Western / Reining in New Mexico

New Mexico rides big. The Sangre de Cristo peaks in the north, the Chihuahuan Desert stretching south, ancient trails threading between them, this is country that has been crossed on horseback for centuries and still rewards doing it that way. A pack trip into the Gila Wilderness, a day ride through national forest, lessons at an academy in town: the terrain and the dry climate hold room for nearly every discipline and every kind of rider.

Guest ranches cluster in the northern mountains near Taos and Santa Fe, running cattle drives, scenic trail rides, and horsemanship clinics against a backdrop of ponderosa forest, red rock canyon, and high desert mesa. Many border vast public lands, so the riding doesn't stop at the fence line. The mix of comfortable lodging and working ranch life draws visitors after both adventure and rest, and plenty of these outfits adapt their programs to run through the seasons.