Sea Horse Ranch — Local services in Half Moon Bay

Never coming back here. The star is only for the horse because she was awesome and very passionate. I booked an hour ride with my boyfriend since he'd never been horseback riding. I've gone elsewhere several times and DO NOT recommend going here (especially if you're a beginner). I understood the rule of not bringing purses/bags etc on the ride, but the fact that we weren't allowed to bring our phones was strange since other places allowed that.

The wrangler "supposedly" helping me get ready to ride was super rude and yelled at me for not holding the ropes right. Again, I have a bit of experience; but this guy was an effin jerk. When I tried asking how I should hold it, he scoffed at me and ignored me. The horse I had was ready to go on the trail (more like run away from him) and wanted to go right away. The jerk was snapping at me even though the horse was impatient and I didn't have control over it.

The wrangler guiding the tour was rude, disrespectful, and physically abusive. There were two riders who didn't speak fluent English and he kept yelling at one of them AND grabbed the rope on her horse out of her hands since she wasn't understanding his instructions. I can understand the frustration, but YOU DO NOT treat paying customers like that!!! This guy is not guide/leader material and needs to do something else (like a new job). There was supposed to be a photographer but they didn't show up (which was whatever). The other guide was taking pictures on her phone and said she would send them to the numbers we provided (big surprise! Never got them).

While we were riding to and back from the trail, I noticed a lot of old/worn out trailers around the stable/ranch/house and not to sound judgmental, but that seemed odd. And it made me think "is that why you didn't want us to bring our phones? Not to just get "more money" since you scam people with the 'professional pictures' but to not take pics on our own of the random trailers, uncared for horses, and anything else that could shut down your business?" That's super suspicious.

This place is going to keep going downhill if they don't hire better wranglers/trainers, stop scamming customers, take better care of the horses, take better care of the property, learn customer service, and get rid of the current wranglers who hate their jobs. Save your money and go...

I booked this trip for my son and I so that we could ride horses on the beach. I’ve done quite a few trail riding trips in my life (from St. Lucia to riding with American Indians near Monument Valley). The trips can sometimes be boring (just riding a walking horse while you walk along a trail) and sometimes amazing (swimming with the horse in St Lucia). This trip was disjointed and awkward with a mean old nag heading up the opperation. To begin with, this is the only trip I’ve been on where no cells phones are allowed. This is also the only trip I’ve been on that has a professional photographer follow the trip around and you can buy photos afterwards. An email was sent out before the trip that we needed to arrive 10 min early. I was running a few minutes late for the early arrival time. The stable owner called twice to berate me and say that if I could be there before the group left, we could still ride (at this point it’s like 1:22...trip is from 1:30 -3:00). I told her that I was doing my best to get to the ranch and if they needed to leave, they could leave. We both were doing our best. (Honestly, I found these phone calls to be so flustering I ended up driving past the ranch, then I couldn’t find it, then I pulled over in utter frustration before realizing it was right beside us.) Thankfully the group had not left by the time were arrrived. I signed the forms. We were put onto horses. I won’t go into the knit-picky little crappy things she was saying to other people...but she is just a nasty mean woman. The ranch hands who were actually on the trip with us were very, very nice. But the trip wasn’t that great. They constantly move up and down the line of riders to correct how we’re holding the reigns or posture (in a nice way). And for a moment, we would trot, only to stop and walk again. This happened over and over again. It was the most discounting riding experience. Also, the beach riding was nothing great... in fact it was a little awkward. There are people on the beach. And here we slowly walk by then while they’re having their private experiences. It was weird. I so, so wish I had booked a riding trip in the mountains with a nice person and a relaxed vibe. Pro tip: go...

I want to preface this by stating that I NEVER write reviews but I feel this was very necessary. I booked 1.5 hr trail and beach ride. I was so excited to do this ride. Upon arriving both my partner and I could visibly see how poorly maintained the horses and ranch was. It was very run down and the horses looked depressed. I have owned and ridden horses my whole life however my partner who came with had not. The second issue I took was that they advertised on how punctual you need to be and so my partner and I drove and a little over an hour to be there and was then refused to allowed walk into the area and then made to wait a hour until people showed up late before we were able to get instructions and ready to go. The owner trash talked English riders and I felt that was extremely unprofessional. I’ve been trained in both western and English riding and felt the rudeness towards it was extremely unnecessary. As we were given our horses and I could tell mine was way too antsy and overly rambunctious. The horse was not a good fit for a trail ride with several others due to how much energy it had. I had mounted the horse in which they left my stirrups two different lengths and I was struggling to keep my foot in the stirrups. While on the ride the guides were extremely rude and cold. They were yelling at us and the horses and were not helpful at all with any issues we were having. My horse kept riding the horse in front of us bottom and anytime I attempted to correct it kept throwing its head back in a fit and turning sideways where it continued to disregard the instructions. What was additionally upsetting was the fact one of the instructors took a switch off the tree to whack their horse with it. I understand the use of a whip to an extent but a switch was cruel. It felt very impersonal and on top of it they rip you off with not allowing you to take photos for yourself with your phone so they can cheat you out of more money. I spent almost $300 for two people for the ride alone and then spent another $60 for photos. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY HERE. I DON’T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL AS DISAPPOINTED AND HURT BY THE...