To the outsider, New York City and its corresponding boroughs seem like one of the most unlikely places to escape the pressures of everyday life from the back of a horse. The city that never sleeps is famous for its compact, crowded streets. A small island filled with millions of people in one of the busiest working environments on the planet.
And yet, despite the hustle and bustle that the city is known for, Brooklyn still boasts several notable and even exquisitely beautiful trails for horseback riding. If you are a fan of equine-related sports or just someone who likes to get outdoors as much as possible, there’s a trail in (or near) Canarsie for you.
Yes, it’s easier to stay at home and bet on horse racing – which you can do safely on websites like this one: http://twinspires.com/edge/racing/betting-info/horse-racing/ .
Every once in a while, though, even city dwellers must answer the call of the wild.
Prospect Park
Prospect Park is an urban outdoor recreation area located in the heart of Brooklyn. Famous for its old-fashioned carousel, where, incidentally, you can ride motorized horses for the very reasonable price of just $3 a ticket.
The area is also well known for a 3.5-mile bridle path. Horses are hosted at the Prospect Park stable, once known as Kensington Stables.
You can rent everything you need at the stables for a relaxing trot on the weekend.
Jamaica Bay Riding Academy
The Jamaica Bay Riding Academy is a family-owned stable that has been operating in Brooklyn since 1970. The equestrian facilities are absolutely stunning, including 400 acres of natural space with winding trails that even take riders across three miles of beach.
To peruse photos of Jamaica Bay Riding Academy is to assume that you’re looking at a remote natural paradise, certainly not one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. The venue has several options for horse experiences.
They range from lessons to guided tours. Experiences range from twenty-five minutes to about an hour and a half, although there are also day-long summer camps available for children that include a wider range of equestrian experiences.
Lynne’s Riding Center
Located about 10 miles from Canarsie, Lynne’s Riding Center operates in Flushing, Queens. Lynne’s is a full-service equestrian stable and includes everything from boarding options for people who own horses that don’t fit in their Brooklyn apartments to riding lessons, birthday parties, instructional classes, and so on.
For the general public with an interest in experiencing horseback riding, the most accessible option is to start taking lessons. Beginner lessons take place in their arena environment, while intermediate classes take you out on the trails.
There are even instructional options available for “tiny tots” in the 4 to 6-year-old age range.
GallopNYC
GallopNYC does have a stable in Prospect Park. They also have another more country-style barn in Howard Beach, New York.
Their stated mission is to change the lives of New Yorkers, one ride at a time. They do this through a wide range of programming options that include everything from traditional horseback riding to equine therapy.
Equine therapy is designed to produce a measurable social and emotional wellness response, particularly in people with social or physical disabilities. GallopNYC even provides free equine experiences for veterans.
They also have more traditional riding lessons, though they are available in relatively limited quantities.
Legacy Riding Stables
How far are you willing to travel for your equine experience? Naturally, Canarsie itself can only fit in so many horses. If New York stables are booked out, and they often are, you might need to travel a little farther to have your horse experience.
Legacy Riding Stables, in operation since 2012 and located in Sayreville, New Jersey, is about an hour away from Brooklyn. The facility does have a more natural trail environment that indeed makes you feel quite a bit more than just an hour removed from New York City.
The facility offers a variety of trail riding and lesson packages, along with summer camps, western and English style equine lessons, pony experiences, a spring and fall horse club, and even an opportunity they call “Horses and Coffee,” which is an early morning riding experience that begins with coffee and snacks and culminates in an hour long beginner friendly trail experience.
The rates, as they are currently stated, remain consistent with New York pricing. Advanced appointments, as always, are highly recommended.
Plan Your Experience in Advance
No matter where you find yourself in the world, you will more than likely want to contact the stable you are interested in well before your intended riding experience. This is never more the case than when you are trying to find a trail ride in one of the busiest cities in the world.
There are very few walk-in options available at any of the stables that we have described in this article. More to the point, aside from the Prospect Park option, most also require a little bit of logistical consideration.
You need to choose your public transport route, set aside time for a longer commute, and so on—things that most New Yorkers are undoubtedly used to. Despite the required effort, taking time out of your weekend to hit the trails is a rewarding and healthy experience everyone should look for occasionally.