I have a few days of PTO that are use-it-or-lose-it. I'd love use the time to get out and explore more places by horseback.
No truck or trailer so I'd like to find a place that can provide the horse but I can bring my own tack if need be. I'm a distance rider and enjoy moving out on trail at a good pace- fast and forward doesn't deter me at all. Most locations I've found are the typical rent-a-horse for 1hr walking on the trail. I'm in NJ on the east coast; don't mind doing a mini weekend road trip to get where I have to be!
I suggest buying a copy of Trail Rider magazine and looking at their list of horse trails and outfitters towards the back of the magazine. If you have a library that carries you could look at back issues for places that are a reasonable drive for you. Another alternative may be to rent a trailer and take your horse with you. Enjoy your Time Off!
You might check out http://fairhillstablesllc.com/. It's a private stable operating in the 5000+ acre Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area Fair Hill NRMA
I think this barn is also nearby Painted Horse Ranch ~ Equestrian Fun In Elkton, Maryland
I personally know nothing about the stables but have ridden my own horses at Fair Hill and it's a great place with a mix of wooded trails, gravel roads, streams, and fields.
can you talk a friend into going riding/camping with you? you pay food, split fuel use their truck/trailer? (or whatever arrangement works for you/them)
NY has some good horse trails. Otter Creek horse trails I can attest are great trails, Brookfield Trails are supposed to be ok, haven't been there though
The magazines are a great idea- I subscribed to Trail Blazer for a couple years before it went out of print, I should dig up my old issues and see what places they suggested as well. I've ridden at Fair Hill before doing at CTR and LOVED the trails. Looks like Painted Horse has a 5hr trail ride option which is perfect for a 1-2 day weekend thing! I'll have to do more research about camping. I don't have a truck/trailer yet so I'll have to find someone who is just as game for an adventure as I am lol Most people aren't as excited when I say let's go out for 5-6 hours for multi days haha
not sure if Otter Creek/Brookfield are of any interest to you, but there are some regulars that show up at Otter Creek from NJ, so may want to ask around friends, farrier, ect... someone may haul horse, hay, tack and you can just bring your car & a tent up
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