Lisa Hargate

Review of Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm/ ...

First, the positive. My horse kept me safe and the...

First, the positive. My horse kept me safe and there are scenic views from the barns. Now the negative. We were told to arrive early but the owner was late arriving at the farm so our ride left 40 minutes late. The owner also changed the price of the ride to $140 for a 3 hour ride from the $120 on the website. Her explanation was that the $120 was a different ride and would not honor the quoted price. She had all of our info as far as experience, for at least a month but had made no prior plans as to which horse we would be suited to ride. The riding helmets appeared old and I'm glad I brought my spray Lysol. The saddle was the most uncomfortable one I have ever been on. The ride consisted of way too much time on the road with vehicles flying by. The trails through the woods were incredibly rocky, had many downed trees, and the downhill parts on so many rocks were unnerving and uncomfortable. Up hill wasn't much better. I stressed that I'm a beginner rider, not nervous, but a beginner. THIS WAS NOT A BEGINNER TRAIL RIDE!!! Our guide, though nice, stayed way ahead of the beginners at the back and really had no idea what we were doing so far back there. Thank God one experienced rider in our group stayed back with us! Definitely not an enjoyable ride.