Return-Path: Received: from IUS5.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa01674; 8 Jun 94 17:16:46 EDT Date: Wed, 8 Jun 94 17:12:59 EDT From: Julio.Ken.Rosenblatt@IUS5.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Horseback riding recommendations I asked this question: I'm looking for a place to rent horses by the hour. The riders are all experienced, and we're looking for a place with horses that will run through the woods, not just poke along on a trail. The closer the stable the better, but we're willing to drive up to an an hour and a half if it's worth it. And here are the replies I received: **************************************************************** Date: Thu, 21 May 87 13:48:09 EDT From: Dario.Giuse@SPICE.CS.CMU.EDU The Swiss Chalet, 15 minutes from Ligonier (should be about 1 hour 20 minutes from Pittsburgh) has very nice horses, beautiful location, and a very dedicated owner. He just loves to ride, and will lead you into beautiful wooded areas. We saw tons of deer last time we went riding (last fall). He will allow the horses to run as much as you want (and even more!) - watch out for those low branches! The Swiss Chalet is an isolated, rustic-looking little hotel. The restaurant is run by the owner's wife, and we were quite happy with the food when we decided to go for broke and have dinner there after the ride. P.S. - I don't have their phone number, but you should be able to find it under Ligonier. Make sure to call in advance for reservations. I think the price was around $15 for an hour, which ended up being closer to 1 1/2 hours. [I couldn't find the Swiss Chalet, I think they are no longer there. The only stable I could find in the area was at Seven Springs, their number is (814)352-7777. It sounds like a nice ride, but their rate is $30 per hour, while most are $15.] ******************************************* From: Alexander.Hauptmann@speech2.cs.cmu.edu Valleybrook Stables in South Park. They give lessons (english riding) as well as trail rides. **************************************** From: lmschneider@b.psy.cmu.edu (Lauren Schneider) I keep my horse at Tanglewood Stables out in North Huntingdon, about 7 1/2 miles from the Forest Hills exit east on Route 30. They rent horses for $7 per hour and take you on a guided trail ride for an hour. It's not the usual dull guided trail ride, but includes some walking, trotting, and cantering (proportions depend on the weather, how hard the horses have worked that day, etc.). If they get to know you and are convinced that you can handle the horse and know the trails and are responsible (no excessive running, stupid antics, etc.) they will let you take your horses out alone. If you want more information or better directions, feel free to send mail or give me a call during the week at x3794. **************** Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 15:35:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Rachad Youssef Well, just wanted to say that we where looking for the same thing for some time, we never found anything decent, there are stables in the direction of the airport, they where no good, but they are cheap and they do have a lot of """ horses """ so you can show up with a bunch of friends with out reservations, it might be fun one time. The address and number I belive are in the yellow pages. The name of the place is something like Peters Ranch, do not go if you expect anything serious, this is not a recomendation... But if you do here of a decent place please forward it to me. Thanks, RACHAD **************** Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 16:16:35 -0400 (EDT) From: "Lisa A. Scott" There's a nice place in Bridgeville (not too far ~ 45 min) that I go to often. It's called rolling hills ranch. Their number is 221-9926. They let you go out without a guide, so you can do some running around through the woods. It's only a "trail ride" if you decide to do that. I really like this place. I think they charge $15/hour. Let me know what you think. I haven't been there in a while! Lisa **************** Date: Fri, 03 Jun 94 16:40:27 EDT From: Mary Ann Pike To be honest, there aren't a whole lot of places around anymore that will rent horses, and if they do, they don't usually allow much fast work because of the liability problems (insurance is outrageous for these places). The only places I know of are: Tanglewood Stables on Rt. 30 in North Huntingdon 823-5381 Kelly Ranch in Canonsburg 942-3955 Rolling Hills Ranch in Bridgeville 221-9926 There is another place in Trafford that may rent horses-- Roundtop Stables 856-8751. Also, there is (or was) a stable connected with the Nemacolin Woodlands resort up in the Laurel Mountans...they used to rent horses, I don't know if they still do...800-422-2736. I've never rented horses in this area because I have my own, but I've had people tell me about the places above. Hope this is of some help. Mary Ann Pike (mapike@sei.cmu.edu) Software Engineering Institute Carnegie-Mellon University Pittsburgh PA **************** Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 23:14:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Daniel Howard Lee III Julio - Try Rolling Hills Ranch in Bridgeville. I've been there numerous times. It's good. Not great, but good. Terry Lee dl2o@andrew.cmu.edu **************** Date: Mon, 06 Jun 94 14:53:30 EDT From: Neal Zundel Try Nemacolin Woodlands. It's near Uniontown, PA. About 1.5 hours >from here. Go south on route 51 to Uniontown, then route 40 west and you can't miss it. You can call them toll free at 800-422-2736 or the Equestrian Center at 412-329-6961. Very nice layout of trails through woods and meadows, but could be pricey. **************** Date: Mon, 6 Jun 1994 10:18:42 -0400 (EDT) From: Katherine Sutton Barbie Bancroft has a place in Fox Chapel but I am not sure what the name of the stable is. It is near Hartwood Acres, however, and has prime riding ground. If you ask around, I'm sure someone will know the name. **************** Date: Mon, 6 Jun 1994 08:58:38 -0400 (EDT) From: "Alexis A. Cribbs" Julio, There is a stable on Rt 130 outside of Trafford - Roundtop Stables 856-8751 that used to be pretty good. They go out with you the first time to make sure you can handle a horse and then you're on your own. I haven't been there in about 4 years so things may have changed some. Tuesdays used to be ladies day and you go to go for half-price. If you decide to go I think I can give you directions from here. It isn't to far from Monroeville. I only know the backway from Irwin but I may be able to direct you from Monroeville. Alexis Cribbs Modern Languages **************** From: Robert Frederking Date: Tue, 7 Jun 94 11:59:18 EDT Hey Julio, There's a place near Bridgeville called Rolling Hills Ranch that we've gone to on occasion. You ride the horses on their property, which includes some woods and some fields. It's about 45 minutes away. (We haven't been there for several years.) Bob **************************************************************** I ended up going back to my old standby, Circle H Outfitters, as the area is beautiful and the rides great. They are near Cooper's Rock, which is just past Morgantown, West Virgina. Julio