C & M Stables — Local services in Florence

My recent visit to C&M Stables left me with mixed feelings and a sense of disappointment. As someone who has been riding horses since childhood and had always dreamed of the idyllic experience of riding on the beach, this visit was meant to be a birthday treat from my partner. Unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations, and I feel compelled to share my experience.

Upon arriving at C&M Stables, I was excited about the prospect of fulfilling a lifelong dream. However, my enthusiasm was dampened from the very beginning by the attitude of our trail guide, Leah. I don't know what I did to her, but she went out of her way to be rude to me throughout the entire experience. Instead of welcoming me as a fellow horse enthusiast, she treated me with what I can only describe as a competitive and condescending demeanor. I was taken aback by her snide remark at the end of our ride when she quipped, "we offer lessons," seemingly misunderstanding something I had said during our beach ride. What made this worse was the fact that she had overheard my conversation and inserted herself into it, making a comment that wasn't even related to the topic. This made me feel like my experience and knowledge were belittled, which was entirely unnecessary and unprofessional.

While I can appreciate the natural beauty of the trail, the experience with the horses left much to be desired. The horses, to put it frankly, were extremely slow and disengaged. They appeared almost lifeless, showing little responsiveness to commands. It was disappointing to see them merely following the horse in front of them instead of providing a unique and enjoyable riding experience.

The most disheartening part of the visit was the limited time we spent on the beach. With only ten minutes allocated for this part of the experience, it felt rushed and left us yearning for more. Additionally, our excitement for a memorable photo on the beach was deflated when we noticed the stark contrast between our photo and those taken for other groups. While other customers were thoughtfully positioned with their backs to the ocean, allowing for picturesque shots, our photo seemed hastily taken, without much care or consideration. This disparity in treatment left a bitter taste in our mouths.

In conclusion, I regret to say that I cannot wholeheartedly recommend the experience at C&M Stables. The unprofessional attitude of the trail guide, the lackluster performance of the horses, the brief time spent on the beach, and the subpar treatment during the photo opportunity all contributed to a less-than-ideal outing. It is my sincere hope that this feedback can serve as constructive criticism for C&M Stables, with the hope that they can improve their services to provide a more enjoyable and memorable experience for...

it's been so long I was trying to find a best horseback riding tour around.while we were visiting Portland, decided to visit that place which was 3.15 hour drive away but we booked it because we thought it would be worth it. grew up riding horses and could not wait to experience that feeling again. we were so excited but our guide(her name was Leah) made it the worse experience we ever had.she was very rude and disrespectful towards us the whole time. We were told we could trot(that was the reason we booked a tour) on the beach but after 10 to 15 second she decided we couldn't and start yelling at us.then my friend stopped and turned horse 5 steps back so at least we could walk together.thats when she become stern and start warning us that if we would do it again she would take our horses and we would have to walk back by ourselves.Meanwhile I was so stressed and confused by her attitude I didn't noticed that my phone had slipped out of my pocket .as I did I asked her if I could pick it up.she said "NO.after we are done with our walk,on our way back we can look for it if it's still there". that's when I was about to loose it.wanted to leave the ride,take my phone and walk back to my car. I held myself just because I didn't wanted to make a scene and ruin other people's ride as she did mine by stooping down to her level. Not before but on or way back she said that those horses were not for troting or cantering.So why are they selling a tour as you could then? 6.30 hours drive for a big dissapontment and disrespect we received. oh and also, she never sent us a photos...

OMG this place is amazing! I have been here twice in the last seven days and both experiences were absolutely unforgettable.

First, I did the Dunes Trail Ride and got to ride Maverick, the sweetest and most mellow mustang. Bri was my guide and made the whole ride so fun and relaxing. They take safety seriously with multiple stops along the trail to check saddles and gear, making sure everything is secure and everyone feels confident. I felt completely taken care of the entire time.

Then yesterday I came back for the Adventure Morning Ride because riding on the beach has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. I have had so many failed attempts over the years, but this time it happened and it was magical.

Since no one else had booked that ride and the stables were slow that day, the owner surprised me with a private beach ride session. My jaw dropped and my heart was so full of gratitude. He had no idea what that moment meant to me. It was something I will hold with me forever.

On that ride, I got to ride James, a beautiful and sweet Paint horse, and we even got to canter on the beach. It was so much fun and the weather was absolutely phenomenal. Sunny skies, ocean breeze, just pure magic.

Bri was my guide again and I loved getting to know her more and learning about the stables and the area. Her energy is so genuine and grounded. You can tell she truly loves the horses and what she does.

If you are even thinking about riding horses on the Oregon Coast, this is your sign. I cannot recommend this...