FAQ

We no longer offer public boarding at Jester Park Equestrian Center. Polk County owns all horses that live at JPEC.

No, we do not rent our horses out to go ride. If you would like to ride one of our horses you can book a guided trail ride in June-October, and our experienced wranglers will guide you down the trails of Jester Park!

Yes! All field trips need to be booked in advance by calling our office at (515) 999-2818 or by emailing jpec_info@polkcountyiowa.gov.

No, we no longer offer pony rides or birthday party options with our horses.

No, we do not offer birthday party options with our horses.

We only provide wagon/sleigh rides on the equestrian trails at our facility in Jester Park. We invite you to celebrate your special event by joining us on a scenic ride. Reservations may be made here.

Providing horses for wedding/graduation photo sessions falls outside our mission statement to offer recreation, education, and wellness programs for the community. You and your photographer may view our horses during regular public visiting hours and take pictures with them if they choose to come over to the fence and pose with you.

Depending on staff availability, we can tailor a field trip or educational workshop to meet your needs. Please call us at (515) 999-2818 or email our office at jpec_info@polkcountyiowa.gov to discuss scheduling and program content.

We have a few requirements to keep both horse and rider safe throughout the ride. All riders must be at least eight years of age, must be a minimum of 4'0" tall, and weigh no more than 250 lbs.

Guided trail rides are offered on Fridays and Saturdays, June-October. Ride times are 9:30 am, 11 am, and 2 pm. 

No. Every participant must meet the minimum requirement (age, weight, height, etc.) at the time of the program to participate.

We offer a limited supply of riding boots that we loan out for camp that come in various sizes that your child may borrow for the duration of camp.

We do not offer therapeutic riding at JPEC, and we cannot endorse other facilities that do, but we can provide contact information as a courtesy. One Heart in Ames (515) 460-5488 and Rhythms of Grace in Dallas Center (515) 305-7361 are two stables in the area that offer therapeutic riding.

At Horse Adventures camp, campers will learn proper horse care and nutrition, how to properly groom and tack their horse for riding, how to safely lead a horse, how to ride, and much more!

You can park and unload your trailer in the grassy area just north of the arena or straight in as you arrive.

Yes! You can use the outdoor arena and round pen if there are no programs or arena reservations.

You may only use the indoor arena if you make a prior reservation. The arena may not be reserved if we have programs happening in the arena at the same time.

We do not allow overnight camping at JPEC. All trailer-in riders must depart on the same day.