We hosted my son's fourth birthday party at Lynne's Riding Center which was an unforgettable experience for all the 30 kids! Lynne, Cowboy Eddie, Cowgirl Amber, and all the volunteers were amazing. They kept the toddlers and parents entertained for three hours. I would recommend Lynne's Riding Center for anyone looking for some horseback riding as an adult or child. The staff is so kind and pour their souls into taking care of the horses and facility. They also have a great tots program if you want your child to learn about horses. read more

Lynnes Riding Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Forest Hills, New York

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Lynne is very patient and carefully observes and corrects my position. I am 78 and decided to get back in the saddle after a long hiatus. The small ring is great for beginners, children and especially seniors who might feel intimidated or unsecure in a more normal, larger size ring. As seniors today are living longer, and more health conscious, a half hour lesson with Lynne is a great leg workout. So saddle up at Lynne's! Very accessible via subway to Forrest Hills E or F train and a pleasant 20 minute walk through a lovely neighborhood with plenry of great shopping and resraurants or catch the Q 23 bus. read more

We hosted our daugter's birthday party here after she fell in love after her first lesson. Cowgirl Amber and her crew were amazing!!! Very attentive and patient. Amber made sure my daugter lived out her cowgirl dreams. Let's not forget cowboy shawn and his tricks that had all the children amazed! read more

I finally had the experience of what it was like to ride a horse! I was so nervous and a little intimidated by the power of these animals, but I also knew they had gentle souls. I rode "Daisy" and she was great for me as a first time rider. The instructors and other staff members were wonderful. I felt on top of the world when I left! read more

Lynn was the best there was, it's a shame it's sold, but now it's Lynn's turn to relax, God bless you wherever you are, Tommy Ravinsky

Let me preface this review by saying it's a long one, I know...but the negative reviews have to be displaced! Lynne's Riding School is a breath of fresh air in the Type A hustle that is Queens. I've always adored horses from afar but never had the opportunity (financially or otherwise) to ride. Go figure that after growing up in CT, I would start riding in Forest Hills of all places. I started riding about 4 months ago - we're talking wobbly scaredy-cat "what am i doing here" beginner - and from the moment I walked in, felt right at home in the smell of the barn and the welcoming nature of the employees. Fast forward to today, and I've finally achieved my personal goal - "making it to the park!" The best part about the school is the adjacency to Forest Park, one of the most beautiful and untouched areas in NYC. There is a dedicated bridle path there that few know about, allowing equestrians a gorgeous ride through forestry and quiet. Again, in QUEENS!? At Lynne's they truly love their horses, and besides teaching the basics of riding, the instructors really help riders appreciate each horse's personality and how that lends itself to the ride. Personally I never realized how sassy they can be! However, equally as important as respecting the horses, is the emphasis on safety. Safety was one of my key concerns in starting to ride, especially as an adult. I have to say, I never once felt scared atop the horse due to the staff's direction, and frankly, the horses' absolutely obvious respect and comfort with the staff. The horses rarely spook when around the staff since they truly feel safe. It's quite amazing to see. While everyone is absolutely lovely here, there are some people I feel are very special: -Lynne: the woman behind it all, I've never seen firsthand someone who is such an expert in her craft. She's direct and thorough in her teaching style (I've been lucky enough to work with her one on one quite a bit), with a huge emphasis on the basics for safety. I like how conservative the school is with safety - it's so important. I've always felt like I'm in great hands with her, and I know her horses feel the same way. -Diana: I adore her. She was one of my first instructors when I started taking lessons. She taught me a lot about what I know about horse behavior and how they think, which has made me a better rider. She also got me comfortable enough on a horse to be taken off lead line quickly. All in all, I'm addicted to this place - it is my new version of yoga, and I couldn't recommend it more highly! read more

Lynn's is not a bad place to learn how to ride especially if you're a beginner according to many of the other reviews, but I'm giving it 3 stars for a couple of reasons. 1) The horses appear to be kept inside 24/7 without turnout. (There is no pasture available to them in the area, which is a requirement for these animals to live out healthy and happy lives.) They also appear to stand tacked up throughout the day in their very small stalls without getting brushed down or hosed off after rides. The horse I rode (Felix) was actually huffing and flaring his nostrils when he was brought into the riding ring, which isn't a good sign. He also appeared to be a little underweight; but even at the age of 19, he should have decent muscle and fat content on his body. 2) The riding ring is smaaaaaaall. I had a private lesson but ended up sharing the indoor with 2 other beginner lessons, which got very crowded very fast. As this was my first lesson at Lynne's, I wasn't able to ride in the park down the road, but it would have been nice if they had spread out their schedule a little more. 3) Riders do not have access to jumps. It makes sense because the ring is too small, but as I am an eventer of ~10 years of experience, I was hoping to advance in my dressage and/or jumping abilities, neither of which Lynne's caters to. In fact my instructor seemed to think that I was more advanced than the barn could accommodate thereby encouraging me to seek lessons at another facility. Now, I do think I received good quality instruction at Lynne's, and the staff seem to be fairly professional (although they did have problems returning my calls in order to schedule the lesson). However, I really don't think that the way they keep their horses is at all appropriate or fulfills the needs of the horses in any capacity. The facility itself was relatively lackluster, and as an experienced rider, I was hoping to see a larger riding ring and access to jumps. read more

I've taken out horses into the park with both this place and the former neighbor Dixie Dew. Hey, what kind of choice does one have? There aren't many stables in the NY area. But I was not happy. First of all, the place seemed totally disorganized. You sit around waiting for horses to come back. I took a couple of lessons, and found the instructors to be inexperienced. Lynne was, to coin a phrase, nasty. Dixie Dew used to be a lot better, certainly friendlier, but it closed a while back. Really slim pickings in general for people wanting a good riding stable in NYC. read more

The instructors are pretty patient and useful. We start from learning the horse behaviors and how to communicate with the horse and what's the right position on the horse back. I found that my previous positions are wrong that made me tired after riding. It's very important to position right from the start to form a good habit. Later on we move quickly to how to stop and how to steer, horses are very smart animals. and lastly I have tried to move up and down when the horse is running, it's an essential step before moving on to next level. I learned a lot during the coaching and i found it very useful. Coaches are super nice. I will come back again. read more

Lynnes Riding Center - My horse, sady. Cool and calm girl - Horseback Riding Near Me - Forest Hills, New York

I love riding at Lynne's and come just about every weekend. The bridle path in the park is a treasure. Lynne provides very mature instruction almost yoga inspired so easy for me to understand. I'm proud of my riding accomplishments at this great barn! read more

My daughter and I have been taking riding lessons there for roughly 2 years now. I cannot say enough good things about Lynne and her staff!!! Lynne is a very professional woman with a heart of gold. The instructors are knowledgeable, professional, and all around great people. The horses are well taken care of and a joy to ride. If you are looking for a great place to learn how to ride English, this is the place! read more

Former Country Mouse Turned City Slicker Highly Recommends Lynne's Riding Center. I started lessons at Lynne's Riding Center a year ago with the intention of getting in shape to go on a week-long trail ride out in Utah. It had been many years since I'd been on a horse. I found Lynne's to be the perfect match to my needs. Lynne's is welcoming, the staff is excellent, the premises and horses are well-maintained, and the mounts range from ponies for children to challenging horses for experienced riders. I took three months of lessons before my vacation last year, and the team at Lynne's got me up to snuff and then some. I was pleased to be worthy of the excellent horse I rode that week (and in all honesty, happy that I could walk after dismounting at the end of each day in the saddle). The Utah ranch owner complimented my teacher - no small thing in my book. Lynne's puts safety first. Riding helmets are mandatory, and the school provides a large selection for use during lessons. Expect to take lessons inside the ring until the staff is satisfied that you have the skills and temperament to handle a horse in the park. And remember, this is NYC, so handling a horse in the park isn't like it is back home in the sticks. I'm from the sticks. I know. And that's all to the good. You want to be safe, you want your horse to be safe, and you want runners and people walking their dogs on the same trails with you and your horse to be safe. Lessons in the ring are great preparation, and a chance to work on horse handling skills. Once you're ready, riding in the park is glorious. Logistics: Lessons are easy to arrange, I've never had an unreturned phone call. There is good street parking (no meters). You may want to arrive a few minutes early to sign your waiver and to pick out and adjust a helmet for your lesson. And a note about the spiteful reviewer who resented her first (and it sounds like only) lesson in the ring and left a pissy review (1) Only a complete fool would turn horses out in NYC. Are you kidding me? You can't even lock a bike on the street here. (2) The ring is small? Not to my eyes, but maybe she forgot that NYC is a series of islands, and space is at a premium (I get the impression that she's probably still complaining about the square footage of her apartment too, so I take her with a grain of salt.) She didn't get to jump? I don't know anyone in NYC who is going to let you jump during the first lesson - remember, safety first. (3) Lynne's horses are very well cared for. I've been riding here consistently for a year - no horse is left hungry, thirsty, dirty, tacked up all day, unexercised or is mistreated. The bottom line is that this is a solid, well-run establishment where you can learn to ride and/or improve your riding skills, and where you will meet other riders who share your enthusiasm. I highly recommend Lynne's Riding Center. read more

Went to Lynne's for a refresher session. She has a very different English riding style than what I'm use to. Besides that, she's a very attentive instructor. I would recommend her for first-time riders or trail riding. read more

Whenever I go out West to do range management or rope cattle, just for the fun of it, I'm asked, "where did you learn to ride"? I've been riding at Lynne's for almost a decade and assure you that if you are serious about riding, Lynne's is the place for you. It's not for those looking to compete, but if you're looking to become a better rider and want to go about it in a safe manner, Lynne's is the place for you. If you are willing to put in the time it takes to improve your skill set, you'll find that Lynne's Riding School will complement your effort. read more

I take lessons at Lynne's almost every weekend and look forward to them all week. I rode competitively (hunter, jumper) for 10 years training at a few different stables with several different trainers over the years and after a 15 year break started riding again a year ago at Lynne's. Lynne is by far the best trainer I have ever worked with. Lynne teaches me to engage my muscles and align my body in the proper way to be safe on the horse and so that I have control of and understand the slight cues I provide to the horses. When she explains something she will use different references (a yoga pose for example) until I understand it. I can't say enough about what a great instructor Lynne is- her training has helped me to have better posture and less back pain even when I'm not riding. The barn is clean and well maintained and the horses are very well cared for. There is a nice waiting area out front and an indoor waiting area when you first enter the barn. The indoor arena is great as it allows new riders to train under close supervision as well as provides cover from inclement weather. There is even an additional room that allows spectators to view the lessons. Once a rider advances they can progress to riding in Forest Hills Park which is a hidden gem in our busy city. Riding through the park is an amazing experience and makes it easy to forget that you are in the middle of NYC. I volunteer with Gallop (a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with physical and mental handicaps) and Lynne's barn is one of the 4 that gallop uses which speaks again to the safety and professionalism of this stable. Everyone at the barn (from the barn manager to the owners to all of the instructors) is extremely professional and knowledgeable. I highly recommend Lynne's to riders of all levels. In fact I have referred a few people and they loved it! read more

Time, once again, has taken away something that many had hoped, would be here forever. Lynnes riding center, is now a fond memory of a much treasured past. from the people, to the horses, and to the daily adventures we were there for. its all now part of that truism of life. enjoy what you have at the moment, because that moment never lasts. read more

I have just been reading some of the reviews and felt the need to chime in. This is a barn where you won't find jumping, you won't find a turn-out for the horses and you won't find a gigantic indoor ring. It's Queens not Montana. And the indoor ring is more than sufficient anytime but especially during inclement weather. Lynne is the best and cares first and foremost for her horses. Riding through the park is an amazing experience but before you run you have to walk. So your abilities need to be assessed first before you go out on group rides or lessons in the park. The barn gave me years of joy and comfort and a sense of accomplishment and was a major part of my life. Moved away almost 12 years ago but will always have the best memories. read more

a couple of years ago I wrote a review bashing the quality of the care at Lynne's. I was recently invited to stop by, unannounced at anytime to see how the care of the horses has been upgraded. today i made an unannounced visit & was given a tour of the stable. I have to admit, I was impressed by the upgrade in care & the overall appearance of the stable The horses seemed very well cared for & the stalls & barn area were in excellent shape. The horses stalls were all very clean & well bedded with shavings. It seems that the stable has gone through a lot of positive changes and upgrades in both horse care & maintenance. I give strong props to Lynne's Riding School for making all of these great changes. I have no problem now recommending Lynne's to anyone looking to ride there or take lessons. Kenneth Lee read more

First let me say that no one asked me to write this review! They don't even know I am writing it, and it comes straight from an appreciative heart! Lynne started me off riding when I was already older, and I cannot imagine a better start. She was amazingly patient, truly cared about my learning, and studied me in the saddle so carefully to see where I needed to learn. As a result of hours of hard work together I have been able to ride at farms and trails around the world as I have traveled - what a joy! I am continuing to study and hope one day to do dressage. I will owe it all to Lynne! The fear that I felt before has gone. Lynne teaches safety first and I feel pretty confident that I know how to stay as safe as possible on a horse, enough so I have fun and enjoy learning and growing. Her horses are far better than I hoped for. I know places up the Hudson that have larger indoor rings and more space, but where the horses are dull and unresponsive. This barn keeps a variety of well-trained, responsive horses that are happy and well cared for. And with all this, I can get here on the F train from Manhattan. We are lucky to still be able to ride through a New York park trail. I hope we can keep our few remaining stables forever. read more

The instructors here are AWESOME. While the facility isn't the nicest, what do you expect 15 miles outside of NYC. If you're looking to have real riding lessons - this is the place to go. read more

I woke up and said 2 myself " today I want to do something different" so i decided a pony ride would be something cool,new and exciting for my 6 yr old son!! So after doing some research I decided upon Lynne's and I'm so glad I did!!! My son was terrified at first he started 2 cry so we left but he conquered his fear and decided he would give it a try so we went back!! The staff is very pleasant and they were very understanding of the first time jitters that my son was feeling which any mother would appreciate,they introduced him to the horse,made them both comfy then we were able to proceed with the pony ride!! My son cant wait 2 go back!!! read more

I rode at Lynne's when her dad and mom had the stable. Also worked at Parkside riding academy as a teen. Holtzhausers were all 5 stars

Brought my boys here for their first riding experience. They really loved it. The assistants have a great attitude which helped the boys enjoy it all the more. Being an avid rider I'd love to come back again and ride the trails. read more

Lynne's Riding School is the best place to learn to ride! Lynne not only provides great instruction, but also gives you an understanding of the mechanics for your every move on the horse. She has a keen intuition about your strengths and weaknesses and works with you on them. She has many teaching aids and provides you with the tools you need to safely ride a horse. I have ridden in many places on Long Island, but didn't know the best kept secret was in Queens, NY.! read more

The day we went to inquire about having a birthday party at Lynn's we were a bit taken back. Not the most glamorous to have a little girls party. Needless to say we booked it. Its a DIY party only renting the rooms.The party was fantastic. The birthday girl, friends and even the adults had a great time!! The staff was amazing. (Thank you Debbie, you could not have been more fabulous) Patient with the first time hesitant riders. The party was a huge hit and a great success. We would definitely return to host another party or ride the horses. read more

Came here on our 5th wedding anniversary so my hubster and I can do something different. We couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more. We had the most delightful experience. From the staff, to the lesson structure and the sweet creatures we were able to ride it was an all-around perfect time! Plan to resume equestrian lessons and will be returning as regular patrons. Cowboy Eddie runs the place and he treated us like family. So if you're looking for something different and fun to do, I highly recommend this place! read more

We had our daughter's 8th birthday party here and it was terrific. The kids had a great time riding the horses. All the staff were very nice and they talked to the kids while they were on the horses. The kids got to brush and groom the horses and again the staff was very patient and answered many questions and finally the girls had a barn tour! The party room was the perfect size for us (about 12 kids). The staff were nearby to answer any questions but were not intrusive and so the vibe of the party was very chill. Much thanks to Lynn's and the great staff for helping us create this great experience for our daughter and her friends. read more

I had been taking lessons since January at one barn and just felt like I wasn't getting the complete picture of riding or the best instruction. Then I took lessons at another facility in upstate New York and knew for sure that I needed a different place to ride. I started looking for another place to ride and came across Lynne's Riding School. I have taken a few lessons there with Lynne and could not be happier. The staff have been incredibly nice and helpful with all my questions. Their system is very organized when it comes to lesson times, payment, etc. I really like that and the fact that I've only been there a few times and they know who I am when I walk in. The stables look great and the horses are in beautiful condition. Lynne is a phenomenal instructor and it is very obvious she loves horses and teaching. In previous lesson experiences, I have had instructors who teach because it is something to do in the equestrian world. Lynne teaches because she is a teacher at her core. I am a Pilates instructor and am kind of picky about who I have teach me things and I could not recommend anyone other then Lynne. She is attentive, creative, and totally hands on. When I am on the horse, her attention is fully on me, which is something that was missing from my last place. She has pointed out things in my posture and movements that no other instructor has ever noticed. When I focus on what she corrects, I can feel an instant change. She helps you to understand the mechanics of riding through the use of props, imagery and her clear instructions. She "gets it" that learning a new skill of any kind takes time and she has the patience to take the journey with you as you're learning. When you ride with Lynne, you will learn how to use your body to communicate with the horse, you'll develop a balanced seat, confidence in your ability to handle a horse, and enjoy the experience. read more

I have taken lessons at other barns and found myself being pushed through the paces without an understanding of what I was doing or having any proficiency one skill before moving on. I was taught to have my calf on while my thigh was off the horse and to kick and pull the reigns until the horse moves. I assume this leg position is in an effort to keep riders from pinching in at their knees and the kicking and pulling is to get motion happening but all of this left me feeling unsafe, like I couldn't do anything correctly, wondering if I was hurting the horse, and questioning if riding was for me. When I asked my instructor for further explanation and to go back to more basics, I hadn't received the answer I would've liked. Each instructor just kept telling me to not worry because I'd eventually get it. Dissatisfied with my experiences, I started looking for a new place to ride and discovered Lynne's Riding School to be the exact opposite of those other places. The instructors take the time to go through the basics to ensure you understand what they are asking you to do, why what they are asking is important to your safety and to your ability to communicate with the horse, and aren't afraid to pause a lesson to help you get a better grasp of the skills. I am developing my ability to determine what I may have done incorrectly or what may be missing from my cue if the horse doesn't do what I asked instead of kicking and pulling until the horse moves. I can use my thighs, without pinching my knees, along with my core to stabilize my torso while using my calf to ask the horse to move forward or speed up. I use my reigns to change the directions but do so gently and with the aid of my leg. Having this deeper understanding of the skills, gentler approach to communicating with the horse, and knowing how to use my body, I have a sense of security while riding that I don't think I'd have ever developed at another school. Riding at Lynne's has totally changed how I feel about the sport of riding and as a rider in all the best possible ways. read more