By Kevin Revolinski | Photos L-R: Travel Wisconsin; Wild West Campground and Corral
Maybe it’s the gentle majesty of these awesome creatures or even just the influence of old Westerns, but horses still capture our imagination. Wisconsin is a horse lover’s dream with our abundant forests and prairies, the rolling hills and dramatic ridges left by the Ice Age. No matter where you are, even in the middle of Milwaukee, you are never more than minutes from the countryside, and one of the most enjoyable ways to experience that is from the saddle.
“We have a really vibrant culture of just about everything that you can do with horses, be it showing, dressage, jumping, trail riding,” says Kricket Jewett of Wisconsin Horse Council, who has been involved with horses for more than 50 years, ever since she got her first pony growing up on a farm.
“Pretty much anything you want to do with a horse, you can find it here in Wisconsin.” Whether you are a beginner, curious to get up close or take a short walking ride, or a seasoned pro, looking to climb rugged terrain and camp overnight, there’s something for you. But there are also some great horse events as well as therapeutic experiences. Saddle up and explore!
GUIDED RIDES
It doesn’t matter if you are a well-seasoned rider or an absolute beginner or even a little kid — the guided ride makes a horse outing fun, easy and comfortable.
A typical ride may last an hour on the private land of the ranch, while other outfits take you to nearby park land.
Helmets are typically provided.
These are popular, so you definitely want to book in advance. Be aware that most ranches have weight limits.
- Grassy Creek Ranch, Boulder Junction
715-892-1438, grassycreekranch.com
Rides are between 45 and 90 minutes and include logging roads inside Northern Highland State Forest. - Kurtz Corral, Sturgeon Bay
920-743-6742, kurtzcorral.com
One-hour rides through orchard and forest, and a hand-guided corral ride for the littlest ones. - Palomino Pines, Kewaskum
414-307-3430, palominopines.com
Rides in Kettle Moraine State Forest range from one-and-a-half to four hours. Private lessons and summer camps are also on offer. - Red Ridge Ranch, Mauston
608-847-2273, redridgeranch.com
Only 20 minutes from the Dells, on 250 acres along the Lemonweir River, they offer one-hour horse and pony rides year-round. - Wild 3L Ranch, Eagle
920-251-1989, wild3lranch.com
With more than two decades of experience, the owner guides rides in Kettle Moraine State Forest, including overnight camping excursions. - Wilderness Pursuit, Neillsville
715-937-3698, wildernesspursuit.com
Offers trail rides in Clark County Forest as well as camps and weekend stays with cabin accommodations. - Woodside Ranch, Mauston
608-847-4275, woodsideranch.com
Offers seasonal cabin stays but trail, pony and wagon rides throughout the year through their forested property.
RIDING LESSONS AND CAMPS
Many of these outfits also offer guided rides, but if you’re looking for a deeper experience, consider getting some independence and confidence with riding lessons.
Several ranches offer them throughout the state.
- Appy Orse Acres, Fredonia
262-692-9144, appyorseacres.com
Guided rides and lessons for all ages, but summer camp opportunities are for girls only. - Bella Creek Stable, Eagle
262-470-3112, bellacreekstable.com
Great lessons for beginners and they also offer summer camp and onsite leases. - Rocky Acres Riding, Saint Croix Falls
612-590-1074, Rockyacresriding.com
Short guided rides for ages six and up, as well as 60- to 90-minute lessons. - Rogalla Riding Center, Marathon
715-551-5374, rogallaridingcenter.com
Comprehensive all-ages/skill-levels lessons from dressage, jumping or trail riding. - Wild West Campground and Corral, Amherst
715-824-5112, wildwestcampground.com
Offers rides on their 70-acre property, including a Steak Ride that ends with a meal. Also offers all-girls camps, mother-daughter camp and women’s weekends.
PUBLIC EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
For riders bringing their own horses or renting them for the day, Wisconsin offers hundreds of miles of public trails in state, county and local parks. State parks require a state trail pass (daily or annual) and park entry fees. While there is parking for trailers, some parks even offer dedicated horse campgrounds.
- Black Hawk Ridge, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway
608-588-7723, dnr.wisconsin.gov
Just south of Sauk City, this unit of the riverway features eight miles of scenic, hilly equestrian trails through forest and prairie. - Governor Dodge State Park, Dodgeville
22 total miles of bridle trails, including a 15.3-mile loop through the most scenic and remote areas, and a 20-site campground with horse facilities.
See Doby Stables in Dodgeville; 608-574-1279, dobystables.com - Governor Knowles State Forest, Grantsburg
715-463-2898, dnr.wisconsin.gov
Situated along the St. Croix River, the forest’s 40-mile Trade River Equestrian Trail system includes a long but easy 21-mile loop and a dedicated horse campground. - Kettle Moraine State Forest, Eagle
262-594-6200, dnr.wisconsin.gov
Enjoy 87 miles of trails through forests and prairie of the Southern Unit, with scenery that includes the namesake formations. A dedicated campground has 36 back-in sites, 20 pull-through sites and a group site for up to 20 people, as well as a shower and manure deposit for the horses. The Northern Unit has another 41-mile trail system.
See Wild 3L Ranch in Eagle; 920-251-1989; wild3lranch.com - Kickapoo Valley Reserve, La Farge
608-625-2960, kvr.state.wi.us
Bordering Wildcat Mountain to the north, the reserve has 40 miles of trails crisscrossing the Kickapoo River and threading among rock outcrops, and offers primitive camping. Day use and camping fees apply. - Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario
608-337-4775, dnr.wisconsin.gov
The state park has 15 miles of trail loops with gradual climbs or more challenging ascents, and 24 equestrian campsites. Red Ridge Ranch in Mauston does an annual trip here.
MORE INFORMATION:
Arguably, the most comprehensive lists of both public and private equestrian trails are at Trailmeister.com. Just click on “Horse Trails” and then enter Wisconsin.
For any information horse-related in Wisconsin, contact Wisconsin Horse Council, 920-623-0393, darla@wisconsinhorsecouncil.org, wisconsinhorsecouncil.org