Forest Equine Center

Photograph: Talia Simhi

Inside a Country & Western store on lower Broadway­­­—one of the only places in NYC that sells chaps for use outside S&M fantasies­—I met a young Texan transplant who clued me in to where budding equestrians can saddle up. Every morning before work, Albert Wong rides his steed on trails all over Staten Island before spending his days selling saddles, boots and hats to tourists with John Wayne fantasies at Western Spirit (395 Broadway at Walker St; 212-343-1476). He extols Staten Island’s horsey virtues: woods, beaches and hundreds of miles of paths—a mere ferry ride away.

“Staten Island has the most parkland of all the boroughs,” says Cherryl Mitchell, owner of Staten Island stable Richer Farms. Horse owners, leasers or students taking old-school, European-style lessons at the stables can explore the beautiful beaten tracks.

But rides on that fair isle remain unattainable for the casual horse aficionado. Per Mitchell, unaffiliated riders are a liability. “Everybody’s got 1-800-LAWYER on their speed-dial,” she explains. So much for becoming the Staten Island Tonto to the Texan’s Lone Ranger.

Okay, forget Staten Island. There are other places to ride horses in the city. Located by Prospect Park, Kensington Stables (51 Caton Place at E 8th St, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn; 718-972-4588. Rides $30/hour) is small, housing 38 horses in a somewhat charming 1930s building.

Kensington’s owner since 1993, Walker Blankinship got involved with the stable during his college years, when he liked to play fantasy Dungeons & Dragons on horseback (alas, no chain mail on display here). Today, luxury condos are being built across the street. Blankinship anticipates trouble; no one wants to smell manure from their condos, even die-hard animal lovers.

The hour-long trail ride begins with a reckless dash across busy Ocean Parkway and into Prospect Park. The equine beasts amble onto the paved road single-file along the park’s lake and ice-skating rink. To escape the throng, there are a few segues in the woods. However, there’s no trotting off on one’s own; this is a controlled ride, good for beginners, but a little frustrating for everyone else. Horses stick nose-to-bum and keep the same gentle pace.

After that, it’s off to Queens and the Forest Equine Center (88-11 70th Road at Sybilla St, Forest Hills, Queens; 718-263-3500. Rides $35/hour, horse rental $35/hour, optional insurance $5). There are no baby carriages or bikers in sight on the wide, tree-lined horse trails of Forest Park. For the hour’s trek, beginners can stick to a meandering pace, but more advanced riders can run around (no galloping, though). After proving themselves, those comfortable in the saddle can venture out in Forest Park sans guide. This is real riding, not just a guided tour of the park.

If you prefer to avoid harrowing freeways on your ride, head to Brooklyn’s Jamaica Bay Riding Academy (7000 Shore Parkway; 718-531-8949. Rides $37–$53/hour, lessons $40–$85/hour), a family-owned, 100-horse stable with an indoor ring, a therapeutic riding program and serene beachside trails.

The hour-long beach trail is completely off-road at this secluded academy, starting at the stable and looping along Jamaica Bay. Skilled riders can practice their jumps, and there’s plenty of room for the horses to walk, trot, canter and break into a gallop.

With Manhattan’s skyline just visible on the distant horizon, it’s glorious to fly down the empty beach by the gray water. Coming back from the ride is like waking up from a good dream. Back at the barn, stable owner Anthony Danza says, “It’s better than therapy, isn’t it?”