I’ve been around horses (and mules) my entire life! Riding is one the most freeing and inspiring hobbies that I have. Whenever I’m around horses, all of my worries, stress, and anxiety disappear. Sometimes completely, and sometimes momentarily, but I’ll take it either way! This is exactly why I love sharing equine healing and therapeutic benefits with my friends.
I love going on a trail ride in new places because I tend to only ride in the same arena and local trails. A change of scenery is always nice! I’ve always driven by Madonna Mountain when heading north, but never actually stopped to explore or hike it, so I thought this would be the perfect trail to hit when driving back from glamping on the Twisselman Ranch.
Talk about a jam-packed weekend of fun, right?
Haddie runs the show at Madonna Inn Trail Rides! Her and her crew help you get set-up on the right horse for you and explain how to cue your horse when you’re on out on the trail. (Just because you watched tons of John Wayne movies when you were little doesn’t mean you know how to ride a horse.)
This trail is great for beginners and skilled riders! Our ride was lead by my new friend, James, who has basically been riding since he was born, too. I was paired with Freckles, while Lidiya was paired with Butterscotch. Can you tell how Freckles got his name?
Once you get to the top of the trail, you overlook the Madonna property and a large portion of San Luis Obispo. It’s absolutely stunning! Be sure to take some photos of the view and tag @madonnainntrailrides.
After your trail ride, I recommend heading to one of the restaurants at the Madonna Inn and grabbing a slice of their world-famous Pink Champagne cake. Currently, their seating is outside due to Covid-19 precautions. The outdoor dining area is set-up really nicely, so reservations are recommended.
To book a reservation with Haddie for a trail ride, call (805) 550-5307
