Piiholo Ranch - Maui Horseback Tours

My Day at Piiholo Ranch (808) 661-3333

I went on the 2-hour country ride:
My guest and I arrived a few minutes early, and were happy to see brilliant sunny skies all around.  Marlene, our guide, was working in the barn, and asked us to fill out our liability release forms, grab a beverage, then come on over and meet our horses.  I walked over to the neatest, most sparkling clean barn on Maui (a good sign), where there were seven already-saddled horses relaxing in the shade.  Marlene invited me into the barn to look around if I would like.

I was to ride Cheese, a goofy name for such a beautiful and intelligent animal (they didn’t name him).  I went over and introduced myself and allowed him to get a sense of me.  Over the next few minutes, while Cheese and I were getting to know one another, the other riders arrived and met their horses.  Marlene also came out and we got to know her  background as well:  4th generation Maui girl!  After Marlene gently coaxed the horses into their bridles, she mounted one of the horses and gave us a very thorough demonstration and lesson on how to handle our horses. You can tell immediately that these horses are well cared for and treated with respect by looking at their strong healthy bodies, by their relaxed attitudes and willingness to interact with their riders, and by Marlene’s caring ways with them.

We all mounted with Marlene’s assistance, and off we went into the beautiful fields of Piiholo Ranch.  We rode through green pastures, some with cattle grazing and reluctantly moving out of our way, and got the chance to observe from a safe distance two families of feral pigs. Riding through the pastures, we were free to spread out and ride side by side.  The horses did not fall into the automatic nose to butt formation I’ve seen at other places.   Rider and horse are a team here, you are not merely a passenger.

We climbed through the fragrant eucalyptus forest to the top of Piiholo Hill, which has a sweeping 360 degree view.  You can actually see the curvature of the earth from up there.  We did have a perfect, clear day and took many pictures.  From our vantage point, we also watched a few of the zipliners from Piiholo Zipline embark on their 2800 foot journey across the gorge.

Descending back down Piiholo Hill, the horses picked their way skillfully and sure-footedly (is that a word?).  Marlene picked guavas for us to eat and yellow ginger for our hair, and told us all about the ranch, the flora and fauna of the area, the Baldwin family, and told us stories about the horses.  She also answered questions from the guests on all topics, always with a big smile.

The ride ended back at the barn, where we dismounted, thanked our horses, and gathered at the covered patio for some beverages and chocolates, and to talk story with each other and Marlene.  I know she still had plenty of work to do after we all left, but she never let the guests know it.  We all got the feeling that if we wanted to, we could just hang out.  But Costco awaited, so I took advantage of the clean, decorated, cedar “Cowgirl” room, changed back into my board shorts and slippers, and off I went with happy memories of my afternoon at Piiholo Ranch.

Thank you to Marie Rogers for your excellent account!  If you’d like to ask her more questions and get the best price on all Maui Activities, give Boss Frog’s a ring at (808) 661-3333.