit Valley
Edmund D. Edelman Park
Summit Valley Park

Edmund D. Edelman Park

NOTE: The availability of desired location is based on RSVP scheduling, rider's experience and stock workload.

For example: horses are located at individual trails in advance. First ride to book secures location/time.

Topanga State Park

"Topanga State Park ~ Trippet Ranch"
Entrada Road Go left 4 times...
Trippet Ranch
Trailhead
all horses go to heaven
Eagle Rock
Bench
Eagle Rock Bench
Eagle Rock
View
Eagle Rock View
Parker Mesa
Bench
6.5mi, 3hr ride
Parker Mesa
Overlook
6.5mi, 3hr ride

America's Largest Urban Wildland


NOTE: The availability of desired location is based on RSVP scheduling, rider's experience and stock workload.

For example: horses are located at individual trails in advance. First ride to book secures location/time.

Prices
(gratuities included/any location)

Single Horse:   60min... $150.00
120min... $275.00
 Two Horses:   60min... $275.00
120min... $500.00


Specials
(pre-pay/never-expire)


C.H.R.B. Professional Discount....  
for those licensed by California Horse Racing Board 
(two riders/one hour/any location)
 
 $200.00





RSVP

dawn@OceanParkRanch.com


Closed
Winner's Circle!
Winning!
Note:  Any weather cancellations will receive priority rescheduling.
I Love You! Kody at Sunset Say Cheese!
O.P.R. reserves the right to refuse service at any time, for any reason.