Where to Ride: the 12 Best Ranch and Farm Horse Rides in the USA

1.Half-Day Thoroughbred Horse Farm Tour in Kentucky

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,924 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45Our pick

Spend about three and a half hours touring Lexington’s Bluegrass horse country in a 14-passenger van. Guides such as Tim, Vicky, Mark, Richard, and John share practical insight into breeding, training, racing, and aftercare. You may visit one or more working farms, meet horses when available, and see Keeneland, though the exact stops can change.

“It was wonderful tour But being an animal lover I wish there was more hands on with the filly n colts ( there was none) And there was a little corner store that’s has been run by family for years wished we could stop there. More stops”

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2.Unique Horse Farm Tours with Insider Access to Private Farms

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,192 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $59

Spend about three hours visiting three Lexington-area horse attractions by air-conditioned bus. Guides such as Sean Washington, Jeff, Dan, Jess, and Shaun share local horse-industry insight while you meet broodmares, foals, yearlings, and other horses. The route changes with farm availability and current activities.

“We had the best Tour with Jeff. He was so knowledgeable and funny and a great host! Loved everything about this tour.”

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3.Maui Horseback Adventure at Circle M Ranch With Real Cowboys

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 761 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $185

Meet the paniolos at Circle M Ranch, choose a horse suited to your ability, and spend about 90 minutes riding from rolling pasture toward Waihee Valley and the Pacific coast. Guides such as Don, Chase, Layla, and Bailey help beginners feel at ease while experienced riders enjoy a real working ranch setting. Morning and afternoon rides are available.

“Fabulous experience with the horses and staff at Circle M! Enjoyed my ride by the ocean, the staff could not be more exceptional and the horses were well cared for and easy to ride”

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4.Horseback Riding on Scenic Texas Ranch near Waco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 720 reviews · from $100

At Brazos Bluffs Ranch near Waco, you’ll get a short riding lesson, meet well-trained horses, then follow a roughly three-mile trail through meadows and woods with guides such as Ruthie, Maddie, Kylie, or Savannah. The highlight is a high bluff with wide views over the Brazos River. Beginners are welcome, but riders must weigh 250 pounds or less.

“Amazing time and beautiful views! We didn’t know they did a sunset ride too. We will definitely book that next time. It’s very safe and good for any age.”

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5.Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Spend about two hours at Gypsy Gold Horse Farm in Ocala with Dennis and Erin Thompson. Learn how the Gypsy Vanner breed came to America, walk beneath ancient oaks and Spanish moss, meet horses, donkeys, mules, and foals, then pose for a photo with a stallion.

“Dennis and Erin had extreme passion for their life's work and it showed! The animals were beautiful, loved and well-cared for.”

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6.Lexington: Thoroughbred Horse Farm Tour and Scenic Bluegrass

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 363 reviews · 3h 30m · from $45

Ride in a 14-person van through Lexington’s bluegrass country, visit one or more Thoroughbred farms, and see Keeneland when available. Guides such as Tim, John, Vicky, Nicholas, and Richard explain breeding, training, racing, bourbon, and local history. You may see mares, foals, stallions, and film locations from Secretariat, Seabiscuit, and Dreamer.

“Great tour of Keeneland and 2 horse farms. Only issue was the van broke down at the end. They quickly bought another van to pick us up.”

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7.Waipi’o on Horseback: Mountain Ocean Views Working Cattle Ranch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $160

Ride through WOH Ranch near Honokaa with guides such as Micah, Patricia, Nia, and Trisha. Expect a gentle two-hour trail ride through a traditional Hawaiian ahupua’a, with fruit tasting, fishponds, native plants, cattle, wildlife, and wide Hamakua views. The tour offers ocean views but does not enter Waipio Valley or reach the beach.

“The guides were informative and skilled, while the horses were beautiful and really well trained. My horseback riding experience was extremely limited, but even as a novice this ride was easy to accomplish. The ride is very scenic with views of the ocean, wildflowers, local wildlife, and samples of local fruits. If you love horses I highly recommend this tour!”

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8.Sedona Horseback Rides At Dead Horse Ranch with River Crossing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 160 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119

You’ll ride for about two hours through Dead Horse Ranch State Park near Cottonwood, with a rare river crossing, open meadows, streamside trails, and distant Sedona red rocks. Guides such as Brandon, Kevin, Stanley, Chaz, and Jeff match riders with suitable horses and keep the pace comfortable for beginners.

“You do have to pay to get into the state park but after you can explore ot as well. The horses are very used to these trails and have no problem maneuvering through the terrain. Guides are knowledgeable. This would be excellent for a beginner. We had a 9 year in our group and the guide was very attentive to him. Would definitely book again for a longer ride.”

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9.Bourbon Distillery & Horse Farm Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · from $179

Travel the Bourbon Trail with a private guide such as Rob, Bob, Lee, or A.J. Holley. Choose Louisville, Lexington, or Bardstown, then visit three distilleries with two tours, tastings, and one formal tasting. Lunch and a horse farm visit can be added to the day.

“We had a great time. The Tour went well and everything went very smoothly. Hotel pickup was right on time.”

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10.Kualoa Ranch – Horseback Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 145 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $173

You’ll ride at a slow, steady walk through Kualoa Ranch with a local guide, passing forest trails, World War II bunkers, and the Ka’a’awa Valley, known from Jurassic Park and Pearl Harbor. Guides such as Iris, Jake, Clancy, and Belinda add history and riding help. No riding experience is required, but you must be at least 10 years old, 4.6 feet tall, and under 230 pounds.

“Bring your cameras and enjoy the ride and the views! Saddlebags provided to hring your water and phones”

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11.Grand Canyon Ranch Tour with Horseback/Wagon Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 38 reviews · 7 hours · from $225

Leave Las Vegas for a seven-hour Arizona outing with a Hoover Dam photo stop, Joshua Tree Forest views, and a guided 45-minute horseback or covered-wagon ride at Grand Canyon Western Ranch. Guides such as Colton, Kevin, and Casey add trail stories, ranch history, music, and cowboy humor. Lunch and round-trip hotel transfers are included.

“Had the most wonderful day! Tyler our driver went out of his way to pick us up as we were not coming from Las Vegas we were staying in Arizona. Reba was excellent communication via email re: the same. Also Casey was a gentleman telling us stories of the ranch & singing beautiful songs. Colton was my guide for the horseriding he was so calm & helpful & informative about the land. All the staff were super friendly & helpful & John brought my cousin on the wagon ride & again he was a gentleman & very informative about the ranch & land. Went for my birthday on new year's…”

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12.Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $30Best value

At Gypsy Gold Horse Farm, learn how Dennis Thompson brought the first 16 Gypsy Vanner horses to the United States and created the breed’s first registry. A guide such as Taylor introduces you to more than 30 horses and donkeys, with time to pet the animals. The tour starts at 1:30 p.m. and lasts about one hour.

“The horses and birds were beautiful. Our tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable of everything involving the farm.”

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