Whether you’re a first-time rider, looking to sharpen your equestrian skills, or want to go on a family trail ride, there are plenty of ways to go horseback riding in New Jersey. The Garden State is renowned for having horse farms, offering group rides, lessons for every skill level, horse leasing, and a day of trail riding. Scroll down for the top spots to go horseback riding in NJ near you, and if you’re craving more outdoor adventures, check out all the other outdoor activities in NJ. (featured photo credit: istock/Lana2011)
Where To Go Horseback Riding In New Jersey
Northern New Jersey Locations
Bergen Equestrian Center
This equestrian center offers classes for beginners, intermediates, and advanced riders, including flat riding and jumping. Lessons can be private or in a group, depending on the level. Kids can also join their winter camp, summer camp, or after-school program.
40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ 07605
Brookside Show Stable
Lessons are available for all ages and levels, whether customized and private or in a group setting. Classes are for beginners and intermediate-advanced. You can also join the Saddle Club if you are considering leasing or owning a horse.
46 Wertsville Road, Ringoes, NJ 08851
Dapple Hill Farm
Dapple Hill Farm has several options if you are looking for a private, semi-private, or small group horseback riding lesson in NJ. They also have student leasing options, summer camps, and horse show opportunities.
70 Sutton Road, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Echo Lakes Stable
Book a lesson for beginners or intermediate students, or participate in the complete riding lessons program. The programs are private. The stable also offers trail rides, night rides, pony rides, and hayrides.
55 Blakely Lane, Newfoundland, NJ 07435
Equine Tranquility Wellness Center
This wellness center has something for everyone: beginner and intermediate riding lessons, an after-school club, therapeutic riding, and equine-assisted learning. You can also sign up for mommy and me classes and yoga on horseback.
134 Airport Road, Andover, NJ 07821
Elite Equine Group at Garret Mountain Equestrian Center
Students are matched with horses depending on their skill level with private, semi-private, and group lessons. With an indoor ring, they can offer lessons all year round.
1 Park Road, Woodland Park, NJ 07013
Farrington Farms
This North Brunswick farm offers introductory lessons, an evaluation lesson, various levels of group lessons, and private lessons for intermediate and advanced students. It also provides a summer riding camp.
28 Davidson Mill Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Morning Star Farm Riding Academy and Therapeutic Riding Center
This Sussex County farm offers horseback riding lessons for children and adults, catering to individuals and groups. There’s also a Horsemanship program specializing in horse care, horse first aid, safety on and off the horse, and tacking.
489 Route 94, Newton, NJ 07860
Mortonhouse Farm
This 125-acre horse farm received the Rutgers Gold Medal Horse Farm Award and offers English and Western lessons, horsemanship classes, and pony parties. You can ride one of their horses or trailer your own to the farm.
33 Black River Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
North Jersey Horseback Riding School
Try everything from an introductory lesson to a horsemanship 101 class at this New Jersey riding school. Indoor and outdoor facilities are available, and they have the largest climate-controlled indoor arena in the state.
1 Carlson Place, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
Palermo Equestrian LLC
Take lessons monthly or pay as you go with private or semi-private experiences. Their goal is to develop riders both on and off the horse.
100 West River Road, Bedminster, NJ 07921
River Edge Farm
From flatwork to jumping exercises, lessons are available in a package or individually. The lesson package includes a total of 10 lessons. There is also a summer riding camp for girls ages 5-16.
1575 River Road East, Bedminster, NJ 07921
Saddle Ridge Riding Center
The Saddle Ridge Riding Center offers various classes, including Horsemanship 101, to learn proper horse care techniques, from equine first aid to grooming.
900 Shadow Ridge Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Seaton Hackney Stables
This family-oriented rising facility offers private, semi-private, group lessons, troop lessons, trail rides, badge programs, birthday parties, an equestrian summer camp, a flex camp, schooling shows, and a traveling IEA team. They also have a PEP, a Petit Equestrian Program for younger children.
440 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Silver Bit and Spur Farm
Hit the trails or take a lesson at this NJ horse farm with plenty of space to ride on their 40+ acres in Hunterdon County.
631 County Road 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable
Take a pony grooming lesson and lead line pony rides. There is also the option to participate in the public guided trail ride, a walk-only Western saddle trail ride.
256 South Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Spring Valley Equestrian Center
Try English and Western horseback riding with lessons for beginners up to advanced. Their program begins with three introductory private lessons, including horse handling, grooming, and saddling the mount before riding. A Horsemanship summer camp opportunity with full-day sessions is also available.
56 Paulinskill Lake Road, Newton, NJ 07860
Top View Riding Ranch
You can choose from various rides, including photoshoot rides and private rides recommended for beginners. Other options include the one-hour ride, the two-hour ride, the half-day ride, the full-day ride, and pony lead lines.
36 Hess Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825
Willow Grove Farm
Learn how to ride a horse or take a cart or wagon lesson at this Long Valley farm, which is home to Orion Clydesdales and has become one of the largest breeding and training facilities on the East Coast.
458 West Mill Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
Central New Jersey Locations
Allaire Community Farm
Riders as young as 3 can learn either English or Western-style horseback riding inside a riding rink or outdoors. The farm also has equine therapy and adaptive riding, partnering with the Special Olympics of New Jersey as a certified Special Olympics Equestrian Training Site.
1923 Baileys Corner Road, Wall, NJ 07719
Baymar Farms
If you are looking for English (hunter, jumper, equitation) and Western (horsemanship, pleasure) riding lessons for all levels, then this is the place to go. They teach private, one-on-one lessons, and classes seven days a week.
38 Harbor Road, Morganville, NJ 07751
Bella Rosa Stables
Whether you are looking for a private, group, or program for your little one, Bella Rosa has options. Take a 30-, 45-, or 60-minute private lesson and learn how to groom and tack your horse before and after the lesson. Itty Bitty classes for ages 3 1/2-7 include a lead line lesson, tack up, and horse bonding.
151 Oak Glen Road, Howell, NJ 07731
Free Spirit Farm
Horses are available for lease or lesson rental, and lessons last half an hour to an hour and can be individual or group. Their training covers everything from basic horsemanship to eventing, jumping, and trail riding.
187 Siloam Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Hunter Brook Horse Farm
This 50+ acre farm has indoor and outdoor arenas, a grass jump course, and a half-mile track. English riding lessons are available for beginners and advanced students.
672 Fort Plains Road, Howell, NJ 07731
Hunter Farms
This farm has been in Princeton for 40 years. It offers riding and jumping lessons for all ages, horse shows, and a summer riding program for children. Former United States Equestrian Team Rider and International Coach Andrew H. Philbrick directs the lessons.
1315 The Great Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Kierson Farm
This farm has many options, from Tiny Tot Lessons for ages 3 to 6 to private and group lessons. There are also yoga sessions on horseback, known as “lunge lessons,” and private “Mommy and Me” classes.
107 W. West Woodschurch Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Krowicki’s Touch of Magic Stables
Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to riding, there’s something for every rider here. There are five experienced instructors who provide lessons in both English and Western styles, and they also offer trail rides, horse shows, and both recreational and competitive style lessons.
862 County Road #539, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Legacy Stables
All ages and skill levels can participate in trail rides, pony rides and parties, lessons, summer camps, and merit badge programs. Their riding lessons are from beginner to advanced, and they offer Western riding lessons by appointment only.
Range Road, Sayreville, NJ 08872
Painted Pony Riding Academy
Appointments must be made in advance to take a lesson with your own horse or one of the academy horses. Single lessons and a prepaid package of five lessons are also available.
80 Obre Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Sandstone Stables
Children through adults and beginners through advanced can take lessons at this Monmouth County stable. Lessons focus on strengthening basic skills such as flatwork, position, impulsion, straightness, and rhythm, then build from there.
121 Five Points Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Silver Dollar Stables
Take a lesson or join their summer camp program to learn all about horseback riding in NJ. This central Jersey stable offers year-long weekly lessons.
80 Petty Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512
Sovereign Equestrian
Horseback riding lessons are available by appointment only, and lessons are for all levels starting at age 4. You can choose from private, semi-private, or group lessons for children or adults. They also have a summer riding program and a competition team.
6 Hominy Hill Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Sunnyside Equestrian Center
This Equestrian Center offers equine-assisted activities and therapies for groups and individuals. It is part of the SPUR (Special People United to Ride) program, which includes SPUR Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Equine Environment for Learning, and the Horses for Heroes Veterans’ Program.
628 Middletown-Lincroft Road, Middletown, NJ 07738
The Equestrian Experience at Victory Stables
Take a private lesson program with quality riding instruction on one of their horses or your own. They offer instruction for every skill level, from first-timers to competitors.
121 Five Points Rd., Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Southern New Jersey Locations
Chesterfield Farm
All ages and levels can experience riding lessons at this 76-acre horse farm. In addition to riding, students are taught about safety and how to care for the horse, where they learn to groom and tack up the horse. Students are also welcome to compete in horse shows at the farm.
141 Georgetown-Chesterfield Road, Chesterfield, NJ 08515
Flora Lea Farm
A horse farm on 50 acres in Medford, NJ, offers eventing, training, horse care, and teaching. Lessons are available for adults and children, ranging from beginner to intermediate levels. The farm is also home to the Kaleidoscope Therapeutic Riding program.
21 Branin Road, Medford, NJ 08055
Forest Edge Farm
Forest Edge Farm offers private or group lessons for all ages, from beginner to advanced. The farm has an indoor riding area in case of bad weather, and Itty Bitty lessons are open for children aged 5-7.
55 Forest Edge Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Majoda Stables
Just 30 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia is a serene stable with private and group lessons. Kinder-rides for children 8 and under are also available. The stable also offers camp, therapeutic riding, and advanced horsemanship.
620 Garwood Road, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Nimble Creek Farm
Beginners and intermediate students can take a variety of lessons, including Hunt Seat, Jumper, and Equitation. Each lesson also includes information about basic care and grooming, tacking, safety, and the proper cooling-down techniques.
1357 Monmouth Road, Eastampton, NJ 08060
Rockin’ J Ranch
At this horse farm in New Jersey, you can try a basic lesson or learn how to rope a cow. They also offer group trail rides, boarding, leasing, and a small animal farm.
236 N. Leipzig Ave., Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Split Elm Equestrian
Atlantic County’s largest preserved horse farm also hosts Stockton University’s Equestrian Team and offers horseback riding lessons. Lessons are available by appointment seven days a week for relaxed riders and those who want to compete.
553 S. Frankfurt Ave., Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Sovereign Hill Stables
Whether you are looking for a summer camp, riding lessons, or a pony party, these stables have it all. They also teach horsemanship, and you can host your birthday party here.
230 Commissioners Road, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Suffolk Stables LLC
You can take an assessment ride, take a private or semi-private lesson, or learn with a group. Classes are also available for children ages 6 and under. Ask about their camps, adult riders program, and pony club.
1418 Indian Hills Road, Shamong, NJ 08088
Whispering Lake Equestrian
Take a lesson, join a camp, or board your horse at Whispering Lake Equestrian in Pittstown, NJ. Ages 3 and up, and all levels are welcome.
421 Mechlin Corner Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867
Woodedge Stables
This South Jersey stable has been operating since the 1960s and offers seasonal lessons and summer camps. Students will build a solid foundation of riding, understand the horse’s nature, and learn how to ensure the horse’s and rider’s safety, both mounted and dismounted.
116A Borton Landing Road, Moorestown, NJ 08057
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