northwestern lake riding stables

We took my parents for her birthday for hanging had a mazing time it was the people were very understanding and very educational with my daughter whenever road before they let it run the horses metro credit trails in augusta -0 pictures all in all we have a wonderful day um um the most understanding sweet people I've met

Great, amazing, beautiful, well trianed horses.the time I had was amazing. The horse I rode was great. He has such a great personality. A perfect match and ride for me. Cindy, Mike and Brooke were great. I hope I can go back soon :-). Thank you so much. :-) Brooke. !!!!!!!!! :-)

We ride every summer, but I forgot to book a tour this year. Found the brochure for NW in the lobby and emailed at night for next day. Cindy said no problem and we booked a 11:45 ride. Since we were the only family, it was a private ride! Took us 15 minutes from Hood River, and directions were perfect.They took the time to match horse to rider and explained their personality to us. My 10 year old was a little nervous as the horse he got was larger than any horse he had ever had, but I knew it must be a gentle horse, as they would never give him too much to handle. Different from every other ride we had, they actually allowed us to trot! We picked up the pace several times during the ride and we were all appreciative. Excellent ride-amazing people-so much fun. 10 thumbs up (5 of us)!

My husband I were the only people on our ride and we were treated like celebrities, haha! Mike and Cindy talked to us about our past experiences to make sure we got matched with the perfect horses for us, told us so much about all the horses, and made sure we knew how to do what we needed to do to ride safely. In all the rides I've ever been on (and it's been MANY) I have never had a guide stop throughout to make sure we were ok with what would be happening next in the ride (i.e. going faster, through some water, etc.) and it was something I really appreciated. It made me feel safe and that they truly cared about us. The views were gorge-ous ;), the horses were amazing and had a ton of personality, and Mike and Cindy were just the sweetest people ever. We can't wait to go back and ride again.

Having many years of horse experience, I am often not very pleased with how trail riding facilities are set up, however, that was NOT the case with Northwestern Lake Riding Stables. From the very beginning (i.e., booking the appointment), they make you feel like you are part of their family/establishment. The administration side is very prompt and honest about the set up as well as the rules. Our trail guide was great, and had us all laughing and enjoying ourselves throughout the ride. The horses are great on the trails but, most importantly, they seem to genuinely enjoy their work. Throughout our ride at designated locations, the horses were allowed to graze or get drinks which is so nice to see seeing as they are carrying people up the beautiful mountainside. You can see how relaxed and happy the horses are, and this stable really takes pride in the care they provide to their horses.The best part about the trail ride was it wasn't just plodding up/down a road. We got to ride through the forests, through fields, over creeks, etc., and were allowed to go as fast as the least experienced rider was willing to go. Talk about an exhilarating experience to get to gallop up the mountain and look up to see Mt. Hood in the distance! The most refreshing thing about this stable was the HONESTY. Any question you ask whether it pertain to the horses, the history of the stables, etc., one of the staff is more than ready - and willing - to answer. I would highly recommend this stable to anyone looking for a great time and wonderful photos!-Emily, Minnesota

The views were great and would have been even better if we saw mt. hood! Loved the horses; they all had such different personalities! unfortunately, you shouldn't expect too much interaction with the guides. they were considerate of my inexperience but didn't provide as much commentary/history of the area as I would have liked. Bring your own seat cushion if you want to avoid a $5 charge. Disclaimer: our ride was during the recent wildfires in Oregon so we didn't have a view of Mt. Hood and it was very smokey out.

We had an amazing ride today with Alyssa as our guide. The views are breathtaking and magical, horses are obidient and sweet, and Alyssa even pointed out a deer with a fawn as we walked right past them! The staff is very personable and informative, they went as far as looking up other attractions for us in the area. I would highly recommend these guys to anyone!

We had a great family ride last week at NW stables. It is a little hard to find, but worth the trip. It is quality operation that is strong on safety, but also lets you ride

We had a great time riding the trail at Northwestern Lake riding stables. It was one of the highlights of our family reunion.The family was great and took time to get to know us before taking us out to ride. They explained everything incredibly well and really knew the horses. They told us what to expect from our horse and how to handle them. We got the CD of pictures and it was well worth the money. We enjoyed every minute of our trip. We definitely recommend this riding stable to anyone hoping to have a good time.

Awesome experience. Beautiful scenery through the forest and view of Mt Hood. Great guide and horses. Allowed to walk or gallop depending on comfort of group.

I just went to find the contact information for this place to make reservations for my family again this summer and was astonished to find a negative review. I have to share my experience from last spring to let people know that these guys are great!I took my son, a first time rider, there last spring. Everyone there was extremely patient and kind even though he needed a bit more attention than most riders would require. They made sure there was a helmet to fit him and that the saddle fit correctly. They gave him detailed instructions on how to stop, go and turn, and even walked him around a bit to make sure he was comfortable.The guides we had were wonderful. They gave instructions as needed to remind my son how to steer his horse. The instructions were short and to the point so my son understood exactly what to do without long drawn out explanations, but also kind, caring and for his benefit.Mike answered any questions we had about the area and the horses. I could plainly see that they love what they are doing, know and care for each horse and want to make sure each person has a great experience. They did not keep up a continuous stream of conversation, which was appreciated so we could just relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the area from time to time. Mike was constantly taking photos of us, the horses and the trails so that we could have pictures to remember our trip. I got a CD, that they made on site, and it has tons of great photos. My son asks to go back and ride “his horse” on a regular basis.Yes, the area is gorgeous and the horses are friendly and fun.. but it was the quality of service that we received from each person at Northwestern Lake Riding Stables that made our experience outstanding. They took time to make sure everyone was comfortable and safe. I can’t wait to go back again this year.. but my son is even more excited! We’re bringing even more carrots this time. This place was by far the highlight of our trip. Thanks for helping make such wonderful memories for our family!

Vicky, thank you for taking the time to write a review. Our family has owned this stable for 43 years, and our daughter is the 4th generation of guides. We are extraordinarily passionate in our love of horses, and that passion for horses is shared with all who visit. We strive to customize every rider’s experience to make it enjoyable and safe. There are several steps taken to ensure the best horse/rider match. I am glad we met your expectations in this area.It is our privilege to be able to provide riders of all experience levels the amazing opportunity to ride, and share in such an wonderful experience. Our horses are well trained and know the trails, but are still individuals with their own personalities; that is part of what makes every ride unique and special. In our orientation we provide the basic instructions to guide each horse along the trails... that is “go, turn, and stop”. We also make sure you’re able to go, turn, and stop when you’re on the horse, before you leave the stables to head out on the trail. The guides are constantly monitoring the riders to make sure they are safe and enjoying their time. If reminders are needed along the way, those reminders are given as many times as needed. Your safety is, and always will be, our first priority. Because she was aware that your family had never ridden before, and wanted to be able to assist if needed, my daughter volunteered to ride with your family. This was her choice, not a requirement. We are all saddened that you felt that she did not want to be there. Many riders enjoy some quiet time to take in the scenery and experience. It’s unfortunate if this consideration was perceived as reluctance or rudeness. Your lead guide knew that this was a special occasion for you. He went out of his way to take over 70 photos (rather than the standard 12-24) for your family during your 60 minute ride, so that you would have those memories recorded. Your mother seemed pleased and purchased the CD on site after the ride.Since I spoke with each one of you after your ride and heard nothing but praise, I was taken aback to see that you left with such a negative perception. I appreciate the time you took to speak with me about your review when I called, so that we could get some more specifics for further improvement. I do understand how being reminded repeatedly on how to stop your horse, or turn your horse might get frustrating after several times, but again, safety has to be our first duty. Some riders need additional help, some do not. All of our guides are taught to continue to assist our riders as needed so they are safe. Our goal, especially for first time riders, is to make a potentially dangerous activity, fun and seemingly effortless, so that you are able to get a glimpse of the depths that are possible in the relationship between horse and human. For us, there is no greater reward than to see someone who is reluctant or fearful, start to relax and transform into a confident and enthusiastic rider. Even though you were not satisfied with one aspect of your experience, I can look at the silver lining and be happy that you did enjoy the actual ride, the horses, and the views. We sincerely hope that you and your family continue to learn more about horses and riding, and enjoy more horseback riding adventures in the future. We wish you and your family the best. Mike, Cindy, and Alyssa

Four of us visited the stables in early May of 2013, and signed up for the 2-hour Horse Camp ride. Three of us have some riding experience, one had essentially none. We were impressed from our arrival all the way through until we waved goodbye to our mounts. Don't be deterred by the location being a little off the beaten track. This destination is most definitely worth it! The team, Mike and Cindy, were both professional and fantastic to work with. Instructions and introductions to riding were perfect even for a first-time rider. Mike, our guide, is clearly an expert and knows his stuff. The horses we saw and rode were in excellent health. What's more, each had a personality and was interactive with its rider. This stands in stark contrast to some riding stables, where the horses do nothing more than walk in a line and ignore their riders. Tack seemed in good shape, and was all Western, but very well suited to the ride.The ride itself was fun and exhilarating. From the adventure trail, with water crossings, some steep rises, and some obstacles, to the high trails that lead to outstanding views of the Gorge and Mount Hood, we were amazed and impressed with the landscape.The horses were well-trained and in good shape. Climbing as we did can be tough on horses, but we found each of our mounts bore it very well.If you're looking for a very positive, fun, and exciting horseback adventure, you can't go wrong with this place!

My family and I had the best experience with this wonderful family with Oreo and the 3 kittens too! Cindy was so relaxed with our son that has never ridden before, Mike was right there for our son and the kids where great too. We will be going back again and again.. Thank you for a Wonderful day..We loved Cody, Willow and Heart they were a perfect match for our riding experience.. 2 big thumbs up.. The Mason famly 9/29/12

My daughter went on a trail ride this past summer with friends. She absolutely loved it.!!