DO NOT LISTEN TO BAD REVIEWS. This was the best horseback riding experience my family and I have ever done. Mike and his parents are the kindest individuals we have met on our trip and practice social distancing and wear masks when necessary. The horses were well trained and followed the horse in front while still having control to maneuver around certain areas. Best time ever!!! Best views ever too!! read more

Banner Elk Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Worst ride I have ever had. I rode late June 2021.. no wonder the best reviews are much older. I've been riding English for a year and western a year before that, and have a history of riding trails such as in the Colorado mountains, at home, and the difficult trail at Dutch creek. This was a supposed easy ride, trail wasn't very long, you ride the same stretch there and back. There were a few red flags right away. The horses, although very friendly, did not look to be in very good shape. One horse had Cushing's disease, a condition where they do not shed their winter coat as they should. This poor horse had to ride in full western thick gear with a full winter coat in the middle of summer, they didn't even shave his coat. All of the other horses had long hooves, they desperately needed a farrier out there to trim their hooves. A fair few of the horses also had spots where their coat was completely rubbed off and it was just their skin. The stables and the staff are next. No greeting from the staff, I couldn't tell who was staff and who was a rider, our trail guide seemed to have no interest in talking. The woman who signed us in was polite enough- just enough, not nice enough to comment on or rude enough to be mean about. The trail guide took the first horse in line aside from his own on a lead, which is the first time I have ever seen that on a trail, and frankly was very strange. Although they did multiple check on the girth, my saddle and my mothers saddle were leaning to the side and could not be fixed easily. Half of the staff was a seven and six year old, who did a better job than the other staff. Props to them, they held back tree limbs as we passed, and walked ahead and behind us as we rode the trail. The barn and main house were in poor condition. There were flies in the main house, and you could see through the barn where ceiling insulation was coming loose and the walls were disheveled. The barn where the horses stayed seemed unorganized, as when our trail lead got off, he let his horse run right into the barn, not lead to a stall or anything, still fully tacked up. Now, onto my personal ride. I had a panic attack. Keep in mind my riding experience here, I have NEVER cried on the back of a horse. Ever. From being thrown off to multiple almost heat strokes, I have never cried. But this horse, Sugar.. she broke me. She had the strangest step pattern I have ever ridden on. She'd step to the cliffs, right at the side of the trails, and run me STRAIGHT INTO THORN BUSHES. I had to pick thorns out of my thick riding pants and legs. The saddle was crooked the entire time, and it was very concerning. The trail was fairly easy, but very rocky. The staff said there were working on it, so I don't mind as much. There was one spot that had a very steep decline that you rode down and then back up, the horses seemed confident going up but very unsure going down. My horse constantly stepped off the path, but was so stubborn I could hardly move her, she didn't listen to leg or reign. She INSISTED on going through more difficult paths with no regard that I was on her back. She would be terrifying for a smaller child to ride, and this place advertises themselves as very kid friendly. The trail was just ride up then take the same way back, fairly simple, but because of the horse it was the worst ride I have ever been on. In conclusion, I would not recommend this place. The horses haven't been kept care of in the best way, the staff is just okay, my horse didn't listen and drove us into thorns and rocks, and the trail was just basic. The best staff there were around 7 years old. read more

Banner Elk Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Had a wonderful time. We will definitely come back on our next trip, made an hour horseback trail ride and enjoyed it very much. They made sure we were comfortable riding , we were a group of 7 and some of us not experienced but all the horses were gentle and knew the trail. Would recommend! All the staff there were nice and friendly! read more

Banner Elk Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

This Is not the spot if you want friendly employees or atmosphere or cleanliness. Not a hello or welcome or an introduction by the guide. The guide was helpful but really wasn't interested in any conversation. Even the helmets were all broken and dirty. Don't try to save money by choosing this place. Pay a little more and avoid all this. The horses were great for our kids. The guide took care of my youngest so not a bad experience, just not great. read more

Banner Elk Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Very cute place! Nice horses, great guide Becky and nice staff. The kids enjoyed the horses and so did my husband and I. We received our full hour ride after all riders were mounted. No complaints and happy to recommend to others. read more

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Rode horses here on 07/17/15 and had a blast. This was my husband's second time riding here and my first. The horses were all beautiful, healthy and good tempered. I hadn't been on a horse in about 40 years so I was a little hesitant. There were 6 of us altogether plus the lady that led the group. We went across a stream and around the side of a mountain. Beautiful scenery and a slightly challenging path. Nothing too scary but lots of ups and downs and a couple of switchbacks. My horse, Shelby was very responsive and did everything I asked of her. My husband was on Josie, Shelby's sister. I wish I could have taken them both home with me! :-) We had a little scare as one of the riders was older and appeared to have heat exhaustion. She had a hard time staying in the saddle near the end of the ride, but the lady in charge kept calm and was able to help her down. Their horses went back to the stable and Hubby went to help. It all turned out okay in the end. And it was handled very capably. :-) I wish I could remember the lady's name that led the ride, but I cannot recall. She was blond and tallish. She also took pictures of us with our phones at a scenic overlook that came out nice. This experience made me want to start riding regularly. And I would definitely recommend this place to rank beginners or experienced riders. They have different trails and everyone there was helpful and friendly. read more

Is it possible to give them less than one star? These people are not serious. What a disappointment. We were a group of 10 (4 adults and 6 kids). Made our reservation the day before and gave them our credit information. We were all set for the next day (WE THOUGHT). They told us to call before our scheduled rides 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to check for the conditions of the trails. When we called at 10:30 AM they said the gave our reservation to another group. No serious people. Wondering if the other group offered to pay more. read more

They did not take care of the horses there. My friends mom's horse's hoof was bleeding and they did not care. It did not seem like the horses wanted breaks, the horses are elederly and deserve a break! The man also forgot I was coming one day and we could not ride so we went the next day he was yelling at the horses to move. Would not recomend. People who do not know much about horses would say IT WAS GREAT!! but I help with my friends horse and it was not great. read more

Banner elk stables is great to go out ridding so if you are ever in town come on down to ride the Beautiful trails with our gentle horses get a Beautiful view of the mountains ... read more

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I don't recommend the place. We came to see where the place is and if we like it for future horseback riding and the guy was very unfriendly, said it was closed and unleash the dog at us. We were with a small child. It looked like a dump nobody cares about it. Hope this review will help your decision. read more

Our guide Sarah was very nice- the ride wAs terrible. Slow, short trail- it's only because we were going so slow that it took an hour. Facility needs a lot of attention- run down. It could be great with a little attention to detail. Recommend going anywhere else for a ride. read more

Great time! Haven't been riding in about 10 years, so was unsteady at first, but they have nice gentle horses. Our guide (Dana) was nice. Most places charged $50, but it was only $40 here. There was only 3 in our group, so it was a nice slow pace. Beautiful horses. Visited July 2015 read more

Had a blast. Becky was a great tour guide and the horses were very gentle. Ready to go again.