Skyland Stables

Why Hike When You Can Ride? 

I whole-horsedly agree. Of course, I can’t claim to be much of a camper, hiker, or rock climber, so there’s that.

According to the Skyland Stables website, there is “no more genuine way to experience Shenandoah National Park than on horseback. A guided ride through a wooded trail on a mode of transportation yet to be improved upon … offers an entirely new perspective.”

My husband and I embarked on our fifth ride with Skyland this past June (2023). It marked the fourth year we’ve celebrated our wedding anniversary with a trail ride courtesy of Skyland Stables.

We arrived at least 30 minutes early, as requested, and parked in the small, designated lot just south of Skyland Resort. We chatted with the father/son team of wranglers who manage the stables as we waited for the ride before ours to return.

The ever changing, unpredictable Virginia weather smiled down on us that day with abundant sunshine, moderate temperatures, and even a mild breeze.  Perfect.

The worn but sturdy office/tack room/feed room building, with a (much-appreciated by me) restroom, creates the bottom of a u-shaped set-up facing a paddock area bordered by shedrows of a half-dozen stalls on either side. Guests arrive and gather in a fenced-off space between the office building and the paddock.

Well Cared for Equines

Once we signed the customary waivers and paid our fees, the wranglers allowed us to visit with the equines hanging out in the stalls. I say equines because one emerged from the back of her stall to display the 12-inch ears and markings of the largest mule I’ve ever seen up close. 

We learned that "Miss Kitty" currently served as an "ambassador", enjoying a well-earned semi-retirement hanging out just to get petted following years of plowing for the Amish. As they get to know her better, she may eventually carry the occasional rider.

While listening to Miss Kitty's rescue story, I felt a deep sense of the love and care these equines receive before, during, and after the trail rides.

Bringing Up the Rear

The one-hour horseback ride departed from the stables, crossed over Skyline Drive, and traveled past the Timberlost area through an old apple orchard. The trail intersects with the Old Rag Mountain fire road, the Timberlost hiking trail, and crosses over a stream before taking a loop and heading back the way we came to the stables.

We tend to be perceived as "advanced beginner" riders since the trail rides are geared towards any level of experience, including folks who've never swung a leg over a horse. Most guides keep the first-time riders at the front of the line to be closer to them. So, from my usual position at the rear of the group on a flea-bitten gray (a spotted white color, not flea-infested) mare named Sunshine who I volunteered to ride again, I barely heard much of the trail guide’s remarks. However, I can confirm that he provided information about the area and the history of Shenandoah National Park during the ride and answered questions about the flowers and vegetation we passed along the way. 

I especially appreciated the trail guide's close monitoring of all of the horses and riders and halting as necessary to wait for us stragglers to catch up with the group.

The trail starts out on flat ground, but does involve an incline down to the stream and back up again encompassing roughly twenty minutes of the ride time. At my age and fitness level, this can be tough on the knees, but well worth the views and benefits of wandering deep into God' creation on horseback. 

We didn't encounter any wildlife on this trip, but in the past, we've witnessed a mama Wild Turkey ushering her brood of chicks across the trail in front of us and families of White-Tailed Deer that were barely visible between the trees. Given the large population of Black Bears in the park, there might be a few in the vicinity, but so far they've kept to themselves during our rides.

Needless to say, I suppose, considering we’re returning guests, I highly recommend adding a ride with Skyland Stables the next time you’re enjoying the “Drive”. Be sure to  make a reservation online and enjoy the ride!