Horse riding centres for families across Malaysia
Horse riding gives children a chance to be outdoors, learn a skill and spend time around animals. This guide covers riding clubs and trail ride centres in Selangor and Pahang, from a club with a splash pool and chalets to a resort where rides go through hills and forest. When choosing, think about whether your child wants structured lessons or a one-off ride, how far you are willing to travel, and what else there is on site to keep the rest of the family busy.
Kelab Berkuda Al Heyzum, Batang Kali, Selangor
Kelab Berkuda Al Heyzum is an outdoor riding club in Batang Kali. Its riding lessons run from beginner to advanced levels, so a child can start from scratch and keep going as they improve. A beginner package is offered alongside a livery package for owners who want to keep a horse there.
The club also runs horseback archery programmes and leadership camps on horseback, which may appeal to older children who have already done some riding. Its trail rides go through river areas, with riding and soaking with the horses in the water. The club says these river rides are suited to experienced riders, so they are not the place to start a complete beginner.
For families marking an occasion, the club runs photography sessions with horses for weddings, convocations and other special events.
Denai Alam Recreational and Riding Club, Denai Alam, Selangor
Denai Alam Recreational and Riding Club is aimed squarely at beginners. The club presents itself as a starting point where children and their parents can pick up basic riding skills before moving on to more advanced classes at other riding schools. Its stable holds more than 90 horses, most of them donated by previous owners.
There is a lot here beyond the horses, which makes it a good choice if not everyone in the family wants to ride:
A splash pool designed to look like a waterfall and stream, with a man-made beach area for building sandcastles.
A mini petting zoo.
A cafe and a prayer room.
Chalets with an open kampung-style design for overnight stays. There are three standard rooms that take four to six people each and one family room for eight to ten people.
Steamboat meals and karaoke in the evenings for chalet guests, who can also sit and watch students going through their riding lessons.
The club hosts birthday parties, and its mascots can make appearances at parties and other events on request. It also puts on a performance show that includes a Red Indian and Cowboy Show, and runs a youth equine programme built around horse-related activities. Membership includes horse and pony joy rides, use of the children's splash pool and karaoke, along with discounts on lessons and facilities.
MAEPS Horseback Riding, Seri Kembangan, Selangor
MAEPS Horseback Riding is an outdoor riding set-up in Seri Kembangan. The main arena is large enough to hold two smaller training circles inside it, so several groups can train at the same time. A beginner lesson package is sold as a set of sessions rather than single rides, which suits a child who wants to learn properly over a few weeks.
There are trail rides as well. The route follows a tar road and passes a pineapple farm. Which trail you take depends on the weather, as rain the night before can close the more challenging route, leaving the shorter trail as the option on the day.
Sessions are arranged by phoning a named contact directly rather than booking online, so plan to call ahead before you make the trip.
Bukit Tinggi Horse Trail Rides, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang
Bukit Tinggi Horse Trail Rides is the equestrian activity at a hill resort modelled on a French town in Bukit Tinggi. Rides take guests through varied terrain, hills and forest, with professionally trained leaders accompanying riders throughout.
Because the rides sit within resort grounds, there is plenty to do before and after. The resort has a swimming pool, a cafe and several other food and drink outlets. It is also close to other attractions in the same hills, including a Japanese Garden about 3 km away, so a ride can be combined with a wider day out.
Pets and drones are not allowed anywhere on the grounds, including where the riding takes place.
Practical points before you go
Check skill levels. Kelab Berkuda Al Heyzum's river trail rides are for experienced riders, while Denai Alam and MAEPS both start with beginners.
Lessons at MAEPS are sold as a set of sessions, and the club takes bookings by phone, so call before travelling.
Rain can change what is available. At MAEPS, a wet night can close the harder trail, so be ready for the shorter route.
If you want to make a full day or weekend of it, Denai Alam has chalets, a splash pool and a petting zoo, and Bukit Tinggi has a swimming pool and several places to eat.
Birthday parties can be held at Denai Alam, with mascots available on request.
Leave pets and drones at home if you are heading to Bukit Tinggi, as neither is permitted on the resort grounds.