The only way to get under this park's skin is to hire a guide and get off the beaten path. However, hiring a guide from the parking lot tour booth isn't the way to do it. We got a closer look at an often-filmed sight, there were no lingering crowds on the trail, and the kids were smiling from ear to ear. But apart from pointing out two or three landmarks our guide provided little detail. What's more, the length of the horseback ride is based on the time it takes a horse to walk the trail. We trotted some and returned after 75 minutes, our trail ride was a quarter of an hour short. At $200 for a family of four, it was a pricey horseback ride. If we were to do it again we would research the outfitters in advance and book a tour that offered more.

In short: We booked a two hour trail ride. The horse threw my teenage daughter who was then too scared to remount. As we had just managed to talk her round our guide kicked and punched the horse responsible causing further distress and so ending any chance of her completing the ride. The guide kept suggesting that the rest of us continue with the package.  With some persuasion he took the rest of the group back to the coral while I waited with my daughter.  He then disappeared leaving the group to try and locate us (we were not on Valley Drive and as such were supposed to be escorted).  After two attempts to locate us they returned to the coral, found the guide and persuaded him to show them where we were.  Having finally made it back to the coral some 2.5hrs later the guide produced a piece of paper that we had signed to say that we accepted that horse riding was dangerous (note, we were never shown the front of the form only asked to supply name and address details on the rear).  Whilst I happily accept that there is an inherent risk associated with this type of activity I am not prepared to accept that there were no provisions made (and clearly no training given) on actions in the event of an incident.