Things to Do in Fair Oaks... Go Horseback Riding Along the American River

Riding a horse along the American River is one of the coolest things to do. Squeaking leather, soft air bellowing through their nostrils, the rhythmic rocking of the horse's gait, the occasional unexpected trot..... WHOOOA THERE NELLIE!!! I don't know what I'm doing!!!!  It can be rather exciting.

A few Thanksgivings ago we took a trail ride around Ancil Hoffman Park - along the golf course, into the woods, down along the gravelly river bed... I was following my daughter, watching the huge haunches of her horse ripple with each step, impressed she looked so cool in her cowboy boots, when all of a sudden her horse decided to lie down.  He sat, rolled over, and kick his legs up in the air, scratching his back on the jagged river rocks.  Now THAT was a shock.

Fortunately, Christy had the foresight and plain 'ol dumb luck to get her cool boots out of the stirrups and jump off before she was flattened by 1000 pounds of horse meat.

We were on my friend's horses that day, but for those of you not so lucky, you can rent horses at Shadow Glen Family Stables along the American River in Fair Oaks. Their trail rides take you through the woods along the banks of the river, through beautiful scenery only visible by horse. I took my kids when they were little, and loved it. They felt like Pocahontas....

Shadow Glen also offers horse boarding, riding lessons and horse camp for the kids.