Local Trails & Rides
Top Horseback Riding Trails Near Anne Arundel County
County park bridle paths, two equestrian centers, and private wooded trails — here is the complete local rider's guide.
Read articleFamily-Friendly Horseback Riding in Southern Maryland
A Day Out Everyone Remembers
Family-friendly horseback riding in Southern Maryland is one of the best screen-free outings a family can share, and it is far more accessible than many parents realize. You do not need to own a horse, own gear, or have any experience at all.
This guide explains why horses make such a wonderful family activity, what to expect, and how to choose the right farm in Anne Arundel County.
Key takeaways
- Horseback riding is a rare activity that spans the generations.
- Guided trail rides are the easiest family starting point.
- No horse, gear or experience is needed to begin.
- Family-friendly farms keep numbers small and horses calm.
- It is an active, outdoor, genuinely memorable day out.
Why horses make a great family activity
Riding is one of the few activities that genuinely works across the generations. A grandparent, a parent and a child can all ride the same gentle trail, side by side, and each take something different and meaningful from the hour.
It is calming and active at the same time. It gets everyone outdoors, off their phones, and sharing a real experience rather than a screen — and the photos at the end are the kind families keep for years.
$75
Per rider, guided trail ride
60 min
Time in the saddle
All ages
Welcome on the trail
0
Experience required
Guided trail rides versus lessons
Families generally start in one of two ways. For a relaxed first outing, a guided trail ride is ideal — no instruction, no pressure, just a gentle ride through the woods together with a guide leading the way.
If a child falls for horses — and many do — riding lessons are the natural next step. Private and semi-private lessons build real skill, balance and confidence, week by week, at the child's own pace.
What makes a farm genuinely family-friendly
Look for calm, well-matched horses chosen for temperament; small group sizes and real attention; a patient, experienced instructor or guide; a quiet, low-pressure setting; and clear safety guidance with properly fitted helmets. Trust your instincts when you visit.
What a family ride feels like
At Solitude Stables, a family arrives down a quiet gravel lane to quiet wooded acres hidden a mile from the road. The guide introduces each horse, covers a few simple safety basics, and helps everyone mount up.
Then the group sets off together through the forest at a gentle, walking pace, with the guide alongside the whole way. Nobody is rushed, nobody is left behind, and the loudest sound is birdsong.
What is a good first horse activity for families?
A guided trail ride is an excellent first horse activity for families. It requires no experience or equipment, suits a wide range of ages, and lets everyone share a calm, memorable hour outdoors together. Lessons are a natural next step for anyone who wants to learn to ride.
Making it a tradition
Many South County families return to riding again and again — a seasonal trail ride, a birthday outing, a standing weekend lesson. Horses have a quiet way of becoming part of a family's story.
Because there are no contracts or membership fees, families can ride as often or as occasionally as life allows, and still feel welcomed back every time.
Years from now, your children will not remember a screen. They will remember the horse.
Plan your family day
Whether it is a one-time adventure or the start of a lifelong love, family-friendly horseback riding in Southern Maryland gives every generation something to share — and a guided ride through our Harwood woods is the perfect place to begin.
Looking for where to ride?
We built the area's most useful trail guides so you do not have to dig. See our researched, sourced roundup of the best horse riding trails near Annapolis, or use the Maryland Horse Trail Finder to filter trails by level, drive time and trailer access — then go.
Ride with Solitude Stables
We are a small family farm in Harwood, MD offering horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides for riders across Anne Arundel County. We would love to welcome you.
Book a ride Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
More on this topic, answered simply.
It depends on the child's size, focus and comfort around animals. Tell the farm your children's ages when you book and they will recommend the right ride. Younger children may begin with led lessons before a full trail ride.
Not at all. Parents are welcome to ride along or simply come to watch and cheer. Many families happily do a mix of both.
With calm, well-matched horses, properly fitted helmets and an experienced guide or instructor, horseback riding is a reasonably safe and richly rewarding family activity. Choosing a calm, well-run farm is key.
At Solitude Stables, guided trail rides are $75 per rider and semi-private lessons start at $55 per rider. There are no membership fees, so families pay only for the rides they book.
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For a day everyone remembers, family-friendly horseback riding in Southern Maryland is closer and easier than you think.
Have a question first? Email us at [email protected].