If you’ve ever wanted to take a break from everyday life, breathe in fresh air, or reconnect with nature in a way that feels grounding, Oglebay Stables might be the perfect place to do it. Nestled within Oglebay Park, the stables offer more than just trail rides. They offer a glimpse into a simpler, slower way of living.
While many visitors know the park for its manicured gardens, historic mansion, and the famous Festival of Lights, the stables have long been one of Oglebay’s most enduring and heartfelt attractions. Tucked away near the back edge of Oglebay Park, the stables are easy to miss if you’re not looking for them.
For decades, the stables in Oglebay have been a quiet yet beloved part of the park’s offerings. Unlike the bustling Good Zoo nearby, the stables remain humble and authentic. In fact, there are rumors that it is one of the oldest wooden barns in the state. Visitors, especially families, first-time riders, and anyone nostalgic for rural charms find something special here.
Meet the Horses, Meet the People
What makes Oglebay Stables shine isn’t just the scenic trails or the gentle horses, it’s the people. The staff is a small, passionate group of trainers, stable hands, and trail guides who clearly love what they do. Many grew up riding here, boarding their personal horses here, and now return daily not just to work, but to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
In partnership with Bethany College, Oglebay Stables is more than just a public riding facility, it also serves as an educational hub. Bethany College operates the stables and offers a range of equestrian programs and classes right at the barn. There is an IHSA Hunt Seat Team and a Western Riding team. From introduction to riding to an equine experiential learning course focusing on using horses in a therapeutic setting, students can learn in a real-world setting while working directly with the horses. They also encourage and enjoy helping and using the facility for senior projects.
Kids can sign up for summer horse camps, where they’ll learn how to brush, feed, tack, and of course, ride horses. These aren’t just pony rides in a circle, either. Campers develop real horsemanship skills and form lasting bonds with their assigned horses. For many local children, it’s a first taste of responsibility, confidence, and freedom all wrapped up in one dusty, thrilling experience.
For casual visitors, guided trail rides are offered throughout most of the year. Each ride lasts about an hour and winds through shaded woods and scenic rolling hills. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a nervous beginner, the guides tailor the pace and feel of the ride to your comfort level. And trust me, there’s something magical about seeing deer lazily grazing while you ride quietly on horseback, feeling like you’re part of the landscape rather than just a visitor.
More than a ride—a Tradition
Oglebay Park itself is steeped in history. Donated to the public by wealthy industrialist Earl W. Oglebay in the early 1900s, the land was intended as a public sanctuary where people could enjoy nature, recreation, and community. The stables have long been part of that vision, offering affordable, family-friendly activities that connect people with animals and the outdoors.
Many local residents will tell you about their first ride at the stables or how they used to volunteer there as teens. It’s not unusual to meet a grandmother bringing her grandchildren to the very place she rode horses as a little girl. Amy McGreal, the barn manager at the stables stated, “I actually grew up riding here at Oglebay, and now I get to teach my nieces and children to ride here. We have a lot of parents who ride here as kids now bringing their own kids, it’s like one big extended barn family.” That kind of multigenerational experience is rare, and precious. The horses themselves have changed over the years, but the mission has remained the same: to offer meaningful, memorable experiences with horses in a beautiful natural setting.
The stables also participate in special seasonal events, such as campus horseback tours at Bethany College, the Oglebayfest Parade, or occasional horse shows. These events are low-key but heartfelt, emphasizing community over commerce.
Riding horses offers a wholesome, outdoor activity for families and young people, especially at a time when more urban lifestyles were beginning to separate people from agriculture and rural traditions. Horse camps were developed to give children immersive, hands-on experience with riding and animal care, fostering lifelong skills and respect for animals. Like many public programs, the stables face challenges, weather can shorten the riding season, budget constraints limit expansion, and fewer kids today are growing up around horses. But despite it all, Oglebay Stables continue to thrive thanks to a loyal local following and a deep well of tradition.
In an age where recreation often involves screens, apps, or fast-paced entertainment, the stables offer a slower kind of thrill. One that’s more about connection than adrenaline, a connection to animals, to nature, to history, and even to ourselves. Oglebay has remained committed to its riding program. Though modest in size, the stables have been carefully maintained and updated, always prioritizing the safety and welfare of the horses and the quality of instruction for riders.
Plan your Visit
Whether you’re a local who hasn’t visited in years, or a tourist planning a trip through Wheeling, Oglebay Stables are worth the stop. You don’t need fancy boots or riding experience, just a willingness to slow down, saddle up, and take in the view.
To book a trail ride or learn about camp programs, it’s best to call ahead at (304)243-4042. It’s free to walk through and meet the horses, and you can bring treats if you’d like, but please refrain from hand feeding the horses. Visit their website at http://oglebay.com/explore/horseback-riding/ for more information.
Oglebay Stables may not be the flashiest attraction in West Virginia, but what they offer is something rare and increasingly valuable: authenticity. It’s a place where memories are made, technology takes a back seat, and where people of all ages can experience the quiet joy of horseback riding in the hills. Whether you go for an hour or a whole summer, chances are you’ll leave with dusty boots, a full heart, and a story worth telling. As the park continues to grow and change, the stables remain one of its most cherished features, quietly preserving a piece of the past while offering joy to riders of all ages, one trail ride at a time.
