Hollow Tree Ranch

J

Jessie Quintanilla

über Google

Deeply recommend Hollow Tree Ranch. Jeff walked us through horse riding for our first time. Smooth experience, great story teller, and personable hospitality. We did the Enclosed Arena Ride. The ranch is spacious and charming. The drive from North San Antonio is gorgeous.

B

Brooke Meade

über Google

I went here on the 23rd with my grandfather for an open area ride that was booked in advance. On the website it states that there is a suggestion to arrive 15-30 before the start time to get checked in. We were on the way there set to be there exactly thirty minutes before our start time when I get a call informing me that they would not be able to make our original time. At this point we were ~20 minutes away. Knowing that the only other option was to pick another day (which would not be possible because our week was planned far in advance) I accepted a later time which was supposed to start anywhere from 3:30 or 4:00 when our original booking was at 3:00. It isn’t until 4:10 that someone arrives to get us set up. I mentioned that we had booked the open area ride and was immediately told that the enclosed arena was the same size as the other one (it was not) and that the other area was too far away to monitor so we couldn’t be there (which was NOT something we were informed of in advance). None of the horses were groomed or had their hooves picked before tacking up (neither the two horses we were provided, or the other two used for a lesson. The first saddle’s stirrups were too long for me and I was asked if I was planning on going above a walk. This part in particular was a bit upsetting as we explicitly booked the open area for the express purpose of trotting and loping. Another saddle was then switched in that felt too small but I was informed that the majority of their saddles were elsewhere at the moment. When my grandfather and I was finally in the arena we walked about two laps when two 3-4 year olds were led in on horses. We were also not informed that there would be a lesson taking place in the very same arena that we were riding in. Later two more people on horses also joined, one teen girl who was on her phone while riding, everyone going in different directions, the young girls (who I overheard had never been on horses before) were being encouraged to trot, and the younger ones kept on letting their horses intercept mine and my grandfather’s horses. We had no expectations of a private ride, but at the very least since what we booked and paid for was advertised as intended for intermediate riders, we assumed that meant whoever we were sharing space with would know basic arena etiquette or at the very least would not be on their phone while trotting in close proximity. In the last 10-15 minutes my grandfather and I were finally allowed to go to the open area which was easily twice the size of the enclosed arena, and it was so much better. At the end however, we were informed that another 65 was owed on top of the 65 dollar down payment, when it states on the website that for two riders it is 55 dollars each. I wanted to bring this up, but my mother said it wasn’t worth the time it would take to argue as she really wanted to leave after being there for so long. Overall everything we experienced was extremely unprofessional and I would not recommend this place to anyone. I understand being behind schedule due to things outside of your control, as that happens to everyone. But there is running late, and then there is this. This had been expected to be the highlight of our trip, and we were very much looking forward to this. Unfortunately for both of us, for something booked so far in advance, the lack of planning and communication from the ranch made that impossible.

L

Lisa Emery

über Google

Highly recommended. Jeff was very laid back and a great teacher. Such a fun experience