On Unicorns and Such

Celebrations are a big thing to me and like most I pride myself on putting on a good party. For Samantha's 28th birthday this weekend I was able to make her childhood dreams come true and arrange for a unicorn-back riding experience.  I found out about this niche market quite accidentally while perusing the internet some years ago and filed away the thought for a future playdate.

The unicorn-experience market is actually a somewhat thriving market in the greater Cincinnati area with many providers within a comfortable one or two hour drive.  Honestly most are geared towards... younger participants and carry primarily pony/unicorn conversions but there is hope for the adventurous adult!  Most riding experiences hover in the $30-50/hr range and the parties for the younger rider offer ponies with dyed and glittered manes (a worthwhile addition if you ask me).

After shopping around I found First Farm Inn nestled in Petersburg, Kentucky.  They are primarily a bed & breakfast but they have a wonderful farm experience including horseback riding, tire swings, hot tubs, a small lake and many rescued farm pets (a soccer eager dog I believe was named Missy was particularly enchanting). The owner Jenn is lovely, a great teacher, and very accommodating (while unicorns were not in her everyday provisions she was more than happy to make exception).  A two-hour riding lesson was $65/person and a great value.

I was amazed at the lessons that could be learned from riding.  Before the riding Jenn had us groom and prepare the horses (and a unicorn) which gave us a chance to learn general horse facts and attitudes.  The importance of leadership and consistency, care and compassion, strength and grace - riding a horse is like driving a car with a personality.

If you're looking for a fun weekend escape give Jenn a call!  She'll take care of you (and if you ask nicely she'll excite the eight-year-old inside)!