My 2 daughters have been with Horizons East for over 3 years. They had gone from riding academy to competitive training riders, and each of them has grown beautifully as a rider as well as a person. Here is why.. First, the coaches are skillful and caring. Not only their priority is always safety, but also encouraging riders to properly care for the horses. They pay attention to each individual rider's skill and help them progress. This sport is physically and mentally challenging. My girls have had their struggles, but the coaches have been patient, guiding them through, and gone above and beyond to help them succeed. My girls have grown their confidence and learned their ways to cope and push through their challenges. I truly appreciate and respect them. Thanks to Sam, Barbara, Dacota, Nikki, Shannon, Tiffany, Heather, Rena, and Terri! Second, HZE has different levels of horses that fit the riders' skill, from a beginner to advanced rider who want to lease or own a horse. The horses are in good care and Sam is very knowledgeable and attentive when it comes to horses' well being. They also have IEA team, and are very experience at horse shows. Last, but not least, HZE has a very friendly and relaxed environment. My girls enjoy spending time with their friends at the barn and help out with what they can. Advanced riders are always willing to help, so are their parents. They have flexible schedule, no weekly fixed schedule required, and very accommodating to reasonable changes. read more

I had some plans for my daughter's 11th birthday that got cancelled last minute so I was looking for the next best thing that my daughter would enjoy, riding a horse. It was Saturday and I needed the plans for Sunday. I was really praying for someone to make her birthday memorable. I called over 20 places with no luck. I received a callback from Horizons and she gave me hope. She really wanted to do something to make it happen and she did! We were able to visit the Ranch, learn so much from an Amazing team. Tiffany is very knowledgeable and friendly. She was able to help us feel comfortable around the horses as this was our first time. Her ability to involve us in caring for the horses so we feel more confident allowed my kids to enjoy their joy ride on them. This was very memorable for all of us, especially my daughter who loves horses. Thank you to the Horizon team! You guys do such great work ! read more

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Coaches are amazing for adult lessons IF you are able to book lessons with them. My experience for kids are not that great. This place is very unorganized and needs great improvement. Lessons are at least 10 minutes late every.single.time. But if you're late, they will cancel the lesson. Booking lessons is also very inconvenient and useless. You pay first, then you book the lessons. It's first come first serve without set times every month. Once you pay, they let you know their availability. Lessons are booked through a group text with the coaches and it may go couple days before you get a response. It's basically your responsibility to pester them to get the spot secured. Oh, and remember to wait for "confirmed" because even if the dates are suggested by the coaches and you say you're available those days and times, they're not confirmed if they don't reply/confirm Their current schedule is pretty much for 4:00pm and after wed-Friday and weekends. This keeps changing due to seasons, which I understand, but it is very inconvenient for potential clients with limited availability to pay first then get notified of changes in operation hours. When I requested morning lessons, they said It is absolutely possible. Shortly after however, I was told it's inconvenient for them, and therefore, they are no longer able to accommodate my lesson request. Not only that, Due to misunderstandings, there had been no shows or rescheduling on their part as well. Even then, the owner Sam has the audacity to blame me and say that I should be on time or try to look for office staff. (I was on time and there was no one in the office) Her mantra is "you have to understand, I am a small business owner." I think she is forgetting that I am a paying customer, expecting (some) service/lesson. In addition, they changed the policy and asked me to lead the horse when my son is taking lesson. Mind you, I do not know anything about horses. I have talked to others regarding this and I was told it's not safe at all for both parties (and the horse). I have also had what's supposed to be a private lesson turn into group lessons due to coaches having to supervise group lessons on the other side. They charge you material fees, credit card fees, or whatever small fees they can find. They now require 6 to 8 lessons per month. Tacking time is included in the lesson, which will result in 10-15min less than your scheduled session. Imagine having a 30 min lesson and half is spent away without riding time. All in all, I would avoid this place unless you like to burn money. read more

Really enjoyed my experience with Horizons East! Dacota has patience with the younger students and makes everyone feel safe and confident. Each lesson is tailored to the rider's ability, and the horses are happy and well cared for- 100% recommend. read more

For the past few years, my son's wish was to ride a horse. As a parent with many children, a few who is quite older than he is, the reality of offering him such an experience seemed hard, even impossible. Nevertheless, a parent always remembers. I was never able to forget his love for horses. My heart ached when I told him that I could not afford it for him. But my heart cried when he smiled at me, when he heard that his wish may remain being simply an unanswered wish. He has always been considerate and thoughtful, even as a young child. Hence, I was elated when I found Horizons East and when Samantha kindly introduced to me the three introductory lessons. That I could afford. And I was able to provide him with this wonderful experience for his...BIRTHDAY! Truly, he enjoyed every moment of it. The instructors, Dakota and Tiffany, were wonderful. I was impressed by their consideration, kindness, flexibility, skill and acute eye as an equestrian instructor. The facility was wonderful~ I was happy to know that he was learning to ride a horse under a canopy of shade (I had a chair to sit on and wave to him as well). And Samantha was just awesome and a great lady to be around. She listened to my story and shared her own... There was great passion and a spark and kindred spirit within her. As my review is getting rather long, I will close it here. Samantha, Dakota, Tiffany, thank you~ Thank you sharing your love of horses with my son. And thank you for making his wishful dream come true! read more

I had a lesson with Coach Heather and learned the basics of caring for a horse as well as riding. The riding school horses are very gentle and well-behaved. I rode with Tajma, who was taller than my head when we stood next to each other. Coach Heather did an amazing job reassuring me when mounting and dismounting. The introductory lesson included turning, stopping, going, posturing, and various balancing exercises. By the end of the hour, I was already comfortable on horseback. It would be ideal to extend the actual horseback training to an hour, with prep and cleanup being additional time. However, I understand that this could be strenuous for the animals. read more

My kid had a week of summer camp there. The place is amazing. Dacota who was our coach was really great with kids, very patient. Compared to another summer camp we have been to in the past, this one was much more relaxed ambiance, kids spent a lot of times with horses, learned a lot about them. I feel like my daughter has made some good progress in her week there. It is truly unforgettable memories. read more

We love the instructors at Horizons East! They meet each rider where they are at in terms of skill and help them grow as riders. Grateful for their expertise and commitment to helping kids grow in their hunter jumper abilities. The location is beautiful! read more

We just hit a year at Horizons East and extremely pleased at home much my daughter has grown as a rider and as a human being. The coaches are awesome! Dacota, Teri, Rena, and Jamie have gone above and beyond for my kid and really care about teaching their students not only to be good riders, but also about respecting and caring for the horses. That time caring for each animal had created a bond of mutual trust, which is needed not only in the saddle, but life in general. As a parent, I've also watched the coaches and the owner put similar practices in when managing parents. In all honesty, I think it's the hardest part of their jobs given many don't communicate well and assume lessons are purely transactional (I'm a paying customer, so you will do what I say). Incivility is at an extreme right now, so I'm greatly impressed with how the coaches and the owner go above and beyond for their students despite the harassment and vitriol thrown at them by some parents. My daughter started cantering this week and the excitement and pride at hitting this milestone radiants through our home. I highly recommend Horizons East and am grateful to the community at this stable. read more

What an amazing place! My daughters have been taking lessons few months now. The staff and owners are wonderful. They really take the time to teach the kids not only how to ride, but how to care for the horses. Safety is always their number one priority. They are kind, dedicated and very accommodating. I've had to change a lesson day a couple of times, and have always been able to get on the schedule within a reasonable timeframe. I highly recommend Horizons East!! read more

Wonderful riding school for young children. They are kind, dedicated and make the lessons fun while always being mindful of safety. We loved riding there and only left due to an out of state move. read more

My daughter has been going here for some time now and I see she is learning pretty good ... good tutors .. good management ... good owner , flexible timing .. they take good care of the horses .. all in all good place and highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn horseback riding .. read more

The stars is only for the teacher/coach of the summer camp she was very friendly and knowledgeable. But unfortunately It was basically a huge waste of money, we could have gotten basically 4 private hour lessons for the week of summer camp my daughter attended. I stayed most days and the actually riding time they got varied from 35-45 minutes a day out of 4 hours of being there. The "drinks and snacks provided" never happened except on the last day they were given ice cream. I think they had way to many kids for one person to handle. I would never do the camps again, just pay for the actual riding classes. read more

We had our daughter's 8th birthday party at Horizons East with 16 classmates and I cannot be more pleased with how the day went. Sam gave great suggestions on what we should bring and activities to do with the kids. They let us drop off the decorations/food/etc. the day before, which was helpful to not have to stress about it the day of the party. When we arrived 30 minutes prior to the party to set up, the setup was nearly all done by Sam and her team! They also have a fridge/freezer to store food as well as a drink chest to store beverages. As hosts, we really didn't have to do much! Sam took the kids around and gave them a wonderful overview about horses. We had a couple young kids as well, but all the kids were very engaged. Afterwards, the kids went in groups to ride the ponies, while the others did arts and crafts. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it WAY more than the kids riding around in a circle. Each group got a mini lesson on how to ride their horse, along with exercises. The kids absolutely loved it. As the party was wrapping up, some of the staff went over to feed the chickens/pig (yes there are chickens and a pig there too!), and they let the kids join them to watch. Sam and the staff were wonderful. Most of the kids had zero experience riding horses, but they made them all feel comfortable throughout the process. The only issue I have is I don't think future birthday parties will ever be able to top this! read more

We took our daughters (10 and 7) to Horizons East for their first experience on horses, and they loved it so much, we continued with weekly lessons throughout the summer. The instructors have been wonderful, patient, and personable, with a step-by-step methodology for all ages. Additionally, the ponies have been great to work with, with gentle demeanors that have made our children feel comfortable. I would highly recommend Horizons East for beginners and advanced riders, alike. read more

Excellent coaches and great location! My children love going there. It is the first extracurricular activity they attend without nagging. Coaches Jamie and Dacota care for both the children and the horses. My children learned the importance of reciprocating. They learned that if they want to ride a horse, they have to take care of it before and after the riding. I highly recommend Horizons East! read more

During the summer my 2.5 year old fell in love with the fair ponies. She talked about them for weeks. I thought it was just a stage, but the crazy dance Mom in me decided to entertain her wants. I emailed several facilities who all agreed that my toddler was a little too young, except Sam at Horizons East. She emailed me back the same day and it was on a Saturday! I cannot express how impressed I have been with the lessons. They took a little girl who was obsessed with "running fast" and molded her into a young equestrian. Keely has been amazing in every way and has tailored the lessons to my daughter, including having her ride on their pony, Chunky. She has taught her courage, responsibility and most importantly, how to have fun. This has been an invaluable experience for both of us. read more

Horizons East Equestrian Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Livermore, California

I like your horses and you ranch because the horses are pretty and the ranch is awsome and the safety is good.

My little son went to the riding camp this summer. He had a wonderful time there. Everyday he was excited and came back telling us what they've done and how they rode horses. Hope he can have once again next summer. read more

Just celebrated my daughter's ninth birthday here. All her friends and family had a wonderful time. The staff was very friendly and patient. I highly recommend this place for any birthday celebration. read more

I came her on a whim almost a year ago and haven't stopped coming since. The instructors are really well educated and technical, and they genuinely care a lot about their students. They have multiple packages with prices that make riding affordable for any budget. I'm an adult rider with zero previous experience but am extremely pleased with the progress I have made, thanks to the coaching of Sam, Keely and Jen. Whether you are interested in competitive riding, or are just looking for a fun weekend experience, I guarantee there is something for you here. read more

It was very nice and cordial at first. I asked if I could tour the facility with my kids (no riding , just a walk thru) before paying and they said yes. Upon receiving my invoice I asked if I could book my sessions for my 2 girls before paying the the Invoice and she took that "slightly offensive"well, I will take it slightly offensive as well, if you want me to pay before I'm giving my schedule dates for my two kids to start their beginners class. I called her and left a message for her to explain her typo text message she sent me and I never received a call back. I have searched and found a great place for my kids to start their riding days, with much better customer service. Good luck. read more

Very pleased. Instructors are great! My 6yr old granddaughter loves it and I am impressed how much she learned in just her 1st lesson. We're also big fans of Olive, the resident pig. She follows you around like a puppy. read more

My wife and I booked 3 lessons each. you should be lucky to get a private lesson otherwise you are just wasting your time and money. Both of us once got lessons with 4 more students and the trainer spent almost only 5 minutes with me. Next time (not this place), would make sure the lesson is private. Also the actual time on the horse is ~30-40 minutes for each lesson. Very unorganized. you get there and you would wait up to 30 minutes for your lesson to start. read more

This is a beautiful facility. Always clean and the horses are always healthy and kept in top condition. The trainers are knowledgable and courteous. Safety is a priority. I highly recommend this for both beginners and the most advanced riders. read more

I can't say enough good things about Horizons East. I recently returned to riding after a 10 year hiatus. As a junior I competed all over the country and owned my own horses so I tend to have a pretty high standard when it comes to barns. In the past I've had issues finding lesson programs with high quality horses. That is not the case at Horizons East. Each horse I've ridden has been so much fun while helping me improve my technique. Sam and Keeley are fantastic instructors. Even though I'm just part of the lesson program, I feel included in the barn community. It brings back such fond memories. The best part is that they find someone to watch my 19 month old while I ride! He loves the barn too, and I can't wait for him to start their toddler lessons in a couple of years. read more

We celebrated both my daughters' birthdays at Horizons East. Everyone had a great time (from grooming to riding to the fun in the party room). Sam and Keeley were both wonderful and very easy to work with. Our guest count increased and they didn't have any issues with it. They suggested and extra pony for the amount of kids we had and it turned out perfect. We never felt rushed to be out of there at an exact time, which was nice. Great facility, great staff and a great party! Thanks Samantha & Keeley! read more

This is a really good housing place, my daughter enjoy ride house here, the teachers are also kind and teach lots of important stuff, the houses here are nice and friendly. read more

Horizons East Equestrian Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Livermore, California

I just had my daughters birthday at the stables. I had 13 kids total and 1 of the kiddos was very scared of horses. She started crying once she got on and asked to get off. She was visibly scared. I asked Sam to get her off and Sam really was not wanting to get the poor kid off the horse she wanted to talk this kid through it but the kiddo was starting to cry even more. I then told Sam she needed to get her off. Sam then proceed to tell me that is bad parenting and she needs to face her fears and follow directions. She was extremely rude and made the experience terrible for this poor kid. It's a birthday party not a lesson. The handlers which are 10-12 year old students acted more like adults than the one adult helping our party. The kids did try and comfort the girl and she was much happier off the horse just walking near it. Sam then disappeared not to ask a word about how the party was doing or anything. The way the Adult Handler Sam acted was very disrespectful and disappointing. So my recommendation is make sure all kids are comfortable on horses if you choose to have a party here and if you get Sam don't expect a warm and fuzzy personality. If you do anything she doesn't agree with she will be extremely rude about it. read more

My daughter loves riding horses here. Not only she's taught how to ride horse properly and the right way, everyone here is so nice and friendly. We've been coming here for last few years and it's been one of the best thing for my daughter. One of the owner Sam is the great trainer and really brings out the best in each rider. The facility is clean and really just awesome for birthday parties as well. read more

Horizons East Equestrian Center - Great place to watch your kid riding a horse - Horseback Riding Near Me - Livermore, California

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I've been riding at Horizons East now for almost 6 months and I can't say enough wonderful things about the barn! Keely, Jen and Sam are incredible trainers who really devote time and efforts to making sure you're learning in a safe environment. As an adult novice with very little earlier experience, I've developed confidence and appreciation for the sport through their guidance. The horses are phenomenal, and even the barn staff is so nice! I'd especially like to thank Keely who has helped me purchase my first saddle and has bee overly patient with my million questions. Looking forward to many more years of riding! read more

Our girl's scouts troop visited the stables this week. The place is beautiful and clean. The instructor was very knowledgable and kind. Highly recommend them, defiantly will look for classes there !!! read more

We LOVE Horizons East!! My daughter and I both took lessons there. You could find a cheaper place but you get what you pay for. They have an amazing quality facility! They give their horses premium care and the stables are the cleanest I've seen! The instructors are so great especially patient with me (and that's not easy as I had absolutely no experience and was a bit nervous!). Your money is well spent at Horizons East. The owners Barb and Sam are very accomplished and talented riders who have a gift for passing on their talents to their students. We have made many long term friendships at the stables and it has definately made a positive impact on both my daughters and my life! In my opinion riding is essential for every child's self esteem, poise, exercise and leadership skills. These are essential skills for life! I would highly recommend Horizons. East to all my friends. read more

My daughter did their riding camp in summer 2008 and did enjoy it. The instruction was good and she made friends. She then did lessons on and off for a year. The instruction was of good quality but the school horses are generally overworked and in poor condition from overuse. Several times we had lessons where the animals were visibly lame and were offered excuses of various kinds. The people are very nice and the facility is reasonably good but the management seems to be cutting corners lately. Would not recommend for now. read more

Ride at your own risk! Unstable horses and untrained teachers. My kid fell from the horse, luckily had no major injuries but extremely shocked. They gave an unstable horse to a five year old kid and who had her third class with them. Teacher used stick on horse to make it trot , which scared the horse and a stationary horse jumped and my daughter fell. Accidents can happen in any sport but here it is the negligence and carelessness of the staff. Super expensive place with lot of marketing and less value and attention to the young riders! read more

My 4 year old daughter was enrolled in their summer camp last year. The staffs are very patient with young children and my daughter loved everyone there, include a horse named Heart. She didn't want the camp to end. The facility is large and overall a clean facility. read more

I had my daughter's 4th birthday party here! She had 10 friends there to celebrate with her! All of the kids LOVED riding the horses! It was by far the greatest birthday party she's had to date. The staff is amazing, everything was clean and the horses are all good natured and clean. A MUST-DO for any child's birthday! read more

I've been taking lessons here for almost two months and I absolutely love it here!! Jen, Keely, and Sam are amazing instructors instructors and they're all super supportive! The outdoor and indoor arenas are really nice, and the whole place is just awesome. The horses and ponies here are great too! I've already learned so much in the short time I've been going here, not only do they teach riding, but they also teach tacking up and grooming! Overall, I highly recommend coming here :) read more

This review is for the birthday party we had at Horizons. Communicating with Samantha was easy and she answered all questions clearly and in a very timely manner. We were able to drop off the decorations the night before so that the staff could decorate. We were also allowed to arrive a little early to make sure everything was to our liking, which does not happen at most venues. When we arrived, the staff was working on setting up the room and asked for our feedback throughout the process. There was a full-sized refrigerator to store our perishables until it was time to store our food. Before the riding began, Samantha went over a general lesson of what the ponies ate and how to handle them. The kids gave her their undivided attention despite being 7 and under! Our daughter had 8 kids at her party and each kid received a legit lesson between 10-20 minutes each. Each rider was able to ride the ponies twice. The kids had a blast and the adults enjoyed watching the kids. I received compliments from each parent about how much they were enjoying the party. That night I received messages from several parents that their kids had a blast. Our overall experience at Horizons and with Samantha was beyond great. We walked away that day knowing our birthday girl and the rest of the attendees had a great time. read more

We won a prize at Club Sport Pleasanton redeemable for a 1 hour Riding Lesson for 4. My daughters invited 2 of their friends and we made our way on this Saturday afternoon. The staff was very inviting, allowing our girls to help groom the horses before and after their lesson. Their had a great time during the actual lesson, learning some new techniques for riding. read more