Cannon Trails

My daughter and I reached out to Scott at Cannon Trails in order to ramp up our riding skills in preparation for our first horse drive in the Sierras. His teaching was amazing and we were more than adequately prepared for the 25 miles we rode each day on the drive. In just a few months, Scott took us from our baseline comfort level of riding at a walk to loping which is where we needed to be for the the horse drive. On the drive, I received multiple compliments on my riding ability and the wranglers were especially impressed that I had only been taking lessons for six months. Scott is a professional and very patient instructor. His clear communication and care of his horses made the experience very worthwhile and meaningful. From day one, Scott’s patient and knowledgeable approach to Western Riding helped us build a solid foundation. Starting with walking and gradually progressing to trotting, Scott gave clear, encouraging instructions that made every lesson enjoyable and productive. He emphasized safety while also fostering confidence, making sure we were always comfortable with each step of the process. Thanks to Scott’s dedication and expertise, we went from complete beginners to confidently loping. His passion for horses and teaching shines through in every session, and his ability to explain techniques in an easy-to-understand way made all the difference. We highly recommend Cannon Trails to anyone looking to learn Western Riding, whether for leisure or something more complex like a multi day ride, as his guidance truly transforms the learning experience.

My daughter has been taking lessons with Scott for about 1 1/2 years and thoroughly loves it! Not only has she gained so much more confidence with riding as her skill has improved immensely, but she has also been exposed to a variety of wonderful experiences with horses. She has been taught basic care and horsemanship as well. Scott is an excellent teacher, very communicative with scheduling, and just provides an all around positive and fun experience. I highly recommend Scott for any and all things related to horses!

Scott took my daughter (9) and niece (7) out for a ride on the beach. It was the most amazing experience for them. He taught them how to groom and care for the horses before and after, walked them through the basics of riding, and helped them feel safe and secure on the horses. It was an experience they will never forget!

Scott is the best beach cowboy around! He cares about your riding experience as much as he cares about his horses (and that's saying a lot). If you're in the Santa Barbara area, ride with him, you won't regret it. And you might just find yourself with a new cowboy friend.

I'm new to riding and Scott with Cannon Trails has inspired me to get better at this skill. It's very fun and with each lesson I am improving in my abilities. Its wonderful to ride horses that are well-taken care of and to get a comprehensive explanation of how to do things in a way that keeps both me and the horse safe. The areas Cannon Trails rides in are beautiful and Scott's encouraging and clear teaching style make it easy to learn. I started by booking a ride with friends for a fun activity together, and now I'm hooked! Rides with Cannon Trails are a great way to get outside and spend time with friends, great horses, and a capable and friendly guide!

My wife and I had an amazing time on our beach horseback ride with Scott at Cannon Trails. From the moment we arrived, Scott made us feel welcome and at ease. His calm, friendly personality and clear instructions made the ride enjoyable, even for riders without much experience. Riding along the beach was incredibly peaceful and beautiful. The horses were gentle, well cared for, and perfectly matched to our experience level. Scott clearly loves what he does and made the entire experience feel relaxed and personal rather than rushed. If you’re looking for a memorable and relaxing way to experience the Santa Barbara coastline, we highly recommend Cannon Trails. It was one of the highlights of our trip, and we’d absolutely ride with Scott again!

Riding a horse on the beach was a bucket list item for my mom, and I surprised her with this gift for Mother’s Day this year. I did tons of research, and decided to go with Scott since he’s a small business and had great reviews and videos on IG. Scott and his gorgeous horses did not disappoint. 10/10 experience, and I couldn’t recommend him enough if you want to ride horses either on the beach or trail. Will definitely be back, and I’m from Chicago if that says anything. Perfect experience.

Scott was a lifesaver! My 18 year old daughter needed to refresh horsemanship skills she'd honed a few years back so she could start a summer job at a national park as a ranch hand/trail guide. He jumped in and creatively pulled together some refresher lessons so she started off safely and confidently. So appreciative. Very caring and fun training! Thank you! Cat and Chloe

Scott is an excellent trainer and horseman. It has been such a joy to watch him guide and assist my daughter with beach rides and arena work. He makes lessons fun while still maintaining high standards for safety and awareness.

Scott is an awesome teacher and great guy! He helped me gain a firm understanding of the fundamentals of western style horsemanship, up to the point where I now feel confident putting on tack and going on a ride on the trail by myself. Lessons were always low pressure, fun, and the best part of my week!