Trial Rides at Fort Wilderness

[Mazzy]

DD Sam has just noticed that they have horses at Fort Wilderness, she is recently horse mad as her best friend has her own horse.

As DH and I have both been thrown by horses many moons ago we aren't that keen on doing the trail ride ourselves. I'm just wondering if anyone has done this, and how long the ride lasts? Would we be able to send Sam (age 12) and Dan (age 9) on the trail on their own? And most important, do they provide hats for them to wear?

I have found out from the offical Birnbaums book that children have to be 9 and older, so Dan is just OK, he is 9 a month before we go so just really looking to hear of anyone who's actually done this and what they thought of it.

Hope someone can help me out here!

 

[travelin' tigger]

Very mellow. The ride itself is about 45 min and it's only a walking ride. Helmets are available, but not mandatory. I'm not sure what the policy is for the kids to go on their own... each ride does have a guide.

Hope this helps!!!

 

[Bstanley]

We are not 'horse people' although we do on occasion ride. The horses at FW are very calm - in fact if you were to tell me that they were animatonic I wouldn't be surprised... They have made the trip a gazillion times and know exactly what they are doing. In fact the horses try to sort themselves out into whatever 'pecking order' they have among themselves...

I don't recall the age limit - when we went my younger son would have been 8+ - perhaps we 'cheated', or it is a new requirement. In either case he was fine.

I doubt that your children can go without one of the adults along - I remember having to sign something for both myself and my children.

They did not provide hats a couple of years ago - the ride takes place in the woods around FW so there isn't a lot of exposure to the sun.

 

[Rneighh]

Since we raise horse we have not paid to ride at FW but always go to FW on our trips and talk with the CMs in the barns. These horses are as safe as a horse can be --- it is an animal with a brain. Having said that --- you should get back in the saddle. So many people have bad experiences because they rode a friends horse or went to a poorly run livery stable. WDW has what appears to be a very safe, well run system. Go enjoy the ride with your kids.

Renee

 

[BowlingAriel]

Yes as everyone has said, the horses are almost animatronic. They will let the children go alone with out an adult. Our kids did it last yr, they were 12 and 10. They had a ball.