MAKARIOS RANCH presents

Horseback Riding
for experienced riders

And less vigorous rides
for those less experienced


Gals enjoying experienced horseback rides at Makarios Ranch, Santa Fe county New Mexico.  Scenic Galisteo Basin.



Riding the Galisteo River in autumn, from the Makarios Ranch heading west.  Experienced Horseback Rides all four seasons.

Welcome to Makarios Ranch, where we ride all 4 seasons....as long as the wind chill is not too low, or the snow too deep, or the heat factor too high!


''Makarios'' is the Greek word for Blessed, and blessed we are!!! Most days in NM are terrific for horseback riding!!

Youtube of horses heading toward Makarios Ranch, up the Galisteo river.  Experienced horseback rides on happy horses! When the weather cools, and the bugs leave the bosque, we enjoy many Glorious River Rides.

At Makarios Ranch we ride in winter when the weather permits.  Experienced Horseback Rides every day of the year!




Even in winter, most days are bright and sunny at Makarios Ranch!



Experienced horseback rides are enjoyed at Markarios ranch!  Horseback riding Santa Fe New Mexico area.

We have some good gallops when we are a group of folks who are accomplished riders and feel totally confident. YIPEEEEE!!







Click for Cerrillos, New Mexico Forecast The weather is fabulous here in Cerrillos NM

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Makarios Ranch is located near the historic villages of Cerrillos and Madrid NM. These are on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, which links Albuquerque to Santa Fe via Hwy. 14. Santa Fe is about 20 miles to the north of Cerrillos, Albuquerque about 50. We mostly ride in the Galisteo Basin and the Ortiz Mountains, but when the weather is cooler, we also ride in the Cerrillos Hills Historic Park; this is a 4-5 hour ride. We bring water and snacks, and usually stop for lunch somewhere along the way!!! Sadly, this ride is not for 'strangers' as it once was, because of licensing stuff with the state, who now owns the land. Individual horse owners can go ANY AND ALL TIMES!!!

Riding in the Cerrillos Hills Historic Park is one of our MOST FAVORITE rides!!! If you own your own horse and want to come with us, we can take you on a super fun ride; we can meet you at our Ranch and you can go with us down the Galisteo, or we can meet you in the village of Cerrillos.

Cerrillos turquoise mines are near Makarios Ranch in the Cerrillos Hills Historic Park.  Experienced horseback rides last 4-5 hours on this lovely ride.



You can return to Cerrillos to visit Todd & Patty Brown, and explore their Casa Grande Trading Post, Petting Zoo & Mining Museum; they also sell gorgeous Cerrillos Turquoise, mined since before the 1600s, but made world-famous by the Tiffany & Co. in the late 1800s.
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BREAKFAST ANYONE? Depending on the time of year, you might have time to eat some great green chile burritos, Madrid scrambles, or a variety of other goodies, served up at San Marcos Cafe on Hwy. 14 between Santa Fe & Cerrillos.
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For the BEST food in Madrid, be sure to go to The HOLLAR Restaurant, open 11am-9pm daily, serving super delicious food created by Chef Joshua Novak, a lifelong lover of making great food, and a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu School of Cooking. He uses only the finest ingredients, organic as possible, and local as possible, including local grass fed beef and bison.

If you have worked up an appetite after your super fun horseback ride, Madrid is the place for you! Try a great meal at the Mineshaft Tavern or Mama Lisa's No Pity Cafe. And a new restaurant with great outdoor seating has just opened -- The Hollar, a personal favorite! Want a delicious coffee in a fun atmosphere? Try Java Junction!. Makarios ranch is near Madrid NM, where the movie Wild Hogs was partially filmed.  William H. Macy was happy to take a photo on his break! Madrid has many fine galleries and art studios, and you'll be able to see some of the settings for that super fun movie, Wild Hogs, starring John Travolta & William H. Macy, one of my all time favorite actors! Toomba and I had the blessing of meeting Bill, what a super nice man!!



Makarios ranch is near many great eateries.  Experienced horseback rides can end up in Madrid or Cerrillos for a great meal!

About 7 miles north on the Turquoise Trail is the Thunderbird Cafe, serving a huge variety of their yummy burgers. And just north of that, the San Marcos Cafe, where one of the views out the window is Susan's peacocks, fan tails in full glory; she has both white and traditional blue!!

If you are heading back to Albuquerque, or just want to drive a few miles south, a must-stop is the Golden Mercantile in Golden, NM, Since 1918, it has offered the very best in Native New Mexican jewelry at the best prices around; discover this hidden gem for yourself!!!

For a real post-riding treat, be sure to take the Scenic drive north on Hwy. 285 to Ojo Caliente Hot Springs. You can stay there too, but if you just want a couple of hours in the spring or the hot mud bath, the drive is well worth it!

Your Makarios Ranch Riding Experience will be great all around!!!

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Makarios Ranch horses have excelled in Reining as well as other horse sports.  Experienced horseback rides include riding some of these terrific, well trained horses.

Reining on Rhett, Arabian Nationals, 1995

WHOA THERE!

LOOK LIKE FUN??

JOIN US FOR A RIDE YOU'LL LONG REMEMBER
& WANT TO OFTEN REPEAT!!

Ciao!!!!annie

For rates, reservations, etc,
Contact Us Here


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We Are A Top Listed NM Site!
Check out the Top 50 Horse Riding Trails and Vacations sites!

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Experienced horseback rides occasionally go as far north as Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu NM, home of Georgia O'Keeffe.


Annie and Whinny galloping up Blue Hill at Ghost Ranch, near Abiquiu NM

Wintersett (aka Whinny) is the son of the great purebred Arabian Stallion Gdansk.

At the present time, Whinny is fighting equine melanomas, which started at age about 10; he is now 23 and still doing well; we are trying a new treatment and pray this is the one that will give him another 15 years of great life!!






Webpage first created Feb. 7, 1997
on Hometown AOL, which no longer hosts webpages....
hope all our long-time friends will now find us here!!!


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If you are looking for riding lessons or horse camps, please visit my friends Lynn Clifford in Cerrillos NM, and Liz Sanchez in Albuquerque!
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What Other Horse Crazy Friends Say!

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Seeing A Young Bobcat While Horseback Riding 
Just today Palin said ''I have never seen a bobcat when we are riding.'' Chile Pepper had sniffed one up close a few years back, and still has the 4 …

Make a Wish Benefit show with Arabian Costume class Not rated yet
This is me on my Arabian gelding, he was 4 at the time. We got all 'dressed up' for a Make A Wish Foundation benefit at the State Fair grounds. He had …

Cisco Not rated yet
I have enjoyed many days at Annies Ranch...She GAVE me Cisco, a beautiful horse and Suzie delivered him to my door. Forever grateful.

Life enhancing experiences with Annie Whitney & Makarios Ranch! Not rated yet
I met Annie Whitney in 2002 and my life has been better ever since then. Annie loves her life and is an inspiration. I like nothing better than to spend …

Experienced riders will love this trail experience! Not rated yet
As an avid rider, I'm always looking for fun and unique horse back opportunities to "experience" the natural beauty of the area I'm visiting. Annie has …

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Nothing is as wonderful as experiencing the awesome beauty of the “Land of Enchantment” while on horseback. It engages all the senses. The smell of pinion, …

Ride the New Mexico countryside with Annie! Not rated yet
What a wonderful experience and truly enjoyable trail ride with excellent well trained horses Wild high country desert scenery.complete with hills, creeks, …

A Special Christmas Thank You Note Not rated yet
Thank you, Makarios Ranch, for providing such a beautiful space for Annie's horses and animals. I've had many good times over the years riding with …

7 Year Old Falls In Love With Horseback Riding Not rated yet
I rode horses most of my life, but our 7 year old daughter was a bit fearful of horses. Then one day she decided she would like to give it a try. We …

over the river and through the woods, to Annie's house we go Not rated yet
well, okay, maybe here in New Mexico it should read over the desert and through the arroyo, but the journey will take you somewhere fun nonetheless! And …

RIDING "SAGE" ON BEAUTIFUL OCTOBER DAY... Not rated yet
WELL I can't think of a better way to turn 54 than with nice people, gorgeous horses, and awesome views! Thank you Annie for your friendliness and professionalism. …

An Unexpected Thrill in New Mexico Not rated yet
While planning a trip to Santa Fe last April, I hadn't even given thought to horseback riding, but after a pleasant conversation with a man seated next …

Special 20th Wedding Anniversary Horseback Ride Not rated yet
My husband and I wanted to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary with some site seeing, golf and horseback riding in New Mexico. We both ride …

Really Enjoyed Our Morning Ride Not rated yet
Morning Annie! Thought you might enjoy this picture of you and Mia. We really enjoyed our morning with you! Best, Candice

Our 4 Grandkids Love Horseback Riding Not rated yet
Hi Annie! Thank you so much for taking our four grandchildren horseback riding. This was their 2nd year with you, and they loved it more than ever. …

Our Best Trail Ride Ever Not rated yet
Hi Annie!!! We?re back in NJ, and missing the west already. I consider it a true blessing to have met you and Palin and Susie, and all the horses …

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