Looking to experience the outdoors from a different perspective? Give horseback riding lessons a try! This will not only excite any child with a love for horses, but will also be a great way to teach discipline, develop trust, and learn new ways to interact with nature. Whether you’re searching for nearby classes, camps, seeking competitive training, hosting a birthday party, or earning scout badges, these are all wonderful ways to try something different and explore nature with these beautiful animals.
Horseback Riding Lessons in the West Suburbs
Double J Riding Club
10545 74th Street
Countryside, IL 60525
(708) 365-9741
Offering a variety of lessons, educational programs, summer camps, group outings, birthday parties and more for horse enthusiasts of all ages and levels of riding. Their early enrichment classes offer various classes for kids ages one up to kindergarten and run year-round.
Danada Equestrian Center
3S507 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 933-7248
Group, private, or semi-private lessons offered for 12 or older from basic to advanced are offered year round. Seasonal camps for children ages 10 to 14 introducing the daily activities of a working stable and includes horse-related arts, crafts and games. Wagon rides, girl and boy scout troops, trail classes, and more.
Windridge Farm
440 Royce Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 842-5545
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced equestrian rider development for riders seven and older. Riders must be 7 years or older to participate in lessons. Check their website for more details and pricing for private and group lessons.
Trillion Equestrian Center
23W 731 Hobson Road
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 800-8422
Riding lessons for children 8 years and up. Boarding and horse sales also available. No group lessons are offered at this center.
Oak Brook Farms
1201 35th Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 323-0956
Specializing in English-style riding lessons. Lessons are offered for children 9 years and older (beginning to advanced). Boarding and horse sales also available.
Stanley Luke Farm
10101 Fifth Avenue Cutoff
Countryside IL 60525
(708) 634-8495
Operating year round, they offer private, semi-private, and group lessons.
Memory Lane Stables
8290 Kean Avenue
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Kathy: (708) 845-0865
Bill: (708) 372-6472
Beginner horseback riding lessons for children 8 years and older. Trail rides, pony rides and parties, boarding and birthday parties available. All prices are listed on their website.
Sarah’s Pony Rides
8220 S. Kean Avenue
Willow Springs, IL 60480
(630) 802-1316
Pee-wee, private, and semi-private lessons starting at age 4. Trail rides, pony rides, wagon rides, petting zoos, and parties are available.
Horseback Riding Lessons in the Northwest Suburbs
Deerwood Farm
99 W County Line Road
Barrington Hills, IL 60010
(815) 519-8522
Private or group lessons for ages 6+.
Jaynesway Farms
5N080 Route 59
Bartlett, IL 60103
(630) 483-1827
Jaynesway Farm offers horseback riding lessons, pony rides, boarding, camps for summer and winter, and birthday parties at their stable or your location of choice. Lessons take place six days a week and are for riders ages 6 and up. For younger riders, pony rides are available on weekends.
Perfecta Farm
540 Halick Drive
Elgin, IL 60120
(630) 298-8488
This farm with boarding and training teaches private lessons for beginners through seriously competitive students.
Chrislin Farm
14862 W. 143rd Street
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(630) 802-4996
This farm is 31 acres with a 36-stall horse stable offering horse activities, horseback riding lessons, horse boarding, and more.
Palatine Stables in Palatine
1510 W. Northwest Highway
Palatine, 60067
(847) 359-0009
Run by the Palatine Park District, Palatine Stables offers pony rides, horseback riding lessons, and more. Unfortunately, the park district has announced plans to end programming soon. Check here for closing updates from the park district.
Kinvarra Farm
6N911 IL-25
South Elgin, IL 60177
(847) 525-0591
Lessons for beginners through competitive riders, with a focus on Hunters and Jumpers.
Woodland Oaks Farm
6N002 Dunham Road
Wayne, IL 60184
(630) 940-5331
This small farm offers private lessons on their school horses.
Horseback Riding Lessons in the Southwest Suburbs
Chicago Children Equestrian Center
2900 E Water Tower Drive
Crete, IL 60417
(708) 739-4538
Nonprofit organization that provides stability, love, and support for disadvantaged, low income, neglected, delinquent, and maladjusted youths, foster care children, and young adults. The Chicago Children Equestrian Center aims to provide opportunities for youths and young adults in our communities through equine experiences. They offer camps, lessons, riding and more.
Downtown Equestrian Center
23262 S. 88th Avenue
Frankfort, IL 60423
(708) 203-2225
Offering private and group lessons, summer camps, and equine-assisted therapy riding.
The Legacy Ranch
2705 S. Farrell Road
Lockport, IL 60441
(630) 601-8920
Created to provide mental health, occupational, physical, and speech therapy in partnership with licensed therapists. Riding lessons, parties, team-building, mommy & me classes (for ages 3-5), and more. Check out the website for more details.
Country Meadow Farm
12635 E. Bruce Road
Mokena, IL 60448
(815) 485-8963
This family-owned farm offers professional training, riding instruction, sales, youth groups, seasonal day camps, and birthday parties. Lessons are for children ages 6 and up.
Ellis House and Equestrian Center
13986 McKanna Road
Minooka, IL 60447
(815) 475-4035
Offering group and private lessons for children as young as 4 years old, as well as therapeutic lessons, nature-based and equestrian day camps, birthday parties, and tours.
Nova Quarter Horses Inc
10129 W. 187th Street
Mokena, IL 60448
(708) 479-3696
Offering group and private lessons, pee wee lessons for riders as young as 7 years old, adaptive riding, birthday parties, and camps.
Gateway Riding Center
2280 Plainfield Road
Oswego, IL 60543
(630) 554-1446
Riding clinics, boarding, birthday parties, and customized lessons available.
AZ Acres Riding
26143 W. Renwick Road
Plainfield, IL 60544
(815) 474-5606
Lessons are available for ages 7 and up. Camps, parties, group events, and boarding are all offered.
Normantown Equestrian Center
12151 S. Normantown Road
Plainfield, IL 60585
(815) 254-1950
A six-acre facility run by the Plainfield Park District facility, Normantown Equestrian Center offers pony rides, group lessons, private lessons for ages eight and up, scout programs, and birthday parties.
Ready Set Ride Therapeutic
13056 Essington Road
Plainfield, IL 60585
(815) 439-3659
Assisting children as young as three years old with special needs by providing horseback riding services. If you have older children ages fourteen and up, they can help by volunteering. Trial rides are available for new riders or parents who may be unsure if their child is ready for lessons.
Palos Hills Stables
10100 S Kean Avenue
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 598-7718
Offering group lessons, private lessons (with package discounts), pee wee classes for children as young as 4 years old, scout groups, and more. Pony birthday parties are also available.
9 Acres Equestrian Center (formerly Fitzjoy Farm)
12211 S. LaGrange Rd
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 361-7977
A new generation of owners gave this family-owned business a name change. Offering trail rides for children and adults ages 10 and up, group lessons starting for children at age seven, private lessons, boarding, birthday parties, and camps.
Forest View Farms
16717 Lockwood Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 560-0306
Offering trail rides, a petting zoo, pony lessons for children as young as three years old, group and private lessons, hay and sleigh rides, pony rentals, birthday parties, and carriage rides.
Looking for ponies in particular? Our guide to pony rides has spots with carousel-style, hand-led and trail ride options!
