People travel with their dogs, cats, and even birds. But you are a horse lover, and your four-legged friend just happens to be considerably larger than a St. Bernard. Bring him along with you on your next Maine vacation so you can both enjoy the beautiful countryside. Boarding stables are available, as are a few places for both you and your horse to spend the night. Just imagine you and your larger-than-Fido best friend cantering along a park trail or a pathway in sight of the Atlantic Ocean.
If the closest you’ve even been to one of these four-legged wonders is the painted ponies on a carousel, no problem. Take a quick lesson on a rented pony, and then ride one of Maine’s scenic trails. You will have a memorable experience, and maybe even a new apple-munching best friend.
Wildwood Stables, Acadia National ParkHorse-Friendly Acadia National Park
One of the most horse-friendly locations in all of Maine is Acadia National Park. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., was a big fan of the park, and he loved to travel by horse-drawn carriage. In 1913, Rockefeller started the task of building 45 miles of carriage roads so he could ride about without being “harassed” by the newfangled horseless carriages. Most horses didn’t like the noisy, sometimes smelly contraptions and would shy or even bolt. Rockefeller also wanted to preserve the natural beauty of the park.
Today, riders are welcome to ride their own horses on this network of roadways. Motor vehicles are still not allowed, except for the occasional park service vehicle. Since the roadways were graded for carriages, they are gently sloped, so even the novice rider can take part. Rockefeller also positioned the roadways to take advantage of the lovely coastal and ocean views.
One of the many carriage paths at Acadia National ParkWildwood Stables, a park concessioner, is still offering carriage rides. The firm also offers space to park horse trailers as well as boarding for horses. They do not have animals for rent. Wildwood Stables operates a campground reserved for those traveling with horses. Winter riding is allowed, but be aware that the horses may have to deal with snowmobiles, which can be quite loud and sometimes appear unexpectedly.
Maine Horseback Riding Trails
In addition to Acadia National Park, Maine has a number of horseback riding trails. The Aroostook Valley Trail offers 75 miles of shared-use trails in the northern end of the state. Other locations offering shared or multiple-use trails include Mt. Blue State Park, Bradbury Mountain State Park, the Kennebec Valley Trail, Phair Junction Trail, and the Lagrange-Medford Trail.
Examples of equestrian-only trails include the 7.2-mile pathway at Hollis Equestrian Park and the 14-mile Jay-Farmington Trail that wanders through the western hills and is especially scenic when the fall colors are at their peak. The 18-mile-long St. John Valley Trail, near the Canadian border, is another peak-color wonder.
Aroostook County farmlandTraveling with Your Horse in Maine
Maine’s excellent highway system makes pulling a horse trailer easy. Once you arrive, boarding stables are available at places on or near the coast as well as farther inland. Example locales are Hancock, just inland from Acadia National Park, and Hulls Cove at Frenchman Bay near Bar Harbor. Head inland a bit, and stables are available in Belgrade, next to Messalonskee Lake. Those looking to travel in the Sebago Lake area will find stables in Naples.
A few stables even invite you to spend the night with your horse, going the extra step to make your stay more enjoyable. One stable in Fort Fairfield, near the Canadian border, offers RV and tent camping along with horseback riding. Prices vary according to the type of stall or corral and whether feed is required. Other facilities offer bed-and-breakfast stays for you and your horse. You get a real bed; the horse gets the stall or corral. Locales offering this type of arrangement include Monmouth, Brownfield, and Hancock.
Maine Riding Stables
It is possible to rent a horse and even take a lesson or two before you set off on a leisurely trail ride through the woods or along the coast. Depending on the stable, you may be able to learn English or Western riding skills. Western saddles are larger, with more of a seat and a large saddle horn to grab onto if needed, and are perhaps better suited for beginners.
A sample of trail-ride-only prices includes one-hour adventures for beginners at roughly $50 to $100 per person and more advanced two-hour group rides at $130 to $150 per person. Lessons average from $45 to $100 per hour, depending on locale and season.
Some horse stables offer week-long summer riding camps, with or without overnight stays. These include lessons in horse anatomy, caring for horses, and learning to ride and otherwise control a horse. Prices vary depending on stables, the age of the participant, and whether you are boarding onsite. One facility, Angels Dancing with Horses Therapeutic Riding in Augusta, specializes in lessons and camps for the physically challenged.
If going on a trail ride or participating in a camp, you should have footwear with heels, meaning boots, not sneakers, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants such as jeans. Leave the tank tops and jewelry at home or in the car. Riding stables usually provide a helmet if you don’t have your own. Bring along a sense of humor and an “I can do this” attitude. It is after all, just a horse, of course.
Horseback Riding at Old Orchard Beach. Riding is allowed at some Maine beaches during the off-season.
