What an incredible summer! My 13 yr old niece went to Resident Camp this summer and had the time of…read moreher life! She has never done a sleep away camp before and she was VERY nervous about spending time away from her family. (And her freeking phone.) The staff there did such a great job calming her nerves and tackling her fears. She sent us a letter telling us she didn't ever want to leave. I have never heard someone talk about a zip line so much. Her counselor Reef was fantastic. We can't wait to sign her up for next summer! Thank you for teaching her there are much better things in this world than spending all your time on your phone. She will walk into middle school this year with a bold new outlook and camp friends too.

I feel like parents should know the teen leaders they employ are from some summer study abroad…read more program and are boys sent here from other countries (New Zealand, Australia, etc.) and they aren't allowed to disclose their names (my daughter's camp leader was named "Cobra"). I didn't feel comfortable with this arrangement and am glad I didn't sign my daughter up for sleep-away camp. She enjoyed the day camp but the staff seemed more concerned with protecting themselves rather than allowing parents to protect their children. I was expecting some nice local horse riding girls to mentor her and instead had to leave her with boys who wouldn't tell me their names. She won't be back.

My son and niece had the best week last week at A-1 Horse Programs at Owen Ranch in Middletown…read more Helen, the ranch owner, and the instructor knew what each kid needed to be successful in their horsemanship journey, whether it was confidence, courage, encouragement, discipline, etc, she was there to provide what each kid needed to succeed. I was so impressed with her innate ability to understand the needs of the kids and provide what was needed at the moment to get the best results. It was really hot while we were there, like triple digits hot! The kids were hot and tired after each day, but they were still excited about camp and eager to go back each morning. Helen and her assistant Sam were good about keeping an eye on the kids and cooling them down frequently with a hose down, which the kids loved, lol. The kids also absolutely adored their horses. Both horses were very sweet and gentle. The kids loved rewarding their horses at the end of each day with an apple. From day one the kids were hands-on learning how to properly care for their horse and prepare it for a ride. On the very first day they learned how to securely tie it to a post when not being ridden and not in a pen, they learned how to harness and lead their horse out of the pen, they learned how to brush their horse before saddling, they learned how to bridle and saddle their horses. They learned how to walk their horses to warm them up before a ride, they learned how to properly hose a hot horse down to cool it down after a ride in hot temps. They did all that and still had some arena time so that they were also able to learn how to properly control their horse. Day 2 they did all their horse prep and care then had some arena time to strengthen riding skills and then they were off for a trail ride that was about an hour long. The rest of the week was about the same with the kids in the saddle a good 2 hours each day. On the 4th day they learned how to wash the horses and the last day was dedicated to a show the kids put on for the parents to show how well they had learned to direct their horses. On his first day my son was slouching in his saddle and saying he couldn't do a lot of what was asked of him. By mid-week his riding posture was greatly improved and Helen had him saying "I can, instead of I can't" She told him if he could control a 1000 lb horse at just 7 years old, he could do anything! I hope he remembers that forever! He was even excited to carry his horse's rather heavy saddle by himself by the end of the week because he knew he could do anything. Thank you Helen for the best week we had all summer, we will be back.

This place exceeded our expectations! Our non-equestrian family had an amazing time at the ranch…read more Helen was a patient, well versed trainer. She welcomed us to play with the goats while she saddled the horses. She matched us perfectly with the horses, from my 6'4" husband, my 60+ yr old mother, and my elementary age children. She was great with instruction and safety, and the trail ride, which included a walk through the running water was an hour perfectly spent. She even took photos that she shared with us at the end of the experience. Incredible customer service. Absolutely worth every penny!

I contacted Erin to do an evaluation for me since I was quite a distance from the barn and I had a…read moreback injury. She was excellent in providing all the information I needed to make an informed decision about a horse. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.

Erin (and her assistant Katie) are awesome -- best instructors for kids (really individuals of all…read moreages). Erin clearly knows her stuff! She is an accomplished rider herself which doesn't always necessarily translate into being a great instructor, but in Erin's case, she is not only a talented rider, but also instructor. My 6 year old daughter absolutely loves her (and Katie) and counts the days until her next lesson! They have helped nurture a passion for horses. Erin really takes her time and is so genuine! She teaches horsemanship, not just riding which I think is so important. I have been around horses my whole life and have trained with countless instructors when I was younger. Finding the right instructor for my daughter was important to me. I wanted her to be able to build a relationship with her instructor as well as the horse. You don't get this at a lot of lesson facilities, especially for beginner riders. A lot of barns feel cold and very business like -- you get on the horse, you ride for 25-30 minutes and then go home -- not with Erin and Katie. I have never felt rushed. It is a totally different experience riding at her facility -- it is fun, educational, safe, and my daughter has gotten so much out of her lessons in just 6 months. I feel so lucky that a friend referred us (Her daughter goes to school with my daughter and was riding with Erin). As another reviewer pointed out, Erin is so gentle, yet not afraid to push a little in a good way. She has given my daughter so much confidence. My daughter has made so much progress thanks to All the Kings Horses. It is a whole family experience visiting Erin's ranch in Calistoga -- even my 4 year old has a blast! And we have all fallen in love with Erin's lesson ponies/horses! I can't say enough about All the King's Horses.

We had a great horseback riding experience! Things went pretty smoothly with booking (we called to…read morereserve), parking, and even adjusting when we were running late. My partner and I did a private Eagle View ride, and on our horseback riding hike, a couple of the staff members chatted with us while guiding us along the trail. My partner was hoping that they'd share a little more about horses or the trail, but I didn't mind so much. The staff also helped us take photos. When we got back, the staff let us hang out with the other horses past our hour, and I think we stayed for another 20 minutes brushing horse manes and taking pictures.

To my travel crew's either excitement or dismay, I always insist on a horseback ride while on…read morevacation. I understand it can be challenging for trail groups when there's a mixed group like ours - one advanced, some intermediate, and the rest beginners - but Five Brooks made it so every single one of us had an enjoyable time! We chose the Salmon Creek 1.5 hour ride and had a blast with our guide, Jay. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get that close to the creek as I thought we would from other reviews and the description on the website, but maybe it was due to our group size (7 + guide) or our mixed levels of experience. We did get a few opportunities to trot, and the sights were gorgeous. I may have fallen in love with my horse, Cody, a beautiful palomino (which is saying something because I have a palomino of my own at home) but he was so responsive that I really enjoyed riding him. I have family in the area, so I'm already trying to plan my next trip so I can go ride with this group again!

Incredibly peaceful and affordable place to come and visit…read more For literally 23 years my family went to this ranch until it was sold to the current owners. We missed it so much that we decided to come back and visit, and we were not disappointed! There have been a few much needed changes and we couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I created a video that should show you just a taste of what it's like to visit. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpJCNIGGHb8

I had stayed here 3 years ago when it was known as Highland Ranch, and had an exceptional…read moreexperience back then. When I booked a couple of nights at the now Blackbird Farms for this month, I was hoping that it would be the way I remembered it. I was not disappointed! We came for the horseback riding and were pleased to ride well-trained horses that were clearly well cared for. All the meals were delicious and fresh, as BF now grows all their own vegetables and fruits, and they purchase meat from local sources. The cabins were freshened up with some paint and A/C. A wonderful place to go for a little R & R.

Eventing & Dressage trainers John Strassburger and Heather Bailey are a fabulous team. They work…read morewith the rider and the horse to instill confidence and skills to reach your personally desired goal. Or even beyond what you had imagined! Any age or level of experience is welcome to the fabulous 60 acre ranch for lessons, boarding and training. I am an older amateur rider having come back to riding later in life and let me tell you I could not ask for a finer place to have landed! Plus I really enjoy seeing the younger braver riders moving up the levels with joy and confidence. There has been so much growth for me and my understanding of horsemanship under the tutelage of these trainers!

I moved my mare up to Phoenix Farm at the end of January and I think we both feel like we've come…read morehome. Heather and John are fantastic trainers of both borses and humans. Their barn manager Roxanne keeps it all so clean you can eat off the floor. The best part is that everyone there takes care of your horse as if he/she were their own. I cannot recommend this place highly enough!

It was my wife's birthday and it was a special landmark birthday, so I told her to do something…read moreexciting that she would love to do and all of us are completely off the hook pleased with how wonderful this whole experience took place. Amber was our fabulous wrangler. We checked in at the office and they gave us instructions to drive down the highway to another location where the horses would be waiting for us at the trailhead. This is where we met up with Amber and her dogs and the horses. The horses names are Kiki (Ambers), Quinn ( my wife's horse), Traveler ( my daughter's horse, and I got old but dependable Walter the former draught horse. We found out after a while that no matter how tall you are how big you are they have a horse for you and you just call up and tell them what your needs are and then make sure that you get a horse that suited it to you. Let them know whether you're novice or an experienced rider. That makes a difference in the selection, but all the horses are sweet. I cannot tell you how incredible it is to ride through the dunes and pop out onto the beach, looking at those white sands and crashing waves. It was such a beautiful day to go out. I want to go back.

My wife and I decided to spend a lovely brisk day riding horses on the beach! We've both been…read morehorseback riding, but never combined into one activity such as this. My wife was paired with Matty and Zero (his horse), and I was with Christina and her horse (forget the name).... For my wife, she had a lovely time. Her horse gave a little sass. Sometimes it wanted to just pace, other times there was a little trot for playing catch up, but she enjoyed the extra little ride boost. For my ride, although I very much enjoy conversation and Christina was a very knowledgeable and friendly host, I do wish that I had been able to experience more of the ride experience in quietude. Taking in the views and talking with my wife a little more. Instead, I feel like Christina and I were sharing our life stories. Although I am not faulting her for the mutual conversation...... I just wish that the guides would keep it to the ride and landscapes vs trying to chat. The experience and this business is very lovely. I thoroughly appreciate the fact that I was able to text with the staff prior to answer any questions. I always prefer texting to phone calls these days. I would absolutely recommend Horse N Around to any of my friends that want to enjoy this type of activity. Again, I just wish that it was more about the serene experience, the horses, and beach vibes, with less chatter all around. Thank you to the team at large! From planning, to paying, directions, waiting patiently as we almost got lost, and giving us a nice ride. Thank you!

My daughter that's 6yrs old has such control over every horse she has ridden because of the lessons…read morehere at valley brook! Kind, firm and direct teaching is excellent and help form the discipline involved in equine sportsmanship. I can't say enough amazing things about this stable.1

LIterally the best barn ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have Amazing horses. Shout out to London,…read moreBubbles And shadow Also Devon And Laura Thay are the BEST!