I've ridden horses off and on throughout my life, but never with proper instruction--basically, the…read moreonly advice I ever got was "don't fall off." That all changed when I moved to Arizona and, after doing some trail rides, decided two years ago that I really wanted to learn how to ride. That's when I found Heart of the Horse, and it's been an incredible experience ever since. Lessons here are one-on-one and thoughtfully structured, blending arena work with trail riding--or both, depending on what you're working on. The property has its own scenic trails where you can walk, trot, and canter, plus access to extended trails along a wash for longer rides during lessons. You can choose between English or Western disciplines, and every instructor I've worked with has been kind, knowledgeable, and exceptionally patient--especially appreciated since I started at age 39! What really sets Heart of the Horse apart is how much they prioritize horsemanship. Each lesson begins with grooming and tacking up your horse, which I genuinely enjoy. It's a refreshing change from typical trail rides where you just hop on and go. Taking that time allows you to bond with your horse, and I love being able to spend extra moments with them before and after lessons to say thank you--they really do carry us around with so much grace. The horses themselves are absolutely wonderful, each with their own unique, quirky personality. And the ranch? It's peaceful and shaded, with a cooler, breezier feel compared to the rest of Tucson. Lessons are offered in the mornings and evenings on weekdays and in the mornings on Saturdays--I personally love the early morning sessions. If you're in Tucson and want to truly learn how to ride, not just sit in the saddle, I can't recommend Heart of the Horse enough. It's been such a rewarding, joyful journey.

I cannot say enough good things about this place! I'm a…read moremiddle-aged man, who has always wanted to learn how to ride horses, and I finally took the plunge to commit to ten lessons of Western riding. The ranch is beautiful, and just five minutes from my house. The horses are beautiful, healthy, and well-cared-for. David, the owner, Jordan, and all of the instructors are wonderful people and excellent at teaching you all that you need to know. If you live on the east side and want to learn to ride, this is the place to go.

great!! we had a blast! Rose was so friendly and knowledgeable!! good experience, you should give…read moreher a call.

From the owner: Full care Horse Boarding includes bermuda and/or alfalfa hay fed two times daily and the stall or…read morecorral cleaned every morning. Your horse can have a barn stall with an outside run attached or a partially covered outside pipe corral. The swamp coolers on the barn have been on all summer. The outside pipe corrals are 6' tall with the back half covered for shade. Tack rooms, rest rooms, and an area for parking trailers is provided. We have a full-sized lighted arena for riding and access to Rillito River by way of a con-arch bridge under River Road. Horses do not have to cross traffic. When trail riding you can be in the Tucson Mountains quickly.

The trainer Scott is a certified judge , teaches children to older adults , lovely view , bathrooms…read moreand friendly owner Becky

My daughter has been taking riding lessons wth Kate for a few months. We love Lucky Charm, they are…read morevery professional and teach riding in an encouraging and positive way. The ranch itself is a beautiful property and always has people around who are friendly. There are benches and chairs around the arenas so parents or family can watch the lessons, which is awesome. There are also a number of arenas including a fun obstacle course type arena. The tack room and barn are super cute and seem to have varying sizes to accommodate everyone.

Amazing overall. The ranch itself is pristine; the arenas and round pens are dragged regularly, the…read morecross country track is maintained beautifully, and the stalls are picked once to twice daily. The covered arena is one of the largest I have seen, is lighted, and open late. Raven Ranch is right off the Pantano wash and offers amazing trail riding right from the property. The few trainers that work from Raven Ranch are very friendly and all treat the horses they train very well. Cows are even often on property to use in training with one of the trainers! The owners are very pleasant and are very active in ranch duties. While one mucks stalls, the other helps with maintenance of the property. Owners and trainers are immediately alerted of even the smallest issues with their horses so immediate action can be taken, if needed. They feed the highest quality hay at the weight recommended by the owner and even offer lunch, supplement, and medication feeding for a little extra per month. I would highly recommend Raven Ranch to anyone looking to board, learn dressage, cow work, or anything in between. Great place to be, great vibes, positive energy.

Raven Ranch is truly the most amazing facility I have experienced in Tucson. This place is the…read moreepitome of care, service, and community. The owners, Dave & Lydia are a godsend - They have created a tranquil and cohesive environment for both horse and human. The property and facilities are clean and well maintained. If something breaks they are prompt to fix it. If you have a special request or need assistance, they are always on site and more than happy to help. Everyone is treated equally with fairness and respect regardless of breed, skill level, or riding discipline. This is definitely a drama (and b.s.) free facility! The owners do not cut corners when it comes to supplying quality alfalfa and/or bermuda. Lydia feeds, cares for, and loves every horse as if they were her own. She is quick to recognize if something appears amiss with your horse and contacts you immediately. The individualized care provided is clearly reflected by the healthy and content horses that reside at Raven Ranch. You really need to experience Raven Ranch in person to get a true grasp of all that it has to offer; individual tack rooms, clean his/her bathrooms, oodles of wash racks, trail access, multiple round pens and arenas with lights for nighttime use, a large covered arena which is a rare commodity that cannot be overlooked during the peak summer sun (or rainy season), as well as a water misting system in the barns to help keep the horses cool. Honestly, the list of items that makes this place special is endless. To sum up Raven Ranch in 2 words ... It Rocks!

Wonderful staff, and well kept horses. The whole ranch is beautiful with a full view of the…read moreCatalinas. The atmosphere is inclusive and warm, and all the trainers and barn help are professional and courteous.

Susan is very skilled with horse training and she gives great lessons to all her clients. The…read morehorses are well trained and results are very positive. A

Wonderful 1.5 hour ride into the Ricon Mountains. Horses are…read morevery nice and beginner friendly. Took my 10 grand daughter who had never ridden before and Jay our lead wrangler was amazing with her. Kind and encouraging. Jay was very knowledgeable and had a lot of interesting history and facts about the area. Highly recommend the Saguaro Stable for a great ride.

Came here for Valentine's Day without knowing anything about the trail or horses. My boyfriend and…read moreI had an amazing time! Perfect weather and our tour guides were greats. Highly recommend Jay and Larry. Definitely plan on coming back another time to ride a horse!

We are fortunate to have Elizabeth Poulin in Southern Arizona at Amado Equine Hacienda. Trailering…read morein to ride with Elizabeth has been very positive for my horse and I. We have competed successfully through the Grand Prix, yet, working with Elizabeth has led to significant improvement. I believe we have improved all aspects of our work because of her educated eye and depth of knowledge about gymnasticizing exercises to develop horses correctly. I have watched Elizabeth teach a variety of horses and riders. She definitely has the best interest of the horse and rider as her central focus. She provides exercises that lead to improvement without creating negative tension in the horse or rider. This is a gift as a teacher and coach that I have rarely encountered. Bobbi and Gus have a lovely facility and provide a welcoming atmosphere. I definitely recommend Elizabeth and Amado Equine Hacienda. I am looking forward to taking my young horse for lessons as well as continuing with Corey. Debra Haber

From the owner: We offer pasture boarding for your horse.read more

Moved my horse here over a year ago. It is 45 minutes from my house and is worth the drive. First…read morethe owners are very accommodating to fit their facility to my needs allowing me to build a trail course with challenges for all skill levels. The staff are very helpful with any needs I have for my horse. I like that you can bring in your own trainer from the outside at no extra charge. There are also trainers on site who teach and/or exercise your horse which helps if you need to be out of town or cannot give your horse the exercise he needs. Easy access on quiet streets to trails and the Pantano wash. Its park-like setting offers several places to read a book while your horse grazes on the grass. Stalls are cleaned twice a day and horses are fed three times a day. Though I don't have a trailer, I understand they don't charge for parking your trailer on the property. It's working out great for my horse and me.

I boarded my two horses at River Valley Ranch for several years and my experience there was…read moreexcellent. The ranch owners, Crystal and Taylor are kind and thoughtful people and really care for the horses in their care, as well as caring for their boarders (the people). They were very kind and supportive and helpful when it was time for my old guy to move on. He was my heart horse, 26 years old and it was his time. Crystal helped find someone to help with his body after he left it, and that was a huge help. They are kind people and the ranch has a family feel about it. The care the horses receive is top notch! They have grass turn-outs for the horses, as well as multiple arenas and round pens. River Valley Ranch is a great place to board your beloved horse (or horses).

Amazingly quiet. The owner, host onsite, was gracious and welcoming from the first messages. Very…read moregood directions and greeted me at check in. The well water is deeelish! The vistas calming. I extended my stay as soon as I set up, sat done and took a good look around. As a solo female traveler I feel completely safe. There's adequate cell signal. Electric hookup. Cows and horses. Birds and grasshoppers. Great RV spots, but this tent camper was over the moon satisfied. Kim at Rancho del Nido rates five stars plus!

What a wonderful find! We camped here for a few nights and felt like we almost had the whole ranch…read moreto ourselves. Quiet and peaceful, with a million stars at night.