Go horseback riding

A guided trail ride is one of the easiest ways to see fall from a different height. You book it, turn up, and a guide leads you along a trail at a walk, through trees that are turning. You don’t need to know how to ride. It takes a half-day with travel, and it’s a small treat, because rides at stables usually cost more than most fall activities.

Book the right ride

Look for a stable that advertises beginner or guided trail rides, and read what it says about the ride. Things to check:

• Pace. Choose a walking ride. Faster rides need experience.
• Length. Many beginner rides last about an hour. That’s enough for a first time.
• Group size. A small group has a better ride and more attention from the guide.
• Rules and limits. Many stables have weight limits, age limits and rules about who can ride, for the horse’s welfare and your safety. Ask when you book.
• Cancellation and weather policy. Rides can be cancelled for storms, ice or very wet trails.
• Reviews and safety. Look for a stable with clear safety rules, good care of its horses and recent, genuine reviews.

Book ahead, because fall is a popular time. Weekends fill up first.

Be honest about your experience

When you book, and again when you arrive, say you’re a beginner. Stables choose a horse for each rider, and a quiet, steady one makes all the difference. You won’t be judged, and it’s safer for everyone.

What to wear

Wear things you can move in and don’t mind getting dusty.

• Long pants. Jeans work. Avoid very baggy, very thick or very tight ones, because seams rub on a long ride.
• Closed shoes or boots with a small heel. The heel stops your foot sliding through the stirrup. No sandals, and avoid shoes with thick, wide soles.
• A helmet. Most stables lend one, but ask. You can also bring your own riding helmet.
• Layers. It’s colder on a horse than walking, because you’re sitting still. Wear a base layer, a warm top and a jacket that fits close to your body.
• Gloves. Thin ones help with grip and cold hands.
• A hat under the helmet, if it’s cold, only if it fits.
• Hair tied back, and no dangling scarves, long necklaces or loose strings.

Leave valuables in the car, and carry your phone somewhere secure, such as a zipped pocket. Ask the guide before taking photos while riding.

What happens on the day

1. Arrive early. There’s usually paperwork, and time to be fitted with a helmet.
2. Meet your horse. The guide will show you how to approach it. Go up to the side, speak calmly, and don’t walk directly behind it.
3. Mount up. The guide will help you onto the horse, usually from a block or platform.
4. Learn the basics. Heels down, back straight, hold the reins lightly, and look where you want to go. The guide will teach you to stop and steer.
5. Ride the trail. The horses follow each other at a walk. Keep a horse’s length between you and the one in front, so you’re not too close if it stops or kicks.
6. Finish and thank the horse. Stay seated until the guide tells you to dismount.

How to stay safe

• Do what the guide tells you, and ask if you’re not sure.
• Keep calm. Horses are sensitive to tension, and a relaxed rider has a calmer ride.
• Stay with the group, and don’t try to overtake.
• Don’t feed or pet the horses unless the guide says it’s okay.
• Don’t ride after drinking alcohol.
• If you feel unwell, scared or uncomfortable, tell the guide straight away. They’d rather stop than have a problem later.
• If you’re pregnant, have a health condition or an injury, talk to your doctor and the stable before booking.

What it feels like

Expect to sway as the horse walks, and to feel your hips and thighs working to stay balanced. It’s gentler than you might think, and after the first ten minutes most people stop concentrating and start looking around. The pace is slow, which is what makes it good for fall colour.

You might be a bit sore afterwards, in your inner thighs, hips and back. It usually passes in a day or two, and a warm shower and a walk help.

Mistakes to avoid

• Wearing sneakers or sandals, or a loose scarf.
• Not telling the stable you’re a beginner.
• Booking a ride that is too long for a first time.
• Skipping the helmet.
• Turning up without eating anything, or going straight after a big meal.

Make it a fall day

Book a morning ride, when the trees are bright and the trail is quiet, and plan a warm lunch afterwards. Or turn it into a country day with a hayride or a stop at a pumpkin patch on the way home. It’s a small treat, and you’ll remember it for a long time.