I used to take my kids on trail rides, and when they were 6-7-8, the nose to tail "ride" was ideal. There was a trail ride near the Smokies that featured cantering, I suspect they had to stop that. Obviously, one can if so inclined rent "real horses" and take real rides, and take classes on equipage or whatever it is.
Our dude ranch experiences were superb, one in Wyoming and one in NC in the mountains.