Hello,
I am an experienced rider with horses of my own. I am visiting family in Florida this winter and would love to get out on horseback. Specifically something a little different to what I encounter at home (Canadian Forest). Was just looking for recommendations near estero /Fort myers area. Willing to drive a little ways for a memorable experience. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Went to Florida two Winters ago… Live Oak, and Black Prong. Like going to Greece to see old ruins. See/ ride one trail, you’ve seen/ridden all of them. Sandy, flat, dusty, The palmetto is interesting. Lack of mud & rocks a plus.
2 Likes
OK well yes it IS Florida. We take our own to Coldwater near Milton. Fabulous birding, good footing, interesting flowers and pitcher plants. It’s easy riding and relaxing, very zen.
Florida is very different depending on where you are located. South Florida has lots of swamp land- Corbett area for example. You will end up riding through lots of water. Many of the flooded areas are a ton of fun because most have flat sand underneath so you can trot and canter through water.
Just beware the black sinking muck- some of it is enough to swallow a horse- 20 ft deep or more. I had the unfortunate experience of slipping off a boardwalk and I sank to my waist without hitting bottom. Very similar to quick sand. Some muck is only a few inches but looks are deceiving. I once rode onto a mossy patch and my horse sank 3 ft in an instant. It didn’t look like sinking mud… Don’t expect warning signs either! No one puts up signs.
Dyer park in West Palm Beach was actually a trash mound that they turned into a park- a lot of fun to ride the steep hills up and down. And no smell either. The water birds love the park.
There is Goethe forest- in north central. That is mostly pine woods and palmetto with some flooding on trails. A very boring trail. But easily 50 miles of trails or more.
Shangri la, Pruitt and Ross prairie are interconnected (Ocala). At Shangri la you ride over a land bridge over I-75. Interesting to see the Semi trucks pass underneath. The trails are limiting due to eroded footing but lots of mini hills. They originally wanted to put a barge canal through but left the hills and ditches. It’s all forest now. Ross prairie has great footing for cantering with some interesting rock formations and a few slopes. Pruitt is supposed to be great. I haven’t been yet.
There’s Inglis island where you can ride along the water. That’s in Crystal river. I haven’t been there either but heard it’s worth the drive.
There are also places to ride at the beach- St. John’s county on the east coast allows riding with a permit. Also Amelia island where you can rent horses for a guided beach ride. I’m not sure about the west coast as far as beach riding is concerned. Cumberland island has wild horses and lots of ruins. Paynes prairie has wild horses and bison.
I don’t know what is near Fort Myers. Sorry.
Homestead (near Miami), has many roads you can ride down. There’s a Buddhist temple you can ride past and lots of farmland. And a great little place that sells organic Milkshakes. Miami zoo is worth visiting- they have a huge aviary and more walking then one person can do in a day. Miami zoo is up there with Sea world as far as places to go.
Highlands Hammock is great if you want to camp without horses- lots of ancient oak trees and shaded trails. Good bike riding.
In North West Florida is the Florida Caverns state park. You can ride and go explore the caverns afterwards.
Red tide has been terrible at the beach this year on both coasts. It’s murdering marine life and turning the coast into a dead zone. Don’t go anywhere near it- the toxins get into the air and make you light headed. You might be okay- last I heard it’s only in Sarasota county right now. Pretty soon we will not have any beaches left between red tide, sea lice, and oil spills.
1 Like
I am at Goethe State Forest now at Black Prong. I would say the area is boring only if you have no interest in wildlife, birds and plants. I find it wonderful. The trails are exceptional.
I usually go to Naples for 3 months and ride Picyunne Strand. Absolutely love it
If you want to really experience riding in Florida find someone who does beach rides. I’m sure Ft Myers has a few.
