The thought of horseback riding or watching a show filled with horses may conjure up images of a saloon somewhere in Montana or Wyoming or a rodeo clown teasing horses out in Texas. The two do not usually make anybody think of Las Vegas, but they should. That’s because, while hard to believe, The Entertainment Capital of the World has a few tours and shows where horses are the main entertainment and if you haven’t already tried one of these, you just may surprised how much fun you can have watching or riding a horse!

Let me first take you out west with the Wild West Horseback Tour and BBQ. This day tour will let you explore the original Las Vegas as you ride horseback through Nevada’s breathtaking wilderness, exploring the vast countryside just like the way the cowboys used to, on horseback!

Truly a breathtaking and humbling experience, the Wild West Horseback and BBQ Tour gives you a break from the bright lights of the city and brings you back to nature as you ride along the same land shared by the Paiute Indians and spot Nevada-specific wildlife including jack rabbits and coyotes. As your ride comes to an end and the sun sets, guests will continue to be fully immersed in the ways of the Wild West as ranch hands teach you how to herd and pen cattle.

After you learn the ropes of a real cowboy, you’ll enjoy a hearty meal of steak, mesquite grilled chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob, dinner rolls and a slice of American Pie all around a roaring campfire in the middle of the Nevada desert.

If the Wild West Horseback Tour and BBQ gives you a whole new appreciation for horses or if you’d rather admire the beautiful creatures from afar check out Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur.

Almost an after thought to the gallant knights, kings, castles, and feast in the horses Tournament of Kings don’t necessarily get the same kind of love they should. In fact, they are the real main characters of the show and without them there would lack certain majesty, not to mention historical accuracy. 

There are twelve horses used in each Tournament of Kings performance that are drawn from the 30 horses and 12 breeds in the stables for the show. And each night actors dressed as knights and kings saddle up and parade around the arena on their horse, jousting, sword fighting, racing and even falling off the animal for a kind of entertainment you can’t find everywhere.

Explore Las Vegas’ horses with discounted Wild West Horseback Tour and BBQ and Tournament of Kings tickets right here on Best of Vegas.

Las Vegas, NV 09/20/12

RELATED ARTICLES