Students from elementary schools visit the farm on field trips, as do clients of Mid-Coast Mental Health Center for trail riding and day camp, Merrifield said. Trail rides on the nearby mountain and on country roads vary in length from one to four hours, and Merrifield feels they are reasonably priced. A new trail ride takes riders up snowmobile trails and backroads for a stop a Mic Mac Market for ice cream, then back to the farm without going on Route 17. Mount Pleasant Farm is an access point to the Georges Highland Path. Merrifield said hikers are welcome to park their cars at the farm when they want to hike the trail.
Families take leased horses home for several months before buying an animal.
The leased horse remains in Merrifield s stable, where it is cared for, and is available for riding after hours and on Sundays. The summer horse lease program is good for people who are too busy to take care of a horse, and it gives my horses some special attention, Merrifield said. Merrifield leases 10 to 15 horses a year. She shipped some to the University of Maine equestrian program last year. I try to keep everything affordable, Merrifield said.