Every horse rider dreams of cantering through open plains, long gallops over the beach, riding in the mountains and going on a horse safari in Africa. Most of us I think grew up watching the movie Spirit and riding in the destinations discussed below truly feels like you’re in a movie. In this post you’ll read all about horse riding in Mexico, Spain, Morocco, Switzerland and Zimbabwe, these destinations are the ultimate horse riding vacations for horse lovers.
Hey Equestrian Stylist readers! My name is Sanne and I run an equestrian travel blog and agency called Hooves Around the World <www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com>. I had the pleasure of writing this guest post for Ashley’s blog about my top 5 favorite horse riding vacations around the world. With my equestrian blog and agency I have the pleasure to ride horses all around the world and to share my adventures with others, to inspire them to do the same.
Mexico’s endless highlands
There is a ranch just outside of Mexico City, about a 90 minute drive, where you will feel like you’re in a different world. With a small herd of Criollo, Quarter horse and Azteca geldings and stallions, they offer beautiful guided trails through the Mexican highlands. They have over 30 different routes on which guests can ride, and you can choose rides from one up to six hours a day. They truly cater for everyone, and are very flexible with their itinerary. They have a few beginner horses for those wanting to learn how to ride, and incredible, well-trained and forward going horses for us experienced lot! On this ranch there is no nose-to-tail riding and you are free to ride wherever you want. The guides are amazing and the riding for experienced horsemen and women is fast paced and exciting. You ride through the open plains, woodland areas, by waterfalls and villages and their markets. This way you truly experience Mexican horse culture. The ranch serves incredible authentic Mexican food, it has a pool, and a jacuzzi looking out on the waterfall – they make amazing cocktails for you to enjoy in the jacuzzi after a day filled with riding!
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horse-riding-in-mexico
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horse-riding-in-mexico
credit: Jamie NieuwlandVineyards in Southern Spain
Nearby Malaga in Andalusia is a small stable of seven beautiful Spanish horses. Here you can stay at a retreat surrounded by endless vineyards as you lounge by the pool and enjoy a drink from the honesty bar. This retreat doesn’t offer as many hours of riding as Mexico does, however it is more than worth it and they do offer rides up to 4 hours, including picnic, and bar and restaurant rides. All their rides are stunning, with views unlike anywhere else in the world. The horses are a pleasure to ride, there is not a lot of trotting or cantering done on these rides as the roads are not ideal for it. If you are not necessarily looking for fast-paced riding, but want incredible views, accommodation and horses on easy going rides, this is the place to be!
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horse-riding-holiday-spain
Nearby Malaga in Andalusia is a small stable of seven beautiful Spanish horses. Here you can stay at a retreat surrounded by endless vineyards as you lounge by the pool and enjoy a drink from the honesty bar. This retreat doesn’t offer as many hours of riding as Mexico does, however it is more than worth it and they do offer rides up to 4 hours, including picnic, and bar and restaurant rides. All their rides are stunning, with views unlike anywhere else in the world. The horses are a pleasure to ride, there is not a lot of trotting or cantering done on these rides as the roads are not ideal for it. If you are not necessarily looking for fast-paced riding, but want incredible views, accommodation and horses on easy going rides, this is the place to be!
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horse-riding-holiday-spain
credit: Sanne Westera Hooves Around the WorldThe coast of Morocco
Most horse lovers have seen the instagram videos of horses galloping on the beach in Essaouira, Morocco.
Most horse lovers have seen the instagram videos of horses galloping on the beach in Essaouira, Morocco.
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; Riding on the Essaouira beaches is absolutely incredible if you enjoy fast-paced riding. The horses they use are very athletic and mostly trained for endurance, which makes for a fabulous beach ride. With highly skilled guides you can do sunset rides, one, two and three hour rides. For a small extra fee they also offer the add-on of getting your photos and videos taken while riding. This is a great experience for horse riders that are looking for a bit of adrenaline!
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horseriding-in-essaouira-morocco
– credit: Yassine CavalierThe impressive mountains of Switzerland
In Scuol, on the border of Switzerland, Austria and Italy there is a massive horse ranch that offers all sorts of horse activities in the middle of Switzerland’s stunning mountains. My friend and I went to ride here in the middle of European summer, on a full day ride. We fell in love with our horses within the first 5 minutes of our ride, and the landscape was something from a fairytale. Snow Capped mountains in the background as you ride through traditional villages, but mostly through stretched out nature reserves where you run into very few people (even in the middle of European summer holidays). We constantly gasped after any corner we passed that revealed another view. Our guide was lots of fun and she really did make the ride even more unforgettable for us both. Due to the environment, horse riding in the mountains is not very fast-paced, but this way you get to absorb the views even more. If you plan on riding here, ask for Chicca! She’s a lovely forward going pony with lots of personality.
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horse-riding-in-switzerland
In Scuol, on the border of Switzerland, Austria and Italy there is a massive horse ranch that offers all sorts of horse activities in the middle of Switzerland’s stunning mountains. My friend and I went to ride here in the middle of European summer, on a full day ride. We fell in love with our horses within the first 5 minutes of our ride, and the landscape was something from a fairytale. Snow Capped mountains in the background as you ride through traditional villages, but mostly through stretched out nature reserves where you run into very few people (even in the middle of European summer holidays). We constantly gasped after any corner we passed that revealed another view. Our guide was lots of fun and she really did make the ride even more unforgettable for us both. Due to the environment, horse riding in the mountains is not very fast-paced, but this way you get to absorb the views even more. If you plan on riding here, ask for Chicca! She’s a lovely forward going pony with lots of personality.
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horse-riding-in-switzerland
credit: Luzia Montag
Zimbabwe’s wildlife conservation
This reserve in Zimbabwe is by far my favorite place to ride from all places I’ve ever been. This conservation project allows you to truly immerse into the African bush and wildlife. With elephant and rhino interaction on foot, and horse riding through herds of wildebeest, towers of giraffes and dazzles of zebras, this project really is the ultimate African experience. By participating in this program, you help contribute to the amazing conservation and anti-poaching efforts done by the reserve. This reserve is very special due to the interaction you get with the rhinos, and the amount of white and black rhinos they safely keep on their property – 12 in total! During this horse riding program you will see lots of wildlife from up close and you will be doing two days of cattle driving every week. The cattle drives are fantastic as you are herding up to 700 head of cattle through a natural reserve with other wildlife. Getting the chance to join the horse riding program here is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horse-riding-with-rhinos-and-elephants-in-zimbabwe
This reserve in Zimbabwe is by far my favorite place to ride from all places I’ve ever been. This conservation project allows you to truly immerse into the African bush and wildlife. With elephant and rhino interaction on foot, and horse riding through herds of wildebeest, towers of giraffes and dazzles of zebras, this project really is the ultimate African experience. By participating in this program, you help contribute to the amazing conservation and anti-poaching efforts done by the reserve. This reserve is very special due to the interaction you get with the rhinos, and the amount of white and black rhinos they safely keep on their property – 12 in total! During this horse riding program you will see lots of wildlife from up close and you will be doing two days of cattle driving every week. The cattle drives are fantastic as you are herding up to 700 head of cattle through a natural reserve with other wildlife. Getting the chance to join the horse riding program here is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Also read: https://www.hoovesaroundtheworld.com/blogs/horse-riding-with-rhinos-and-elephants-in-zimbabwe
credit: Judy Travers
