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Have you ever envisioned yourself riding horseback through a field covered in flowers? Or would you like to pretend you are back in time, in an era before cars, exploring unspoiled forests just as the Spanish did? If so, your visit to Hilton Head Island would be incomplete without a visit to Lawton Stables (843-671-2586). There is something for the entire family.
This 23-acre facility is located within the Sea Pines Resort at 190 Greenwood Drive (you can’t miss the horses grazing in the pastures). They offer escorted trail rides through the tranquil Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Imagine yourself enjoying the gorgeous Lowcountry scenery at the gentle pace of a horse following the trail in and out of the trees and around the lakes.
Lawton’s trail rides are scheduled daily and are available for adults and children eight years old and older. Reservations are required. Trail rides are also a great way to entertain a group of people, perhaps a family reunion or company outing. Lawton has even had two marriage proposals on trail rides!
They also have a small animal farm, which is free for everyone. Callie the deer, goats, sheep, a llama, donkeys, turtles, rabbits, chickens and pot-bellied pigs may be observed at close hand. The pony ride encircles the animal farms, and children seven and under are able to take a pony ride on one of the several adorable Shetland ponies.
And not to be missed is Harley, who is becoming a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Harley is an 18.2 hand Clydesdale horse (the kind you see in the Budweiser ads) who pulls the Lawton carriage, which is another way visitors can tour the Forest Preserve. The carriage can seat five or six people and is a favorite and exclusive way to see the Nature Preserve.
Lawton Stables is also a full service Equestrian Center. They offer private lessons and pride themselves in having the finest boarding amenities in the area. With the addition of a championship arena, second arena and dressage area, their head trainer, Allison Campbell, enjoys training visitors and local riders who compete in local, regional and national shows.
Back in the late 1800s, Lawton Plantation consisted of a main house and 50 cabins for freed slaves. The plantation house doubled as a schoolhouse. Nothing remains of the original plantation house, but the location serves as a wonderful launching point to visit the historic and scenic Forest Preserve.
So when you drive by the stables, or stand to pat one of the many friendly horses, or saddle up for a bucolic trail ride, think of what it was like back in the 19th century under the same old Live Oak trees.
Also see “Things To Do”:
9. Explore the Sea Pines Preserve
56. Meet the Baby Animals
60. Don’t Let the Kids Drive You Crazy
Companies that offer trail rides include:
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