Texas- Hill Country Equestrian Lodge

We drove up to Hill Country Equestrian Lodge just before sunset. The main house is a 100-year-old home on the grounds of an old cattle ranch. Guests here stay in new cabins, fully equipped with kitchens and fireplaces. This is an intimate, 9-room ranch that focuses on riding technique, as well as taking riders into the Hill Country Natural Area and on the varied terrain surrounding the ranch.

Riders may choose English or Western style on their vacation here. I chose Western, as we are in Texas. My horse for the day ride, Molly, was a grey, 12 year old Appendix Quarter Horse with a very smooth and controlled canter.

Dianne showed us around her property, including to a spot with nice views of the surrounding area and we tried out some light trotting and cantering to get warmed up. You can bring your own horse or ride one of Dianne’s seven well-trained mounts.

We rode into the Hill Country State Natural Area with Dianne as well, but went to flatter trails down by their “Verde” creek, so named because of its greenish tint. The limestone on the floor of the creek acts as a natural filter, so the water is really clear. We headed to a place called Comanche Bluff, a higher cliff wall on the other side of the creek, by which the trail runs. I felt very sheltered riding here and very serene. There are all of these great old trees hanging over the creek. It is a really nice area to explore on horseback and Molly was the perfect mount for the day.

Darley Newman is an equestrian travel expert and the host of the Public Television series Equitrekking®, which takes viewers on horseback riding vacations around the world. Purchase Equitrekking DVDs, the Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback book and horse gift itmes at ShopDarley.com

Learn more about trail riding vacations at EquitrekkingTravel.com.