Horse Play: Saddle Up to These Equestrian Centers in Great Falls, MT

Horses and the great outdoors make a perfect pairing in gorgeous Great Falls.

By Cary Estes on January 31, 2024

Heidi Osgood-Metcalf

Great Falls, MT, is a many-horse town. Be it rodeos or ranches or recreation, equestrian activities remain an integral part of the region’s Western way of life.

“The horse is not only important for some of the work that’s done in the area, it’s also an iconic image of Central Montana and the settlement of the West,” says Mike Gurnett, director of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and a spokesperson for the Montana Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “It’s part of our history, and that comes through in the culture, traditions and values of the people.”

Several Equestrian Centers in Great Falls

As a result, no matter where you hoof it around Great Falls, some sort of horse-play is never far away. There are several equestrian centers in Great Falls and the region, including Great Falls Equestrian, a 30-acre facility that offers training for new riders as well as boarding and grooming services for horses.

Part of Montana’s appeal to locals and visitors alike are the wide-open spaces that can be found outside of the cities. So, recreation opportunities involving horses are plentiful throughout the region, ranging from basic day rides to the five-star treatment found at the Ranches at Belt Creek, located less than 30 miles southeast of Great Falls.

“We’re a big state with lots of backcountry, some of which you have to either walk or ride a horse to get to,” says longtime saddlemaker Jeff Gollehon, owner of Grizzly Saddlery in Great Falls. “So, horses are important for hunting, fishing, camping or just getting out into the open air. It’s a big part of our lifestyle.”

Grizzly Saddlery can help riders gather all the needed gear. In addition to custom-made saddles, the shop – with roots that date to the 1890s – provides bits, bridles, halters and other equine equipment. Meanwhile, Hoglund’s Work and Western Wear has been offering the boots, belts and hats needed to complete the look for nearly 75 years.

Once everything is in place, it’s time to ride.

“There are hundreds of thousands of acres for people to recreate on when it comes to the horse industry,” Gollehon says. “If you’ve ever wanted to ride or own a horse, this is the place to do it.”

Jeff Gollehon/Grizzly Saddlery

Enjoy the Rodeo in Great Falls

In addition to enjoying the equestrian centers in Great Falls yourself, you can also sit back and watch the professionals saddle up. For example, Great Falls’ first horse race was held in 1885, and that long-standing tradition continues today with regular racing at the 133-acre Montana ExpoPark. 

But for many people, the sport that is most associated with the Western U.S. is the rodeo, and Great Falls has a lengthy history there as well. The Big Sky Rodeo has been held in Great Falls annually since 1931, and the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals have been held in the city since 1980. Both events are part of the national Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. 

“It’s the top talent of pro rodeo in all of Montana, coming together in one event,” Gurnett says. “It’s filled with energy and amazing performances, by contestants and horses. It’s just a lot of fun.” 

Such events continue the strong connection between the region and the traditional Western lifestyle. This bond is on visual display at the C.M. Russell Museum, which now includes an exhibit of Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame honorees and their history. 

“The idea behind the Hall of Fame is to honor the cowboy way of life, the Native American cultures and our rich collective Montana Western heritage,” Gurnett says. “It’s not necessarily the famous people, but rather people on the ground who have helped make Montana what it is today. 

Gurnett compares the masterwork paintings of C.M. Russell to “an amazing silent movie,” noting that the Hall of Fame adds more context to what was going on when the paintings were completed. 

“This can be tough country, and it took tough people to live here before our modern conveniences. The Hall of Fame gives you a taste of how the lifescape of Montana is as equally rich as the landscape,” he says.