Horseback Riding in Cebu (2026): Big Q Farm & Tuburan

TL;DR: Cebu has two real horseback riding operators. Big Q Farm in Tabunan (Cebu City uplands) runs guided mountain-and-river trail rides from ₱8,000 for 3 hours up to a ₱10,000 full-day package, beginner-friendly, booked at least 2 days ahead. Tuburan Horse Riding Club on the west coast offers countryside rides at unpublished, message-to-book rates. Verified July 2026.

Horseback riding isn’t a headline Cebu activity the way canyoneering or island hopping is, but two legitimate operators run it well: Big Q Farm, a working horse ranch in the mountains above Cebu City, and Tuburan Horse Riding Club, a newer countryside operation on the west coast. Both offer real, multi-hour guided trail rides rather than a five-minute lead-rope walk, and both are built for beginners. This guide covers what each ride actually looks like, what it costs, and how to book.

Cebu Horseback Riding at a Glance

Prices from each operator’s own listed rates as of July 2026 — confirm current pricing and availability before booking, especially for Tuburan, which quotes per inquiry.

What’s a Ride at Big Q Farm Actually Like?

It’s a genuine mountain trail ride, not a photo-op walk on a lead rope — Big Q Farm’s signature route runs downhill and uphill through Tabunan’s mountain terrain with a river crossing and cantering through the water itself. The farm sits at Km. 27 on the Trans Central Highway, in Sitio Cantipla, Barangay Tabunan, roughly 45 minutes from Cebu City.

The standard 3-hour ride costs ₱8,000 per rider and is the farm’s most recommended option. Every ride opens with a short hands-on lesson covering how to check your horse and tack, how to mount and dismount safely, and basic handling, so no prior riding experience is assumed or required — beginners ride with a personal handler alongside them.

For a longer day, the Whole Day Vaquero Special runs ₱10,000 per rider across 5.5-6 hours: a morning ride, a BBQ lunch, an afternoon ride, and the option to swim at a waterfall along the route. Multi-day packages go further still — a 2-day ride with a river crossing, waterfall stop, and cabin accommodation runs ₱35,000 per rider (minimum two riders), and 3- and 4-day packages with airport transfers and a beach-riding add-on are available on request. All bookings need at least two days’ advance notice, made by phone, Viber, or WhatsApp — Big Q Farm doesn’t take walk-ins.

What to bring: long pants, a sleeved top, closed shoes with a heel (not flat sneakers), and be aware of the published 240-lb weight limit per rider. Helmets are provided and required.

Big Q Farm isn’t a pop-up tourist operation — it was established in 2002 and is owned and run by Anton Quisumbing, founder of the Cebu Equine Owner’s, Breeder’s and Sportsmen’s Association (CEOBSA) and a figure in the Philippine Horsemen’s Federation. The farm keeps around eight mountain-bred riding horses and ponies suited to both beginners and more advanced riders, and recent visitor reviews consistently describe the horses as well cared for, calm, and responsive across skill levels — a reasonable indicator for anyone weighing the animal-welfare side of a horseback tour before booking.

What Does the Terrain Actually Feel Like?

Genuinely varied — not a flat loop around a paddock. Big Q Farm’s signature route takes riders downhill and uphill through Tabunan’s mountain terrain above Cebu City, including a proper river crossing where the horses wade and, on the more confident sections, canter through the shallows. It’s a working mountain trail rather than a groomed riding-school arena, so expect uneven footing, some incline, and genuine outdoor scenery rather than a manicured circuit. That’s part of why the farm pairs every beginner with a personal handler rather than sending first-timers off alone — the terrain rewards a real introduction, not just a five-minute safety talk.

Tuburan Horse Riding Club’s rides run through the gentler countryside around Cogon, Tuburan, closer to open farmland and rural roads than mountain trail, which makes it the more approachable option if steep terrain and river crossings sound intimidating for a first ride.

What About Tuburan Horse Riding Club?

A smaller, newer countryside operation in Cogon, Tuburan, on Cebu’s northwest coast — set up specifically for riders starting from zero, offering both lessons and trail rides through the surrounding rural landscape. It’s a different kind of experience from Big Q Farm’s branded mountain-adventure product: more of a local equestrian club welcoming visitors than a polished tourism operation, and pricing reflects that — nothing is published, and the club states rates depend on the season, lesson type, and ride duration.

To book, message the club directly through its Facebook page (Tuburan Horse Riding Club) or Instagram (@tuburanhorseridingclub) for a current quote and to confirm availability. Since it operates out of a working farm rather than a fixed storefront, use GPS navigation to Tuburan Municipal Hall as a landmark and ask locally for final directions once you’re in the area.

This is the pick if you’re already building a day trip around Tuburan’s other stops — Molobolo Spring and Marmol Cliff — and want to add a countryside ride without a separate special trip to Cebu City’s uplands. See our full Tuburan guide for how to string those stops together.

How Do You Choose Between the Two?

• Want a proven, well-documented mountain trail ride with a real river crossing → Big Q Farm, and budget for its higher, published pricing.
• Already spending a day in Tuburan for the springs and cliffs → Tuburan Horse Riding Club, as a natural add-on rather than a special trip.
• Total beginner nervous about cost or commitment → message Tuburan Horse Riding Club first for a shorter, cheaper lesson-style booking before committing to Big Q Farm’s 3-hour minimum.
• Want to combine the ride with other Busay-area sights → Big Q Farm sits close to Temple of Leah and Sirao Flower Garden, so an early-morning ride can lead into an afternoon of viewpoint cafés and photo stops.

The Honest Take

Both operators are legitimate — this isn’t a category with a lot of scam risk in Cebu, since there simply aren’t many horseback riding options to begin with, and the two that exist have built real track records. Big Q Farm is the more established, better-documented of the two, with published pricing, a real booking process, and enough visitor reviews to know what you’re paying for; ₱8,000 for three hours is genuinely expensive by Cebu adventure-activity standards, more than a full day of canyoneering at Kawasan, so go in knowing this is a splurge activity, not a budget one.

Tuburan Horse Riding Club is the more approachable, lower-commitment option if the price and formality of Big Q Farm don’t suit you, but the lack of published rates means you’re booking somewhat blind until you message them — do that well before you plan your day around it, not the morning of. Neither operator is set up for walk-ins, so this is an activity you plan ahead for, not one you stumble into on a whim.

Sources

• Big Q Farm — official trail ride rates and packages
• Big Q Farm — location and contact details
• VisMin.ph — Tuburan Horse Riding Club feature (location, services)
• Tuburan Horse Riding Club’s own Facebook page, for booking and current pricing. Verified July 2026.

If Tuburan Horse Riding Club is the plan, pair it with the rest of the area’s stops in our full Tuburan guide. For more Cebu adventure options beyond riding, see best adventure activities in Cebu and unusual and offbeat things to do in Cebu.