As summer approaches, many of us leave the city for the cottage or go camping. But you don't have to venture too far from downtown to experience the country life. Surprisingly, the city has no shortage of places to saddle up, with many stables offering lessons and summer camps.
We've rounded up a list of places you can horseback ride in Toronto and the GTA. Giddy up!
Midtown Toronto
Sunnybrook Stables, located in midtown's Sunnybrook Park, provide a wide variety of equestrian activities. Sunnybrook Stables offer an eight week introduction in English riding, as well as weekly lessons in jumping and dressage. If you've never been on a horse before, Sunnybrook also offer adult introductory lessons, where you'll learn stable management and how to ride.
Downtown Toronto
The Horse Palace proves you don't have to go far to learn how to ride. In fact, you can get to this riding academy, housed in one of Toronto's heritage buildings, for the price of a TTC fare. When it was constructed in 1931, The Horse Palace near old Fort York was considered the finest equestrian facility in Canada. Today, they continue to offer riding instructions in English riding, whether you're a novice or advanced.
Markham
Green Acres Camp has been providing horse riding camps for kids for over 50 years. Cedar Creek offers full day and half day saddle program for young riders in Grades 1 to 7, where they'll learn how to ride and care for their horse in a safe and supportive environment.
Brampton
Located just north of Toronto in the Claireville Conservation area, Claireville Ranch offers western riding lessons and hourly trail riding. Their Safe Rider Program is designed for novice riders and weekly riding lessons are also available. You can also plan your next birthday party there (they'll even set up a bonfire for you for a $5 charge) and there are pony rides available for the little ones.
Whitechurch-Stouffville
The York Equestrian Riding School, situated on 25 beautiful acres, offers a wide variety of lessons (day, evening and weekend) and camps year-round. Their lessons are tailored to suit any rider's needs, whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced rider.
Ajax
Ajax Riding Academy boast being the first farm to run off solar power in Canada and specializes in English horsemanship, with horseback riding lessons year-round. Lessons run seven days a week (in group, private or semi-private format) and are reserved in monthly sessions. They also offer a summer riding camp for kids, as well as birthday parties. Or for your next team building day, head to the stable and go for a team gallop.
Caledon
Susan Fripp started the Caledon Equestrian School in 1978. The school has grown greatly since and in 1997, Susan built Canada’s first cover-all riding arena. The school offers basic weekly riding lessons that follow the National Rider Level Program, with specialists in Dressage and Hunter Jumping training. They also offer summer day camps, and host riding birthday parties.
Oakville
Schellenberg Stables has been offering riding lessons and showing from beginner to "A" Circuit level since 1995. There's lots of space for riders to learn, with four distinct stables, two large indoor rings, and a large outdoor sand ring. Summer camps are available for those new to riding or intermediate riders looking to advance and Schellenberg Stables also offer adult day lessons.
King City
Adults and children can refine their riding skills at Briarwood Farms, all under the guidance of certified instructors and well-trained horses. Half an hour north of Toronto, Briarwood Farms offer daytime and evening lessons, as well as riding camps. If you have a busy schedule, Briarwood will help aspiring riders find the perfect time to take a lesson.