In the Herd

Whether you have years of riding experience under your belt or it’s your very first time in the saddle, no adventure compares to exploring the beauty of the great outdoors on horseback. Across every season, there is something different to see and new to learn alongside a trusty companion.

The Blackberry Farm Stables are just a short distance away from mesmerizing private trails that offer one-of-a-kind views of the flora and fauna of the foothills. Here, we’re sharing a little bit about life at the Stables and our four-legged residents!

All of our horses are geldings.
Since 2010, all of the horses at the Blackberry Farm Stables have been geldings, chosen for their gentle dispositions. Mary Owens, Blackberry’s equestrian program manager, describes geldings as generally more laid back and accepting, which makes for a more harmonious environment at the Stables. Among the geldings you’ll currently find at the Stables are Abbott, Hutsell, Bill, Jack, Dallas, Thunder, Sunny, Peanut Butter, Clifford, Dancer, Diesel, Sky Rocket, Barn Fly, Vincent, VW, JD, Gus, Calvin, Wonder, Doc Steve Adair, Pancake, River, Chuckota, Dakota, two Winstons, Very Barry (a miniature horse) and Sparky (a pony).

Like calls to like.
Like humans, each horse has a unique personality. However, unlike humans, the concept of “opposites attract” doesn’t really hold true in the equine community. Horses with similar dispositions tend to get along with each other and form the best dynamic, which is why you’ll find that each pasture at the Stables looks and feels a little different.

In one pasture, you’ll find some of the more laid-back horses like Winston and Vinny. In another pasture might be Calvin and Wonder, who are sillier and more playful by nature, especially when paired together. Horses are herd animals, so being able to form close bonds with each other plays an important role in their health and mood.

Each horse has a unique past.
When new horses are welcomed to the Stables, they are usually between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. This is because most horses have reached emotional maturity by this stage in their life and already have solid training, which makes for an easier transition into their new home. At age 7, Calvin is currently the youngest horse at the Stables. Sunny is the oldest at 26 years old.

Our horses come from a variety of backgrounds – from working at Dolly Parton’s Stampede and the rodeo to being former show horses and field hunters. Although they come from different places and have lived different lives before coming to the Stables, all of our horses are alike in that they are versatile and well equipped to interact with riders of various experience levels.

Horses communicate through body language.
Horses have their own natural pecking order that they abide by in the wild, so to form a mutually trusting relationship, you must know how to communicate with horses through their own language: body language. At the Stables, a Horsemanship 101 introduction gives guests the opportunity to get to know their horses on the ground before climbing into the saddle. This is beneficial for a horse and rider to form a safe and positive relationship with each other.

To further establish trust and understanding among a horse and its rider, the Stables team hosts an activity known as “Natural Horsemanship” in which riders will learn to speak and understand the language of the horse. The ultimate goal of the activity is for riders to successfully join up with their horse and become a “herd of two” where the horse recognizes his rider as a safe and trustworthy leader, and the rider is able to understand the nature of their horse.

The outdoors is the heart of activity.
Unless they are receiving special care or getting ready for a ride, you’ll rarely find our horses inside the barn or a stall. Whether they’re on the trails or roaming the pastures, our horses love to spend time outside just as they would in the wild. Having the freedom to live and behave as nature made them has a huge impact on a horse’s health and well-being, so as long as it’s safe for them to do so, our horses will almost always be found enjoying the day outdoors.

Click here to explore the horseback riding experiences available at Blackberry Farm.