Mountain Creek Riding Stable — Local services in Paradise Township

Disappointing Booking & Service Experience

I organized a birthday weekend getaway for a group of 20 at my Airbnb in PA with plans for a group horseback riding excursion. On Friday, October 24th, my boyfriend and I called to book 10 riders for a trail ride on Saturday morning, as advised by the phone representative (found out on Sunday she is a manager), that it would be easier to remove riders than to scramble for horses if more people wanted to join last-minute.

We arrived at 9:45 am Saturday with nine riders (3 people were unable to attend). Upon arrival and payment, a young female staff member(s) (one black-haired and one blonde-haired) informed us there would be a $50 charge per no-show rider. When we questioned this and asked why we weren't notified, she claimed the manager who took the booking should have told us and that it was in the confirmation email.

We confirmed that we never received any email or text notification. When asked to verify our contact information to investigate, she admitted that both the email and phone number in the system were incorrect. Despite this being the facility's error in failing to obtain accurate contact information during the booking call, she refused to acknowledge any responsibility or to work with us on a resolution.

We requested a full refund for all payments made while on-site due to the miscommunication and poor treatment. The staff member responded that she was a manager, didn't "have to allow us to ride," and would not provide a refund. She was insulting, condescending, unprofessional, and made us feel disrespected as paying customers.

What went wrong: • Misleading booking call: We were told it was "easier to remove riders than add horses," but were not clearly informed about the no-show policy or associated fees

• Failed communication: Incorrect contact information in the system meant we never received the confirmation details

• No accountability: Despite the facility's error in recording our contact info, management refused to take responsibility initially

When we questioned the charges, a female staff member (who identified herself as a manager) responded in a highly unprofessional manner. For 20-30 minutes, she: • Yelled at us • Spoke in a degrading and disrespectful tone • Rolled her eyes repeatedly • Was dismissive and condescending • Refused to acknowledge her facility's error despite admitting the contact information was wrong • Refused any refund or resolution

Discriminatory Conduct Concerns: Multiple members of our party (9 people total) observed that while she treated our group with hostility and disrespect, she was extremely accommodating and friendly with a white group that arrived after our interaction. The stark contrast in her demeanor toward our group versus other customers was evident to everyone present and deeply offensive.

She only agreed to refund our money after I stated I would contact the owner, file complaints with the PA Attorney General, and file with the Better Business Bureau. This suggests the refund was coerced through threat rather than motivated by customer service or fairness.

This was meant to be a special birthday celebration, and it was ruined by discriminatory treatment, unprofessional conduct, and a manager who uses hostile behavior and intimidation tactics to avoid accountability—multiple eyewitnesses to the entire interaction. If you value good customer service, professional treatment, and equal treatment regardless of background or group composition, I'd recommend looking elsewhere for your Pocono horseback...

Had no idea the confirmation email had instructions to get there 30 mins before our scheduled time. As a matter of fact I booked on an iPhone earlier in the day and it synced the time to be from 3-430 so I thought the instructions would be given at 3 and the ride would start at 330. It would have been nice to get a text instead of an email as we were in the area camping and had terrible service so we weren't checking emails for one and for two didnt know to expect that would be the only way to get the instructions. When we got there they did get us up to speed quickly. I've ridden before so knew what to expect but my son has never. He's 9 but luckily got what he was supposed to do quickly. We were about 10 minutes behind the rest of the group. The horses were amazing and friendly. They took to the riders instructions(us) quickly. I took one star off for being forced to trot. Yes it does say on the site we would be doing that but we weren't asked if we felt comfortable doing so as it was just us 2 plus instructor trying to catch up. I would have thought that they wouldnt want to risk a 9 yr old's first time ever riding a horse for one and for two making him trot. We trotted 2x at 10 seconds at a time before we caught up to the group. I was fine however my son was in front of me and I saw him slipping and sliding both sides of the saddle. Watching him was a bit terrifying. Once we caught up to the group we trotted a little bit again with the rest of the,. I started to feel confident but again was worried watching my son. When I read on the site to expect trotting, I thought that would have been for a group with a majority of more experienced riders. If my son wasn't there I wouldn't have cared. I enjoyed it myself however I don't think it should be done for a first time for a 9 year old child. Overall, I would come back with with my son as we know what to expect now and how it feels to trot even though we were a bit forced into it. I have trail rided before a handful of times. This was the first one where we trotted as well as the first time everyone wasn't given a helmet to wear either. They make the minors where them but don't even ask the adults. Its funny that I am complaining about the trot while others wanted more of a trot. I feel silly now but I was afraid my son would fall and break a bone or something. This seems like a place that gets a lot of riders. I will agree with others that more experienced riders should be in a group separate from others just looking to walk. The horses are very well trained and listen to you. The actual trail is just a walk through a wooded area and nothing special. It looks to be like a wooded backyard. I will also say that they tie their reins into 2 loops. All the other times I've ridden they are separate reins not tied together like these horses were. I was taught to pull to separate reins left of right now connect together. I was a bit confused. The reins were so tights. they keep them in one line because they done want you to be...

I’m not one to write a ton of reviews but I feel like I need to for Mountain Creek Riding Stables!

This place was great! We were renting a house on Lake Wallenpaupack for a family Thanksgiving and we’re in the area for an extra day and wanted to do something as a family. We made reservations on Wednesday and went to the stables on Friday. Arrived on site and was greeted by their sweet senior cat Ms Blue. The goodness continued from there. The young lady in the office was so friendly and accommodating! Gave us all the information with a smile and a great attitude. We had a couple of people (young kids) who didn’t feel comfortable being on a horse…. No Problem! They have a wagon with a super friendly and entertaining driver to take them on the same route as the horses go.

Now to the Horseback riding. There was a young gentleman there who explained all the basic instructions for the ride. He did a great job letting us know how to give our horses instruction and what to expect. Then there was Kelly our guide! She was with us the whole way letting us know what to do at every change in terrain etc. Once again she was super friendly and made sure we were safe the whole way. This lady knows every horse and all their personalities.

There was another lady who helped out as well keeping an eye on all the riders and horse to make sure all was going well.

Last but certainly not least, the horses! What a beautiful array of spectacular animals! All of these horses were in great shape! They all looked loved and cared for. Well fed and groomed! And they match up the horses to the riders and there are enough horse to rotate in fresh ones to make sure they aren’t over worked!! I can’t say enough about about Pedro. What a fine fellow!!! So fine that this one ride makes me want to ride so much more!! I plan on making a point of becoming a better rider. The feeling of being together out there with these amazing beasts was wonderful!!

Like I said, I can’t say enough about Mountain Creek Riding Stables!!!

If you are thinking about something to experience and you decide on Horseback Ridind (which you should!) definitely choose Mountain Creek!!

Great place,...