Horse Vacation

When you leave your horse at home, you open new horizons. On international riding vacations-such a these Cross Country International rides in Portugal, above, and on the coast in Spain-you'll ride through exotic locations at your own riding level. Photo courtesy of Cross Country International.

When was the last time you took an actual vacation-the kind where you go somewhere and stay for a weekend or a week or longer? Riders are often vacation-deprived. Some simply can't imagine going without their daily riding "fix"; others would gladly go off if they could take their horses with them. Don't worry, be happy-there's a wide variety of vacations designed for you.

Here, we'll give you the lowdown on bed & barns, riding vacations (here and overseas), and guest ranches. Along the way, we'll profile two bed & barns, plus give you travel-planning tips and explain a bit about the paperwork you'll need to cross state lines with your horse. We've also included a resource guide listing helpful books, newsletters, and websites.

Bed & Barns

Want to go on vacation with your trusted trail mount? Unless you're horse camping, packing, or going for a day ride, you'll want what's known as a "bed & barn"-that is, an overnight stabling facility that will welcome both you and your horse. Many such places are old houses or small private hotels; some are converted taverns, churches, or stables. Look for those with beautiful scenery and easy access to trails.

After you've narrowed down your list of possible B&Bs, here are some suggested questions to ask the proprietor:

• What are your equine-health requirements?

• What's the per night, per horse charge, and what does it include (feed, bedding, stall cleaning, etc.)?

• Do you have any package deals?

• Is there direct trail access or would I need to trailer to the trailhead/s?

• Will I be riding on private property or in a parkland/wilderness area?

• Are the trails well marked?

• Is there a variety of terrain?

• Do you allow dogs? If so, is there any extra charge?

• Are there RV/camping facilities on-site?

B&B Profile: Tennessee

Just off Highway 91 in northeast Tennessee, you'll find the Gentry Creek Victorian Inn & Stables in Laurel Bloomery (423/727-7080; www.bbonline.com/tn/gentrycreek). Innkeeper Marilyn Mitchell is justifiably proud of her beautiful 100-acre farm and her 1870s country Victorian house. From the house and barn, you can see white fencing outlining the green pastures on the gently rolling hills, and gorgeous views in every direction.

Families, couples, and single visitors are all welcome, and even family pets can be accommodated. But despite the large size of the house, you don't have to worry about getting lost in a crowd. "We have six guest rooms in the house itself," says Mitchell, "and if a group wants to stay together, there's a two-bedroom apartment over the barn that will accommodate up to six people."

Mitchell's modern barn has stalls for twelve visiting horses. "It's very comfortable," she says. "Stall mats, deep shavings-we provide comfort and luxury for all our guests, humans and horses!"

The farm is also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit horse rescue, rehabilitation, and retirement facility. "At any given time, you'll see between 8 and 15 horses grazing in our pastures," says Mitchell. "Some are retired here, some have been rescued, and some are ex-show horses being rehabilitated and trained for new careers."

You and your travel buddies can also enjoy stream and lake fishing, and hiking. Plus, golf, shopping, and a four-star restaurant are all within easy reach of Mitchell's property. But the best part about this B&B is the direct access to miles of trails. "Our guests can ride directly off our property and into Cherokee National Forest," says Mitchell. You can also trailer your horse to the Virginia Creeper Trail, Mount Rogers, and Moses Cone.