Red Fern Riding Center Located at Shelby Trails Park

Red Fern Riding Center Located at Shelby Trails Park We offer guided horseback rides on 365 acres of beautiful trails, horseback riding lessons and much more!

To BOOK https://www.redfernridingcenter.com/guided-horseback-rides Shelby Trails Park & Red Fern Riding Center

Shelby Trails Park is a public park open to equestrians and hikers alike
As a trail rider or hiker, the park welcomes you to enjoy over 400 acres and 21 miles of beautiful trails! Our trail system has a bit of everything: flat easy areas, creek crossings, step over logs, good hills and more technical trails on the back side. Bring your horses or your hiking boots and take advantage of this beautiful park! If you own our own horse, all you need to do is buy a day pass located at the kiosk ($10) or year pass online. Shelby Trails Park was made possible through a generous donation from Dr. Roger & Diane Shott of Anchorage. The Park was officially deeded to Shelbyville/Shelby County Parks & Recreation in 2010. Shelby Trails Park is a part of The Shelby County Parks Foundation, a 501C3. The County Parks and Foundation ensures the maintenance of the property and trails, as well as provide donation and fundraising opportunities for the Park. Red Fern Riding Center is an independently owned and operated horseback riding center. As stewards of the land, Red Fern Riding Center acts as a concierge to the park in promoting the park and it's public and private services. Red Fern Riding Center offers an array of services from: guided horseback rides to the general public, to riding lessons, horse training and full-care boarding. In addition, we host community-related events, provide volunteer opportunities for trail expansion, trail and farm maintenance - and much more!

​Shelby Trails Park and Red Fern Riding Center are located in Simpsonville, in the heart of Kentucky horse country, with easy access from Lexington, Cincinnati - and just 35 minutes from downtown Louisville!

🎉🐴 Did You Know? We Host Special Events!Looking for a unique way to celebrate? Red Fern Riding Center hosts special even...
09/12/2026

🎉🐴 Did You Know? We Host Special Events!

Looking for a unique way to celebrate? Red Fern Riding Center hosts special events! Whether you're planning something fun, memorable, or a little outside the ordinary, we'd love to help make it special.

We’ve hosted date nights, bachelorette parties, work events, celebrations, group outings, and more—all with a little extra horse-powered fun. 🐴❤️

Have something special coming up? Tell us what you’re celebrating and what you have in mind! We’ll work with you to help create an experience your group will remember.

📩 Reach out to Red Fern to start planning your event! redfernridingcenter.com

🌿🐴 You Never Know What You’ll See on the Trail!One of the best parts of a trail ride at Red Fern is that no two rides ar...
09/11/2026

🌿🐴 You Never Know What You’ll See on the Trail!

One of the best parts of a trail ride at Red Fern is that no two rides are ever quite the same. ❤️ Tag us in your most beautiful pics from your ride!

As you wind through the beautiful Kentucky countryside, you might find yourself riding beneath a canopy of trees, taking in peaceful forest views, or spotting some of the wildlife that calls our property home. Keep your eyes open for deer slipping through the woods, wild turkeys wandering nearby, colorful butterflies fluttering along the trail… and, of course, plenty of horses! 🦌🦃🦋🐴

Sometimes the most beautiful moments are the quiet ones—just you, your horse, and the trail ahead. 🌳✨

🐴🔬 Horse Fact Friday: A Horse’s Hoof Helps Pump Blood Back Up the Leg!A horse’s heart isn’t doing all the work when it c...
09/11/2026

🐴🔬 Horse Fact Friday: A Horse’s Hoof Helps Pump Blood Back Up the Leg!

A horse’s heart isn’t doing all the work when it comes to circulation. The hoof itself plays an important role in moving blood through the lower limb.

When a horse puts weight on a hoof, structures inside it—including the digital cushion and venous network—compress and help move blood out of the foot. When the hoof is lifted, those tissues decompress and refill. With every step, this repeated loading and unloading helps support venous blood flow back up the limb.

This is particularly important because there are no muscles below a horse’s knee or hock to assist circulation the way muscle contractions do in other parts of the body.

It’s one reason regular movement is so important for horses: every step does more than move them forward—it also supports healthy circulation in their lower legs. 🐎❤️

Pretty incredible engineering hiding inside a hoof!

🐴✨ Follow Our NEW Lessons Instagram! There’s always something happening at Red Fern! ❤️ We’ve created a new Instagram de...
09/10/2026

🐴✨ Follow Our NEW Lessons Instagram!

There’s always something happening at Red Fern! ❤️ We’ve created a new Instagram dedicated to our lesson program so you can keep up with all the great things happening in and out of the saddle.

Follow along to see our students:

🐎 Building new riding skills
🌟 Growing their confidence
🏆 Reaching new goals
❤️ Building partnerships with their horses
📚 Learning something new every ride

Whether it’s a first lesson, a big breakthrough, or one of those little moments that makes riding so rewarding, we can’t wait to share it with you!

Follow our new Lessons Instagram and come along for the ride! 🐴✨

🐴 Meet the Herd Thursday: Meet Elvira! 🤎Say hello to Elvira, one of the wonderful personalities that makes up the Red Fe...
09/10/2026

🐴 Meet the Herd Thursday: Meet Elvira! 🤎

Say hello to Elvira, one of the wonderful personalities that makes up the Red Fern herd!

Elvira is known around the barn for being one of our largest horses, she has striking beauty inside and out. Even though she is a big girl, she is super gentle and a sweet soul. She loves scratchies on her chest and would be your best friend if you give her a peppermint.

Every horse at Red Fern has a personality all their own—and that’s part of what makes getting to know the herd so much fun. ❤️

Who should we introduce next?

Some days are just better from the saddle. ❤️Beautiful weather, happy horses, and plenty of time in the saddle — exactly...
09/06/2026

Some days are just better from the saddle. ❤️

Beautiful weather, happy horses, and plenty of time in the saddle — exactly how we like to spend our days at Red Fern!

Whether you're working toward a new riding goal or simply enjoying time with your favorite horse, there’s always something worth smiling about around here. 🐴

Sometimes the best part of going to the barn happens when you aren't riding at all.It’s grooming a horse while they rela...
09/05/2026

Sometimes the best part of going to the barn happens when you aren't riding at all.

It’s grooming a horse while they relax beside you.
The little nicker when they recognize you.
Standing quietly together after a ride.
Learning their personality, quirks, and favorite scratches.

Riding may be what brings many of us to horses — but the relationship we build with them is what keeps us coming back. 🐴❤️

Did you know a horse’s nostrils can actually tell you a lot about how they’re feeling?Horses communicate largely through...
09/04/2026

Did you know a horse’s nostrils can actually tell you a lot about how they’re feeling?

Horses communicate largely through body language, and their muzzle and nostrils are part of that conversation. A relaxed horse will often have soft, loose nostrils and a relaxed muzzle, while tension, excitement, fear, or intense focus can cause the nostrils to become tighter or more flared.

They also use their noses when communicating directly with one another. Horses frequently greet each other nose-to-nose, exchanging scent and information. You’ll see them sniff new horses, people, objects, and places as they investigate their surroundings.

And then there are the sounds! Horses can create different noises by moving air through their nostrils. A soft snort or blow is often seen when a horse is investigating something or transitioning into a more relaxed state, while a sharp, forceful snort can accompany alertness or excitement.

Their incredible sense of smell adds another layer. Scent can help horses identify familiar individuals and gather information about other horses. Sometimes an especially interesting smell even triggers the famous Flehmen response—that funny upper-lip curl that helps a horse investigate chemical cues more closely.

So when you're around a horse, don't just watch their ears. Their nose is part of the conversation, too! 🐴❤️

Meet the Herd Thursday: Meet Bubbles! 🫧Bubbles is our adorable little white-and-tan girl with a personality just as cute...
09/03/2026

Meet the Herd Thursday: Meet Bubbles! 🫧

Bubbles is our adorable little white-and-tan girl with a personality just as cute as her name! She’s sweet, fun-loving, and always ready to bring a little extra personality to the barn.

She may be one of the smaller members of the herd, but she certainly isn’t short on charm. ❤️

Who else has a soft spot for Bubbles? 🐴

Every confident rider started somewhere. 🐎 Check out our new LESSONS INSTAGRAM PAGE!  Riding lessons aren’t just about l...
09/02/2026

Every confident rider started somewhere. 🐎 Check out our new LESSONS INSTAGRAM PAGE!

Riding lessons aren’t just about learning how to stay in the saddle—they’re about developing balance, communication, confidence, and a real partnership with your horse.

Whether you’re learning the basics or building on years of experience, there’s always something new to discover in the saddle.

Address

5063 Aiken Road
Simpsonville, KY
40067

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