The Salt Lake City area offers a rich variety of equestrian opportunities for young riders, ranging from casual, scenic trail experiences to structured, competition-focused stables. Families should note a distinct split in approach and cost, with premium providers offering specialized training often found near the foothills, and more budget-conscious options available closer to the city center and in surrounding suburbs. Providers like Utah Trail Rides at This Is The Place Heritage Park offer memorable, mid-range introductions set in a unique historical location, while premium stables such as KJ Performance Horses LLC cater to riders aiming for advanced skill development and competitive showing. Understanding where a child falls on the spectrum between casual hobbyist and aspiring competitor will guide parents toward the most appropriate setting.
See our top picks
Serendipity Stables
The focus on small group instruction suggests a very personalized approach, ideal for nurturing confidence in younger or more hesitant beginners near Holladay.
Wasatch Pony Club
This central Salt Lake City club provides structured education for primary and secondary children at a notably lower price point compared to many private facilities.
Utah Trail Rides at This Is The Place Heritage Park
The option for drop-in rides allows families to book sessions spontaneously without the commitment of a full term enrollment, suiting very flexible family calendars.
16 Horse Riding Providers in Salt Lake City
The chance to experience guided horseback rides through a well-known historical park provides a unique backdrop for kids horse riding lessons.
Discover introductory horse riding experiences for children near the University area, featuring gentle trail rides suitable for beginners learning the ropes. This unique setting offers kids horse riding classes in a historic park environment, creating memorable outings for families.
- Offers drop-in availability for casual rides
- Located within the scenic Heritage Park grounds
- Generally schedules sessions on weekends
The focus on small group instruction suggests a personalized approach to private horse riding lessons for kids near Holladay.
This stable provides focused, small group horse riding lessons for primary and secondary school ages just southeast of downtown Salt Lake City. They encourage a steady learning pace, making it an excellent place for building confidence in children's horse riding skills.
- Check website for current private lesson availability
- Trial lessons appear to be available for new riders
- Local schooling for children's horse riding
The reported perfect 5.0 rating accompanies a commitment to very early introduction with horse riding classes for toddlers in Murray.
This Murray area ranch offers horse riding lessons for a wide age band, including sessions tailored for toddlers starting from a very young age. Parents appreciate the attentive service when booking ongoing horse riding for their primary school children at this local spot.
- Five-star rating suggests high parent satisfaction
- Offers programming for very young riders
- Local ranch in the Murray area
The club structure indicates opportunities for competition pathway development for dedicated older children in the Salt Lake City area.
Serving the Rose Park area, this equestrian club focuses on horse riding for older children and teenagers seeking more competitive pathways in their training. They provide focused instruction for primary and secondary students looking to advance their skills beyond basic lessons.
- Focus appears geared towards performance riding
- Check the website for specific age cohorts
- Contact via phone for lesson availability
Achieving a perfect 5.0 rating highlights a notable level of client satisfaction for private horse riding lessons in the Bountiful community.
Found just north of the main city in Bountiful, this service offers attentive horse riding for primary and secondary age children in a supportive setting. The extremely high rating suggests parents are very satisfied with the focused attention during these outdoor kids horse riding classes.
- Contact via the website for enrolment details
- Very high parent satisfaction rating noted
- North of Salt Lake City in Bountiful
The extremely high 4.9 rating on a significant number of reviews makes this West Bountiful provider a strong contender for kids horse riding lessons.
This West Bountiful ranch provides horse riding lessons for all school ages, boasting an almost perfect 4.9 rating from many families. They welcome young riders for primary school horse riding classes and seem to offer introductory taster sessions for a low commitment start.
- Near-perfect rating suggests a reliable option
- Taster session availability is a plus
- West Bountiful location outside the city centre
As part of the Utah Trail Rides network, this stable offers a destination experience for older children near the Sundance resort area.
Though located further south in Sundance, this operation is listed as a provider of horse riding services, catering to primary and secondary students looking for scenic outdoor experiences. They are associated with the broader Utah Horseback Riding network, suggesting established procedures for older children's horse riding classes.
- Location is significantly south of Salt Lake City
- Rating of 4.6 reflects general client feedback
- Connect via the main Utah Trail Rides website
Association with Deer Valley means this Park City provider offers a more resort-style setting for outdoor children's horse riding adventures.
Positioned in Park City near Deer Valley, this ranch provides higher-end horse riding services where primary aged children can experience guided outdoor rides. While not in Salt Lake City proper, it represents a premium option for structured, scenic horse riding for older kids in the Wasatch range.
- Located east of Salt Lake City in Park City
- Check website for minimum age requirements
- Premium experience associated with the resort area
This Salt Lake City-area provider is equipped for year-round instruction with both indoor and outdoor arenas for kids horse riding lessons, supporting competition pathways.
Keystone Equestrian offers dedicated horse riding lessons in the Salt Lake City area for children ready to learn foundational and advanced riding techniques. This programme is structured for ongoing development, with both indoor and outdoor arenas allowing for year-round kids horse riding classes. They provide pathways for riders interested in pursuing local competitions as they advance.
- Utilizes both indoor and outdoor riding facilities
- Offers a trial lesson to assess suitability
- Pathway exists for competitive riding programmes
As part of a national structure, the Wasatch Pony Club offers primary and secondary school children a formal horsemanship education with regular rallies and competition opportunities.
The Wasatch Pony Club offers an established framework for older children and teens interested in horse riding within the greater Salt Lake City community. This national organisation focuses on horsemanship education, rallies, and competition pathways for primary and secondary riders. Joining this club provides structured, group-based horse riding instruction outside of standard private lessons.
- A national organisation with local Salt Lake City chapter
- Focuses heavily on educational horsemanship standards
- Competition pathway available for dedicated members
The Park City Pony Club offers structured, group-based education in horsemanship and riding for primary and secondary children, linking them to national standards.
While situated in Park City, this Pony Club branch serves older children and teens seeking group horse riding activities near Salt Lake City, focusing on horsemanship knowledge. Membership involves educational meetings, fun rallies, and opportunities for competition training for primary and secondary age riders. This is a community-focused option for kids horse riding that goes beyond just time in the saddle.
- Meets in the Park City area for regular activities
- Membership registration is required for participation
- Focuses on US Pony Club tested standards
This provider offers horse riding in Salt Lake City with a specific focus on therapeutic horsemanship, making it distinct for families seeking emotional and personal growth support.
Bridle Up Hope offers therapeutic and skills-based horse riding programmes for children in the Salt Lake City area, focusing on personal growth alongside equestrian skills. This unique service suits primary and secondary riders who benefit from the emotional connection of horse interaction in an outdoor setting. Inquire about their specific programmes for kids horse riding that support development.
- Specialises in therapeutic horsemanship programmes
- A focus on youth development through equine interaction
- Outdoor setting near the Salt Lake City area
The pony rides in West Jordan are structured for easy drop-in access, making them a convenient, budget-friendly choice for toddlers and younger primary children.
Gardner Village in West Jordan features a petting zoo alongside easy drop-in pony rides perfect for toddlers and younger primary children near Salt Lake City. These short, supervised rides offer a fun, low-commitment introduction to horses without requiring long-term lesson sign-ups. This is a simple, budget-friendly outdoor option for very young kids horse riding experiences.
- Simple drop-in availability for quick visits
- Ideal for toddlers and younger primary ages
- Located within the shopping village area in West Jordan
This Midway outfitter provides supervised, outdoor horse riding near Salt Lake City, offering scenic trail experiences appropriate for older children and teens.
While known for guided trips, Rocky Mountain Outfitters near Salt Lake City provides structured outdoor horse riding experiences suitable for primary and secondary children. Located in Midway, these sessions focus on trail safety and enjoying the natural environment under expert supervision. Families looking for scenic, supervised kids horse riding adventures outside the city should consider this option.
- Operates in the scenic Midway area outside SLC
- Focuses on guided, scenic outdoor experiences
- Generally geared toward older children and teens
A.R. Willden Show Stables
This Farmington facility provides horse riding instruction geared toward competitive showing, offering advanced training pathways for motivated primary and secondary school riders.
A.R. Willden Show Stables in Farmington offers serious horse riding instruction for children and teens near the northern edge of the Salt Lake City area. This stable provides advanced training aimed at developing skills for show participation for primary and secondary students. Look here for more intensive kids horse riding lessons with a focus on competitive achievement.
- Located in Farmington, north of the city centre
- Instruction aligns with show riding standards
- Small group settings for focused learning
This Lehi attraction offers accessible, short pony experiences and interactions perfect for toddlers and younger primary children as an easy introduction to horses.
Curiosity Farms at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi provides introductory horse and pony experiences suitable for toddlers through primary school children just south of Salt Lake City. While not offering formal weekly lessons, they provide supervised interactions and short rides that serve as a fun introduction to horses in an outdoor farm setting. Check their schedule for drop-in availability for these short kids horse riding experiences.
- Located in Lehi, south of the main city area
- Features short pony experiences for young kids
- Operates as part of the larger Thanksgiving Point attraction
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do kids horse riding classes cost in Salt Lake City?
Pricing structures vary considerably across the county. Budget-friendly sessions, often associated with pony rides or very large group instruction, can be found at the lower end of the scale. Mid-range lessons, typical for general skill building, fall into a moderate price band. Premium options, which usually include small group sizes and specialized training, carry a higher cost, reflecting the intensive instruction provided.
What age can kids start horse riding in Salt Lake City?
The entry point for horse interaction begins quite young, with some facilities offering experiences suitable for toddlers. However, formal, skill-based riding lessons generally begin for most providers once children reach preschool age. Many stables accommodate riders all the way through their secondary school years, providing long-term progression.
What should I look for in a beginner horse riding class?
For new riders, prioritizing safety protocols, a low instructor to student ratio, and a patient teaching philosophy is vital. Look for programs emphasizing basic handling, grooming, and balance before focusing on complex maneuvers. Facilities that offer a trial lesson can also be advantageous for assessing the initial fit between the child and the instructor.
Can my child try a horse riding class before committing?
A number of stables offer introductory trials, allowing a prospective student to experience a short lesson or ride before signing up for a full program. This is a practical way to gauge comfort levels and see the overall environment. Not all providers offer this convenience, so checking for an available trial session before planning a visit is advised.
Where in Salt Lake City can I find kids horse riding classes?
Equestrian offerings are distributed throughout the greater Salt Lake area. You will find options within the University area and central Salt Lake City itself, while suburbs like Holladay, Millcreek, Murray, and further north in Bountiful also host established stables. For a more destination-based experience, Park City and Midway offer riding in more scenic or resort settings.
Are there options for kids who want to compete?
Yes, there are specific stables that provide training geared toward competition pathways. These programs often involve more intensive instruction, smaller class sizes, and opportunities to participate in rallies or formal shows, catering to older primary and secondary school children dedicated to advancing their riding skills beyond basic recreation.
Horse Riding in Other Cities
Other Activities in Salt Lake City
See this weekend's events in Salt Lake City
Free and family-friendly events happening near you
