posted by Catherine on Mar 7
Going on a riding holiday can throw up a few uncertainties for you.
Rather than just book anything and turn up with just your suitcase, you really need to consider a few important things before cantering off along the beach!
So the following 10 tips might answer a few of your questions:
1) The Horses:
Make sure that someone you can trust has either been there themselves or has seen or heard about the horses used. You really don’t want to be funding an organisation that doesn’t care for their horses as you would care for your own.
2) The Human:
Make sure that you haven’t over estimated your ability and comfort zones! Could you really sit on a horse for hour after hour crossing mountains or rivers? Can you keep up with everyone else if they are going to be galloping up hills and around the edges of volcanoes?
It’s not just the horses that have to be fit for these adventures!
3) The Weather:
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to check the weather for your destination as people do better in certain environments – and getting wet isn’t any fun either.
Will you get sunburnt the higher you go up a mountain? Will you get sand blown on your eyes if you are cantering across a desert? Will it be raining or misty when you head through the cloud forest? Make sure you are prepared for it all…..
4) The Facilities:
Depending on where you want to go riding, there will be different facilities – and you need to be happy with this – as rather than releasing in a nice hot bath after 6 hours racing through the wilderness – you might only get a warm shower and a night in a tent!
And, make sure the clothes and toiletries you pack take this into account to – and throw in some extra first aid supplies too!
5) The Agenda:
If you are going to spend your money on your perfect holiday, then make sure you only settle for what you want rather than something that looks ‘ok’. For example, if you want to ride from one accommodation to the next every day rather than returning to the same place day after day, then don’t settle for something else because the rooms are nicer or the price is cheaper.
You might only get one holiday like this for a year or 2, so spend the extra and get what you want out of it.
6) The Room Mate:
Is your accommodation going to be for just you, with a friend or with a complete stranger. Maybe it is is bunk beds shared with everyone!
Check these things out in advance – as for a small amount extra you could plan alternative arrangements before you arrive. However, if you don’t realise this until you arrive – it could be too late to make changes.
7) The Food:
If you have dietary requirements that stray from the ‘I’ll eat anything’ rule, then make this clear when booking your trip.
Most companies can be flexible with food and make vegetarian options almost as standard, but never assume anything and make sure you check the alternatives or nearby restaurants you could use instead!
8) The Equipment:
It is always recommended that you take your own riding hat, as although these will be supplied by the riding centre, they may not be certified to your home countries high standards if you are riding abroad – but even riding at home could mean wearing a hat that isn’t quite the right size, but was the best fit at the time!
Your own riding clothes and gloves are essential for your own comfort, but crops, reins and spurs may or may not be accepted.
9) The Insurance:
It might be worth checking out the riding centres insurance policies with regards to any injuries to the horse. If you are riding a horse when it becomes injured, are you free from all costs – or should your insurance cover this?
Have you even checked that your holiday insurance covers horse riding without exclusions?
10) The End Result:
Make sure that this is really what you want to spend your money on! There will be a lot of things to consider on a vacation like this, so make sure that you want to even start with a long trip, especially if a) you have never used this company before, and b) if this is the longest horseback trip you have been on in a while!
Use your holiday time and money wisely, and you can make even a great holiday even greater!
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