Tips for your horse riding holidays

By: Pablo Imberti Posted: 30/10/2017

What to know when booking your horseback holidays

In this article we would like to give you some tips on what you should know before booking your riding holidays: what to pack, which precautions to take and more details to have in mind to experience unforgettable and stress-free trail rides.

• The preparations vary depending on if you ride alone or with companions.
• It si also important how long your horseback riding holidays will be. In case you ride for only one day, you need less luggage and equipment than for two or more days. In case you ride several days, it is good to have the support of a logistics team to transport the luggage.
• Another important aspect is the accommodation during the horse riding tour: Where are you going to spend the night: in camps, in mountain cabins, in hotels? If you stay in basic huts or tents, be aware of the climate and protect yourself from the cold, rain, etc. If you spend the night at a hotel, you enjoy more comfort like heating or a warm shower.
• How much luggage should or can you take with you? Contact the tour operator and ask about the logistics organised for the riding tour: whether your luggage will be carried in vehicles or in case of a horse expedition, whether it will be carried by other horses or mules.

The most important aspect for the organisation: How many riders travel with you?

If you decide to ride alone, think that it might bear more risks and difficulties as you have no companion to help you in case you need assistance or when you ride through difficult terrains. Our advice is to not go trail riding alone, especially if you ride for more than one day and do not know the area.

Anyway, if you prefer being on your own, you should have enough experience in riding in nature, know the area, be able to orientate yourself or fix problems with horse shoes and have knowledge on first aid assistance.

Always carry a list of the most important telephone numbers with you, a mobile phone and maybe also a satellite phone, although the latter are expensive and you must learn how to operate them.

If you camp, learn as much as possible and necessary about the places you will stay to make sure you are safe.

Riding with guides

In our opinion, it is the best to ride in a group of minimum two and maximum eight riders.

Tour operators for riding holidays employ guides who are trained and prepared for all kinds of difficulties, they know the areas and terrains, can orientate themselves and manage problems like e. g. with horse shoes, they are able to give first aid help; all in all, they are great companions who make us feel safe.

Tour operators have already solved the logistics; they own satellite phones so they have the possibility to communicate no matter where you are.

The advantage is that you do not have to worry about anything; neither the organisation of the group nor the logistics. You just have to enjoy the trail, the landscapes and places you ride to.

Duration of the trail riding tour

With little experience in trail riding, two days to start with are fine.

The ideal duration is one week; it is enough time to relax, ride long hours and get to discover many places.

Ten days to two weeks is already quite intensive and more than two weeks is only advisable for very experienced riders.

Logistics for riding groups

When you travel with a group, you must have in mind the needs of each individual rider and all riders together as a group.

The preparations depend on whether you sleep in camps or mountain cabins, whether you have facilities where to leave the horses; you might also stay at hotels or even plan to combine all the mentioned options.

The latter makes your horseback riding a more diversified holiday; it is nice to sleep in a comfortable bed some nights and have a warm shower.

If you sleep in tents, the adventure is greater as you reach places where you only get to on a horse.

In case you prefer simple accommodation, the advantage is that you get in contact with the local people and culture.

Hotels, on the opposite, give you all the comfort.

Make sure that the horses have the opportunity to rest outside in fenced areas or in paddocks where they can move around. If you stay in camps, you might have to tie the horses to avoid that they walk away.

You may want to have a vehicle at your disposal to move all your luggage, equipment, food, etc. or for riders who are e. g. exhausted or injured and not able to keep riding.

The adventure already begins with the preparations, the planning of the trails, the organisation of the equipment, the assignment of responsibilities, etc. It is preferable that the participants know each other a bit before starting the trail, extreme situations like heat, cold, hunger or exhaustions are a challenge for a group. Having a trail guide with you is an advantage as they know how to coordinate the group and overcome difficulties and problems.

Enthusiastic? Let’s start a new adventure!

Thinking about a horse riding holiday but don’t know how to book it?

Download our free eBook "How to plan your next horseback trip" and learn all you need to know when choosing the right holiday and outfitter for your next equestrian adventure.

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