With school winding down, most of us can feel the kids’ boredom pick up pace from a walk, to a trot and maybe even a canter. (Cue the title song of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”) But the wild, wild west of parenting can be tamed by saddling up summer at Lawton Stables.
“For 55 years, Lawton Stables has served in some capacity to achieve Charles Fraser’s vision of an equine property here in Sea Pines,” began Haley Zimmerman, the general manager of Lawton Stables. Zimmerman sips out of a Stanley cup with horse stickers representing what she calls Lawton Stables’ “OG horses.”
Visitors to Lawton Stables head out on a trail ride with their new equine friends, Curly and Larry.
“And now, with a series of remodels and the newly resurfaced pasture and enhancements to the trail ride, we offer so much more for the whole family,” she said.
But lest we put the cart before the horse, here’s a little backstory about Lawton. In the early 1970s, when Hilton Head Island was still a relatively undiscovered paradise, the original Lawton Stables was built. The Sea Pines Resort, which was already known for its spectacular natural surroundings, sought to create a destination that catered to both adventure-seekers and those looking to relax in tranquility. It was during this time that Lawton Stables was created to offer horseback riding as a way for visitors to experience the island’s stunning beauty in a way that felt intimate and immersive.
Don’t forget to visit the petting zoo! The goats will have you chuckling at their antics.
Named after the historic Lawton family, one of the earliest settlers in the area, the stables quickly became a beloved feature of Sea Pines. In its early days, the stables were modest – just a few horses, a small barn, and a group of riders eager to explore the island’s nature trails. The focus was on creating a peaceful, quiet experience, allowing guests to enjoy the island’s rich wildlife, maritime forests, and salt marshes while on horseback.
Over the years, as Hilton Head Island’s popularity grew, so did the demand for horseback riding. What started as a small operation quickly expanded, with the addition of more horses, staff, and guided tours that offered unique perspectives on the local flora and fauna. Today, Lawton Stables is a premier destination for horse lovers of all kinds, drawing in thousands of visitors annually who want to giddyup to an array of equine and uniquely Hilton Head activities.
Drew Hendrickson, a farrier from Aiken, makes new shoes onsite for a horse boarding at the barn.
Trail Rides
“Our one-hour guided western-style trail rides are the most beautiful way to enjoy the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, which I truly believe is an underutilized portion of this island,” Zimmerman began. “The Forest Preserve is 600 acres of plants and animal species that are unique to our area. Every time you do a trail ride you see something special and different.”
No riding experience? No problem, Zimmerman said. “Lawton Stables is careful to match each rider with a gentle, well-trained horse,” she said. “Most of our horses are retired workhorses.” Take Pee Wee, for example. This 24-year-old standard-bred Percheron cross from the Amish country is a tender-hearted horse who visibly smiles when you give him words of affirmation, and he could walk the trail with blinders on.
Even locals, or those who have come to the island for years, will learn something new about the island’s wildlife and culture from the Lawton Stables guide. (Reservation required.)
Lawton Stables team members Logan and Katie pose for a quick shot with some of the trail-riding team.
Carriage Rides
The Lawton Stables one-hour horse-drawn carriage tour also gives guests a beautiful perspective of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Camouflaged by the crisscross pattern of overlapping Palmetto fronds and shaded by the coverage of Spanish moss-draped live oaks, the trail allows guests to enjoy bird sounds and gator sightings as your carriage driver leads a narrated tour. “The carriage rides are great for a special celebration, as well as just for people who want to see the Forest Preserve from the comfort of a carriage,” Zimmerman said. (Reservation required.)
Elena, a little visitor from Havertown, PA, rides one of Lawton Stables’ more tranquil equines.
Pony Rides
Making sure there is something for people of all ages, Lawton Stables’ friendly ponies are available for children 18 months (or able to sit up on their own) to 7 years old. The pony rides start at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., with a one-hour pony lunch break at noon. Kiddos can start to develop a sense of horseback riding with two laps around the animal farm led by a member of the Lawton Stables team. (First come, first served; reservations not required.)
Animal Farm
Zimmerman can fondly name just about every creature in the Lawton Stables animal farm. Kids can learn about goats, miniature donkeys, pot-bellied pigs, alpacas, miniature horses, and chickens. One cup of animal feed is included in the $5 entry fee.
Yzma, the curious Alpaca poses for a quick shot.
Benefits of Horseback riding:
• Boosts physical fitness
• Enhances mental health
• Improves social skills
• Teaches responsibility
• Encourages outdoor activity
• Allows you to commune with nature
• Provides a unique perspective of Hilton Head Island
Behind the Scenes Tour
Getting to see what goes on behind the scenes allows guests to get a better timeline of the past, present, and future of Lawton Stables. You will also learn equine lingo, hear about the various horse breeds, and really get a sense of all the hard work and effort the Lawton Stables staff puts in. (Reservation required.)
Any of these experiences can lead to a major takeaway visitors will have after visiting Lawton Stables. The staff truly take their jobs seriously and are dedicated to the well-being of all the animals in their care. “We love these animals, and we love that our visitors get to love on our animals,” Zimmerman said. All the animals receive expert veterinary care at all times, and every staff person not only knows the exact diet, medical needs, and supplementation of each animal, but also knows each one’s unique traits and personality. They can tell you the Clydesdale Woody’s favorite snack and that Jovie the pig is literally a ham. They can tell you which horses cuddle up and sleep together at night, and the moving stories of how each animal came to reside at Lawton Stables. At times, you feel like the staff is talking about a close friend or sibling rather than a horse or donkey.
Lawton Stables is also very conscious of the overall well-being of the horses, many of which are rescued or retired from very demanding working conditions. “The horses are constantly rotated to a beautiful 24-acre off-site facility to guarantee they are not overworked and have a place to run free,” Zimmerman said. “Every effort is made to ensure they have an enjoyable life, free from stress and anxiety. The farrier trims their feet on average every five weeks, and we constantly monitor their feed, health, and training to make sure you have a safe ride. We believe that working with and caring for animals enhances the well-being of everyone involved, and we offer our animal farm and horse farm as a place where the community can come to enjoy a simpler and natural way of life.”
