Where to Go: the 9 Best Horse and Stud Farms in the USA

1.Half-Day Thoroughbred Horse Farm Tour in Kentucky

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,924 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45Our pick

Spend about three and a half hours touring Lexington’s Bluegrass horse country in a 14-passenger van. Guides such as Tim, Vicky, Mark, and Richard explain breeding, training, racing, and aftercare while taking you to Keeneland and one or more farms. Horse contact depends on farm access and availability.

“Richard was a very good guide. Very knowledgeable. However, I wish there was a little less driving and more interaction/exposure to the horses. For example, I thought we were going to get a behind the scene look at Keenland, but instead we just drove by it.”

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2.Unique Horse Farm Tours with Insider Access to Private Farms

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,192 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $59

Spend about three hours visiting three Lexington-area horse facilities by air-conditioned bus. Guides such as Sean Washington, Jeff, Dan, and Jess share local horse knowledge while you meet broodmares, foals, yearlings, and working thoroughbreds. Morning and noon departures are available, with small groups capped at 13 people.

“VERY knowledgeable tour guide - he was amazing! Lots of personal experiences with horses and the thoroughbred industry. The farms we were able to visit were breathtaking. I would highly recommend this tour.”

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3.Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

At Gypsy Gold Horse Farm in Ocala, Dennis Thompson, founder of the Gypsy Vanner breed, leads the opening talk on its origins and traits. Erin helps introduce a stallion before you walk beneath old oaks, meet horses of all ages, and finish with a photo beside a Gypsy Vanner horse. The 10 a.m. tour lasts about two hours.

“Horses were beautiful and the owner was very knowledgeable, his passion is infectious. I look forward to watching the progress of the farm as it continues to grow.”

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4.Thoroughbred Horse Farm Tour and Scenic Bluegrass

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 363 reviews · 3h 30m · from $45

Ride in a 14-person van with local guides such as Tim, Vicky, John, and Nicholas, learning how Kentucky breeding and racing work. Visit one or more working farms, see horses close up, and tour Keeneland when available. Farm and venue stops change by date, so expect a flexible route.

“I have cared for off the track retired thoroughbreds and have some knowledge of horses but Vicki added to my knowledge She was pleasant and answered all questions and made it an overall delightful afternoon”

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5.Sedona Horseback Rides At Dead Horse Ranch with River Crossing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 160 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119

Ride a gentle, trail-trained horse through Dead Horse Ranch State Park with an in-person guide. You’ll cross the river, pass meadows and streams, and see Sedona’s red rocks and canyons in the distance. Guides including Brandon, Kevin, Stanley, Chaz, Jeff, and Shawn have led rides here, with horses matched to each rider’s ability.

“Chaz and Jeff were friendly and very fun. It was such a great experience. Good weather, good horses, great guides.”

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6.Bourbon Distillery & Horse Farm Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · from $179

Spend about nine hours with a private guide such as Rob, Bob, Lee, or A.J. Holley, choosing three distilleries in Louisville, Lexington, or Bardstown. Your day includes transport, admissions, two tours with tastings, a third formal tasting, lunch, and an optional horse farm visit.

“Rob was a fantastic host. He talked the perfect amount and conversation was not strained. We really enjoyed him. The places we toured were fantastic. Two of them we would have never toured had it not been for you. Plus we also did a chocolate/bourbon pairing which was cool to do something different. If I could award 10 stars i would.”

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7.Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $30Best value

Spend about an hour at Gypsy Gold Horse Farm near Ocala, where you’ll learn how Dennis Thompson brought the first 16 Gypsy Vanners to America. An English-speaking guide, including Taylor on some visits, introduces you to mares, foals, stallions, donkeys, and the farm’s unusual story. You can also pet the animals.

“The horses and birds were beautiful. Our tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable of everything involving the farm.”

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8.Ocala: Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Horses & History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · 2 hours · from $50

At Gypsy Gold Horse Farm, Dennis and Cindy Thompson explain how they discovered the Gypsy Vanner horse and brought the first 16 registered horses to the United States. Your two-hour visit includes a history talk, horse photo opportunity, and guided farm walk with horses, mules, donkeys, and parrots.

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9.Ocala: Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · from $30

Walk through Gypsy Gold Horse Farm with an English-speaking guide, meet the horses, mules, donkeys, and parrots, and hear founder Dennis Thompson explain how he imported America’s first 16 Gypsy Vanners. Bring carrots if you want to feed the horses, plus closed-toe shoes and a hat.

“Really neat farm with a lot of dear animals. The owners were great and their story was interesting and cool. Beautiful horses! No sooner did Eileen say that there was one particular donkey who always gets out of the enclosure when we were joined by that donkey who helped guide the rest of the tour. He was pretty pleased with himself!”

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