Baby Friendly Jamaica: Half Moon Equestrian Centre

By Corinne in Articles, Baby Friendly, Playing

Half moon equestrian, Half moon equestrian centre, horseback riding jamaica, horseback riding for children, jamaica — Work harder, Mama! 😉

Horseback Riding in Jamaica

When you think of Ja maica with little kids, you envision a beach right? Jamaica’s star attractions are definitely the beautiful beaches. But also? How much Jamaican culture embraces families. Once upon a time, thanks to the Jamaican Tourist Board, my daughter and I had a wonderful experience at the Half Moon Equestrian Centre that has really stuck with both of us. So if you’re heading down to Jamaica with your kids, if you’re near to Montego Bay this is something a little different, not too expensive, and A LOT of fun.

Half Moon Equestrian Centre, Montego Bay

Located at the luxurious Half Moon Resort just outside of Montego Bay, Half Moon Equestrian Centre is truly a snippet of another world. And tax bracket. The stables are pristine, the vegetation is lush, and the horses are beautiful. Everyone obviously loves their job, because the vibe there amongst the staff and animals is truly laid-back.

Half Moon offers proper riding lessons and horseback rides at the beach, but for toddlers and preschoolers, their pony park and pony rides are the perfect speed and level of engagement.

Half Moon Equestrian Centre’s Pony Park

The pony park at Half Moon is a small corral with smaller versions of the magnificent horses stabled there. And the ponies have friends: a donkey, some goats, some bunnies, and some doves. The children are introduced to the ponies and their friends one by one. Preschoolers are allowed into the enclosure to gently pet and feed their new friends.

Pony Rides in Jamaica

Children under 6 can then go for an escorted pony ride, either just in the corral or a short jaunt through the property. Helmets are provided, but kids need to be wearing longer pants and secure, closed-toe shoes.

Seeing how quickly my then-four-year-old adopted perfect riding posture and how natural she appeared as a rider made me realize that I should probably work harder 😉

Half Moon Equestrian Centre’s Fees

The cost of this experience is what surprised me. Typically family excursions on any Caribbean island can tend to be quite pricey. We swam with dolphins the day before and the price tag for that is quite steep. However entry to the pony park and a ride is $30 US. You’re there for about an hour. And you’re welcome to have a seat on one of the shady benches to watch the lessons and hang out.

The washrooms are very clean and the staff are all lovely.

Things to Do with Smaller Babies

If you have a smaller baby in tow, they won’t be able to interact with the animals. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy the experience! The grounds are flat and quite manicured. We were there after a rain and it was quite muddy in spots. A regular stroller should be able to manage ok. But if you have a bigger kid going on a pony ride, you may not easily be able to keep up. Your child is in good hands, though. I only connected with my daughter for her photo ops!

The sun is very strong, and it can get quite hot. There are lots of shady spots. Insect repellent was recommended. However, we weren’t bothered by mosquitoes while we were there.

Hours & Admission

When we go back to Jamaica (!) we’ll definitely be doing this again. Half Moon Equestrian Centre is just outside Montego Bay, adjacent to the Half Moon Resort.

Hours of operation: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon and :300 pm – 5:00 pm.
Cost: $30 US per person includes a pony ride. E-mail or call (876) 919-4621 to reserve a visit.

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