We are a non-profit horse and human sanctuary run exclusively by volunteers, the people and the horses. Trail rides/lessons are our way of paying for these beloved rescued horses and we need your help . . . you will fall in love with everyone. Starting at
$60 per trip
We are just ordinary people who volunteer at this horse sanctuary taking out trail rides to help pay for the horses and get them exercised. These are not nose to tail type ride, however. These horses have a mind of their own and you have to be big enough to tell them no when they want to stop to graze without your telling them they can which is why we don't take out kids under about 12 years old, and you have to be physically fit enough to get on and off the horse unassisted. Most of the volunteers/trail guides have ridden for years and can help you get back into riding again or start for the first time with lots of tips and ideas from our own experience. All our horses are rescued or donated and are totally beloved, so we expect you to be gentle and kind to them. And we ride on some of the most beautiful peaceful trails in the piney woods of Texas across and along the Spring Creek which has miles of trails in both shade and sun in forests and fields. We have discovered that this is an ideal way to connect with and sooth your soul and rebuild your energy for your busy 'take care of everyone else' life. We don't jump or race or do anything fancy, just walk trot and lope our horses at whatever level you feel comfortable. We are in it for the love of these horses and totally enjoy spending time with other people who are also H+, if you know what we mean [did you read all the horse books growing up and do you practically drive off the road when you see horses out in a pasture?]. We would love to have you join us for a couple hours for a ride and a chat.
We meet at the horses and teach you to groom and tack up your mount if you would like, or we have them already tacked up if you just want to ride, take you for a great ride which usually lasts about two to two and a half hours, depending on how sore your rear end gets, and then untack and give them a bath if they need it, and maybe sit around for a bit to snack and chat till we are all ready to head back to our lives.
Most of us are women between the ages of about 20 - 70. We do take out kids over the age of about 12 if they are big enough to handle our horses, and guys are welcome if you absolutely promise to be very gentle with our horses. Even though it's Texas, we believe in natural partnerships with our horses, none of this 'I'll show you who's the boss' stuff with this group please.
We always provide cold bottled water. You can bring other drinks or your own snacks if you want. If we go long enough, we usually stop to let the horses graze for 10 to 15 minutes or so and may get off to have our 'picnic' and stretch our legs or go for a swim.
No smoking or littering on our rides. Feel free to bring one low alcohol drink like beer or wine or limeritas [we provide those usually]. We don't allow people to bring their dogs along, and other than that there really are no restrictions as long as you are kind to our horses and our volunteers.
Donna Stedman
Ordinary women who have wonderful friendly safe trail horses of all types and sizes seeking those who would like to help us exercise and pay for our horses by coming out on trail rides with us. We go out for a couple hours through some of the most beautiful and adventurous trails in the piney woods...
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