Stables for horseback riding, where to take lessons on Long Island
Hidden Pond Stables in Manorville. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Horseback riding lessons and trail rides are offered throughout Long Island, with equestrian centers that cater to all ages, including dedicated programs for those with special needs.
Best bets for horseback riding stables on Long Island
FOR SUMMER CAMP: Bethpage Equestrian Center in Old Bethpage.
FOR INDOOR RIDING: Knoll Farm Riding School in Brentwood.
FOR BEGINNERS: Hidden Pond Stables in Manorville.
NASSAU
BETHPAGE EQUESTRIAN CENTER 499 Winding Rd., Old Bethpage. Trail rides and lessons. Features: 3 lighted rings, indoor ring, trail rides through Bethpage State Park, boarding, horse leasing and sales, summer camp, pony rides, parties. Private, semiprivate and group lessons. More info: 516-845-1000, bethpageequestriancenter.com
Blake Sabolboro prepares to go horseback riding with his parents at the Bethpage Equestrian Center. Credit: Howard Simmons
CEDAR VALLEY FARM Route 25A, Old Brookville. Features: Show-quality horses. Leases available. Can travel for lessons. More info: 516-318-3235
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP RANCH 369 Split Rock Rd., Syosset. Features: 10 horses, boarding and horse leasing. Fee: Lessons: $50 per half-hour, $75 per full hour (private); $35 half-hour, $55 an hour (group); $900 boarding per month. More info: 516-922-6040, christianfellowshiphouse.com
GOLD COAST EQUESTRIAN CENTER 62 Hegemans Lane, Old Brookville. Features: 65 stalls on 19 acres. Offering private beginner through advanced riding lessons, pony kids program. Indoor and lighted arena, outdoor arena (lighted), summer and school holiday camp programs. More info: 516-801-2152, goldcoastequestrian.com
JUMPER’S CREEK FARM 33 Lloyd Harbor Rd., Lloyd Harbor. Features: Full-service hunter-jumper riding and show facility for riders of all ages and abilities, indoor/outdoor ring. Miles of trails and cross-country field. More info: 631-487-2269
NASSAU EQUESTRIAN CENTER 62 Rte. 106, Jericho. Features: 42 acres next to Muttontown Preserve, multiple rings, stadium lighting, indoor lighted ring, 10 school horses, boarding accommodations available. Private, semiprivate and group lessons available from beginner to advanced. Summer camp program. Group, organizations, scouts and camps welcome, birthday parties and pony rides. More info: 516-342-1771, nassauequestriancenter.com
NORTH SHORE EQUESTRIAN CENTER LIU Post campus, Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Features: 35 lesson horses, over 50 paddocks, indoor arena, two lighted outdoor rings plus three others, heated viewing area. Boarding and summer camp programs available. Fee: $85 half-hour; minimum age 6. More info: 516-626-9714, northshoreequestriancenter.com
SUFFOLK
CHESTNUT BAY EQUESTRIAN 1500 Peconic Ave., North Babylon. Features: 50 horses, 128 x 200 foot outdoor show ring and second outdoor ring; 12,000-square-foot indoor arena with new footings; three stadium-lighted rings; 30 paddocks; heated viewing area; lounge with fireplace; camps, group discounts; leasing, boarding; sales; access to 14-mile state park bridle path (no public roads); summer camp riding program. Fee: Private lessons $80 an hour, $65 half-hour. Certified therapeutic riding for adults and children with disabilities. More info: 934-345-0532, chestnutbayequestrian.com
COUNTRY FARMS EQUESTRIAN CENTER 200 Bellport Ave., Medford. Features: 14 acres, full-service equestrian facility, riding lessons and polo lessons all year. Children’s summer camp July-Aug. More info: 631-345-9585, country-farms.com
DDR FARM 412 Sweet Hollow Rd., Melville. Features: Farm within the 1,000-acre West Hills County Park offers hourlong trail lessons for ages 8 and up by appointment, private and group lessons, boarding and summer/school break camp. More info: 631-616-9656, ddrfarm.com
DEEP HOLLOW RANCH Montauk County Park, Montauk Highway, Montauk. Features: 50 horses, training, trail and pony rides only, trail rides on beach and through 4,000 acres in Montauk County Park. Reservations recommended. More info: 631-668-2744, deephollowranch.org
Riders from Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk follow their guide. Credit: John Roca
DIAMOND HEDGE 95 Washington Ave., Holtsville. Features: Beginner-advanced lessons, boarding. More info: 631-948-0090
EAST END STABLES Oakview Highway, East Hampton. Features: 45 horses, indoor arena, boarding, summer camp. Fee: Private lessons: $115 an hour, $85 half-hour; $100 an hour for 2 people; group $85 semiprivate; minimum age: 3. More info: 631-324-9578 or 631-276-7836, eastendstable.com
GOOD SHEPHERD FARM German Boulevard, Yaphank. Features: 8 horses, cross-country course, boarding, summer programs, horse shows, lessons. Interscholastic Equestrian Association teams. Fee: Private lessons: $100 an hour, $60 half-hour; group rate $50 an hour; minimum age 5. More info: 631-924-4670, goodshepherdfarm.org
GREAT STRIDES LONG ISLAND 41 Coram Swezeytown Rd., Middle Island. Features: Private and semiprivate lessons. Weeklong summer programs and other specialty group programs, birthday parties. Veterans’ program. Certified therapeutic riding instructors. Heated indoor arena, three outdoor rings. More info: 631-786-9708, greatstridesli.org
HIDDEN POND STABLES 197 North St., Manorville. Features: 35-acre complete equine facility, 25 paddocks, two lighted arenas, two hunt courses, a cross-country course, ½-mile exercise track, four indoor wash stalls with hot water; two round pens and summer pony camp for children, pony rides, lessons for beginners to expert, Girl Scout and Boy Scouts welcome, birthday parties. Middle school and high school IEA team. More info: 631-433-6513, hiddenpondstableli.com
Hidden Pond Stables in Manorville. Credit: Daniel Brennan
ISLAND HILLS STABLE 26 Rocky Point Rd., Middle Island. Features: Lessons; boarding; pony camp; birthday parties; horse safety and horse care classes for new riders; indoor and outdoor facilities; U.S. Equestrian Federation-rated horse show series in the spring; indoor arena and three outdoor, lighted riding rings; grandstand area; lounge. Fee: Private: $60 for 30 mins., $95 for 60 mins., semiprivate: $65 for 45 mins., group lessons: $45 for 45 mins., $325 for a package of six private lessons for 30 mins., classes available 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. daily, rain or shine. More info: 631-924-4046, islandhillsstable.com
ISLIP HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION MOUNTED DRILL TEAM THE SPIRIT OF LONG ISLAND East Islip. Features: Coed riding group performs precision riding to patriotic music. All ages welcome, must have own mount. Membership fee includes uniform. All riding disciplines. Performs at parades, fairs, competitions, demonstrations at schools, charity events, Belmont and Saratoga racetracks. Show schedule 2023: English Series Dates: May 7, June 11, July 23, Rain date: Aug. 6. Gymkhana Series Dates: June 4, July 9, Aug. 13, Rain date: Aug. 27. Western Series Dates: May 21, June 18, July 30, Rain date: Aug. 20. More info: 631-332-7101, isliphorsemensassociation.com
KNOLL FARM RIDING SCHOOL 849 Suffolk Ave., Brentwood. Features: Easy access along LIRR routes. 17 acres, 18 school horses, 50 boarder accommodations, full board services, training lesson package, heated tack rooms, heated lounge, 20,000-square-foot indoor arena, three outdoor rings, two jumping rings, one flat ring, open fields. More info: 631-435-1880, knollfarm.com
LLOYD HARBOR EQUESTRIAN CENTER 33 Lloyd Harbor Rd., Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Huntington. Features: Indoor arenas, cross country, miles of trails. More info: 631-427-6105
MINIERI’S PARKVIEW RIDING CENTER 989 Connetquot Ave., Central Islip. Features: 25 horses, indoor arena, lighted ring, summer camp, pony rides, trail rides. Fee: Private lessons: $85 an hour; $65 half-hour; semiprivate (3 people): $65 an hour; group (4 or more): $55 an hour; minimum age 5; $70 trail rides, minimum age 8. More info: 631-581-9477, parkviewridingcenter.com
OLDE TOWNE EQUESTRIAN CENTER 471 Boyle Rd., Selden. Features: 35 horses, lighted ring, summer camp, grass hunt course, two sand rings. Fee: Private lessons: $90 an hour, $70 half-hour; semiprivate: $75; group: $65; minimum age 2. More info: 631-513-0261, oldetowneequestriancenter.net
PAL-O-MINE EQUESTRIAN 829 Old Nichols Rd., Islandia. Features: Adaptive, recreational and competitive horseback riding programs; comprehensive adaptive equine learning programs; Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Natural Horsemanship for individuals with disabilities and able-bodied students. More info: 631-348-1389, pal-o-mine.org
SAGAMORE HILL STABLES 929 Fort Salonga Rd., Northport. Features: 25 acres; 40 horses, one indoor and three outdoor rings; lessons for all levels by appointment Tue.-Sat., school horses are all former show horses and compete at local shows as well as the Hampton Classic. Fee: $75 half-hour private lesson, $700 for 10 lessons. More info: 631-549-9178, sagamorehillstables.com
STONY HILL STABLES 268 Town Lane, Amagansett. Features: Stable for horseback riding and horse boarding, includes training and private lessons, summer camp. More info: 631-267-3203, stonyhillstables.com
WINDWOOD FARMS 188 Bellport Ave., Medford. Features: Horse boarding, indoor arena, two lighted rings, hunt course. Private lessons for beginners to advanced; minimum age 4. More info: 631-398-4873
