Frequently Asked

 2: Are we allowed to run (trot/canter/gallop/lope/jog)?

 3: How long do horses normally live?

 4: Can we bring our young child on the ride with us?

 5: Where did we get most of horses?

 6: Is double riding allowed?

 7: Can we ride by ourselves?

 8: How many Acres does Double Dab have?

 9: Do we have to wear a helmet?

10: How old do you have to be to ride?

11: What type of clothes should we wear?

12: Where did the name Double DAB come from?

13: How many horses do you have?

14: Is summertime your busiest season? Do people come in the winter?

15: What type of animals have you seen while on the trail?

16: What kind of dogs do you have at Double Dab?

17: Do you ride Western or English?

18: Do your horses wear shoes? Why?

19: How often do the horses’ feet need to be done?

20: How often does a horse need to be groomed?

21: What units are horses measured with?

22: What is the difference between a horse and pony?

23: Can I wear a rain poncho or raincoat?

24: Can I feed my horse treats?

25: Can I bring my drink along on the trail ride?

26: Can I bring my camera on the ride with me?

27: Can I walk the trail on foot?

28: Can we bring our dogs?

29: Can we bring our own horses to ride on the trail?

30: Can we ride bareback?

31: Do I have to ride with my children?

32: Do you accept Credit Cards or Checks?

33: When can I let the horse drink?

34: How old does a horse have to be to ride it?

35: Do we ride for fun?

36: Do you race your horses?

37: Is a horse with blue eyes blind?

38:  Can we choose the horses we ride?

39: How far in advance do reservations need to be made?

40: Must I take a lesson before going on a trail ride? Even if I am a beginner rider with no experience?

41: Should we tip our Trail Guides?

42: How big of a group can you take out at one time?

43: Do you ride in the rain?

44: Do you take groups out on the trail during thunder and lightning?

45: Do I get to saddle my own horse? 

1: Is there a weight limit?

    If you are over 240 lbs, we ask that you tell us so we can determine by your height and weight if you are eligible to ride. We have had riders from all weight ranges. If you are a tall person who weighs over 300 lbs, we may allow you to ride. Horses can only physically handle so much weight for a full hour ride.  Eligibility to ride is based on height-weight proportionality.

2: Are we allowed to run (trot/canter/gallop/lope/jog)?

3: How long do horses normally live?

    Horses are a lot like humans. Their life span depends on a lot of different factors. A healthy well-taken-care-of horse can live to be 30-years old. Some horses have lived longer, and some do not live to reach that age.

4: Can we bring our young child on the ride with us?

    The youngest child we will bring on the trail is 6-years old. Children younger than that are prohibited on trails. Young children must be able to sit on a horse by themselves. Generally, all children under the age of 10 will be placed on a lead and led throughout the whole trail ride by a guide. Children are not permitted to ride on a horse with their parents or a guide. We do not permit double riding.

5: Where did we get most of horses?

    The majority of our horses were born and raised here on the farm. We do have a handful of horses that were not born here. The horses not born at the stable were gotten either through private sales or rescues.

6: Is double riding allowed?

    Sorry, we do not permit double riding. It is not safe and is very rough on our horses' backs and legs.

7: Can we ride by ourselves?

    If you would like to ride by yourselves on our trails, you need to own your horse and board it here. Due to legality, we cannot allow you to ride alone without a guide if you do not own your own horse(s) here.

8: How many Acres does Double Dab have?

    We have 300 acres of beautiful scenic trails.

9: Do we have to wear a helmet?

    According to New York State Law, any rider under the age of 15 must wear a helmet at all times while mounted on a horse. Riders from the age of 15 to 17 have to wear a helmet unless their parent or guardian is present to sign the release waiver. Anyone 18 or older may choose whether or not to wear a helmet.

10: How old do you have to be to ride?

    Children must be at least 6 years of age to ride on the trail. All children under the age of 10 will be placed on leads, and led by a guide for their safety. Any child under 6 years of age may go on a pony ride at the stable.

11: What type of clothes should we wear?

    For safety, we prefer that you wear pants, and closed-toe shoes. We understand that many of our customers are on vacation and may not have these with them. We will allow you to ride with whatever you show up in. However, you will be most comfortable if you have a pair of jeans and closed-toe shoes.

12: Where did the name Double DAB come from?

    The name Double DAB came from the owners' initials. Darlene and Douglas both have the initials D.A.B. Thus, the name Double DAB.

13: How many horses do you have?

    We currently have 80 horses.

14: Is summertime your busiest season? Do people come in the winter?

     Summer is busier than winter by far. July and August are our busiest months. The peak riding season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Summertime is also hay season, so we are busy putting in hay while serving customers. We do offer trails rides, pony rides, and lessons in the winter. However, we are not nearly as busy with customers in winter. Of course, even in the winter, we have a full time job caring for the animals and dealing with the blistery weather.

15: What type of animals have you seen while on the trail?

    We have seen a variety of animals including deer, chipmunks, coyote, red tail fox, porcupine, raccoon, skunk, snakes, frogs, salamanders, crayfish, minnows, and a large variety of birds including Indigo Bunting, Blue Birds, Robbins, Turkey Buzzards, Hawks, and Finches.

16: What kind of dogs do you have at Double Dab?

    We have 3 Australian Shepherds.

17: Do you ride Western or English?

    We ride Western style here at Double DAB. However, we do offer English riding lessons. Trail rides are Western only.

18: Do your horses wear shoes? Why?

    During the summer months, we do put shoes on all our riding horses. During the summer, the ground can become very hard. To keep the horses’ feet from breaking, we put shoes on them. We also travel along the creek where the ground is gravel based. The shoes help the horses with traction also.

19: How often do the horses’ feet need to be done?

     Every 6-8 weeks, the horses need to have their feet trimmed and shoes reset.

20: How often does a horse need to be groomed?

    Horses should be groomed at least once a day. Grooming a horse removes all fine dirt and mud that can cluster up in their coats. Regular grooming promotes a healthy coat.

21: What units are horses measured with?

    Horses are measured in hands. 1 hand is equal to 4 inches.

22: What is the difference between a horse and pony?

    A horse is anything taller than 14-2 hands (58 inches), while a pony is anything 14-2 hands or shorter.

23: Can I wear a rain poncho or raincoat?

    Yes, you can wear a raincoat. However, you cannot wear a rain poncho. Anything that is loose like a rain poncho or garbage bag may scare the horses.

24: Can I feed my horse treats?

    Yes, you may feed your horse. We just ask that you ask us first, and that one of us is present while feeding the horse. We do not claim any responsibility if you are to be bitten while feeding your horse a treat. Acceptable treats are carrots, apples, and horse treats. If you would like to give your horse a treat, but are afraid to be nipped, one of us will be happy to help you or give the horse the treat for you.

25: Can I bring my drink along on the trail ride?

    We ask that you do not bring anything on the ride with you. The drink could be left in your car.

26: Can I bring my Camera on the ride with me?

    If you would like pictures on horseback we ask that you leave your cameras at the barn until we get back, and we will take photos for you. If you bring your camera on the ride with you, we cannot be held responsible if it lost, broken, or if the camera spooks the horses.

27: Can I walk the trail on foot?

    These trails are for horseback riding only.

28: Can we bring our dogs?

    No, please leave your animals at home. We have a wide range of animals here and would hate for your pet to get hurt.

29: Can we bring our own horses to ride on the trail?

    No, our trail horses have their own relationships with each other. They know each other very well. It is not safe to throw a new horse into the group.

30: Can we ride Bareback?

    No, for your safety, all riders must ride with a western saddle.

31: Do I have to ride with my children?

    No, you do not have to. We prefer that they do have a parent or guardian on the trail with them, especially if they are under the age of 12. 

32: Do you accept Credit Cards or Checks?

    We do not accept credit cards of any type. We prefer to be paid in cash, but we will accept a personal check with proper identification.

33: When can I let the horse drink?

    The horses are allowed to drink as they leave the barn. Before the ride leaves, the horses are offered a drink at the water tub. Horses are again offered a drink as we cross the creek the first time.  Anytime after the initial drinks, we ask that you do not allow the horse to drink. If a horse is too warm when it drinks, it can become sick (foundered).

34: How old does a horse have to be to ride it?

    Horses have to be at least 2-years old before they can be ridden. However, we like to wait until they are 3 to really do much riding with them. Most of our horses do not become full time trail horses until they are 4 or 5-years old.

35: Do we ride for fun?

    We do this business because we enjoy riding and horses. All of our rides are fun. Our first priority is safety and our second is to have fun.

36: Do you race your horses?

    We do not own racehorses (Thoroughbreds). The horses we have here are strictly trail and pleasure horses.

37: Is a horse with blue eyes blind?

    Blue eyes are called watch eyes or glass eyes. It is just a different eye coloration. It does not mean that a horse is blind. 

38:  Can we choose the horses we ride?

    We will pick the horses out for you according to your size and personality. If you have ridden here before, you may request a horse to ride, but there is no guarantee we can give you that horse.

39: How far in advance do reservations need to be made?

    A day or two in advance is generally sufficient notice for reservations. Very large groups should be reserved a week or more in advance. However, even if you call last minute, we will try our best to fit you in. It is difficult to tell which days will be busy, so to ensure you can ride at a time most convenient for you, please call us as soon as you know when you want to come.