1. Claremont Riding Academy
For a truly surreal experience, take a riding lesson at this 1892 livery (a boarding house for horses, once common to New York). Horses live in the basement and on the second floor; a groom sends them to the ring via a narrow ramp. (175 West 89th Street; 212-724-5100; $60 for a beginnerÂ’s arena lesson, $120 for a more advanced session in Central Park.)
2. Riverdale Equestrian Centre
Top riders and trainers rarely stable in cities, but Olympic veterans Ashley and Rusty Holzer run this 60-horse barn in Van Cortlandt Park. (Broadway at West 254th Street; 718-548-4848; riverdaleriding.com; $41 for a half-hour, $72 for a full hour.)
3. Overpeck Stables
Cross the George Washington Bridge, and in ten minutes youÂ’ll reach this large center offering “hunt seat”–style jumping lessons to riders at all levels. (201-242-0022; overpeckstable.com. For non–Bergen County residents, $45–$85, depending on trainer.)
4. Deep Hollow Ranch
America’s oldest cattle ranch offers hour-and-a-half trail rides through the Montauk countryside and along the beach at Block Island Sound. Naturally, Western saddles are provided. (631-668-2744; deephollowranch.com; $60. Reservations required.)
5. Cedar Crest Farm
Certified by the British Horse Society, Paul and Geraldine Lindsay teach hunt-seat lessons on athletic Irish sport horses at their beautiful 70-acre farm in Pine Plains, New York. (518-398-1034; equestcenter.com; $45–$75.)