Top Ten Puerto Rico Travel Destinations: #3 Tropical Trails Horseback Riding in Isabela

Last Updated on June 6, 2019 by PowersToTravel

 

Tango and Zuma.  They sound like a pair of cowboys, or perhaps a rock band, or even a couple of private-eyes.    Actually Tango and Zuma were especially chosen for us by the staff at Tropical Trail Rides.  The leader had announced to the group that we shouldn’t bring anything on the ride, and that cameras should be strapped to us and tucked inside our shirts.  Basically we were being warned that we would be bounced about.   However, I had a private conversation with the leader to explain that I needed to bring several juices and granola bars.

She, perhaps thinking I would be unreliable, immediately chose Tango for me.  “Tango is a great horse.  She doesn’t care whether she is first or last or who she follows.   She’s very well mannered.”

Greg was escorted with the rest of the men to the scale in the barn.  All the men weigh in to ensure they did not exceed the 250-pound limit.    She then matched the men to the horses.  Zuma was chosen for Greg.

Then the mounting began.  Each of the riders were assisted onto his or her horse, who were quietly waiting around the paddock.    My juice and granola bars were placed in a saddle bag and attached to my saddle in such a way that I could easily open it.  I must say that the staff were very accommodating.

Then the adventure began. We were instructed to never pass another horse on the route.  Certain horses like certain positions behind or in front of other horses.  If we were to pass, then the horses might get aggravated and start jockeying for position.  I had no worries, because I knew my Tango was not high maintenance.

As they lined us up, we found ourselves at the very end of the line, me on Tango, then Greg on Zuma.

We had ridden horses on several prior trips, and my experience also dates back to riding in Utah National Parks as a young teenager.  We felt quite confident.  Actually I was quite pleased because Tropical Trail Rides do not rope the horses together.   Each rider is on his own – to have the freedom to walk quietly behind the horse in front, that is.

We began riding in the pasture, then we walked on pavement through the exclusive Villa Montana condo resort community (more about the poop on the pavement, later).   Then we climbed a little hill, rode through the woods, and wonderfully out to the beach.    All this while the horse and rider in front of me fell more and more behind the rest of group.

“Kick him!”

The man gently toed his beast.

“Kick him. Hard! You’re wearing sneakers.  You have to tell him what to do!”

Whatever I yelled and however gently the cityslicker encouraged his horse to ride, we weren’t getting anywhere fast.  I wanted the experience of galloping on the beach, and the horses in front were yards away.  Finally I reconciled myself to the speed, or lack thereof, and relaxed in my saddle.  Eventually we caught up, and we did have a couple of opportunities to gallop after all.

While on the beach, a professional photographer took pictures of each of us, to later sell them.  (Of course we bought.)

We left the beach and headed inland.  We were supposed to trot through the shady woods, but we ambled along.  The trail leader came back a few times, told the man to kick his horse and then popped back to her lead position, nothing accomplished.

Soon we found ourselves at another beach.  “Don’t let the horses run!” I could hear the leader.  “They’ll break a leg in this soft sand!”  It was at that instant that Cityslicker found his spirit and urged his horse to a gallop.

“NO!” I yelled.  “He’ll break his leg!”  At least Cityslicker heard me, and pulled his horse up.

We rode along looking directly into the sun.  Note to reader:  The late afternoon ride, which they advertise as a sunset ride. isn’t the best option.  Sunset means that you’ll be riding into the sun.  You will be more of a silhouette in the pictures your husband takes of you (in direct contradiction to their instructions to take no pictures while on horseback).

We arrived at an almond grove, and were assisted in dismounting.  We were instructed to find almonds on the forest floor and feed them to our horses.  With the frequency with which Tropical Trail Rides took out riding parties, the clearing was scoured fairly clean and it made for a challenging hunt for the almonds.  The almonds were somewhat mushy and about the size of a fig.   However, the horses very well appreciated the effort.  I think that feeding my Tango was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had never before felt the soft lips of a horse on my hands.  As a child I had been terrified that an animal would bite my hand, and as an adult had not had much contact with horses.

The leader gathered us together and assisted us to remount.  She lined us up in a row, in family groups and took pictures with our own cameras.    Ours did not come out well due to the setting sun behind us.

The return was the same as the trip out, Cityslicker still trying to move his beast along.

We were given the task of watching for the horses to poop on the pavement in the resort.  Since we were the last trip of the day, someone at Tropical Trails was responsible to clean up the poop left in the resort.  If we returned and said “No More Poop!” then that person didn’t have to go out again.    Since Greg was last, he had the job of looking back to be sure Zuma wasn’t an offender.

Prior to our trip to Puerto Rico we had seen a House Hunters International episode in which a family relocated to Isabela.  I had noted but not paid a great deal of attention to the horseback riding they had participated in.  Now, after our return from the trip to Puerto Rico we once again viewed that episode.

“Look! There’s Tango!”

“Look! There’s Zuma!””

While the horseback riding was a pleasant adventure, our time in Isabela was also quite a pleasure.

The town plaza was traditional, and framed by the old church, well maintained, and other historic buildings.  The town itself was perched on the cliffs above the sea, with no sea views.  A steep road led down from the historic town to the small community of condos on the beach.  A short distance to the west was a large public beach, perfect for surfing.

I am so glad we decided to travel completely around the island and get a glimpse of all of Puerto Rico.

Diabetic Travel Tips

Never hesitate to discuss your individual food, or meter, or pump needs with the adventure leader.  You often find they give you the best, which for me was Tango.    I never did need my juice, but knowing what to expect and having the ability to test my sugar in the almond grove gave me confidence and eliminated stress.

 

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