Point Reyes Arabian Adventures — Local services in Novato

I’m usually not the type of person who writes reviews often, but my experience at Point Reyes Arabian Adventures was so negative, I was overwhelmingly compelled to.

First, I’ll start with the positives: the views of Tomales Bay are amazing, and the horses are extremely gentle and friendly.

But the staff? I have literally zero positive things to say. I’m not an expert horse rider, but I grew up owning and riding horses, so I do know the foundations, but it had been a while since I rode (and I communicated this from the beginning to the staff). For the entire trail ride, I never heard anything positive from the staff (Susan and a young guy with dark hair whose name I can’t remember). They just barked critiques at me the entire time, such as, “your horse isn’t moving fast enough, kick her (or hit her with the stick). Put your heels down (even though I could barely keep my feet in the stirrups, which I repeatedly told them were too long). Sit down. Stand up. Stop bouncing. Stay in a single file line. Don’t poke your eye out with the stick. Keep up.” I couldn’t enjoy one second of an activity that is extremely special to me, because they were too busy making me feel like everything I did was wrong and being extremely rude. I wasn’t there to have a lesson, I was there to enjoy the connection with the horse, which I certainly never got the luxury to do. I understand giving people the right instructions, but not EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THE RIDE.

I would never recommend this place to anyone I know who loves horses, wants a relaxing ride, or likes to feel welcome at a facility that provides a service to the public. And I sure as hell would never bring kids there- that’s a sure fire way to make them hate something that’s supposed to be fun.

If I could give zero...

One of the best riding options in the Bay Area, not to be missed! I am an experienced rider and have ridden for years, I like to ride with Susan and her horses for both the Tamales Bay ride which goes up a nice hillside trail with a nice variation in terrain, and at the top there are amazing views of the bay and surrounding area. I also like to do the longer forest trail rides, and I always take my friends and visitors that want to try riding to Susan. Her horses are the absolute best "bomb proof" horses and I have ridden all over the world. Susan is a true horse whisperer and I trust her 100% with myself and the friends and family I have taken to ride with her. The area is stunning for beauty and Point Reyes is a wonderful little tiny town that is super fun to go have a drink or bite to eat after riding.

There is also the oyster farms up the road and a Meadery across the road and Winery just up the road. All around going riding with Susan and then spending the day in Point Reyes is one of my number one top local things to do for a weekend. Come with a sense of adventure, be sure to wear your sunscreen, and you will have the best time ever! Susan is also really awesome with working with different levels so I can bring my friends that have never ridden but I too can also do a few canters and get to ride in a way that fits for...

Overall an ok experience due to the beautiful area and gentle nature of all the horses. Going into this, I told Susan that I was a beginner rider (no experience at all), however, most of my ride was being critiqued with the fact that my horse was going too slow/not trotting fast enough, I wasn’t kicking properly, and that quote “the riders in the back are being held up because you’re not moving fast enough”. While I appreciated the instructions and tips at first, the experience was essentially ruined at the end because I couldn’t even enjoy 5 minutes of riding without being critiqued on something. I also felt like I was ruining the experience for the people behind me because my horse wasn’t moving fast enough. Not sure if this place is great for beginner riders unless you’re ok being instructed 70% of the time in a bit of a...