Horsing around near Coach Stop Inn
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 10/5/09
In the last 16 years I have ridden well over 1,000 miles on horses owned by Mountain Trail Horse Center (aka Nature Quest), which now owns Coach Stop Inn.
Not once in all those years have I observed any horse being mistreated, neglected or abused in any way. These horses are powerful athletes who tirelessly pound their way up steep slopes that would exhaust mere humans on foot....as well as many other horses that are less fit and/or less well cared for.
While I am not an expert on horses, from experience I do know the truth behind the saying that "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" -- even on a hot day. I also know for a fact that Mountain Trail always ensures its horses are well fed and receive plenty of water every day. And I know from experience that any horse with an injury is allowed to rest and heal rather than being continually ridden.
Mountain Trail's guides give customers about one hour of instruction before they ever get on a horse. Much of that instruction is aimed at protecting the horse. I have heard paying customers warned they will walk if they in any way injure or mistreat a horse by riding poorly or not following instructions.
The owners have far too much invested in horse flesh to ever mistreat one of their own animals in any way.
This outfitter owns up to 70 tough mountain horses that take riders on grand adventures through the wilds of Tioga State Forest. The corral is in Ansonia, just down the road from the Coach Stop.
Like many repeat customers, my friends and I have come to recognize the horses, know them by name and often request our favorites for riding. There is no high turnover, which you might expect at a commercial stable with neglected, over-used or unhealthy stock. You can go back for 10 or 12 or more years and find the same horses still there and still eagerly working. (The only unhappy horses when we ride out are those left behind in the pasture or the corral. I know that because they are quite audible about it.)
You can go for a half-day, full-day or multi-day ride, beginning and ending your trip with a fine meal and decent lodgings at the Coach Stop Inn.
And these are not nose-to-butt horse rides. Even first time riders will have the opportunity to walk, canter and break into a full gallop on horseback. It is one of the best guided wilderness adventures remaining on the East Coast.