Horseback Riding in Silver Spring, Maryland (Montgomery County)

Woodland Horse Center is Maryland's premier horse center for horseback riding enthusiasts of all levels. Woodland offers lessons in Hunt/Jumper, Dressage and Balanced Seat for children and adults. We offer Western lessons to adults only. We also offer Equi-lease, Saddle Club after school riding program, Show Teams and In-House shows throughout the year. Summer Camp is offered to kids age 5 and up. Clinics and out of class activities abound at Woodland. Our 25 acre estate of horse riding rings, stables and extensive trail system are the perfect place to learn to ride, extend your expertise or just have fun riding! Join us for a FREE Trial Lesson every Sunday at 1 PM. It's a blast!... See More

Jaralyn Gibson Finn - Finesse Dressage. Freelance dressage trainer specializing in adult amateurs and junior/young riders.

Update for 2024: Heart of Riding is going strong, thanks to my fabulous students and horses!

My new project, Nickers for Clickers Training Academy Horse Camp for Kids is now launched, and will be a whole summer of horse training FUN!

To sign up for the camp, use your favorite search engine to look for Heart of Riding Nickers for Clickers Camp - here are some details:

Youth ages 9 to 15 welcome ~ bring lunch with you ~ no more than 8 campers per week
Relaxed, peaceful atmosphere: most of our time will be focused on the basics of reward-based training for horses, inviting horses to participate at their discretion
Building a foundation that will last a lifetime: we’ll dive into horse behavior, horse care, and horse body language to better understand horses
Lots of horse time: campers will have opportunities to train horses every day, always under supervision
Dream big! Everyone will be encouraged to pick one behavior they want to train by the end of the week
Planning for contingencies: we’ll make shaping plans, measure progress toward goals and learn what to do when the training doesn’t go as expected
Learning should be fun: We’ll play games in which kids can take turns being the learner and the teacher, and discuss the differences between learning and teaching a new skill
Emphasis on safety: we’ll prioritize safety in all interactions with horses, demonstrating how to handle horses responsibly and with care
Life skills building in progress: campers will be guided toward learning patience, empathy, and communication skills
Fun without riding: many kids understand that riding is not the only way to appreciate these magnificent animals. Now they have a whole camp dedicated to all the other amazing things horses bring to the table!
Experts in charge: Emily Osborne Petrichor, owner and sole operator of Heart of Riding, LLC will be running the camp every day. Only select helpers who are knowledgeable and skilled in reward based training will be assisting. Emily has a long history of working with kids and horses in a horse camp setting as well as numerous certifications in teaching methodologies. Feel free to ask about Emily’s range and depth of expertise!
Campers will be asked to bring water, sunscreen and bug repellent, as well as a bag lunch. Clothing recommendations: light clothing similar to hiking gear would be best. Long sleeve shirts and pants made of very light material help keep bugs away and reduce the need to reapply sunscreen, while keeping us cool. A broad brimmed hat will keep the sun off the face and neck. Closed-toe shoes are standard around horses for safety reasons, ideally they would be somewhat waterproof in case we have rain/mud, but that isn't essential.
Campers will be provided with a clicker, a treat pouch, and plenty of reinforcers to carry out the training with the horses each day. They will also receive a pen and small notebook to record data / take notes if they choose to do so. We will be referencing several textbooks, but campers will not need to purchase those unless they would like to have their own copy at home. I can provide links to booksellers with that information at any time.

For rider biomechanics riding lessons, Heart of Riding school horses are now solely located in Highland, MD but if you have your own horse, I'm still able to travel to you.... See More

CARRIAGE DRIVING LESSONS! Learn how to drive with my horse here . Teach your horse to drive with instruction. Consulting in vehicle & equipment needs & fit. Driving is a ton of fun but less forgiving that riding. Learn safely & avoid expensive mistakes from an experienced & Certified driver. Beginners welcome. Adults & Juniors. Consults, lessons, clinics.... See More

Hidden Haven Farm currently provides a permanent home to 14 special needs equines from our work with various local rescue organizations. Our horses are utilized in our education and outreach programs which seek to introduce horses to our community. We offer private english lessons, pony play dates, birthday parties, show teams, volunteer and working student programs and various other educational and outreach programs. We are a family owned and operated business since 1991 and we pride ourselves on our individualized instruction, attention to detail, supervision and support of our students and volunteers.... See More

Merkel Farm is a family owned and operated equestrian center run by Stephanie Serenati-Merkel. Merkel Farm is nestled between Bowie State University and the Patuxent Wildlife Preserve in Bowie, MD and is within easy reach from the Washington D.C., Annapolis and Baltimore metro areas. Merkel Farm has miles of trails, a lighted indoor and outdoor ring, which allows for riding horses and horseback riding lessons to be conducted year round. We have two barns and separately fenced fields for turnout. The outdoor and indoor rings are dragged throughout the year to maintain optimal footing for horses. We have a small cross country course and a full set of jumps in each ring.... See More

Holly Stello competed for many years on the AA Circuit, also judging, training, and managing a show stable with a team of riders of all ages. She competed in many finals, including the USEF Medal Finals in 2004 and 2005, was Zone II Large Jr Hunter Champion with The Professor in 2004, and earned top ribbons in the indoors and at The Devon Horse Show. Now, she focusing on teaching horse and rider to work as a team in preparation for the show ring in hunters, equitation, or jumpers.... See More

Butler Equestrian is a hunter/jumper/equitation farm located on 20 acres of rolling hills. Our Equestrian Director and Trainer, Jennie Garraffa is a certified trainer with the United States Equestrian Federation. We have access to miles of trails on Seneca Park and an indoor and an outdoor riding ring. We are relaxed and focused on having fun. We teach ages 6 through adult, this includes some Mom and Children teams! We not only teach riding skills to all ages but also horsemanship skills and focus on the partnership between horse and rider. We offer lessons, partial leases and attend local horseshows.... See More

Aisling Stables provides horseback riding lessons to students year round. Students vary of all ages, disciplines, and levels. Well-trained school horses are provided for lessons. Private lessons offer one on one instruction and are 45 minutes in length. Semi-privates consist of 2-3 riders per lesson and are 1 hr. Lead-line lessons are also available and include parent involvement with 15 minutes of horsemanship and 30 minutes of ride time. Package deals (four lessons) are available for students who wish to ride on a consistent basis. Lessons are discounted 10% and to be scheduled on the same day and time for each week, with packages to be used within five weeks time of purchase. Lessons have a minimum of a 24-hr cancellation policy.... See More

Qualified Instructor that will travel to you or you can ride at my facility using the school horses provided in the Poolesville/Montgomery County MD area. I specialize in finding your perfect seat for a comfortable and correct ride. My background is in hunt seat equitation on the flat and over fences, as well as training level dressage. I have been a rider most of my life, attended and graduated from Southern Seminary College in VA and rode on the intercollegiate open equestrian team under JT Tallon - courses included stable management, hunt seat equitation, equine biology. Currently, I personally ride only dressage but continue to teach hunt seat and training level dressage. I am 44 years old and have a lot of experience to help you feel comfortable with your horse on the ground and under tack. I believe in building a solid relationship with your horse and teaching horse care as well as horseback riding. I teach private lessons for $60 per hour and semi private lessons for $50 per hour. If you struggle with finding a secure seat and developing a positive relationship with your horse, I am here to help!... See More

Dressage, show jumping and cross country training for riders and horses.
I also offer boarding and taking horses to sell or for training.
I have moved here from Australia and have a fresh and positive view to offer! I'm excited to be here and love horses and bringing on horse and rider.
We have a beautiful facility here at Sunset Hill Farm for you to ride and have lessons here or for boarding. I also will travel to you.... See More

Hunt View Farm is convenient to DC, Bethesda, Rockville, and Potomac, Hunt View Farm is located on 1000 acres of privately owned fields and woods next to the C&O Canal towpath and McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area with direct access to miles of fabulous trails.

Our farm is located in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve and owned by a member of EPIC. Hunt View Farm was established in 2003 and is operated by Dr. Carlos Torres, a veterinary professional with extensive experience in horse management. We also have an outstanding training program that works with beginning youth and adult riders, hunter/jumpers, and dressage - we welcome riders of all ages, level of experience, those who wish to show and those who simply want to enjoy a pleasant and safe ride on the trail in English or Western style riding. Our training horses are simply spectacular and we do offer guided trail rides for individuals or groups.... See More

Professional 3 Day Eventing trainer and rider available for lessons, clinics, schooling, coaching. Flexible availability and willing to come to your facility if local to the Southern Maryland area. Specializing in introducing riders to the sport of eventing and prepping for your first events! Trainer has many years experience with Olympic level trainer and has trained and coached students to the preliminary level. Call or email for more info or to set up a lesson or clinic at your farm! Discounts for groups or multiple lessons scheduled in one trip. Haul-in lessons to the facility in Lothian can be arranged by special request.... See More

Learn to ride or improve your riding skills at Talbot Run Equestrian Center! Located in beautiful Mount Airy, Maryland Talbot Run Equestrian Center is a state of the art boarding and training facility featuring indoor and outdoor riding arenas, cross country, and inviting trails. Talbot Run offers riding lessons for beginner through advanced riders for children and adults. Group lessons are offered in affordable eight week sessions on safe and well trained lesson horses taught by experienced instructors. Come and try a free intro lesson to check us out. We also offer a state licensed summer day camp, a show team for our lesson students, and a spring and fall jumper show series. As the home of the Burntwoods Pony Club, Talbot Run lesson students and boarders may join and participate in a variety of high quality riding and horsemanship activities. We also offer boarding, leasing, and quality horses for sale.... See More

Barbara Strawson is a professional dressage competitor, trainer, and instructor based in Maryland, USA. Services include full-time training and show campaigning for horses through FEI Grand Prix, along with lessons and clinics.