Horseback Riding

[Feralpeg]

My DD and I want to do something different on our trip in June. She would like to do the trail ride at Ft. Wilderness. I'm a little concerned because she has problems with her hips. She has short tendons and has some pain associated with it. I would hate to have her do the horseback riding thing and then be miserable for the rest of the trip. For those of you who have done the trail ride, how much bouncing is there? Thanks.

 

[kilee]

Since this is posted. Can a 10 yr old ride alone?

 

[travelin' tigger]

There is no bouncing involved but it is a 45 minute all walking trail ride. It's a very leisurely ride throughout the back trails of Ft. Wilderness. All horses are paired up to riders abilities, but all the horses are very mellow.

As far as a 10-year-old riding alone, I don't know the answer to that. All the trail rides are group rides with 2 guides (1 front, 1 rear) so I don't think it'd be a problem, but you could give them a call and find out. Sorry I don't have the number, but maybe someone else know!!!

 

[Rneighh]

Just for your future information. If you daughter enjoys the ride and wants to do more --- try to find a gaited horse for her to ride. Any breed of gaited horse, Tennessee Walker, Missouri Fox Trotter, Paso Fino etc., has a much more comfortable ride. A gaited horse has a smooth four beat gait with no bounce, just a jiggle. I have lots of back problems and sciatica and can ride my Fox Trotters all day with no problems.

Good luck and enjoy your ride.

Renee

 

[walt's assistant]

I own/ride horses and have taken the trail ride at FW so hope this helps...

Any horse/trail rideyou'd take is not perfectly smooth. Good news is that all the WDW horses do on the trail ride is walk. So any bumps you encounter will be minimal. Be advised that if you don't ride a lot you WILL have some muscular soreness later on, even at just a walk.

As far as the 10 year old goes, it shouldn't be a problem as I saw other kids riding. One was on a pony! (cute)

WA

 

[MELSMICE]

I'm pretty sure the minimum age for horseback riding is 10 years old so your child should be fine. My youngest DD's (now 10) want to ride this year.

Can anyone tell me if you need to make a reservation ahead of time or is it just a walk-up type of situation. Also, if you need to make a ressie, can you do it a few weeks/months in advance or do you need to wait until you are in the "world"?

Thanks for your help.

 

[mom_rules]

Hope this helps. The number to call is
407-824-2832. Reservations in advance are required and can be made up to two weeks ahead of time. You can cancel without penaltywith 24 hours notice. The trail ride is $32 per person. Guided trail rides go six times a day starting at 8:30 am. Riders have to be at least 9 and maximum weight is 250 lbs. They don't allow double riding.