Whether you are a thrill-seeking daredevil or a committed "Happy
Hacker", there is sure to be a riding holiday to suit you .
The choice of country and terrain is enormous and you can opt
for a blissful week of escape from the family in beautiful and
unspoilt surroundings. Alternatively, make it a family treat -
even if some of the clan are totally non-horsey.
The first thing to consider with any riding holiday is your true
level of riding ability and stamina. A weekend-only novice will
be neither safe nor happy on a mad three day gallop across
Botswana. Similarly, a week trekking with beginners at walk will
not appeal to experienced jockeys. The large number of riding
holiday providers generally accept the following as sensible
summaries of riding ability;-
Beginner: A rider with very limited experience, is unable to
mount and dismount unassisted, and unable to post to the trot or
canter.
Novice: A rider who has some riding experience, is able to mount
and dismount unassisted, is in control of a well-behaved horse
and confident for short periods of rising trot and canter.
Intermediate: A rider with all of the novice skills, has a firm
seat, is comfortable at all paces and capable of riding for
several hours at a time. The intermediate rider is also able to
tack up a horse if required.
Experienced: A competent and regular rider who is capable of
adapting to different horses in different environments. An
experienced rider has soft hands and is able to control a
spirited horse in open country.
Other points to consider.
Weight Limit
Some riding trips have a weight limit which generally appears to
be approximately 95 kilos (around 15 stones). In most cases you
will be provided with a bigger horse and in some instances there
will be a surcharge but it is always wise to contact your
holiday provider as there may be a limited number of horses
available for guests exceeding this weight level.
Children
Depending on the trip, children may join the ride. Discounts may
be available in some cases. It is definitely worth checking even
if the kids are staunchly anti-Equestrian as many of the holiday
providers can accommodate non-riding guests.
Insurance
This is an absolute must for any holiday and should be an
important consideration in booking your trip.
Preparing for your holiday
Once you have determined the riding experience, age and ability
of the group members, you can go ahead and book your holiday.
Whether you are experienced riders or not, you are still likely
to be spending considerably longer than usual in the saddle on a
daily basis so expect some aches and pains!
Many repeat riding holiday enthusiasts go on several short
riding weekends prior to a longer holiday so that they can
really get the best out of the experience on every level.
With riding holidays available in England, Scotland Wales and
Ireland, we have plenty of choice on our doorsteps but there is
a huge choice of trips in France, USA, and even Africa and Asia.
The choice is yours....
About the author:
Helen Hobbs writes for Horse Primer, a website
offering information and advice for lovers of all things
equestrian.
Helen Hobbs
Choosing a horse will be one of the most important decisions you ever make so for the sake of both you and the horse - take your time. At 50 I was...read more
Whether you are looking to buy a new horse trailer or a used one, it's easy to be influenced by fancy options and shiny construction materials....read more
One of the best ways to choose a gift that will please a recipient, is to consider their greatest interests and loves. Whether it is for Christmas...read more
Horseshoes have become synonymous with good fortune. Having them on your horse's feet has little to do with attracting good luck, but a lot with...read more
No-one wants to see their horse get colic. But what can be done to avoid it? Horses are "trickle feeders", best suited to eating small amounts of...read more
