Step up your summer activities with a little help from everyone’s favorite large furry friends. Horse camps and lessons are a hit for little ones obsessed with the animals, and it’s an excellent option for seniors and adults, too.
Some horseback riding places offer private group rides that end with a campfire and s’mores, while others provide team-building sessions for coworkers.
So, saddle up and stop by these metro Detroit horse centers for a guaranteed good time.
Buffalo Soldiers Detroit
- Address: 21800 Joy Road, Detroit
- Phone: 313-270-2939
This urban farm teaches families about the Buffalo Soldiers — an army unit that was comprised of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War soldiers. Plus, they offer weekend rides for kids.
Cedar Ridge Equestrian Center
- Address: 5415 Waters Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- Phone: 734-476-8346
Cedar Ridge is located right in Ann Arbor and holds a great place to jumpstart not only horseback riding lessons but all kinds of horse activities. With their summer programs, students are able to experience all kinds of activities including horseback painting and individualized training. Whether it is the summer programs or just signing up for group/individual lessons, Cedar Ridge prides itself on the mission statement of a family-fun level of experience that can be granted to all riders.
Grosse Pointe Hunt Club
- Address: 655 Cook Road, Grosse Pointe Woods
- Phone: 313-884-9090
This established hunter jumper barn has been “embracing the equestrian life” since 1911 and offers individualized classes for students of any age or riding level, with an emphasis on safety and horsemanship.
Haverhill Farms
- Address: 2986 McKeachie Road, White Lake
- Phone: 248-887-2027
Stop by Haverhill Farms for lessons, boarding, shows, camps and even pony parties. Kids can learn how to ride as well as how to properly care for a horse, including correct grooming, bridling and saddling.
Hope Horsepark
- Address: 3735 Metamora Road, Oxford
- Phone: 248-924-9946
Hope HorsePark offers horseback riding lessons and leasing of their horses and ponies. Their services include, but are not limited to, horseback riding lessons, picnic and lead rides, school programs, field trips and more. Have your choice of horse, or pony, as you take a ride on the wild side at Hope. Let your equestrian adventures come to life.
Justamere Equestrian Centre
- Address: 56295 Card Road, Macomb Township
- Phone: 586-295-1313
It doesn’t matter if you ride English or Western style — everyone is welcome at this horse center. Improve your hunt seat and dressage technique or attend a show. Trail rides and hourly rentals not available.
Lutton Performance Horses
- Address: 25795 Third St., Grosse Ile
- Phone: 734-552-1592
This spot offers private and group lessons to riders of all ages and skill levels, starting at age five. All lessons last one hour, and will not only teach safe riding skills, but also proper grooming, saddling and “in hand” techniques. Lessons run $35-$45.
Maybury Riding Stable
- Address: 20303 Beck Road, Northville
- Phone: 734-260-8314
Stop by this stable for lessons, parties, camps, campfire rides and photoshoots with the horses.
Never Ending Farm
- Address: 2185 N. Harris, Ypsilanti
- Phone: 810-623-3061
This farm is a full service horse facility with lessons, training, showing, boarding and more. Choose from trail rides, guided trail rides or 15-minute rides for the kiddos. Watch out for horse camps in the summertime, too.
Pepper Ridge Equestrian Center
- Address: 7975 Pepper Road, Holly
- Phone: 248-634-3560
After-school riding, tours, camps, lessons, leasing, clinics — this center has it all. Lease a horse for grooming, groundwork and companionship, or riding, based on experience level. There are therapeutic equine sessions, team building opportunities and the option to rent out the whole center.
Pretty Pony Pastures
- Address: 9160 Eagle Road, Davisburg
- Phone: 248-634-7276
Check out Pretty Pony Pastures for therapeutic and English-style riding, parties, scout/youth programs. There are summer camps, too.
Rochester Hills Stables
- Address: 270 Rochester Road, Leonard
- Phone: 586-752-9520
As one of the largest riding schools in the state, the Rochester Hills stables has two large outdoor arenas as well as an indoor arena, more than 35 horses and riding lessons year round. There are horse shows, options for boarding and leasing and day camps, too.
Rushlows Arabians
- Address: 29242 Bredow Ave., Romulus
- Phone: 734-782-1171
Has four trainers on staff and 12 horses to learn from. Each lesson is adjusted based on the skill level of the rider. Also covers stall etiquette, tacking up a horse, leading a horse, mounting, dismounting and riding.
Showcase Stables, Inc.
- Address: 7447 Pontiac Trail, Northville
- Phone: 248-437-3238
Located in the “heart of horse country” near Ann Arbor, Showcase Stables has lessons, tournaments, programs, parties and camps. Check out the complete riding program, with instruction on riding styles like side saddle, hunt seat, western and driving lessons for everyone from beginners to experts.
Stepping Stones Therapeutic Riding Inc.
- Address: 3614 Mentel Road, Monroe
- Phone: 734-707-3644
Kids and adults with mental, physical or emotional disabilities find support through the horseback riding classes and equine activities offered at this Monroe County spot.
Stonehaven Farms
- Address: 351 W. Samaria Road, Temperance
- Phone: 734-854-5825
This farm specializes in English hunter and jump-style riding for all ages. Also offers summer camps designed to teach all levels of riders how to ride and care for their horses through hands-on activities and informational presentations.
Wildwind Equestrian Center
- Address: 3935 W. Seven Mile Road, South Lyon
- Phone: 248-486-7433
This center offers English-style riding, hunter/jumper groups and private lessons, camps, mini-clinics and tiny-tot lessons. With more than 20 years of experience running horse camps, you can trust that your little one will be in a safe and fun learning environment.
Windermere Equestrian Center
- Address: 20615 Dunham Road, Clinton Township
- Phone: 586-465-2170
Windermere offers boarding, camps and lessons for beginners to experts. The Pony Pal lessons run for three weeks and offer a chance for children to learn basic riding positions and to become more comfortable around the animals by brushing and feeding them.
This post is updated regularly.
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