Horsepower in the Detroit area is typically found under the hood, unless you’re looking for the four-legged version.
Real horses are still around, but chances to ride one are harder to come by now. Blame rising costs of everything from a bale of hay to rider’s insurance.
But for folks who want to saddle up and enjoy the scenery on horseback, it can be done.
Horseback riding is historic.
It’s fun. And there’s even research showing that riding can be therapeutic for people who’ve experienced trauma.
Here are five places not far from Port Huron to ride:
Pine River Stables
The stable has been family-owned for more than 50 years. It sits on 100 acres of wooded gulley land that runs along the Pine River and a nearby creek.
What to know: The hour-long ventures take riders across a bridge and they can stop and let the horses get a drink, said manager Julie Boden. First-time riders are welcome and the stable offers s’more rides that finish with roasted marshmallows around a campfire and glow in the dark rides under the stars. The stable is closed Wednesdays and open from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on all other days. Reservations can be made by phone at 586-894-2756 or online.
Cost: $73 per rider
Address: 1200 Stein Road, St. Clair.
Distance from Port Huron: About 14 miles.
Maybury Stables
The stables are located inside Maybury State Park at the southwest corner of Eight Mile Road and Beck Road. The park offers miles of trails winding through almost 1,000 acres of woods and meadows.
What to know: Hour-long guided trail rides for single riders or groups of up to 10 are available Wednesday through Sunday, stable owner Trisha Roeske said. First-time riders are welcome and all riders receive instructions on how to stop, start and steer. Riders under 18 must wear helmets, which the stable provides. Reservations and payments are done online.
Cost: $80 per rider
Address: 20303 N. Beck Road, Northville Township, on the west side of Detroit.
Distance from Port Huron: About 83 miles.
Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association
The century-old stable is the former home of the Detroit Mounted Police. It’s located inside 1,200 acre Rouge Park on Detroit’s west side.
What to know: Because the park has no trails, the stable can’t offer trail rides, but it does give city children the chance to ride inside a corral. “We call our horses, horses in the ‘hood,'” said Vice President Vernon Smith. In addition to riding around the corral, kids can feed and care for the animals and learn the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, African American infantry soldiers in the late 1800s comprised of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War veterans. The corral is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April through October, weather permitting. Call first to confirm availability at 313-270-2939.
Cost: $7 for one ride around the corral and $10 for two.
Address: 8886 Lahser Road, Detroit.
Distance from Port Huron: About 73 miles.
High Vibe Trail Rides
The stable opened in 2016 and its two-hour guided trail rides cover the northern loop of Kensington Metro Park, which includes wooded trails, open fields and, weather permitting, a walk through the Huron River. The stable has carved out a niche with themed rides that include full moons, ice cream stops, charcuterie breaks, meditation and even wedding proposal rides where a photographer can be hidden in the woods to capture the moment, said owner Lucie Ptasznik.
What to know: The stable can accommodate private rides for one or two people and groups as large as 16. Riders of all experience levels are welcome. Weight limit for riders is 250 pounds. Reservations can be made online or by calling or texting 248-270-8520.
Costs begin at $110 per person with additional charges for extras.
Address: 2471 Meadowood Lane, Milford (west of Detroit).
Distance from Port Huron: About 91 miles.
Brighton Riding Stable
The stable is on the property of the Brighton Recreation Area, about 4 miles southwest of downtown Brighton in Livingston County. The park is almost 5,000 acres of rolling hills, woods and water.
What to know: Riders splash through a creek as part of their hour-long guided ride, said owner Amy Carlson. The stable offers instruction and has a mounting step to help beginners ease into the saddle. It also offers hand-led rides for children under 8. The maximum weight for all riders is 220 pounds. The stable is open seven days a week during the summer and rides continue until the snow flies. Fall rides through the changing colors are popular as well, Carlson said. Reservations are taken by phone: 810-534-5063.
Cost: $60 per rider
Address: 6660 Chilson Road, Howell.
Distance from Port Huron: About 100 miles.
Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: No horsing around. Here are 5 places to ride horses near Port Huron
Reporting by John Wisely, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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