Vavenby Trail Rides
Vavenby Trail Rides
5
About
***We are now open!*** To follow Provincial Covid19 related guidelines we are operating at a reduced capacity. This will allow us to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone. Because of this reduced capacity, we strongly recommend calling ahead to book a ride. Enjoy guided rides on our scenic working cattle ranch. With a maximum of eight riders, and a variety of options and choices, our rides are enjoyed by all levels of rider. We welcome children, novices and experienced riders.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Joanna M4 contributionsGreat Trail Riding ExperienceHighly recommend Shook Ranch if you are looking for a trail ride in the area. The horses are gentle, calm, and well looked after. Sarah (the owner) and Darcy took our group of 4 on a 2.5 hour trail ride, including lunch down by the river. A beautiful setting, friendly people, and happy horses made for a great day!Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten May 1, 2024
- Roy P1 contributionOne hour trail rideOne hour ride to celebrate tween birthday with 2 younger brothers and grandma. Boys 4 & 7, and birthday girl 12 yrs old. Mount/dis-mount instructions were clear and easy to follow. Horses were gentle, calm and excellent with the kids. Views were scenic and panoramic. Would highly recommend this ranch. Cooper, Easton, Taya & GrandmaVisited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten May 22, 2024
- Janice B1 contributionThe best trail ride ever!The best trail ride ever! Darcy and Sarah were so nice and helpful. We had well trained and well cared for horses that were easy to ride. The ranch incredible and we were able to see woods, the river, and meadow after beautiful meadow with spectacular mountains to complete the views. To top it off we were accompanied by two lovely dogs!! The riverside lunch was great with homegrown beef, great beans and a fabulous potato salad. Darcy was a great cook and experienced wrangler. Sarah was a great hostess. It was a wonderful day. Thank you and we will come again.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten June 26, 2024
- Sascha G3 contributionsHighly recommendedWe had a great 2 hour riding experience with Sarah at the hook ranch today. It was great fun for our family of 5. Beautiful landscape and very nice horses. We felt very comfortable at all times - even without riding experience.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten July 18, 2024
- Sonia R2 contributionsWonderful horse riding experience that we will never forget!A wonderful day at the Vavenby trail rides. The owner came along for the ride ( her and her husband are truly welcoming people). The guide was very interesting and helpful ( also a very good cook because it was a 3 hours ride with meal). The horses were incredible , well maintained and very docile. We can see that they are well taken care of … with a lot of love. We enjoyed the ride alongside the hills and the river … charming environment. A unique experience we ( our entire family) loved and will always remember. Thank you so much !!Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 1, 2024
- Hannes K5 contributionsGreat experience and great time!We arrived at the ranch and the hosts expected us already. It seemed to me that they take very well care for their horses (we had very different experience in the past). After the ride through forest land and meadows we had BBQ close to the river in a very unique outdoor kitchen. We enjoyed the time at the ranch very much and would come back any time. Thanks!Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 13, 2024
- Heather C2 contributionsHighly Recommend!!!A stunningly peaceful and beautiful trail ride. The guides cooked us a lovely meal at the chuckwagon. We loved being with Sarah and the guides! This was a gorgeous way to spend time with family. Highly recommend this heavenly place.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 26, 2024
- Traveler605026DĂĽsseldorf, Germany70 contributionsGreat uncomplicated rideWe had spontaneously called Durcy in the morning. The tour started at 2 PM. When we arrived the horses were already saddled. Helmet and boots selected and off we went. It was then a very nice varied 2 hour ride. Thank you for the tour. Clearwater doesn't really offer much.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten September 8, 2024
- Wander668466166743 contributionsFantastic 3 Hour Horse Ride with LunchOne of the highlights of our 5 week trip to Canada. Sarah and Darcy were great company. We are a small step up from novices (just like City Slickers!) and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We took the 3 hour trip which included lunch. The ride was varied between forests, pastures and by the river. Lunch was delicious. Home reared beef in the burgers. Would highly recommend. Paul & Jan from EnglandVisited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten October 2, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Robin S
Canada5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We had a ride with 3 children aged 3, 7 and 9. At first the youngest was hesitant but the thorough and calm manner in which Sarah explained what to do but him totally at ease.
Everyone had a wonderful time and we quite enjoyed the entire experience. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a great time for all ages.
Everyone had a wonderful time and we quite enjoyed the entire experience. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a great time for all ages.
Written August 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo U
7 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Brilliant experience going on a two hour trail ride. Very well run, accommodating and the experience was safe but without being boring. The horses were well cared for, in excellent condition and we were thoroughly briefed on each of their personalities and ways they like to be ridden. It is obvious the care they have for their horses. A mixed group of beginners, occasional rider (many many years ago) and regular rider all enjoyed it thoroughly. Hats and boots provided and covid protocols followed.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruno P
Ile-de-France, France22 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
we hesitated to take 2 hours, saying that it might be a bit long and a little train-style ride and really no regrets at having taken two hours.
The horses are great, our guide is charismatic and super friendly and the walk in the forest is magical.
It was our first horse riding experience and we loved everything about it.
We regret not having had the meal at the water's edge with them.
The horses are great, our guide is charismatic and super friendly and the walk in the forest is magical.
It was our first horse riding experience and we loved everything about it.
We regret not having had the meal at the water's edge with them.

Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel Mom
1 contribution
Jul 2020
My son of 9 and I (newbies to horses) were warmly welcomed and appropriately given gentle horses for the 2hr trail ride--through wonderful meadows and a lovely forest trail. I highly recommend Sarah and Ed for an excellent day out. Informative, professional, and friendly. It was a fantastic way to spend quality time in a beautiful area. Thanks to the Shooks, their lovely dog, and the great horses. I got the tip from the visitor centre in Clearwater and would highly recommend this.
Written July 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy
2 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We booked our first trail ride with out friends who had gone riding with Sarah 14years ago. Our group had 2 adults and 3 kids. Both Ed and Sarah were extremely patient and kind. Our family enjoyed it so much that we booked another trail ride the following morning. We figured that it may be awhile since we will be ever up in the Clearwater area so we decided to go again. Our Bernese mountain puppy joined along as well and had a great time running around with Trigg. Thank you Ed and Sarah for a memorable experience!
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smood
Dublin24 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Booked the trail ride with lunch at Vavenby Trail Rides/Shook Ranch. (About a 20 minute drive from Clearwater) Had a wonderful time riding the trails on the Ranch. There were 5 guests riding with Sarah and Darcy from the ranch. Ranch supplies helmets, boots and coats, if needed. Horses were placid and easy to control, even for novices. Trails were not too challenging. Lunch was chips/crisps, burgers (ham and veggie) and salads, followed by wagon wheels (what else?). All washed down with bottled water or freshly ground coffee cowboy-style. Ate at a camp down by the river where the burgers were cooked fresh. All told, we were out for over 4 hours. Thanks Sarah and Darcy for a memorable experience. Would highly recommend
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SimoneXyzzz
Vienna, Austria21 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
It was an amazing trip. Sarah and here team are super professional, they explained everything very well and the horses were well trained. Even though I did not have any experience I felt super save and comfortable and really enjoyed the trip. I can definitely recommend it.
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marjolijn
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Made a beautiful 3-hour outdoor ride with my daughter. The owner Sara Shook is very friendly and also came with us. The ride was through the forest, across the prairie and a picnic along the river. Highly recommended!

Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mtb9live
48 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Superb. As non riders we felt safe at all times. Well looked after horses and professional team. Really nice ride down to river and top of the hill. Extended ride to a two hours and well worth it.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denis A
5 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Sarah and Ed were very welcoming and informative, the ride around their vast property was amazing, the perfect location. Horses were matched to rider size and ability and they also provided riding hats and boots. Would definitely recommend.
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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