Springmaid Mountain offers a wide variety of equestrian services, including guided trail rides, horseback riding lessons and lead-line rides for children.
Please Note: Except for lead lines, children must be at least 8 years of age and over four feet tall. Riders must weigh less than 250 pounds and wear closed-toe shoes. Double riding is not allowed. There is a 24-hour cancellation fee of 10 percent.
We operate year-round and offer guided trail rides every day except Christmas, Dec. 25.
Guided Horseback Trail Rides
Spend a morning or afternoon on winding trails that reveal majestic mountain views, gentle flowing rivers and picturesque foliage. Trail rides wind through our 400 acres of mountain scenery.
Group Rides & Rates:
- 9-10:30am, $65 per person
- 11am-noon, $50 per person
- 1-2pm, $50 per person
- 2:30-4pm, $65 per person
Private Trail Ride Rates:
- 10-11:30am, $85 per person
- 1:30-3pm, $85 per person
Advanced reservations are required. Trail rides can accommodate a maximum of eight riders.
Lead-Line Horseback Rides
The lead lines allow smaller children to enjoy the riding experience. A saddled horse is provided for a parent or adult to lead the child on a short walk near the equestrian center. Reservations are required.
Rates:
- $20 per 15-minute ride
Times:
- 8am or 4pm
- Please inquire directly about availability for off-schedule lead-line rides.
Day Boarding
Visitors are welcome to bring their horses to Springmaid to ride the trails. Daily equestrian fee is $10 per horse and is payable at the Front Office upon arrival.
Horseback Riding Lessons
Overview
Develop basic horsemanship skills to safely catch, lead, tack up, ride and better understand horse behavior. Riders will learn groundwork until they acquire the comfort and knowledge to ride in the arena. Once rider demonstrates the ability to control and react to the horse, lessons will move outside the arena on mountain trails, gravel roads and fields. The rider needs to be at the barn half an hour before the lesson to ready their horse.
Lessons can also help those interested in riding gain confidence before their first trail ride.
Schedule
Lessons will be available April 2-June 26 and August 6-October 30 on Saturday and Sundays at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3pm. To check availability and schedule a lesson, call Springmaid Mountain’s office at 828-765-2353.
Rates
- One-hour private lesson: $50 per person
- Group lessons not available at this time
Clothing & Gear
Dress appropriately for the weather (rain, cold or heat). Blue jeans or leggings are recommended, along with closed-toed shoes that can get dirty (prefer boots). Please bring a water bottle.
Extras
- Ages 8 years and younger, as well as first-time riders, are required to complete private lessons until they are approved for group lessons. This allows the instructor to place them in appropriate groups.
- Lessons are weather dependent.
- Parent/guardian must be present for the lesson.
- A 24-hour cancellation notice is required, and a credit card will be kept on file for a 10-percent no-show fee.
