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Best Summer Horse Riding Camps around Los Angeles and Orange County

2/3/21 - By Martha Hall

It's hard to believe that only a few decades ago many LA kids could pat and even ride horses in their own neighborhoods. My friend who hails from Brentwood remembers feeding carrots to front yard horses just blocks from the now bustling and trendy San Vicente Blvd. Wouldn't that be nice? If you have a little rider-wanna-be but no riding ring next door, don't despair: there are many horseback riding summer camps with lessons for kids right around the corner.

Along with our recommendations for the LA area's best musical theater camps and science camps, we offer our picks for LA and Orange County's best summer horse riding camps. Be sure to check our camp guide for more camp ideas! Or, if you want to get the whole family in the saddle this weekend, check out our picks for the best stables offering kid-friendly trail rides around Los Angeles.

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Horseback Riding Day Camps

Enterprise Farms

Griffith Park
For more than 20 years Enterprise Farms has offered a horse-filled summer program right in the heart of LA (just east of Griffith Park). Hands-on time with horses, fun with friends, arts and crafts, games, and lots of learning round out full days here. Camp is for kids ages 6 and up. READ MORE

San Pascual Stables

South Pasadena
San Pascual, a public equestrian facility, offers a day camp for kids ages 5-12, where kids learn horsemanship, English riding, and grooming/horse care. Each camp day includes a riding lesson, a horsemanship lesson, and additional activities, such as scavenger hunts and arts and crafts. READ MORE

Elvenstar Riding Academy

Moorpark
Elvenstar offers full-day camps for spring and summer. Visits from vets and farriers (horseshoers) supplement the already rich formal morning lesson and afternoon fun. Fridays offer pony parades and horse show where kids get to show off their skills. All levels are welcome. READ MORE

Hayden Show Jumping and Riding School

Laguna Hills
Camp time includes instruction and practice in horse care, grooming, terminology, different riding styles, and horse breeds. Kids can watch riders train and jump horses and hop aboard themselves. Most instruction is in the English Riding style, though Western saddles are available. READ MORE

Epona Riding Academy

Lakeview Terrace
Campers ride in a morning lesson which focuses on the fundamentals of horse and rider and proper communication with their horse. Fun afternoon activities include riding bareback, horse-themed games, arts and crafts, horsemanship, and more. Kids also learn about how to care for and groom horses. READ MORE

Traditional Equitation School

Burbank
The goal of the TES is to teach riders to be true horsepeople. This includes not only learning to ride, but caring for horses as well. Camp is designed for all levels. Instructors help develop horsemanship skills through games and activities, both on and off the horses. READ MORE

All About Horses OC

Huntington Beach
Campers learn and participate in grooming, tacking, and horse care along with lessons riding both English and Western, bareback, hunt seat, and vaulting. As part of their horsemanship, campers also learn horse first aid. Camp culminates in a horse show each session. READ MORE

Westside Riding School

Pacific Palisades
Westside Riding School offers a full range of experiences in the saddle without leaving the city, including guided trail rides in Will Rogers State Park, Pony Camp or Mini Camp for young and beginning riders, and pony birthday parties. READ MORE

Callie Bell

Rancho Palos Verdes
A little horse care, a lot of riding practice, and even more fun fills the half days at Callie Bell. Campers receive a workbook filled with information about horse safety and anatomy, as well as puzzles and games. Campers as young as age three are welcome. READ MORE

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