Today, farms with horses fall into a few categories. Some focus on breeding, creating champion bloodlines and training equestrian athletes. Others cater to horse-and-rider travelers, offering a unique twist on “bed and breakfast” for both two- and four-legged guests. Then there are farms where horseback riding is all about fun and relaxation, with trail rides and riding lessons designed for visitors to experience the land from the saddle. And let’s not forget the working ranches, where livestock and wide-open spaces mean horseback work is a way of life (here at Farmstay we identify ranches as farms by another name, determined by location and the lifestyle of the folks who run them).

To find farms that offer horseback riding, you can use the Farm Stay USA activity search tool: Horseback Riding, but let’s get you started here with a few farms that are ready to help you saddle up and hit the trail.

Fairwinds Farm, North East MD: Relax in country comfort in a restored Victorian home on this working horse farm in the heart of Maryland horse country. After a hearty farm breakfast, you may choose to take a riding lesson, carriage ride or trail ride. Bring your horses along! They offer overnight stall space or turnout (or both), and access to their rings, cross country course and trails.

Willet Ponds Horse Farm, Todd NC: For a true Appalachian farm experience you are welcome to join in on daily chores. Want to ride? While not a riding stable open to the public, the farm offers guests guided custom trail rides and/or riding lessons. For those who really want to get their hands on the herd, there are “horse spa” sessions. Spend an extra hour after barn chores and help groom the horses. You’ll learn about care and safety, different breed attributes, and fun facts about horses.

Grace Note Farm, Pascoug RI: Known as the Benjamin Smith homestead farm c. 1730, the farm is nestled in the northwest corner of Rhode Island. Horses are welcome, as are group rides with space for 50 trailers. Riders can enjoy over six hours of riding on wide, mostly sandy trails that connect to Connecticut and Massachusetts. Families can enjoy the farm animals, including a Shetland pony that kids under 80 lbs can sit and participate in chores if they wish.

Rockn Rowdy Ranch, Leona TX: Located equal distance between Dallas and Houston, come experience a Texas ranch the way it was intended – on horseback! Their cowboys will help you saddle your horse and you will be given as much instruction or assistance needed for you to have a comfortable, safe and memorable ride. They cater to all skill levels. Once mounted your adventure begins as you are guided throughout the beautiful, 100-acre ranch.

Wilson Ranches Retreat, Fossil OR: This ranch retreat offers guests a unique opportunity to go horseback riding in Oregon. Immerse yourself on this authentic working cattle ranch by joining the Wilson family on a scenic horseback ride, cattle drive, pasture move, riding for strays or checking fence lines as the family done has for seven generations.

Bar SZ Ranch, Paicines CA: Set on 2200 acres in its own valley and with a barn manager responsible for the care and training of guest trail riding horses, the ranch not only offers riding but also enjoys hosting clinics where guests, students, and 4-H members learn all about horses and other ranch animals.

Montana Bunkhouses Working Ranches, Livingston MT: Representing 20+ cattle ranches that host overnight guests, Karen will find you just the right ranch for your interest and skills level. Guests may participate in seasonal ranch operations while learning about conservation practices and sustainable ranching in the Rocky Mountains.  If you are looking for a hands-on working ranch that is old-time, real, and authentic, these ranches invite you into their lifestyle.

There were so many great choices, it was hard to select just a few. Take a look through the Horseback Riding filter on Farmstay and you are sure to find just the right farm or ranch riding experience you are looking for. We get it. We like to view landscapes from horseback too. Enjoy!

[Cover photo: courtesy of Willet Ponds Horse Farm in North Carolina]

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1.     The Wilson Family came to ranch in the Oregon Territories by traveling the Oregon Trail back in the 1800s. Do you know much about their trek and why they made it?

Phil and Nancy’s families homesteaded in Wheeler and Gilliam Counties in the 1870’s.  They traveled on the Oregon Trail in the early 1850’s to the Willamette Valley before coming to North Central Oregon.

2.     What made you want to continue your families’ ranching tradition?

Love of the land and Phil didn’t have enough sense to leave.  Phil came home to the ranch after graduation from college.  This is a great life and the Blessings are many!

3.     How has ranching changed over the 150+ years your family has been ranching?

Wilson Ranches has gone from the horse-drawn age to the combustion mechanical age to the computer age.  The only aspect of ranching that has been little affected is the cattle operation.  The LE brand has been in the family for four generations.

4.     You follow a “green-friendly, twice-over” grazing program. Could you tell us how this works?

Wilson Ranches follows a “green-friendly, twice over” grazing program to increase grass production.  Each pasture is grazed, rested, and grazed again in a rotational system with multiple pastures.  Wilson Ranches is managing the resources of the ranch for future generations.

5.     What kind of experience does your ranch offer guests?

The deck at Wilson Ranches Retreat is a great place to watch the cattle or deer grazing.  The Retreat is shaded by trees, which are often alive with a variety of birds as this is a songbird migratory route.  This incredible secluded scenic area with spectacular sunsets and brilliant star-studded nights will captivate you.

Riding at Wilson Ranches RetreatOur guests enjoy horseback riding in a geologically and historically rich area of Wheeler County, or a quiet hike to view the wildlife and diverse plant life on Wilson Ranches.  Guests are welcome to help move cattle from mid-spring to late fall.  A 4-Wheel Drive Sunset Tour is also available.  This tour is approximately five hours and will give you a magnificent view of the Cascade Mountain Range (Three Sisters to Mt. Rainer).

6.    What do people see and do while there?

Wilson Ranches Retreat is a great place to headquarter your exploration of the Clarno, Sheep Rock and Painted Hills Units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.  It has the richest find of prehistoric fossils in the world.  Public fossil digging is available behind Wheeler High School in the town of Fossil.  The John Day River offers world-class small mouth bass fishing and river rafting trips.

7.     Could you describe the landscape, flora, and fauna around your ranch?

Wilson Ranches is a diverse area with an extreme mixture of geologies with formations from 50 million years ago to the present time.  Rolling hills to deep basalt canyons, high lava ridges and buttes with amazing views of the Cascade and Blue Mountain Ranges.  The landscape is covered with wild flowers in the spring and early summer.

8.    What’s the climate like?

The climate is semi-arid with an annual average rainfall from 12 to 16 inches per year.  Temperatures in the winter are usually mild but can go as low as 15 degrees below zero for short  periods of time.  Summer temperatures vary from 70 to 100 degrees.

9.     What’s on your breakfast menu?

Breakfast is served family style each morning at 8:00 am with the Wilson Family sharing their experience of life on the ranch and interesting and entertaining stories by Phil.  The breakfast menu includes bacon (sausage, ham or beef little smokies), farm fresh eggs, biscuits (blueberry muffins, coffee cake or German pancakes), fruit, and Bob’s Red Mill oatmeal with all the fixin’s (pecans, brown sugar, raisins and craisins).

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For more information on Wilson Ranches Retreat, visit their Farm Stay U.S. listing and their website. All photos on this blog are courtesy Wilson Ranches Retreat.

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