Grange Pony Trekking — Local services in Wales

I had a fantastic solo 3 day stay at the BnB with 3 full day horse trek rides (planned 2.5 and expanded to the full day as I enjoyed so much).

Riding was a blast - Jessica and the team really took careful consideration for each persons horse. I rode Spangle and Cheyenne. Was very impressed with their surefootedness, staminia, and training, and found the saddles comfortable. Absolutely beautiful views. I'm a novice adult rider (returned to riding this past year after many years off), and don't get the chance to trek often, and still get a little nervous cantering on a new horse. This was such a fun and confidence building adventure! The first day (weekday) I rode with only one other guest and Lauren as our guide, with the opportunity for lots of short canters and a few longer - Spangle gave me great confidence and took care of me. The next two days we did separate AM and PM half sessions (Fri & Sat), returning to the Grange for lunch, due to more riders with some only doing half day, and iffy weather and wet grounds. This was also fun to have a combination of riding, and see different technical routes even at a slower pace. Be prepared to dismount at least once, and guide your horse due to steep and/or slippery conditions - the guides are great at finding spots to easily remount even if you need a step. The trek groups can sometimes get quite large in number, but advanced riders can hold back their horses for a trot or canter as the terrain allows (however note the horses do get quite frisky being held from the group). Obviously, trots and canters are also controlled by ground conditions, including how rocky, steep, and wet/slippery or boggy the ground is - the guides know the exact spots that are suiting when able, and clearly communicated. Be aware with larger groups it can be a bit hard to hear the guides especially when windy - it was helpful for riders to relay the message along. If you're a first time or beginner rider, don't be shy on asking others for help or advice, or ask if you didn't hear. The horses will often stop to drink at streams (or grab a few bites of grass as others drink).

The BnB is homey and dated but comfortable. Read reviews to set expectations; it may not be for everyone but I was comfortable. Rear entrance for guests, half of the home is for private use (reception in front room). I enjoyed that they had a sitting room and outdoor patio for guest use (note deck could be slippery). Clean comfortable rooms and beds, shower pressure was a little weak but adequate. Some people may find the older home a tad chilly - bring layers, I loved being able to enjoy the thick duvet and was very cozy. Very nice and quiet, with some amazing star gazing if the weather cooperates. Note multiple cats free roam - a few very friendly and few very shy- and a friendly dog lives on site though usually in the private home - but not for anyone with allergies. Also note bedrooms doors don't lock if you are carrying valuables or uncomfortable with this. Kettle with tea/coffee in room. Breakfast was fantastic with full cooked offerings along with cereal, yogurt, and fruit. Lunches were simple but acceptable (choice of sandwich, crisps, water- taken out for full day ride in saddlebags if weather allowed, or served back at the BnB) and welcome to bring your own. I did have limited cell reception in some areas of the property, and they do offer free wifi (website was unclear if they had). The public bathrooms outside for riders or campers were decently kept. I traveled via Abergavenny and requested a pickup, which was easy at a reasonable rate. They only take bookings over phone for both BnB and riding - while I fully understand this, I would've appreciated some written or emailed confirmation once booked. Otherwise had a fantastic...

Overall we had a nice ride; the horses were great and the scenery is beautiful. For reasonably experienced or confident adults, this will be brilliant. However, for young children who are beginners this place is currently unsuitable and our ride was bordering on dangerous in places.

Here's what we would have expected or what would need to change for it to be safe:

Children who are beginners should have supervision, either with one helper per child to ride next to them, or someone leading from the ground. (Or just don't take novice children). There should be a brief time spent checking they are ok when they set off, rather than sending everyone up a very steep hill straight away (starting with slippery concrete) and hoping for the best (one of the horses slipped over on the concrete). There should be back protectors for the young beginners. Also, one of the children was fitted with a hat that was cracked (i.e ineffective) - they threw it away when we pointed this out but should have noticed in the first place. There should be a more balanced ratio of beginners to experienced riders, and if a group has too many beginners to do this, they shouldn't accept the booking. We were told not to worry about kicking because the horses were used to riding nose to tail. One horse got kicked in the face, and another two kicked each other near the end (nearly kicking one of our group in the process). If the horses need to be in a certain order to be happy, then not only should that order be somewhat enforced (leaving them to choose their own paths didn't work), but they should also make sure that the parent/person accompanying a child is on a horse that's happy to walk next to the child's horse. The terrain makes a trek that long unsuitable for children under 12 if they're novices, especially on horses that are too big for them. At one point one of the horses carrying a 7 year old child rushed forward (trotted and cantered about 20m and hopped over a small stream) - she managed to cling on but then was very frightened afterwards. We still had around 45 minutes of riding, and she became terrified that it would happen again. One of the helpers was pretty much out of action because her horse was being naughty, so she could only focus on keeping her horse contained. I asked for someone to lead the child when she was in tears from fear (and offered to do it myself), and initially one of the staff tried to do this, but the horses played up because they weren't in their preferred order (again, this could have been prevented if a particular order was advised or enforced), which terrified her even more. They did then eventually lead her on foot the rest of the way home which solved the problem, but we shouldn't have needed to push for this - they should have been more on the ball. Had we known how difficult the terrain was we would never have booked her onto the ride, and again, they probably shouldn't have accepted the booking or should have been more upfront about what the ride would entail. She very very easily could have fallen off when her horse trotted forward and it was pure luck and good balance that kept her in the saddle. Falling onto rocks without a back protector could have been nasty. The horses were generally well behaved (apart from the one being ridden by a staff member) but it doesn't take much to unseat a novice, especially when the horse is quite big for them, and the staff didn't seem to be aware of the risk.

So overall I'd say great for anyone confident over 12-ish (and the scenery really is phenomenal), but not suitable for novice children unless some...

Was gifted a horse riding voucher for an hour for two people (not sure how much that voucher was). Called to book (they won’t deal through email), barely managed to get through, paid £20/person extra to extend the hour to half a day (3 hrs). Decided to book a stay there the night before too, thought it’ll be easier and imagined a cosy place in nature. Paid £150 on top of the voucher. Worst decision I could’ve make. I wouldn’t stay there if you’d pay me 30x what I paid. Creepy vibes, like really creepy, horrible smell of dirty dog mixed with stale mixed with mold, disorganised, about 30 old plushies when you go in (I told you it’s creepy). Asked to take our shoes off so we can go upstairs (which would be fine, I wouldn’t wear shoes inside anyway, but… the whole place was in shambles and smelled horribly). Was told we will stay in a guest house with WiFi (cause there is no phone reception). That isn’t a guest house, it’s their home that you’re staying in. Feels like you’re in a strangers home invading their privacy, mostly because it’s so unwelcoming and has “private” signs everywhere. You feel like you can’t leave your room cause there’s other people about - a room where you can feel and smell other people’s histories. No wifi, only a bit and very slow in the reception room (where there’s a highly lethargic gold fish sitting at the bottom of a way too small tank - please read up on caring for fish, broke my heart to see his condition and tank). We were showed our room with a bathroom outside it, which I thought would be ours, but then - we were showed this tiny horrible en-suite and then the hourse riding instructor (who checked us in) tells us she is staying down the hall on the same floor - I’m thinking she makes use of the bathroom outside the room they book guests in? Idk, just odd. Her attitude was also very “instructive”. Do this, don’t do that. We left that same day and drove 5 hours back home because we decided we couldn’t sleep there even in our own outside clothes on top of the covers. It all felt really eery. The horse riding instructor checked us in because we checked in late apparently so the hosts were busy (we checked in at about half 6/7 latest). We were never informed of a specific checkin time though - otherwise, we would’ve planned to come and meet the hosts cause that lady has no customer service skills. We even asked what time to be there on the phone and were told they’ll make arrangements, doesn’t matter. Which I thought was nice but, in hindsight, I’d rather they’d told me the arrangements were a disgruntled employee. She sounded like she was pissed off we were there and had cold answers for everything we said. We were thinking to find another place to stay and come back the next day for the horse riding - but who would want to go riding with her? I also read other reviews (stupidly, after this whole experience) and it sounds like their experiences are unsafe so I’m not sorry we didn’t go. I know how to ride a horse but my partner doesn’t and I’d rather keep him alive.

Sorry for the essay, but I’m amazed this place exists as a business.

Finally, the hosts are a whole family - I’m telling you, at least 4/5 individuals. How can you not take care of your business? You get regular feedback and you meet it with passive aggressiveness. A disgrace to Mary, who we understand lived at the monastery 1 min from the house and decided to start this business. Again, sweet story but go there and you’ll realise how creepy it all...