My boyfriend Shane and I had such an amazing experience today with GI Joe. I'm an experienced rider…read morewhile my boyfriend is a beginner, yet both of us were galloping by the end of it. We even shared a beer with Joe after the tour. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back. We seriously can't stop talking about our time with the horses.

We drove all the way from Long Island and we are so glad we made the trek. This was such an…read moreauthentic experience. This ranch is like no other.. Joe is incredible and has so much hospitality. He really knows his stuff and is an excellent riding guide. His horses are so well trained and really listen to you. From experienced riders to beginners, he really offers a one of a kind experience. Especially for people who have years of riding experience (like me) and are tired of those mundane boring trail rides than Rough riders is for you!! It is full of adventure and thrill!

This was by far the most meaningful riding lesson that I have had. Gil was absolutely fantastic and…read moreis a natural instructor. He immediately makes you feel at ease and spends time going over not just safety protocol but also shows you how to connect with the horses, develop an understanding. As a result the ride itself was absolutely fantastic. I learned a lot about technique and even more about the things to improve on. The ride itself was almost therapeutic. You learn how to be just in the moment. The sound of the horse's hooves on the earth is a memory that keeps coming back to me over and over again. If you are in saratoga, and you have an interest in horses, this is the place to be. In the last 15-18 years of annual or biannual trail rides, i have never gotten as much out of an experience as I did here.

Gilly and Diamond have need volunteering for Operation Adopt a Soldier for years as our Headless…read moreHorseman and does a GREAT job. Gilly is a very caring person and respects is horse (Diamond) and ALL his horse. I highly recommend him for all your riding and caring for horses you need.......

This was so much fun!! We made a last-minute decision to check out the horseback riding, and…read moresomehow luck was on our side -- they had an opening later in the day! The horses all had their own names and personalities (some clearly knew they were the stars of the show ), and it was so fun watching how they interacted and handled the trail. The ride itself was actually a bit of a challenge in the best way -- beautiful, exciting, and lots of fun! We had such a great time and would highly recommend it!!

Colby & Cowboy Pete are truly the BEST! We brought along two 13-year-olds who had never ridden…read morehorses before, and from the moment we arrived, they made the experience unforgettable. The horses were calm, gentle, and absolutely beautiful. Cowboy Pete was an incredible guide, leading us through trails that were peaceful, scenic, and breathtaking. What stood out most was their patience and kindness -- they immediately put our teens at ease and made them feel comfortable and confident. Thanks to Colby & Cowboy Pete, their very first horseback riding experience became a joyful memory they'll cherish forever. Thank you both so much for such an amazing adventure and for creating a moment they will always remember!

started riding here with megan, when she first started up in '22. she is very warm, accommodating,…read moreand attentive, qualities that are hugely beneficial for a trail guide to assure a GREAT visit. megan grew up on this property, and with the ride comes the stories as such, which i love to hear when she tells them at certain landmarks. horses are very well mannered, stalls and stables, spotlessly clean, which is NOT an easy task when one keeps horses, lol. she uses fleece lined hackamore bits, which are effective, yet gentle on the horse's mouth. BONUS: she offers a quick, yet effective mini-lesson in the arena prior to hitting the trails, which is a great way to encourage confidence to apprehensive riders. after the lesson, we proceed outside, where other horses seem to be wishing us well on our journey. how i love seeing them running up, and whinnying! the trails are breathtaking, and variable....one minute you are on a wooded path where you might see a deer, and few moments later, on a huge open field-where suddenly FREEEEEDOMMMM! seems to "possess" you-i always feel like i want to just run wild and free, full speed through the vast openness, which of course i don't, because i can only walk and trot-and for safety/insurance reasons, walk and trot is pretty much what is allowed. the price for a 2 hr. ride is absolutely reasonable, and unique to our area. i highly recommend ANYONE with an interest or curiosity about horseback riding, to def. check out BLAZING TRAIL RIDES. (and please remember to TIP your trail guide) . you can thank me later. :) HAPPY TRAILS!

From the owner: Blazing Trail Rides offers guided horseback trail rides through the farm every Saturday and Sunday,…read moreJune through October. Located at the Van Etten Farm in the beautiful Helderberg Mountains of Knox, NY. 1999 Berne Altamont Road, Altamont, NY 12009 518-424-9086

Just started visiting this farm, do riding lessons for my daughter. Hillary is awesome and a great…read moretrainer. My daughter loves going here, and says it's the best lessons she's ever had!

I've taken a few horse riding lessons from Helen. She is very nice and helpful. This was my first…read moretime riding without someone holding the lead. It's been a very pleasant experience. I will continue lessons in the spring.

I'm not an expert in horse back riding experiences but I know that this is what it should be like…read more Our guides were good friendly people and made us feel comfortable and welcomed immediately. Our horses Elliot and Cheyenne were beautiful , gentle and very friendly. The trail was beautiful and very picturesque . Take the time to enjoy this experience with MBF.

We had a group of 5, ranging in ages from 14 to 56. We went for a 1 hr ride with Quinn. Everything…read moreabout the experience was great! The horses looked happy and were friendly. The walk through the forest and old farm fields, full of flowers and butterflies was spectacular. Quinn told as little stories about the area and local nature, and made the walk even better. Overall, I highly recommend this place for people of all experiences levels, especially beginners.

The horses are very well cared for and the stables are kept clean to a very high standard. It's…read morehonestly so very much appreciated that I can tell the horses are loved and cared for and not just seen as a commodity