Darby Safari went so above and beyond our expectations. We love zoos, but this was so much more…read morethan just staring at a bunch of animals behind bars - instead we had multiple opportunities to get up close, touch and feed the animals. In addition, some free range friends walked along with us humans on the tour and literally wanted to eat out of our hands. Our guides, Maddie and Shane, were fantastic! Extremely knowledgeable about the animals, and excellent at making sure everyone in the fairly sizable tour group had an opportunity to see or feed each animal they introduced. We bought the "Kit and Kaboodle" package which was so incredibly worth it! Some zoos allow you a "personal encounter" with one species, or by holding up an animal and letting you pet it,... but in the encounter room, Maddie and Shane spent an hour or more introducing us to at least 10 animals, all different species, in very interactive ways. We held armadillos, hand wrestled a mongoose, let a tiny monkey jump from shoulder to shoulder between us eating Fruit Loops, fed and high-fived otters, and so much more. I truly can't say enough about how happy we are that we included Darby Safari in our first ever trip to Charlotte!

I took my brother here for a surprise birthday gift, and we both loved it! Our guide was very…read moreknowledgeable and provided us with great information about all the animals. My favorite part was doing the capybara encounter and spending a little extra time with them. I'd highly recommend this for anyone who loves animals.

We go here each year for our 5th grade field trips. They are great with these animals and do such a…read moregood job coordinating large groups. We will always recommend them to schools or families having birthday parties!

Bit of Hope Ranch is truly a place for everyone! From the moment you step onto the property, you…read morecan feel that this ranch was built with intention, compassion, and community at its core. I have loved my weekly time at the ranch. The ranch offers an incredible range of experiences--professional counseling services, traditional horse riding lessons, adaptive riding for individuals with special needs, and so many meaningful ways to volunteer. Whether you're working one-on-one with a special needs rider, painting fences, gardening, cleaning horse stalls, or helping behind the scenes, there is truly a place for every person and every ability level. The property itself is peaceful and welcoming. Home to 16 beautiful horses, a charming barnyard with the cutest goats, and a freshly stocked pond where counseling clients can fish during talk therapy sessions, the ranch blends nature and healing seamlessly. The open pastures, quiet trails, and natural spaces create an environment that encourages connection, reflection, and growth. For families and schools, their educational field trips are thoughtfully designed and aligned with North Carolina state education standards, making them both fun and academically meaningful. Students learn through hands-on experiences with animals, agriculture, and nature while meeting grade-appropriate learning objectives--something that truly sets this ranch apart. What makes Bit of Hope Ranch so special isn't just what they offer, but how they offer it. Every client, volunteer, student, and visitor is met with kindness, respect, and genuine care. Whether you're seeking therapy, riding lessons, a unique educational experience, or a way to give back, this ranch creates a space where people feel valued and supported. If you're looking for a place that changes lives--both human and horse--Bit of Hope Ranch is truly something special.

Claudia was very kind and accommodating. Helpful staff, beautiful horses. Lots of thought and care…read moretowards the animals' wellbeing.

From the owner: Stonebrook Equestrian Center is a full service boarding and training facility catering to the needs…read moreof Horses and their owners. We specialize in superior care offering scientifically supported feed programs, large stalls in an airy barn, ample turnout, outdoor and covered arenas with quality footing, and on site training. Our program promotes healthy, happy horses, that are a pleasure to ride and train.

Five star horse place. Wonderful staff. Highly recommend the week horse camp. It wants me to add…read moreanother sentence but I think I already said it all.

From the owner: Lessons, boardingread more

Stopped by for some preliminary research, since we are new to the area. This place offers full…read moreservice board @ $400/month. (June 2015) English or Western lessons, private, @ $30/half-hour, or $40/full hour. The additional time beyond the half-hour is on-ground horse-care learning (grooming, tacking, etc.) The half-hour lessons, the horse is ready for get-on-and-go. It was a sweltering hot day, and I made an unannounced stop-in, so I did not request a tour. The owner-operator is friendly and knowledgeable. We'll be back!

From the owner: The exceptional care can't be beat at Longview Equestrian Center . Board is 500.00 dollars a month…read more Training is 650,00. Have trained Arabians for many years and showed class A and higher with great success!! Lessons also given. English and western.

Debra and her team couldn't have been nicer and the horses and trail are beautiful. Everything is…read morenicely kept. My daughter was with me and had some bad allergies that day, and Debra made sure to accommodate her. Those types of things go a long way in my book! I would definintely recommend Painted Sky and hope to go back sometime! Thanks Debra!

10 stars! One of the best rides I've done in many years! The horses are beautiful the trails are…read moreamazing, Debra and the staff are amazing can't wait to go back again

I've been involved with Shining Hope Farms since 2013 and can't say enough about the organization…read more They lead with love and provide top-notch care for patients and horses. Miracles happen at Shining Hope Farms and it warms my heart that I have the privilege of being involved.

This place has every thing you need from PT, OT and even Speech therapy!! If you need something…read morespecial they can tailor your therapy around your needs, what's even better than all of that is they have two farms! One is in North Mecklenburg near Kidd Lane and this one in Gaston County! My daughter has enjoyed the services here for years and it's the highlight of her week, thank you Ms Ashley!

JJ is the best! Great for pony rides and lessons for all levels of rider. JJ takes great care of…read morethe horses and the facilities are beautiful. Plenty of animals to play with including a mini donkey, mini bull, mini horse, kittens, goats, dogs and of course horses!

I've been taking lessons with Jeanne at the Charlotte Equestrian Club for three months and love it…read more I had long wanted to take lessons, but could never quite pull the trigger. I was so scared at my first lesson, but pushed through my fear and I'm so happy I did. Jeanne is a patient and thoughtful instructor and she has a clear connection with the horses. She also wanted to understand my goals and matched me with the right horse. Lastly, I feel completely safe on and around the horses and my favorite part of the lesson is grooming the horse afterwards. Her farm is also a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, but so close - 15 minutes from Uptown. On the days when I have lessons, all the stress of the day melts away as soon as I hit the gravel driveway. If you're looking for lessons for yourself or your kids, I highly recommend Charlotte Equestrian Club.