Saddle Up for a Local Ride This Summer
By Victoria Bardega
On the hunt for your next summer adventure? You might want to consider soaking up the sun out on the nature trails. Whether you’re looking for your next family outing to pencil in the calendar or are looking for a fun pastime with your friends, Polk County offers a variety of horse-back riding opportunities for you to enjoy guided by some experienced instructors.
Bringing all sorts of nostalgia and relaxation, you can put your feet at ease on these hikes and truly explore some of Central Florida’s serene natural sights.
Here are three spots to check out to saddle up and enjoy trotting at a different pace for a little while:
01
Second Star Farm
13022 Sweet Hill Road | Polk City, Florida 33868
Family-owned and operated by local Amanda Price, Second Star Farm creates an opportunity for visitors to make sweet memories on a 10-acre property. From its affordable horseback riding to its peaceful scenery, Price and her team put together fun, family friendly community events for its guests. In between rides, you’ll fall in love with their animal petting area––featuring lively goats––and complimentary tractor rides, too. Each horseback ride is customized based on experience level and party size. Horse boarding is also available on their property.
They are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule your visit or receive more information on pricing, call 904-254-4106.
Visit their Facebook page for a more in-depth preview of what you can expect.
02
Horsespring Farm
3135 Owl Roost Trail | Lake Wales, FL 33898
Whether you’re interested in a one-time trail ride or would love to get personal horseback riding lessons, Horsespring Farm welcomes all to enjoy their sociable horses and unblemished countryside views. For one hour of riding time, the flat rates start at about $50 a person per ride, and they are open seven days a week.
Children must be at least 3 years old to ride, obviously with guidance of an accompanied adult. Helmets are available as well. During their guided trail rides, visitors can spot a ton of wildlife, including but not limited to owls, foxes and tortoises.
No matter the knowledge or skill level, they provide lessons guided by their highly-skilled staff of 45-years worth of training to teach everyone from beginner to intermediate riders the equestrian ropes. In addition, they feature horse boarding for anyone seeking a place to board their equine, starting at $400 a month.
They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Make your reservation by calling 863-273-2856. You can also visit their website for more info at horsespringfarmriding.com. If you’re looking for a spot to host an event or birthday celebration, they gladly accommodate larger groups upon request.
03
Rockin’ W Ranch
5247 Rifle Range Road | Bartow, FL 33830
Serving the area for more than 25 years, Rockin’ W Ranch proudly provides locals with the opportunity to safely ride, learn hands-on riding or participate in their summer camp programming. This community-centric farm offers affordable rates for the whole family to enjoy ride-alongs on 12 acres of open pastures.
Guided by the Certified Horsemanship Association’s Composite Horsemanship Manual, their staff works hard to create a strong program for guests to receive private or group lessons. Group lessons begin at $160 per month (or $50 per lesson). One-on-one lessons begin at $220-$240 per month (or $70 per lesson).
Currently they have availability for pasture boarding starting at around $475 per month, which creates a safe environment outdoors for horses.
To connect with a member of their staff, reach out via their Facebook page. You can also peruse their website for more details at rockinwranch.wixsite.com/rwranch. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.