Silver Sage Guest Ranch

ON THE RANCH

Silver Sage Guest Ranch offers horseback riding, camps

By Johanna Armstrong

Resorter

Silver Sage Guest Ranch is a 427 acre family-owned ranch in Clitherall that off ers horseback riding and horse camp, as well as pony rides and riding lessons. e ranch boasts 28 horses from as young as 8 years old to retired seniors nearing 40. “Just like people they have diff erent personalities,” says ranch owner Joan Otto. ree diff erent horseback riding experiences are off ered for riders including an hourlong “Inspiration View Trail Ride” for $30 a person, a twohour “Sage Lake Crossing Ride” for $55 or a three-hour “Trail Blazer Ride” for $80. “ e scenery around this area is just gorgeous. In Otter Tail County we have like 1,100 lakes, which we have several just right on our property, so just the beauty of the land here is the highlight of the ride, along with the niceness of the horses,” says Otto. For children age 6 and under, Silver Sage off ers 15 minute pony rides for $8.

Ranch helpers will help match riders with the best horses for them, taking into account experience and comfort. “ ere are some horses that are easier if someone is just a beginner, a horse kind of just

RESORTER SILVER SAGE: The Silver Sage Guest Ranch in Clitherall off ers horseback riding and horse camp and boasts 28 horses.

guides them through it, and then there’s some for more experienced riders, they maybe have a little more ‘go’ than ‘whoa,’ so we try to match them up according to that,” says Otto. “But, just about anybody can ride any one of the horses, they’re all gentle and well-trained, and we have small ones for kids and bigger ones for bigger people.”

Silver Sage Youth Horse Camp has had to make a few adjustments this year due to COVID-19 so there are no overnight camps, only day camps. Campers will learn about horse care, safety, proper saddling, bareback riding, fundamentals, games and more. Day camps are for guests aged 9 and up while children between the ages of 6 and 8 have the option of half-day miniclinics to learn safety, grooming, leading, saddling and riding. Day camp registration begins at 8 a.m. and half-day camps begin at 8:30 a.m.

The ranch is located at 15381 410th Ave., in Clitherall and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RESORTER

HAVING FUN ON HORSEBACK: The Silver Sage Guest Ranch offers a variety of different riding lessons, while also having pony rides. Owner Joan Otto has a different age range of horses from 8 years old to 40. Ranch helpers match riders with horses that best fit their experience and comfort level.