I could not believe there was a horse stable this close to my house. They have a LOT of horses and…read moreponies. There were 5 people in my group and Anna was our guide. She was amazing! The ride was leisurely and relaxing but still fun. They recommend dressing for the weather but wearing jeans and gym shoes, which was perfect. My horse was Sammy (ironic) and my husband's was Denny. I also had a connection with Sanchez (although that may be because I was feeding him tons of apples and mints). I wish we would have known about the carrots and apples but you can bring your own and make friends with all of the beautiful horses! I can't wait to go back.

My daughter did a trail ride. She has several years of riding experience so we have seen all sorts…read moreof barns. While the ride was fine and the trainer was friendly, I was SHOCKED at the condition of the barn. The smell of urine was overwhelming. The stalls looked like they had not been mucked out in weeks. Tons of poop in the stalls. Animals just looked sad and depressed. The barn and arena were dark and depressing. Absolutely no outdoor space for the animals. I'm shocked people board horses there. Conditions are terrible. There were about 30 farm animal just standing around in a dark arena. Reminded me of a nursing home. Very depressing. Everything just looked neglected.

My experience as a first time customer at this Double J stables was very unpleasant. I didn't know…read moreit was mandatory to wear boots while riding. I never received an email stating equipment needed and I was never told I must bring boots. The stable manager who goes by the name of CC was condescending, dismissive, hypersensitive and seriously lacks customer service skills. She did not make me feel welcome. I took time out of my busy schedule for my lesson and drove all the way from Chicago that day and she didn't care. She refused to do anything to lessen the blow of me waisting time, gas, & money. If offered some type of compensation like one free introductory ride, half price upon your return, or SOMETHING to show understanding, I would have happily rescheduled to come back another day with boots. However, I chose to leave due to her behavior and unaccommodating nature. If you want a stable that appreciates your patronage, and cares about you the customer, go somewhere else. There are plenty of other stables that will welcome you and treat you like a valued customer.

If you want your child to have a unique and magical experience, look no further! Someone could…read moreseriously write a children's book about this special place. It's wonderful. :) The first program my daughter attended was their Animal Adventure summer camp. She loved it so much we decided to enroll her in Farmhand 101, which is a class she has been attending once a week. In this class they get to do age appropriate farm chores and get to know all the animals. There are a myriad different animals to befriend! (My personal favorite being Cindy the turkey!) They all have fun names and you can tell they are very loved and well cared for. The instructors are very knowledgeable and kind. They all have lots of experience working with animals and share a lot of great information with their students. There's a wide variety of classes, many on weekdays being for homeschooled kids, which I really appreciate! I could go on and on about how great this place is, but you'll just have to go see it for yourself!

Excellent place to get started with your horseback riding experience...for all ages. They have…read moregreat friendly rescued horses and certainly make the experience memorable. I would encourage them to add an element of what it is like to keep a horse on their trail rides to encourage and intrigue first time riders.

This is the 2nd year we have had Sarah's ponies out to our Autumn Fair Fundraising event. Her…read morestaff, once again, was phenomenal. Nicole was very communicative with me and she was able to get the pony wheel and petting zoo set up quickly and efficiently with her staff. Thank you!

I did not ride at Chrislin Farm, but as my immediate and extended family had acreage and farms with…read moreanimals including Quarter Horses, I started riding at age nine and did my share of grooming and mucking stalls. Haven't been to Chrislin Farm for years but it looked well managed when I did go there.

Christy is a really special person. Her immense dedication to caring for every animal at the farm…read moreis both obvious and inspiring. I feel really lucky to have found her, she's an excellent instructor. Going down to see her and the horses is the high point of my week. I would recommend her a thousand times!

The equestrian center is linked to the forest preserve. Visitors can walk around and weather…read morepermitting look at all the beautiful horses that have been turned out to graze. We love walking around here and the forest preserve beyond. You feel like you are a walking in the country side, there are tractors and farm equipment around and you can walk in between the horse pastures. Last time we were here the volunteers were in one of the larger areas where there is also a shelter for horses. We were talking to one of the volunteers and the horses were milling around very close to us. My son was super excited to see them up close.

i never rode horses here, so i can't really speak for that aspect of the center. however, i used to…read moretake my animal-loving client here all the time when i worked as a family support staff for kids with autism. said client never had much interest in the cosley animal zoo; i guess she liked to watch animals running around vs. sleeping in a cage. the staff were always friendly and obliging without being overly invasive, which is WAY more than i can say for most places/their treatment of people with disabilities. there was also a great set of wooded and prairie hiking trails; we had a lot of fun spotting birds by the pond. maybe i'm just nostalgic about this place/that job, but there's something to be said for it. my client had a lot of difficulty exercising and a lot of anxiety about venturing into the community, and she always felt right at home here. i guess this an oddly slanted view, especially for a first review. oh well.

No better place on earth to board your horse! I have boarded there for nearly 35 years, and my…read morehorses get only the best. Martha Hoyt is a fantastic trainer, from babies to seasoned show horses. Instructors (Allie, Anne, Patty) give expert guidance and care whether in group classes or private lessons. The horses receive exceptional care with feeding and stall cleaning. If you're wondering, pay a visit and see this little piece of horsie Heaven for yourself.

READ THE FILTERED REVIEWS before you make a decision. I've been riding at PHRS for six years and…read morebought my horse there. He gets top notch care from the staff and I never have to worry about whether he's fed or if his stall is cleaned. The trainers there are also good. They listen to your goals and try to help you achieve them. For show riders they emphasize that winning isn't everything, it's about good sportsmanship and having your best ride. That attitude has created a barn full of supportive riders. School shows are held four times a year, and many of the classes are held in the outdoor arena if the weather is nice. I enjoy the wide variety of classes that are available. There's always a chance to try something new. This is a barn that is steeped in tradition. When they say it's a family affair they truly mean it. The staff and riders do their best to make everyone feel like family. Don't base your opinions off of a few unflitered reviews when there are tons of positive reviews that didn't make it past Yelp's ridiculous system! When in doubt, go out there and see for yourself.

Where should I start? I got a Living Social deal and decided…read moreto try them with my girlfriend who is an experienced Hunter/Jumper rider. Let me just preface that their regular prices are so good I drove from Chicago, and will again. First of all, if you think you are at the entrance, but not sure because no one answers your knocking on the door, just walk in. We spent 10 minutes hoping someone was around while their two goats followed me. One of the owners came out and got us and I had to leave my goat girlfriend who escorted me along their property. The owners (a couple, forgot their names) were very nice, which is a treat because I have gone to other places for riding and in my experience most horse people are arrogant and don't have patience for beginners. Not the case here, very kind, patient, and a sense of humor to boot (no pun intended). They do all kinds of training, western, english, dressage, and they train their customer's horses daily. Horses were well maintained, as were the stables. I was retaught how to post, and I cantered for the first time. Smallish arena, but music was playing and it was relatively easy to hear the instructors, who were the owners. My girlfriend and I got to ride together for the first time, and even though it wasn't a scenic trail, it was very fun. Worth the trip Worth the money Worth a look I will be back, at least to see my goat friends.

My family and I found Country Meadows about 12 years ago, I was 9 years old and had been riding at…read morea barn through the local park district of my town. Someone had told us about Country Meadows and that we should really check it out if I wanted to continue horseback riding. We took a trip to see the barn and meet the owners and right away we decided we wanted to have a lesson there. I remember from my first lesson, how happy I was and how safe I felt on the horse and in their barn. I had just one, hour long lesson and I never went back to my previous barn. The owners Mike and Dale, and trainer Julie make it feel like home. They are all so friendly and loving and really want you to grow and become a great rider. They are like family; they support you, help you achieve your goals, and really genuinely care about you as a rider and a person. From my first lesson to now I've grown so much as a rider and a person. I have learned and grown to be so much more confident and outgoing. Continuely connecting with so many of their friendly and happy horses. And really became a rider that I always hoped I could become. Every horse you will ride teaches you something new and different and really challenges you as a rider. With the training and attention to detail they give you during your lesson, you will find yourself starting to get a hang of it and becoming a better rider every lesson. They take great pride in the way their horses are taken care of and getting the treatment and love they deserve. Their red barn is so gorgeous with beautiful wooden stalls and siding, the viewing room is very clean and nice and heated for cold winter days with a large window for you to be able to watch your children, spouse, or friends ride. They have a heated indoor arena that is very long and big so that you have lots of space to ride if there are a few other people in your lesson. They also have a beautiful large outdoor arena for lessons when theres a nice sunny summer day. They have the sweetest dogs that will come greet you with lots of kisses and some very vocal chickens in their second barn across the indoor arena that you'll want to meet. If you are looking for a barn that will teach you and help you learn to be a great rider, who are friendly and really truly care about the rider and that persons lesson and progress. This is definitely without a doubt the barn for you. I am so grateful and really just thankful I found this barn 12 years ago and the people in it because it really is a family away from my family. Honestly I do not think I would be the rider I am today if it wasn't for finding Country Meadow Farm!

I have been riding at Trillion for over a year now, and I can describe it as my sacred place. It is…read morethe place where I can relate to these wonderful people and animals that add meaning to my life and make my day. It is a happy place where horse lovers can find a true connection with horses and good great people. If I wouldn't have to work, I would spend big part of my last there. It is my favorite place to rebalance myself. I am a mother of two little kids, just waiting for them to turn 8 and start having this wonderful connection with horses. I would highly recommend this port to any mother seeking self confidence, character and humbleness for her kids.

Our service back in 2020 during July and August was not good. we paid for Private lessons while…read morethey were teaching like 3 OTHER riders. We would also contact them about some things but of course, they would never get back to us. I can tell they have improved since then as my friend rides there and have been there a couple times in late 2022. They do schooling shows and everything and loads of events for any level of rider. I do think they can improve more since they do wait a really long time before riders are able to canter and jump. I may go back to Trillion at some point if they improve. Please let me know anyone if they improve in any way.

We recently celebrated our daughter's 9th birthday at Nova Quarter Horses, and it was an absolutely…read morewonderful experience. With a group of 20 third-grade girls, I was initially concerned about keeping everyone engaged and safe, especially since more than half of them had never ridden a horse before. Nova's team surpassed all expectations. They were incredibly organized, attentive, and made sure each child felt comfortable and secure throughout the event. The staff at Nova Quarter Horses made the girls' first riding experience unforgettable. Each child had several turns riding different horses, and the instructors were patient and encouraging, creating a positive atmosphere that allowed even the most hesitant riders to participate and enjoy themselves. Our daughter described the party as "perfect," and I couldn't agree more! The facility itself is ideal for hosting birthday parties. Nova has a spacious party area where they arranged tables to accommodate our group with one long table that seated 21 comfortably. Parents were able to relax in a fantastic viewing area, which offered a great vantage point to watch both the riding and the party festivities. This thoughtful setup made the celebration enjoyable for both children and adults. Beyond horseback riding, Nova organized a fun scavenger hunt in the barn, giving the girls an opportunity to explore, meet all the horses, and learn more about the facility. This added element of adventure made the party even more special and engaging for everyone involved. I highly recommend Nova Quarter Horses for anyone looking to host a unique, fun, and well-managed birthday party. The staff's professionalism, dedication to safety, and ability to create a magical experience for children make them stand out. We are grateful for the memories made and look forward to returning in the future!

Nova Quarter is definitely the place to be if you love horses. Lorri and Sam run an amazing…read morebusiness and the horses are so well taken care of. There are so many events, camps and opportunities for all ages. The large, newer indoor arena is amazing! Go check them out!

Want a free workout that will kick your butt? Head over to the Swallow Cliff stairs. There are…read morepeople of all fitness levels that make the trek here. Stay to the right and keep your own pace. The forest preserve has done a nice job maintaining the area. There are tables to have a picnic, clean bathrooms, and seasonal café. There is a decent amount of parking too. It does get packed if weather is nice. People like to use rocks to track their loop numbers. Signs say no dogs allowed on the stairs.

The stairs provide a pretty intense workout-the east steps are rough and a little irregular while…read morethe west set is a bit easier-more flat areas for breaks, if you need them. I go up the east side, down on the west. I think it's 125 stairs on the east, and 145 on the west. All ages and fitness levels are here! Lots of parking, clean. Dogs are not allowed on the stairs. There's a snack bar, restrooms, and a fairly large room for meetings, presentations, and activities. There are also several trails if you still have energy after the stairs!