The Charleston Equestrian Community

Charleston South Carolina is a lovely place to ride horses. That said, keeping a horse in the Charleston area is a real challenge. I know this personally because I now have three horses, and I live downtown, so maintaining them in my back yard is out of the question. I would love to write an all inclusive blog post about all the options for Charleston Equestrians but for now, I will just stick to a few boarding facilities that I have visited and feel comfortable recommending:(Wadmalaw Island) Elite Equines: Elite Equines is a forty acre horse farm off Maybank Highway on Wadmalaw Is. The 8 stall center aisle barn is almost always full with a waiting list but there are also large pastures with nice large run in sheds and the best grass around. There is a ring with jumps and a dressage arena and even some cross country fences. The highlight of the barn is the instructor, Laurens Bissell. Laurens has been in the horse business for over 20 years and has a dedication to classical riding. Her training and teaching results are unparalleled in the dressage and combined training community both locally and regionally. To schedule a lesson or tour visit the websitewww.elite-equines.com(West Ashley Hwy 61) Middleton Stables: Middleton Place is one of the most popular plantations to tour and is also known for the Spoleto Festival Finale location, as well as extremely popular wedding venue. Right next door to the tourist attraction is one of the lowcountry's oldest horse boarding facilities. The 80 acre facility is lucky to have access to over 6000 acres of trails that comprise the hunt country for the Middleton Place Hounds. The 50 or so stalls are arranged under several barns and have paddocks and pasture all very well shaded by ancient oak trees.The price is the average at $650 for stall and $460 for pasture. Visit the website for more info:http://www.middletonstables.com(Mount Pleasant) Tuxbury Farm: Tuxbury is near the Francis Marion Forest and is a really nice facility. Neat and tidy barns and a well maintained ring. A guess is that there are only around thirty horses. Their focus is on hunter jumper instruction for children and young adults. The horses all look well fed and maintained and the staff is attentive. Their board prices are $695 for stall and $495 for pasture. For more information visit their website at www.tuxburyfarm.com(West Ashley Hwy 17) Story Book Farm is an all business facility that along with boarders is also home to the College of Charleston Equestrian Team. Despite a lack of open land for riding, the stable makes up for it's suburban environment by being very well equipped. The barn is emmaculate with 22 stalls and a large center aisle. All the turn out is private and there are beautiful well maintained rings with jump courses set. Board is $675 and horse care is managed by Bob Story, coach of the C. of C. Equestrian Team. visit them on the web at www.storybookfarminc.com(Johns Island) Stono River Stable is located off River Road just across the Stono River from James Island. This large and rustic stable shaded beneath the oak trees has a long rich history. The barn sits on a 400 acre tract of land known as the Blacklock Nature Preserve. Stono River Stable was once home to the College of Charleston Equestrian Program but now has a focus on dressage. The stable also gives trail rides to the public and runs a summer horse camp for Charleston area youth. learn more about the barn at www.stonoriverstable.com