Got a kid that is horse-obsessed? We hear ya. Look no further, because we've rounded up the best places in Singapore (and beyond!) to take the kids for some horsey fun.
We are always on the lookout for fun farm visits, family-friendly outdoor activities and new places to enjoy the great outdoors with our city-dwelling kids, so we’ve been galloping around town to find the stables in Singapore, where mini-jockeys can pick up some skills with pony horse riding lessons.
We’ve rounded up (without the help of a lasso) the best equestrian centres that offer riding lessons for beginner and experienced riders, plus hacking, show jumping, dressage and stable management sessions too. We’ve even found ad hoc pony rides and a pony playgroup for little ones who are not quite ready to become fully-fledged equestrians!
WHERE TO GO HORSE RIDING WITH KIDS IN SINGAPORE
1. Gallop Stable
Gallop Stable offer a variety of horse-related activities such as riding lessons, pony rides and feeding, trail rides, riding camps and many more for everyone, young and old, to enjoy. Lessons range from private classes for junior riders semi-private instruction, and group lessons. You can sign up for various activities once you arrive at the stables. Kids can groom and feed these gentle and loving horses, go on a horse and pony ride (children as young as three years old can go on a ride!), or take a tour of the stables to learn more about horses in general. Plus, you could also host birthday parties, photoshoots and corporate events too.
Gallop Stable, 61 Pasir Ris Green, Singapore 518225 and Gallop Stable, 100 Turf Club Road, 287992
2. National Equestrian Centre Riding School
National Equestrian Centre is a public riding school under the Equestrian Federation of Singapore to promote and develop horse-riding sports in Singapore since 2011 through various riding programmes for children, adults, and corporates. The National Equestrian Centre is Singapore’s premiere horse and riding centre. Located in Thomson, this public facility doubles as the training grounds for the national team and plays host as a competition facility for equestrian events in Singapore. Fancy!
Psst, a pony playgroup programme for kids ages three to five years? You couldn’t make it up! This 90-minute session begins with art activities designed to familiarise kiddos with horses before a riding lesson and ends with a cooking class to whip up delicious meals: for the ponies! Older kids can get into the saddle too: there are various riding packages on offer for all levels of expertise, and look out for Pony Camp activities going on during school holidays, too!
National Equestrian Centre, 100 Jalan Mashhor, Singapore 299177
3. Bukit Timah Saddle Club (BTSC) @ Kranji
Keen equestrians with a passion for show jumping and dressage should canter over to the British Horse Society-approved Bukit Timah Saddle Club. Small group lessons are available, as well as pony rides every weekend for kids aged three and up. Most recently, this beloved club has moved to Kranji. Head over to join some upcoming summer camps. BTSC is the only stable in Singapore that offers cross-country courses, so if flying over obstacles, including ditches, logs, ski jumps, and steps on top of a horse, is your thing, then this is the club for you!
Bukit Timah Saddle Club, Kranji, Singapore 738078
4. Singapore Polo Club
Get a history lesson and a riding lesson all rolled into one over at the oh-so-colonial Singapore Polo Club, which has been home to horses since 1886! Classes are held Tuesday to Sunday from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, and there are horse-and-stable management sessions, too, for riders to learn how to groom, feed, and care for the horses. Dig deep in your piggy bank for this one though, kids: it’s membership only.
Singapore Polo Club, 80 Mount Pleasant Road, Singapore 298334
5. Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre
New to horse riding? Fret not. The leisure horse ride experience is designed just for you. Learn from seasoned instructors all about the gears required for a safe ride and how to properly tack up your horse. During the horse grooming session, their instructors will also impart their tips and tricks to keeping our horses happy and healthy. Check out their options here.
Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre, 1 Equestrian Walk (off Woodlands Ave 3), Singapore 737863
6. Riders Resort (formerly Riders Lodge)
If you’re happy to go further afield, make a weekend of it and take the kids on a horse riding holiday in Malaysia. The kids will learn to be equestrians among palm and jungle horse-riding trails! The folks at Riders Resort have also put together a range of camps for kiddos interested in learning to ride and more!
Riders Resort, The Legends Golf and Country Resort, Lot 1302 Kebun Sedenak, 81000, Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Take note:
While horse riding has many benefits for kiddos, from increased balance, self-confidence, self-esteem and more, as with all sports, injuries happen during equestrian activities. Here are some tips to prevent common injuries:
- Make sure the stable conditions are adequate. Proper care of the horses is essential. Stables should be well maintained and staffed with trained professionals.
- Riders should always be careful around horses and instructed never to walk behind a horse or make sudden movements or loud noises near them.
- A trained professional should check that all equipment is in good working order. Girth straps, stirrup leathers and reins must be securely fastened before children can ride.
- Safety gear should fit children properly.
Happy horse riding with the kiddos!
