Adventure Horse Riding in NYS — Local services in Town of Steuben

I have always had a passion for horses,from the first pony ride when I was 4. I was raised on a hobby farm and My dad boarded a few work horses,1800 lbs of Pure STUBBORN,not me the Horse. I was the lucky one who was privilege to clean the stalls, get stepped on and pinned to the walls, Pushed around, I even had the chance to work with the critters, Them taking the sleigh back to the barn wedging it in between the doors so they could eat. Do you know how hard it is to back up a sleigh with two 1800 lbs horse attached to it that want to go in too eat? 1st lesson close the Barn doors when you Leave . 2nd stay away from horses.

My fondness became fear and I sided away from the horses.Them I went hunting in Colorado and used horses to retrieve a elk from a place that a billy goat on crack would have not been crazy enough to go.I in my mid thirties that just came out that God forsaken place. Hired a Rancher to get the elk. He brought three horses and I was privileged to get acquainted with two of them . Next lesson the horse can squeeze between two trees but you can not. I was bruised legged ,arms ripped out of sockets from hanging on to horses neck as he climbed the shear cliffs of the rocky mountains,I then knew why they were called that. Reaching our destination. THANK GOD. Tied horse to trees. took care of the elk and loaded on the Pack horse. then the Rancher said we had to go back the same way we came. LOL yea right.....started back made it down the cliffs me hanging under horses neck. pack horse sitting down sliding down the mountain. Thank god for those trees , It cleaned the elk off the pack horse so we could reload it. Then we made it back to the Icy River .I did not think much about in on the way in the horses walked across the shallow part, But on the way back after climbing a mountain ,they wanted a drink,NO PROBLEM,They waded in a POOL to drink ,standing up water which was to my Crouch, ICE COLD......Yes That was It for the horses....I am now 55 years old and after meeting Mary the instructor decided to try it again. Seeing that I was hesitant Mary took her time with me and made me relive my child hood of feeding the horses after that I was walking them around at ease. I felt very comfortable and safe with BIG Mary. She has a lot of patience, and knowledge about horses and is a great instructor.

Mary made me feel secure. She also gave me the confidence to ride places I never thought I would ever try. She taught me to know my horse before we even went on the ride so that I would know how to handle my horse. I though the horse was suppose to handle me.I could have saved all that pain years ago. LOL

She is located on a beautiful farm in Mohawk Valley of New York, the trails range from steep hills to babbling brooks, Excellent riding experience. I had such a wonderful experience that I ride all the time now. The fall colors were absolutely beautiful to ride in .I look forward to learning more and becoming a better rider. I learned my horse before we even went on a ride so that I would know how to handle my horse. She hooked me so bad that I was riding all winter,our feet dragging in the snow. Mary is a Troubled Horse Trainer,she retrains the horses that we people mess up. I was so Impress I was given a Paso Fino. What a Powder Keg. Mary has Helped me Retrain this beautiful animal. His OLD habits Vanish in front of you eyes. Mary's Natural horsemanship Has amazing results. Mary has an amazing talent with with explaining the inter thinking of the horse to Human. Once you take the Program you will be a totally different rider with the confidence and ability to ride the Rocky Mountains on the Horse Rather...

LATEST UPDATE: Went back to Mary after a 3 year hiatus. Rode Hercules for two days. The riding was as rugged (or more) as I remembered. Lots of it off-trail. It was once again such a steep learning curve. Thought I'd forgotten a lot since last time, but Mary is a great teacher who inspires confidence so we were back up and running in no time, literally:-)

UPDATE: Went back to Mary’s for more! The more I’m learning about horses and riding, the more I realize how unique Mary’s approach is. There’s nowhere else where you progress this fast and ride in rugged terrain. Wild and free! That said, Mary knows what she’s doing: she sizes up rider and horse right away, and in her own casual way keeps a close eye on all. She matched me up with a hotter horse than I’d ridden before...I wasn’t sure, but she was. It was a love match! Me and Missy, we were meant to be:-) Can’t tell you how much confidence I gained. Cantering through the woods solo, up steep inclines, down gully’s and creeks, through mud, and over logs, trail or no trail it doesn’t matter. To imagine I was a complete beginner just a millisecond ago... Meanwhile my dog Bo was having a blast keeping up with us and getting fat scavenging the stables. I would have come back just for the riding and the dog friendly attitude, but Mary herself is really the heart of the operation. Big personality and bigger heart. Can’t wait to come back and hang with Mary again! (Honorable mention for her equally amazing friend Sue who came to help.)

ORIGINAL REVIEW: If you really want to learn how to ride, or improve your skills, this is the place hands down. Mary teaches like no-one else. She taught me how to ride several years ago. I had never been on a horse before - except a carnival pony. 4 days with Mary and I was cantering through the woods solo. I recently went back for a refresher, hadn't ridden in years, and within hours I was jumping logs and crossing streams. Mary's no-nonsense style and positive can-do attitude really help build riding confidence. Most importantly, she just lives and breathes horses, she really knows her stuff. On top of that she is just a phenomenal human being and a pleasure to be...

It's difficult to adequately express my gratitude for the most memorable horse experience of my life. For one, I hate writing; for another, I don't know if I can find the words to express the intense feelings of joy that came over me by just being in the presence of Mary and her herd. In my over 30 years of being around horses(yet not a rider), I often longed to be able to forge a meaningful partnership with one o God"s most majestic animals but always fell short of connecting well enough to be comfortable riding. I wondered if this four day program could do what it claimed.

Well, the 4 day Adventure Horse Riding (AHR) did not disappoint. For, me it turned out to be life changing. Mary and her herd helped me to not only gain the confidence, knowledge and skills necessary to ride comfortably but to also better understand the nature of equine social life and the bond between horse and rider. The facility and her horses were clearly cared for and I learned so much about being a naturalist.

Now I consider myself a rider. Mary had me doing things on horseback that still have me in disbelief. Yet I know that I can transfer what I learned to other horses. On the first day, Mary's method of teaching had me feeling very comfortable and safe enough to ride over brooks, up and down hills, bush whacking (smile), crossing large trees and trotting for some distance. I am still in shock, I'd spent many hours and thousands of dollars with Instructors in NYC and Long Island trying to move me beyond the mental block that kept me from riding yet here I was in one day doing all this.

For the first time I was being taught by someone who I completely trust. Mary and her horses Pazo, Tiffy and Missy was able to get the job done carrying me up and down all size hills, trotting, cantering and riding on my own. All this and more was exhilarating, an unforgettable experience all done in four days. I can't say enough about my stay. I highly recommend this experience for the fearful, nervous, novice and anyone wanting to be one with nature. I will never forget and I will be returning. Thanks Mary for more than you...