Horse Riding Training Course: One Session in Sharjah

The Horse Riding Training Course One Session at Mleiha in Sharjah is a 45-minute riding lesson in the desert interior of the emirate, with expert guidance on walking, trotting and cantering and the outlines of Fossil Rock and the Faya mountains on the horizon. It suits complete beginners and experienced riders alike, because the session is shaped around the level you declare when you book.

If you have only ridden on holiday, or want to brush up after a few years out of the saddle, a single lesson here is a low-commitment way to find out how it feels, in a setting that is very different from a city riding school.

About Mleiha

The lesson is based at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, which was opened in January 2016 by Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, and is developed by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The centre was built around a preserved Umm Al Nar era tomb and houses an exhibition on the area’s history and archaeology.

Mleiha sits at the heart of the Faya Palaeolandscape, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025. Finds in the area point to some of the earliest evidence of modern humans in Arabia, and the surrounding rocks are rich in marine fossils from a time when this land lay under the sea, around 70 million years ago. Few riding lessons come with that kind of backdrop.

Today the wider area is promoted as Mleiha National Park, with a season of desert adventures, archaeological tours, stargazing, glamping and horse riding.

What the lesson involves

The session lasts 45 minutes and takes place in a scenic riding arena, with views across to Fossil Rock and the Faya mountain range. An instructor guides you through the basic gaits, starting with walking and building towards trotting and cantering as your confidence and ability allow.

When you book, you tell the team whether you are a first-time, intermediate or experienced rider. That matters: a first-timer will spend more of the lesson on balance, position and walking, while an experienced rider can expect to work more at trot and canter. The listing’s own description sums up the aim as riding and bonding with the horses.

What is included

• A 45-minute horse riding lesson at Mleiha
• Water

Food and drinks beyond water, personal expenses and hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included. Exclusive return transfers to the centre can be arranged at an extra cost.

Who can ride

There are clear rider requirements for this lesson, and they are worth checking before you book:

• Riders must be 11 or older.
• Riders aged 11 to 18 need a guardian present and must provide consent.
• The maximum rider weight is 85kg.
• The activity is not recommended for pregnant women or for anyone with back problems.

For younger children who do not yet meet the age rule, Mleiha has offered pony rides as part of its season programme, which can be a better fit for a family visit.

The listing advises riders to wear boots and a helmet. It does not say whether helmets are provided, so ask when you confirm your booking if you do not have your own.

Planning your visit

Lessons are available on request rather than at fixed published times, so you agree the session time when you book. The listing runs through the cooler months, which is when the desert around Mleiha is most comfortable for outdoor activity.

Rescheduling needs at least 72 hours’ notice. If you miss your booking, it is cancelled automatically and the full charge applies, so build in enough time for the drive.

Getting there

Mleiha is in the central region of Sharjah, a little over an hour’s drive from Sharjah city. By car, head east on Al Dhaid Road (E88) and follow the signs to the Mleiha Archaeological Centre. The centre’s map coordinates are listed on the booking page if you prefer to navigate by pin.

Make a day of it

Because the drive is a commitment, most visitors combine the lesson with something else at Mleiha. Options in the park have included guided archaeological tours of late Iron Age ruins and burial chambers, fossil workshops, dune buggy and SUV landscape tours past Fossil Rock, and stargazing sessions after dark. The exhibition at the visitor centre is a good place to start, as it explains the history of the landscape you have just ridden through.

Riders who enjoy the lesson can also look at Mleiha’s longer desert hack, a guided ride out into the dunes rather than an arena session.

For more ideas in the emirate, see our guide to things to do in Sharjah, browse more attractions, or find hands-on workshops and classes. Planning ahead? Our November guide covers the start of the outdoor season.