I trust these reviews to steer me toward high quality businesses, so I feel obligated to share mine for you. If you are not an experienced rider, beware. I am not, but I have been on several trail rides at similar stables with excellent reviews and never have had a problem. We booked a 2hr ride, myself and my 4 children. First warning sign was that I was never asked our level of experience. We were put onto horses that just must have been to available, that's all I can think. They turned someone away when we walked in saying they were booked for the day. I was put on my horse with a warning that, "he spooks easily and to hold him, with just the right amount of firmness, but not too much or he might bolt." Um, excuse me?? I'm a city girl, yes. But to pay $50 for a trail ride from an established company with such high reviews gives you a sense of comfort that you will be taken care of. No, I was not. After 10-15 minutes of this horse all over the place and me NOT feeling confident or safe, I demanded to get off, even after being laughed at by our guide and told I was fine. I allowed my kids to go on since they were so excited and I didn't want to ruin their fun (they are older) and I hiked myself back to the stables. And I know I sound like one of "those people", but I'm really not. I think this is the first negative review I've ever written. I was so shaken by the experience and the lack of regard from our guide it took me a long time to calm down. I would have let it go as me just being too scared for a "real" horse ride, but then I found out later that my daughter's horse had to be held onto by its lead the entire 2hrs since it has a history of rolling around in the water and throwing people off! What again!?! AND! When my children returned there was another group returning at the same time. The woman in that group almost got kicked getting off her horse! And she was told it was her fault since she dismounted on the wrong side! Again, how are we supposed to know this??? And no one was there helping her. Everyone watching was so shocked!
I respectfully asked for a refund for my ride since I completed 10-15 mins of a 2hr ride on a completely unacceptable horse for my level of experience. The girl working there said she would have to call the owner. Their response? No. you kept a horse out of rotation that could have been booked by someone else, but she suggested I could call them if I wanted. My thoughts?? Money matters more to you than the safety and well being of your guests. Very unhappy and I will never be back.
******My response to owner comment***
1. You recall me having a conversation in the parking lot?? You weren't there, I never met you.
2. Me saying a quick hello to a family that attends the school I work at = my fault that I was not asked about my experience level?? But I SHOULD have been asked as I was being loaded on the only horse brought out for me, yes? Now, I'm not the expert, but doesn't waiting to ask for experience level until you are actually being loaded up on horses seem a little late?
3. If I was rushed another horse, I was not made aware of it. I got off and was pointed the way back through the trees. That's all I was offered.
4. I'm not experienced, so no I didn't feel in control of a jumpy horse. I was in complete terror, shaking uncontrollably and NOT knowing what to do. When I realized I was only being laughed at (in front of my children) and NOT feeling safe, I just wanted off and to let my kids go on. And yes, besides the fact that my daughter's horse had to be held by the lead the entire 2hrs, they had fun.
5. I have time stamped photos to prove that I was not on that horse more than 15 mins tops. Photo taken of kids before I mounted my horse, next photo taken after I had gotten off and walked all the way back to a clearing and turned to take a photo of my kids crossing the stream at the 2nd crossing. Does it take more than 30mins into the ride to cross the stream once? Because I got off immediately after that.
6. The lady that almost got kicked (her fault?) was the same horse I was on?? Makes me even more glad I made the decision to get off. That also means that horse got you paid double for that 2nd hour I paid for.
7. You wish I would have let you show me?? I'm not sure exactly what that means. I asked to talk to you (since I never met you!), your gal called you, walked away from me on the phone and came back with "sorry, nothing we can do".
8. If I'm at fault for not being an experienced rider and for being afraid, then fine. But you should make that clear to future customers. I intentionally take rides like this in order to become more confident. I'm sorry, but this was a terrible day for me. The least you could have done was talked to me personally or even offered me the 2nd hour as a refund.
9. I misspoke, I have written ONE other bad review in the past that I completely forgot about. Otherwise, they have all been good. I don't make a habit of this was my point. read more