Alan ‘Bo’ BorensteinIf you’ve been meaning to saddle up and get on that horse, we’re here to tell you how lucky we feel to live in a city like Vancouver. There are literally tons and tons of ranches and stables in and around Vancouver where we learned how to ride horses.
Trust us, we were no experts when we first started, but these places were incredibly welcoming and patient with beginners like us.
Come On over to Pinecrest Stables
Website: https://www.pinecreststables.org/
Address: 7025 Macdonald St, Vancouver, BC V6N 1G2, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-220-2170
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 8am to 7pm
Price:
- Horse day camps: $500 for a full week
- Private lessons: Inquire directly for price
- Semi-Private lessons: Inquire directly for price
- Trail rides: Inquire directly for price
Right by the University of British Columbia, you can find Pinecrest Stables. They offer a super friendly horseback riding experience, no matter if you’re just starting out or a pro rider.
Robyn Hunt, the trainer at Pinecrest Stables, is awesome and welcomes riders of all levels. They’ll hook you up with the perfect horse for your skill, and the trails are in great shape. Nothing too wild, just some nice and chill trails.
Pro tip:
You can actually bring your own horse and get them trained here. Pinecrest Stables has this cool program where they work with young horses to help them grow and develop.
Go Riding at the Leghorn Ranch
Website: https://www.vancouverhorsebackriding.com/
Address: 20254 Old Dewdney Trunk Rd, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 1Z1, Canada
Contact details: +1 778-886-1343
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Price:
- 1 hour tours: $130 + GST
- 2 hour tours: $180 + GST
At Leghorn Ranch, Hanif Jinnah, a two-time Canadian team roping champion with more than four decades of horse training and riding experience, is the man in charge. The trails here are nothing short of picturesque.
You’ll have the chance to saddle up and ride along the Alouette River, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the mountains and a whole bunch of wildlife sightings, from black bears to majestic eagles and graceful blue herons.
Pro tip:
At the midway point of the trail, things really get exciting. You’ll cross these charming wooden bridges, meandering through a lush forest and over a peaceful creek.
Saddle up at the Wilde Style Equestrian
Website: http://wsequestrian.com/
Address: 7255 Blenheim St, Vancouver, BC V6N 1S2, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-404-4044
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11am to 8pm
Price: Inquire directly for price
At Wilde Style Equestrian, they’ve got a sweet 1-acre equestrian spot decked out with top-notch footing, a sandy riding area, and stadium lighting that’ll make you feel like you’re right in the middle of a horse show.
They’ve also got a great mix of local and European warmblood horses, so you can pick the perfect one that suits your skills and what you’re looking for.
Pro tip:
They’ve only got a couple of coaches over here, so it’s a good idea to sign up ahead of the semester kick-off in both Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.
Take Lessons at Glen Valley Stables
Website: https://glenvalleystables.com/
Address: 1255 208 St. Langley, BC
Contact details: 778-710-1941
Operating hours: Appointment only
Price:
- Group rides: $95 to $160
- Private rides: $125 to $200
- Photo sessions: $250 to $400
- Destination rides: $95 to $250
Experience the beauty of the trail at Campbell Valley Park with Glen Valley Stables. These trails take you through forests and wide-open fields, all against the breathtaking backdrop of the mountains.
The horses here are seasoned pros, with most of them having served as reliable trail companions for more than two decades. There are specific horses for beginners, those with experience, and advanced riders, so everyone can have a great ride.
Pro tip:
For riders aged 18 and below, wearing helmets is a must. But if you happen to forget yours, no sweat – they’ve got free loaner helmets available!
Ride a Horse without Leaving the City at Southlands Heritage Farm
Website: https://www.southlandsfarm.ca/
Address: 3208 W 51st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6N 3V7, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-261-1295
Operating hours:
- Monday: 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday to Friday: 3:30pm to 7pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Price:
- Little riders private riding lesson: $62
- 30-minute Private riding lesson: $82.50
- 45-minute Private riding lesson: $109.50
- Stable management: $50
Southlands Farm is a lovely, family-friendly spot with a charming, rustic, and serene atmosphere. The moment you step in, you’ll find yourself surrounded by friendly animals like goats, ducks, and chickens.
When it comes to horseback riding, they take a holistic approach, customizing lessons to match individual goals. They even offer an introductory program, complete with stable management lessons, perfect for beginners.
Pro tip:
You’re absolutely encouraged to get up close and personal with the farm’s animals, so don’t miss out on the chance to make some furry and feathered friends!
Improve Your Riding Skills Langley 204
Website: http://www.langley204.com/
Address: 543 204 St, Langley Twp, BC V2Z 1V5, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-533-7978
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Price:
- Trail riding: $130
- Riding lessons: $70 to $1,560
- Pony rides: $15 to $45
Langley 204 has been a go-to spot for horse trail rides, lessons, and pony rides. Their stable sits just across from Campbell Valley Park, offering stunning vistas of expansive farmland and an extensive network of beautifully maintained trails.
They boast a diverse lineup of expertly trained horses, and you can opt for 1 to 2-hour trail rides through their sprawling 1,400-acre territory.
Pro tip:
Don’t forget to bring along some carrots when you visit – the horses here are big fans!
Ride the Trails at Paradise Acres Ranch
Website: https://paradiseacresranch.ca/
Address: 1085 Paradise Pl, Nanoose Bay, BC V9P 9A4, Canada
Contact details: +1 250-248-6125
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 10pm
Price:
- Private lesson: $70
- Semi-private lesson: $60
- Group lesson (4 students): $55
- Share-a-pony: $105
Paradise Acres Ranch, founded by Bev and Gerd Voit, is a place they’ve poured their hearts into building from scratch. They’ve created a remarkable network of trails across Vancouver Island, which can take you through hills, open fields, and scenic forest paths.
Their trail rides are quite an adventure, lasting up to four hours, and you can easily secure your spot with their handy online booking system.
Pro tip:
Don’t rush off right after your ride because you’ll have the opportunity to brush and feed the horses.
Make Your Way to Southlands Riding Club
Website: https://www.southlandsridingclub.com/
Address: 7025 Macdonald St, Vancouver, BC V6N 1G2, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-263-4817
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Price: Inquire directly for price
This city-based equestrian spot has been a part of Vancity since way back in 1943, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from downtown. They’ve got a whopping 16 acres of lush green riding trails to explore.
What’s really neat is that they light up the grounds and rings in the evenings, adding a special vibe. Plus, the grounds crew takes great care, grooming the riding surfaces every day.
Pro tip:
They run a horse rescue program here, where they give a helping hand to horses in tough situations, adopt them, and then provide training before finding them caring for new homes.
Ride the Ring at Old Southlands Stables
Website: http://oldsouthlandsstables.com/
Address: 3425 Celtic Ave, Vancouver, BC V6N 3X8, Canada
Contact details: +1 778-926-6554
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7am to 10pm
Price: Inquire directly for price
Even though they have just a one-acre grazing field, Old Southland Stables still manages to offer some pretty cool amenities, including roomy in-out stalls, well-lit rings, and sturdy wooden fencing.
The riding trail might be simple, but it’s a well-kept grassy path, and the best part is the refreshing breeze you get while riding, thanks to the trail being surrounded by towering trees.
Pro tip:
They’ve got an online ring booking system in place that makes it super convenient. No need to worry about how crowded the ring will be when you arrive – you can plan ahead and secure your spot hassle-free.
Practice Your Riding Skills at Rosewood Hunters and Jumpers
Website: https://rosewoodhj.com/
Address: 6926 Carrington St, Vancouver, BC V6N 4C9, Canada
Contact details: +1 778-829-6369
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am to 8pm
Price:
- Introductory package: $350
- Weekly private lesson: $95 per lesson
- Weekly semi-private lesson: $80
- Single private lesson: $115 per 30-minute session
- Single group lesson: $100 per rider, per 45-minute session
Amidst the lush estates and stables, Rosewood Hunters and Jumpers is a conveniently accessible horseback riding school, reachable by both car and bike.
Their school comes equipped with two brightly lit outdoor sand riding arenas. While most lessons happen in their arenas, they also offer a space in the stables, where you can focus on horse care and stable management.
Pro tip:
They have a special ‘Unicorn Club’ designed for kids. This club provides them with a chance to delve into topics and activities they might not typically have time for in their regular weekly sessions.
