STABLE SITUATION

It may be true that the best cure for what ails the inside of a man is the outside of a horse, but finding the cure is getting progressively more difficult. The days when you could mosey up to most any stable and, for a small fee, rent a horse for an hour or two--enjoying both animal and fresh air--are pretty much gone from Orange County.

Nowadays, the stable business is one of buying, selling and boarding horses. Even at that, many of the county’s stables have closed--victims, at least partially, of increased liability insurance. One proprietor contacted by Clipboard said her annual insurance premium has increased from $1,500 to $8,000 in four years--for the same coverage.

Here’s what some of the county’s stables have to offer and the cost:

ANACO RANCH

2300 E. Winston Road

Anaheim

(714) 533-2531

Acres: 10

Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Riding lessons: independent trainers, call for prices

Monthly boarding: fully-covered outside, $185; inside barn, $205

Stud service: not available

Specialty: riding lessons

Notes: sell and train horses

ANAHEIM HILLS SADDLE CLUB

6352 E. Nohl Ranch Road

Anaheim

(714) 998-2830

Acres: 15

Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Riding lessons: $30 each or $250 for 10 private lessons

Monthly boarding: box stalls, $250; pipe corral, $200; semi-paddocks, $225; pasture, $165; small pipe corral, $150

Stud service: $500

Specialty: raising Black and Whites

Notes: buy, sell and rent horses (monthly basis only); pony parties available

COUNTRY TRAILS

21501 E. Chapman Ave.

Orange

(Located inside Irvine Park)

(714) 538-5860

Acres: 432

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends (closed Mondays)

Riding lessons: $25 each, private (minimum of seven)

Monthly boarding: not available

Stud service: not available

Specialty: horse drawn hay rides--$85 (17 people, $5 per person) minimum; one-hour ride

Notes: availabile for parties

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH

215 Orlinda Drive

Brea (Located inside Chino Hills State Park)

(714) 524-2631

Acres: 7 (1,100 acres of trails)

Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Riding lessons: $25 per hour or $35 if stable furnishes horse

Monthly boarding: covered portable pens, $175; covered box stalls, $275

Stud service: not available

Specialty: export horses overseas

Notes: buy and sell horses; no rentals

PEACOCK HILL EQUESTRIAN CENTER

(Inside Irvine Regional Park)

East Chapman Ave.

Orange

(714) 997-7720

Acres: 15

Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Riding lessons: independent trainers, call for prices

Monthly boarding: pipe corrals or box stalls, $165-$265

Stud service: not available

Specialty: boarding

Notes: no sales or rentals

RANCHO DEL RIO

1314 S. Sanderson Ave.

Anaheim

(714) 535-3510

Acres: 11.5

Hours: for boarders 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; office, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends

Riding lessons: $20 per half-hour (private)

Monthly boarding: fully-covered box stalls, $195; pipe stalls, $185; pipe corrals, $145

Stud service: privately owned horses available

Specialty: English training and jumping; American Riding Club for the Handicapped

Notes: no sales or rentals

RIVER TRAIL STABLES

1940 N. Main St.

Orange

(714) 637-2624

Acres: 7.5

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, closed Sunday

Riding lessons: $20-$25 per hour, four-hour minimum

Monthly boarding: $142-$205; half covered pipe pens or box stalls

Stud service: not available

Specialty: boarding

Notes: Buy and sell horses, but no rentals

ROCKING T RANCH

4351 Lakeview Ave.

Yorba Linda

(714) 777-2898

Acres: 5

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday

Riding lessons: private, $20 per hour; group (two riders) $15 per hour per person

Monthly boarding: not available

Stud service: not available

Specialty: riding lessons

Notes: horses hauled, veterinary hospital on premises

SYCAMORE TRAILS STABLES

26282 Oso Road

San Juan Capistrano

(714) 661-1755

Acres: 20

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; owners may see horses at any time

Riding lessons: by independent instructors (call for more information)

Monthly boarding: pipe stalls, $185; box stalls, $255

Stud service: not available

Specialty: boarding

Notes: sales and rentals not available

TRIPLE B EQUESTRIAN CENTER

4380 Palomino Lane

Yorba Linda

(714) 961-9436 or 996-3150

Acres: 5

Hours: stables, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Riding lessons: $25 per hour (available at 10 for $200)

Monthly boarding: box stalls, $225; box stalls with corrals, $255; corrals with covers, $135-$175

Stud service: not available

Specialty: boarding

Notes: sell, trade and train horses

Source: Individual stables