1 / 2Big River Barn Rescue Inc.
📍 Syosset, NY
Horseback trail rides through Muttontown Preserve on rescued horses with patient temperaments. Instructor Janet personalises each ride for beginners and nervous riders. Children from age 12 welcome.
I’ll start off by saying this was one of the best experiences I had in my life. My boyfriend took me here for my 19th birthday and before arriving I was scared/nervous to get on a horse. The only time I had ever been on one was when I was a little girl so I wasn't sure how to ride one now. Before riding the horses Janet described each horse's personality (which I loved) and made each person choose the horse they felt comfortable riding. What I loved most about this part was that I could tell how much Janet cared about these horses and making the horse and rider both feel comfortable. Before going onto the trail we got to spend time with our horses and Janet taught us the basics on how to ride which were very simple. I would totally recommend this place to any beginner rider or anyone looking for a fun joyful experience. We also got to feed the horses after. Absolutely loved this experience and will definitely be back with more friends and family thank you!!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for nervous or first-time riders of any age, including children from 12 years old. Janet's personalised horse-matching and pre-ride instruction remove anxiety from the experience reliably. The forested Muttontown Preserve setting is genuinely scenic.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →84 Google reviews
Faith C
2 years ago
“I’ll start off by saying this was one of the best experiences I had in my life. My boyfriend took me here for my 19th birthday and before arriving I was scared/nervous to get on a horse. The only time I had ever been on one was when I was a little girl so I wasn't sure how to ride one now. Before riding the horses Janet described each horse's personality (which I loved) and made each person choose the horse they felt comfortable riding. What I loved most about this part was that I could tell how much Janet cared about these horses and making the horse and rider both feel comfortable. Before going onto the trail we got to spend time with our horses and Janet taught us the basics on how to ride which were very simple. I would totally recommend this place to any beginner rider or anyone looking for a fun joyful experience. We also got to feed the horses after. Absolutely loved this experience and will definitely be back with more friends and family thank you!!”
cara thompson
3 years ago
“Wow! Exceeded our expectations. Janet makes everything so easy along with her horses! Truly wonderful. The trails are so beautiful and the horses handle them so well. I am a first time rider and felt extremely comfortable. I am very happy to meet Janet and have the ability to spend time with her horses. My husband and I recommended 100%. We will definitely do again! Thank you Janet!”
Brianna Heinlein
7 months ago
“Me and my husband had an amazing experience. Janet was so great and informative. She explained everything in detail so we felt confident & made sure we were comfortable the whole ride (we are beginners). The horses were very sweet and gentle. Trail was beautiful!!! Overall we had a great day thanks to big river barn! I can definitely see myself going back for another ride.”
Juliana Ochoa
9 months ago
“I absolutely loved it! The horses were beautiful, the trail was stunning, and Janet was incredibly patient with us. I brought my 12-year-old brother, and even though he’s young, she made sure he felt comfortable the entire time. The horses were so well-behaved and gentle. Everything about the experience was amazing, definitely coming back with more people!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Big River Barn Rescue operates trail rides through 500 acres of Muttontown Preserve forest, fields, and meadows. All horses are rescues selected for calm temperaments. Instructor Janet matches each rider to a compatible horse, provides riding fundamentals before departure, and guides the trail personally. Riders can feed horses apples and carrots after the ride.
