At C Lazy U Ranch, horses are a foundational part of our over-a-century-long legacy. In this first installment of our Local Legends series, we’re spotlighting Abby Stover, Equestrian Operations Manager, and the expert wrangler team who care for nearly 200 horses — plus a few mischievous donkeys — and guide guests through unforgettable days in the saddle.
We sat down with Abby so she could provide, in her own words, a closer look at the philosophy, professionalism, and heart behind our award-winning riding program.
Related: Meet C Lazy U’s Entire Dedicated Team
Tell us about the wrangler team’s background with horses.
The wrangling team has a very diverse background of horse experience. We hire staff from the English discipline and the Western discipline, people with competition experience and people without, etc. We have a really well-rounded staff! As examples, we have team members who have worked as a veterinary technician, been teaching assistants in collegiate-level equestrian courses, competed in hunter/jumper circuits, etc.
For me personally, I grew up riding English but switched to riding Western as an adult. My first introduction to groundwork and some of the behind-the-scenes training that goes into horses was at Colorado Horse Rescue as a volunteer. When I was looking for a break from my “normal” job, I picked C Lazy U Ranch. An 8-month contract turned into 6 years!
Learn More About Horseback Riding Vacations at C Lazy U Ranch
What unique skills or specialties does working with horses require, outside of the obvious? What do guests often not realize about the depth of knowledge required in your work?
There is a lot of knowledge that is required to not only keep 200 horses happy and healthy, but also to safely execute trail rides of all levels. Some examples include:
From the behind-the-scenes perspective, medical or scientific knowledge is required to perform vet care, diagnose symptoms in horses, and develop feeding regimens for the group and for the individual. Equipment and facility knowledge is necessary to operate equipment essential to operations such as using the tractor to move hay for feeding, the water truck to keep all tanks filled, the arena drag to keep arenas in working order, etc.
From the guest-facing perspective, knowledge of tack and riding equipment is essential to ensuring our tack is in working order, the gear is fitted to the horse appropriately, and the riding equipment is safely secured. Our team has a deep knowledge of the herd and their personalities so that we can assign horses appropriately and provide thoughtful insights to guests about their horse while they are riding. A knowledge of the land and trail systems is also required to select the best route that will be appropriate for the trail ride.
The list goes on and on!
How would you describe your personal philosophy when it comes to horsemanship and training? What about the overarching philosophy at C Lazy U?
For me personally, horsemanship is about feel, which is a really hard concept to explain and teach (and something I try to improve in myself daily!). Working with horses can be very academic, scientific, and athletic. But there is also a level of intuition that is needed. It requires careful patience and observation to properly communicate with the horse and to reward any level of try that they offer. I think that I will forever be a student of horsemanship and am always looking to add more tools to my toolbox so that I can find ways to better interact with our ponies!
At the ranch, our horsemanship focuses on trying to do best by the horse. We strive to communicate with the horses using the language they understand — pressure and release — in a fair and consistent manner. I think our team and our diverse riding backgrounds really allow us to work together and support each other when trying to work with our horses.
What does responsible horse care mean at C Lazy U, and how does the team uphold it daily?
Responsible health care means prioritizing the health and safety of the animal above all else. Our team accomplishes this daily behind-the-scenes through our supplement program, our individualized graining regimens, and working closely with our veterinarian to treat any injuries but to also put additional maintenance into the herd (ex: injections).
Responsible horse care is also upheld throughout our riding program — staff pay careful attention throughout rides to ensure breaks are taken as needed. Our team is also always monitoring for signs of injury or illness to ensure a horse doesn’t continue working if there is something wrong. Even the types of trails that are selected and the locations we trot/lope are chosen to make sure the type of trail is appropriate for the horses on the ride, the footing is safe, and the horses won’t over-exert themselves on the terrain.
What are some ways the ranch prioritizes horse wellness, safety, and longevity behind the scenes? How does your team balance adventure, fun, and challenge with professionalism and risk awareness?
Our program has a really robust horse health care program. We have individualized grain regimens for horses that need the additional calories — this is constantly being re-evaluated to make sure all horses are getting what they need. We also have individual horses on a wide-array of supplements to help with things like bone/joint health, hoof growth, gut health, etc. All of this is administered by our team throughout the day.
Additionally, our team works closely with our veterinarians to care for injuries or illnesses. We also put investments back into horses by scheduling treatments for joint injections, chiropractic work, etc. Similarly, the equestrian team schedules and collaborates with the farriers to ensure we keep the herds’ feet in tip-top shape. This includes doing specialized shoes such as incorporating pads based on the horse’s needs. The ranch also has a strong relationship with the veterinary program at Colorado State University — they visit throughout the year to care for our horses’ teeth.
Can you tell us a little bit about how wranglers match guests to horses, and what expertise goes into making a great pairing?
Every guest that visits has their size, riding experience, and riding goals for their stay. Every horse in our herd has a carrying capacity, a difficulty level, and physical health status. Pairing a guest with a horse requires consideration of all of these factors (including personality!) to ensure the partnership is beneficial for both parties! It is definitely a matchmaking process that requires a really in-depth knowledge of the herd.
Example: Some horses have physical limitations that may make them unsuited for an adult guest who would like to learn how to trot and lope, but perfect for guiding a kid through their first trail ride!
What does it mean to you to be a steward of C Lazy U’s horsemanship & riding heritage?
The ranch has a wonderful 100-year history of bringing horses into the lives of the guests who visit. It is a honor to be a very small part in such a big legacy (:
How do you hope guests feel when they leave the saddle at the end of their stay?
I hope that the guests feel a real connection and appreciation for the horses and the land that guided them through their stay. Interacting with horses can be very healing, transformative, and rewarding if you let it!
Can you share a moment where your team’s expertise made a meaningful difference for a guest or horse?
Occasionally, when we get new horses, we aren’t always entirely sure of their background or the kind of work they were doing previously. There is a horse who was very shy, skittish, and nervous. He always seemed very concerned and wary of people — which made us suspect that humans were not always the kindest to him. Over the years, he’s become a very reliable trail horse that often seeks out the attention and company of humans. It’s been very rewarding to see how all the positive interactions with our team have had a lovely impact on this horse!
Do you have a favorite tradition, ride, or quiet moment on the ranch that defines why you love this work?
I really love an early morning jingle. It can definitely be difficult to head to work very early in the morning (anywhere from 4-5:00 AM). Any grumbling is always immediately washed away by riding out in the dark and gathering the horses as the sun rises. I love getting to see all the ponies spread across a big pasture, exploring and enjoying the morning. It’s a very special part of the job!
What do you think is the best thing about horses?
Horses are a mirror. All your positives and negatives, your energy and your outputs, are reflected right back to you. They are wonderful teachers of being patient and observant.
My favorite thing about horses is how cute they are (lol). I love getting to know their personalities! They can be very goofy and weird little guys. I especially love all of our sweet old horses (:
The Heart Behind Every Ride
Abby Stover and her team’s tried-and-true expertise ensures that every C Lazy U guest experience is supported by thoughtful horsemanship, professional oversight, and genuine care for the physical and emotional wellbeing of these remarkable animals.
At C Lazy U, adventure is never separate from responsibility; it’s built on it.
Ready to hop on a horse or ask Abby all your big, pressing equine questions? Start planning your escape today.
