Or so my niece Jillian informed me when we went for an evening trot through the Stanly County countryside. Jillian’s husband and family own Stalling Stables back in my hometown, so I convinced her to take us for a ride when we were home last week.

I’m thinking I need a riding outfit. (Always look the part.)

The entrance to Stallings Stables

All the king’s horses

My niece Jillian and me before the ride.

This little baby was only a week old!

Urban Cowboy

We were literally just riding out in the country, through the woods like in the wild wild west (or so I imagined)

Night fell (apologies for the bad photos, but I only had my phone). Fireflies lit up the trail. And we trotted on.

By the time we arrived back at the stables, there was a full moon in the big Southern sky.

If you’ve never been horseback riding, it’s definitely a really fun adventure—whether out in the country like me or at a luxury dude ranch.

horseback riding luxury dude ranch Stallings Stables