Scenic Trail Ride
$80/personA one-hour ride kept at a slow speed that avoids the larger hill climbs — beautiful but peaceful, mostly wooded, with views of a spring-fed pond. A $10 discount from our Spirited Route.
Burdett, New York · The Finger Lakes
Painted Bar Stables
Your Place on a Horse
Year-round guided horseback trail rides through the rolling landscape of the Finger Lakes — carefully matched to each rider, from a peaceful hour in the woods to an all-day journey through the National Forest.
All rides are by appointment only.
Painted Bar Stables is a community-oriented riding facility offering year-round guided trail rides to the general public as well as lessons, leasing, boarding and educational opportunities.
Specializing in trail riding and real-world riding lessons, we carefully craft every ride through matchmaking of horse and rider and selection of trails to give each person the best experience possible. Our herd of amazing horses ranging from ponies to draft horses offers a safe, secure adventure on horseback for riders of all ages and abilities.
Take our interactive questionnaire to find out which ride is best for you →- 3–4average riders per group
- up to 12riders per trail ride
- 10+rider age for public trail rides
- USFSOutfitter Permit holder
Trail Rides & Experiences
Choose your ride through the Finger Lakes
All trail rides include a Riding 101 briefing and run roughly 30 minutes longer than the riding time for mount-up and dismount. Prices are per person unless noted, and are inclusive of a non-refundable 20% deposit. Prices updated as of 4/1/2026.
Trail Rides ages 10+ · 8+ for the Private Trail Experience
Spirited Trail Ride
$90/personPerfect for riders of all levels — safe for the first-time adventurous rider, with enough intrigue to keep the most accomplished rider interested. More obstacles, hill climbs and short opportunities to go faster.
Adventure Trail Ride
$135/personA little longer ride for those who are not regular riders but like a bit of fun and adventure — the perfect length for a nice long ride without disabling soreness at the end.
Private Trail Experience
$100/personDesigned so young riders — or nervous adults — are set up for success. Starts with a short instructor-led lesson in the arena, then heads out on trail, flexible to each rider's demonstrated skill.
Specialty Adult Rides
Vineyard Trail Ride
$175/personA scenic tour of the historic Fulkerson Farm and Vineyards to a breathtaking view of Seneca Lake, followed by wine tasting, a selection of cheese and crackers, and a bottle of wine to take home.
Full Moon Trail Ride
$110/personRide our horses by the light of the full moon. Offered in winter months and the June/July firefly season; times set by the moon phase and moonrise. A romantic, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Bachelorette Party Ride
$100/personA beginner-friendly trail ride with Riding 101 instruction, an optional bridal-veil helmet for the bride, extra time for photos, and the ride kept private for your group (a $60 value).
Marriage Proposal Trail Ride
$200/coupleA beginner-friendly ride with a "Will You Marry Me?" sign placed on the trail at a safe spot to dismount and propose. Your guide videotapes or photographs the proposal, with extra time for photos after.
Masters Rides trained riders only · rein control, posting trot, firm seat at the canter
Hilltop Boogie Ride
$180/personOur flagship route for masterful, trained riders with experience cantering for long stretches. Long straightaways and uphill climbs perfect for cantering, to beautiful views of Seneca Lake. No first-time or beginner riders.
Half-Day Masters Ride
$270/personFor riders who are fit and comfortable in the saddle for long periods. Long straightaways on seasonal dirt roads and historic 1900s roadway trails, wooded trails and open grazing fields.
All Day Masters Ride
from $350/person/dayAn immersive, rugged, long-distance journey — single-track trails, trotting through the woods, cantering along 1900s roadway trails, and galloping across rolling pastures. Public and private rates by group size (see the estimator below).
Non-Riding Experiences no riding · a half hour with the herd
Barn Tour
$20/personA tour through the entire barn to meet the horses in each stall and learn how we carefully feed every horse for its unique diet.
Horse Encounter
$20/personMeet a lovable horse, give them snuggles and treats, and learn interesting facts from our horse experts. Private encounters for your group only are a flat rate of $100 for up to 6.
Sunset Campfire Field Walk
$75/personA guided walk through our large pasture to meet the 40+ horses that live out in the field, then a campfire with hot cocoa or tea in a potbelly stoneware mug you take home.
Two routes are currently unavailable: the Saddle Sore Trail Ride (route closed) and the Novice Overnight EquiTrek (campsite currently closed).
Ride Cost Estimator
Estimate your ride
Pick an experience, your group size, and any extras. Every price here is straight from our own rate sheet (updated 4/1/2026). This is an estimate — your final price is confirmed on your ride request.
Ride type
Estimated total
$0
Estimate only. Prices per Painted Bar Stables, updated 4/1/2026. Prices are inclusive of a non-refundable 20% deposit; final pricing is confirmed on your ride request.
Before You Ride
A few things that keep everyone safe
By appointment only
All rides are scheduled ahead by appointment. We do not book rides by phone — please use the online ride request form, which is given priority. Walk-up riders may be accommodated with a surcharge, pending availability.
Ages
Riders must be 10 or older for our normal trail rides, and 8 or older for the Private Trail Experience. Riders under 12 must have an adult accompany them on their own horse. No double riding.
What to wear
Long pants are required — no shorts, capris or snowpants. Closed-toe shoes are required; boots or stiff-soled shoes with a small heel are preferred. No sandals or canvas shoes.
Weight limit
For the safety of riders and horses, the weight limit is 250 lbs. Any rider over 200 lbs is asked to give advance notice so a suitable horse can be arranged. Please be honest about weight for everyone's safety.
Deposits & rescheduling
Prices are inclusive of a 20% deposit. Deposits are non-refundable but transferable to another ride if you reschedule more than 24 hours before your appointment. A minimum of 36 hours' notice is required to reschedule a missed ride.
Weather
Rides won't take place in inclement or threatening weather — horses do not behave well before or during storms. If the weather looks bad, text the staff at 607-216-8141 to confirm; unless told otherwise, expect to ride.
Helmets are provided and are required for minors and any beginner or novice rider. Painted Bar Stables is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and drug-free environment. A riding waiver is required — being around horses is inherently dangerous.
Our Stable
On the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, up the hill from Watkins Glen
Located in Schuyler County, N.Y., Painted Bar Stables is just up the hill from Watkins Glen and a short drive from Ithaca. Our location directly on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail puts us in the midst of cascading waterfalls, breathless lake views and rolling, glacier-carved hills.
Established as Painted Bar Stables in 2003, the stable changed ownership in early 2008. Owner Erika Eckstrom has since brought new life to the farm, revitalizing it into the local equine landmark it had been in the 1960s and 1970s. Erika's philosophy is simple: create a setting in which both people and horses are happy.
Operating predominantly as a pleasure-riding facility, we work to share our love of the surrounding area and the beauty it offers — a unique way to encounter the Finger Lakes from horseback, whether on shorter rides in our back yard, longer adventures in the Finger Lakes National Forest, or under the stars on our moonlight trail rides.
Give a ride they'll never forget
Gift certificates are available for any ride or experience. We accept cash, check and credit cards.
Buy a gift certificatePlan Your Visit
Ready to ride?
All rides are by appointment. Because of our busy riding schedule it may take more than 24 hours to respond — we can't reply from horseback — but we'll get back to you as soon as humanly possible. Same-day requests may not always be available.
Request a Ride Which ride is right for me?- Find us4093 Lake Avenue (Rte. 79), Burdett, NY 14818
- Emailride@paintedbarstables.com
- Weather text only607-216-8141 (to confirm a ride in bad weather — not for booking)
- PaymentCash, check and credit cards · gift certificates available
USFS Outfitter Permit holder