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    Blackhound Equestrian - My Pal, George.

    Blackhound Equestrian

    4.5(36 reviews)
    9.1 mi

    I recently moved my horse to BHE from a barn in SoCal and I have been so very happy I did! Kate and…read morethe trainers hear TRULY CARE and I can tell how much time they've spent with my horse. My horse has had a chronic problem with white line disease in his hoof and BHE has not only brought in an excellent farrier (shout out to James McCracken!!) but the team has treated his hoof TWICE A DAY! and he's finally on his way to recovery. Like most owners, I just don't have the time to be at the barn every day and I rely upon the team to take care of my horse. I am so grateful to have found a barn that makes a point of giving each horse what it needs (and without upcharging me for every added thing) rather than just tossing some hay in their stalls and leaving the owner to figure out the rest. BHE has an extensive staff of experienced people who work beautifully together and go out of their way to provide the kind of personalized care I would do on my own if I could. I will also ratify what others have said about the atmosphere at BHE. I am relatively new to the horse world but I have definitely experienced the snooty, catty, gossipy behavior that gives it such a bad rap and BHE IS NOT that. Any time I have spent there has been such a pleasure. If you're looking for a barn that will be the "happy place" for both you and your horse, I think you'll enjoy being part of the BHE family.

    I've been riding at Blackhound Equestrian for 11 years, and there's truly no place like it. From…read morethe very beginning, me, who was someone who knew nothing about horses, was welcomed into a professional yet incredibly supportive environment where both horses and riders are treated with respect, patience, and care. The trainers here are phenomenal, experienced, detail-oriented, and passionate about helping every rider grow, no matter their skill level. Over the years, they've helped me build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and continually challenge myself to improve, all while maintaining a healthy relationship with all the horses I ride. The facility itself is beautiful and well maintained. The horses are clearly happy, healthy, and well cared for, and the emphasis on horsemanship and responsibility has shaped me not just as a rider, but as a person. Whether you're looking to ride casually, compete, or build a lifelong passion for horses, Blackhound is a good place to do so. After more than a decade here, I can honestly say this barn has been one of the most consistent and positive parts of my life.

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    Blackhound Equestrian
    Blackhound Equestrian
    Blackhound Equestrian

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    Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center - Some really gorgeous (objective opinion) Skyline Ranch residents.

    Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center

    4.0(40 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I grew up riding horses in the Oakland Hills next to Joaquin Miller Park and close to Skyline…read moreRanch. Back in the day, the area was affectionately known as "horse country." The reason for this is that over the years, more and more open space around Joaquin Miller Park in the hills was preserved and protected, creating a giant, beautiful expanse of protected and accessible land. The vast trail system networking these parks were created in large part because of the support of the local horse community. Over time, a bunch of horse facilities were established in this area, drawn by the amazing trail network and the proximity to hundreds of square miles of California ranch land east of the ridge line. Among the local stables, the truly iconic Skyline Ranch and its sister facility, the historic Piedmont Stables, stand out as two of the oldest and most enduring. To me, they are a wonderful reminder of the East Bay's deep-rooted horse culture and an important part of Oakland's "horse country" tradition. Skyline Ranch is a community-oriented full-service operation that blends superb boarding facilities and high-quality instruction with smooth, professional, safe, secure operations. Both barns provide direct and immediate access to the amazing network of Oakland Hills trails. Some of the reviews I've read have had issues with communications. The reason for this is that there's no office staff here waiting to take calls - everyone is digging in, hands-on, teaching, and working with horses and owners!  So, the best way to learn more is simply to come VISIT. Inside the main barn, you'll find large whiteboards with contact numbers. The most effective way to reach someone about lessons or boarding is to TEXT JUDI Martin, the owner and head trainer. She is almost always nearby, either giving a lesson or working with a horse, raking the arena, helping students and boarders, or pitching in wherever she's needed (she's a hands-on, engaged, busy but very friendly lady). When in doubt, just ask anyone around the barn and we'll connect you with her. The instruction is great. Although the primary focus at this barn, and most barns in the area nowadays is English riding, I ride Western (I think I'm the only one here).  I train with Judi personally, and I take private lessons in both Western and English. She has a deep understanding of general horsemanship, and is a natural fantastic teacher, patient and insightful, and she truly understands how to get the best out of each horse and rider. You have to work hard during her lessons, but I appreciate that she's trying to improve my competence and therefore making me a safer rider.  My progress has been tremendous, and my enjoyment of the hobby has improved dramatically as a result.  The other trainers at Skyline, including Jackie, Jerry, and Tracy, are also excellent. Whether you're just starting out or riding at a high level, there's real depth, experience and teaching ability here that can help you achieve you or your child's goals.  There are many little kids and adult beginners and they all get a great start based on the teaching team's decades of experience, love of horses, and genuine caring engagement with students. They have many experienced solid, well trained, safe school horses. Depending on your needs, Summer Camps, workshops, group lessons, horse first-aid classes, and many other learning opportunities are also available. The barn itself is very well run and thoughtfully maintained. Boarders have access to indoor stalls that are kept clean daily, comfortable with plenty of bedding, and protected with active surveillance, alarm systems, and human security patrol.  Horses are turned out daily and fed (good quality hay and alfalfa) three times a day. There's a strong support system in place, including regular visits from farriers, several vets who are frequently on-site, and a knowledgeable staff that truly cares about and looks after the horses. Parking is easy, security is active, and Judi and her team are always willing to share their expertise when it comes to horse health, exercise, feeding, training, access to resources, or anything else you might need help with. I keep two horses here and they are both very happy. Pricing for boarding and training is consistent with the market and very reasonable. More than that, you get much better value here compared to other barns in the area. What makes Skyline Ranch truly special is the completeness of the ecosystem. It is not just a barn with horses and an arena. It is a well-maintained, fully integrated environment where everything and everyone works together in support of the horses and the riders.

    Wonderful facilities and excellent instruction, very close to Oakland and freeways but backing up…read moreonto magnificent trails

    Photos
    Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center - Can I get some of that hay??

    Can I get some of that hay??

    Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center - The outdoor large (huge) arena.

    The outdoor large (huge) arena.

    Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center - Beautiful stalls at Skyline Ranch.

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    Beautiful stalls at Skyline Ranch.

    Ocean View Stables - Trail rides to the beach

    Ocean View Stables

    4.3(89 reviews)
    19.6 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Family-owned & operated

    had a great experience at Ocean View Stables. There were many beautiful horses, and everything felt…read morewell-organized. We went there for horseback riding, and it was really enjoyable. The price was very reasonable--about $20 per person for three rounds, which I think is quite fair. Overall, it was a fun and pleasant experience, and I would definitely recommend it to others!

    Went horseback riding here recently and overall had a great experience…read more The location is beautiful and not overly built up, which makes it feel really peaceful. It was the get away I was looking for. There are a lot of trails, and while we didn't spend a ton of time right along the ocean, the hillside views were still really nice. We had a great guide. The setup is cute, and I loved that they let you interact with the horses beforehand -- they seem to take good care of them while still making it enjoyable for guests. On our ride, we were paired with a couple who has been taking lessons there and they had nothing but great things to say, which was really reassuring. Only downsides: the website is pretty confusing and pricing for certain things wasn't very clear. It is a bit pricey, though. That said, I'd definitely go back -- and if I lived closer, I'd even consider lessons. But it is just too far for me to make the commitment.

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    Ocean View Stables - Wonderful Views

    Wonderful Views

    Ocean View Stables - Ocean ride

    Ocean ride

    Ocean View Stables - Bay Area Coastal horseback rides

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    Bay Area Coastal horseback rides

    Midnight Blue & Company - Jumping with coach Marguerite providing guidance!

    Midnight Blue & Company

    4.5(15 reviews)
    8.8 mi

    I went to this place and got the package of four lessons which is 350 dollars, but I had told…read moreMarguerite that I had barely started to even trot at the other place I went to, she ask is I was a beginner and I told her I was over the phone fast forward, when I got there everything was fine but she told me to go to the barn a talk to this lady who was going to give me a helmet and take walk the horse out my mom was with me so she had to sign and release form, but the lady wasn't that nice she wasn't rude but she wasn't very welcoming, the horse had hesitated when walking out of the barn, and the lady told me to look forward and walk but the horse still didn't move eventually he did. We got to the gate of the arena and the horse stopped again, and the lady who had helped me get a helmet in the barn yelled at the horse to move( this is where I started to feel nervous because I felt that I couldn't trust the horse.) Marguerite told me that she could tell I was nervous and that it was ok because she puts little kids on this horse.(I was riding in shoes because my boots that I had gotten didn't come into the mail yet, and I told her that but she said that it was ok) so we kept riding but I was confused because it wasn't Marguerite teaching me it was someone else that and I thought she would because that's what she told me over the phone, which is fine I was just confused...the lady who was walking with me around the arena was nice. The lesson ended and we left. Later that day I told my mom that I didn't want to go back because I felt to uncomfortable there and it didn't feel like a stable system...and the other horse place I went to you would learn to brush and tack up the horse, overall just learn horseman ship but here you don't unless to get there early (she didn't tell me till the second lesson) but we asked for a refund and she refused to give a a refund( she never mentioned that she didn't give refunds) she told me and my mom to take after lesson with the boots so we did but i felt pressured to take this lesson.but she said she would charge 120 for the next lesson and give 110 back is we didn't like it. The next lesson came around and I wasn't in the best mood I felt pressured to take this lesson and I just wasn't in the best mood, I got on the horse ( the same one from the first lesson) and he felt jittery to me and I felt uncomfortable I had a weird gut feeling, so I stopped the horse and told her and my mom that I was uncomfortable and she ask why I couldn't answer at the time because I don't know what to say but she just told me to kept going, I felt confused by her instructions because she never told me if I was doing it right, but we kept walking and I felt more and more uncomfortable the horse was stubborn and was focused on follow Marguerite more...we walking around for a bit more and we stopped and she was telling to to look where to want to go then walk so I did. I don't know what happed after that because it happened so fast but the horse had got spooked by a truck driving on the road a threw me off, I landed on my hip ( I was ok but I'm bruised really bad and can't really lay down or sit without it hurting) I got up and talk out of the arena and I was shaking I don't know what happened after that as my body was in shock from what happened. She proceeded to tell my mom that I'm not ready and it was like talking to a 8 year old ( I'm 17) and that riding probably wasn't for me and that I would have still been on the horse if I kept my back straight, and that I wasn't listening and was hesitant to listening to her( I was confused and she never told me if I was doing something right or wrong.) Please be careful when choosing this place ask a lot of questions, because she tends to leave stuff out.

    Overall the experience was okay, I would not recommend using this place if you're looking for…read morequality riding lessons. From the very beginning it seemed like an unfit establishment for our family, but wanted to be optimistic. The trainer provided very poor communication on how to find her place and was late on day one. She immediately jumped into defensive communication any time I asked for clarification. She seems very well established and knowledgeable, unfortunately that doesn't translate into her training with first time riders. Trainings are rushed, but ironically she just sits in a chair disengaged from the trainees. I was shocked as a parent and as someone who has no experience with horses when I was asked to prep the horse for riding. Seems extremely unsafe. Once I communicated that we no longer needed the services she became combative and refused to reimburse for the advanced payment for lessons.

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    Midnight Blue & Company
    Midnight Blue & Company
    Midnight Blue & Company - Getting ready to

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    Getting ready to

    EquiFabula - horsebackriding - Updated May 2026

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