USA - Vermont Inn

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from MP of Beaconsfield on 11/06/2024

Riding Centre
Riding is by arrangement at the riding centre and a set amount of units are included in the guest's riding package. One riding unit can be used for one trail ride - these usually last 2 hours. Additional riding can be arranged on-site if wished.

Trail rides are taken in different directions from the riding centre. Some are up into the surrounding mountains, others are down to the waters edge and on those the terrain is more suitable for faster riding and trots/canters. Riding abilities are separated and usually there are 4 or less riders in an experienced/faster group although there can be up to 6. The slower rides are up to 6 and beginners usually walk until more skills are acquired.

About the Hotel
This is a historic hotel which was renovated after a fire in the 1970's. The hotel has 32 rooms, all but 8 have either mountain or lake views, some both. The hotel is ideal for families in holiday times. Outside of school holiday times the hotel is usually quite child free. There is a vast list of activities available and this is an ideal location for groups with non-riders.
July and August fill up very early and booking by December the year before is advised. Reliable baby sitting services can be arranged on-site. Vermont is famous for spectacular foliage colours in the fall, the peak foliage season varies from year to year but 15 September to 15 October is usually best.
Activities available on-site and include: Beach front on lake with kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, Hiking trails of over 60km with written guides
Tennis court, Sand volleyball court, Swimming pool, Hot tub, Fitness centre, Lawn games e.g. croquet, horseshoes

Although there is no riding in winter, the hotel is open with a range of winter activities including cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, tobogganing, ice skating etc. Please contact us should you wish visit between November and May, prices are lower than in the summer

Driving up to Vermont from Boston, Massachusetts or New York is quite simple. Head north on the interstate system until crossing the border into New Hampshire. New Hampshire is famous politically as it is one of the first states to hold primaries in election years and the result are closely followed. The state slogan is "Live Free or Die". Stop at a roadside diner for an All American breakfast experience.

After crossing the state line into Vermont you are surrounded by State Parks and forests, many of these are maple forests. Maple syrup is a big deal here and in season (Feb to April) guests can view the tapping, concentration by boiling and tasting in one of many small, family-run maple farms. The other rural enterprise in Vermont is dairy farming, so look out for cream and ice-cream from the region.

Continue up the I89 and take a break at the Vermont Green Rest Area. Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial which is situated here as the summer scenery closely resembles Highway One in central Vietnam. Stop at the beautiful Quechee Gorge State Park & village and visit the mill, glass blowers and various craft stores.

New England has strong equestrian traditions. The Green Mountain Horse Association, founded in 1926, has 1900 members and boasts holding the first horse trials which helped the US become the force it is today in 3 day eventing. It is also the site of the oldest long distance riding competition. Don't forget to visit the Vermont Horse and Country Store and Equine Gallery, a haven of western & English tack, clothing and even equestrian real estate.

For a leisurely trip, Woodstock in Vermont is an ideal overnight stop at about the halfway mark from Boston. With its classical New England architecture, green parks, graceful trees and gardens, art galleries, antiquarian book stores, historic covered bridges and Paul Revere bells it is worth a visit. Be sure to try the homemade Maple and Pecan ice-cream at the creamery tea rooms. And no, the famous rock festival of the 60's was held in Woodstock, New York, about 250 miles west of Woodstock, Vermont!

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

At any one time there are between 25 and 40 riding horses at the riding centre depending on the time of year. The horses are Quarter Horse and crosses, Warmblood cross, Arab cross and a few Clydesdale crosses. They are all reliable and quiet but quite responsive.

Riding is available (weather dependent) from the second half of May to the end of October. Western or English tack is available as wished or depending on the type of riding. One riding unit is one trail ride (usually 2-3hrs out on the trail). Riding on trails is in groups from one onwards with one guide for experienced riders (usually not more than 4 in a group but can be up to 6) or 2 guides for beginner riders on trails.

All levels of rider are welcome at the ranch except for complete beginners as lessons are not offered. From novice onwards.
Your host offers pony rides for all ages and trail rides begin at 8 (no matter experience level)
There is some flexibility with the maximum weight based on height and riding experience.
Riders are not allowed to saddle their own horses except when participating in an adult horsemanship programme.
Riding helmets are compulsory, and a range is available to borrow onsite.

The weight limit for this ride is 250 lb/114 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The historic hotel is a 4-star resort with a high standard of rooms which are all en-suite. Standard rooms, luxury rooms and suites are available. There are also nearby rental homes available (walking distance from riding centre and hotel) which can be booked with a meal plan in the hotel or without if wishing to self cater. This works out well for groups of 4 or more. Most rooms have mountain and/or lake views.

The setting is very peaceful and quiet. Free WiFi is available in the communal areas. Meals can be taken in the dining room or Tavern or on the terrace weather permitting. A one course menu is available. Reception is staffed 7am to 11pm except Fri/Sat/Sun when it is staffed 24hrs. Please note the entire resort is non-smoking. Check out time is 11am. Pet care services are available.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip.

NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures

You will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need.

You should be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, you are normally not eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa.

Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country.

Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa.

In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa

In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states

Warm summers and cold, snowy winters are the norm in Vermont. Riding is available mid May to end October, weather permitting. There can still be snow on some trails in May or sometimes the first snow arrives in October although it does not usually lie on the ground. The foliage season peak is generally in the last 2 weeks of September and first 2 weeks of October and the colours are truly spectacular.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.

BE AWARE: There are restrictions and prohibitions on the import of certain prescription drugs into the US. The USA Food and Drug Administration website contains further information and advice on bringing medicines into the USA.

Medical treatment is expensive and there are no special arrangements for British visitors. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

You should take suitable steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and ticks. There are occasional outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.

Health authorities have classified the USA as having a risk of Zika virus transmission in Florida and a few parts of Texas

You can contact the emergency services by calling 911.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in the USA and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

There are no specific health hazards in Vermont although the tick borne Lyme disease is present as in many wooded areas throughout the world.

In the USA the supply voltage is 120V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 120V).

Complimentary wifi is available in communal areas of the hotel. If you want to bring a GoPro please be advised that you will have to have permission from all other guests and guides that they are willing to be filmed.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384. (One can be provided, but we recommend you bring your own)
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers. Jeans are OK for western riding
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots). Cowboy boots for western riding are acceptable
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
- Fleece - Although the weather is generally very warm, the evenings can be a bit cooler
- Warm layers - At times the evening temperature drops significantly
- Casual Clothes - for when out of the saddle
- Raincoat - it is always a wise idea to pack a light waterproof/ windproof jacket – no ponchos please
- Sunhat
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Camera and Spare Batteries/Charger - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- A copy of your passport

Provided by hosts
Riding helmet

We offer a 5 day/ 4 night programme with 7 riding units and additional nights can be booked with one riding unit per 24hrs. Riding is available from 15 May to end October weather permitting. The hotel is open all year round with a range of winter activities November to May. No riding in winter, the only horse activities available are sleigh rides.

2024: Sunday departures between 26 May and 31 October.
2025: Sunday departures between 24 May and 31 October.

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E. Annie Proulx’s three books of Wyoming short stories (“Close Range”, “Bad Dirt”, “Fine just the way it is”)

Mary O’Hara’s “Flicka” triology.

The Virginian” by Owen Wister (a classic one) and

Zane Grey’s Western novels.

C.J. Box (i.e. “Open Season”) and

Craig Johnson (i.e. “The Cold Dish”).

Cowboy poet Baxter Black 

“Where Rivers change Direction”, a memoir by Mark Spragg about life on an early dude ranch.

“Where the Rivers Run North” by Sam Morton, a historical novel.

“The Meadow” by James Galwin.

Lone Star: A History Of Texas And The Texans by by T. Fehrenbach 

Discovering Natural Horsemanship: A Beginner's Odyssey by Tom Moates.

.Monty Roberts books, particularly ‘The Horse Whisperer’

Notes From A Big Country by Bill Bryson and

Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck.

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com 

Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

There are many types of deer in the woods as well as some moose although generally only the first rides will see them. Vermont is on a migration route and many bird species pass through in May and June.

The USA has 4 main times zones - Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST) and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Vermont is on EST, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah are all on MST, California is on PST. Weights and measures are imperial although weight is always expressed in pounds, not stone. The US gallon is 3.8 litres in contrast to an imperial gallon which is 4.2 litres. Mobile telephone: 4G and 5G is widely available throughout the US in cities, towns, villages and along main highways with AT&T having the best overall coverage and T-mobile offering better speeds in cities. There is NO cell reception at the ranch, but there is WiFi in our saloon and office. There are still a few rural areas which have the older CDMA telephone networks. To be able to call from these areas we recommend buying a cheap Verizon phone from eg Walmart (from $13) and topping up with credit. Almost all hotels and airports offer free wifi connection.