I bought my granddaughter a horse experience for Christmas and they were so nice and accommodating…read more It's a beautiful farm!!!

My daughter has been riding at Knollwood Farm since she turned 4 years old, which makes 7 years…read morenow! Many of you probably think it was stupid to put a 4 year old on a big horse and so did I. However I'm a softy for the tears and she was in love with horses so I took her there expecting a lesson or two and we would be done. WRONG! The professionalism of the trainers, the huge selection of school horses (I think about 28) and the eye on safety over hurt feelings really set them apart from all others. As far as the selection of horses, they start with Willie, "The Golden Sofa". Willie is the wonderful starter horse that knows what he is to do and gently carries the youngest to oldest beginners around the arena so they can get their first feel of the saddle without fear. Once when he was carrying a little girl, she lost her balance and started to slip off, before she fell, he simply stopped where he was and allowed the trainer to help her back up onto the saddle. He made it much more comfortable for my 4 year old to learn to ride (and for my nerves). For the most experienced riders there is Baxter, Hooper, Reggie and Merlin,. These are the real (academy) show horses and a thrill for those who get to ride them. My daughter has worked her way up from Willie through all the horses to Merlin and loves every minute of it. Safety. This is the main reason why we have remained at Knollwood for so long. The safety of my child means more to me than any stupid ribbon, a trophy or even her hurt feelings! Her first few times in the show ring off lead line, she rode an old pony named KC. She had rode several bigger better horses including Saddlebreds, but for safety, "bomb proof" KC was brought to the show just for her. Riding as a 4 year old she RODE THAT PONY and won her class against older kids (many over-mounted and unsafe) riding the prettier Saddlebreds. She went on to a fourth place finish in the championship against kids up to more than twice her age. At shows, I have witnessed kids, from other barns, so over-mounted (horse that is too powerful and beyond the kids abilities) getting run off with, falls and flopping around like a rag doll in the saddle. I even saw a little lead line girl get bucked off and stepped on. SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY. Some barns don't want their kids to wear helmets! They think that in a show they will be judged poorly for the helmet even though it is not to be part of the judging. Ribbons before safety, that's plain STUPID! Finally, in a lesson, if your kid is doing something that will get them hurt, it will be pointed out. If they ignore the instructor it will continue to get sterner. If they cry, the warnings continue over the tears, because the hurt feelings heal easier than bones. After so many years around Knollwood, I could go on and on (more than I already have). Another very important thing about Knollwood is rider participation in caring for the horses. Many kids and adults volunteer as helpers at the barn, they tack, groom, feed and cleanup after the horses. They help other riders and teach other riders about caring for the horses. My daughter was taught how to groom and tack at about 5 years old. If a horse poops, some kid is going to grab a rake-like thing to pick it up and put it in a muck bucket. I started writing this review after reading someone else's review of another barn far away, where she stated that their barn smelled, the horses were not groomed etc. etc. All I could think was, that this Little Princess would die at Knollwood because SHE would learn to care for the horses that she rides. Caring for the animals that work for THEM has countless positive impacts on a child's life. If you're looking for a pony ride, take your kid to the zoo. If you want a safe place for them to learn to ride and the responsibility of caring for the animal, I highly recommend Knollwood.

Good facility with an amazing trainer and great selection of school horses!read more

I have been riding and showing Saddlebreds for over 50 years. Eric and Erica are the best. About 5…read moreweeks ago, it was necessary to move my horse from the trainer he was with. Things weren't good. I reached out to Erica and met with them at a show that day. I explained what was happening and asked them to please take my horse back to their farm from the show. I was worried for his safety. They got him the next day and stabled him with them until they took the horses home. The changes in my horse are amazing. He no longer bites or paws. He is happy!! The stalls are immaculate every time I go even when they are away at a horse show. I am riding my horse regularly and Eric is a fantastic teacher. I am having so much fun!! People from my previous barn are there in the lesson program and say it is fantastic!! Everyone there is so professional. All the horses are happy and calm. Best decision I ever made. Five weeks after getting my horse, Eric showed him in the championship at a horse show and won. My horse has never looked so good!!!

I have been riding at hillside for almost 6 years!!! horse back riding is a really expensive sport,…read morebut because of margie and her prices i am able to horseback ride. their is such an amazing community and i have made so many amazing friends. their are so many horses for so many levels. hillside is not abusive, supportive barn. you will never be made fun of, or bullied at hillside. no matter your level, you will be treated with respect. i have learned to much because of margie (owner and instructor). anyone who has met margie knows how nice, funnny, and talented she is. margie has 3 sweet dogs, and lots of horses (over 28). i love all the people at hillside, and i hope if you are considering going here, this is your sign to.

Margie is the best! Margie is the trainer and co-owner here, and she is a fabulous trainer. She has…read moreapproximately 30 horses of all ability levels, meaning there is a horse for everybody. This is a great place to start learning to ride or to continue to develop your jumping skills. Margie is also a great fan of polo, and both teaches polo and puts together teams. If you've never played polo, this is a great place to learn. One of the things I especially appreciate about Margie is that she's very flexible with scheduling lessons, which is fabulous for a working adult who has to schedule around work commitments. I've ridden at a number of facilities, and I like this place the best. The other ridders out there are supportive, and it just feels like home. Overall a great place!

My Girl Scout troop had a blast going on a trail ride yesterday. Beautiful scenery, helpful and…read moreknowledgeable guides, gorgeous horses. As a first time rider i was a little nervous but I felt confident to ride after the instruction given. Bernadette was great to deal with throughout the process of setting up the trail ride for my troop! My daughter and I will be back for some more trail rides and summer camps!

Very disappointing experience…read more My 9-year-old daughter attended one day of this horse riding camp and came home crying. She reported being spoken to harshly and disrespectfully, including being told that struggling with two different horses "must be her fault." She also reported hearing the director tell children to "shut up." When she was crying and asking to go home, she was told she could not. We ultimately decided not to send her back for the rest of the week. When we called to inform the camp, the counselor we spoke with told us that not sending our daughter back was a "bad parenting decision." I requested a prorated refund for the days she did not attend, but Bernadette did not provide one. Children attending camp should feel safe, respected, and encouraged while learning. Unfortunately, that was not our daughter's experience. I would not send my child back.

We love it here! Great place for riding lessons for kids! My kids love Miss Kelsey and all the…read morehorses

Dori Lou farms is now Green Ridge. I recommend this boarding facility. Katie does a great job…read morecaring for the horses, as do other staff. Horses are in pasture most mornings weather permitting. Also, as far as strangles. That was before the stable became Green Ridge, and was 1 isolated horse mildly infected.

They keep the horses inside 24/7 and charge you to turn them out! Absolutely no way to keep an…read moreanimal. I have no idea how this place is still open or has boarders. If you're looking for overpriced board, random fees for services that are normally free of charge, and mistreatment of animals, you've come to the right place.

What wonderful people! Our little 4 year old and her bestie went for their first rides and had a…read morewonderful time. The staff knows what they're doing and provide a great experience. 10/10, WILL do it again!