Before 1950

The Wild Wild West…more like the Wild Wild East. From what I know, there are only five or six places to go horseback riding on Long Island and Lakewood Stables in West Hempstead is one of them. Its located right off of the highway so when you pass by in your car, you can watch the people riding in the street, as well has catching a whiff of the horse’s stench.

The stables have been here for over 100 years and you can tell by the condition that it’s in. They have recently switched ownership and renovated, but you can still tell it’s old. They paint on all the building looks chipped and rusty. You can’t see the entire property in this picture but the driveway to park cars is full of rocks and gravel to give it the stables/cowboy look as opposed to the modern look of concrete. Unfortunately, instead of the country look as a sight while riding to the trail, you see the highway. The trail itself is very small and was probably bigger at one point many years ago.

Now I know what you’re thinking. Don’t be fooled by the horse right outside the stables; it’s not real. There are probably around 15-20 horses inside the green building. I went inside once and even the inside looks very old. They have many beautiful horses and ponies, all different colors and sizes. When I went there about a year ago, they gave me a very slow horse that continuously stopped along the trail to eat from the trees. I think the horse knew I was a pushover and that I didn’t have the strength to pull him back for the trees. The instructor told me to show him who’s boss. I think the horse showed me instead.

A person who passes by would be able to tell this is old place due to the painting, especially the particular green color. Even though they did renovate it a few years ago, I think it’s good that they didn’t completely change it. The old look gives the street a nice contrast to the highway and it shows that some old things are good and should be preserved. If anyone wants to go horseback riding at this stable, I highly recommend it.