This review is for the 90 minute horseback ride taken on the morning of March 27th. This activitiy has the potential of being 5 stars. The grounds and trail were absolulety beautiful. The horses were pretty much well trained.
My niece and I filled out our paperwork before the ride started and checked "beginners" We were asked again upon entering the stable our riding level. Immediately after getting on my horse he started to push my niece's horse with his nose. The older lady guide snapped at me "don't let him do that" and snapped at my niece to move her horse out of my way. My niece is a beginner (never really ridden before) and tried to do what she could to move her horse and the lady got annoyed and told me to stop letting my horse do that. Ok, sorry I'm not the horse whisperer. Please give specific instructions and stop barking orders at us.
Once the trail ride started it was pretty much routine. Our horses stayed on course and only had to stop them from eating grass a couple of times which I hear is normal. Would have liked to have had a few photo options. It was very green and the wild flowers were blooming. Stunning.
Also the guides didn't talk the entire ride. Would have been nice to point out some interesting facts. Once we got closer to the stables I could tell the horses were ready to get back. The horse in front of me had a rider that was around 7-9 years old. His horse started turning around and wanted to go the other way. He was struggling. My horse started eating grass and then my niece's horse tried to pass mine. The older lady guide again started yelling at us. Again no specific instructions. Had a nice tip in my pocket for the guides. I have been horseback riding at the "Cave Creek Outfitters" in Scottsdale , AZ twice (which was a 5 star experience) I wanted to try another trail. Should have taken my Niece to "Cave Creek Outfitters". What made me feel bad was after the ride my niece was down on horseback riding. Maybe they should try giving a 5 lesson before the ride to go over basic riding skills and what to expect and how to control the horse.
Would have been nice to have had a guide that was good with people and horses.