Penhalwyn Trekking Centre & School, St Ives

We were fortunate to be so well looked after on our ride. One staff member who took care of me as a nervous rider was brilliant and the horse chosen by her for me was a great match. Each time I appeared to be worried she immediately reassured me and so made the whole experience enjoyable. The horses were well cared for, the saddles and bridles etc. in good condition and the staff ensured we were safe. A good day out.

Its not a perfect world, but the atmosphere the 99% of the time at the yard is a warm and welcoming one,(anyone that goes to any yard will know it that its not all plain sailing, with that many hormonal girls in one place!!) but the love for the horses is always paramount, and will always shine through. I know people out there have their own opinions on the matter, and most of them have their own reason why they continue to make a mockery of the yard and its owners. Life in general has its ups and downs, but Penhalwyn Trekking Centre , will always continue to keep a smile on my face.. Come and experience it for yourself, and keep an open mind on some of the bitter reviews, as there are more positives than negatives being written, Nowhere is perfect, and Im sure the people who write the bitter comments, their lives aren't perfect either, thats why they feel the need to persist in and wallow in the own imperfections. I love it, and if you come and ride there you may too.... you may not... but it would be a boring world if we all loved the same thing... Think Marmite.... :)<3 :)

Avoid!!

PTC is poorly run and the children seem to interfere and run amuck. Organised chaos.

The horses are over worked, often are missing shoes. The owner has lost his licence and cannot operate as a trekking centre.

Horses are neglected and some have had to be destroyed because of the owners lack of care.

Penhalwyn horses are very well cared for,and they are all very kind. Visitors are always welcomed as they come to our yard, the lessons are amazing. The horses are obviously gonna be covered in mud all of the yards horses are, what do u except us to do, well people who ride or look after horses will know that when it has been raining and been winter it's going to be muddy, u go anywhere after it's been raining and the grass will be muddy, and of corse horses do roll. I ride up there Saturdays and stay there from 9:00 till about 4:30 and it's all very nice and relaxed, it's the same on Sunday and weekdays, the lessons are 10:00, 11:30 and 2:00 and u can have hacks out at the same times, u can request a 2 hour birthday hack. The views are amazing both on your way down to the outside sand school and out on hacks. Topaz my favourite pony, is always getting treats from me, and all of the other horses do because they are well behaved and well loved, by anyone who sees them or rides them.

Penhalwyn treking centre and riding school have had their licence taken away!!!!! About time too!!! All riding horses to be sold to pay for owners debts. Hopefully the horses will have a better life and be looked after properly!!!!

Went here today with my little girl. I havent ridden for many years and was very nervous to say the least. My horse came out-a giant! I almost let nerves get the better of me and didnt get on. However the lady agreed to let me mount last so I didnt have long to wait. She helped me all the way,talking and reassuring me. My little girl is a competent rider but was nervous as shes used to horses at our local stables. This was no problem, a member of staff walked with her all the way. I was walked with the entire round and was made to feel like this wasnt a problem at all. The horses are clearly looked after well and loved by all who are there. I cant thank the staff (and the horse!!) enough. I went from almost dismounting due to fear, to having an amazing time and even trotted along. Both my daughter and myself were looked after really well. Thank you all

Old mill stables is way better than this terrible place they have tin stab

es yuck in good conditionnd the horses are in horrible condition where old mill keep there horses In good condition domt go here unless you want gangrene or a disease.

Not the place it was a few years ago and the way its going dont think it will be there long. The stables is on it last legs. Horses are being sold off to pay for debts. A few old ponies are still there just incase someone turns up for a ride. Parents have advised the owners of bullying but the owner doesnt know how to handle it so lots of kids hv left Livery part is a joke. You pay 18 pounds aweek to keep your horse there and use of outdoor sand school. You dont get yr own field or stable. You get hay in winter but due to owners debts doesnt put enough out for them. If you use the fields on the hill the owners let a local boating company use it for storing their boats and let them repair them there. Wood, paint and metal is left all over the place. People walk their dogs on there and people from the local camp site use it as a walk thro Staff are allowed to smoke in the tea room and office which is illegal. Everyone seems to know everyone business due to the owners big mouths. No client confidetiality whats so ever. Use another stables!!!!

Penhalwyn Trekking Centre is situated in a really lovely area, with lots of beautiful places to hack, which makes it ideal if you're looking for the odd ride. However, if you're looking to ride on a regular basis it may not be the best place to begin. This is not due to the horses however. Teaching varies depending on who takes the lesson, where the lesson takes place and how many people are in a lesson. The lessons become repetitive after a while and begin to become boring. My riding did improve at PTC but only to a certain extent. If you're looking to further your jumping abilities it's a bit of a waste of time as in lessons the jumps are barely higher than a foot. Most of the horses are lovely and look after their riders really well although there are an awful lot of them so some don't get as much care and attention as they need. The real downsides to PTC are the facilities and some of the children. The stables are in poor condition, the fields are purely mud in winter (however there is plenty of grazing on the hill), the schools could be improved and tack is very outdated. Some of the children can be very unfriendly and fall outs happen often. The staff are friendly and helpful as are the owners, who have been accused in previous reviews of causing havoc but this really isn't the case, the owners have put a lot of money and time into the yard to keep it running for the last few years. Children are asked to perform yard duties when staying a full day at the yard, which is fair enough if you're there for lessons and experience, but liveries are also asked to look after the yard's horses as well as their own on a regular basis which doesn't seem fair considering it impacts the amount of time owners spend with their horses. Sometimes the children do as much work as some of the staff, including leading in lessons and taking rides out. Children are however rewarded for their efforts with points towards a free lesson, but this takes a fair amount of time and work. As for liveries, I have seen many move to other yards recently and both horses and riders have greatly improved. It is such a shame that the yard isn't to the highest standard as it has the potential to be something really special.

Had a good laugh about the good reviews at penhalwyn stables which have come from 12 year old girls and from the owner. The kids are dropped off and left there for the day. It is become the most bitchest stables ever. Everyone knows everyone's business due to the owners wife who tell everyone business and who owes money. She also likes to humilate the girls on facebook!! Several of the younger staff will give you their negative comments on your riding skills The owner hardly worms his horses and when he can be bothered he uses blunt needles that are years old which he boils up!!! The equipment, tack and property are that old they should be in a museum. The poor horse are tired and knacked too. No water in stables and haynets are left empty. The horse are left standing in their own muck. Give this stables a wide berth for livery and lessons. The lesson are often given by non qualified staff. Rides are often taken out with kids that go up for the day!!