News Summary
As the cost of horseback riding rises, Metro Detroit stables remain a haven for enthusiasts. This article highlights five notable stables, each offering unique experiences and trail rides while connecting riders with nature. Riding opportunities, costs, and special programs for families and children are also detailed, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding in the Detroit area.
Detroit – As horseback riding opportunities decline due to rising costs like hay and insurance, Metro Detroit continues to offer several stables where enthusiasts can ride and enjoy nature. With a rich history and therapeutic benefits, horseback riding remains a popular activity for both locals and visitors. Five notable stables in the area have been identified as prime locations for enjoying this meaningful pastime.
Maybury Stables
Located inside the scenic Maybury State Park at 20303 N. Beck Road, Northville Township, Maybury Stables offers miles of marked trails through 1,000 acres of picturesque woods and meadows. The stable provides guided trail rides lasting an hour, available Wednesday through Sunday for individuals or groups of up to 10 riders. First-time riders are welcome, with instruction provided on horse control. Riders under the age of 18 must wear helmets, which are available on-site. The cost to ride at Maybury Stables is $80 per rider.
Brighton Recreation Area Stables
In Howell, Brighton Recreation Area Stables can be found at 6660 Chilson Road, nestled in a sprawling 5,000-acre park characterized by rolling hills, woods, and water. Rides here include an hour-long guided experience that features splashing through a creek. Beginners receive instruction and can use a mounting step, while children under the age of 8 have the option of hand-led rides. The weight limit is set at 220 pounds, and the cost for riding is $60 per rider.
St. Clair Stables
Family-owned for more than 50 years, St. Clair Stables is situated on 100 acres at 1200 Stein Road, St. Clair. The stable offers hour-long rides that incorporate a bridge crossing a creek, where horses may drink from the water. Unique themed rides are also available, including s’mores rides that culminate with campfire treats and glow-in-the-dark excursions. St. Clair Stables is closed on Wednesdays but is open from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on other days, with a riding cost of $73 per rider.
Milford Stables
Opened in 2016, Milford Stables is located at 2471 Meadowood Lane, Milford. This stable offers two-hour guided rides through Kensington Metro Park, featuring themed experiences such as moonlit rides, ice cream stops, and even wedding proposal rides with a photographer. Private rides and group accommodations are available, with a weight limit set at 250 pounds. Prices for rides begin at $110 per person, with additional costs for extra features.
Detroit Stables
Located in Rouge Park at 8886 Lahser Road, Detroit, the historic Detroit Stables served as the former home of the Detroit Mounted Police for over a century. Although trail rides are not offered, the stable provides local children the opportunity to ride in a corral setting. The stable emphasizes educational programs about the historical significance of Buffalo Soldiers. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting, from April to October, riding costs are $7 for a single ride and $10 for two rides around the corral.
Future Developments
In a significant development for the community, the nonprofit Detroit Horse Power is working on establishing the largest urban equestrian center in the United States, located in Detroit. The center will focus on teaching social-emotional skills to youth through horseback riding, constructed on a 14-acre site and featuring a 26,395-square-foot facility set to open in 2026. Currently, the organization serves approximately 100 youths annually, with plans to expand that reach to over 1,000 once the new facility is operational. Supported by $8 million in commitments from various donors and organizations, this initiative is praised for strengthening local communities and enhancing quality of life.
Despite challenges in the horseback riding community due to rising costs, these stables present unique opportunities for individuals and families to connect with nature and experience the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding across Metro Detroit.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: Horseback Riding in Detroit
- CBS News: Free Horseback Riding Program
- Hour Detroit: Detroit Horse Power Gala
- Chronicle of the Horse: Detroit Horse Power and Urban Equestrian Center
- Detroit News: Detroit Horse Power’s Homecoming
- Wikipedia: Horseback Riding
- Google Search: Horseback Riding Detroit
- Google Scholar: Benefits of Horseback Riding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Horse Riding
- Google News: Horseback Riding Detroit
