Sun City Stables

Find another place! Only good for experienced riders.
We booked 3 hours for 7 people on gated horses. Later, I was told by a staff member that they only have 5 gated horses and the owners often lie to customers to get more money.
We decided to pay extra for a guide. He walked along the trails with us and was very nice. About 30 minutes into our ride, my horse Clyde (the lead) decided to take off running fast. My saddle slipped and I fell off. Nothing broken, just very bruised, sore and swollen.
The family continued to ride and our guide stayed with our family the whole time even though we only paid for 1 hour of his time. The kids and husband had fun. The tree branches are low and my daughter got smacked by branches leaving her scraped up and bloody. My husband was the only experienced rider in our group and his horse, Diamond, tried to buck him off because she didn’t want to follow his commands.
In the stables, I learned many of the horses had open wounds. Their teeth were in need of floating and there was one horse, Frieda, that you can count her ribs. Staff member told me that they don’t get vet care and don’t get fed well. Several of the horses had coughs and we’re clearly not being well tended, as evidenced by the mats and burrs nestled in their hair and fur.
Overall, this was a lot of money for us, even though the fees are lower than other stables around and it wasn’t worth it. I wish we would have read reviews before coming.

How is this place operational…
Petting Zoo: We found a goat dead in the pen (enough said), upset my little sister tremendously.
Horseback riding:
Only positive thing I will say is that it is a low price and you can canter/​trot. When we arrived, we noticed some sickly looking horses (some very thin, most due for a hoof filling, and one with open sores all over it’s body). When riding our horses, I was thankful I had years of lessons beneath me as these horses were NOT beginner horses and it took a sturdy hand otherwise they would bolt back to the barn. The trails are not groomed or well kept [so you will get hit in the head with branches if you are tall or on a tall horse] and it is very easy to get lost. The horses will try and run back to the barn every chance they have (getting ornery to the point of rearing up.) My little sister is not as experienced as I am and fell off her horse.
We paid for a guide to help us on the trail, but it was quite helpless as she was not on a horse, and just led us through the trail once. If you want to trot or canter you will have to do so without a guide since they are not on horseback and cannot lead (so she just waited for us in one spot on the trail). Thus we had to deal with our horses acting up, as well as getting lost on the trail by ourselves.
None of us had watches and the guide told us that it was time to head back to the barn. We had paid for 3 hours of trail riding. When we got to the barn we realized we had only been out for barely 2 hours. The staff told us they bring us back so we could have a drink (which sounds like a scam to me, I’ve never been to a barn who brings the riders back mid-​trail ride unless there is an emergency with the horse or rider). The horses were now tired, upset, and in their stall. We figured it was going to be TWICE as hard to walk them 10 minutes back to the trail head. On top of that, my sister was also thinking she was lucky to be alive and didn’t even want to go back out. So we just left.
I am surprised no one in our party was seriously injured. I feel bad for the horses, I hope in the future this establishment will only take in horses they can afford to properly care for and train.

My daughter wanted a trail ride for her birthday, one where she could ride without a guide and off the beaten path. The trail is off the beaten path but very short and full of mosquitos. She and her friend had over 60 bites each on their legs that took over 3 weeks to heal. Also, we paid for the full day ride however, they had to change our horses every hour even on a not so hot Florida day. Facilities are very dirty and there is no bathroom except for a old port a let. Nice people just not a nice experience, needs lots of updates.

I had a great time and service. I would recommend this to a all my friends. Very personable and professional. The cost was fair. Had great exeperiance.

I had not ridden in over five years and I was dying to get back in the saddle again. My boyfriend asked me what I wanted to do for my 22 birthday and I told him I HAD to go riding. I did not want to go to any old stables however. I was looking for a place that riders had the choice to either go with a guide or without. Other horseback riding places only give the option of «riding» when you sit on a horse in a line of other horses and they just follow each other and walk the whole time. Sun City stables has THAT option… As well as MORE. I finally found a place where I could go with or without a guide, and that caught my attention.
We called the stables right away. The gentleman who answered the phone was very nice and PATIENT with us and our many questions. Not once did he get annoyed with us.
We made an appointment without any problems and I couldn’t wait for my birthday to come already!
We arrived at the stable and the scenery was beautiful and it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and office building everywhere you turn. It was paradise. There was lots of wildlife and I could not get enough! We parked where the petting zoo was. We were greeted by the sounds of many different animals «welcoming» us to their home.
Since we arrived when they first opened, (we arranged for the whole day riding experience) the staff was running around making sure that the animals were fed and watered and taken care of in order to get the day going. We approached one of the staff who introduced herself to me as Britney, and told her we had an appointment and we walked together to the stables office.
Right away we were introduced to our horses and asked to make our way to the mounting block. She meets us At the mounting block and assisted us. My boyfriend who had never ridden before was being assisted by sally and she was so kind and patient.
I’ve noticed at other riding places some of the guides don’t really, converse with the riders. This was different. I was asking Sally questions about the stables and where the animals came from and just whatever else I could think of. She happily answered everything. I found out how some of the animals at the stables were rescues and how you can purchase a goat to take home and have as a pet. There is a program where you can lease a horse and after a period of time the horse is yours for free! We even spoke about things that had nothing to do with riding and the stables and she happily answered. She told us that when we felt comfortable we could let her know and she would let us go on our own. After about an hour of following her around the trails I told her that we were ready to explore the trails by ourselves. Let me just say. My boyfriend and I had a blast. The trails were easy to follow. It’s impossible to get lost however because the horses know the way home. For the most part the trails were in a wooded area but there were quick breaks where it was a clear patch for those who wished to trot and run. I took full advantage of that. My horses name was blaze by the way. He was chosen for me because I had plenty of riding experience. Little did I know that they don’t just choose any old horse for you to ride that day. They choose by matching with personalities. Blaze was chosen for me because I told Britney and Sally that I needed a challenge.
Blaze was so much fun to ride.
When my boyfriend wanted a break, I still wanted to stay on the trails. Sally offered to go with me so we went out for another hour or so while my other half rested and played with and fed a little baby goat and talked to Britney.
So in other words, my expectations were exceeded by FAR.
Customer service was perfect.
The animals are well fed and loved.
The staff is kind and patient.
There are no hidden fees where they try to get more money.
Many of their animals have been rescued. They take excellent care of them which is a major plus.
There are options for experienced riders and beginners
Not only is it an awesome place for riding, they have a fantastic petting zoo. You Must pet Ozzy the ostrich.
I cannot wait to go again. Money well spent. If you want to take a leisurely walk through the gorgeous trails, with or without a guide, the choice is yours. If you want to trot or run, you can do that too.
You have the freedom and choice at Sun city stables!
Five stars!!!

The WORST!!! check out the review I posted on them. they seem to have two listing on Unilocal.Unbelievably rude. ignorant and unprofessional. .STAY AWAY…

THIS Place Deserves No Stars! I would never return nor recomend it to anyone. I paid four hundred dollars for my sister and myself. After which I gave a 30 dollar tip for the two hours we road. The owner drove up to my car, stopped me and gave me a 5 minute speech about why I should of tipped more, and actually told me to give more money. I was so mad!
The horses seems un relented to work, tired and hungry. These people are just trying to make money. The on site staff was friendly but did not seem to know what they were doing.

My boyfriend loves horseback riding and wanted to surprise me and take me here. This was my first time and I was a little freaked out. Especially because some couples who were on the trail had come back because their horses weren’t acting right.
Some Good Notes About Sun City Stables: So as I noted above this was my first time horseback riding and of course I was a little nervous. My boyfriend asked them to give me the tamest horse they had and I got Danny (which is the horse they use for the 4 year olds who want to ride). Ha! You can laugh all you want, while other people had issues with their horse, Danny was perfect and good to me the entire ride. I didn’t have to worry about anything. He was gentle and listened to everything I did to guide him. It was funny because it was almost like Danny knew to follow the horse my boyfriend was on. Danny followed right behind her and did everything she did. We also had a guide and what was wonderful about her was she was raised around horses her whole life so she led us throughout the entire trail. The trail itself was absolutely beautiful — I felt like we were traveling through a different land with palm trees and sunshine surrounding us. It was an amazing ride, I would definitely do it again.
Side Note: If you haven’t been horseback riding before you will be covered in dirt by the time you leave — it was literally under our nails, in our hair and on our skin.
Some Not So Good Notes: There was horse poop everywhere which is a little gross. My boyfriend has been to several other stables in the area where they were much cleaner. This place is also a little disorganized. He had booked our reservation and we didn’t even get to ride until a few hours later. They said they were short staffed and over booked. If that was the case they should have told us that in the couple hours we were waiting. No one approached us to let us know what was going on which is a little frustrating and lacking in the customer service area.
Bottom Line: Super disorganized and a very long wait, but best trails in the area (according to my boyfriend and a co-​worker of mine who has ventured to several stables in the area), if you haven’t gone horseback riding before — make sure you get Danny he was such a great horse!

So… I do feel bad about this, as, actually we had a good time. But I must tell the truth for the sake of the other Unilocalers out there and maybe… just maybe help owners out a bit.
So, the bottomline on this place, is that while my wife, mother and I had a good time, really this place is just one law-​suit from being shut down.
While the people were nice and the horses we’re fine, the lack of adult supervision there makes me feel there is a possibility someone could be hurt here. The trail was good, but small based on what they said.
Overall, with a week’s worth of TLC, this place could be great, but right now it’s ready to really ruin someone’s day.
How so you might ask. Well, let me start with the fact that booking a reservation was a very professional experience; my wife called, talked to someone who we assume is the owner. After some chit-​chatting about experience level, etc. he recommends we show up at 8am on Saturday with a guided tour. Great, considering, I’ve never… repeat never been on a horse before.
So we show up at about 7:50am on Saturday, first impressions are everything right? Well the first impressions of this place are that it’s a dump. Small/​faded sign, actually missed the turn into the place from US-​41. We pull into what we figure out is the parking lot and nothing… we see a petting zoo area… and that’s it. Okay, we think, well I’m sure once we start walking around someone will point us in the right direction or we’ll see a sign… no. In fact after starting to walk to where we assume is the middle of the yard, we come across a women whose getting food. And after a good morning to her, we get a grunt… ummmm…okay…we’ll before we can say anything else in the distance I see someone waving frantically at us, okay we’re getting somewhere. Bubbly young women, who was very professional. «Okay, I’m going to assume your our party of 3 with a reservation at 8am.» «Yup, that’s us.» «Great, well let’s get to it.»
Okay, next, and this is where the issues start. It becomes clear very quickly that the woman who met us, isn’t going to guide us anywhere. In fact, after she said, well i can guide you guys if you want…“Yes we want”…we work out that’ll she’ll guide us about 5 – 10 mins into the area and let us go. WAIT… WHAT?! I have no experience, my mother hasn’t ridden in 30+ years and my wife has rode in about 15 and then it was only a couple of times. Your going to let us go out into the forest without a guide and really no «this is how you…» or watch out for. But okay, we roll with the punches as we’re very capable adults able to deal with life.
So let me back-​track and an example… our «how to get on a horse,» lesson consisted of pulling the horse up to the side of the a step area and being told, get on. Like I said, I’m a capable adult, but I can imagine folks would have issues.
Okay, after all 3 of us are on our horses, we start heading for the trail. Once again, we’re still mentioning we would really like a guide and keep getting blown off. But the woman (really a girl), takes us out to the area we’re supposed to take the horses out. She tells us that it’s an hour if we go around the perimeter and then there are some trails that go through, but she would recommend us doing the perimeter first to get a feel and go from there, so just keep taking rights on the trail and you’ll be fine. «Are there signs?» «No.» «Are there arrows?» «No» «is there anything that tells us we’re going the right way versus wrong way?» «No» «Okay, great, let’s do this.»
So let me break it down, 3 people with zero experience in the past 15 years have been let off free to roam with 3 horses in the woods of Florida. With no information on how to get ahold of anyone, no ability to contact anyone and no safety briefing what so ever. Oh yea, no helmets, (which I was fine with, but my mother wasn’t.)
Okay, I’ll fast forward, so 20 mins later, all three of us are back at the beginning. While we stopped the horses so we could discuss how an «hour long,» trail ride had taken 20 mins, our horses had decided they had enough. We tried to take them back on the trail and the lead, decided she wanted back in her pen. After must wrangling, she literally galloped my mother back to her pen, as the other 2 horses followed. After literally spending 15 mins tracking down someone to help. They told us that the lead horse was having an off day and we’d have to swap. Okay, check. did that.
As we’re walking back I mention our «hour long» ride took 20 mins and maybe we missed a turn, you know since there are no signs and no map. I got a shrug and was told that happens. «WAIT…WHAT?!»
Whatever, we spent the next 2 hours going around the same relative small circle, we had some more issues with the horses being stubbon and wanting to go back when we go to the start of the trail.
Overall, we had a good time, but I’m concerned w/​no adult supervision