Middleton Place Equestrian Center, South Carolina

My mom and I recently took a break to Charleston, South Carolina. While my mom wanted to see beautiful gardens and historical houses, I had managed to include a few horse outings. Our first excursion was a beautiful 30 minute drive to Middleton Place, one of the historic plantations on the Ashley River. Middleton Place also has an Inn and full service equestrian center. We rode at 10:00 am for one hour on a beginner (walking only) trail ride. The weather might have been chilly by others standards but for us Canadians it was downright balmy. We rode in a small group of five including our guide. He took us through wooded trails of live oaks draped in spanish moss, past beautiful views of the of the plantation grounds to lakes used for the rice plantation. We saw deer, waterfowl, and an alligator. For more information visit: https://www.middletonplace.org/visiting-middleton-place/other-activities/equestrian.html

Overall this was one of my favorite rides and perhaps the most restorative ride ever. Our guide gave a great amount of information about the plantation and the horses walked contentedly along without crowding one another. Middleton Place offers a wide range of breeds of horses, but those scenic trails are reminiscent of days past when Saddlebreds would have covered the very same grounds. I only wish I had stayed and taken in a jumping lesson!