Cape Cod Horse Back Riding Lessons and Trail Rides

While visiting Cape Cod, take time for a riding lesson or trail ride at one of the many riding schools across Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Many stables offer lessons for all ages and riding abilities, from beginners to world-class riders. Some also offer horseback riding on Cape Cod summer-long programs for kids looking to improve their equestrian skills with Cape Cod horseback riding lessons!

Whether you love Cape Cod horseback riding or haven’t been on a horse for years, you’re sure to enjoy some of the guided Cape Cod horseback riding trails! Saddle up, brush up on your technique and trot across dunes and sandy beaches, your horse wading through the salty waves lapping the shore.

Trails wind through scrub pine forests, cranberry bogs, and beaches, giving the rider a firsthand glimpse at the local environment. Riders taking their own horses out on the beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore will need to purchase a permit for their horse. The Cape Cod Rail Trail from Dennis to Wellfleet, an off-road biking trail is also a popular spot for horseback riding!

Bourne, Massachusetts

Grazing Fields Farm

Address: 201 Bournedale Rd | Bourne, Ma 02532
City/Town: Bourne
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Grazing Fields Farm’s experienced team of trainers and teachers work with riders ages seven and older (adults included) with a focus on showing. Learn skills ranging from safety and good horsemanship, to riding techniques including walk, trot, canter, and jumping, to grooming and tacking up. The farm offers basic and full care boarding to clients in their training and showing program, with stabling in four separate barns, over twenty turnout areas, stable manager arranged farrier and veterinarian appointments, and storage lockers for riding equipment. Grazing Fields Farm also has horses for sale as well as on-farm leases, and plenty of room to ride with 80 picturesque acres including several fields, four expansive outdoor riding rings, and an indoor arena.

Falmouth, Massachusetts

Highlander Farm

Address: 49 Cloverfield Way | E Falmouth, Ma 02536
City/Town: E. Falmouth
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Highlander Farm provides group, private and semi-private lessons at a beautiful, well-maintained property. Boarding includes feeding, all day turn out (weather permitting), clean stalls and paddocks, water, salt and blanket changes, and use of the facility. Additional services are available such as bathing, grooming, mane pulling, braiding, handling for farrier or vet, trailering, and sales. The farm also rents out well trained horses and ponies that have hunter, jumper and pleasure ring experience, with full or half leases available by the month, week or day. For riding, Highlander Farm has two outdoor rings, an indoor ring, and access to the adjacent Crane Wildlife Management Area’s 10,000 acres of grass trails ideal for relaxing trail rides and intense workouts.

Haland Stables

Address: 878 W Falmouth Hwy | Falmouth, Ma 02540
City/Town: Falmouth
Activity: Full Service

Description: Haland Stables provides full-service boarding and training, horseback riding lessons for children and adults, trail rides, pony rides, and summer horsemanship classes. We offer trail rides. Each trail ride includes a brief evaluation and is then tailored to the group’s skill levels, seasoned trail horses are matched to individual’s levels of experience. Minimum age for trail rides eight and helmets is provided and required for safety. Trails on the farm pass through fields and woods and by salt marshes and ponds, with an abundance of wildlife year-round.

Fieldcrest Farm

Address: 774 Palmer Ave | Falmouth, Ma 02540
City/Town: Falmouth
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Children and adults of all ages and all skill levels can take riding lessons at Fieldcrest Farm. Experienced trainers focus on teaching Hunt Seat and Hunter Jumper riding styles as well as developing skills for showing in these areas. Boarding services and leases are also available. The farm offers trail rides for lesson customers, and the location provides for excursions through the woods and access to the beach.

Sandwich, Massachusetts

Alliance Equestrian Center LLC

Address: 117 Stowe Rd | Sandwich, Ma 02653
City/Town: Sandwich
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Alliance Equestrian Center provides boarding, training and private or group horseback riding lessons for all ages, beginner through advanced, in both English and Western forms. The barn has a relaxed family atmosphere that’s supportive whether you’re looking to take leisurely ride on the local trails or be competitive in an upcoming horse show. The farm also offers visitor friendly events such as an open house campfire cookout and “Ride, Oils and Relaxation at the Farm” where you can take part in a 30 minute group riding lesson through the woods, then come back to the farm to enjoy an essential oils class with Reiki healing, cider and snacks by the campfire.

Mashpee, Massachusetts

Maushop Equestrian Center

Address: 31 Quashnet Rd | Mashpee, Ma 02649
City/Town: Mashpee
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Maushop Equestrian Center takes students’ age, experience, goals, and ability into consideration to flexibly tailor lessons to ensure success while making the experience fun and affordable. Trainers can accommodate all levels of riders with group and private lessons, and a workshop for children that offers hands-on experience with grooming, tacking up, using equipment, and managing a stable. Maushop Equestrian Center also helps students test their abilities at a variety of local shows and competitions, provides full board for ponies and horses, and offers on farm birthday parties!

Barnstable, Massachusetts

C J’s Ranch

Address: 1445 Osterville West Barnstable Rd, Ma 02668
City/Town: Barnstable
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: C J’s Ranch is a full-service equestrian facility with boarding services and riding lessons for all ages and skill levels. For your horse, CJ’s offers everything from feeding, turnout and grooming to farrier service and training. Depending on rider’s skill level and availability of horses, CJ’s also rents horses for riding on the farm, which includes a large indoor riding arena, two outdoor riding rings, fenced-in paddocks, open pastures, and an outside course with natural obstacles. The white-fenced farmland is a scenic treasure and provides a picturesque, tranquil setting for your riding pleasure.

Cranberry Sunset Farm

Address: 1964 Main St, Marstons Mills
City/Town: Marstons Mills
Activity: Therapeutic Riding Center & Rescue

Description: Cranberry Sunset Farm helps individuals who have special needs build life skills through interactions with rescued horses and other animals. The farm offers a sensory trail system that’s accessible on foot or on horseback, riding lessons, horsemanship, job coaching, community service hours, a garden to table program, and a music and motion program. They also welcome school trips, scouts projects, and visits from local organizations, as well as opening their gates to visitors to support the non-profit through annual memberships or their yearly fundraiser hosting live music, an auction, and usually a clambake.

Diamondsedge Farm

Address: 2051 Main St | W Barnstable, Ma 02668
City/Town: West Barnstable
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Diamondsedge Farm offers equine therapy as well as affordable horsemanship and riding lessons, boarding, and horse leases. In addition to lessons for all ages, skill levels, and individuals facing various challenges, the farm offers beach riding, gives swimming lessons, and hosts a pony club, 4-H activities, and an equestrian riding team for the Special Olympics. If you are looking to lease or purchase a horse, Diamondsedge may have the perfect choice for you. And, if you need boarding or transportation, Diamondsedge can help with that, too.

Holly Hill Farm

Address: 240 Flint St | Marstons Mills, Ma 02648
City/Town: Marstons Mills
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Holly Hill Farm at Marstons Mills provides boarding, training, and lessons geared to hunter/jumper riders of all experience levels seeking to improve show skills and horsemanship, with opportunities to participate in local shows and national events. In addition to advanced lessons and pro rides, Holly Hill hosts a summer day program for children six and older who can ride independently where riders learn grooming, tacking up, stable management, and horsemanship. Boarding options range from partial to complete care and training, with or without lessons, long- or short-term, in a show oriented stable where caring for your horse or pony is the primary concern of the owners and barn manager living on premise. Situated between two picturesque ponds, the farm has several show barns, riding rings, and paddocks, and also offers transportation services.

Yarmouth, Massachusetts

Paradise Stables

Address: 69 Shelburne Rd | W Yarmouth, Ma 02673
City/Town: West Yarmouth
Activity: Horse-Drawn Carriage Service

Description: Imagine making an elegant exit from your Cape Cod wedding in a stylish carriage behind a team of beautiful horses. Make an unforgettable entrance by arriving at any special event in a classic horse drawn wagon. Plan a romantic wagon ride through the woods to celebrate an anniversary or, for that matter, to pop the question! Paradise Stables has you covered with the finest carriages and wagons, best tempered horse teams, and most impeccably professional service available.

Brewster

Woodsong Farm

Address: 121 Lund Farm Way | Brewster, Ma 02631
City/Town: Brewster
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Woodsong Farm is a full-service equestrian facility that offers riding lessons, boarding services, horse training, horse shows, and horses for sale. For children, Woodsong also has a horsemanship program with the option to spend one to five days learning about all aspects of horse care, riding and more, and the farm sponsors and trains an interscholastic equestrian team. The farm’s on-site tack shop carries supplies and gifts for equine enthusiasts and the property adjoins Nickerson State Park where you’ll find miles and miles of safe trails with breathtaking scenery.

Sweetwater farms Quality Appaloosa

Address: 676 Harwich Rd | Brewster, Ma 02631
City/Town: Brewster
Activity: Appaloosa horse Breeder

Description: Primarily a breeder of fine Appaloosa horses, Sweetwater Farms Quality Appaloosas is home to champion sires with proven records of offspring with desirable color traits and other positive genetic properties. The adjacent Sweetwater Forrest is a family-oriented setting with modern facilities for both primitive and RV camping. The campground may have sites available welcoming horse campers to explore the miles of trails winding through the woods close to the farm.

Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center

Address: 235 Run Hill Rd | Brewster, Ma 02631
City/Town: Brewster
Activity: Therapeutic Riding Center & Lessons

Description: Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center hosts a therapeutic riding and horsemanship program for individuals with special needs as well as horseback riding lessons for children and adults. The focus of each therapeutic riding lesson goes beyond developing physical skills like balance, endurance and range of motion and extends to the progression of cognitive, emotional, and social skills. Through other special events, Emerald Hollow broadens the scope of therapeutic riding, applying many of the same concepts to business skills, empowering women, and improving the day to day lives of busy people in general. If you want to support their efforts outside in other ways, join an activity on the farm like the Boot Scootin’ BBQ, Yoga on Horseback, Paint Night, and the regular Open House geared toward potential volunteers and other supporters.

Dennis, Massachusetts

Hammersmith Farms Equestrian Center

Address: 1615 Main St | Dennis, Ma 02660
City/Town: Dennis
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Hammersmith Farms Equestrian Center is a full service equine boarding, training and lesson facility. Lessons for riders of all skill levels, age 8 and older, cover horsemanship, safety, equine health, grooming, tacking, and riding using horses selected for their suitable temperaments. Anyone over the age of 13 can earn credits toward riding instruction at the farm by doing chores. Boarding services include feeding, blanketing, daytime turnout, supervision of barn veterinarian and farrier visits, and training by a licensed trainer for an additional fee. The farm also has a wide range of horses available for lease, including quarter and half leases. The facility has an onsite dressage ring and a cross country training course as well as access to beaches and wooded trails. Beach rides are available for experienced riders, after an evaluation lesson.

Harwich, Massachusetts

True North Farm

Address: 339 Queen Anne Rd | Harwich, Ma 02645
City/Town: Harwich
Activity: Riding Lessons

Description: True North Farm is primarily a riding school, with lessons for novice to advanced riders and a summer program for children offering two- to five-day sessions and opportunities to participate in yearly shows and competitions. The farm also provides long-term or seasonal boarding and training services to regular clients with monthly rates. The adjacent Harwich Town Conservation lands offer miles of scenic trails for suitable for conditioning your horse, riding for fun, and hiking.

Martha’s Vineyard

Whitestone Equestrian MV

Address: 85 Red Pony Rd | Vineyard haven, Ma 02568
City/Town: Vineyard Haven
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Whitestone Equestrian Martha’s Vineyard is a horse boarding stable that offers lessons, clinics, summer camps, horse training and ring time by the hour. The summer program, open to kids as young as four years old, is a half day, week-long learning experience with lessons, games and a mini show on Friday. Sign up for a week or two or more! Other programs/clinics cover school vacations, private sessions or group sessions, any level and almost any equine topic. Boarding and training services are available for your horse, and you can rent ring time to exercise your horse and practice your skills.

Arrowhead Farm

Address: 174 Indian Hill Rd West Tisbury, Ma 02575
City/Town: West Tisbury
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Visit Arrowhead Farm on Martha’s Vineyard for year-round boarding, training and riding. Lessons for all ages and skill levels range from ladies’ night sessions and clinics with top-quality instructors to after-school programs and week-long pony camps teaching horsemanship while encouraging kids to have fun with crafts and games. For the horses, the farm’s summer boarding and training program breaks youngster horses in-training and works them to achieve their highest levels. The farm also has a cross country course, indoor arena, outdoor sand ring, and 36 acres of rolling hills for building your, and your horse’s, skills. And if that’s not enough, Arrowhead Farm offers pony rides, hosts musical events in the barn, and arranges a group trip to Ireland twice a year!

Pond View Farm

Address: 39 New Ln | Vineyard Haven, Ma 02568
City/Town: Vineyard haven
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Pond View Farm offers lessons, boarding, leasing, sales, and a chance to ride in an idyllic Martha’s Vineyard setting. The children’s summer program at Pond View uses wonderful mounts and teachers who specialize in young riders to help children learn to work with their horse or pony, not simply how to ride, while having fun, meeting friends, and making memories. Horses boarded at Pond View Farm enjoy the state-of-the-art-facility that includes roomy box stalls with rubber mats and hot/cold wash stalls, the acres of large paddocks, and the staff’s meticulous attention to detail. Owners and riders leasing horses at the farm have opportunities to ride in the all-weather outdoor arena overlooking the island’s southern shore, in the huge, irrigated sand ring at the top of the property with its sweeping views of the water, through conservation properties or the State Forest, or even along the beach.

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Serendipity Stables of Chiltonville

Address: 230 Jordan Rd | Plymouth, Ma 02360
City/Town: Plymouth
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Serendipity Stables boasts horseback riding lessons, a large boarding facility, horse training, as well as a variety of summer camps and programs. They offer lessons for both children and adults in a safe and welcoming environment.

Valinor Farm

Address: 1067 Old Sandwich Rd | Plymouth, Ma 02360
City/Town: Plymouth
Activity: Equestrian Facility

Description: Valinor Farm is an equestrian facility located on beautiful 50 acres. Valinor is an active event facility offering boarding, training, and lessons. They also host schooling shows, schooling jumper series, and other exciting events. So, if you are looking to create an event or host an one, please feel free to contact us and one of our team member will gladly assist you.

There are Numerous Horse-Riding Options Available

If you’re in need of a horse drawn carriage for a wedding or other special occasion, get in touch with the folks at Paradise Stables in West Yarmouth for an elegant and exciting addition to any event.

Many stables also offer boarding services for avid equestrians, or regularly scheduled horseback riding lessons and coaching.