Fort Worth Stockyards Stables and Horseback Riding — Attraction in Fort Worth

I was in town for a few days like my boyfriend was playing chess at the Westin in Irving. I had tried to get into Benbrook Stables and time wise just didnt fit. Then I looked online and have always LOVED the Ft. Worth stockades and thought I'd call and see if there was an option. The first few times I called it said mailbox full but then I tried 1 more time, spoke to a nice lady and said if I get there by 130pm, I'll be able to reserve a ride for 315pm. I had my cowboys boot with me, walked up and a nice young man & lady said there were plenty of spots available, I got registered and was so excited.

I havnt gone horseback riding on trails or anything in 17 years since I was 20 so I was very eager with anticipation. I went back at 3pm to get ready and loaded up. I spoke to Jackson about weather, he said the weather would be fine. I said I dont want a crazy horse so he paired me REALLY well with Beth. I got on and my nerves kicked in & my anxiety. I knew it would take time to adjust. As I was going thru the ride I could feel my heart racing and shaking, Beth started moving weird (to me) not feeling overwhelmed thinking I didnt know what I was doing so I got help and Jackson the trail guide came up and said listened to my concern, reassured me that he personally knows "Beth" the horse, trained her for weeks+ before she was guest ready and she's a "follow-the-leader" horse. She responds well to commands with the reigns.

Beth would start to go one way or moving different than she had and I would start to panic but he was there to show me. As I got comfortable I was able to control the reigns on my own (no matter how small that may sound) to me, it was a HUGE feat. I wasn't scared going up the curb going back like I had initially been going down the curb starting off. Beth trotted a few times but after sitting back in the saddle and not up straight, It was fun.

Jackson said let me stay by you for a bit and get in front of you. He stayed close throughout the trail to keep me calm and just giving me pointers. I faced my fear head-on, kept breathing through the nerves to help me get through it but the biggest thing was JACKSON with his calmness and reassurance; his positivity with me "YOU GOT THIS", respectful very professional & polite.

After about 40 mins, I started really just look around and wasn't so tense. Jackson is the BOMB trail guide and Beth was a fantastic horse. next time I come back, I definitely will come to the Ft. Worth Stockyard Stables. I believe things happen for a reason and it was fate that I was able to get a great experience & opportunity at the Ft. Worth Stables. I knew if I didn't try it and back out or quit half way through, I would have regretted it.

I left truly with a huge smile on my face b/c Jackson made it better and I didnt have to be tense and the "oh my goodness" the entire time like a roller coaster ride.

Thank you for all y'all do at the Ft. Worth...

The stockyards asked me to send them an email with feedback. This is what I sent them. I still haven't heard back.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express my disappointment with the horseback riding experience my family had this past Tuesday. We were with our two younger children, and the primary reason we booked this activity was to create a memorable and enjoyable experience for them, especially since it was their first time riding horses.

Unfortunately, our expectations were not met, and we left feeling frustrated and regretful. From the outset, the first guide made it difficult to enjoy the ride. I specifically asked to ride in front of my 8-year-old child to support him during his first time on a horse. Instead, I was separated from him for most of the ride, with an entirely different party positioned between us. This made it impossible for me to communicate with him, see his enjoyment, or offer him any help if he needed it.

To make matters worse, the guide spent a significant amount of time on her phone, talking and seeming completely disengaged from the group. I did not pay $300 to watch a guide be inattentive and unavailable. Despite asking her twice to accommodate my request, nothing changed.

Thankfully, after she left, the second guide was more helpful, and I was finally able to ride in front of my child for the last 10 minutes into town. Changing the order of the horses was clearly not a complicated task, and I am disappointed it was handled so poorly for the majority of the ride.

The overall experience was so unsatisfactory that we chose not to tip either guide, which is something we rarely do, as we value and respect service workers. However, in this case, neither guide made the experience enjoyable or worth the cost.

This was supposed to be a special moment for our children’s first horseback ride, but instead, it left much to be desired. I have not yet left any public reviews, as I wanted to reach out to you first to share my concerns and give you the opportunity to address this matter.

I hope you will take this feedback seriously and take steps to ensure future customers have a better experience. Please feel free to contact me if you’d like to discuss this...

I recently had an unforgettable experience at Stockyard Stables in Fort Worth, TX, and I can’t recommend them enough! My daughter and I had been eagerly looking forward to our horseback riding adventure, but in my excitement, I accidentally booked for the wrong date. To my surprise and relief, Sam from the stables called to check if we were on our way. I was heartbroken to realize that we were actually in North Carolina at the time! Sam was incredibly understanding and went above and beyond to rebook us for a day that worked with our schedule.

When we finally made it to Fort Worth, the stables were easy to find with convenient parking less than 5-minute walk away. Upon arrival, Sam greeted us with a warm welcome and took her time prepping us for the ride. Since we were first-time riders, and I have a pretty intense fear of heights, I was nervous about sitting so high up on a horse. Sam was incredibly patient and reassuring—she made me feel comfortable and confident, even when I expressed my fears.

What really stood out to me was how well Sam knew the horses and their personalities. She matched us with horses that were perfect for beginners and offered gentle guidance throughout the ride, explaining when and how to guide the horse when necessary. Her calm and friendly demeanor turned what could have been a nerve-wracking experience into an enjoyable and relaxing one.

The 45-minute ride along the historic Chrisholm Trail was nothing short of amazing. The scenery was beautiful, and the length of the ride was just right—enough to give us a great experience without feeling overwhelming for first-timers. Sam also recommended some fantastic tours to dive deeper into the history of the Stockyards, which we really appreciated.

If I had one small suggestion, it would be to offer a photo opportunity during the ride, even if it’s for an additional fee. It would have been the perfect way to capture the special memories of our first horseback ride.

Overall, Stockyard Stables exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend them, especially Sam, for anyone looking to explore the Chrisholm Trail on horseback. It was a unique and memorable experience, and I’m already looking forward to...