Horseback riding holidays in the Netherlands

By: Pablo Imberti Posted: 21/08/2020

Today, we invite you to learn about equestrian tourism in Holland, where you can ride among tulips and windmills, its most iconic symbols.

Holland offers beautiful places for horseback riding in Hoge Veluwe National Park and near Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park. This country has a long tradition of equestrian sports and it is famous for its qualified instructors and, of course, for the quality of its horse breeds, such as the Friesian horse.

In the Netherlands, you can ride in equestrian centres, riding clubs and horse farms, which can be found not only in big cities but also in every Dutch region and province.

Riding schools in Holland are highly regarded all over the world and they stand out in all disciplines, such as dressage, show jumping, voltige acrobatics on a moving horse) or western riding.

The most important national organisation is the KNHS, the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation, which includes equestrian tourism companies.

Riding in Holland is a joy. You can explore its beaches and its green fields, enjoy its mild climate and observe how cows graze peacefully.

Below are some options for your horse riding holidays in Holland.

Koren Tot Manen

Located in Kootwijk, a small town in the municipality of Barneveld, which is in the centre of the Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland.

The amazing national parks near them provide the perfect setting for trail riding around the prettiest landscapes they have to offer.

Koren tot Manen started its activity in 2001. Since then, they have perfected their offer and today they deliver the best and most optimal experience with the right horses for their riders.

They offer several options to choose from. You can travel alone with your horse, use their selected horses, join other riders in a group ride or come with your friends and organize a private, made-to measure trip. At Koren tot Manen they are happy to cater to the needs of their customers – non-riders included.

Children will be allowed to partake in the group if they have enough experience and if not, they can ride on their beautiful ponies so they can enjoy the outdoor adventure.

They only ask you to book in advance and to be on time so that they can find the perfect horse for each rider, one that matches their experience, skill and character.

If you are you in search of peace, space and relaxation, then you have come to the right place. At Koren tot Manen you can stay over and enjoy the natural ambience of the forest, as long as you wish and then decide when to ride and when to rest. They don’t have Wi-Fi or TV but you can enjoy their collection of books with the warmth of a typically Dutch fireplace, surrounded by nature.

What are their Horseback Routes like?

Their options range from 1 hour outdoor trips to longer adventures in Veluwe National Park or multi-day routes.

These rides are for beginners and experienced riders. You will be accompanied by a guide that will navigate you through the town of Kootwijk and the nearby forest. They will also provide all the necessary elements for self-guided rides.

There are tours of more than one day, but for a minimum group of five people. If your group is not big enough, you can join other riders.

When you book a ride, they check the number of people interested in that route and they make the necessary arrangements for the trip.

You can come alone, bring your horse with you or use one from their stable.

They have mobile or star rides, that is to say that you leave the stable in the morning and go back to it in the afternoon or in the evening. Since there are several alternative routes, you can spend many days here, staying near the stable and choosing a different ride every day.

Where will their equestrian routes and trails take you?

The varying landscape of Kootwijk has several equestrian routes that lead you through forest, green heath and endless sand plains. You do not have to cross paved roads or busy areas. Wildlife is abundant. You can see boar, deer and fox, roaming freely in their habitat.

Their qualified guides know the most beautiful spots around and you can ride with them or with their written instructions if you want to go on your own adventure.

Along the routes there are numbered poles that show you the way and help you to find the routes.

Their special Bed & Breakfast offer

You can spend the night in the stable with the horses. Not exactly inside, but very near them. It's possible for horse and nature lovers.

They offer you the perfect possibility to make outdoor trips with your own horse or one of theirs and enjoy in the beautiful and extensive Veluwe National Park.

Especially in the weekends, their sleeping facilities are popular so reserving well in advance is sensible and prevents disappointments. Of course, breakfast in their sunny terrace is included with their Bed & Breakfast service.

You will enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of Kootwijk, as much as the overwhelming beauty of the Veluwe, which is literally at the foot of your bed.

In the day, you can ride in the forest and its surroundings. Organize the different trails for the week around these vast nature reserves. In the evening, you can have dinner in the charming village of Kootwijk, which offers cosy restaurants within walking distance.

For further information about them and their particular offer, please go to their web site: http://www.korentotmanen.nl/index.html

Herberg de Brand

This inn is an excellent place to stay. It is very close to everything and it has all the necessary comforts for you and your horse, at their stables.

A family place with welcoming hosts, with hearty meals and their staff, who are always attentive to your needs. A place where your horse and their own horses are very well cared for.

If you are looking for equestrian routes and trails, they have a privileged location, right on the edge of the Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park.

The extensive grounds house a riding school where you can further develop your riding skills before starting your tour, and you can also use their jumping garden.

In the surroundings, no less than 100 kilometres of trails have been set out for recreational riding, and when you explore them, you will fall from one natural surprise to another: sand drifts, forests, fens, hills and valleys to enjoy.

The equestrian routes are very clearly marked and very varied. If desired, a guide can take you to the dunes – probably their most challenging ride. You can enjoy all the other rides on your own without risks.

Life is good inside too. The warmth of the fireplace and gatherings around the table give you the opportunity to share your experiences with others at the end of the day.

In the morning, you start the day with freshly baked bread and a generous breakfast buffet and in the evening, they will be happy to prepare a menu of your choice.

The rooms are very comfortable, with good beds and their own shower.

In brief, this is the perfect combination of spacious luxury stables, good food & drinks, pleasant sleep and a lovely natural environment – the Loonse and Drunense area. All these qualities, make it a unique experience that you should take into consideration for your next trip to Holland. We will now describe their services, programs and rides.

Accommodation for your horse

You can visit them with your horse or you can use their horses. Their stables are very comfortable, with 3 x 4 m modern boxes, which are very spacious and well-lit and they have an exterior hatch and are cleaned daily. Your horse will be fed entirely according to your wishes. Your horse will only get the best quality sports pellet. In addition, there is a choice of silage grass or hay, which is also used to feed their own horses.

This stable complex also has two spacious washing areas, with cold and hot water. There is a separate washbasin for cleaning the material, and a spacious and lockable tack room is provided for safe storage.

On top of this, they have a spacious jumping garden and an indoor riding arena.

Coaching with horses

Simone van Loon is a psychologist (work and organization) and a specialist in coaching individuals, teams and organizations with the help of horses. Simone has joined Herberg de Brand as the coach of her own Company, Step Forward.

Coaching with horses is aimed at management teams that want to be able to work better together, interact more effectively or work on team development.

Middle managing cadres of companies that want to have a significant, fun and educational program with topics such as communication, cooperation and leadership.

At the same time, she offers individual coaching for personal development and growth.

In this type of coaching, the emphasis is always on experiencing it yourself. Horses can reflect what is going on in a person: this provides a deep insight with concrete results in a short time.

Her programs range from half-day to multi-day training sessions, and they can always be adjusted to your specific needs.

Horse Riding Holiday Packages

They have several options for their guests. As an example, we have chosen one of them so that you can see how they work and what they offer in their equestrian routes.

Horseback adventure in Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park

This is a horseback ride in Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park. If you choose this program, an experienced and friendly guide will show you the most beautiful routes of this park and will ensure a wonderful riding experience: safe and fun.

You can choose to start in the morning or in the afternoon, and in this way, you can discover all this national park has to offer. With a fabulous range of horses to pair up with, a cosy inn to rest, and fresh wholesome cuisine throughout your stay. Every single detail has been taken into consideration so that you can focus all your attention on riding and enjoying.

Key information

• Rider weight limit: 199 pounds / 90 kilograms.
• Horse height range: 15 to 17 hands.
• Horse breed: KWPN (Royal Dutch sport horse).
• Approximate daily riding time: 5 hours.
• The program includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation, horses (if you haven’t brought yours) and riding guide.
• Skill level: intermediate.
• The maximum participants in the group is 6 riders.

Accommodation at Herberg de Brand

Herberg de Brand's inn will be your accommodation throughout the holiday. Hostess Helma and host Karel make the guest as comfortable as possible, helping the Inn become a popular choice for its returning guests year after year.

There is more information about this supplier, the stables, the inn and horses on their web site: https://www.herbergdebrand.nl/

/ Photos obtained from www.herbergdebrand.nl and www.herbergdebrand.nl /

Would you fancy the idea of traveling the world on the back of a horse, but you don't know how to plan it?

Download our free eBook "How to plan your next horseback trip" and learn all you need to know when planning an unforgettable horse riding holiday.

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