Equine Experiences

Back in the saddle

PHOTO BY ROB SOMES Dutch Creek Trails in Vilas offers guided rides in the summer six days a week with four different team slots available each day.

Horseback riding opportunities in the High Country

BY NATHAN HAM

Exploring the High Country on horseback has become a fun adventure for many residents and visitors.

Leatherwood Mountains Resort, located at 512 Meadow Road in Ferguson, continues to be one of the finest equestrian communities in North Carolina.

First founded in 1986, Leatherwood Mountain was a 40,000-acre area of land used for timber harvesting that eventually transformed into a wonderful mountain resort.

The equestrian opportunities available include both beginner-level trails to more advanced, rugged trails for the strongest of riders. The equine center at Leatherwood Mountain Resort offers 60 stalls as well as an outdoor riding ring and a covered indoor area to allow for horseback riding in poor weather conditions.

In addition to the amenities offered at

SEE SADDLE ON PAGE 98 Hidden Pastures Trails in Ashe County offers two-hour trail rides seven days a week for riders ages 12 and up. FILE PHOTO

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Leatherwood, the equine center offers riding lessons to beginners and guided trail rides. Horseback riding lessons are one hour private lessons and are designed to meet the experience level for each rider. Guided trail rides are available with many different trails to choose from.

People interested in trail rides or riding lessons should call ahead for reservations as availability is limited. For reservations or more information about Leatherwood Mountain Resort, call (800) 462-6867. Information can be found online at leatherwoodmountains.com.

Dutch Creek Trails in Vilas offers guided tours that last roughly an hour and a half. Trails will feature a wide variety of scenery that passes through both open fields and wooded trails. Rides cost $60 and are available for adults and children ages six and up. In the summer, rides take place at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Dutch Creek Trails is closed on Sundays.

Dutch Creek Trails is located at 793 Rubin Walker Road in Vilas. For more information, call (828) 297-7117 or visit them online at dutchcreektrails.com.

In Ashe County, Hidden Pastures Trails offers two-hour trail rides seven days a week for riders ages 12 and up. Hidden Pastures also offers beginner, intermediate and advanced horseback riding lessons.

Hidden Pastures founders Talmage and Marianne Lawrence have more than five decades of experience owning and training horses. Visitors can book their rides online at hiddenpasturetrails.com or by calling (336) 977-1360.

Banner Elk Stables offers year round horseback riding. Located just off of Highway 194 in Banner Elk, guided trail rides in the Blue Ridge Mountains are available for riders of all different skill levels, even those that have never ridden a horse before. For more information or to reserve a trail ride, call (828) 8985424.

Leatherwood offers trail rides and riding lessons. PHOTO SUBMITTED