In addition to riding in the arenas, some Shea Center clients, depending on their riding ability level, ride on a variety of different trails located behind The Shea Center barn.  Instructors have the option to take riders on a path from The Center down to the wood chip trail and even farther down the trail towards Trabuco Creek.  These trail rides are a nice change of scenery and an adventure for the riders.

Trail riding helps riders improve their balance while traveling over different terrains and provides them an atypical place to practice riding techniques, such as two-pointing uphill and steering.

The trails behind the Center are part of the City of San Juan Capistrano trail system and some are jointly maintained by the City and The Shea Center.  The Center has added markers along the trail to allow riders to follow a diverse network of trails.