Horseback riding can be a noncompetitive recreational activity or a competitive sport. Parks, ranches and riding stables offer public access to trails for guided or independent riding that improves health, fitness and mood. Public riding stables are places that offer horseback riding while following laws to ensure public safety and animal welfare. Eastern Michigan is a beautiful area with many stables and trails in areas that allow riders views of wildlife and nature.
Types
Eastern Michigan horse stables offer many levels and types of riding. Boarding, training, lessons and showing are available for beginners, pleasure riders or top show riders. Some stables have miles of riding trails, while others have practice arenas and pastures. Many stables have age and weight requirements for the safety of the horses and riders. Fees vary according to the services rendered.
Geography
Many eastern Michigan riding stables have trails near or adjoining recreation areas with trails on various terrain. Bittersweet Equestrian Center in Milford lies next to Proud Lake State Recreation Area, a DNR-run state park with more than nine miles of bridle trails near the Huron River, through snow-draped evergreens, wetlands and spring wildflowers. Lapeer County riding stable trails wind through trees covered with red, yellow and orange-colored autumn leaves on smooth and flat or rough and hilly terrain.
Benefits
Most eastern Michigan stables offer group and private lessons in English and Western riding styles. Many have summer camps for children, adult-centered activities or recreational horseback riding therapy for disabled riders. Stables such as First Impression Farm, a 40-acre equestrian center in Macomb County, use research on physical and psychological effects of horseback riding to provide benefits to disabled riders.
Features
In addition to riding lessons, many eastern Michigan riding stables offer additional attractions. Pontiac Lake Riding Stable rents horses to ride 17 miles of trails in the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. It also offers sunset rides, hay rides, pony rides, birthday parties and a Halloween haunted hayride. Maybury Riding Stable in Wayne County near Detroit and Ann Arbor is inside Maybury State Park, which has 11 miles of trails from wooded areas to open fields. Terrain has some hills with steep slopes on narrow trails, and it may be muddy in spring and fall months. A vehicle permit is required to enter the park and a 240-lb. weight limit is enforced for the comfort and safety of the horses. Maybury Riding Stable offers summer camps, birthday parties, pony rides, hayrides, photo shoots and a Halloween attraction. While you're in the area, visit Northville Downs, the first nighttime harness racing track to open in Michigan.
Considerations
Eastern Michigan stables operate on a first-come, first-served basis or take reservations. Arrive early to fill out release forms, as guided rides must adhere to a strict time schedule. Wear close-toed shoes or boots and long pants. Bring an ASTM/SEI approved helmet or wear one provided by the stable. Children under age 16 are required to wear helmets.
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