during covid, I met Hazel and bought a trail horse. Hazel has animals that weight over 1000- 2000 lbs and she wants to make sure all is safe. I had a great experience. -Mike- read more

My Daughter has been riding at Haland Stables since she was 4. She is now 10. Hazel is an amazing woman, who teaches people how to ride horses. She doesn't coddle anybody, and expects people to listen to her instructions. I know she does at times come off as a little abrasive, but i think that is because most people expect to be catered to, and treated like they are special. I know this, because i have seen a lot of people come to ride here. Even a couple of those who wrote reviews. My daughter will not ride anywhere else. Hazels horses are well cared for and good mannered. The stables are well kept. Anyone who claims that Hazel is a hack, or her horses are not nice, is wrong. They may need to go home and cry to mommy. Or maybe grow a spine. Just saying. read more

Nice area but Hazel was extremely disrespectful, mean, and yelled at me for not knowing absolutely everything on horseback riding. I told her I was a beginner and I had only ridden once before. She disregarded that and continued to berate and yell at me. The horses are very nice but I feel bad for them knowing they're taken care of by someone as rude and mean as Hazel. I no longer enjoy riding horses because of how stressful the experience was. Please, go anywhere else even if it costs you more money. It's not worth coming here read more

It ok barn but if you don't ride because you have medical reason and haven't really ridden in few years your unless to them

I read these reviews and was a bit worried about the experience. I took my girlfriend for her birthday and wanted to have a nice time. What you have to understand about Hazel is that she is letting strangers ride her prized possessions (beautiful, well-mannered and well-trained horses) and she doesn't "coddle" you because she wants her patrons to be safe and learn how to ride. We had the greatest time and Hazel was charming. She is a real horse woman who requires people to listen to her and follow instructions which is completely understandable. People need to realize that this isn't a ride at Disneyworld or a video game. You are riding horses through the woods. This experience was outstanding. Thank you Hazel for a wonderful, real-life experience. read more

never ever ever ever go here!!!!!! the horses are not nice neither is the instructor do not come here you will go home very disappointed go somewhere else and have a nice time read more

Even if this place is cheaper than others, skip it. The way Hazel talks to her customers is disgusting. She ruined my moms day who was super excited to go trail riding all vacation. She didn't even get to go out since Hazel degraded her and barked at her so much she couldn't take it anymore. This is not a place you go where you or children will have fun. Pay the extra money to have a good ride with a friendly instructor that you and your children will remember positively for a life time. read more

When you go out on a guided horse trail ride, you are riding a horse trained to just follow the horse in front of it. It does this over and over, on the same trails, day after day. Hazel's horses are different. Each horse in her stable is a champion in its own right. They have competed and won awards - each horse a different type of event. Also her horses are primarily used to train people to ride. Just like any horse in this position, they are taught very specific universal commands and those commands need to be understood in order for him to be ridden safely. Having said all that, each horse available has not been trained to lead or follow like regular trail riding horses. Each horse is ridden independent of on any other horse on the trail with your group. If you don't know the universal commands to ride, you will not be able to control your horse. It will be very dangerous for you and the other riders. When you get to the stables you will be out on a horse appropriate to you specifically and tested to be sure you have had lessons and can safely ride a horse yourself. If you cannot do this you will be given a great one-hour lesson instead of a trail ride. I think that everyone who has had a negative experience with Hazel has had one because of communication issues. She doesn't properly explain her expectations and you don't understand how to properly explain your experience level. That leaves everyone annoyed. read more

We had a wonderful experience at Haland Stables. Having never ridden a horse before and reading previous reviews I was worried. However being polite and listening to what the owner had to say went a long way to an enjoyable trail ride. She obviously loves her horses and wants you to ride them properly before going out on the trail. If you follow her instructions she's quite nice and complimentary. She even came out on a Sunday at the end of the season/beginning of the off season to take us on a trail ride. Very accommodating. read more

Wish we too had read the reviews prior to going. I'm sure Hazel knows a lot about horses, but she doesn't know how to deal with children. I wouldn't bother taking a trail ride here unless you are VERY experienced and take insults well. read more

Like another reviewer's daughter, my daughter has been riding at Haland Stables (summers only) for more than 7 years. Hazel is thorough, forthright, and clear in her instructions. She focuses relentlessly on making sure that her pupils get the basics down (i.e., how they hold their hands, where they look, where their legs and feet are when they are riding...) so that they develop consistently good habits. The result is that - despite the fact that my daughter only rides maybe 10x/year - she is comfortable and confident on a horse. I also appreciate the fact that Hazel does not push her pupils to do shows or shell out money for unnecessary fancy gear - that is not what we are interested in. I am grateful that Hazel does such a great job making sure that my daughter can actually ride, and not just sit on (as Hazel terms them) 'merrry-go-round' horses that plod along the way. read more

Wanted to give negative stars. Stay away from this place. Worst experience ever! Hazel is just down right rude and does not have any patience. I was expecting a leisurely trail ride on my vacation. Hazel attempts to teach you how to ride a horse western style with English saddles in 15 minutes, as she barks out commands and insults you for all to hear. She only takes cash, pay up front, no refunds. I think if she took checks or credit, too many people would be fighting to get their money back. Never did the trail ride that day. I'm pretty sure the mother and daughter who were scheduled after us left after hearing Hazel's non stop barking. I can't stress enough to stay away. read more

The poor review below is spot-on. This place may be fine for adult and/or experienced riders but don't even think about taking children here. The owner's manner was so strict and intimidating that three of the four children we took, all of whom had riding experience, cried (and the fourth wanted to). Two of these girls had recently been on a trail ride on the Oregon coast and had zero problems. They ended up questioning their own skill level, scratched the planned trail ride, and instead received a "tutorial" in the corral, for which we paid a mint. Avoid Hazel the Horse Nazi. read more

Wish I had read the prior review before we went for a trail ride three days later. We had the exact same experience. Hazel expects people with very little or no experience to meet her riding expectations before going on a trail ride. At the very least, she should explain well in advance that she will need to evaluate skill before deciding whether a trail ride is appropriate. Bad memory and some severely disappointed kids who had been looking forward to a trail ride that was supposed to be the highlight of our vacation. Bottom line - stay away. read more

Crusty New Englander with a hilariously bad attitude but a good heart teaches you to ride English in 15 minutes, then leads you on a beautiful woodsy trail, complete with estuaries, hills, and cranberry bogs for another 45 minutes. And it's $30 bucks cheaper than most of the other places in the area. Totally worth it as a fun, outdoor thing to do on Cape Cod. Facilities are clean and well-kept, and the horses are even-tempered and sweet. This is a real stable run by a real horsewoman. Cool! read more

I wish I had read the reviews first, before my daughter, my niece and their grandmother spent the time and the money on this experience. They never made it on the trail because my daughter ended up in tears after Hazel berated her in front of the group. She said crying wouldn't help her. The unfortunate thing is my daughter recently had her first riding experience and was really looking forward to this! A ridiculous approach to teaching people about horses and a strange way to run a business. read more

If possible I would give this negative stars. Everyone was so excited to do this and it was my sisters tenth birthday and she ruined it with her uncomfortable and rude attitude she was also threw out many insults and degrading comments. We did not even get on the trail because of how uncomfortable we were. And be careful she takes your money first so there are no refunds. read more

Very disaopointed!!! Expected to take a trail ride as a novice (which was made very clear from the start ). We were not equeatrians! Felt very demean ed by Hazel! Don't waste your money here!!! read more

Absolutely the worst experience I have ever had on a horse. This woman is a hack and so is her facility. I have been on a horse 3 times in my life. My wife came with me and she has been riding for 9 years and trained by a professional dressage instructor. This hack woman made myself and my wife so uncomfortable. I have never seen my wife dismount from a horse and tell the lady to forget it. She was telling my wife everything she was doing wrong. I could go on about this place. While we were there she was "teaching" her advanced riders who were very young and not experienced. They looked like they were not enjoying themselves. I'd give this place minus 5 stars. read more

Terrible. Do not go here!!! Save your money. A lot has changed in 2 years since the only other review on this site. "Crusty"? Oh-yeah! "Bad attitude"? Absolutely! Hazel has lost her cool completely. She began the nasty critiques by barking at me for the way I filled out the waiver! Bad sign. our appointment was delayed an hour by the previous group. That was followed by 40 more minutes of outright insulting and yelling at me and my kids. We told her the kids have never ridden and expected a little patience during the instruction. we never made it out onto the trail and never got the full hour. I can't believe i tipped her ahead of time . worst $200 i ever spent. i later met three separate families at the beach that had IDENTICAL experiences. My kids now say they hate horseback riding and never want to go again. Thanks Hazel for ruining a great father - son memory. read more

No parking! The owner was extremely rude and intimidated my daughter who was very nervous on getting on a horse. I felt very rushed. We paid for 30 minutes and we were not getting a minute over! I will never go back! read more

I would also give this place negative stars. Rudest woman I have ever met, she made me almost get off and leave. My boyfriend was shaking before we even left the ring because she was so nasty and aggressive. I would not suggest this place to ANYONE! I have been riding for my whole life and I have have my instructors license. I was horrified. read more

Definitely not recommended for young or inexperienced riders. The 15-minute English riding lesson in the ring before the trail ride is stressful, and if you are not up to Hazel's standards after that lesson, she won't let you out on the trail. You can stay in the ring for the same price, however. There are no refunds offered if you don't make the cut. Hazel was best with our youngest daughter, but very harsh with the older two. My two youngest (ages 9 and 13) were so upset they got off the horses and waited in the car. She completely stressed us out, and most of us had ridden before! I spent my time on the horse counting down the minutes until the ride was over. Not a fun place to ride. Look elsewhere and spend the extra money there, you'll be happy you did. read more