Come meet Frilla, Feila, Lutja, Vinur, Svanur, Felagi and Helga. These sturdy Icelandic horses provide a unique and fun way to experience the remote Alaskan wilderness. Whether on a day ride or overnight pack trip, these friendly and outgoing horses make any outing memorable. Also check out the Horse-packing intensive clinic.
Join us! Benefit from our 17+ years of back country horse experience for a unique wilderness adventure. Please note that rider weight is limited to 200lbs
Riding at the Homestead
Traverse the rugged Alaskan landscape from the saddle! Riding can be the sole focus of your stay or something you just want to try for an afternoon. Experienced riders can enjoy putting their equestrian skills to use crossing open country, fording creeks and navigating mountain slopes. Riders have their choice of Western or Icelandic saddles. There are several miles of easy trails suitable for beginners as well.
These sturdy Icelandic horses are sure-footed and friendly- The perfect way to enjoy travel through the backcountry. Experienced riders are welcome to try the famous Tolt gait of the Icelandic Horse. You wont be limited to following the horse in front of you, this is mostly open country riding. When we are tolting along a wild ridgeline and through alpine meadows, you will know you are alive!
The homestead has easy access to many different day rides for all skill levels. Choose from half or full day rides so get up in the saddle, and enjoy the view. Overnight rides and multi day trips are also available for riders with previous experience. You might also want to help me pioneer a new route!
Ride to alpine lakes, Apricity’s own natural “Stonehenge Boulders,” high into the foothills of an unnamed Mountain Range or over hill and dale in the low lands. Along the way, watch for birds, pick blueberries, and wildlife.
Contact us today to Book your adventure.
Week-Long Horse Packing Clinic
This course is geared for those with previous equestrian experience. It is a perfect choice for those with their own horses or those with a desire to work as a horse packer. This horse-packing curricula packs as much practice and as many lessons as we can into a week of long summer days.
Package includes one on one instruction in packing Decker, Sawbuck and Western riding saddles. Also learn to make a soft pack with no saddle at all! Loads will be tied into mantys, slung in boxes and soft panniers with crows foot and barrel hitches. Extensive instruction and use of single and double diamond hitches. Learn saddle repair and rope splicing skills. Make your own lash cinch to use and keep.
Gaited horses, good gear, and your choice of riding saddles. You will lead your own pack horse with increasingly challenging loads and trails. Learn how to spot problems before they become wrecks and ‘watch out’ situations ahead of time. After this class there won’t be a common load or a saddle you won’t be able to tackle and get down the trail.
You will have the experience gained from hundreds of pack trips at your disposal to help you become the most effective, safest packer you can be.
Max rider weight 200lbs. Students should be in decent physical condition, able to lift heavy loads and walk a few miles. For those interested in less intensive packing instruction or larger groups, we can make it the theme of a homestead stay or horse trek.
Topics include
- Packing all types of common saddles
- Basket hitch
- Crow foot hitch
- Barrel hitch
- Single diamond hitch
- Double diamond hitch
- Load prioritization
- Even numbers
- Odd loads
- Top loads
- On the trail adjustments
- Route selection
- Camp selection
- How not to lose ’em
- Rope slicing & rivet repair
