Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides - Buellton, California

Jessica Campora

We did a ride last weekend to celebrate my birthday and had the most wonderful experience! Tori and Michelle were great guides, spending a lot of time making sure we were paired up with the right type of horse for our skill level and that we felt comfortable. The ride is peaceful, going through a few water crossings which was fun! In the hot summer months, I would strongly recommend an earlier ride time. We did the 9am and it was perfect weather. Highly recommend Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides! We will be back.

Lord Jorfus

Santa Ynez Horseback Rides is tucked away at the end of a public park, down an access road with poor signage in the outskirts of suburbia. To the uninitiated, it might seem like a quaint, rural experience, set in a field surrounded by modern solar and cannabis farms. However, my experience was disappointing from the start, as we were "greeted" by an older, seemingly overworked guide whose energy matched that of the horses--both lacked enthusiasm.

Upon arrival, my partner and I were directed to sign a liability waiver, with little guidance from the guide who, despite being close, was hard to hear. We were the only visitors during our time. I had booked a couple's ride for my 40th birthday after my original plans were disrupted by a bomb cyclone in Sonoma County and Bay Area. After reading reviews and comparing prices, I settled on this experience as the next best option.

I was assigned "Crown," a 20-year-old former rodeo horse who appeared strong and well-groomed, capable of handling my 6'2", 195-pound frame. My partner's horse, "Major," a 20-year-old "show horse," also appeared healthy at first, but it quickly became apparent that he was tired and likely arthritic during the ride. My partner, who is 5'7", felt that Major was sluggish, struggling to keep up, and seemed to lack the energy to maintain a steady pace. As thier website was the only point of contact before this, you are given the option of weight and height. It appears it also wasn't needed as they took more time adjusting stirrups and the saddle prior to embarking.

The 75-minute ride was mostly uneventful, with the highlight being crossing a couple of water patches in a shallow river. But the ride wasn't without its challenges. My horse tripped twice, almost throwing me off both times, leaving me sore in my abductors 12+ hours later which, ultinately is of no consequence. Meanwhile, my partner didn't experience any falls, but she did notice that Major's gait was off, feeling "lame" and unmotivated.

As if that wasn't enough and among the occasional live oak on the direct trails we were on, towards the end of the ride, we came across a dead cow, surrounded by turkey vultures. The carcass was too conveniently placed next to a heavily trafficked path, suggesting it had been dropped there intentionally. Which, according to our guide, this "just happens" and the path that was intended was nicknamed "Dead Cow Pass". This spooked the horses and caused us to divert our route. Though not unsettling to myself or my partner, we did take note of it and later discussed that these paths aren't patrolled before customers arrived. Or cross communication is apparent.

All in all, the experience was disappointing, and certainly not the peaceful, scenic ride I had hoped for. Santa Ynez Horseback Rides felt more like a poorly executed side attraction than a legitimate horseback riding adventure. Given the price point, this was a letdown. I would suggest focusing on customer centric returns, or even maybe even a "hello" to those coming on board before the "sign here" act. I will not return and I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Shelly Szumski

We booked a morning couples session which was awesome. The horses were calm and knew the drill, very good boys- I wish I brought a treat for them at the end. The ride through the area was beautiful and peaceful & the river crossings were a super fun highlight! Our guide was fun and easy to get along with, knowledgeable about the area and all the animals. The tour was the highlight of our long weekend in town!

Concetta Griffin

I purchased a 90-minute trail ride and it was an absolute pleasure. Check-in was easy, and my horse was ready and waiting for me. We had a wonderful ride, including getting to ride through a creek! My guide (Liz) was knowledgeable about the area and even caught a king snake to show me. Since it was just the two of us and I'm a more seasoned rider, we were able to chose a slightly different path and it was a great experience. Highly recommend!

Andy V

Paid for the 1 hr rivertrail horseback ride in the Santa Ynez Valley.. I want to publicize my story because it is worth sharing my experience with other families, especially if it helps someone else. We unfortunately did not last the full hour, as my horse in particular was a bit startled, due to an event nearby. He sprinted across the valley, after only about 10 minutes into the trail. I'm very fortunate I held on, and walked away with only a minor cut on my finger, from how tightly I was gripping onto the reigns. We never got to see the river, despite me changing horses and giving it a second go. The second time, all the horses felt uneasy, so we turned back and left. Moral of the story, guys: 1) expect the unexpected! The positives: the horses themselves are beautiful, and you do get to feed them snacks at the end. I'd perhaps recommend only riding them within the closed gates, as I'd hate for my experience to happen to someone else. The staff was friendly, and welcoming. They provide helmets for all riders, and also have ponies for younger children. Overall, I loved getting to meet this place, and getting useful training on how to ride. This venue gave my family and I a memory I won't ever forget! Thank you to the staff for offering to reschedule me a second time. I will wait a bit longer before mounting a horse again, but if I were an experienced rider, I would definitely come back sooner.

Kimberly Hale

What a great trail ride. Very well-mannered horses. Lots of twists and turns maneuvering around the beautiful valley. River crossings were fun, and I loved how the horses didn't hesitate even though the deep one. Lots of poison oak, so wear pants and bring a change of shoes and socks!

Joe Franklin

Had a wonderful 75 minute ride along the river. The staff were very professional and matched us perfectly with their horses. Definitely coming back again!

Amy Caulfield

Santa Ynez Horseback riding is a wonderful and fun place. It's a great family outing or even for just the kids. Beautiful area, expert guides who encourage the fun and sense of adventure! We loved it!