Depending on the rider's level of experience, trail guides can determine the right horse for the perfect tour into the wilderness. 

Blanche Manor, located in Copperhill, Tennessee offers horse trail rides consisting of walking, trotting or cantering, to suit the rider's experience, ability, and comfort. Helmets are supplied and complete safety instruction  is given prior to the ride. The rider will be taken through beautiful trails that forge streams leading to panoramic views of  Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. Owner, Peggy Blanche says of her stables, "Envision the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains where you can saddle up to canter through a shady forest trail laced with mountain laurel in bloom or relax as your horse drinks from a cool mountain stream as it cascades into a hundred little waterfalls."

A 2 hour trail ride will cost only $40 or for the novice rider, a shorter 1.25 hour trail ride is offered for $30.

Fall is a wonderful time to take a horse drawn hayride. Blanche Manor offers 30 minute hayrides through the Mountain View Apple Orchard. The hayride requires a minimum of 8 persons, which is ideal for families or large groups.

A fireside dinner will follow the hayride where local musicians will add culture to the mountain atmosphere. After homemade chili with cornbread and homemade dessert you can end the evening with games around  the campfire.

A 1½ hour horse drawn hayride is $25 for adults, $15 for children under 8 years and $5 for toddlers.

Riding times are from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm daily. For more information call (423) 496-1060 or (706) 455-7433 or meet the horses on www.blanchemanor.com.

Fort Mountain Stables at Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth, Georgia offer guided horseback riding tours through 25 miles of adventurous scenic trails which provide spectacular vistas. The trails will take the rider through old talc mine shafts, scenic overlooks and waterfalls where mother nature is at it's best. Fort Mountain Stables offer a variety of packages with rides ranging from 1 hour to 4 hours. 1 hour rides are $30 per person,  1½ hours $40, 2 hours $50, 3 hours $75, and 4 hours $100. Special packages are available for a 4 rider  minimum which will include overnight camping, rides, evening meal and breakfast for $200 per person. Couples can take advantage of a romantic weekday 'Sweetheart Package' which includes a 2 hour ride and  a 45 minute picnic lunch.

Birthday party trail rides are also available for 30 minute to one hour rides. For information call  706-517-4906 or visit www.fortmountainstables.net.

The Southern Appalachian Mountains that surround us are stunningly beautiful at any time of the year but during autumn, horseback riding can be enjoyed at its best.  Adventure Trail Rides of Cashes Valley located in beautiful Blue Ridge, Georgia have 3 different trail rides based on the rider's skill and comfort  level on sitting in the saddle.

The Valley Trail (Bum Level one) is $25 for a one hour ride along beautiful scenic horse trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains with just a few exciting obstacles on the way but easy on the bum.

The Cashes Trail (Bum Level 2) is $35 and is designed for a more seasoned rider yet still safe for an adventurous beginner comfortable at a trot.

It offers a combination of scenic views, wildlife and somewhat more advanced terrain. The Sam Callaghan Excursion (Bum Level 3) is $45 per person. This trail gives an experienced rider who is comfortable at a trot,  the chance to show their stuff with a little cantering. When booking your ride by going to www.adventuretrail.com  you are invited to choose two favorite horses from a selection of 14 detailed photos. There are also other beautiful horses to choose from upon arrival.

The guides at Adventure Trail Rides suggest a few useful tips to the rider: Arrive early to pick your horse, dress warm, jeans are best but not too tight, boots are best as some tennis shoes do not fit the stirrups well. When you come to a low lying tree branch, lean forward. A horse may not care about you but will not run its own head into a tree. Bring a camera.

The horses also have a few humorous but genuine tips for their riders: The nicer you are to us, the more we take advantage (that's because most of us are male horses). If you want to pet us, pet firmly as barely touching us tickles and we have no hands to scratch. Please don't kick us and pull back on the reins at the same time. Please do not shake the reins to make us go, it only makes us mad. To make us move, bring the reins forward, loosening up on our mouth, give a kick and make a kissing noise (it makes us feel loved). Please keep your weight in the stirrups (Some of you have gained a few pounds over the years) it keeps our backs from hurting so badly. And finally, Please do not tailgate on the trail. Keep space between horses, otherwise 'horse road rage' may occur... have you ever been tailgated?
Happy trails.
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