Horseback Riding Lessons
Private and semi-private lessons for children and adults, from first-ever ride to confident intermediate rider.
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Harwood, MD · near Annapolis, MD
Leave the World Behind,
Horseback Riding Lessons & Trail Rides in Anne Arundel County, MD
Leave the World Behind,
Find Yourself on Horseback
Step off the road, down a quiet gravel lane, and onto peaceful wooded acres of woodland trails, open pasture, and horses who feel like old friends.
- 20+ years of riding experience
- Riders of every age & level
- Solar-powered, eco-minded farm
A warm welcome
— Savanna, Owner & Instructor
A little farm with a big, gentle heart
Welcome to Solitude Stables, a small family-run farm offering horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, just 13 miles south of Annapolis. I am Savanna, and teaching people to ride — really ride, with confidence and kindness — has been my life's work for more than fifteen years.
Our farm is hidden a mile from the road, surrounded by open fields and forest. It is the kind of place where a nervous first-timer can take a deep breath, meet a patient horse, and discover they are braver than they thought.
Whether your child is brand new to horses or already horse-crazy, we will meet them exactly where they are — no pressure, no rushing, just steady encouragement.
Your ride should be the best part of your day or week — the hour you look forward to the most.”
20+
Years in the saddle
15+
Years teaching riders
13
Miles south of Annapolis
5
Gentle horses in our herd
What we offer
Three gentle ways to ride with us
Every visit to our Harwood farm is tailored to the rider — their age, their goals, and how comfortable they feel around horses.
Guided Trail Rides
Calm, guided rides along quiet wooded trails — a memorable hour for families, beginners and seasoned riders.
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Where to Ride Near You
New to the area? Our researched local guide and interactive Trail Finder help you discover the best horse riding trails near Annapolis.
Explore trails Why families choose us
The Solitude Stables difference
We are not a big commercial barn, and we never want to be. Here is what that means for you.
Truly personal attention
Lessons are private or semi-private, so your instructor is focused on one or two riders — never a crowded ring.
Confidence comes first
We move at the rider's pace. No pressure, no rushing — just steady, patient encouragement every step.
Scenic wooded trails
Miles of peaceful forest trails make our farm a true trail rider's paradise, right here in southern Maryland.
Gentle, well-matched horses
Each horse is chosen for a calm temperament, and we carefully match every rider with the right partner.
A genuinely experienced teacher
With 20+ years riding and 15+ years teaching, plus a Master's in Conservation, Savanna brings real depth to every lesson.
An eco-minded family farm
We run primarily on solar power and care for our land as thoughtfully as we care for our horses.
It is easy to begin
From first hello to first ride
Four gentle steps from your first message to your first ride. Booking should feel as calm as the farm itself.
Reach out
Send a quick request. Tell us about the rider — their age, and whether they have ridden before.
We plan together
We will suggest the right first lesson or trail ride and find a day and time that suits you.
Meet your horse
Arrive a few minutes early, meet your gentle horse, and learn the basics with your instructor close by.
Ride & grow
Leave with a smile, a new skill and — we hope — a standing date with the horses.
Not sure where to start?
Find your perfect first ride
Answer three quick questions and we will point you toward the lesson or trail ride that fits best.
Who is hoping to ride?
How much riding experience is there so far?
What sounds best right now?
Riding lessons sound like a wonderful fit
Private and semi-private horseback riding lessons let you build balance, skill and confidence at your own pace, with an instructor right beside you the whole way.
A guided trail ride sounds perfect
Our guided trail rides wander quiet, wooded trails at a gentle pace — a relaxing, memorable hour for families, beginners and confident riders alike.
Meet the herd
The gentle horses who do the real teaching
Tap a horse to say hello. Every horse in our herd was chosen for a calm, patient temperament — full introductions and new photos are coming soon.
Twyla
One of the gentle, patient horses who will help you feel at home in the saddle. Come meet Twyla in person — a carrot never hurts!
Dolly
One of the gentle, patient horses who will help you feel at home in the saddle. Come meet Dolly in person — a carrot never hurts!
Dori
One of the gentle, patient horses who will help you feel at home in the saddle. Come meet Dori in person — a carrot never hurts!
Musket
One of the gentle, patient horses who will help you feel at home in the saddle. Come meet Musket in person — a carrot never hurts!
Cupcake
One of the gentle, patient horses who will help you feel at home in the saddle. Come meet Cupcake in person — a carrot never hurts!
More photos of Twyla, Dolly, Dori, Musket and Cupcake are on the way — the best introduction is always in person.
Honest, simple pricing
Clear rates, no surprises
Pay only for the rides you book — there are no membership fees and no hidden costs.
Semi-Private Lesson
$55/rider
- Great value for friends & siblings
- Beginner to intermediate
Most popular first step
Private Lesson
$65/rider
- Fully focused on you
- Ideal for first-timers
What riding with us feels like
Five-Star Promises, Every Single Ride
We are a young farm earning our first reviews the honest way. Until they roll in, here is what every rider can count on — in writing.
“Your first lesson is never a test. It is a gentle introduction — meet your horse, find your balance, and leave a little braver than you came.”
Our teaching promiseSavanna, Owner & Riding Instructor
“Every horse here is chosen for a calm, kind temperament. We match you with the right partner — never one you are not ready for.”
Our safety promiseThe Solitude Stables Family
“You will never feel like a number. Every lesson and trail ride is shaped around you — your goals, your comfort, your pace.”
Our personal promiseA small, family-run farm
Areas we serve
Welcoming riders from across Anne Arundel County
Tucked a mile off the road in Anne Arundel County, our farm is an easy, scenic drive from right across Anne Arundel County — just thirteen miles south of Annapolis. Find your town below, or get your bearings on the map.
13 milessouth of Annapolis
10 townsand growing
Quiet roadsa calm country drive
Our farm · Anne Arundel County, MD
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, honest answers to the questions we hear most.
Yes. Most riders who come to Solitude Stables have never sat on a horse before, and that is exactly who we love to teach. Every lesson is private or semi-private, so your instructor stays right beside you, and we begin with calm groundwork and the basics of balance long before any trotting. Beginners of every age are warmly welcome.
We welcome children, teens and adults. As a gentle guide, most children are ready for a first lesson around age six or seven, once they can follow simple instructions and feel comfortable near a large animal. We are always happy to talk through your child's readiness before you book.
Our farm sits on peaceful wooded acres at 4800 Solomons Island Rd, Harwood, MD 20776, about 13 miles south of Annapolis and hidden a mile off the road. We welcome riders from Edgewater, Davidsonville, Crofton, Severna Park and across Anne Arundel County.
Horseback riding lessons start at $55 for a 45-minute semi-private lesson, and guided trail rides are $75 for a 60-minute ride. Every option is listed on our pricing page, and there are no membership fees or surprise charges.
Long pants and closed-toe shoes or boots with a small heel are perfect for a first lesson. A properly fitted riding helmet is required for every rider, and we are glad to help with sizing. Bringing a water bottle and a sense of adventure rounds out the list.
Yes. Our guided trail rides wind through quiet, wooded trails and are paced for the riders in your group, which makes them a lovely outing for families, beginners and visiting friends. Children and adults are both welcome on the trail.
Come ride with us this season
We would love to welcome you down the lane. Send us a quick note about the rider, and we will take it from there: the right horse, a time that suits you, and a warm welcome to riding lessons and guided trail rides here in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Have a question first? Email us at [email protected].
