Frequently Asked Questions
Horseback Riding FAQ
Horses are matched for novice and experienced riders alike at the beginning of each ride, and lessons are available upon request. You will be guided in small, ability based groups of around 4-5 riders, never more than 7. Two trail rides are arranged per day, one in the morning (9:15 a.m.) and one in the afternoon (2:15 p.m.) – morning ride times do vary during the winter months. To further enhance their experience, guests are encouraged to continue to ride the same horse throughout their stay. Guests on the All-Inclusive plan are welcome to ride for up to 2 hours per riding session.
Absolutely! We have horses for every level of rider. Our experienced staff will also teach you basic horse riding skills and be there to answer your questions and assist you.
Guests and visitors weighing 250lb or less may participate in our riding program.
Good question and tough to answer. We’ve yet to figure out how to get the horses to ride tail-to-tail or head-to-head. It’s also not a wise idea to attempt to ride abreast in wooded trails. We do ride in small groups of two to seven riders. Smaller groups of this size can be quite versatile on the trails. When appropriate, riders may trot and canter as well. In a literal sense the horses will inevitably ride nose-to-tail, but you’ll find our riding program to be tailored to your experience level.
Yes. All guests are required to wait for a staff to help them mount the horse. There is a large mounting block with handrails for people who need a little more help.
No, for the health and safety of the mother and child we do not allow pregnant women to ride. If you are pregnant and have already made a booking, please contact us immediately.
Well behaved ones! All of our horses available for guests to ride undergo prior training to assess their temperament and readability. This allows us to accurately pair horses and riders. All of our guest horses are sweet-tempered, calm-natured, and easy to interact with.
Children must be 8 years or older to participate in our horseback riding program.
Depending on the number of people riding it can take about 30 to 45 minutes to retrieve your horse, assist with brushing and tacking and get on your horse. The ride time officially starts when you are on your horse and lasts for up to two hours from that point. The ride time ends when you arrive back at the barn and dismount. After that, it can take 15 to 20 minutes to assist with unsaddling and returning your horse to their pastures. You don’t have to ride for the full two hours, just let your guide know when you are done and they will bring you safely back to the barn.
It’s not uncommon for guests to skip or miss a meal and/or a trail ride. Some guests simply don’t arrive at the ranch in time due to travel delays. Others take a day to visit Madison or area attractions. With this in mind, the trail rides and meals within the AI/AINR packages are heavily discounted versus booking a non-riding package and adding rides or meals a la carte and we therefore do not offer credit for missed rides or meals.
It is recommended that you bring jeans or riding pants for horseback riding and boots are suggested over sneakers. Check out our packing list download on the homepage or this horseback riding style guide!
Most riders ride exclusively on the ranch’s property. However, some guests staying over longer periods enjoy the change of scenery provided at Hard Labor Creek State Park. Riding at Hard Labor involves transporting the horses and riders by vehicle and providing a guide. The trail ride involves a 9+ mile trek through the park’s well-established forest and along Lake Rutledge. The terrain is steep at points, and this particular ride is not for beginners.
The cost is $85/person with a 4 person minimum charge ($340). In most instances, three or more interested riders can be found to take the trip.
Generally, this trip is only available Monday through Thursday, conditions permitting. This offering is best utilized by guests planning to stay a week or longer.
Yes. Many guests like to visit for meals, riding, or both. Please visit our sister site here. Reservations are required.
As per Georgia law, riders 18 and over are not required to wear a helmet however it is always recommended. The ranch does provide helmets of all sizes that are cleaned and sanitized regularly but you are welcome to bring your own horse riding helmet. NO BICYCLE HELMETS.
Yes! We allow guests staying overnight to bring either mares or geldings, no stallions are allowed. Stall board is an additional $20/per night per stall. You will also need a copy of the horse’s Coggins and 5 – way vaccine for each horse. (Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis, Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Influenza, and Equine Herpesvirus)
Rooms and rates and dates, room and general amenities
Guests visit from all over the world for a variety of reasons. Most come for a riding vacation; some come to visit the historic town of Madison, while others visit just to take in the beauty and tranquility that the ranch has to offer. Southern Cross is a great place for couples, singles, and families too. We invite you to read our guests’ comments posted online from our guest book to read what other guests had to say.
What is a typical day at the ranch like?
Arrival Day:
- 1:00pm lunch
- 2:15pm Afternoon trail ride
- 6:00pm Supper
Middle Days:
- 8:00am Breakfast
- 9:15am Morning trail ride
- 1:00pm lunch
- 2:15pm Afternoon trail ride
- 6:00pm Supper
Departure Day:
- 8:00am Breakfast
- 9:15am Morning trail ride
Sometimes. Most rooms available on Friday and Saturday nights may require at least a two-night minimum stay. Holiday periods require a 3 night minimum. Occasionally there are exceptions to this and prospective guests are encouraged to check availability for a one-night stay.
Unfortunately, no. The minimum age for all guests staying at the ranch is age 4.
Children must be 8 years or older to participate in our horseback riding program.
- 1:00pm lunch
- 2:15pm Afternoon trail ride
- 6:00pm Supper
- 7:00am Breakfast
- 9:15am Morning trail ride
- 1:00pm lunch
- 2:15pm Afternoon trail ride
- 6:00pm Supper
- 8:00am Breakfast
- 9:15am Morning trail ride
Eating and activities and entertainment
Our location is convenient to many area attractions and activities. Several golf courses are within 30 minutes. A nearby gun club offers sporting clays, skeet, and trap shooting as well as archery. Our historic town of Madison offers a beautiful self-guided walking tour of the antebellum homes and gardens, and features numerous shops offering art, antiques, and civil war artifacts. Nearby, Lake Oconee features premier fishing and boating opportunities. If you wish to venture up to an hour away, you’ll find canoeing and whitewater, Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park, and several attractions and theme parks in Atlanta. Please see our local attractions page for additional information.
Our dining hall offers a variety of fresh fruit, crackers, pastries, cookies and snacks throughout your stay. Complimentary soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, water, and snacks are available 24 hours daily.
Photography
Easy! Just click here to book a phone call with Charlotte and she will tell you everything you need to know to get started!
Yes, portrait sessions do have a session fee ($690 for Ranch Family Sessions and $1290 for Ranch Horse Sessions). Both options include an art credit towards your finished portraits.
The session fee includes assistance with styling and planning, photographer’s time photographing the session, and also an art credit that you will get back to use towards your favorite portraits.
How much you invest in your artwork is entirely up to you and completely depends on how you prefer to enjoy your portraits. Wall Art, Albums, Prints and Digital Files are available to purchase but are not included.
You can, but it’s unlikely that you will be successful in getting on Charlotte’s limited schedule! Charlotte only serves a limited number of clients each month, giving each one the attention and time needed to deliver an exceptional service and quality artwork. In order to get the most out of the portrait experience we recommend that you contact Charlotte as soon as you have decided that you are coming to the ranch (even if you have not yet made your reservation!). If your booking is last minute, contact her ASAP to see what she can do for you!
