'Horses have written our history': The Stables at Tamaya offers trail rides, rodeo while helping equines in need

Horses were part of Connie Collis’ extended family as far back as she can remember.

“I think I was just born with it. I had two older brothers, and they loved horses. And of course you know how that is, I wanted to love everything they loved,” Collis said. “I don’t remember a time not having horses or not loving them. I actually am one of those people that’s living their dream. I’m very lucky.”

'Horses have written our history': The Stables at Tamaya offers trail rides, rodeo while helping equines in need

For Collis, that dream includes owning The Stables at Tamaya, which are located at The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa in Bernalillo, and running a nonprofit organization that rescues and rehabilitates unwanted horses. The rescue aspect has long been a passion for Collis.

“I’m a champion of the underdog always. That’s where my heart is. If somebody’s struggling, I want to help them. If a horse or an animal is struggling, I want to give it a good life,” Collis said.

“… Horses have written our history. We have got to respect that and take care of them.”

The rescues are found “every which way,” Collis says. Some come from owners who have terminal illness and will no longer be able to care for their animals. Others arrive from families who lack the capacity to care for horses they may have inherited. As it has grown and become a state rescue organization, Tamaya Horse Rehab will also receive calls to take in abused and abandoned horses from throughout the Land of Enchantment.

The venture wouldn’t be possible without the partnership Collis has forged with the Hyatt. The resort became aware of Collis’ aptitude for giving riding lessons — she also owns CWW Feed Store in San Ysidro — some two decades ago and hired her to do the same for hotel visitors. What initially started as strictly a trail-riding business gradually evolved into a symbiotic relationship, where the funds from the rides help support the nonprofit.

Tamaya Horse Rehab is run primarily by volunteers, who ensure that the horses are ready to be integrated into the trail riding program.

“We start working with the horse and if we see potential, then we really put our efforts into it and start working them, and then (when) they go from that competent rider to the less skilled down to the volunteers, we know (it’s safe) before we put a guest on it,” Collis said. “It goes through a long process. Some horses we get sponsored, and they go off to training and then come back.”

Between The Stables at Tamaya and CWW Feed, Collis currently houses 108 horses. The trail rides, which take place on the lands of the Santa Ana Pueblo, are ideal for participants of all levels. Group rides are typically offered twice daily, but private rides — for a little extra cost — can also be booked. These are more customizable based on the clients’ needs and preferences. All told, The Stables typically offers about six trail rides per day between private and group rides. These are available year-round, though the winter months are usually slower.

“We give amazing rides. We have amazing horses. These horses just give back as much as we give to them,” Collis said. “If you have never ridden before, we ask you a lot of questions so that we put you on the right horse. If you can ride, we have horses that are a little more reactive. They don’t buck or do anything like that. We can take any level of rider and make them enjoy it.”

The scenery is a major perk, whether it’s an early ride or at sunset. And as an added bonus, there are plenty of photo-ops available.

“It’s incredible how beautiful it is where they’ve allowed us to ride. It’s just magical, the whole thing,” Collis said. “You feel like John Wayne when you’re out there.”

RODEO NIGHTS: Every Thursday through Aug. 15, The Stables at Tamaya hosts a rodeo at the resort. This includes events such as steer roping, team roping, barrel racing and more. There are also kid-centric activities such as stick-pony races.

“No bucking events, no crazy stuff,” Collis said. “We try to get the audience as involved as we can.”

Participants aren’t competing for money or prizes as much as improving their riding skills, and the rodeo also gives the rescue horses a break from the trails. All ticket proceeds benefit the Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation program. The events began at 7 p.m.; tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under, at tamayahorserehab.com.