TL:DR - Great value, fun and easy ride, would definitely come back. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pricing was about expected for a trail ride. Booking and paying online was easy. Printed the waiver and brought it in. We arrived 15 min early as requested, but no one was in the office. Had to ask someone to get a worker, and someone finally came in 5 min after or scheduled time. A little annoying, but the rest of the trail ride was great, so water under the bridge. Brandi and Bethany helped us on our horses (Pengo and Spartan) and gave us a quick run down of how to guide the horses. The horses were very easy to ride, each with their own amusing personalities. Our trail guide was friendly, answered any questions we had (we were the only riders), and pointed out a few of the other resident horses and little tid bits about them. Also gave us some space to really just enjoy the ride, which was perfect. The trail itself was a basic trail that traversed the Galena territory, went by some houses, up and down some gentle hills. We got back after an hour and they took some photos for us. All in all, it was a great ride and we wouldn't hesitate to come back in the future. read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

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We took a two day adult horse camp this past weekend 10am - 1. The classes were a lot of fun educational, and ended with a one hour long trail ride the second day. Highly recommended! read more

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We were in town visiting family and were looking for something to do the next day. Someone recommend this place because my daughter has been wanting to ride a horse. I was able to book online for the next day. Once we got there, they were able to accommodate me because I'm over their 250# weight limit for online reservations. We did the 1 hour trail ride. This is great for first time riders. Just a walk though the hills. They don't spend too much time on instruction, which I liked. We got to riding fast. read more

This was the best trail ride of my adult life. So relaxing for my mom and I. We had a nice trail guide, very sure-footed, well trained horses, and beautiful views of the countryside. The hour flew by. You can see the animals are well taken care of, and the surrounding area has good energy. This was the highlight of our first trip to Galena. read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - The sign - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

Aiden & Annabelle were our guides and they were amazing! They took us on a peaceful trail that had lots of shaded areas and just enough sun for even a hot day. Not only did they provide scenic views but also a bit of history about their faculty and the animals. The horses are gentle and friendly, which is nice because they cater to all levels of riders - I am a beginner! A must experience for anyone who wants to enjoy animals and nature! This was a great start to our vaca in Galena, IL! read more

We went with 2 kids (7y, 9y) and did the lead-line for 15 min. The first day we did it, it didn't quite seem like a full 15 minutes and while the price was reasonable ($25), it would have been nice to get what we paid for. The next day when we went back they did do the full 15 minutes and the kids really enjoyed it. It would have been nice if they could have trotted a bit. I went on a 1 hour intermediate trail ride. Before booking it I wanted to make sure I would get to canter (I am an experienced rider with over 14 years experience). I was told that since I was booking the intermediate ride, by definition it includes trotting and cantering. I was asked how much experience I had so they did know ahead of time what I was capable of. There were no other riders on the ride, and the instructor made sure we did plenty of trotting, but only one time in the entire hour was there cantering. A few feet at most. When I asked later on if there was another stretch where we could canter the instructor said unfortunately not. She also said "I don't know why but my horse didn't seem to want to do much today". To be clear - it was 9 am. It was unlikely the horse was tired already and I am not being mean or insensitive to the horse. Also, and this is not a huge deal but on top of everything else worth mentioning, since it was just me and the instructor , it would have been nice if the instructor had bothered to ask me my name before starting the trail and maybe some polite small talk on the trail instead of the mostly silent ride we did. I was disappointed but unfortunately not surprised with the amount of cantering done on the trail. For a $100 ride I don't feel I got my money's worth. read more

We came here as a group of 7 to experience some horseback riding in the area. We had a lot of fun and it seemed like a smooth and easy process all around. Booking online was easy and fast, they have the waiver on site so you don't have to print any out, and we got on our horses right at our reservation time. Our trail guide was nice, but a little quiet. I would have enjoyed a little conversation about the area or her knowledge about horses. Not the biggest deal though. We had a nice trail ride for beginners. One of us has never been on a horse before and the beginner's trail guide was perfect for her. It was an easy ride with a nice view. Would visit again! read more

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Shenandoah Riding Center has everything you need to have a wonderful trail ride with family and friends or if you want to own your own horse and board it in a place that has fantastic access to trails then this is the place for you. We started out two years ago, when we first moved to Galena, just going on trail rides. The guides are helpful and make sure that you have a wonderful experience. Within a few months we found and bought our first of four horses. We didn't even consider boarding our horses at any other facility. The staff has been outstanding at caring for and catching any little issue with all of our horses. Last year our mare Babs gave birth at Shenandoah and the staff have been fantastic helping us with the foal. read more

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Took my extended family for an hour long private ride. Per the documentations and plan, we should have been able to trot, canter, etc. Unfortunately, our guides only allowed us to walk, and quite slowly, despite the entire family having significant horse experience. I asked about this and was told my kids "were too young" despite meeting the age requirements and being better riders than most adults. We have ridden in other countries and had a much better time. The ride was 40 minutes, instead of the 60 minutes paid for, and when I questioned this I was told it was to allow the horses to rest between sessions. It was advertised as an hour ride, and that we would be able to actually ride, instead of being very very slowly herded. The guides did not talk to us at all other than to say "no trotting" or "get in line." I would not recommend this unless you are a FIRST time rider and want to just sit on a horse. read more

Its hard to find a stable that will rent horses for people to take out and ride as they see fit, but Shenandoah comes pretty close to that. They've got over 40 miles of trails for people to either bring the horses, or to rent a horse and go out on a guided trail ride. My boyfriend and I had been looking for somewhere in northern IL that would allow us to do more than the rather boring walking trail.. and we found that in Shenandoah's two hour canter ride. Our guide, Danielle, was very friendly and accommodating, and gave us lots of background information on the area. Once we got back to the riding center, she even offered to make us hot chocolate because we were basically frozen. I would like to go back here in the fall. Danielle mentioned how beautiful the trails are when the leaves are changing, and this is a great way to see the countryside around Galena - a welcome change from the cute little shops overkill. read more

Shenandoah Riding Center was amazing!!! My fiancé and I were first time riders and they took their time with us and eased our nerves. The staff was incredible and our ride was gorgeous. We definitely plan to go back! read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

While my daughters and son in laws love riding here I must say their CUTLERY SHARPENING SERVICE is first rate. Call, leave in drop off box, pick up a day later. Neat! read more

DO NOT BOOK AHEAD OF TIME! We had a family emergency, so we had to leave Galena earlier than expected. Reached out to them 13 hours prior to our booking to inform them that we will not be able to attend even though that was supposed to be the highlight of our trip. They proceeded to inform me that there are no refunds due to a 24 hour cancellation policy. I understand the policy and why they have it in place, but emergencies obviously happen unexpectedly. I do not recall the last time I had a 24 hour notice prior to an emergency. Anything could happen at anytime and because they did not seem to comprehend that, I will not recommend doing business with them. Policies could be adjusted depending on the circumstance. Have a heart at least. - A very disappointed customer read more

Have been visiting Galena for years and have been through the management/owner changes at this barn. New owners are friendly And continually making improvements to the facility. We had a wonderful time this past weekend on our intermediate ride with Jessie. She was very patient with my sister who doesn't ride regularly and hasn't ridden in years. She continually made sure my sister was relaxing and having fun --while at the same time correcting her positively. They also matched us up with appropriate skill level horses. Captain, "my" horse was a charm. read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

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We had a great time on the trail ride. Our guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Will definitely be back.

New husband and I decided to go horseback riding while on our honeymoon. It only made sense since so many wedding and horse phrases go hand-in-hand ("husbandry", "bridal", "groom", etc). We had a great time at this riding center and loved all the horses. We even made friends with their barn cat Tyler. The course was incredibly scenic. For a honeymooning couple, we kind of felt weird being grouped in the middle of two teeny-bopper groups of girls. However, once the ride started, we forgot where we were and drifted off into a fairytale. It was interrupted a few times with the two guides yelling across our pack to each other about how horrible their weekend was. All in all, we can't wait to go back :-) read more

Absolutely wonderful and friendly staff. I made reservations and was running a couple minutes late. They called me to see if I was on my way. They waited for me which is nice of them. I sent my daughters, as I couldn't go, because I had my 3 year old with me. The girls had fun and felt safe with their guides. I cannot wait to return so I can go on a horse next! read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - Wonderful views! Wonderful staff! - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

We were a few minutes late and the irritation of the woman who greeted us was noticeable. I suppose that's on me, though. It was unclear to me if the ride was supposed to start on the hour or if that was the requested arrival time, so maybe that could be clarified on the website or when you book. As for the ride, it was lovely. We took a beginner trail ride with another family and our guide (Abby) was kind and helpful. One of the horses was far more interested in eating grass than in moving and she was patient but firm with both the rider and the horse. The trail was easy, but I suspect we might have been able to get a little more adventurous with a less distracted horse. Would go again! read more

These guys are real pros. Our experience was seamless from the moment we arrived until the time we left. My kids really enjoyed the trail ride and they had a great time. Our trail leader Christy was super kind and attentive to what was going on during the ride. I will definitely recommend to others and come back for another ride. read more

My mom and I took a beginner trail ride and we had a blast! We'd never gone horseback riding so we were both a bit nervous but our instructors were very kind and helpful. We were the only two people there for the trail ride on a Sunday so it felt like a private tour! Our guide Mary was so so sweet, polite, and knowledgable. I thought the ride was only going to be 45 minutes but I'm pretty sure it was closer to an hour. I would give the experience five stars if it weren't for the less-than-kind lady at the front desk! She was just a bit cold on the phone and not very welcoming when we arrived. Maybe she was just tired but I feel like if you're going to be in this type of business you should make the customer feel welcomed with a smile or some sort of positive emotion!! read more

Had a wonderful experience this past weekend. My step-son had never been horseback riding before and when being put on a horse, he began to panic and was afraid to ride. The staff there took their time helping to calm him down and reassuring everything would be okay. They helped him pick out a smaller horse he felt more comfortable with and off we went! He ended up having a fantastic time. We all did. Thank you! read more

We had a great experience with a group of 17 people from ages 10 to 55 in town for a family reunion. They got us on the horses pretty quickly so the actual beginner ride was as long as advertised. The horses were very manageable and cooperative, even for the people who had never been on a horse (and may have been a little intimidated). It was a casual walk on a well defined trail, which is what I would expect on the beginner ride. But the trail did go through some fields and forests, up and down some little hills, and across some creeks so it was enough variety to be interesting. I would definitely recommend the helmets if for no other reason than some low branches. read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

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A group of 5 of us took a beginner ride here early Saturday morning. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend. I haven't ridden since I was a young teenager, but I remembered my skills and was grateful for the refresher before the ride. The actual ride was a nice walk through the hillside, and I almost woah we had gone for the intermediate ride. Afterwards we got to check out the horses and see the Colts that were just learning to hang with humans. All in all a great experience. read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - Sign out front - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

My husband and I enjoyed the beginner trail ride! Great horses and nice guides. Thank you! read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

This review would have been positive if the staff wore masks. They have signs up stating they are required but no staff members wore them. Not safe. read more

We booked their trail riding experience as part of my bachelorette weekend in Galena and it was one of the highlights of the trip. The staff were great and the trail ride was beautiful. Everyone was talking about it for the rest of the day and wanted to do it again. read more

I went here before on, memorial weekend( first trail ride experience) for beginner trail with mom. That time I rode Luke, she rode Zack. Did walk, trot. Came back today, and did the intermediate trail( this time with dad), and rode someone else this time: I rode, Gus. My dad... Also rode Zack! XD Anyways that time I too did walk, trot, plus tried a tiny bit of a lope(canter)... Cause Gus kinda wanted to... When wanted to keep up with the other horses( so decided to try it, lol. Since I do ride horses often, only difference is I ride English) so did enjoy... A few minutes of lope. XD Heheheh, he was definitely smooth at it, like horse I ride English... Back at barn I go to for lessons. Will be their frequent visitor! Congrats, Shenandoah! XD will return, for a third trail ride. ( this was my second) read more

It was one of my favorite places to go with my husband during our vacation. It was his first time riding and they made him very comfortable. The guide in the back for our beginner ride was great and even took pictures for us during the ride. Our horses were gentle souls and easy to guide through the trails. read more

We had a great time on our ride. Abby was friendly, knowledgeable and very cognizant of our safety. All the other staff, Daniel and Jesse, was also very friendly and efficient. The beginner hour long ride was absolutely beautiful. The horses were easy to ride. We absolutely would ride again when we return to the area. read more

This was a great value for $40 per hour of riding in the beautiful Eagle Ridge area. The horses were beautiful, well-behaved, and well-groomed. Just a short ride from downtown Galena. read more

This location was easy to get to and scenic. The staff was welcoming and very accommodating as we did not make reservations. I would suggest making reservations because if we had not been early we might not have been able to go. The horses were all very very well trained and compliant. This location has many different path availability depending on you skill level and needs. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good family activity! read more

Came here with family.... started ride, not 15mins into ride for beginners my sons horse through him off. The reason from riding coach was horse got scared by a bird. We didn't see anything, but I'm writing this because of the way they handled this situation. He was asked once if he was ok and walked to the front office, once we arrived back to office the personal wasn't notified and I had to ask for an incident report with no help or any concern from staff..... wouldn't recommend this place.. Staff isnt helpful or concerned about its riders read more

Nice facilities and horses. Horrible customer service. You are "greeted" by the owner and she is not pleasant. Pay a few bucks to get some customer service. Ask for Brie to be your guide. She's wonderful! read more

We had a great experience with our guide Bethany! They were very welcoming and gave great riding tips! We will be back for many more rides!

My guy and I were tooling around the Galena area this weekend when I saw a sign for horse rides. "Hey - you wanna go ride a horse?" "Baby, I haven't been on a horse in maybe...20 years?" "I haven't been on one in maybe 15...wanna?" "Oh...sure." After procuring less stupid-flimsy shoes for me, we arrived for our hour-long walk/trot around the ranch. After about half an hour of getting everyone organized and onto their respective horses, we set off down narrow, muddy, winding trails through the woods and pastures. It was very relaxing, although the trotting wasn't as comfortable as I'd remembered. ;) It was an enjoyable ride and I had a good time chatting up our leader while my guy's horse kept scarfing up the prairie behind me. It was a relaxing time all the way up until the end, when suddenly my horse kind of "had words" with my guy's horse; my horse jumped up a little and plowed his head into my guy's horse's head. The only other woman on the tour with us yelled, "Oh, my GOD!" (zomg please stfu no loud noises kthxbai). I shifted in my saddle and pulled on the reins ("whoooooa, there!") and it was over as soon as it had begun. I was proud of myself. :) And now I'm bragging about it on Yelp. It's cuz I'm classy, y'all. Very reasonable price for the ride ($36), although I must note that while it's marketed as an hour-long ride, it's really more like 40-45 minutes. *shrug* I'd go back again if I'm ever in the area. read more

I would give zero stars but that was not an option. Wanted to do a private trail ride with just me and a friend and the Shenandoah website says that is definitely and option if you call and schedule. We did call and the person we spoke to said that was fine, come at 1PM. We drove 1/2 hour to the riding center and were told we had to go with this huge loud group of people who all knew each other. We explained we booked a private ride and the girl was like "oh well, it was a miscommunication we are too busy, no one to take you out". So we left. What a waste of time and a vacation day. read more

We had a great time at the Shenandoah Riding Center for our weekend getaway in Galena. The staff was extremely friendly the entire time. Our guide was Mary, she was extremely knowledgable and friendly. We will definitely be back again! read more

Excellent people! Great horses! Haven't risen in 30 years but these guys made it feel like yesterday ! Highly recommended!!

We went here for our first riding experience as a family. My wife and I had rode horses before, but my daughters (ages 12 and 14) had never ridden. They were very nervous. We picked the ride for beginners. I believe we paid $40 for the hour ride, but the total experience was longer than an hour. The kids were fitted with riding helmets and we signed waivers. Another family had younger kids and they were getting mandatory riding lessons inside a barn. We read and reviewed some riding instructions before heading out to the horses. We each were helped on a horse and given the horse's name. The guides would use that name to give us instructions throughout the ride. They also made sure we could control the horse before we headed out on the ride with two guides. The ride winded through some beautiful areas and through a couple of some streams. I do believe that the horses would have done the trail without our guidance, but the guides were concerned with having us learn about riding and about the animals. The lead guide took some pictures for us out on the trail with my phone after I was asked to put it away for safety reasons. The guides had to be a little direct from time to time, but I believe they wanted to make sure we were safe. They were very accommodating and my family had a great time. My girls did not want to give their horses (Heff and Jerry) back! We left with sore muscles, muddy shoes, and great memories. I am not sure if I would recommend for kids much younger than 12, but we had a great time. We recommend! read more

Shenandoah Riding Center - Horseback Riding Near Me - Galena, Illinois

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We were really looking forward to a nice horseback riding experience over our New Year's holiday at Eagle Ridge. 3 adults and 4 kids.... we were the only ones in our group. Check in was a breeze & the young lady who helped us get saddled was lovely. But unfortunately our guide was extremely cantankerous! Perhaps she had a bad day? I don't know but she never greeted us, never said hello & before we even got started she began reprimanding everyone... telling them to be quiet & listen to her. We took a beginner ride and you would expect that none of us were experts however everyone had ridden quite a few times before . Never did one horse stop to eat, never did anyone get more than 3 or 4 feet behind the other horse, never did anyone lose control in any way, never was anyone rude... but yet she couldn't stop making negative comments and yelling at everyone. It really put a damper on the whole experience. We tried to laugh it off and just remember that that horrible crabby lady took us on a ride , but it was unfortunate our kids felt like they were in school...sit down, shut up, face forward and hurry up. I would never ever go back. read more