Gettysburg Horseback RidingThe best place to go for Gettysburg horseback riding is the National Riding Stable at Artillery Ridge Camping Resort. You can bring your own horse or use one of theirs to take one or two hour Gettysburg tours with a trailmaster. The tour rides across the battleground from day 2 and day 3 of fighting, approaching from the Union side. The Land of Little Horses is a popular place to see horses, but they do not offer Gettysburg horseback tours.
How can I take a battlefield tour on horseback?Gettysburg horseback riding is on my wish list! I've never ridden a horse, other than pony rides at fairs when I was little, but I think this would be the perfect way to try it. The horses are used to being ridden by various people, they know the trail, and there's the trail guide there to help you if you have problems. My only problem is finding a friend willing to go with me since no one in my family will!They say the guided horseback tours are a popular experience, so you need to make reservations well in advance. Call (717)334-1288 or toll free 1-877-335-5596. There's a weight limit of 240lb. for riders. No riders under age 8 are allowed, and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Any one under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign a waiver, just like when you go snow tubing. I caught some
pictures of one of the Gettysburg horseback riding tours.
You can see them in my spring slideshow.
Why ride a horse on Gettysburg battlefield tours?Civil War generals and officers surveyed the situation and made decisions on horseback. Couriers raced across the fields on horse to deliver important messages. Civil War horses played a key role in the tactics used in the battle at Gettysburg, and many died on Civil War battlefields.
We do a lot to honor the men that fell in the Battle of Gettysburg, but let's not forget these faithful, innocent creatures and their loyalty.
"We have almost forgotten how strange a thing it is that so huge and powerful and intelligent an animal as a horse should allow another, and far more feeble animal, to ride upon its back."
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