Whether you’re looking to build equestrian skills or take a family trail ride, you don’t have to go far to go horseback riding in NJ. Thanks to the lush farms and rolling countryside, there is no shortage of horse farms in the Garden State that offer group rides, lessons for every skill level, horse leasing, or 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 NJ
Classes, summer camps, and even winter camps are available for your child to learn all about horseback riding in NJ. Photo Credit: @seatonhackneystables
Northern New Jersey Locations
Bergen Equestrian Center
This equestrian center offers beginners, intermediate-level, and advanced classes with 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
All ages and levels can take lessons, 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.
450 Old Chester Road, Chester, NJ 09730
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 for group lessons, and private lessons for intermediate and advanced students. They also provide 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 trains children and adults in horseback riding for individuals and groups. There’s also a Horsemanship program specializing in horse care, horse first aid, colors, breeds, safety on and off the horse, feeding, grooming, and tacking.
489 Route 94, Newton, NJ 07860
Mortonhouse Farm
Experience this 125-acre horse farm that received the Rutgers Gold Medal Horse Farm Award. English and Western lessons, horsemanship classes, and trail riding are available. Ride one of their horses or trailer yours to the farm.
33 Black River Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
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 of 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 12 lessons. There is also a summer riding camp for girls ages 5-16 to learn horseback riding in NJ.
1575 River Road East, Bedminster, NJ 07921
Saddle Ridge Riding Center
There are a variety of classes to take at the Saddle Ridge Riding Center, including Horsemanship 101, for all students 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-orientated rising facility offers private and semi-private group lessons, troop lessons, trail rides, badge programs, pony rides, 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 lesson program begins with three introductory private lessons with horse handling, grooming, and the saddling of their mount before riding. A Horsemanship summer camp opportunity is available with full and half-day sessions.
56 Paulinskill Lake Road, Newton, NJ 07860
Top View Riding Ranch
Choose from various rides, including photoshoot rides and private rides recommended for beginners. Other options include the one-hour ride, two-hour ride, half-day ride, 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
Horseback riding can turn into more than a hobby. Photo Credit: istock/Sladic
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
Bella Rosa Stables
Whether you are looking for a private lesson, a group lesson, or a 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 their horse before and after the lesson. Itty Bitty classes for ages 3-7 include a lead line lesson, tack up, and horse bonding.
151 Oak Glen Road, Howell, NJ 07731
Hunter Brook Horse Farm
This 50+ acre farm has an indoor arena, an outdoor arena, a grass jump course, and a 1/2 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 35 years, and they offer lessons for all ages, boarding, horse shows, and a summer riding program for children. The lessons are under the direction of former United States Equestrian Team Rider & International Coach Andrew H. Philbrick.
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 is also yoga on horseback or “lunge lessons” and mommy and Me private classes.
107 W. West Woodschurch Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
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 seven days a week by appointment only.
3299 Bordentown Avenue, 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
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 the first-timers to competitors.
121 Five Points Rd., Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Horseback riding in NJ can be a confidence-boosting activity. Photo Credit: istock/Wavebreakmedia
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
Split Elm Equestrian
At Atlantic County’s largest preserved horse farm and home to Stockton University’s Equestrian Team, you can take horseback riding lessons. Lessons are for relaxed riders and those who want to compete and are offered seven days a week by appointment.
553 S. Frankfurt Ave., Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Woodedge Stables
Established in 1963, this South Jersey stable also has seasonal lessons and summer camp. Students will build a solid foundation of riding, understanding the horse’s nature and 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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