True Horse Power

The towns of Western Massachusetts were built according to the symbiotic relationship of two species: humans and the horse. By engaging with the equestrian tradition here in the Berkshires, you consciously or unconsciously merge with these centuries of tradition, landscapes and built geographies and something magical can happen. The county makes such an experience not only possible, but easy with numerous stables offering their horses, lessons and other resources to the visitor.

Blue Rider Stables, a non-profit in South Egremont, is known for their gentle and comprehensive immersive experiences for beginners, while others, such as Undermountain Horse Farm, Berkshire Trail Rides, Rocke N Horse, and Overmeade Farm offer similar programming for all levels. Many of these stables offer lessons to adults and children and to all levels of equestrian experience.

Some specialize in the therapeutic aspects of working with horses, while others offer assistance to aspiring riders of how to ride without fear, how to stay safe, horse care and even jumping and dessage.

For Berkshire local, Johnny Snyder, riding did not come early. He likes to joke that his midlife crisis came at two horse power, referring to the two quarter horses he acquired to accommodate his new sports of riding and even polo which he picked up soon after his equestrian venture began.

“It’s so fun. In the Berkshires, there’s a lot of equestrian interest and places to ride. I do something different here and this place is perfect for it. I am interested in riding out and having lots of areas to roam and run and explore. A lot of people like to stay in a ring and go in circles. They can learn a lot from that. It’s great to begin. But then what?"

My interest lies in the exploration and the adventure.

Johnny, who travels all around the world now to ride, loves to ride in his home of the Berkshires. “I keep my horse up at Undermountain Farm and from there, there is some of the most world-class riding I have ever seen. Within a two mile radius of the barn, there is thousands and thousands of acres to ride. It’s all public access. Kennedy Park is nearby. There’s also all the land trusts that are managed by places like the Trustees of Reservations and such.

The beauty is astounding.

"There are not a lot of people doing it now. At one point in time, everyone around here was using horses. Now you have all this land to yourself… all these pastures and mountains and side trails. I just got back from riding in France and I’ll tell you, what I can ride here from the trip to Chocolate Springs to over to Wheatleigh, or trailering to other places like Baldwin Hill or over in Alford compares to anywhere in the world.”

There are also elements to riding in the Berkshires that go beyond landscape. When asked about his most memorable ride, Johnny explains, “At certain points of the summer, you have the Boston Symphony Orchestra playing nearby at Tanglewood. In our ears, we are hearing Mozart and the symphony rehearsing, meanwhile we are there riding through these long pastures and you can run the horse at the same time as this is all going on."

But really, it’s all epic.

"Today, I took a ride with my daughter and it’s just gorgeous out there. It’s peak foliage. It’s crisp. The horses are fresh. We hit these jumps. We ran this area I call the racetrack. We did victory trotting. I mean… I got to share a wonderful fall experience with my daughter who was also riding bareback."

Everyday here in the Berkshires, it’s a new opportunity or a new challenge. So it’s fresh. Even though you are on the same ground, the horse is feeling a little different. You’re feeling a little different. The colors are different. It’s always different.

“The resources here in the Berkshires are incredible. There are also a lot of diverse areas to ride with all kinds of terrain. Over in Richmond is one of the top Morgan horse trainers. You’ve got all these stables offering lessons. Everyone does their own thing. A lot of parents think that they should offer their kids lessons, but they should forget that idea. I say the best thing a parent can do is get lessons themselves and join the kids with riding. Learn the sport. Then they learn from watching their parents by example."

It's truly a lifestyle and there is no better place to do it than here.

"My buddy from Denmark who is an incredible rider came here with his family and said that it was the best riding he’s done in his 50 years. His wife is a great rider too and then, there’s the kids. They all got the best riding experience, each according to their own level.”