Experience History on Horseback with Middleton!
No experience is necessary for the Middleton Equestrian Center's approximately one hour guided, narrated horseback riding tours in the heart of the historic Plantation District along the Ashley River just 15 miles from downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
Our trail rides are one of the best ways to get a true feeling for the Lowcountry in its natural, historic setting, meandering through trails alongside of Middleton Place Plantation, and around Middleton Place Plantation's scenic south rice pond as it boarders the Ashley River.
Each ride is approximately one hour long and includes a guide who will provide a brief history of the Plantation, rice culture and other points of interest along the way.
Our trail rides are one of the best ways to get a true feeling for the Lowcountry in its natural, historic setting, meandering through trails alongside of Middleton Place Plantation, and around Middleton Place Plantation's scenic south rice pond as it boarders the Ashley River.
Each ride is approximately one hour long and includes a guide who will provide a brief history of the Plantation, rice culture and other points of interest along the way.
Preparing for your Ride
Location: 4280 Ashley River Road, Charleston SC - adjacent to Middleton Place Plantation on the same road that goes to the Middleton Place Inn.
Booking your trail ride:
Booking your trail ride:
- Please book 24 hours in advance online, for last minute bookings please call us.
- Trail rides leave daily at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM & 4 PM ride offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
- Please note, children under the age of 8 are not permitted to ride, sorry - no exceptions! Children ages 8 and up must be accommodated by an adult.
- No rider experience is necessary!
- Please wear long pants and comfortable clothing.
- No open toed shoes of any kind.
- Weight and Age restrictions (240 lbs/under 8 Years) apply.
- We offer complementary HIT-AIR vests to all riders, if you wish to wear an air-vest on the ride, please arrive early to get fitted for your vest. To learn more about air-vests, watch our video here.
- Please arrive 15-20 minutes before the ride, any rider not present 10 minutes ahead of time may be unable to participate and will not receive a refund.
- All riders must sign a waiver prior to riding and must wear a helmet (which is provided)
- The ride is approximately one hour, at the pace of walking only, and it is led and narrated by an experienced Trail Guide.
- We do not offer unsupervised horse rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost? $85.00 per person.
How long is the ride? Approximately one hour.
Do I need to know how to ride? No experience is necessary. The trail ride is at a walk only on well behaved, experienced horses.
What if it is raining? If it is a light shower we still go out so please bring a rain jacket. Our Guides check the radar to determine if there will be imminent bad weather. We do not ride in pouring rain or if there is a chance of thunder and lightning. In the event of severe weather, we will either rebook your ride or issue you a full refund.
Can my young child ride in the saddle in front of me? No. Due to our insurance’s regulations, we only take children eight years old and older and they ride on their own horse/pony. Please note, children under the age of 8 are not permitted to ride, sorry - no exceptions!
Can we just show up and ride? It is highly recommended that you pre-book your trail ride at least 24 hours in advance through the website. A trail guide is not always present at the Center nor is there always availability on a ride.
Can we rent a horse and go off on our own? No. We only offer guided historic trail rides.
Do you give military discounts? Yes. The military discount is 10%. Present your military i.d. to the Trail Guide who will arrange for the discount to be refunded to your card.
Do you offer riding lessons? No. We do not have currently have lesson program. At this time, we offer trail riding only.
What are air-vests? We offer complementary HIT-AIR vests to all riders, if you wish to wear an air-vest on the ride, please arrive early to get fitted for your vest. See video below for more information regarding the safety vests.
How long is the ride? Approximately one hour.
Do I need to know how to ride? No experience is necessary. The trail ride is at a walk only on well behaved, experienced horses.
What if it is raining? If it is a light shower we still go out so please bring a rain jacket. Our Guides check the radar to determine if there will be imminent bad weather. We do not ride in pouring rain or if there is a chance of thunder and lightning. In the event of severe weather, we will either rebook your ride or issue you a full refund.
Can my young child ride in the saddle in front of me? No. Due to our insurance’s regulations, we only take children eight years old and older and they ride on their own horse/pony. Please note, children under the age of 8 are not permitted to ride, sorry - no exceptions!
Can we just show up and ride? It is highly recommended that you pre-book your trail ride at least 24 hours in advance through the website. A trail guide is not always present at the Center nor is there always availability on a ride.
Can we rent a horse and go off on our own? No. We only offer guided historic trail rides.
Do you give military discounts? Yes. The military discount is 10%. Present your military i.d. to the Trail Guide who will arrange for the discount to be refunded to your card.
Do you offer riding lessons? No. We do not have currently have lesson program. At this time, we offer trail riding only.
What are air-vests? We offer complementary HIT-AIR vests to all riders, if you wish to wear an air-vest on the ride, please arrive early to get fitted for your vest. See video below for more information regarding the safety vests.
