-What is the riding like? The Marienville area has mostly wooded trails with long ridges, moderate hillsides, and streams in the valleys. On a difficulty scale of 1-10, it varies between 1-7 with most of it being about 3-4. The Spring Creek Trails are more rigorous with longer mountainous hills. 4 shoes are recommended for rocky areas.
-How will I navigate the trails? Sharon has paper maps available, plus she recommends that everyone arrives with the app called RAMBLR downloaded on their phone. You can to set up a free account and download her trails ahead of time. Information is forwarded to customers with instructions on how to download the trails. When you arrive, you can add and subtract the routes from your map. You can use this to navigate, or just use it as a backup to the paper maps.
-How many miles of trails? There are approximately 25 miles of mapped trails and forest roads from the farm (some are marked, some are not). You can use an app called RAMBLR to navigate all of the trails. You will also find 15 miles of marked & mapped trails at nearby Buzzard Swamp, 38 miles of marked & mapped trails at nearby Spring Creek Equestrian Trails, 12 miles of marked & mapped trails at nearby Cook Forest Bridle Trail, 12 mile + at the Laurel Trail (I have maps) and 20 miles of marked & mapped trails at nearby Clarion River Tract .
-What is the trail footing like? All trails have at least one rocky section. Most horses are happiest with at least front shoes/boots. Four shoes/boots are best. I keep 4 shoes on my horses. It is very discouraging to not be able to ride because your horse has a stone bruise or can't handle the footing.
-Do I need to bring bedding for a stall? Sawdust, wheelbarrows and manure forks are provided for your use. If you prefer a fluffier stall, bring shavings.
- Do I Need to worry about backing up or turning around? No, our farm is wide open with lots of space for turning around and backing up.
-Can I picket my horse? Picketing is not available at this time.
-Is there a grocery store nearby? Dollar General in Marienville, (3 1/2 miles away) Milk, juice some frozen items and 4-5 isles of groceries. Baughman's Market in Marienville, (3 miles away)fresh produce. Red & White Market in Leeper (10 miles south on Rt. 66) has a good grocery selection and a good meat market. Wal-Mart in Clarion (31 miles south on Rt. 68 N off of I80). Aldi in Clarion (31 miles south on Rt. 68 N off of I80).