Events for you to enjoy at Misty Manor include, but are not limited to, the following Playday and Premium Specialty Rides:

Playday Events

Playday Events are held every fall, and sometimes spring, to raise funds for Ralf Anonymous. You won't want to miss these events filled with fun and games! Great food and prizes add to the enjoyment.
For more information, please call Judi at 410-781-4810.  
See you there!

Thanks to all who attended our previous Playday events and helped to make them fun-filled successes!

No equestrian experience is necessary. However, we do have rides on some weekends best suited to riders, including beginners, who are not lacking in self-confidence and do not show apprehension to the horses (being a good poker player probably helps if you're not an experienced rider!) when riding down fairly steep embankments, or while riding at a trot or canter---also known as a lope to western riders.

So, as mentioned before, if you don't know anything at all about horses, you'll soon learn what you need to know; more information about this is mentioned below. All that's required is a desire to have fun. :-)

For more information on Misty Manor's events please telephone us at 410-781-4810.

Reservations are required so that we know how many people to expect each week in addition to members of the group who participate regularly. We hope to see you soon!

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1 Hour Trail Rides

Even if you've never ridden a rocking horse, our gentle trail horses are trained to pamper the most novice riders. In fact, the less you know, the more fun it is at Misty Manor Riding Stable.

We invite you to bring your social group or come solo and ride our scenic, rustic and breathtaking trails with the nicest people that you'll ever meet.

As always, beginners are welcome on all of the rides, Don't worry, it's not as bad as it may sound. We've had many first-time riders along on these rides who've done extremely well, so, please don't be discouraged. Be confident, and you'll do well, just as others have! The horses follow one another, and there isn't much that you have to know about horses or riding in order to participate in these rides; what you don't know, we'll be glad to help you to learn.

Anyway, if you are still a little hesitant, or don't feel that you're physically up to these rides---that's perfectly understandable and nothing to feel bad about. There are a couple of options for you which will get you up to speed and help you to build up confidence and stamina for our more challenging rides. Horses and riding can be, understandably, a little daunting to some, and not everyone is in appropriate physical condition to endure a first-time ride that's two to three hours long. That's why we also have beginner's rides. English and western lessons are also available as an option. For those who wish to get a little more riding experience first, before joining us, you may wish to consider first trying a one-hour ride.

Premuim Specialty Rides

What follows are examples of some of our extended, specialty rides with photos:

April 2nd

This ride was a little longer than planned, nearly four hours long, since we decided to do some exploring.

At first, we rode through some trails familiar to most of those who've joined us for previous rides; that is, the trail leading through the woods and exiting into a clearing across from the park's main entrance. From there, we rode up the park's driveway, through part of the Tall Poplar Trail, headed towards the Plantation Trail, rode alongside the river, crossed the ford then continued riding alongside the river where we encountered some bicyclists who objected to having to yield to horses---nonetheless, they moved out of the way rather expediently at the last moment amidst their shouts of protest.

From there, we rode back to the tall "mountain" with a fantastic view of the scenery below. Upon reaching the top, we found a trail that sloped fairly gently back down towards the river, into a river valley. Continuing to ride alongside the river, it wasn't long before we heard the sound of traffic. Not far ahead, we could see the Woodstock Road bridge that crosses the river, and the railroad tracks across the river, which cross Woodstock Road near the Woodstock Inn. From that point, we were on a trail leading towards the grounds of the ancient Jesuit college that's now part of the Maryland Job Corps.

We were then back on some trails that some of you may remember riding on last year, when we rode up past the pumping station, then the Job Corps and out onto Woodstock Road and through the cemetery (we didn't ride there or onto Woodstock Road this time however). Remember that huge downed tree last year which blocked the trail leading back into the park past the pumping station, which was impossible to pass (extremely steep hill to the left and a steep embankment going down on the right)? That downed tree was a few feet above, and across, the trail, and a couple of feet in diameter... even someone skilled at high jumps would probably have ended up falling down the embankment on the other side. Anyway, the park service cut the tree after being telephoned about it last year, and we were able to follow that trail this time, which ran alongside a stream with some beautiful waterfalls, from a few feet to about five or six feet tall. In one area, across from the stream, was a tall embankment beyond which we could see the Job Corps buildings; the embankment was apparently a former dump---old stoves, refrigerators, etc. Someone had even dumped an old car down the embankment. The foundations to some old buildings could be seen.

It wasn't long before we encountered a quarry with "no swimming" signs; we rode up a hill around the side of it, leading to the area at the top of the quarry. Riding through more woods, we eventually came to a fork in the trail. Curious as to where each branch led, we first rode to the right, which led us down an open grassy pathway. A fenced in field was to our left, then there was a small road, which turned out to be a private common driveway, and there were some houses across from us. On the other side of the grassy path was a forest of pine trees. We saw a man with a dog, who crossed the road to talk with us when we asked where we were. It turned out that we'd ridden to within a short distance of Hernwood Road, and were near the decommissioned Nike missle base. He also mentioned that, somewhere, in the woods on the other side of us, was a house where part of the Blair Witch movie was filmed.

We rode down the end of the path, which dead-ended at Hernwood Road across from one or more horse farms, then, followed a path for some distance towards the old missile base and through part of the woods, but didn't see any signs of the house. From there, we doubled back, then rode back into another section of woods across from the driveway, but still didn't see the house, then rode through an fairly open hilly area and followed trails eventually leading us back to that fork in the trail; this time, we went the other way. That led us to wide open rolling hills, crossing the pipeline, leading back towards the top of that "mountain" atop the river, where we saw the remains of an old stone fireplace and chimney just inside the woods to our right, which must have been a house with a grand view many years ago! Rather than take the steep trails back down, we doubled back through the rolling hills to a trail running alongside a small stream, which we deduced would lead us back down to the river and to the trails alongside the river, which it did.

From there, we rode back through park and back to the farm.

March 19th

After a long ride through woods and alongside a branch of the river, which we crossed and then continued riding alongside of, we crossed a much wider, and deeper, section of the river. After reaching dry land and waiting for the others to finish crossing, Sassy decided to shake the water off, even though the water barely reached her belly; if you've never been on a horse shaking herself, or himself, dry, it's quite an exhilarating experience! :-)

From the riverbank, we rode up a hill leading to a trail through an open field which was great for cantering. From there, we meandered through some woods and open rolling hills, did a little sight-seeing (the ruins of an old house with a stone chimney that was still standing and couple of wrecked 1950's cars at the edge of the woods), rode past some marshland and cattails, then rode through some roller-coaster like hills, crossed two more branches of the river, rode through long straight hilly trails for some more cantering (uphill only), then headed back through more woods to the farm.

We didn't spot any deer this time, although we did observe some geese, a hawk, a blue heron in flight and squirrels. While we saw evidence of some beavers' hard work, we didn't see the busy little critters themselves.

March 12th

A couple of us went out and did some exploring; we must have ridden through a wide open area of about 1,000 acres of gently rolling hills, and flat land, far above Marriottsville Road (south of the railroad tracks), where hay is farmed. Sassy, while attempting to turn around on a very narrow dead-end trail, decided to suddenly create her own trail going up steep hillside---so there was no turning back. That led us to other trails, which led to the open field. Jim---a great rider, and Bonanza bravely followed us up the hill, and along some trails far above the river and railroad tracks below, to the hayfield. Note: there is a much easier way to get there. After a long ride through the field, we came to a farm where we were hoping to find someone who could tell us where we were, but after calling out and waving to the man that we saw, he just turned and walked away as we approached.

Here are some pictures from Nov. 13th:

Here, we've just crossed part of the river, near where it branches off. As we ride, part of the river is to our right. The next picture includes a view of Sassy getting into the photograph as her human snaps the picture.

Water flowing over rocks in the water; a relaxing sound to hear as well. As you can see, we're folling a rather straight and long trail.

The view that you can see across the river is where we originally planned upon riding this past weekend; roller-coaster-like trails, remains of old houses, rolling hills, a picturesque pond and more great scenery are to be found over there. When the water is still, the mirror images are a grand sight to behold!

The trail continues. Eventually it leads to many steep and winding hilly trails, with great views, or to another river crossing, but we didn't ride that far. A short distance ahead, we turned off onto another trail, then turned around and rode back.

Here, we're crossing the river. This picture is taken with Sassy standing in the river as the others are following us into the water. Looking at the picture to the right, you can see some of the group (upper left-hand corner) riding down the ford towards the water. That's, alas, the least blurry photo that I was able to take of everyone. As you can see, the embankment isn't very steep there.

In this next photo, we've just ridden up a steep hill and the river is now far below to our left; its that dark area in the left of the picture, behind the trees. As we ride, we're probably a good hundred feet or so above the river (taking a guess).