San Pascual Stables

While it may seem a bit run-​down, San Pascual is defintely one of my favorite places in the world. I have ridden for three years, and while some people may seem «mean» when teaching, they are really just caring for safety. You must understand that supervising a young child that is in control of a two thousand pound animal is a little nerve wrecking, but not to worry; all of the horses here are very sweet and none of the trainers would make you ride a wild horse. The managers here really care for the horses and try to make them feel as comfortable as possible. If you were to tour around and look at the horses, you can see that they are all quite happy in their humble homes. Some people may say that «they are not in their natural environment.» That is true, but that does not neccessarily mean that they are not happy or healthy. Dogs and humans are often not in their natural environment, but they are often very content with life and are healthy.
One great thing that my trainer has taught me is that if you haven’t fallen off a horse, you haven’t really ridden yet. So don’t be afraid if you fall off! Horses are animals of flight, not fight, and they can get scared quite easily, so it is not really their fault or the trainer’s fault. If you are to meet a bad trainer, that does not mean that all of the trainers are bad! Look around for trainers until you meet one that you like and suits your style of riding.
Hope you guys can find time to visit this place and start riding!

This barn is wildly unprofessional and treats everyone who doesn’t have money like absolute dirt. I had high expectations but they were not met. The training is below par, and there is no flat work taught AT ALL. (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING!) Jumping is the top priority for all clients, no groundwork or equitation is taught by anyone but the handful of beginner trainers they have. All in all, it’s just a money pit full of undertrained riders, if you don’t want that go somewhere else.

This is the most unprofessional stable ran by a man that is heartless and doesn’t even like horses. It’s all about the money and his trainers are the same way. I would never let my child be trained by these people who do not even know how to ride themselves. Stay far away.

While my daughter enjoyed this place, I was surprised that it cost so much to have 2 teenagers run such a huge operation. I think that with the cost they could hire additional help with kids summer camp. Not sure if it was the stress of dealing with a bunch of kids but my daughter did say an instructor was mean on occasion to some of the kids (all around age 7). I’d like to think they could be helped or better trained to deal with large groups of small children. They were excellent at instruction of horse riding.

i love this place although the facility is not as fancy as other equestrian center. Trainers there are very kind and professional

A wonderful facility, very nice barns and riding/​jumping areas are well maintained. The trainers are knowledgeable and the setting is amazing, you would think you were a thousand miles outside LA. Even if you don’t ride, it is worth a trip to sit and watch the beautiful horses and trainers jump and ride in the ring.

San Pascual Stables is one of the nicest most professional riding facilities I’ve seen in the greater Los Angeles area. The trainers are very knowledgeable and experienced equestrians. I’ve had the luxury of riding several of their school horses and have seen first hand how well taken care of they all are. The horses literally have a team of people caring for them. The assistants Schifrin and Anthony are amazing and help keep things moving in the tack stalls. They are there to help you get tacked up for your lessons and also have a great deal of horse-​sense. The barn community is warm and welcoming and I feel right at home there. I’ve been riding at SPS for about 6 months now and have no end in sight.

Okay so basically this stable has affordable prices for a reason. you get what you pay for, not very good. I took lessons for two and a half years there and did not click with my first teacher after a year of lessons, but when i switched teacher’s the new teacher made me learn over from scratch saying «you were taught wrong». I felt this was very wrong, I mean both teachers taught at same place. This made me think that all the instructors should be taught to instruct the same way. Another issue I had was with my second teacher, whom I was with a year and half. I had gone every saturday and been working hard, but she would not let me jump. She would not even give a reason. Many other riders who started riding way after me as beginners, were quickly advancing to jumping. I feel the teacher had favorites. I have also had friends who would NEVER recommend this. One teacher put a family friend (six year old) on a horse that went wild. The parents had to alert the teacher of what was happening since the instructor was not paying attention, and she fell off, another wouldn’t let a little girl off the lead rope. Also another a family friend who took lessons was also not allowed to advance. I wouldn’t recommend this stable at all.

I really enjoyed my time here. I rode my bike past here one day and felt inclined to go inside. I went up to a woman and asked about how i could get into learning how to ride a horse bareback. I had prior experience riding, but not for a good 12 – 14 years. She said for me to come back that saturday and she will teach me. I did, and i am definitly going back for more! It was so much fun, and very liberating to learn how to ride without a saddle.
Why not a review with full 5 stars? Well, I was not too pleased with the other instructors i saw around the stables. I saw one woman be very impatient with a 13 year old girl who was not fully understanding what she was being instructed to do. I do not think she handled her instructing very well. If someone is not getting what you are saying, that means you are saying it wrong and need to restate your words ina different way. That is what my instructor did when i wasn’t understanding what she was saying. She gets full high marks in my book.
So, if you want a patient instructor who will explain things to you without becoming short — Ask for Kim.

I had a hard time initially getting someone on the phone, but after my third or fourth try, I was successful.
This is my first venture into riding lessons. The lessons include brushing the horses, cleaning their hooves, gearing them up, etc. They are pretty dusty, so I usually end up covered in dirt. This is not something I anticipated beforehand, having never before done this sort of thing. Also, when it’s dry outside, watch out for static shock! I don’t think either of us (neither the horse nor myself) were pleased with getting constantly shocked during the grooming process.
Naomi was my instructor. She is very nice and easy when it comes to scheduling. I found her extremely accommodating.
I had three lessons before I had to temporarily quit, but I plan to return to take some more lessons when I can.