Horsing around

amNY.com

Most of the city's major parks -- be it Central, Van Cortlandt or Prospect -- provide opportunity for riding.

BRONX

Pelham Bay Park

Horseback riding enthusiasts can visit the Pelham Bit Stables, where horses are available for rent. The Bridle path in Pelham Bay Park offers beautiful views of marshland and woods.

The Pelham Bit Stables/ Bronx Equestrian Center is located at 9 Shore Road in Pelham Bay Park. Trail rides are $30/hour, with one and two-hour trail rides available. Pony rides are $5 each ride. English and Western riding lessons are available by appointment. Lessons prices are $40 for 30 minutes, $65 for an hour. Call the stables at (718) 885-0551 for more information.

Van Cortlandt Park

Riverdale Equestrian Centre, at Broadway and West 254th Street, was founded in 1994, is situated on 21 acres with four outdoor riding rings, an Olympic-sized indoor arena and easy access to the miles of trails in lush Van Cortlandt Park.

It's open Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Open weekdays 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Closed on Wednesdays. To reserve a horse call (718) 548-4848 for further details. Lessons are offered year-round to riders of all ages and levels of ability. Other programs include therapeutic riding for the disabled, after-school riding groups and a summer day camp.

BROOKLYN

Prospect Park

Prospect Park's 3.5 mile-long bridle path winds through scenic woodlands, meadows, and a ravine. It begins at the Park Circle entrance (the intersection of Coney Island Avenue, Parkside Avenue, and Prospect Park Southwest) and continues along the Lake to the Long Meadow and the Midwood.

Horses are available for rent from Kensington Stables located at 51 Caton Place at East 8th, daily from 10:00 a.m. until sunset. Rentals are $37 per hour (children must be 11 or older to ride). Lessons are $57 for an hour (all ages). To make reservations, call ahead to the stables at (718) 972-4588.

Jamaica Bay Riding Academy

Located on 300 acres of Gateway National Recreation Area and Wildlife Preserve, riders can enjoy a run along the three-mile beach, a cantor on wooded trails or a lesson in the Olympic-sized indoor ring or outdoor ring. The stable is open year round, seven days a week.

For approximately 45 minutes it costs $37 per person to ride. Private 50-minute trail rides are available by appointment only. Minimum of 2 people at $53 per person.

For more information call: 718-531-8949

MANHATTAN

Central Park

There are three bridle paths in Central Park - the Reservoir Loop (1.65 miles), the North Meadow Loop (1.1 miles), and the Southern Spur (1.5 miles). The trails are open whenever the Park is open, as long as you stay on the bridle paths. Please note that the Park is officially closed from 1:00am to 6:00am, and that the Drives are open to traffic Monday through Friday, from 10:00pm to 10:00am, and from 3:00pm to 7:00pm.

QUEENS

Forest Park

Forest Park's four-mile equestrian path meanders through 165 acres of peaceful oak forest which was recently renovated.

Horses can be rented from FOREST EQUINE CENTER: (718) 263-3500.

STATEN ISLAND

Staten Island offers a wide variety of riding terrain, from beaches to parks and city streets to wooded trails.

Visit the Seguine Equestrian Center at 440 Seguine Avenue, for lessons to riders of all levels or to take a trail ride. They also occasionally hold riding clinics. Call (718) 317-1121 for more information.

Equus Stables, located at 2498 Veterans Road West; offers half hour private lessons in their ring. There are no trails. To set up a lesson call: (718) 948-9515.