Sun City Stables

Doesn't Recommend

sierra w.

Joined 2 months ago

I am a highly experienced rider, I lived on a horse ranch my whole life. I moved to Tampa FL because I am in the military. I wanted a place to ride with my mom who came down to visit. Sun City Stables is the worst place I have ever been to and would never recommend this place to anyone! I paid more for two gaited horses (paso finos). The lady on the phone told me that all the gaited horses she had were all paso finos. When we got there, I knew the horse that my mom was riding was not a paso fino, we later found out that it was a Missouri Fox Trotter. The Australian man who was walking us to the point where the trails started told us he was scared of horses and had never even been on one before. Once we got on the trail, it was fine for the first five minutes and then my horse started bucking and rearing. I walked the horse back and they gave me a non gaited horse and even that horse was not well behaved and didn't want to listen to what I was trying to make him do. We felt like we were trying to train these horses more than having an enjoyable ride. We paid for two hours but we only rode for about 30 minutes. I walked more than I rode. When we went back I demanded that they give me the extra $20.00 back for what I paid for the first horse and they refused to refund me the money. We also saw a very inexperienced rider approximately 10 years old on a guided tour and the horse in front of hers bucked and kicked that one in the face and the little girls horse started to freak out and she didnt know how to get the horse under control and all the guide did was tell him to stop like he would another person. Overall, this place was a scam!!!!! These horses were not well trained what so ever, and I have never had someone who had never rode a horse talk to me like I was a beginner rider. Customer service is non existent with this business! Save yourself the time and the trip and go somewhere else!!!

Ceara H.

Joined 2 months ago

This was the worst place I've ever been to. Me and my boyfriend went here and not only did the employees not care about anything but i had an appointment at 1 didn't get a horse till 2:15 when we finally got a horse to ride there was no short lesson or rules for the horses just get on and go. After riding around for 20 min our horses decided they want to go back. So we ask the employees what to do and one employee starts hitting my horse to "discipline" it

anyway the horse freaked took off and bucked me off and I landed on my back. I payed for 3 hours this all happened in an hour. The manager wouldn't even give me half of my 120 dollars back?!? They didn't even ask of I was ok. They dont care about there customers or horses This is a low life place with low life management save your money!!

Brianna P.

Joined 2 months ago

AVOID AVOID AVOID This place is the biggest scam. I was injured there and still recovering due to the negligence of the employees here! I was shown annoyance afterwards and no compassion even though an employee scared our horses and had me bucked off. THese horses are miserable!! Don't support it. There are way better places to ride than here. Trust me on this. Don't waste your time and money. You're supporting mean, dishonest, hateful people who abuse their animals.

John S.

Joined 3 months ago

I went there yesterday Monday Feb 18, 2013 with my 3 daughters, I made a reservation for 2pm and also called while I was on my way to confirm (50 mile trip one way)

When we arrived it was difficult to determine who worked there and who was waiting, nobody had logo shirts on or any identifying method of employment.

We tracked down the "manager" after walking around with no signs or directions anywhere. There were many people waiting. 1 couple had waited an hour and fifteen minutes already and there were 8 more of us with a 2pm RESERVATION.

A group of 5 walk-ins had just been sent out and a group of

7 with reservations had also been just sent out leaving only a few spunky horses that required good riders, not us beginners.

During the three hours we waited for our 3 hour booking, I discovered I was the only one who was charged $40 per hour while the web site CLEARLY says $30 per hour- pay for- 2 -get one hour free) at least 17 other people paid $30 per hour. Anyway as I said I waited 3 hours for 3 horses, of the ones who had horses 2 people were thrown after around 20 minutes and no 2nd hour refund, many of the horses would not move or returned to the stables on their own from the trail and 1 saddle slipped to the horses belly.

While some of these issues are from non riders like us, even experienced riders were struggling to control some animals. Sun City Stables is supposidly set up for novice riders.

There appears to be no organization at all, no clippboard or program showing reservations, who is out, when they left and when they will be back etc, NO REFUBDS AT ALL. Theoretically at $80 per child I should have had the all day rate and ended up with 2 hours as my kids returned it was by flashlight in 60 degree weather.

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The animal watering trough is full of green mold. This could have been an excellent day, but at best was dissapointing and frustrating BE CAREFULL this is a cash cow organization

Alisa S.

Joined 3 months ago

Terrible! I don't know why it has so many good reviews! Maybe they were better when they started but now- DO NOT GO THERE. All they want is your money, when me and my 3 friends got there one of them decided to back out before she even sat on the horse. all they said was no refunds! after that we decided to go on the trail with our remaining hour and as soon as the guide left (which if you get one costs $20 more per hr!) they started acting up and just ran back. after that they didn't know any basic commands and when you got them to move it was only for a minute. No one cares or tries to help you out. While we were there another group (probably beginners) were on horses galloping back to they're stall and they looked terrified! she had no control over the horse as she repeatedly tried to get her to slow down. Like i said before I don't know why there are so many good reviews but dont go there you pay and thats all they care about!

Laura R.

Joined 4 months ago

Run from this place. The good reviews on here must be from the owner. The place is a dump and the horses are not trained. I knew I was in trouble when they didn't have the reservation, we stupidly paid for 2 hours, you get the third free. It took almost an hour for the staff to saddle the horses and walk us to the trail where you can ride unguided. This was after swapping out a horse who was bucking and only wanted to go back to the stable. As soon as the guide walked away from the trail, my horse refused to do anything but go back to the stable as well. I got thrown and luckily came out with just a few bruises. These horses are clearly not treated well, trained well and the staff does not care. When they tell you, you don't get your money back no matter what, it's a good sign you're in for a miserable experience. Miserable doesn't begin to describe it. Based on other guests we saw there having a similar experience, this place should not be in business. Stay away from horses named Blaze and Clyde. We tried a third hose named Starbuck who also only wanted to be in his stable. $120, no ride and no refund. Run!

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Im Freee X.

Joined 9 months ago

We had a birthday party for a pre teen and the kids said it was the most fun they have ever had. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Rita shared much information about the animals and knew all their names. That really impressed the kids as well. Doug was very kind to the kids and made sure they were safe and at the same time allowed them the freedom to have fun. All in all it was worth the money and it left a lasting impression on all the kids.

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chilled glass W.

Joined 11 months ago

Thank you!

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sands of time W.

Joined 11 months ago

We had a great time! Loved our horses! Thanks!!

Mike L.

Joined 6 months ago

The place is a DUMP !!! The HE/SHE hermaphrodite is so rude and hateful, It looks like a troll. Zero customer service !! Only rode for 15 minutes before the horses decided it was time to return to the stables. My girlfriend's horse took off running after one of the ranch hands let go of the bridle. She tried to stop but the horse reared up and threw her off. She was bruised and hurt but no one seemed to care at all about what happened. ALL they could say was NO REFUNDS !