GENERAL QUESTIONS
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We do indeed use a mounting block. One has two steps, and the other has three steps for really getting you up and over. You can request the three-step if you want. We started using mounting blocks out of concern for our horses’ backs. We don’t have stairs to a big platform like some places because I have always felt if a person can’t get up using a mounting block, they may wish to reconsider getting on to begin with.
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Yes, signing a waiver is mandatory to participate in any horse-related activities at Cornerstone Ranch. You can read and sign a waiver online using this waiver link.
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Our age requirement is 10+. We do have some flexibility for kids who have ridden before and if a parent or adult family member also books. We do not offer riding double for safety reasons.
There is no age requirement for pony rides, birthday parties, or horse-drawn wagon and sleigh rides.
For younger children, we offer pony rides most weekend afternoons, weather permitting. Pony rides are $10.
We also serve ice cream from our Wild Child Express ice cream trolley most weekends, weather permitting. You are welcome to email beforehand to see if we are open.
For kids 6+ in addition to pony rides, we offer riding lessons by appointment. Lessons can be scheduled online or you can email if you don’t see a day/time which works on the schedule. Either showing up for a pony ride or booking a riding lesson is a great way to start. We only want to create positive experiences.
Please note that for birthday parties the age requirement for our trail rides is 10+. However, our birthday party celebrations are great for any age! The birthday parties are great for groups of kids because we can offer more one-on-one attention and riding instruction. Please see our web page about birthday parties for more information.
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The weight limit for trail riding is 260 pounds.
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Please be sure to provide at least 48 hours for any cancellations. This allows us to open the ride up so someone else can book. Not providing 48 hours’ notice to cancel results in a forfeiture of the Groupon. To cancel please contact us.
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No, please don’t bring any paperwork. We use the reservation system to keep track of everything. Come enjoy your ride and be early!
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Enter the 8-letter Groupon code(s) from your Groupons exactly but without hyphens, dashes or spaces (letters only) in the discount code box after clicking on the words “Add promo or discount code.”
You will be charged the gratuity and ticket protection. You may opt-out of the ticket protection but not the gratuity.
Thanks for your patience in using the reservation system. It really helps to have money matters squared away so you can enjoy the ride when you get here.
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If there isn’t enough snow to accommodate everyone this winter, we will offer horse-drawn rides with ice cream beginning in May. The rides are conducted in the beautiful and very comfortable red wagon. Come learn about how the pioneers traveled. Discover why the harnesses are constructed the way they are and what some of the equipment is used for. Enjoy delicious local premium ice cream either before, during, or after your ride.
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Sleigh ride group rides are set at 6 currently and will be increased in the reservation system to allow 10 passengers if there isn’t enough snow to take the sleighs. This is because the wagon holds more passengers. If you have a party larger than six, you can book back-to-back rides i.e. 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. If there doesn’t see to be much snow, email me and I will merge your group of up to 12 people into one ride so you will be together.
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Usually, trail riding will be canceled if it is a very steady rain with a high probability of rain throughout the day, ice or heavy snow. There is a good chance we will cancel trail rides if the temperature is below 25 degrees, horse-drawn rides if the temperature is below 15 degrees. We typically will just delay if there is a thunderstorm in the area. Threat of rain, lightning, or snow will usually NOT cause us to cancel a trail ride.
Please show up a half-hour prior to your scheduled trail ride if you haven’t been notified of a cancellation. If rides are cancelled you will be notified via email. Please be sure to provide a number to text in the event email does not work.
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We reserve the right to cancel trail riding if the weather is unsafe for riding or driving, or if the weather poses too much discomfort for the horses or the riders. We will still hold the ride if it is raining especially in the warm weather, so bring raincoats! If Cornerstone Ranch cancels the ride, a refund will be issued for the amount you paid into the reservation system. If you booked with a Groupon, the code will be active once the reservation is cancelled in the reservation system. Please remember to rebook!
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We require at least 48 hours’ notice for all cancellations via email or you will be charged the amount of the trail ride(s) you reserved. We would much rather you come for your ride and not have to have a strict policy in place but it is a big deal to run a horse farm and manage all of the reservations. Being late for your ride falls under the less than 48-hour cancellation policy if we have to leave without you.
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To cancel a trail ride you already received a confirmation email for, please send an email to Cornerstone Ranch indicating you wish to reschedule. We will cancel the reservation for you and you will receive a confirmation email stating your reservation has been canceled. At this point, you will be able to rebook your trail ride again the same way you originally booked. If you used a Groupon or the like, the code will be active once the cancellation is complete in the reservation system so you can rebook. Any fees paid in the reservation system will be refunded so it is like starting over.We require 48 hours’ notice for all cancellations or you will still be charged the amount of the trail ride(s), and any fees paid upon booking. The exception is of course extreme weather which will be determined by Cornerstone Ranch.
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You will not need to make two separate reservations if you wish to book more trail rides than what you can redeem coupons or Groupons toward. Once you enter the Groupon code for each rider, the amount due will only be for the number of rides you do not have coupons or Groupons for, plus gratuity and ticket protection.
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Our trail rides are on the slow side. Sometimes a slow trot is acceptable to catch up but we don’t gallop or canter. We don’t permit riders to hold their horses back so they can run to catch up. This can make it difficult for the next rider on that horse and we don’t wish to have our horses ridden this way. We treat our horses like family and it is difficult for them to have continuously different riders on them. We feel it is best for our horses to trail ride at slow paces. Our trail ride customers enjoy the beautiful scenery, being outdoors and being around horses. We do offer riding lessons in our riding ring for those interested in advancing to a faster gait.
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Yes, riding in the snow can be quite beautiful. We are open for trail riding year-round.
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All trail rides are led by a guide from Cornerstone Ranch. Some spaces are available for cash-only walk-ins, but it is recommended to make a reservation.
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Our trail ride groups are small and consist of only 8 to 12 riders. We feel this is a small enough group so riders receive individual attention so we don’t feel the need at the current time to book smaller trail rides.