Monica is amazing! My dog Lucy worships the ground she walks on. Wouldn't go to anybody else.read more

I wish I had taken before and after pictures because our dog was shedding so much we couldn't keep…read moreup and now she looks incredible! Other bonuses: whatever shampoo/products were used, she smells great (I couldn't stand the highly perfumed smell her last groomer used) and the convenience of mobile grooming is phenomenal. You've got a new regular client!

It's been almost 1.5 years of riding here at Merkel, so I have finally have a well formed view of…read moreMerkel Farm. Stephanie (the owner) is, by far, the most caring, understanding, and helpful instructor I have EVER had. She understands each person's needs and can help each person grow not only in confidence, but in self-reliance. Stephanie always looks out for every person and makes sure they are getting the help they need, as well as being given the push to jump higher (sorry about the pun) as well. Her horses are all loved dearly, taken care of, and get to roam in spacious fields all day like horses should. No horse is forced to stand in a stall all day only to be ridden once, and returned. They get to stretch their legs and take in the serene backwoods Bowie scenery. Every lesson is formed around making each person better, with focuses in different areas. One day might be a balance day, strength day, cross country day, position day, ect. I never know what fun experiences lay for me on the other side of the white fenced arena. The grounds are well groomed, with several large paddocks full of happy horses. There is a spacious outdoor ring, covered indoor ring, and a host of cross country fences around the property. There are several friendly furry friends roaming around the grounds, including Brandy the ever present Goldendoodle, and Pepper, the most friendly cat in the world. I will continue to make Merkel my home and hope that everyone sees the beauty in this lovely farm tucked back on a piece of paradise.

This place is like therapy for my daughter. Great kids riding program that teaches them how to…read moreboth care for and ride the horses. Can't wait for summer camp!

We had a trail lesson. The trail had old tires, broken pipes, and trash, and we even passed by a…read moregutted vehicle. The owner was rude to us because we didn't 'look up' enough - she said she was joking but it was at our expense, wasn't funny, and her tone was not joking. Also, the horses do the exact same trail every day, and will just follow the guide anyway, it's a bit like the touristy horse rides, except there isn't anything touristy to see. I wouldn't go back, there are several nicer farms nearby.

Bought my wife some horseback riding lessons and she convinced me to give it a shot. I've never…read moreridden a horse before but Anita was patient with me, focusing on my form and making sure I dont start to have any bad habits. Had a great experience and now my wife's anniversary gift is couples horseback riding lessons :)

My wife and I had an amazing experience at Piscataway Riding Stables. The ranch is easy to find…read morewith plenty of parking. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They will take the time to give you a tutorial and ensure your safety. Weekends are first come, first serve. They go out in groups, so by the time we signed up, paid, and got a quick tutorial, we didn't have a long wait to ride. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who want to ride. They also offer volunteer opportunities.

I had an amazing experience. Took the family and her friends for her 16th birthday. She loved it…read more It's very economical $70 for one hour and we all loved it. Nick and the crew were amazing. I hope they keep up the great work. I will be back as soon as I can to experience more. Highly recommend.

This business is awesome. They have events for kids and adults to join in to. They are very…read morewelcoming. You will make great new friends. All the instructors are very kind. All the barn staff will help you with whatever you need.

This is a fantastic place to ride for kids and adults of any level. The staff/instructors are very…read moreknowledgeable and friendly! They have numerous programs for kids and even for adults who want to work with the barn staff and learn more about horses and their care. I give four stars only because the building itself needs updating, but the horses are beautifully cared for by people who have ridden and worked there for years. The land is lovely and riders can enjoy a terrific trail through the adjacent woods, as well. Lesson prices are commensurate with other local stables, and in my opinion, worth every penny! The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. If you've been intimidated by stable experiences, as I was in the past, this is the place for you! I've made new friends and really look forward to my visits to the Woodland!

This is a great place to see some of Maryland's racing history. Take a tour of the barns, see the…read moreold track and the new ones! See some of the horses that are there, and get a feel for how much this niche industry has been a a part of Maryland for a very long time. They have events throughout the year for the public, be sure to take the trip down there if you can - it's not far from the city. Everyone there is awesome and invested in making this place a world class horse farm!

One of the nicer boarding facilities I've found in Upper Marlboro. Marlboro Ridge is a very well…read moreequipped facility with both indoor and outdoor arenas. They have both dressage and hunter-jumper oriented instructors, two heated wash stalls, and three sets of cross ties.

This is a phenomenal organization. I first learned about it when I moved into the community just…read moredown the road from it. I had always wondered what it was and decided to check them out. They do amazing work with special populations. The staff and volunteers all truly love what they do. They are very knowledgeable about the horses and are very caring and patient with the folks that participate in their programs. One of my high school friends has a son that has been part of this program for several years. He speaks incredibly highly of them as well. The executive director is beyond passionate about the horses and about the mission of the horse farm. The facility is incredibly spacious and serene. If you love horses you should consider volunteering. The more I have learned about what they do and their mission, the more I cannot say enough about them.

Don't pay for adult refresher riding lessons here. I was left alone in the arena while the…read moreinstructor was off talking to another volunteer. Horse took off and I got thrown. They never even followed up to see how I was. They sent the other volunteer to see if I was going to pursue action. I have a torn hamstring and a torn hip flexor. Lots of PT and still struggling over a year later. They need to stick with what they are good at. Medically and emotionally complex individuals get great care. That is not the same as "teaching" riding.

Stephanie is amazing! My daughter has taken many lessons with her and progressed beyond all…read moreexpectations. She had never even been on a horse before and was cantering and posting within weeks. Stephanie has the right amount of patience and persuasion to get the students to continually develop as riders. The horses are all impeccably maintained and well trained. I love that the students learn to tack up the horses and the responsibility required to be a rider. If your considering lessons, this is the place to go.

After seeing a bargain on Living Social, I decided to give it a try for my almost 4 y.o. daughter…read more She has been in love w/ horses since she was 2. The instructor, Stephanie was wonderful and very patient w/ me (neurotic mother) and my daughter. She leases space at a beautiful farm in Boyds, MD. The horses are beautiful, and clearly well taken care of. Stephanie is very aware of the horses she uses, and is very cautious & careful about safety which is always my biggest concern. She actually had Gracie galloping on her second lesson b/c Gracie saw a more experienced rider and wanted to do the same, so she taught her the basics of posting, had her hold tightly onto the saddle and lead the horse into a controlled gallop, which Gracie loved. I also appreciated Stephanie's honesty when I approached her about her readiness & the benefit of future lessons as I wanted to make sure my daughter would be getting the most out of this as possible. Stephanie is clearly very experienced w/ horses, and instructing people in how to ride them. It's obvious, this is her passion which makes it all the better for anyone fortunate enough to take lessons from her.