Old Canyon Stables actually popped up on my Yelp one day and I was super intrigued. I ended up…read morebooking a lesson here, and fell in love instantly! The barn is so beautiful, charming, and peaceful. The horses are very happy and well cared for. I love their main riding arena -- it's very spacious and the views from the arena are amazing. I've been taking lessons with Becca and she is awesome. She is a great trainer and gives good critique, but is also very encouraging and kind. Trudy is also super helpful and nice, and very responsive whenever I need anything. Everyone here from the staff to the boarders have been incredibly friendly and made my entire experience very positive.

The ranch is beautiful and my first lesson was great, but the communication here is really…read moredifficult. It took multiple calls and emails just to schedule my first lesson. My second lesson was canceled an hour before while I was already driving there (it's almost an hour away for me). They said they'd connect me with a new trainer, but no one ever followed up, and I found myself constantly reaching out again. At that point I realized I shouldn't have to chase a business to take my money. Unfortunately, the experience just wasn't reliable :(

This is where I spend most of my free time so I'm going to tell you as much as I know…read more I found it because I was looking for a horse to lease. I half-leased a sweet (she is actually kinda bitchy, but she's a mare) little quarter horse mare here that loved to do trails for under $300/month. Lease prices vary horse to horse, owner to owner. There is always someone here looking to lease or half lease their steed, if that is what you are looking for. It was a great deal since I got to ride her 3-4 times a week. There are lots of easy going people here that do trails and that has become my first love. WHAT IT IS: The name is a little misleading. They do play a little bit of arena polo here, and teach a few lessons but I've not seen any hunt activity in the nearly 3 years I've been there. It IS a private club, but the membership fee is a nominal $450/year (just went up from $300). For that price you get full access to all the facilities which include a small but nice swimming pool, a polo arena about the size of football field, a very nice covered arena and a small "rustic" dressage arena. They have a shower and club room too, but nobody really uses them. You pay this fee on top of board or lesson fees. THE VIBE: You can also take riding lessons here up to advanced intermediate whether you have a horse or not. Ira is an amazing instructor in dressage and basic equitation and a great horse trainer. There no grand prix stuff going on here, just people who love horses and want to be better riders. There's no snob factor going on here and it's a very casual atmosphere where people mostly do their own thing. We are all pretty friendly to each other and I do have a couple of close friends I have made here and we even share our horses. That was totally unheard of where I was before. I used to take arena ball lessons and throw down a few chukkers in Del Mar, but have not been inspired to do so here as the arena is quite small and I also realized while I was playing in Del Mar one day, "Holy crap, I could get KILLED playing this sport!" There are a few people here that board and exercise their polo ponies here for games at Will Rogers etc. LOCATION: Okay, the amazing thing about this place is TRAILS, TRAILS, TRAILS. For being just 20 minutes to PCH and 10 minutes to the Valley it's pretty incredible how much wilderness we have access to. Fair Hills has 3-4 exit points (depending on the soundness and strength of your ride) and you can, and probably will, get lost for hours. I have a few favorite trails, each of them having nice rolling hills for some serious galloping. We can wind our way up Mullholland where the fire road starts and I haven't even had enough time to see how far we could actually go on them, but it's long, long, far, far away. And strangely, all of this is very unpopulated. We are actually always a little surprised when we see someone else on these pristine trails. Sometimes they get a little overgrown, but we go out on bush whacking missions sometimes to help keep them clear. My hubby comes home from a stressful LA workday, hops on our horse and marvels that he was just stuck in traffic 40 mintues ago and now he's in the wilderness on horseback. SERVICE: The Staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Jeanne is the person to ask for about ANYTHING if you call. Boarding, leasing, lessons, she's your go-to gal. She's amazingly kind-hearted and knows the details of every horse and rider. Be nice to her and she'll give you the world in a saddle, a real gem. She talked me into adopting my current and first horse, Traveler and even helped when things got sticky in the adoption process and made me feel like it was my idea. He was a neglected, spunky older guy and she paired us up and we couldn't be happier about it. Don't buy her husband Derrick's sometimes gruff exterior, he's about the biggest softie I know and always willing to take a look at your horse if you have a question. The guys that pony and exercise the horses are great. You'd be surprised what a $15 can get you in horse care. I've had a small injury that has prevented me from riding for nearly 3 weeks and they have my guy exercised and happy anytime I want. BOARDING: There is lots of options here. My guy is in a dry pasture with a kinda crappy shelter but lots of space with just one other horse. (there used to be three of them in there.) It's $445/month and that includes cubes. There are nicer pipe stall, thy are about $500/month, and oversize corrals and other options as well. It's sort of what's available at the time and how many horses you have. DOWNSIDES: It's closed on Mondays. As in, don't come up unless it's a medical reason for you horse. And it closes early (6pm) on Sundays. This frequently bums me out. The hay quality is not so great. I've resorted to having hay delivered. You really gotta ask for what would seem some pretty basic things. OVERALL: It's a little piece of horse heaven oh, so close to the city.

I have been a member and boarder here for a couple of years now. it is my 4th place to try in the…read moreSan Fernando Valley for my crabby mare and I. We are "ok" with the place. It has the same downfalls as most boarding places. The hay quality varies. The complaining boarders get the services. The maintenance is spotty. The management gets crabby if you complain. But otherwise they are extremely nice - were very lovely when I had a bad fall and paramedics and drama.The ground has a lot of clay and when it rains it is soooo slick. Man. Slip and slide. The owners are also really crabby. But that is also pretty typical. On the upside the trail access is just amazing. There are several options of large paddocks/dry lot "pastures" so your horse can live like an actual horse and not in a tiny pipe box. And that is absolutely a HUGE plus. And almost impossible to find anymore. There are 3 arenas. Covered, Polo and ......well... they call it dressage... but.. um.... anyway. The polo people are really only around for a short period of time and are not a problem. They are considerate and seem nice and are good riders as far as I can see. The Saddlebred people are there ALL the time. And do take up a LOT of the time in the covered arena. Which has the best footing. And that is what the owners and manager are into - so they get the right of way in everything at all times. There is a nice round pen. They have right of way in it too - but I have not had as much of an issue using that as the covered arena. Since I am out in the "boonies" in pasture I don't have much interaction with folks in the "big barn". My impression is that we out in the paddocks/pasture are sort of on our own. Which is pretty ok with me except whens something breaks and we have to ask a million times to get it fixed and they get crabby with us. That gets old. We pay the same as folks in stalls....Ah well. Until I buy my own property it is always something with boarding. This is probably the best you can do if you need a place for a horse in the Valley and don't want it in a tiny box. They are not evil. They do definitely know horses. There are lots of places to ride - really nice tack rooms. it is clean. nice bathrooms. A Pool. a Lot of good stuff and no more bad stuff than usual!!! And it is beautiful up here. They recently increased our board a bit and did a nice round of repairing and prep for winter. replaced a lot of boards and fixed up some rough ground and so on. Very nicely done. A couple of boarders who are too afraid to review have asked me to add the following: 1) The ranch being closed on Monday and closing early on Sunday is very inconvenient. 2) You should know that the "base" board rate includes feeding alfalfa CUBES only - all hay is an up-charge. 3)The auto-waterers are those tiny metal ones that get really hot in summer; and in the paddocks and pastures there are sometimes not enough per horse. So we have supplemental tanks. And we are on our own maintaining those. Unless we pay to have them maintained.

Lucy Stewart is an excellent and accomplished Hunter Jumper trainer. She has won many championships…read morein Zone 10. Whether you are a beginner or advanced Junior or Adult Amateur, you could benefit from her knowledge of the equestrian experience.

Just got back from my first riding lesson and boy am I sore! It was such a workout! All these…read moremuscles I'm not used to working on- great feeling in my legs =]. Lucy and her staff are all so nice! This was my very first riding lesson and they made me feel safe and secure- it was a little scary being on such a big powerful horse, but he was sweet as can be. So much fun! Can't wait for my next lesson! Thanks Fox Creek Farm!

This place is unbeatable! From booking reservations with Rose (who is a true sweetheart) to our…read moreguides, the customer service was amazing! The horses are well kept, well trained, and full of fun personality! The trail is full of beautiful scenery. Also don't worry they'll make sure you get a picture on your horse. I don't recommend you book anywhere else but here when horseback riding.

Such a wholesome and beautiful experience! From reserving with beloved Rose to enjoying the ride…read morewith such beautiful horses and people. Ughhhh such an awesome experience! 10000000000/10 recommend

I Have yet to use this facility but they were very fast to respond and their pricing is very good…read morein my opinion for being such a nice place.

/Users/Heather/Desktop/IMG_4661 (1).jpg Songbird is the best…read morebarn I have ever been at (25 years experience in the area), between the excellent trainer, Erica, the amazing owner, Adi, my horse Logan has excelled in their care...I never could have dreamed of the success I have had with Logan in Erica's care...the huge stalls, the turnouts, the arena, which are all AMAZING! The training with Erica has really opened up a world that I wasn't sure was there with Logan...he is thriving in her care...low key, but serious show barn...Erica has all the "tools" in her chest for success, and the experience to bring your horse along the "slow way" which is the "fast way"....can't say enough about this barn...truly perfect...

Absolutely the best place in LA with 0 existing competition! Professional trainers, clean, stable,…read moreclean and well groomed horses.

Hands down the very BEST equestrian training stable whether you're a beginner or more an advanced…read morerider, western or English. If you want to learn to ride, improve your riding or need help training your horses properly, & your nervous as a new rider, the lesson horses there are safe & amazing, & Robert Nava is the guy!! Robert is an excellent horseman but is patient & kind with the lesson goers always pointing out the positive with "great job," or "looks great"! Always Important for confidence building! You learn more there than just riding, grooming, etc. You learn horsemanship! The stable is located on Stokes Canyon in beautiful Malibu!! It's so incredible there, with trails, right out the gate or just taking lessons in the large arena with Robert ~ I love that there is round pen too if needed. Everything you need is there depending on your goals. Western or English & or brand new to horses! Again, Robert is so the patient, so great with kids too! He teaches, safety, patience & confidence!! (I know I say that a lot, but important) ~ Located adjacent to Malibu Creek state park with miles of trails streams & sheer beauty around you! *Robert Nava is the resident horse trainer for Western or English, riders! He's an excellent horseman!!! I'd also like to say that the stables are run really efficiently everything's organized. Everything is clean. They're just all around great there!! After many years since my last horse & older now & not as strong as I used to be, its never to late to get started again & it's been so great taking riding from Robert ~ always learning new things too! Because there is always more to learn there. Whatever your needs, for what you want to do, and he's great how he gets get his students ready for horse shows, too, If that is what they love. He is there at the show with his students, so committed to their equestrian success! Robert is the best. I feel so lucky to have found this stable!! You learn so much more there!! I love everyone there! Robert has a lot of people that work under him. (honorable mention, Art & his nephew so great! So helpful!!) But everyone that works for Robert is so wonderful, no snobs there!! All so amazing & helpful! That is so important it's like a family!! So, again if your a parent looking for a great riding instructor for your kid & want them safe, or you personally really want a good western or English riding instructor or someone to help you train your horse, this is the place to go. One thing about Robert he's big on safety for all age riders. I love everyone there, and Robert is the best I've ever seen as a trainer for your lessons/horse training needs. Kind of a dream come true. Really good at nurturing the young riders ~ This is the right place for you!!! Check it out you won't be disappointed! All ages are welcome!! Thank you RJN Stables Robert & staff, for such a positive experience & helping me improve! I luv it there! Finally, I've been to a lot of stables in my life, and this is hand downs, the best and location, trainer situation and grounds! I want my husband to get lessons with Robert so that when we get our new horse, he can learn to ride better! I'm very happy there! The very best trainer & stables around!!! Yay!

Best quality of care! Happy horses where they can see people…read moreand get more love. Great quality feed and supplements for their health and beautiful arena to exercise. I highly recommend this place.

Too expensive and not a quality learning experience. It's closing down anyway but I didn't have a…read moregood experience at all and feel that I just wasted my time and money without learning anything.

My 1st horse riding lesson with Debbie today and she is amazing. She's very knowledgable, assuring…read moreand patience. Many more lessons with her and will update this review!

My boyfriend gave me a Groupon for three private lessons at Marlowe Show Stables for Valentine's…read moreDay. Having taken a 14 year hiatus from regular lessons, I was in need of equitation basics. Debi and her daughter Grace could not have been kinder or more understanding. I started my first lesson on the lunge line and by my second lesson Debi turned me loose to work on my posting trot. Just had my third lesson today and thanks to Debi's great coaching, I signed up for more classes! I ask a lot of questions when I don't understand how to execute something properly and Debi takes the time to literally show me what I need to do and explain it to me so it makes sense. Riding comes much easier because of this! I worked with a few trainers in the past when I first learned to ride as a child then in college, and none of them compare to Debi's patient and effective style of coaching. She makes me feel comfortable knowing I can ask as many questions as I need to understand and be a better, more confident rider. Everyone who works at the stable has shown me nothing but kindness and integrity. Furthermore, the horses at Marlowe are just as amazing as Debi and Grace. These horses are mild mannered, gentle and they are the third teacher in the ring with me. I make sure to come loaded with peppermints to thank Gucci after every lesson! Heartfelt thanks, Debi! These lessons have brought a joy back into my life I have long missed. Can't wait for my lesson next week and many more yet to come. :)

From the owner: At Horsemanship Redefined we offer horse back riding lessons for kids and adults. Our students…read morelearn how to care for the animals, groom, tack up, ride, and properly put their horses away. Our lessons are always specific to the clients wants and needs and are customized each and every time. We have lesson horses for all levels of riding, from lead line to jumping courses. We also offer western horseback riding lesson! Give us a call with any questions or to set up an appointment!