Here ya go, everything you could ever want to know about riding at Ponderosa and South Mountain Stables:

1. What are hours of operation?
   Ponderosa Stables operates year-round, 7 days a week, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Winter hours (October through May): Monday through Saturday, first-come/first-served 8:00 am until 3:00 pm , by reservation after 3:00 pm , depending upon existing advance reservations. Sunday, first-come/first-served 9:00 am until 3:00 pm , by reservation after 3:00 pm , again depending upon existing advance reservations. Summer hours (June through September): Monday through Saturday, first-come/first-served 7:00 am to 10:00 am . Sunday, 8:00 am to 10:00 am , closed when/if the temperature exceeds 100 ° , usually by around 10:00 am , reopening at 6:00 pm , offering our T-Bone and 1-hour sunset rides, reservations required for all evening rides. Our busiest times are all holiday weekends, the time between December 26 th through January 5 th , and during the six weeks of spring break. Please call 602-268-1261 for more information on hours and reservations.
2. What type of riding do you offer?
   Ponderosa offers Western-style riding. All of our rides are guided only, and strictly at walking speed. We require that all riders remain in a single file line, no passing or riding side-by-side. For truly experienced riders, we have access to more mountainous trails, or rides of longer duration. Customers may not wear spurs. Our weight limit is 230 pounds in summer and 250 pounds in winter, depending upon the availability of appropriate horses and saddles to accommodate. Some of our rides traverse mountainsides, and heights and narrow trails are involved. Smoking is not permitted on our trail rides.
3. How old do children have to be to ride?
   We allow children ages 2 through 5 years to ride with a parent or guardian (an adult over the age of 21 in either case) on the same horse, if both will safely fit into the saddle. The 2-year-old minimum age is strictly enforced. The cost for a child to ride with an adult is $42 for 1 hour. Children aged 6 and up ride by themselves at the full price. We recommend that those who “double up” with a child only ride for 1 hour. Double riding is not permitted for adults with adults, or children with children. Minimum age for the T-Bone Steak House ride is 12 years old, no exceptions. We have a limited number of riding helmets, available upon request at no additional charge.
4. Do we need reservations?
   Advance reservations are required to book 2, 3, 4 or 8 hours, and the sunset and T-Bone (described below) rides, all minimum 2 people. We send out longer rides (2 hours or more) first thing in the morning due to horse and guide availability. All walk-ins after 3:00 pm (see hours of operation above) are subject to horse and guide availability (our evenings get booked up quickly). ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY CALLING 602-268-1261.
   We do not accept e-mail reservations. Reservation information required includes the booking party's name, ages of children, the weights of all riders, and a telephone number (not your work number, please) that will be used to reach you in the event of inclement weather or other reservation issues. Call for more information regarding our hours of operation, and reservation and cancellation policies.
5. How do I schedule a cookout or wagon ride?
   We provide cookouts and wagon rides for a minimum group size of 8 , by reservation only, with a 25% deposit and at least 1 week notice. We base our food purchase and preparation upon a final head count that we require at least 2 days in advance of the specified date, and do not refund for no-shows. The per-person cookout price includes the cost of a horse or hay wagon ride, or a combination of both depending upon the size of the group (minimum of 8 on the wagon, minimum of 8 on horseback). We also have a cooksite available on Ponderosa property that can be used if groups want to do a horse or wagon ride and then cook for themselves. For a small fee, we will provide firewood, cookers and tables. Wagon rides only (no cookout) require a minimum of 8 passengers. Our wagons can handle up to 20 people, depending upon the size and weight of passengers. Permits are required for alcoholic beverages (beer only, in cans only), and are available at the South Mountain Park District Office at 16th Street & South Mountain Avenue, or at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center, located within South Mountain Park. All cookout rides which include alcohol are conducted using the cooksite on Ponderosa property for the safety of both our horses and customers. If you would like live entertainment at your event, we can provide the names of entertainers, but you must contract with them separately. Fire restrictions are imposed within the Park during summer months.
   During our peak season (October through May), our schedule for cookouts and T-Bone rides gets filled up quickly. It's a good idea to begin planning your event early - the earlier you get your deposit in, the earlier we can schedule, confirm and reserve your event. If you wait until 7 days before your event to schedule and submit your deposit, there's a good chance that the day you want will already be taken.
6. What have I forgotten to ask?

• Methods of Payment: Ponderosa Stables accepts cash, travelers checks, and debit and credit cards . Sorry, we no longer accept personal checks. We require a valid driver's license or other government-issued picture ID for travelers checks. Our prices do not include discretionary gratuities for wranglers or cooks.
• Riding Apparel: Your choice of riding apparel is an important factor in the comfort of your ride. Jeans are best, but shorts may be worn. Please be aware that saddles get hot depending upon the strength of the sun on a particular day, and desert foliage that grows close to the trails usually contains thorns. Sandals, especially shower-type thongs, are not allowed, unless they are the closed-toe variety with a strap to hold them on in the back. Tennis shoes or smooth-soled boots with a small heel are the safest choices. If you wish to wear a hat, please be sure that it fits properly so that it won't blow off in the slightest wind. This is especially important when considering headwear for children. Backpacks should be left in your vehicle, unless they are necessary for medical conditions. Clothing or accessories that rustle in the wind must be avoided.
• Weather Conditions. Weather conditions in the desert can change rapidly and, sometimes, violently. It is difficult to predict temperature and weather variations at any given time. It's always best to arrive early in the morning on hot summer days. We recommend that you call to check our weather conditions if you have clouds and rain at your location. Be prepared to ride in the rain or dust storm if the weather looks threatening. We exercise extreme caution in sending rides out during lightning storms, or in flash-flood conditions, which may cause rides to be cancelled without warning. Apply sunscreen on sunny days. Water and sunscreen are especially important if you are bringing small children, as they are more susceptible to the heat and sun. We have water for sale, but you may bring your own if it is in a container that is easily adaptable to hang over the saddle horn.
• Cameras and Video Recorders. Bring along your camera or video recorder. Make sure it has a strap that you can place around your neck or hang from the saddle horn. We cannot be responsible for lost or damaged equipment.
• Personal Safety. We encourage parents to advise their children that they must not run or scream around the horses, or swing from our hitching rail. Never walk or stand behind any horse. Wait on the boardwalk in front of your horse until a guide can personally assist you before mounting or dismounting any horse. If directed to use the mounting block, remain on the ground until a guide requests you to step up and onto the horse. Pay close attention to the introductory speech that our guides give at the beginning of every ride regarding the methods used to properly control and ride a horse. This orientation is designed to make your ride more comfortable and safe, so it's extremely important for all riders to give their undivided attention to our guides. Always obey your guide when given a direction to approach or leave the horse. If you carry a wallet in your back pocket, it can be easily dislodged with the movement of the horse. You may want to switch it to the front pocket or leave it in your vehicle. Please don't set your car alarm . If your alarm goes off unexpectedly while you are on your ride, it could cause unsafe conditions for others who are in our yard at the time. Smoking is prohibited in our corral and yard areas. We have placed butt cans in strategic locations in our waiting areas, please use them. There is no smoking on any of our trail rides.
• Desert Safety. Sun screen is always a must have in the desert, even on cloudy days. Water is essential, and we have water available in our vending machine. It is important that you remember not to grab overhanging branches on the trail, as most desert vegetation contains thorns. Do not grab or kick cacti, thorns can penetrate even the toughest leather shoes. Occasionally, we encounter snakes of differing varieties. Remain calm and follow the directions given by your guide. Relax and enjoy the variety of terrain, animals and vegetation!

Whew! Hope we have answered any questions you may have had. If you have other questions, don't hesitate to contact us.