Grand Rapids Horseback Riding
Dream of being a cowpoke, trail riding, or training for the big show?
Grand Rapids area horse farms have amazing classes and riding opportunities.
Whether you are a seasoned rider with a well-worn saddle or just want to wander off into the sunset on a dusty trail, West Michigan can easily accommodate you.
And riding isn’t just for little kids; everyone can get in on the fun, no matter their level of experience.
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Featured Horseback Riding Lessons
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Horseback Riding
There is something for everyone at our laidback, peaceful stable with 25+ well-trained horses and ponies! All levels are welcome - no experience needed!
Knowledgeable and friendly instructors teach a holistic approach to horsemanship and riding while facilitating special connections with our equine friends.
Riding Lessons for ages 2-100, Equestrian Vaulting, Trail Rides, and More!
Two indoor arenas and trails for year-round fun!
Knowledgeable and friendly instructors teach a holistic approach to horsemanship and riding while facilitating special connections with our equine friends.
Riding Lessons for ages 2-100, Equestrian Vaulting, Trail Rides, and More!
Two indoor arenas and trails for year-round fun!
OFFERING:
Horse Riding Lessons, English Riding Lessons, Western Riding Lessons, Vaulting, Horseback Riding (no lessons)
Horse Riding Lessons, English Riding Lessons, Western Riding Lessons, Vaulting, Horseback Riding (no lessons)
Ways to Experience Horseback Riding
While there are many styles of riding and types of horses, getting started can be as easy as wearing the right clothing and picking up the phone to make a reservation.
Trail riding and riding lessons are the two most common horseback riding options.
Sign up for Riding Lessons
Riding lessons are a great option for those with a passion for horses and who want to ride regularly.
Lessons are typically an hour long. Choose between private lessons, where you’re the sole rider, semi-private lessons (you plus one), or group lessons which can be three or more riders (the number of riders varies from barn to barn).
You can even ride year-round in Michigan.
If that’s your goal, be sure to find a stable with an indoor arena. Plan on spending between $45 and $65 per hour, per lesson.
Go on Trail Rides
If you are looking to take a leisurely stroll through fields and forests, trail riding is the way to go.
The stable provides the horse and the trails; you bring the desire for adventure or a meandering ride.
There is nothing more peaceful than hearing the swish of the horse’s tail as you wander through tall grasses and sun-dappled forests, seeing nature from a whole new viewpoint.
The average cost of an hour-long trail ride is $35.
Take a Sleigh Ride
Perhaps you’d like to snuggle up and let a horse whisk you through a snow-covered forest.
That’s possible, too, if you book one of Michigan’s sleigh rides!
They’re highly dependent on the weather, but January and February tend to be promising months for this kind of horse ride.
Horseback Riding FAQs
Do you need to take lessons to go horseback riding?
You do not need to take lessons to ride a horse.
There are many places that offer trail riding in West Michigan to riders with no prior experience.
And don’t forget Mackinac Island – no cars here, just horses!
What type of clothing or equipment is needed to go horseback riding?
The equipment for the horse will be supplied by the riding stable.
The stable should also provide a helmet, but if you are taking lessons, plan on purchasing your own soon. Remember to always wear a helmet.
Wear hard-soled shoes with a heel from day one.
While the importance of the helmet is obvious, the shoes can be equally important to help keep your foot safely in the stirrup.
They also protect those tender toes from being squashed. (My son recently learned that horse feet are heavy!)
Wear jeans: athletic apparel is slippery on leather saddles.
You may find that trail riding stables are more lax with their requirements for shoes and apparel.
What type of horseback riding is commonly offered in West Michigan?
English is the predominant riding taught in Michigan, but if you search hard enough, you can find a few places that offer Western along with English.
Also, most trail riding is done in a Western saddle.
Are there age limitations when it comes to riding?
Yes, there are age guidelines when it comes to horseback riding.
The limitations vary by location. Some stables start lessons as early as 18 months, but most lesson and trail riding stables require children to be at least five years old.
Kids ages 5 – 8 may be required to have a “wrangler” or employee lead the horse or pony on trail rides.
What horseback riding style should a beginner start with?
Dressage riding is recommended for beginners.
This style teaches the foundational basics of riding, learning to control the movements and speed at which the horse moves.
Once you have mastered this, you can easily move on to other disciplines.
(Riders from other disciplines may disagree and say theirs is the best way, and opinion-wise, they wouldn’t be wrong.)
5 Places for Horseback Riding in Grand Rapids
Ready to get your equine fill, but not sure where to start?
It’s always great to get personal recommendations. Did you have that horse-crazy friend in school and she’s still at it? Give her a jingle.
Don’t have her phone number? Let us give you a leg up on your research.
Wild West Ranch
1861 52nd St, Fennville, MI 49408
(269) 673-3539
Go dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh!
The knowledgeable, friendly guides will ensure you have a magical experience.
Wild West Ranch offers trail rides, private winter sleigh rides, carriage rides, and pony rides year-round.
By appointment only, rates for riding start at $35 per hour, and sleigh and carriage rides start at $100 per couple.
Legacy Stables & Karin’s Horse Connection
8001 Patterson Ave SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
(616) 570-1106
Gymnastics on horseback? Ride to music? Combine your love of horses with your passion for dance or gymnastics!
Legacy Stables offers vaulting lessons on horseback, riding lessons, trail riding, equine-centered therapeutic programs, birthday parties, field trips, and summer camps.
Ride year-round in their two indoor arenas.
Lesson rates start at $28.
Willow Ridge
3700 8th Ave, Hudsonville, MI 49426
(616) 617-2497
Learn from a United States Dressage Federation Bronze Medalist, where they take a holistic approach to ensure the comfort and health of the horses.
Biomechanics (the science of movement of a living body) of the horse and rider are taught by a professional, knowledgeable staff.
Some riders trailer their horses in from an hour or more away to ride with these experts.
Adult private dressage riding lessons, horse leases and boarding are available.
Weekly lessons start at $65 each.
Wolf Lake Ranch Resort
3640 Wolf Lake Dr, Baldwin, MI 49304
(231) 745-3890
Head out for a unique dude ranch experience where many families have returned year after year for 20+ years.
Enjoy quaint cabins and wonderful hospitality.
The dude ranch experience includes horseback riding, home-cooked meals, campfires, a pancake breakfast ride, and water activities on a sandy beach.
Rates vary depending on the season, a 2-day weekend starts at $259 per person.
Meadowview Farm Inc.
9914 Vergennes Ave NE, Lowell, MI 49331
Riding School: (616) 446-6968
Come enjoy this family-friendly, warm atmosphere.
With their well-run lesson program, each lesson starts off stress-free due to their organization and attention to detail. You will love the extra large indoor arena with a heated viewing area.
The primary discipline here is English, with an emphasis on jumping and polo lessons. Horse leases and boarding are also available.
Fun Fact: Meadowview is where the Grand Rapids Polo Club holds their matches.
Lesson rates start at $45 per hour.
Full List of Riding Lessons
Looking for a few more riding lessons and horseback options? Here’s the full list of where you can hang with horses in West Michigan.
