This Fall, reserve your spaces for archery, axe throwing and equestrian trail tours – picnic included!

Beautiful horses at the Stables run to the grazing pasture to meet up with the rest of the team. A “herd” of horses is wild. A “team” of horses is domesticated.

In the few hours before sunset, my friend and I were walking along the trail that leads to an upper pasture for horse grazing. The staff at The Stables at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa had clued us in that if we took a walk in the late afternoon, we might see the horses let out to pasture.

This fenced pasture is where the horses graze daily on naturally growing grasses and herbs in addition to their feedings at The Stables. It’s their hangout spot, so to speak. We were completely thrilled to see all the horses getting together to graze.

They galloped and strode past us with speed and enthusiasm to be wild, free and together as a team of domesticated horses showing off their naturally wild style. The sounds of thundering hooves on the ground, dislodged earth, and the way the winds rushed by us as horses ran to their teammates was beautiful.

Everything is beautiful about The Stables at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa. You don’t have to be a resort guest to experience guided horseback rides, hayrides, or axe throwing and archery. It’s open to all.

Featuring five miles of trails, the Stables offers individuals and groups 1-hour and 2-hour Guided Trail Rides, Tractor-Pulled Hayrides, Catered Picnic Rides, Riding Lessons, Hand-led Horseback rides in the 1,200-square feet riding ring for guests ages seven years and younger, and custom excursions by special request.

Picnic in the Valley
Earlier in the day we had met our guides for a 2-hour tour with a picnic arranged by the Stable’s staff. We pre-ordered from a resort menu and selected salads and wraps. The staff arranged the picnic at a halfway point on our tour. We were able to relax for a bit at the picnic table fully set up with refreshments and boxed lunches while the guides held the horses off to the side to graze a bit on their own picnic of grasses.

Delicious! Fall is the best time to arrange a catered picnic simply because it’s not too hot or too cold. Our guide said that picnic rides tend to be reserved for special surprises, like wedding proposals, birthdays, and general celebrations you’ll always want to remember. We didn’t have to clean up a thing; the Stable’s staff took care of setup and take-away. We were so grateful for this experience of a lifetime.

Axe Throwing

Have you tried the target sport of axe throwing? We played it once in the city, but out here in the open it’s a lot truer to the origin of the sport, where modern-day lumberjacks throw axes at a bullseye-marked wooden target (just like a bullseye in darts). The goal is to hit dead center. Ages 13+

Archery Range

The Static Archery Range consists of five lanes of varying distances. The accessible archery range has concrete walkways for easy arrow retrieval. Ages 13+

Special Event Space at The Stables

We learned on our Stable tour that the Tack Room can be rented for meetings or receptions. How cool is that? I’m imagining attending an intimate wedding reception with a homestead kind of theme and the fresh smell of hay.  

The Stables | Archery | Axe Throwing
Guided Trail Rides, Archery, and Axe Throwing are by appointment daily (closed Thursday) from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Hours are subject to change during inclement weather or seasonal extreme temperatures. Call 706-379-2050 to make a reservation.

Now that early Fall is here, it is the ideal time to be outside just as the leaves begin to change. Break out your boots and your cowboy hats, everybody. The horses are neighing, and the Stables are calling. We can’t wait to come back for some more horsin’ around at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa.

• Franklin Y.