Where To Go Horseback Riding In Florida?

Where to Go Horseback Riding in Florida?

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What comes to your mind when Florida is mentioned? Right, you will never miss the beaches and the natural sceneries. Imagine exploring all of these Florida’s finest on the back of a horse! So, where do you go horseback riding in Florida?

Florida is an equestrian world. You can never go wrong with horse activities in Florida. Therefore, there are several horseback riding areas designated to make you and your horse enjoy to the fullest. Find some of the best places in Florida, from the northern part of the State to the south.

Horseback Riding in Northwest Florida

Find the best trail rides on the landscape or beaches of Northwest Florida located in Tallahassee, Pensacola (two of the most visited), Levy County, and Jasper. 

Tallahassee, FL.

Have several spots allocated for horseback riding, which includes:

Crazy 8 Ranch

Besides the guided horseback trail rides, Crazy 8 Ranch offers kid camps, horse training, horse boarding, photoshoots, and pony parties. They have several types of horse breeds, most of which are rescues, in addition to miniatures, donkeys, and ponies. There are various amenities, including sand arena, trailer packing, and, most of all, horseback trail riding in the Apalachicola National Forest.

Moccasin Stables

Moccasin Stables makes horseback riding fun for families and children. Furthermore, they offer horseback riding lessons to the public. The guided rides in Moccasin Stables are fantastic, as the guides are friendly and ready to answer your questions. In addition, there are also various activities, including water play and grooming contests.

Moccasin Stables highly embraces horseback riding lessons because:

  • It builds companionship
  • It’s healthy
  • Encourages responsibility
  • Creates positive emotions
  • Promotes unity

Rockin N Stables

Enjoy horseback trail riding and camps at Rockin N Stables with your family and friends. Whether for Summer break, Spring break, Christmas break, or any vacation, Rockin N Stables serves the best camping experience. There are beautiful sceneries to enjoy at the back of their friendly and disciplined horses.

Blackwater Stables

In Blackwater Stables, you will enjoy horseback riding as well as the specialized disciplines. There are also trail rides in every corner. Facility services include boarding, breeding, riding arena, clinics, and lessons.

  • Address: 1997 Ramsey Rd, Quitman, GA 31643, United States
  • Phone Number: +1 229-412-4156

Happy Trails Ranch

Generally, Happy Trails Ranch offers horseback riding and lessons for all ages. They also host parties, especially birthday parties for kids below 13 years. Create memories with your loved ones with the summer camps and field trips experiences.

Equistarre Horsemanship

There are several horse activities to engage in Equistarre Horsemanship, including horseback riding, trail riding, and horse boarding. In addition, there are lessons on riding and taking care of a horse, including grooming and proper feeding.

  • Address: 3007 Oak Ridge Rd W, Tallahassee, FL 32305, United States
  • Website: https://www.equistarre.com/
  • Phone Number: +1 850-567-0634
  • Email: analesestarre@yahoo.com

Pensacola, FL

You can find events for the family at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Pensacola Bay, Florida, every Saturday and Sunday. To begin with, it has an arena with a roof can hold horse shows and other activities on the 151-acre site. Dog shows, music festivals, and cross-country races are fun things to do in the area. Horse shows are frequently free to attend, whereas dog shows typically cost only a few dollars per person.

Some of the stables and ranches include:

Bay Haven Farms

  • Address: 4087 Hwy 87 Navarre, FL 32566
  • Phone Number: (850) 259-3582

Elizabeth Poulin Dressage

Iron Horse Stables

Trinity Farm of Northwest Florida

Jasper

Visit the historic McCulley Farms, where you can see a log cabin from the 1870s and an old settlers’ cemetery. Enjoy outdoor horse activities in a modest fully-equipped place while exploring 20 miles of rural trails. 

There are two weekends of group camping and rides in March and October on the Withlacoochee Trail Ride, which takes place on 5,000 acres of state-owned and private canopied lanes amid crystal clear springs, deep sinkholes, and pristine riverbanks.

Levy County

Take a break from modernity and meander over unpaved rustic horseback riding paths through pine Flatwoods and hardwood hammocks in Levy County’s state cypress swamps and national wildlife refuges and preserves. Therefore, you will find yourself in a calm haven of nature that protects natural springs and abundant wildlife habitats. 

The Natural Coast State Trail unwinds the historic route of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad and is recognized as a National Recreation Trail. It is explored via the Inglis Island Trails (prior notification is recommended for the visit), Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area, etc. This state forest, with three trailheads, is well-known for containing various unusual bird and animal species. In Florida’s Pure Water Wilderness, you may visit horse-friendly spots in Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy counties, among other places.

Horseback Riding in Northeast Florida

St Augustine

A horse-drawn carriage tour of St. Augustine is a great way to relive the history of the nation’s oldest city. As you stroll through the tiny, red-brick-lined alleys past historic landmarks, learn about the 1565 Spanish colonization in the New World. 

Enjoy a private carriage trip for two or a large group ride for up to twelve people. Country Carriages also provides a one-hour guided horseback ride down the shore of St. Augustine’s Vilano Beach if you want to take the reins yourself.

Amelia Island

Ride a horse down the beach and enjoy the tropical breeze while the waves crash around you. Seahorse Ranch, Trails Walking Horses, and Amelia Horse Riding offer guided tours on Amelia Island’s white-sand beaches suitable for all riders’ abilities, including youngsters as young as six. Amelia Island offers numerous opportunities for horseback riding. 

If you’re in the mood for something a little more old-fashioned, take a leisurely horse-drawn carriage trip through downtown Fernandina Beach’s Victorian seaport, which was once the hangout of pirates and scallywags. At Amelia Island Carriages, you can find out more.

Horseback Riding in Central Florida

St Lucie County

Environmentally friendly eco-tours by horseback are held on weekends all year long at the Frederick Douglass Memorial Park in Fort Pierce, Florida. The tour company is called “Tours on Horseback of Fort Pierce.” People who take one of the hour-long guided tours can sometimes see dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, as well as a lot of birds. A short lesson is given to everyone, even if they haven’t ridden before. Paleo Hammock Preserve also has trail rides through the woods if you don’t want to go to the beach. 

Ocala

Ocala/Marion County is popularly known as the “Horse Capital of the World” due to its abundance of international horse shows, championship racehorses, and public riding paths. Ocala takes pride in its equestrian pedigree and role as the heart of Florida horse country, including over 600 thoroughbred breeding farms totaling 70,000 acres. 

Take in the excitement of world-class competition (45 national champions, six Kentucky Derby winners, and twenty Breeders’ Cup champions have come out of Marion county) or ride the trails in the Ocala National Forest, along the Florida Greenway, or at the 500-acre Florida Horse Park. Or, for a more traditional Florida countryside experience, take a Horse Country Carriage Co. trip through well-maintained horse farms and pastures.

Bradenton

Are you a thrill-seeker? Try standing atop a slick, wiggly horse in Palma Sola Bay while wearing only your bathing suit and bare feet. Children as young as three and adults under 150 pounds are allowed on the board, called HorseSurfing and offered by Great World Adventures. 

If that’s too much, you could opt for a beach horseback ride instead. During your “swim” with these Florida horses, you may relax in the sand or wade in the bay as your landlubber pals soak up the sun on the public beach. 

Horseback Riding in South Florida

Fort Lauderdale

Who knew that glitzy South Florida had a little bit of the old west in it too? There are horse farms in these parts that offer riding lessons, trail rides, and summer camps for kids. American Horse Trails, Bar-B-Ranch, and White Star Farms are all great places to take a break from the South Beach crowds and enjoy a peaceful trail ride. Have a glimpse of the Davie Pro Rodeo in the small western-themed town of Davie.

South Florida has a lot of horse-racing tracks, like Gulfstream, Hialeah Park, and Pompano Park, if you want to play the ponies. Tampa Bay Downs is in the southwest part of Florida, near the coast.

Palm Beach County

Head to Palm Beach’s International Polo Club. Here you’ll see high-end fashion, bubbling champagne glasses, and high-goal polo in action on the largest field in the US and the center of the most important tournaments in the world. Starting in January and lasting until the end of spring, spectators flock to the sport because they enjoy the opportunity to see and be seen in action. 

If you want to go all out, you can get a $100 champagne brunch in the pavilion, a seat in the grandstands, or a cheap $10 tailgating spot right next to the field. There are 57 miles of horse trails in Wellington for the city’s worldwide equestrian community.

Conclusion

Now you know where to go horseback riding in Florida. The list is long, but the mentioned spots are among the best. Explore the horseback riding sites and enjoy the beautiful scenery and loads of horse activities that Florida has to offer.