Bear Creek Stables offers access to wooded and field trails in beautiful Blythewood, SC.

Ride one of our experienced trail horses or bring yours for a visit!

 

Our trail rides are not your typical "canned" ride. We follow no set path, we make it up as we go!

Every time you ride you will see something different. This being the case, you must have some horse riding experience to go on our trail rides. Please do not let this discourage you, you may just be a couple of lessons away from a great trail ride!

Guided Small Groups

At Bear Creek Stables you do not just show up and jump on a horse and go. The $40 an hour rate is for the actual trail ride. However, you must work before and after your trail ride. We believe it is best to get to know the horse you are going to ride before jumping onto a saddle. First off you will be sent to the pasture to retrieve the horse you will riding for the day. There will always be a staff member at hand to assist you.

Once you have caught your horse and brought him back to the stables the real bonding begins. We start by grooming the horses to include a quick inspection of their hooves. Once this is all done, it is time to get the tack and get 'em saddled! Again, you will not be left alone during this activity. Help will never be far away!

Once your horse is ready to go you will spend some time leading your horse and will end up in our training ring. This allows the saddle to settle on the horse for a final inspection before you mount your horse.

If you forget something such as your water bottle or helmet, we will have an experienced staff member stay with your horse while you run to the stables or car to get your stuff.

By the way, we do highly recommend you bring a water bottle. A small water bottle which can be hooked to the saddle is ideal for those hot days!

A final check will be done before you mount your horse. Horses tend to breath in a lot of air and hold their breath when you tighten their saddle. This way, once you think you have practically killed the horse, they let the air out and the saddle becomes loose. Once you walk them around the ring they don't feel like holding their breath so we will make sure that the saddle is good and tight, we don't want you sitting sideways on the horse.

Once you are up on the horse, we will give you some instructions and check the length of the stirrups to make sure they are ideal for you.

NOPE!

You will spend some time riding your horse around the ring so you and your horse learn how to communicate which each other. We spend this time evaluating you and the horse to make absolutely sure we have a good match.

This is also a time when there will be a lot of instructions given to you and the group as a whole. So we ask that you pay close attention!

By appointment only!     Deposit Required!

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An Executive Small Group ride would be an ideal outing for your business!

This is the ultimate Trail Ride Experience. South Carolina has numerous places that we can take horses and enjoy what the state has to offer.

Please visit SC-Horse.com and check out the Equestrian Camping/Trails page. These are all the possible places that we can go to!

We will only take experienced riders on these all day excursions. If you have not ridden with us before you will be required to take at least one lesson with us so we can evaluate your horse riding skills.

We invite you to bring your own horse to visit us.

Our trails are an excellent place to get your horse up to par for Trail Riding. As our Ferrier recently told us, "If your horse can handle these trails, you can take 'em anywhere."

Our trails can be very challenging for horses. They are not long, but there are some areas which can be intense.

We want you to have a memorable Trail Ride because you had a GREAT TIME. We do not want it to be memorable because your horse threw you in a pond and escaped off into the woods.

For you safety and the safety of our horses we ask that you always listen to the instructions which are given to you and to the group as a whole.

Our Trail Rides are not your typical "Nose to Tail" ride you will find at big horse venues and parks. However, we do ask that everyone in the group to stick relatively close together. You and your horse should always be visible by a staff member.

Our rides are generally easy going rides fit for the entire family. There will be times when you will be able to get your horse up to a brisk trot. If you are an experienced rider there may be opportunities to get your horse up to a canter or even a gallop. However, this should only be done with the permission of a staff member. The areas we ride are varied and some of these areas are perfectly safe for a walking horse but can be hazardous for a running horse and their rider.

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Proper attire is a must!

No Shorts

No Flip Flops

No Sandalsl

While tennis shoes are acceptable, the ideal foot ware is boots with a heel, we are not talking about high fashion high heels here!. Hiking boots will work fine.

If you do not have riding pants, we recommend loose fitting jeans or similar pair of pants.

No perfume of cologne. It will not impress your horse and it will attract bugs. Your horse will know when a big horse fly lands on his rear end and he will do whatever it takes to get it off before it bites him. We do what we can to NOT attract more bugs!

Riding Helmets are required on all riders 18 or younger. Helmets will be available for all riders.

Failure to follow staff directions may result in you being asked to dismount your horse and returning to the stables on foot and your fee will not be refunded!

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