Inlet Point Plantation Stables - North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Horse Riding Center

Inlet Point Plantation Stables is situated at Highway 236 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and is approximately 28 miles from Myrtle Beach Airport and three miles from Barefoot Landing shopping complex. It was built in 1995 by Paul and Gloria Smith and opened for business the following year. They have owned and trained horses for over three decades, and the center is now run by their son and his family.

Between 1861 and 1863 the plantation was the home of the confederate Fort Randall where 9,000 confederate soldiers cleared the open fields at the entrance to the stables. The tree line along the IntraCoastal Waterway served as a barrier from the enemy ships. The property was once home to Billy the Kid, and Blackbeard the pirate was said to have used the owners' private island as a safe haven, whilst Indian burial grounds and archeological finds dating back to 600 b.c are to be found at the plantation.

The center offers various riding experiences, including beach rides, plantation trail rides, pony rides and a UTV excursion. The beach rides are for ages 10 and above and last for two hours, taking guests through the plantation and crossing a bridge to Waites Island. Here guests can explore the wide beaches of the privately owned 1,200-acre island, and observe many shore and song birds.

The plantation trail rides are for ages seven and above and last for one hour beginning next to a pecan grove and riding through the 4,000 acre plantation. Here riders may see many different birds and possibly deer and bears before heading along parts of the Intracoastal Waterway. Children under the age of 10 don't miss out as they can take a half hour pony trek through the pecan groves.

The Smith family have 30 horses of several different breeds Tennessee Walkers, Belgians and Appaloosas. Horses can be leased on a weekly or monthly basis and experienced riders will be allowed to canter along the trails. Various riding packages are available at the center as well as customized birthday parties, whilst there are also horse riding lessons offered and a Saturday Pony Club for children aged 7 to 13, which runs from 10am to 1pm.

For those preferring wheels to horses visitors can take a packed lunch on the UTV excursion through the plantation to Waites Island. A maximum of five peple per vehicle can then try out surf fishing, shell collecting or sunbathing on the island. Full boarding is available at the plantation for overnight and long stays, with the assurance of an on-site manager and 24 hour security.

Visitors to this destination have generally commented very favorably towards it, saying the horses are well tended and the guides very helpful. The center has horses that are suitable for varying degrees of skill level, so it is important for visitors to be honest about their level of riding ability. People also suggested taking some snacks for the horses such as carrots or apples.