[lynne]

We had 2 teen-age granddaughters here this past week and they wanted to go horseback riding. A couple years ago we took them to Ocala, but this time I was looking for some place closer. We went to Happy Horse Farm on Cty 42 just east of 27/441 a couple miles. The gentleman (Patrick) in charge took them along with a woman in his pick-up along with a trailer with the horses and 4 of them went for a 2 hr. trail ride in the Ocala Forest. The girls loved it. Call for more details on what they offer for younger children or those with less experience. 352-636-1908. We paid $50/per child for the trail ride which is more reasonable than a couple other places we contacted.

[TamaraDee]

I wish we could say I had the same experience. Total time waking up my five children, driving out there, and then proceeding to wait nearly 45 min was a little over 3 hours to never even get to ride. We came out here for vacation to visit my mother and grandparents and the kids were so excited to go horseback riding for the first time ever! Our appt was for 10 am & we got out there with time to spare. There was confusion of where to go from the start, no sign but just told a blue house. We found a bluish grayish house with nobody there. We drove down a little further and a nice gentleman from the water company had us follow him back to the bluish grayish house. We called them for about the third time that morning and a lady now informed us that it was going to be another 15 min since he had to load the horses. The appt was for 10 am and we had also confirmed it on the drive out there. It was now 10:30. We mentioned getting some kind of discount as it was now going to be 45 min late. She said we would have to talk to Patrick about that since she didn't control that. My mom hung up the phone with her and we spoke to her a couple mins later. At which point, she said we would not be getting a discount because we were already receiving one. She also tried to say our appt was for 9 am, even though not only had it always been 10 am, we even confirmed on our way there with Patrick himself. I tried to explain that to her and she wouldn't even let me speak. She even said we had no patience! I'm not sure how long 5 kids are supposed to wait in the 90 degree heat, especially when we made an appt. I couldn't get a word in and then she hung up on me! So disappointing with impressive as everything else has been in the Villages!

[KathieI]

Tamara, I'm awfully sorry to hear about your experience but my experience has been what Lynne posted about it being a great time and well organized. I just spoke to Patrick and it sounds like there were some crossed wires about the time of the appointment and to where the starting point was.

Your comment about there were no signs and the farm is very wrong because there is a HUGE sign right on CR 42 stating Happy Horse Farm, I know because I had the sign made. Also, you were not at the right starting point, you were already in the Ocala forest and you were supposed to meet at the farm. You also must understand that most of the time when you are conversing with Patrick or his help, they are working either loading horses or riding in the forest so his cell service is not very reliable nor is his ability to truly focus on a conversation.

In any event, we are sorry for the inconvenience for you and your family, and I hope you realize this is a working farm with rescued animals and there is no formal office or secretary to talk to, it is volunteers who like to ride and care for abused animals.

Sorry for your disappointment but I think there were many miscommunications with this appointment.