HAPPY TRAIL: Gulfside Trail Rides offers fall fun, lessons and a ride on horseback

If you want to do something different with the kids for Halloween or just to celebrate the fall, check out Gulfside Trail Rides on County Road 393S.

During the month of October, Gulfside Trail Rides is celebrating Pumpkin Fest with Saturday and Sunday face paintings, a concession stand, ice cream and cotton candy on the farm.

Five-hundred pumpkins have been delivered to the property to set the mood, and bales of hay have been decorated with smiley faces.

Cornstalks and bales of hay are offered for sale to take home and help decorate your abode for the season.

Kids who come out during October can paint pumpkins and feed the horses.

Gulfside's stable of 26 horses is mostly comprised of Tennessee Walkers, some Arabians, Quarter Horses, three minis, and a mini donkey named Frank. Owned by the Arnett family, most of the horses have been in the owner's family for years.

There is also an 8-week-old baby horse, which visiting children enjoy petting.

"The kids love Frank and he's basically a pet," said Ann Parker, one of the partners in the stable's operation, who took over Nov. 1, along with Chris Finley and Karen and Tom Arnett.

The ranch occupies 20 acres and since it adjoins Point Washington State Forest, riders also have access to 15,000 more acres to explore on horseback.

On the property are two pastures, a 14-stall barn and inside riding arena.

While at Gulfside Trail Rides visitors from ages 5 and up can sign up for riding lessons if they desire. Leisurely ranch trail rides are available, as well as lessons in basic horsemanship, jumping, English or Western riding in a group or as private lessons. The hour-and-a-half lessons usually run for 10-12 weeks. Most of the horses are show horses, said Parker, and the ranch housed two World Grand Champion Tennessee Walkers last summer.

The ranch is also available for birthday parties or events in a barn setting with barbecue and a bonfire.

The ranch is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Classes are scheduled as needed. Call 208-3114 for more information.

During the Christmas season, the ranch will have live trees available for purchase.