Gaited Trail Horse Riding Heaven

[MoseyAlong]

In a year or two I will probably be moving for my final retirement
location. I will try to live cheap, but would like to ride occasionally.

Location must have accomplished trail gaited horses and decent
trainers. Oh yeah, I assume other riders. Renting, Leasing, Buying,
the more options, the better.

It must have a tail network, so no trailering is needed; i.e. trailering
would be strictly optional.

I would think that various places in Tennessee would qualify, perhaps.
However, I hear so much about these show/contest big lick thingies,
and Fraud, that a I might come home with a donkey, bearing the letters
“TWH” on his forehead.:lol:

I think I would love Tennessee, actually, but would like to here about
any nexus of Gaited Trail Horses and trails. Be as specific as you can.

[HorsingRound]

Gaited in AZ

There are lots of retired gaited horse trail riders in Arizona. Mostly Foxtrotter people, with various trail riding clubs, and the trails are outstanding! Not sure about trainers.

[jeano]

There’s lots of gaitedness all over the southeast. In the midwest, southeastern OH is a hotbed of gaited horses. Eastern KY has lots of trails, wilderness, and some lovely animals. Cant speak to the trainers. Alabama is home to the racking horse registry. Not everyone in TN is into Big Lick. And yes, the West in general is foxtrotter country, since they were the preferred mount of the Forest Service.

[Tamara_in_TN]

[QUOTE=jeano;5056020]
Not everyone in TN is into Big Lick. And yes, the West in general is foxtrotter country, since they were the preferred mount of the Forest Service.[/QUOTE]

the center of the gaited world is in a cup between N. Al. and Lexington KY with AR as the western border and the seashore on the east

most of TN’s gaited people can’t afford Big Lick horses, truth be told,they are not “cheap” to keep or show or train…(that said, real OLD money still keeps proper Saddlebreds)

for every one padded horse at a local show,you’ll have 45 flat going for everyone else

don’t believe the hype that TN revolves around padded horses…they is only true for the Basin itself

Tamara in TN

[Guilherme]

Regarding TN, the Big South Fork area is a major equestrian recreation destination. There are a number of equine “subdivisions” in the Jamestown area. I get “come ons” from them regularly. I’m not a “subdivision” guy so I don’t even consider such places (and there’s no way on this Earth or any other that I would give control of a valuable asset to a “homeowners’ association”; those groups, as a rule, make the old Soviet Union look liberal).

Land in that area is not expensive. I know many people who own property that abuts the Federal land meaning they can access it very easily.

TN does not have an income tax on wages or pensions (but it does have small one on investment income). Sales tax is high, real estate taxes generally low. No personal property tax. Cost to register a one ton dually is $24/yr. (unless you require commercial plates or your county has a “wheel tax”). A permanant “semi” tag for a horse trailer is about $90 (for the life of the trailer).

Overall cost of living (food, energy, etc.) are also low.

Low taxes and costs means a low wages and a low level of public services. There’s no free lunch, don’t you know.

The two most popular breeds in the state are the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Quarter Horse. Numbers are almost equal, with Walkers having a very slight edge.

There are a number of “trail riding clubs” around. Frankly, you have to be a bit careful 'cause while some are well run a couple I know of are “mounted drinking societies.”

Tamara can tell you more about the Big South Fork area 'cause she lives near it.

Further east you’ve got the Smokies and a number of national forrests in VA, NC, and KY. Costs of living, land, taxes, etc. are significantly higher in those states.

To the south you have GA and AL. Both have active equestrian industries. Both have higher tax and cost structures (but AL is probably a bit less). Both are also much hotter in the summer time.

From what you write I presume that access to trails is very important to you. If that’s so then I would look at the access to public land, starting with looking at a map, identifying state/federal land, and researching equestrian access. Many places that look good at first glance have draconian restrictions on horses.

Good luck in your search.

G.

[katarine]

Pick up a copy of Trail Rider magazine and get familiar with what is out there, and what’s important to you.

The BSF area and East Fork too, are loaded with trails. But…you are in the middle of nowhere, culturally. I say that with affection. And you’ll get snow and some ice. Does that matter to you?
Don’t worry about the padded horses. THere’s no reason you have to have anything whatsoever to do with those people or those horses.

[walkinthewalk]

[QUOTE=Tamara in TN;5056040]

don’t believe the hype that TN revolves around padded horses…they is only true for the Basin itself

Tamara in TN[/QUOTE]

That is the honest Gospel. I live in the “Cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse” and the Celebration grounds are only 12 miles from me.

There are trails everywhere but I do have to trailer to them unless I can be content hacking the surrounding back country roads.

As has already been mentioned, Big South Fork on the Cumberland Plateau is the premier place in Tennessee for horseback riding. A portion of it was once featured on RFD-TV.

http://www.saddlevalleycampground.com/

http://www.southernstarrealty.com/

That being said, if someone has a piece of real estate to cheap to be true, and it’s in the Kingston, TN area, you might want to consider avoiding it due to the MAJOR coal ash spill in 2008. I honestly don’t know what the long-term residual effects that spill left on the land will be.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/13/coal.ash.illnesses/index.html

Then there’s Carter Mountain where the Circle E guest ranch is. http://www.circleeguestranch.com/

Circle E has a Belvidere, TN post address but there aren’t many homes nearby as it is situated on the edge of 10,000 acres of game lands - that riding is permitted except in hunting season.

http://www.homes.com/Real_Estate/TN/City/BELVIDERE/

Three of my four are Tennessee Walkers. Two didn’t “make” as Performance Walkers (big licks) when they were young and they are excellent trail horses.

As far as trainers, I’m of no help because I train my own or finish them off if they need polishing for the job of trail riding.

And for the record, you wouldn’t believe the Big Money that comes in from California every year for the TWH Celebration. Many of them own second homes in this county, or did until the bottom fell out of the economy.

While my county may be the “Cradle of Walking Horse Country”, the bulk of the big money never did reside here — just the mouth pieces, at least in modern times:D

Edited to add: We did semi-retire to southern Middle Tennessee from the OH/PA border in 2003 because I knew in 1990 this was where I was going to plant myself for the rest of my life.

Except for being in the Basin where we all live in allergy purgatory (animals included) I have no regrets whatsoever:cool:

[Tamara_in_TN]

[QUOTE=walkinthewalk;5056415]

That being said, if someone has a piece of real estate to cheap to be true, and it’s in the Kingston, TN area, you might want to consider avoiding it due to the MAJOR coal ash spill in 2008. I honestly don’t know what the long-term residual effects that spill left on the land will be.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/13/coal.ash.illnesses/index.html

let’s clarify something real quick…Kingston itself is a big sprawling place…not highly populated, but covers lots of ground…the “spill” occurred on one small peninsula on one side of town behind the Towers…most of Kingston,Harriman and Rockwood were/are totally unaffected except by the bad press from that “activist”…

despite hand wringing,that Bitch-ovich nutter and the desires of my former neighbors to cash in on their govt cow…:mad: there is no reason to not look at land in and around Kingston TN.It’s not Love Canal or something.
Tamara in TN
Kingston resident 1973-1997

[walkinthewalk]

[QUOTE=Tamara in TN;5056503]

let’s clarify something real quick…Kingston itself is a big sprawling place…not highly populated, but covers lots of ground…the “spill” occurred on one small peninsula on one side of town behind the Towers…most of Kingston,Harriman and Rockwood were/are totally unaffected except by the bad press from that “activist”…

despite hand wringing,that Bitch-ovich nutter and the desires of my former neighbors to cash in on their govt cow…:mad: there is no reason to not look at land in and around Kingston TN.It’s not Love Canal or something.
Tamara in TN
Kingston resident 1973-1997

Good stuff to know and proving once again that “freedom of the press belongs to those who own it”.

[Guilherme]

@walkinthewalk;5056415

That being said, if someone has a piece of real estate to cheap to be true, and it’s in the Kingston, TN area, you might want to consider avoiding it due to the MAJOR coal ash spill in 2008. I honestly don’t know what the long-term residual effects that spill left on the land will be.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/13/coal.ash.illnesses/index.html

I live in Kingston. The vast majority of the land immediately affected by the spill has been bought up by the TVA.

Recently a major study was released by ORAU (Oak Ridge Associated Universities) that failed to establish links between claimed illnesses and the known components of the ash. See http://www.orau.org/documents/kingstonproject/Kingston-Fly-Ash-Results-Report.pdf

Because some of the exposures are novel further followup has been recommended.

This has sat poorly with Erin Brockovitch (sp). She has been in town a couple of time pimping…er…I mean “shilling,”…er…I mean, “promoting” a bunch of Left Coast ambulance chasers… er…I mean lawyers.

G.

[MoseyAlong]

Good info. And a Current Events Social Study as well.
I really like hearing “inside stories”.

It just occurred to me that Eastern trails require additional commitment to keep clear,
since vegetation is always encroaching. I just got through clipping volunteer
trees in out yard.

Any other states? I once read that Illinois had a trail network, but
do not know about gaited.

[walkinthewalk]

There’s Shawnee National Forest that many of the folks on the gaited horse forum love to ride at. It’s in southern IL.

http://www.honeybeestables.com/

http://www.bearbranch.com/ and I’m sure there are other trail heads within Shawnee Nat’l as well.

and this link is a map of IL that shows trail riding areas.
http://www.trailsource.com/scripts/three.asp?STATENAME=ILLINOIS&TYPE=HORSE

[painted_spirit]

We were in Ivanhoe, Va staying at Iron Mountain Horse Camp 2 weeks ago. The trail system there is huge with trails hooking up everywhere with other trails. Very horse friendly county! The longest trails are the Virginia Highlands Horse Trails. Very Nice! If I could retire I’d be looking down there for sure!

[Cartfall]

If you like mountain riding, consider the area around Elijay and Jasper GA. Lots of trails you can trailer to and some places you can ride out of your house. It just depends–I go up there a couple of times a year to visit and ride with a friend who owns TWH. All of her friends own them as well. Plus it is only 4 hours from the BSF.

If you like riding all year round, consider central Florida. You can go inland and find property that is cheap down right now. There are tons of places to find property close to or even boardering on state land. We have so many trails and large groups of gaited folks–all kinds. I see more gaited horses on the trails these days than anything else.

[ngilland]

You also have
Buffalo River Trail Rides: Waynesboro, TN
Many Cedars: Hohenwald, TN
Land Between the Lakes: Cadiz KY

I am from middle tn and grew up in the TWH and SSH show worlds and I also agree about there actually being very few padded horses in correlation to trail horses in the area. There are also several trainers that only deal with trail horses. Bobby McNatt and his son do a great job. They are in Fayetteville, TN. If we are running behind on starting our colts, we will send one or two to them to get the first 30 days on them. Plus, you have several BIG tack stores that are devoted to gaited horses.

[JollyBadger]

[QUOTE=walkinthewalk;5058149]
There’s Shawnee National Forest that many of the folks on the gaited horse forum love to ride at. It’s in southern IL.

http://www.honeybeestables.com/

http://www.bearbranch.com/ and I’m sure there are other trail heads within Shawnee Nat’l as well.

and this link is a map of IL that shows trail riding areas.
http://www.trailsource.com/scripts/three.asp?STATENAME=ILLINOIS&TYPE=HORSE[/QUOTE]

I visited/rode Shawnee National Forest for the first time last fall - it rained most of the week, but that didn’t change the fact that it is a gorgeous area and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back (or move there)!

It’s not a place where you can do flat-out gaiting the entire time, as there are areas where your horse will have to pick and scramble around rocks, but the trails were well-marked and well-maintained and there are sections where you can let your horse move-out a little more.

I’ve always loved places where you can ride past huge, moss-covered boulders with trees growing right on top of them, with cool gorges and hollows and waterfalls to explore. . .so Shawnee was a little slice of heaven for me.:yes: It’s similar to Hocking Hills State Park in central Ohio (another favorite park!), but much bigger!

Shawnee is also not too far from Land between the Lakes (a couple of hours drive at most) down in KY. I’ve never ridden there, but drove around to check it out during a rain-day while camping in Shawnee. My boyfriend has been there a number of times and says it’s much more suited to gaited horses if you’re the type who likes to keep moving.

Brown County, IN is also just a few hours away. Not exactly a place you could ride continuously, but the trails are beautifully maintained and it’s a great place to camp for a long weekend without having to see the same trails over and over again. Indiana may charge a fee to use its parks, but (IMO) it is worth it because that money is used to make the parks worth visiting!

Plus, you can ride to Story, IN or a little tack shop/restaurant nearby. Both sites offer tie rails where you can leave your horse while you go in to shop or grab a bite to eat.

Bowling Green, KY has a gaited horse (and mule) sale a couple of times each year that does ONLY flat-shod gaited horses. I’ve not been, but my boyfriend bought his big (17hh), beefy Pusher horse there several years ago. As with any sale, you have to be careful and go in with an idea of what you’re looking for, but if my boyfriend’s horse is any indication of the quality available, it might be a worthwhile place to check out!

[MoseyAlong]

[QUOTE=katarine;5056155]
Pick up a copy of Trail Rider magazine and get familiar with what is out there, and what’s important to you.

The BSF area and East Fork too, are loaded with trails. But…you are in the middle of nowhere, culturally. I say that with affection. And you’ll get snow and some ice. Does that matter to you?
Don’t worry about the padded horses. THere’s no reason you have to have anything whatsoever to do with those people or those horses.[/QUOTE]

Snow and ice is not a stopper, for me. Lack of a large town with a
Hospital may become an issue as I age, but not yet.

I would welcome info about any area where many trails are
easily accessed without a trailer, with gaited a plus.

Thanks for all the posts so far; I have been reading and will re-read.

[katarine]

You ought to go check out BSF then, I think it would suit your desires very well. Now with that said Shawnee has always been highly regarded as well…ROAD TRIP!

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=MoseyAlong;5072625]
Snow and ice is not a stopper, for me. Lack of a large town with a
Hospital may become an issue as I age, but not yet.

I would welcome info about any area where many trails are
easily accessed without a trailer, with gaited a plus.

Thanks for all the posts so far; I have been reading and will re-read.[/QUOTE]

So. IL will be significantly more “winter” than Jamestown. It’s main advantage is that it’s flat and Jamestown is not.

If a major town is an issue then you might want to look a bit further south towards Crossville (35 miles via HY 127). It’s a major retirement area with places like Fairfield Glade.

One thing about this part of TN is that things are not all that close together and a fair amount of travel is routine.

Looking at a map of So. IL your town choices appear to be either Carbondale or Paducah, KY. You will also drive a lot there as a matter of routine.

In making a choice weather will be factor but so will will taxes. As noted TN is a low tax/low service state. IL is a high tax/low service (due to the massive corruption of state government) state. KY is somwhere in the middle (medium tax/low to medium service state).

Everyplace will have its pros and cons. Do your homework before you make any real estate offers.

G.

P.S. One thing to consider is temporary location after retirement. Rent a place for a year and see how you like it. It can lead to multiple moves (and “move” is one of those dirty, four-letter words :lol:) but when you’re about to put several hundred thousand dollars on the table it might just be a valid approach.

[neversaynever]

East TN is a wonderful place for gaited horses and trail riding; an easy commute to lots of places to ride - I am located 1 hr from the Smoky Mtns, 1 hr from Big South Fork, with lots of other places to ride in between. As said previously, land is relatively inexpensive and there are no state taxes - sales tax is a bit steep. Btw - only a very small land area was impacted by the ash spill in Kingston and the waterways look much better then they did prior to the spill. Lenoir City and Sweetwater are too bad either.