Holidays

Horseback Riding - Trails of Many Faces

Updated:

April 30, 2021

Stan Walchuk Jr, horse trail riding, trail riding guide

For many people riding across a pasture, down a laneway, or along a road is considered to be trail riding. It’s a good thing that we have those options since we cannot instantly wish ourselves onto the wilderness trail of our choice. But interesting trails spoil us

Checklist for a Comfortable Riding Vacation

Updated:

March 31, 2021

horseback riding holiday checklist, what to bring on a horse riding vacation

On any riding vacation, whether it’s camping or glamping, there are a few essentials that I always bring along.

Horseback Holiday Outfits Rise to the Challenge

Updated:

February 17, 2021

horse riding holidays canada, vacationing with horses, shawn hamilton, anchor d guiding, bar w guest ranch, brewster adventures, flying u ranch, alberta horse riding, ontario holiday riding

How guest ranches and riding resorts have survived and thrived during the pandemic - It’s been almost a year now since we began dealing with the repercussions of the global pandemic, and we’re not yet anywhere near “business as usual.” No aspect of the horse industry remains untouched. Although some businesses were agile enough to adapt fairly quickly, the livelihood of a guest ranch owner or an outfitter depends on vacationers coming to their location to experience a day or a week in the saddle. Horses cannot simply be parked; they need to be cared for, and wages need to be paid.

Holidays on Horseback: Saugeen Bluffs

Updated:

September 4, 2020

horse laminitis, horse campground ontario, horse campground canada, saugeen bluffs campground, horse vacation ontario, horseback riding canada

Ontario’s Horse Campground - Saugeen Bluffs is located in the heart of Bruce County in Southern Ontario. This is the third horse campground in the province, and it includes an entire area designated for horse camping enthusiasts with 42 spacious sites tucked in amongst towering hardwoods. In addition, there are three bunkies and two RVs available to rent.

Horse Packing Adventures in the Backcountry

Updated:

May 15, 2020

rocky mountain trail rides, mountain trail rides, holiday with horses, holiday horse ride, blue creek outfitting, trail riding, tania millen, Crown Creek, holidays on horseback

The horses were tired and hungry, and we needed to find them good feed. We had travelled all day in the alpine, over shale ridges and snow patches, through meadows that were just greening up, and finally over a pass between two rocky promontories. Route finding had gone well, but the last trail — dropping 1000 feet down into a pass — eluded us. We ended up in the bottom of a bowl above 400 foot cliffs, taking the brunt of a nasty wind.

A Women-Only Horseback Riding Vacation in New Zealand with Wild Women Expeditions

Updated:

May 14, 2020

riding vacations, holidays with horses, wild women exhibitions horse rides, new zealand riding vacations

Disconnecting from the digital world and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature—this is the essence of The Land of the Long White Cloud Ride with Wild Women Expeditions. This 10-day horseback riding adventure, hosted by Adventure Horse Trekking New Zealand on the South Island, invites you to fully embrace your surroundings. As you navigate narrow trails that hug the mountainside, with crystal-clear Lake Hawea below, you quickly develop a deep trust in your horse. The rush of everyday life fades away, replaced by the serene companionship of fellow riders, whether you're enjoying lunch by a peaceful brook or singing around the fire in a herders' hut.

Destination: The World’s Largest Camel Fair

Updated:

May 7, 2020

Pushkar Camel Fair, horseback riding Rajasthan Desert in northern India, Marwari horse dancing, Indian horsback riding, World’s Largest Camel Fair

Never wear a backpack while horseback riding – especially in 35 degree heat when you’re going for a seven hour ride through the sand-blowing desert. I learned this the hard way on the first ride of my 10-day horse safari across the Rajasthan Desert in northern India (our destination: the world’s largest camel fair) and nursed rubbed-raw-by-sand-and-sweat shoulders for the rest of the journey. But in the end, my soreness became just another element of the experience of being pushed out of my comfort zone.

My Riding Vacation at Wild Deuce Women’s Retreat

Updated:

April 5, 2020

Shawn Hamilton, Wild Deuce Outfitters, Rocky Mountains Alberta, Bighorn Backcountry, Wild Deuce Women’s Retreat, Clix Photography, Horse riding holidays, canadian riding holidays, canadian horse holiday, equestrian vacations, horses in the rockies

Along with my travel mates Ali and Heather, I leave the Calgary airport in our rental car, stock up with snacks and refreshments, and head to The Grandview Stage Inn just outside of Rocky Mountain House, AB, where we bed in for the night. The next morning, we start off for the Cutoff Creek Staging area in the Bighorn Backcountry. The herd of wild horses grazing in a small clearing at the side of the road is so complacent with our presence that the foals remain lying down as we snap photos. Upon arrival, we spot a group of women gathered in the staging area, their gear laid out on the grass. Introductions reveal that our fellow riders are from Manitoba, Winnipeg, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia, and as far as Australia and New Zealand. Most are new to Wild Deuce Outfitters, and a few are repeat visitors like me, although it was eight years ago.

Horses in Africa

Updated:

January 9, 2020

Oriane Lee Johnston, Vilanculos Mozambique africa, holidays on horseback, horse riding africa, horse riding abroad, swimming horseback, Varden Safaris horseback, Mavuradonha Wilderness, african horseback

Several years ago I googled “Africa + Horses + Volunteer” and found myself travelling solo to Mozambique for two months. I volunteered with Mozambique Horse Safari on the shores of the Indian Ocean, billed as “the best beach riding in the world.” That first trip from my home on Vancouver Island was a big leap for someone who had taken up riding later in life. It was also the beginning of a relationship with horses and Africa that continues to this day.

Riding Above the Clouds

Updated:

September 12, 2019

My favourite aspects of a riding vacation anywhere in the world are experiencing the spectacular scenery of a new country from the back of a native horse, and glimpsing the true culture and everyday life of the local people. The Wild Andes Expedition Ride with host Gabriel Espinosa of Hacienda La Alegria, which I found through Unicorn Trails, offered a close-up view of life in the mountains at all elevations in the Ecuadorian Andes.