Ride the Trails in Chickasaw Country
Calling all horse lovers! Whether you’ve always dreamed of riding a horse or you ride your own horse every day around the pasture – this activity is for you. South-central Oklahoma is home to two riding stables that are just the right place to perfect your cowboy/cowgirl skills.
Arbuckle Trail Rides
Pete and Cheri Wolfe have owned Wolfe Ranch Quarter Horses where they trained horses professionally for 35 years, but they wanted a change of pace from competitive riding. With their new-found time, the couple decided to share their passion by opening their own stable in Sulphur. They now offer rides through the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Wolfe Ranch or other local ranches, offering options for varying lengths of time and skill sets. Each ride is by reservation only and horses are carefully selected for each rider. Helmets are provided for riders under 18 years old and anyone else who might want one. Get ready to walk, trot or gallop through the Arbuckles this summer.
Lake Murray Riding Stables
Deep in Chickasaw Country in Oklahoma’s oldest state park, you will find the Lake Murray Riding Stables. This is the perfect place to spend the afternoon while you’re visiting the lake. Lake Murray stables are open seasonally from March – November. Rides start every hour on the hour and typically as 45 minutes to an hour. Each ride covers about four miles of trails through the scenic state park, giving you glimpses of beautiful forested terrain, sparking aquamarine waters, and rocky beaches – the best way to experience the stunning landscape! We suggest calling the stables before your trip to make sure there’s availability.
Before your ride, here are three tips to be in the saddle:
- Be confident … because whatever you feel the horse feels too.
- Keep your mind in the middle … because if your body isn’t in the middle of the horse, it’s easier to be bucked off.
- Have soft hands … because if you hold the reins too tight, your stress will stress the horse.