Best Horseback Riding Lessons In and Around New York City
Horseback riding is a great experience for children of all ages.
Almost every child dreams of being able to ride a horse or pony. The majestic animals are stunning to look at and sweet and good-natured. If your child has been begging for a pony, it might be time to consider horseback riding lessons.
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Horseback riding has many benefits. From daily exercise (for both you and the horse) to increasing balance, coordination, vision, reflexes, and learning the responsibility of caring for a horse, it is an activity that will serve your child for a lifetime.
While New York City may be limited on green space, there are still quite a few stables that you can visit for the experience, and some in the surrounding areas that are just a short drive or train ride away. So grab your saddle and helmet, and get ready to giddy-up with these horseback riding lessons in and around New York City.
Horseback Riding Stables for Kids in NYC
City Island Stables – Pony Rides and Horseback Riding for Kids
9 Shore Road, Bronx, NY
718-885-0551
Hours: Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Prices: Pony rides: $10 per person; trail rides: $70 per person and $85 for private trail ride and barn tour; private lessons: $50 for 30 minutes, $75 for 1 hour
Website: www.nychorse.com
English—and Western-style riding lessons are available by appointment for ages 6 and older. Pony rides are offered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A children’s summer program is offered weekly from July to August for kids ages 6-17 interested in horses and horsemanship.
Birthday parties, carriage rides, and pony rides are also available.
Riverdale Stables – Evaluation Lessons and Horse Riding for Kids
6394 Broadway, Bronx, NY
718-548-4848
Hours: Open for business seven days a week by appointment.
Prices: $65 for a 30-minute private evaluation lesson (required for all new riders); $110 for 1 hour (instructor must verify after the first lesson)
Website: www.riverdalestables.com
The center offers lesson programs for young riders as well as adults.
GallopNYC – Therapeutic Horseback Riding Lessons for Kids in NYC
GallopNYC Forest Hills: 8803 70th Road, Forest Hills
GallopNYC Sunrise Stables: 80-98 Linden Blvd., Howard Beach
Hours: By appointment only; call for information.
Prices: $80 for a 30-minute private lesson, $96 for a 45-minute private lesson, and $107 for a one-hour private lesson.
Website: www.gallopnyc.org
Lessons are offered to all riders, including lessons to help people in NYC with disabilities walk, talk and learn. Both centers offer lesson programs for young riders and adults, using an indoor arena as well as trail lessons offered in Forest Park. Western and English are both offered.
Jamaica Bay Riding Academy – Family Lessons and Summer Camp
7000 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
718-531-8949
Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 10 am to 4 pm; Tuesday & Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm by appointment only; Saturday, Sunday & holidays, 9 am to 4 pm
Prices: Rates vary; lesson packages available.
Website: www.jbridingacademy.com
Private and family lessons are offered for kids of all ages and levels. Private and group trail rides, pony rides, and birthday parties are available.
Summer camp for ages 5-15 includes daily lessons, beach riding, arts and crafts, and animal care. There is an elementary and middle school/high school riding team for appropriate ages and skill levels.
Horseback Riding Stables for Kids in Westchester County
Boulder Brook Equestrian Center – Indoor Riding Lessons for Kids
291 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale, NY
914-725-3912
Hours: Monday, 9 am to 5 pm; Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday& Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm
Prices: Call directly for information on lessons for children and adults, as well as pricing.
Website: www.boulderbrookequestrian.com
Private and group lessons for children and adults (ages 6 and older) are offered at Westchester’s largest indoor riding ring. Its summer camp includes daily lessons in riding and stable management.
Fox Hill Farms – Guided Horse Riding for Kids in Rockefeller Preserve
204 Old Sleepy Hollow Road, Pleasantville, NY
914-769-9813
Hours: Lessons tailored to fit your schedule.
Prices: Call for information on package lessons.
Website: www.foxhillfarms.com
English-style riding lessons are available in a group or private setting. Guided rides are available through the Rockefeller Preserve in spring, summer, and fall.
A weekly summer camp from June through August includes riding lessons, horse care, and games. Pony rides are also available.
Kentucky Riding Stables Family-Owned Horseback Riding Lessons for Kids
325 Union Ave., Harrison, NY
914-381-2825
Hours: Lessons by appointment only.
Prices: $70 30-minute private single session; $250 30-minute private four sessions; $520 30-minute private eight sessions
Website: http://www.kentuckyridingstables.com/
Family-owned and operated, offering riding instruction, training, and boarding with private or semi-private lessons by appointment only for riders of all skill levels.
A weekly summer camp is offered from June through August. Campers participate in daily riding instruction, leisure trail rides, and the basics of grooming, bathing, and barn management.
Twin Lakes Farm – Year-Round Kids Horseback Riding Lessons
960 California Road, Bronxville, NY
914-961-2192
Hours: Daily by appointment for lessons
Prices: $65 30-minute private lesson; $65 1-hour group lesson; $100 1-hour semi-private lesson; $110 1-hour private lesson
Website: www.twinlakesfarm.com
Private, semi-private, and group lessons are available daily year-round. The farm’s summer camp includes riding lessons, horsemanship, and arts and crafts.
Westchester Trail Rides – Scenic Horseback Riding for Kids and Families
6 Croton Lake Road, Croton-on-Hudson
914-806-1292
Hours: 9 am to 7 pm
Prices: Call for information on trail ride rates.
Website: www.westchestertrailrides.com
This stable offers guided horseback trail riding for all ages. Trails traverse more than 7,000 acres of land surrounding the Croton reservoir and dam. English and Western riding styles are accepted.
Long Island Horseback Riding Stables
Horseback Riding Stables for Kids in Nassau County
Bethpage Equestrian Center – Horse Lessons for Kids in Bethpage State Park
499 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY
516-845-1000
Hours: Sunday& Monday, 7 am to 5 pm; Tuesday & Thursday, 7 am to 8 pm; Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm
Prices: $90 30-minute single; $120 1-hour single; $80 30-minute single semi-private; $110 1-hour single semi-private.
Website: www.bethpageequestrian.com
Offers Western and English riding lessons and trail rides for adults and children in Bethpage State Park. A therapeutic riding program is available for all skill levels.
Nassau Equestrian Center – Summer Camps and Kids Horseback Riding Lessons
62 Route 106, Jericho, NY
516-342-1771
Prices: Call for updated information.
Website: www.nassauequestriancenter.com
Lessons are offered for ages six and older, beginners through advanced. Semi-annual horse shows are held to showcase students’ progress.
Summer camp is offered June-August for ages 6-14, in which kids ride twice a day and learn to care for a horse. Guided trail rides are given for two to four people ages 12 and older.
New York Equestrian Center – Trail Rides and Horseback Riding for Kids
633 Eagle Ave., West Hempstead, NY
516-486-9673
Hours: Weekdays, 10 am to 8 pm; Weekends, 9 am to 6 pm
Prices: $82.50 for 30-minute private lessons; $125 for 1-hour private lessons; $85 for 1-hour group lessons; $100for 1-hour semi-private lessons; $25 for 10-minute pony rides
Website: www.nyequestriancenter.com
Private English- and Western-style lessons are offered for all ability levels. Group lessons are for intermediate-level riders to advanced jumpers. Guided, hour-long trail rides are available.
Horseback Riding Stables for Kids in Suffolk County
Chestnut Bay Equestrian – Beginner Horse Riding Lessons for Kids
1500 Peconic Ave., West Babylon, NY
934-345-0532
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Reservations only.
Prices: $70 for a 30-minute lesson; $85 for a 1-hour lesson
Website: www.chestnutbayequestrian.com
Lessons in Belmont State Park for beginners to advanced riders with private lessons, trail rides, and riding evaluations.
Country Farms Camp and Equestrian Center –Horseback Riding Camp and Lessons
200 Bellport Ave., Medford, NY
631-345-9585
Hours: Open daily; lessons by appointment.
Prices: $70 30-minute private; $90 1-hour private; $75 1-hour semi-private; $65 1-hour group
Website: www.countryfarmscamp.com
Lessons are taught to all ability levels. The facility includes 14 acres with an indoor arena. Summer camp runs Monday-Thursday in July and August for children who have completed at least 5.5 hours of private lessons. Birthday parties are available upon request.
Island Hills Stables – Summer Camp and Pony Parties for Kids
26 Rocky Point Road, Middle Island, NY
631-924-4046
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 7 pm; Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm
Prices: $75 30-minute private lesson; $125 1-hour private lesson; $70 45-minute semi-private lesson
Website: www.islandhillsstables.com
Private lessons are available. In July and August, there is a summer camp with riding lessons, grooming and tacking, and recreational activities (Monday through Friday, 9 am-2 pm). Two-hour birthday parties are also available.
Sagamore Hill Stables – Horseback Riding Lessons for Kids of All Ages
929 Fort Salonga Road, Northport
631-549-9178
Prices: Call for updated lesson rates
Website: www.sagamorehillstables.com
Private riding lessons are offered Tuesday-Saturday by appointment for ages five and older of all experience levels.
Connecticut Horseback Riding Stables
Blue Spruce Farm – Therapeutic Kids Horseback Riding and Yoga-Inspired Lessons
626 Wheeler Road, Monroe, CT
203-268-6774
Hours: Daily, 9 am to 5 pm
Admission: Call for updated lesson rate information
Website: www.bluesprucefarm.com
Lessons in English and Western riding are based on principles of yoga and tai chi. The farm has a therapeutic riding program for children with special needs, offers 1-hour guided trail rides, and hosts group events that include pony rides, hay rides, and theme parties.
The farm’s summer camp includes daily riding, grooming, saddling, therapeutic massage and meditation, swimming, yoga, and pizza parties.
Salko Farm & Stable – Full Package Horse Riding Lessons for Kids
374 Hulls Farm Road, Southport, CT
203-255-5092
Hours: Call for hours
Prices: Call for updated lesson rate information
Website: www.salkofarmandstable.com
Private, semi-private, and group lessons are offered for those who want the whole package in their equine journey. Knowledgeable instructors and quality lesson horses ensure students’ experience is safe, fun, and educational. Indoor and outdoor facilities are available.
Silver Horseshoe Riding Stable – Indoor and Outdoor Kids Horseback Riding Lessons
350 Wolf Harbor Road, Milford, CT
203-874-2168
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 9 pm; Friday through Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm
Prices: Call for updated prices for lessons
Website: www.silverhorseshoe.com
Group, private, and semi-private lessons are offered in English and Western styles. The stable has an outdoor riding arena and a lighted indoor arena. Birthday parties are offered, but space and time are limited.
Whimsy Brook Farm – Holistic Horseback Riding for Kids
29 Giles Hill Road, Redding, CT
203-938-3760
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm
Prices: Call for lesson rates and information.
Website: www.whimsybrookfarm.com
This holistic farm specializes in teaching Aware Riding, focusing on releasing tension and developing the senses and balance necessary to ride well.
It also teaches stable management, and offers group and private classes on topics such as show preparation, braiding, mane pulling, clipping, tack fitting, tack cleaning, horse clothing, first aid, leg wrapping, restraint, feeding and nutrition, worming, shoeing options, lunging, round penning, conformation, and movement.
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