Horseback Riding in Jamaica

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Horseback Riding

Riders with an interest in history can combine both loves on a horseback tour at Annandale Plantation (Ocho Rios. 876/974-2323). The 600-acre plantation is high above Ocho Rios and today serves as a working farm, although in its glory days it hosted dignitaries such as the Queen Mother. Ocho Rios has excellent horseback riding, but the best of the operations is Chukka Caribbean Adventures (Llandovery, St. Ann's Bay. 876/972-2506. www.chukkacaribbean.com). Starting out at Chukka Cove, trainers here originally exercised the polo ponies by taking them for therapeutic rides in the sea; soon there were requests from visitors to ride the horses in the water. The company now offers a three-hour beach ride that ends with a bareback swim on the horses in the sea from a private beach. It's a highlight of many trips to Jamaica. Hooves (Windsor Rd., St. Ann's Bay. 876/972-0905. www.hoovesjamaica.com) has several guided tours along beach, mountain, and river trails. One of the most interesting offerings is the Bush Doctor Mountain Ride, which takes visitors back into rural Jamaica for a two-hour look at the countryside, whose residents still often depend on the services of bush doctors who utilize local plants for treatments. Rather than be part of a guided group ride, you can opt to rent a horse by the hour at Prospect Plantation (Ocho Rios. 876/994-1058), which offers horseback riding for $48 per hour; advance reservations are required.

In the Braco area near Trelawny (between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios), Braco Stables (Duncans. 876/954-0185. www.bracostables.com) offers guided rides including a bareback romp in the sea. Two rides are offered a day, and riders are matched to horses based on riding ability. The trip also includes complimentary refreshments served poolside at the Braco Great House.