10 Jan Winter in Horse Country Itinerary
Shake off that cabin fever with tours at horse farms and facilities in Lexington, Kentucky and the surrounding area! From stallions to adoptable horses and some of our favorite local spots, this itinerary is a great way to curate your Horse Country experience this winter.
Note: This itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on a sample of what tours may be available in January and February 2025. Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.
Thursday
Kick off your weekend with a wide look at how horses are cared for, from foals to stallions and everyone in between at a Thoroughbred breeding farm and one of the world’s top equine feed mills.
Mill Ridge Farm | 10:30am – 12pm
Enjoy all the horsey-snuggles one can imagine at one of Kentucky’s storied nursery farms. Tours of Mill Ridge Farm include a visit to see their two champion stallions as well as stops to see mares and young horses all throughout the farm. You’ll even get to feed carrots to the mares and the youngin’s, something that’s sure to warm your heart even on the chilliest of days.
Mill Ridge Farm currently offers tours daily at 10:30am and 1pm
May we suggest… lunch at Ramsey’s Diner after your tour? Enjoy some classic Southern cooking, and be sure to get a piece of their famous pie!
Hallway Feeds | 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Stay warm and get an inside look into the core of one of Kentucky’s premier feed companies! Guests will immerse themselves in the captivating story of Hallway Feeds, followed by an enlightening tour through the plant to learn about the intricate feed production process. You’ll even get the chance to get hands-on and taste the essence of the feed-making experience!
Hallway Feeds hosts tours on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 1:30pm
Be sure to check out… one of the many distillery tours in Central Kentucky! The Bluegrass is known for horses and bourbon. There are seven distilleries in Lexington, with dozens just a short drive away. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is the ultimate guide to all of Kentucky’s distilleries!
Friday
Spend the day visiting two of the most prominent stallion farms in the Thoroughbred industry, where you’ll get an inside look at the multi-million dollar stallion business here in the Bluegrass.
WinStar Farm | 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Take a tour through WinStar Farm’s beautiful stallion barn, home to 14 top stallions including Constitution, Life is Good and more. The tour begins with a look back at the history of WinStar Farm, and the chance to see trophies and memorabilia from some of their top victories (including two Kentucky Derby wins). You’ll then head into the stallion barn to view the stallions and learn more about their racing and breeding careers.
WinStar Farm offers this experience on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:30am in January, with the addition of Saturdays to the schedule in February
May we suggest… Wallace Station Deli and Bakery in Midway? Take a drive down scenic Old Frankfort Pike to one of Kentucky’s most well loved restaurants! Wallace Station was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri, which highlighted their locally-sourced and crafted meals and desserts.
Coolmore at Ashford Stud | 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Take a stroll through the stallion complex of Ashford Stud, one of the most storied farms in Kentucky. Coolmore at Ashford Stud is the home of Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify, plus, a score of other great stallions. You’ll visit the stallion barns and breeding shed, while hearing tales of racing glory and the history of this special property.
Coolmore at Ashford Stud hosts a stallion complex tour on Thursdays and Fridays at 2:30pm in January and February
Be sure to check out… Downtown Versailles after your horse farm tours! This precious small town has a little bit of everything, a sweet bakery (Kristen’s Kreations), Instagram-worthy coffee shop (The Amsden), and a handful of boutiques for all of your Kentucky-oriented shopping needs (Green Street Gifts, My Darling & Co., Bluegrass Traditions and more!).
Saturday
Meet adoptable horses at two equine rescues – both of which focus on giving horses a new path in life through rehabilitation and training. Plus, you’ll get to pet and snuggle some of these sweet souls!
BraveHearts Equine Center | 9am – 10am
Horse Country’s newest member is a unique equine rescue focused on providing a safe landing, and a second chance at life for draft horses, donkeys and other equines. When visiting BraveHearts Equine Center in Paris, you’ll meet members of their herd, which includes draft horses and donkeys of all ages and backgrounds, and hear more about how these horses are cared for, and at times, adopted into new homes.
BraveHearts Equine Center is open for tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9am and 12pm
Be sure to check out… the Summit at Fritz Farm for a variety of dining and shopping options!
Kentucky Equine Adoption Center | 1pm – 2pm
After visiting BraveHearts Equine Center, head to the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, the largest all-breed equine rescue in the state. The Adoption Center provides rehabilitation and training to help horses find new homes as riding or companion horses! This experience includes a demonstration of equine training and the chance to meet many of the adoptable horses that reside at the Center.
The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center hosts experiences six days a week at 1pm
Be sure to check out… local artist Kayla Weber’s studio, located just five minutes from the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center! Take some time to browse through Weber’s beautiful art, which often features horse farms and other Kentucky landmarks.
About Horse Country, Inc.
Based in Lexington, Ky, Horse Country is a not-for-profit membership organization that offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the equine industry through tours of member farms, veterinary clinics and other equine attractions in Kentucky. Check out Horse Country on social media: Instagram @visithorsecountry Facebook @visithorsecountry and Twitter @kyhorsecountry. For more information: www.visithorsecountry.com.