Gentle Thunder Farm is a family owned horseback riding and boarding facility in Western New York. It is the best known and most frequently revisited riding establishment in the Ellicottville area. The farm is located just minutes from Holiday Valley and Holimont Ski Resorts. Centrally located in Cattaraugus County, we are only a short distance from Allegany State Park, Griffis Sculpture Park, the Butterfly Ballroom, the Nannen Arboretum, the Finger Lakes Trail, and the Buffalo Ranch.  We enthusiastically match the 4 season offerings of the Ellicottville Community  with trail rides all year long.

We take single riders and groups.  Our guides will match your horse and the trail to the level of your experience. We pride ourselves on safety and instruction on and off the trail.  Our treks venture out into nature allowing you to experience the Southern Tier Regardless of the season the fresh green of Springtime, the lazy days of Summer, the majestic Fall Foliage, or the crisp Wonderland of Winter - your guide will offer you an experience to remember. Our Trail network is endless.  We are only limited by  your  time. Open fields, woodland streams, back roads and mountain vista are the backdrop for a ride that will thrill even the seasoned nature enthusiast.

Horses are good medicine and patient teachers. Owner Annie Widger believes bonding with horses is a gift that provides peace to nurture the inner spirit. Annie didn;t start riding horses until she was in college. She found herself captivated by these majestic animals and not many years later she bought a horse for one of her children. Soon a new horse was purchased to keep the first company, one after another the horses kept coming and so Gentle Thunder Farm began.

Gentle Thunder Farm is located 7067 Hencoop Hollow Road and was once working dairy farm just outside the village of Ellicottville. Horseback riding for all levels is offered on 100 acres of beautiful countryside.  We accommodate individual riders or groups.  Open fields, woodland streams, dirt roads and rolling hills are the foundation of the trails. There is no standard loop that the horses know by heart at Gentle Thunder Farm.  Rides are catered to the individual person, no matter what a person's ability there is a horse and trail that will satisfy. The treks vary from a ride into the village of Ellicottville for lunch, to a midnight ride under the stars. Annie has a gentle way of encouraging you to make magic out of your escapade and in a world that seems so contrived it is nice to have a little enchantment. The farm offers riding lessons as well as boarding for horses and currently there are 20 horses on the farm with a menagerie of other animals. We pride ourselves on the gentle care and love we offer our animals boarded or owned. Our hope is to offer our guests a positive riding experience while working at a job we love.  Come join us!

We offer daily trail riding by the hour. Your guide is happy to cater to your specific needs. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your ride time for paperwork, helmet and stirrup adjustment, and horse selection.

According to NY State Law, riders 14 years and younger MUST wear a helmet.  All riders are encouraged to use head gear.  Gentle Thunder Farm will provide accepted helmets to all guests. Long pants and hard soled shoes with a heel are recommended. For the consideration of our animals, rider may weigh no more than 225lbs. Please do not make us ask. Children 8 years old with some riding experience are welcome.  For safety reasons we can not accommodate more than two young children per trek.

Reservations are suggested.  Please call or email with the number in your group and the height, weight, and experience level for each rider. Book your outstanding riding experience today!