Rasika DalviIt was a beautiful summer afternoon in July 2021 when we decided to experience something completely new. Living in a charming New England suburb, we’re no strangers to picturesque red barns, rolling green pastures, and horses peacefully grazing in the distance. While these scenes have always been part of the landscape around us, we had never experienced the thrill of interacting with these magnificent animals up close. Curious to see what horseback riding was really like, we decided it was finally time to saddle up and hit the trails.
For our adventure, we booked a one-hour guided trail ride at Lee’s Riding Stable in Litchfield, Connecticut. Nestled within the scenic 100-acre Winfield Morgan Farm, the stable offers a perfect setting for both beginners and experienced riders. Since 1976, the farm has been dedicated to breeding the elegant Morgan horse, one of America’s oldest and most versatile horse breeds. Today, it is home to around 55 Morgans, many of which have earned championship titles over the years.
We arrived at the stable on a beautiful summer afternoon, about 15 minutes before our scheduled ride. Since online reservations weren’t available, we had booked our spot directly with the stable. The one-hour guided trail ride cost $50 per person.
After checking in, we signed the required waivers, were fitted with helmets, and were introduced to our horses. I was paired with a stunning whitish-gray Morgan named Rose. She was absolutely beautiful, and I couldn’t have asked for a better companion for my first horseback riding experience.
Before setting off, one of the staff members gave us a brief overview of the basics – how to hold the reins, guide the horse, and communicate simple commands. The instructions were surprisingly quick, which made me wonder how I was going to manage riding on my own for an entire hour. My nervousness must have been written all over my face because the instructor smiled and reassured me, “Don’t worry! Rose is very calm and friendly. You’ll have a wonderful time with her.”
She couldn’t have been more right. Rose was gentle, patient, and incredibly easy to ride, making the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. In fact, all the horses at the stable appeared calm, well-trained, and exceptionally well cared for. It was evident that they were treated with great love and respect. After chatting with the staff, it was clear that horseback riding wasn’t just their profession; it was their passion. Their knowledge, dedication, and genuine affection for the horses made the experience even more special.
This was our very first experience riding horses independently on a trail. Until then, horses had always been animals we admired from a distance, so being able to sit on one, guide it, and experience the world from its perspective felt incredibly special. It was not just about learning the basics of horseback riding; it was about building a bond of trust with our horses and embracing a completely new way of exploring nature.
As we began the ride, my initial nervousness slowly faded. With every step Rose took, I felt more relaxed and confident. Before reaching the trails, we had to cross a busy main road. I couldn’t help but wonder how a group of horses would safely navigate through the traffic. However, our guide handled the crossing with remarkable ease, and the horses calmly followed one another as if they had done it a thousand times. It was impressive to see just how well-trained and disciplined they were.
Once we crossed the road, we entered a peaceful forest, and that’s when the real magic began. Riding through the quiet woods, surrounded by towering trees and the sounds of nature, felt almost surreal. It was like stepping into a scene from a movie; gently riding through the rolling hills and scenic countryside of Connecticut. The landscape was breathtaking, with lush greenery stretching in every direction and only the rhythmic sound of the horses’ hooves breaking the silence.
Since everyone in our group was a beginner, we enjoyed a slow, relaxed pace that allowed us to truly soak in the beauty around us. Rather than rushing through the trail, we had the chance to appreciate every moment, making it an incredibly peaceful and memorable experience.
I think I got a horse who perfectly matched my personality. And no, I am not talking about her elegance or beauty (although she had plenty of both!). I am talking about her love for stopping every few minutes to enjoy a little snack along the trail. Rose had quite the appetite! She would occasionally wander a little off the trail to munch on wildflowers, bushes, and even the leaves of nearby trees. During our one-hour ride, she probably made 10–15 “snack stops” along the way. But there was nothing mischievous or difficult about it; she was simply calm, content, and enjoying the little pleasures of her journey.
Our instructor patiently guided me from behind, explaining how I could encourage Rose to stay on the trail. But somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to stop her. I had this feeling that if she wanted to pause and enjoy the greenery around her, she deserved that little moment of happiness. Instead of feeling frustrated, I found myself smiling and watching her happily nibble away.
There was something incredibly sweet about seeing her enjoy those simple treats from nature. Her gentle personality and carefree attitude completely won my heart. By the end of the ride, Rose was not just the horse I was riding; she had become the highlight of my entire experience.
After completing our one-hour trail ride, it was finally time to say adieu to my beautiful Rose. I never expected to form such a connection with a horse in such a short time, but she truly made the experience unforgettable. From her gentle nature to her adorable habit of stopping for little snacks along the way, she had completely won my heart. In my mind, I had already decided that whenever we visit Lee’s Riding Stable again, I would definitely request my beautiful, snack-loving Rose for another adventure on the trails.
Before leaving, the staff told us that we were welcome to take a walk through the stable and spend some time meeting the other horses. Of course, we happily accepted the invitation. It was a wonderful opportunity to see these magnificent animals up close, admire their beauty, and appreciate the care and love that goes into looking after them every day.
Overall, our horseback riding adventure was an unforgettable experience. From the gentle companionship of the beautiful horses and the breathtaking countryside views to the warm hospitality of the staff, every moment was truly special. If you ever have the opportunity to explore the countryside on horseback, don’t hesitate; embrace the adventure!
Interesting facts about horses:
- Horses have a nearly 360-degree field of vision. This is due to the positioning of their eyes on the sides of their head.
- Horses can sleep both lying down and standing up. Horses have what’s called a “stay-apparatus” which is a system of tendons and ligaments that allows the horse to lock their legs in position so they can relax without falling over. When not sleeping, horses also use this apparatus to rest while standing for long periods, so they don’t fatigue. But it is a myth that horses never lay down – they do spend a short amount of time each day laying down for deeper sleep.
- Horses have lightning-fast reflexes. If a situation arises when they need to fight, they can go from standing still to delivering a powerful kick in just 0.3 seconds, whereas human reaction time is 1.6 seconds.
- Horses have 10 different muscles in their ears. This allows them to rotate nearly 180 degrees and move independently of one another.
- When horses look like they’re laughing, they’re engaging in a special nose-enhancing technique known as “flehmen,” to determine whether a smell is good or bad.
- Horses are social animals and will get lonely if kept alone, and they will mourn the passing of a companion. To keep your horse happy, it will need a (preferably equine) friend.
- Most of the time, wherever a horse’s ear is pointing is where the horse is looking with the eye on the same side. If the ears are pointing in different directions, the horse is looking at two different things at the same time.
- Horses like sweet flavors. Horses are typically less fond of sour or bitter-tasting foods and more likely to turn them down than sweeter flavored treats.
- One leg/side of the horse is shorter than the other. Horses usually are slightly shorter on one side than the other (kind of like how people may have one foot a slightly different size than the other.) You can tell which side is shorter by which side that the horse’s mane lies on naturally.
These random, amazing, bizarre facts about the horse make it such a beautiful and noble creature.
I hope you enjoyed the read. Please share in a comment your experience with horse riding or any other interesting fact about this magnificent animal.
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