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    Houston's Horseback Riding

    4.6 (51 reviews)
    Closed • 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Houston's Horseback Riding Photos

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    Melissa T.

    Excellent experience! Would do it over and over again!! My husband I did a private tour, it was booked for 90 minutes but ended up being two hours. We totally loved the property as they had antique from equipment and vehicles that was nice to look at! This is a family run business and all very very nice. Very close to sequoia national park and the tour takes you into the park. They also take pictures for you. Would definitely recommend!!!

    Start of the trail ride
    Melanie M.

    Houston's 2 hr trail ride was a beautiful ride through a wash and through the Saguaro National Park. This family owned business is well run from the easy booking process, text confirmations and accommodations. They took my Nana on their golf cart from her car to the horse stables and were very patient with her as she got on and off the horse. Tip: A 2 hour trail tide might be an hour too long for your 86 year old grandparent no matter how much they insist they can handle it. I rode Tom who was sweet and easy to ride. I'd like to try a private in the future.

    Robert C.

    Myself and guest were looking for last minute horseback riding in the Tucson area. Called at almost 5 pm on a Saturday. Warmly greeted by a nice women who made space for us for a Sunday morning ride. We took off late as one party was running 30 minutes behind. It was the gals birthday so we all understood. Light slow 2 hours of trail ridding. Horses were very pleasant and well trained. You could see they were well loved and cared for the the staff. Our partied varied. A few seemed comfortable on a horse - others had no idea what they were doing. So this place is fine for all. Staff was very patient and understanding of guest. I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone I know. Thank you all for a good time!

    Along the trail
    Janelle P.

    Went for a private trail ride with Bobbi this week. We had never really been horseback riding before but they helped us immensely along the course of the ride. It was truly a memorable way of experiencing Saguaro National Park and gave us the vantage point to truly enjoy the immense beauty of the area. If you do one thing in Tucson, go for a trail ride. It was our favorite experience.

    Houston's
    Susan D.

    I don't ride as often as I'd like to, partly because I live in Chicago. This year I decided to schedule a horseback riding lesson while visiting Tucson and after reading a ton of reviews, selected Houston's. I hit the jackpot! I learned more in 90 minutes than I did in all the trail rides I've taken before. Bobbi was awesome and a wealth of horse knowledge, not to mention a patient and kind teacher. The ride was beautiful and for the first time, I got off my horse not feeling sore. Amazing- when someone tells you how to sit what a difference it makes. I've already scheduled another ride in three days. Can't say enough good things about Houston's. I even splurged and bought some boots after she recommended a place.

    Rob J.

    Horseback riding - The Best I've Seen Around The World! Bobbi and her crew are above reproach. There is no 'single' factor that makes this amazing; rather, it's a huge culmination of many things. Primarily, the crew wants you to be welcomed (and it's very genuine and sincere), the horses are absolutely fantastic, well fed and easy to handle. The surrounding ride in the desert they take you on equals almost two hours. TWO hours?? Yes, for the price, I will go back, and maybe again, and again. This is THE best way to see incredible acres and acres of the Sonoran and surrounding land, (especially recommend the dust/evening rides!) The tour guides have more information than Wikipedia and what a treasure to see the Sonoran Desert in all her glory which is right here with Houston's Horseback Riding. The initial starting point is a quaint, slightly tree covered area of Tucson (rare) and the antique equipment and yesteryear parts strewn around the facility are a charm to Bobbi's husband's mind! This makes quite the photogenic place and something to cherish if not for the fact that it's so peaceful. I came with a family of four women and all who had previous riding equestrian training. The horses are sweeties and a joy to be on as they mind very well. We managed to get in-between SO much wildlife that it felt like a 'Disney' environment; but it was just beautiful NATURE at its finest. Coyotes howling, wild Boars, numerous birds and Jackrabbits. You seriously can see all of these on the trip. This is just a taste of the experience. I highly, repeat, HIGHLY recommend this facility for the environment, pleasure and quality. Can't be beat! Thank you Bobbi Houston!

    Melissa M.

    My daughter attended summer horse camp here- we picked it because it was closest to our house, but we love it! It's a shady ranch and the owner is super friendly and makes you feel like part of the family. Loved the dogs running around (Veeda was my favorite) We we're impressed with the level of training they gave and they even provided snacks and breaks during the daily trail rides. I look forward to going back for a sunset trail ride myself!

    Girls' Trip 2022

    As part of a girl's trip, me and 6 other ladies went on a trail ride at Houston's Horseback Riding. The staff was very kind and the horses were friendly. The view of the mountains and the dessert was wonderful and ride therapeutic! One thing to note is that the trail was very dry and dusty, so I would recommend that riders protect themselves from the dust and bring plenty of water--enjoy!

    Miriam K.

    What a wonderful experience! On a freakishly cold day (40 degrees and windy) my two daughters and I joined Houston's for a ride. My eldest and I had no experience--but no problem! We were greeted warmly by an older gentlemen in the driveway/parking area who walked us down the drive. (He was an owner/worked there ). From there, Corey, Bobbi and others helped us onto horses and guided a beautiful tour. Due to spring rains we all traversed the river/wash--quite the experience! Upon ending they said they'd see us next time were in Tucson--and they will! Great establishment!

    Visited on 11/05/2017 This is a review of the private ride only. My friends and I left Seattle for a much needed break from the rain. After signing some forms, a quick trip to the honey bucket, and basic horse commands tutorial, we met our horses and started trotting to the trail. My horse seemed healthy, happy, and was very sweet ! Our guides were amazingly friendly and knowledgeable about the plants and animals in the area. Being on horseback in such a beautiful setting was amazing! I also appreciated the fact that the guides offered to take photos to commemorate the moment. My friends really enjoyed themselves and thought this was the highlight of the trip!

    Leslie C.

    Bobbi and Sarah were wonderful tour guides, Bobbi's mother Susan was so sweet and helpful. They made great efforts to accommodate us on an unpredictable day of rain before we left the next morning back to CA. The horses were all sweet and very well cared for. The property was great for taking photos. We even saw some wildlife while out riding: rabbits, a deer, a hawk, some lizards, and her a nearby coyote I was grateful to not see . They were will to stop and take our photos to help preserve the memories. I would love to come ride with them again if we are ever in the area. Pricing was reasonable and customer service was A+. Thanks Bobbi for the great time!

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    7 years ago

    We really enjoyed the ride. The horses are well cared for and the family who owns the ranch was really sweet.

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    Review Highlights - Houston's Horseback Riding

    “Houston's 2 hr trail ride was a beautiful ride through a wash and through the Saguaro National Park.”

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    Tanque Verde Guest Ranch - Our, very cozy room; loved the wood-burning fireplace. They even came to our room to help get it started!

    Tanque Verde Guest Ranch

    3.6(176 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    •$$$

    Nice place with fun activities and a few quirks. My favorite was the Saturday cookout. It wasnt…read morebest steak ever but was good and really enjoyed the live music and outside venue. Went here for a family reunion and everyone had a blast. We had a big group with kids and teens up to grandparents. I loved the rooms and furnishing. Bed and chairs all super comfy and sturdy. The activities were all fun and the folks running the activities really seemed happy and helpful. One caveat is some guests seemed to have unrealistic expectations of the activities and their abilities. For instance a lot of people didn't qualify for the lope ride and probably shouldnt have qualified for safety reasons but still seemed upset about it. My kids were too old for the kids club but the kids who were in that program looked to be having an awesome time! It is great to have that option on a place like this. Couple things they could improve on: The online activity signup clunky to the point of barely functional. Everyone, even small kids had to create separate accounts -- i even called to confirm this and was told to reuse emails and phone numbers. A 9 year old doesn't need their own account. One member of our group just gave up on signup and showed up for events. Also you need to have everything signed up for by 8 pm the night before but there is no easy way to cancel and no penalty for not showing up -- so when activities start there is usually space but you have to wait until the no shows don't show. Bathrooms in some rooms were quite small. The toilet in my sisters room i think was built for a child. The food included with the rooms was good but not great. The al a carte menu was better but quite pricey. Also service in restaurant seemed good not great. We would have to flag down a waitress and several times they would say no problem and scurry off to fulfill our request, when others at the table also had requests. Also some of the staff could use some more training. They are clearly reaching for a luxury travel experience but check in, communication and questions seemed to lead to different answers from different people. For instance when the folks before us were checking in they were asked what time they wanted to come to breakfast, while we were told to call 1 hour before coming down -- frankly i dont really want to do either and would like to just show up for the breakfast thats included in price. The staff was all very nice but a bit more training and organization is needed. But none of the issues really affected our trip and as a whole great time and I would definitely return.

    We have been to Tanque Verde twice, and absolutely loved it both times. The staff are so friendly…read moreand welcoming, and most of them have been there a very long time. There are a wide assortment of rooms. Last time we had a nice Casita. This time we were in a smaller room, but it still had a wood-burning fireplace, which was so cozy on chilling evenings, The property is beautiful, the trail rides are wonderful and the desert landscape is stunning. It is such a treat to be around and ride the horses. We also went on great walks, hikes. They also have tons of activities I'd like to try next time, like pickleball, tennis, archery, fishing, etc. The pool area and Jacuzzi is so relaxing and beautiful. My husband loved the saloon, and it was a fun watering hole for happy hour. I was doing Dry January, and the bartender made me a tasty mocktail, and we met some nice people. The food was very good. We were there for Friday prime rib night, which was awesome, and loved the salad and soup bar. Looking forward to our next trip and hope to bring more family or friends next time!

    Photos
    Tanque Verde Guest Ranch - Breakfast ride

    Breakfast ride

    Tanque Verde Guest Ranch - Horseback ride

    Horseback ride

    Tanque Verde Guest Ranch - Beautiful location!

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    Beautiful location!

    The Rockin' Star Ranch

    The Rockin' Star Ranch

    4.5(57 reviews)
    8.7 mi

    We recently had the most wonderful trail riding experience at Rockin' Star Ranch with family…read moreranging in age from 2 to 72, and every single person had a fantastic time! The horses were thoughtfully matched to each rider's size and experience level, and it was clear how well cared for and well-trained they all are. The guides were absolutely phenomenal -- not only friendly and professional but they went above and beyond, even riding backwards at times to capture incredible photos and videos for us! As someone who tends to be nervous around horses, I was given the most patient, gentle, and intuitive horse, which made the entire experience enjoyable and safe. When my 2-year-old decided he had to ride with Mama AFTER everyone was saddled up, they went out of their way to help us rearrange and make it happen -- and I still felt safe and confident holding him, which speaks volumes about both the horses and the staff. We've been to Rockin' Star Ranch a few times over the years, and it's always been a special place for our family. In fact, our now 12-year-old once rode the same sweet pony on a lead ride that our 2-year-old recently did -- a true testament to the love, care, and longevity they provide for their animals. Every single interaction we've had with their staff has been warm, professional, and full of kindness and patience. They are always happy to teach, answer questions, and help everyone -- from total beginners to more experienced riders -- feel welcome and confident. I can't recommend Rockin' Star Ranch enough for families or anyone looking for a safe, fun, and memorable horseback riding experience!

    After an extremely disappointing ride in Benson, with horses that could barely move I was beyond…read morefrustrated... and having only one day to myself in AZ while on a work trip I was feeling down. I called a bunch of places, and this one answered. Oh my word, this was exactly what I needed! Chris is an incredible, experienced, and funny guide, and the ride was FUN. He even took videos and photos and shared them after the ride. I lost my keys, and he helped me find them at the end of the ride, which was extra time and effort. Iris and Stormy are awesome horses, Stormy helped with finding the keys. I would say this is the single best trail ride I've ever done, and I ride A LOT but usually have a "no trail" rule--most trail rides are a snoozefest experience, and I would straight out recommend lessons with a trainer instead. Chris' place does fun trail rides, lessons, parties, you name it.... And such great horses. Can't recommend them enough!

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    The Rockin' Star Ranch
    The Rockin' Star Ranch - Our son on the same pony 10 years later!

    Our son on the same pony 10 years later!

    The Rockin' Star Ranch

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    Heart of the Horse

    Heart of the Horse

    4.8(18 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    David is great !!! the environment is beautiful and well kept ! Just a great place to be ! Such…read morebeautiful horses

    That's the thing about David--he always has to have the last word. The day I was asked to leave, he…read morefollowed me around yelling at me in front of volunteers and staff. This made me feel completely backed into a corner. I repeatedly asked him to please let me get my things and go home, as I had been there since 6 a.m., had not eaten or taken a break, and it was 5 p.m. Instead, he continued provoking me until I responded in kind. His anger and the way he uses it to intimidate people have been a recurring issue in my experience. I also witnessed a similar situation involving Kelli and her husband Al, who has since passed away. On what was one of Al's last, if not his last, rides with Blue, several of Al's friends rode onto the property to meet them for a trail ride. After a verbal altercation between David and Al's friends over their gaited horses being too close to the barn, Al left with them to trail ride. David then approached Kelli, in front of me and another student/volunteer, and began screaming at her that she and Al were banned from the property and had to remove Blue that day. Kelli repeatedly apologized and explained that she and Al had nothing to do with his friends' behavior and had nowhere to move Blue on such short notice. After she continued apologizing, David eventually calmed down and allowed them to stay. Watching this interaction was extremely upsetting, particularly given the circumstances, and it was another example of the anger, intimidation, and instability I experienced in my time at the ranch. That being said, I appreciate the acknowledgment of the years I spent caring for the horses, but I believe the response misses the central concern of my review: the unprofessional behavior of the owner and barn manager and the welfare of the horses who work there. I also want to clarify that I was never a therapy patient at Heart of the Horse. I was a volunteer who spent years caring for the horses. Therefore, invoking confidentiality or HIPAA to avoid addressing the specific concerns raised in my review is misleading. The issues I raised concern my own firsthand experiences as a volunteer and the care of horses, not the private health information of a therapy client. In my horse Earl's case, he suffered from significant left stifle arthritis for years while he was a lesson horse at Heart of the Horse. Looking through photos of him on Instagram and Facebook, his recurring leg wounds and bedsores are visible, including photos where they appear to be bleeding or wrapped in vet wrap. Despite his pain and mobility issues, he continued participating in lessons without Equioxx or other appropriate pain/comfort management. His current veterinarian has since determined that his arthritis requires ongoing management, and he is now enjoying a comfortable retirement with appropriate veterinary care. I am also concerned about the "dental" care horses at the ranch received. In October 2025, the dental provider used by the ranch filed Earl's teeth deeply enough to expose the pulp. Subsequently, Earl broke tooth 306, which is closest to the Tom Thumb or Pelham bit that the barn manager insisted he needed for "brakes." These are not, in my opinion, examples of putting an individual horse's comfort and safety first. They also raise concerns for me about whether other horses have received similarly appropriate care while using ill-fitting tack. Earl is now retired, comfortable, appropriately medically managed, and living a much happier life. The greatest thing David ever did for Earl was give him to me, and I am thankful for that gift. At the same time, I remain concerned about the horses still in the establishment's care. I understand that the ranch may not wish to discuss individual situations publicly. However, that does not change my firsthand experience or my concerns about the way horses are managed and cared for. My review reflects my experience, and I stand by it. The positive reviews David references do not change that experience either.

    Photos
    Heart of the Horse - Ares in his paddock

    Ares in his paddock

    Heart of the Horse
    Heart of the Horse

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    Raven Ranch

    Raven Ranch

    4.0(8 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    This place continues to go down hill. The current owners have owned the ranch for four years. They…read moredon't live on property, and don't even live in Tucson. They have not been hands on ever. Instead they hired a tyrant manager who threatens boarders when they question anything happening on property, including light feedings, which occurs frequently. When asked about repairs we are ignored, to the point of horses being injured and having to be put down. After putting the ranch up for sale for an insane price, as we all know it wasn't worth even close to what they were asking, they decide to make the poor decision to lease the ranch to a 26 year old with a record. Including misuse of livestock. Prior to this they stopped dragging footing, allowed weeds to grow all over the property and continue to not engage in any proper fly control. They were reached out to by numerous boarders and yet nothing happened or improved. The "new" manger at least fired all previous management, who had not done anything at the barn in years. She calls her self a trainer and doesn't even work with her own horse. Takes people's money to work their horses and then does nothing with them. She constantly lies about why she is constantly late to feeding at night and or not doing her job, EVER. Now that the ranch is under 50 horses, with one arena left with decent footing that still isn't being maintained properly, the owners have determined they are now going to "manage" the ranch and have hired new employees, yet have been duped into bringing back the previous manager as an hourly employee. The only reason most of us stay is for the best trainer onsite, Casi, and the owners continue to refuse to realize that listening to her and her boarders would actually help them make the ranch much improved. It's unbelievable that boarders have continued to stick it out in the horrible conditions and the lack of use of half the property. All the owners want is to make money and they some how thought this ranch would make it for them through a "flip". They don't care about the welfare of the horses and they don't really even know what they are doing because they are not horse people themselves. Not sure what will finally make them wake up and realize they continue to make one bad decision after another. This is a customer service business and their customer service is just as dilapidated as what they have turned the barn into.

    I cannot recommend Raven Ranch based on my experience boarding here. For over $500 per month, I…read moreexpected better communication, and care for both horses and boarders. Communication from management has been extremely poor. Concerns often go unanswered, and there is little to no management presence on-site. Important issues affecting the barn and horses are not communicated to boarders in a timely manner. The facility itself has also declined. Stalls are falling apart, weeds are overgrown throughout the property, and stall cleaning and water maintenance have been inconsistent. My horse has had vet visits from being cut on the fences that were supposed to be fixed. Feedings have not always occurred on schedule, which is concerning when horses rely on routine. Arena access has become increasingly limited. One arena is the only available riding space, and it is frequently set up with jumps, making it difficult for riders of other disciplines to use comfortably. My biggest concern is the handling of pigeon fever outbreaks. Multiple cases have occurred, yet communication and management of the situation have been inadequate. Horse owners deserve prompt notification and clear protocols when contagious illnesses are present on the property. For the amount boarders are paying, I expected better facility upkeep, more reliable horse care, and significantly better communication. Unfortunately, my experience has been disappointing, and I cannot justify the cost based on the level of service provided.

    Photos
    Raven Ranch - Raven Ranch

    Raven Ranch

    Raven Ranch - A rare Snow Day at Raven Ranch!

    A rare Snow Day at Raven Ranch!

    Raven Ranch - Look who came to visit our horse at Raven Ranch! 3

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    Look who came to visit our horse at Raven Ranch! 3

    Houston's Horseback Riding - horsebackriding - Updated September 2026

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