Horsing Around in Charleston, Sc
: Saddle Up!
Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding Although known for its equine therapy for children and adults with disabilities, CATR Farms also offers a community lesson program in beginner to intermediate-advanced hunt seat horseback riding at its nearly 13-acre John’s Island facility.(843) 559-6040, www.catrfarms.org
Half Pass Farms & Stables This tidy equestrian farm in Ravenel offers boarding, dressage and hunter/jumper lessons, and horse training. In that regard, the family-oriented equestrian center focuses on identifying a horse’s true nature and training it for competition accordingly. (843) 556-6994, www.halfpassfarm-andstables.com
Middleton Equestrian Center Middleton Place Plantation’s horse cred may be aligned more with fox hunts, but the junior riders clamor for Pony Parties, soirées that come complete with polite ponies and special plantation access. Also available are lessons, trail rides, and boarding. $45 one-hour trail ride; reservations required. (843) 556-8137, www.theinnatmiddletonplace.com
Mullet Hall Equestrian Center It’s hard to find a fall weekend when these 700-plus acres; 20 miles of trails; and numerous barns, performance rings, and other spaces aren’t being used by local enthusiasts. Under the Charleston County Parks system, Mullet Hall is part of a larger plantation and boasts a nice blend of farm fields and pine forests—BYOH (horse, that is). Non-horse lovers also visit for music festivals, dog agility programs, and more. www.ccprc.com
Seabrook Island Equestrian Center Shell The resort island opens its gates to the public for the area’s only beach ride, a tour of the north beach (advanced riders only); scenic trail rides; and parent-led pony rides for novices. $95 beach ride; $70-$65 trail ride; $40 half-hour pony ride; reservations required. (843) 768-7541, www.discoverseabrook.com
Stono Ferry Stables With 22 stables in a big, airy barn and robust boarding, lesson, and camp offerings, Stono is a major player in local horse circles. Summer camps teach students to groom and tack while also giving them plenty of saddle time. (843) 763-0566, www.stonoferry.com
Stono River Stable This 300-acre stretch feels about as “dude ranch” as the Lowcountry gets. Jumping courses and trail rides are specialties, and the friendly teaching staff has proven to be patient with all skill levels—or lack thereof. $55 one-hour trail ride; (843) 559-0773, www.stonoriverstable.com
Tuxbury Farm Located in Huger, this magnet for the East Cooper equestrian set offers lessons, trail rides into the adjacent Francis Marion National Forest, and summer camps. Tuxbury brings a unique “whole horse” approach to lessons, instructing riders on how to develop the sense it takes to ride a living, breathing animal. (843) 884-7844, www.tuxburyfarm.com
Content Courtesy of Charleston Magazine