Still great place to board and for lessons, but they discontinued trail rides. The surrounding…read moreforest preserves sadly make riders feel unwelcome as peds, bikes don't want to share the trails. It's a shame so many people fear horses

I've been riding here for the past 6 years and I loved it, every horse is well mannered and some…read morepeople are as well. I have quit at this barn because of fat shaming by a lady, which I will not name. Because of this, I have lost all confidence in riding. I also do not recommend camps, any of them. Prices go up while everything stays the same or even becomes worse.

I could not believe there was a horse stable this close to my house. They have a LOT of horses and…read moreponies. There were 5 people in my group and Anna was our guide. She was amazing! The ride was leisurely and relaxing but still fun. They recommend dressing for the weather but wearing jeans and gym shoes, which was perfect. My horse was Sammy (ironic) and my husband's was Denny. I also had a connection with Sanchez (although that may be because I was feeding him tons of apples and mints). I wish we would have known about the carrots and apples but you can bring your own and make friends with all of the beautiful horses! I can't wait to go back.

My daughter did a trail ride. She has several years of riding experience so we have seen all sorts…read moreof barns. While the ride was fine and the trainer was friendly, I was SHOCKED at the condition of the barn. The smell of urine was overwhelming. The stalls looked like they had not been mucked out in weeks. Tons of poop in the stalls. Animals just looked sad and depressed. The barn and arena were dark and depressing. Absolutely no outdoor space for the animals. I'm shocked people board horses there. Conditions are terrible. There were about 30 farm animal just standing around in a dark arena. Reminded me of a nursing home. Very depressing. Everything just looked neglected.

Excellent care, quality feed and indoor is large and not too busy. Outdoor is very nice too…read more Thankful my horse is safe and receives such good daily care.

I have tried to reach them but never get a return call. I wanted to set up lessons for my…read moregrandchild.

Great place to learn to ride a horse. I recommend to all…read more Can not wait to start ride there with my son. I am taking one star out for management- it could be a little better.

I should have believed the bad reviews. What a waste of $43 dollars and an hour of driving. Just…read morereturned from my daughter's first beginner lesson. She had attended beginner camp at New Traditions last week. I did see them the camp riding nose to tail on the first day of camp when I stopped back early, but the camp person claimed that was a one time thing - and that they were going to fix it by rearranging the groups and it wouldn't happen again. I'm so gullible, I believed them.) Not knowing this nose to tail - waste of time "riding" - was their standard MO, at the end of camp, we signed up for a beginner lesson. My daughter really wanted get into horseback riding. She was so excited. When scheduling the lesson, we were told we should do the Wednesday class because there were only 3 kids signed up and there were 8 in the Monday class - and that 8 was a lot so it would be better to go on Wednesday. We were told she would get so much more attention in lessons than she had gotten in camp - and that she would progress quickly because she was a "natural." Fast forward to the lesson today. We arrived today ten minutes before class, then we learned that five more kids had signed up - there were now 8 in this class. Sounded like a lot - the number that the instructor said would be difficult to get individual attention, but okay. In the next ten minutes, however, people kept showing up with Groupons - and getting added to the class. This continued until TEN minutes AFTER the class was supposed to start. By the time "class" started, there were now FOURTEEN kids in the class. Class was late starting because everybody had to wait (with the horses noses to the walls), while more kids kept getting on horses. Then, once everybody was one, they walked each horse's nose in the tail of the horse in front of it. Every time one kid stopped, the entire group stopped. My daughter learned NOTHING and had an incredibly frustrating time. The instructor taught nothing. Plus, it is DANGEROUS. One of the parents was familiar with them doing this informed me that this happens ALOT - especially when they offer Groupons. She said that sometimes a horse acts up and a lot of kids fall off. Just a little something to add to the stress level of watching this disaster of a class. The "instructor" Anne, (and I use this term loosely, because there was NO useful instruction whatsoever) left the class after about 20 minutes because she has to go out and get payments for the people coming for the 5:30pm class. For 15 minutes of the she was out in the lobby getting people and selecting horses for the next class. Meanwhile, the packed horses/children are barely moving around the ring. Anne was also apparently teaching the 5:30 class. But, she had to come out and deal with all the unhappy parents from the 4:30pm class. So, we waited in line to talk to her. We left at 5:45pm after talking to her - and there was still another person waiting. That 5:30 class was still waiting for an instructor while all this was going on. The parent in front of me explained how unsatisfied she was, and Anne told her that she needed to do private lessons, which are $70. Of course, Anne noted, private lessons do not get the ring to themselves, other students will be in the ring. Anne said that they do not limit how many horses will be in the ring during a private lesson - she refused to indicate what number of horses would be too many. When I finally got to speak to Anne, I told her how disappointed I was - and she frankly - didn't care in the slightest. She said that classes fill up and if I don't like the class I need to invest in private lessons. She also told me that having fourteen horses in that tiny arena wasn't dangerous at all. I wish I would have believed the other reviews and not wasted my time and money.

Excellent place to get started with your horseback riding experience...for all ages. They have…read moregreat friendly rescued horses and certainly make the experience memorable. I would encourage them to add an element of what it is like to keep a horse on their trail rides to encourage and intrigue first time riders.

This is the 2nd year we have had Sarah's ponies out to our Autumn Fair Fundraising event. Her…read morestaff, once again, was phenomenal. Nicole was very communicative with me and she was able to get the pony wheel and petting zoo set up quickly and efficiently with her staff. Thank you!

Where should I start? I got a Living Social deal and decided…read moreto try them with my girlfriend who is an experienced Hunter/Jumper rider. Let me just preface that their regular prices are so good I drove from Chicago, and will again. First of all, if you think you are at the entrance, but not sure because no one answers your knocking on the door, just walk in. We spent 10 minutes hoping someone was around while their two goats followed me. One of the owners came out and got us and I had to leave my goat girlfriend who escorted me along their property. The owners (a couple, forgot their names) were very nice, which is a treat because I have gone to other places for riding and in my experience most horse people are arrogant and don't have patience for beginners. Not the case here, very kind, patient, and a sense of humor to boot (no pun intended). They do all kinds of training, western, english, dressage, and they train their customer's horses daily. Horses were well maintained, as were the stables. I was retaught how to post, and I cantered for the first time. Smallish arena, but music was playing and it was relatively easy to hear the instructors, who were the owners. My girlfriend and I got to ride together for the first time, and even though it wasn't a scenic trail, it was very fun. Worth the trip Worth the money Worth a look I will be back, at least to see my goat friends.

My family and I found Country Meadows about 12 years ago, I was 9 years old and had been riding at…read morea barn through the local park district of my town. Someone had told us about Country Meadows and that we should really check it out if I wanted to continue horseback riding. We took a trip to see the barn and meet the owners and right away we decided we wanted to have a lesson there. I remember from my first lesson, how happy I was and how safe I felt on the horse and in their barn. I had just one, hour long lesson and I never went back to my previous barn. The owners Mike and Dale, and trainer Julie make it feel like home. They are all so friendly and loving and really want you to grow and become a great rider. They are like family; they support you, help you achieve your goals, and really genuinely care about you as a rider and a person. From my first lesson to now I've grown so much as a rider and a person. I have learned and grown to be so much more confident and outgoing. Continuely connecting with so many of their friendly and happy horses. And really became a rider that I always hoped I could become. Every horse you will ride teaches you something new and different and really challenges you as a rider. With the training and attention to detail they give you during your lesson, you will find yourself starting to get a hang of it and becoming a better rider every lesson. They take great pride in the way their horses are taken care of and getting the treatment and love they deserve. Their red barn is so gorgeous with beautiful wooden stalls and siding, the viewing room is very clean and nice and heated for cold winter days with a large window for you to be able to watch your children, spouse, or friends ride. They have a heated indoor arena that is very long and big so that you have lots of space to ride if there are a few other people in your lesson. They also have a beautiful large outdoor arena for lessons when theres a nice sunny summer day. They have the sweetest dogs that will come greet you with lots of kisses and some very vocal chickens in their second barn across the indoor arena that you'll want to meet. If you are looking for a barn that will teach you and help you learn to be a great rider, who are friendly and really truly care about the rider and that persons lesson and progress. This is definitely without a doubt the barn for you. I am so grateful and really just thankful I found this barn 12 years ago and the people in it because it really is a family away from my family. Honestly I do not think I would be the rider I am today if it wasn't for finding Country Meadow Farm!

I have been riding at Trillion for over a year now, and I can describe it as my sacred place. It is…read morethe place where I can relate to these wonderful people and animals that add meaning to my life and make my day. It is a happy place where horse lovers can find a true connection with horses and good great people. If I wouldn't have to work, I would spend big part of my last there. It is my favorite place to rebalance myself. I am a mother of two little kids, just waiting for them to turn 8 and start having this wonderful connection with horses. I would highly recommend this port to any mother seeking self confidence, character and humbleness for her kids.

Our service back in 2020 during July and August was not good. we paid for Private lessons while…read morethey were teaching like 3 OTHER riders. We would also contact them about some things but of course, they would never get back to us. I can tell they have improved since then as my friend rides there and have been there a couple times in late 2022. They do schooling shows and everything and loads of events for any level of rider. I do think they can improve more since they do wait a really long time before riders are able to canter and jump. I may go back to Trillion at some point if they improve. Please let me know anyone if they improve in any way.

The equestrian center is linked to the forest preserve. Visitors can walk around and weather…read morepermitting look at all the beautiful horses that have been turned out to graze. We love walking around here and the forest preserve beyond. You feel like you are a walking in the country side, there are tractors and farm equipment around and you can walk in between the horse pastures. Last time we were here the volunteers were in one of the larger areas where there is also a shelter for horses. We were talking to one of the volunteers and the horses were milling around very close to us. My son was super excited to see them up close.

i never rode horses here, so i can't really speak for that aspect of the center. however, i used to…read moretake my animal-loving client here all the time when i worked as a family support staff for kids with autism. said client never had much interest in the cosley animal zoo; i guess she liked to watch animals running around vs. sleeping in a cage. the staff were always friendly and obliging without being overly invasive, which is WAY more than i can say for most places/their treatment of people with disabilities. there was also a great set of wooded and prairie hiking trails; we had a lot of fun spotting birds by the pond. maybe i'm just nostalgic about this place/that job, but there's something to be said for it. my client had a lot of difficulty exercising and a lot of anxiety about venturing into the community, and she always felt right at home here. i guess this an oddly slanted view, especially for a first review. oh well.