How can Equestrian Wales help you choose the right riding holiday for you?

Well, for a start, Equestrian Wales is the one stop shop for all things equestrian in Wales. This is the only website offering information on all the different types of horse riding holiday and horse back vacations available specifically in Wales, side by side, all with full colour pictures.

Wales offers fantastic scenery, and miles and miles of open and wild mountain and moorland - perfect for exploring on horseback vacations. This type of countryside isn't found everywhere in the United Kingdom - that makes Wales very special.

Wales is a country of contrasts, and each county has its own characteristic landscape. Many counties also have their own mountains. Each entry in the horse holidays in Wales directory includes details of its county, where possible.

It is important to think about which area of Wales you would like to visit. Do you want to ride through remote mountains and high moorland? Or would you prefer gentle rolling hills and forests? Wales has both in plenty. Equestrian Wales can help you to find out more about the different regions of Wales, and what they have to offer. If you decide that a specific region - North Wales, Mid Wales or South and West Wales - is perfect for you, then check our Regions pages which list all the riding holidays (and saddleries, riding schools and horse shows) in that area.

It is also important to think about what non-riding activities you would like to enjoy on your holiday. Would you like to visit one of the larger cities? Would you like to spend time at the beach? Thinking about this can help you decide where in Wales you would like to be based. The good news is that Wales is a very friendly place, and no matter where you choose, you will be given a warm welcome. This site gives information on, and links to, the main cities and areas of Wales. Click here for further details.

Next you need to think about what type of riding holiday you are interested in. Do you want a week of fast trail rides over Wales' most challenging riding country, travelling to a new base every night? Or would a leisurely two hour pony trek in the Welsh mountains, ridden at a slow pace with plenty of time to enjoy the fantastic, long-ranging views, suit you better? If you are looking for a family riding holiday or a children's riding holiday, you will find it on Equestrian Wales.

There are many options for horseback vacations in Wales. It is no surprise that, being such a prime riding area, with fantastic natural scenery and ample space, there are many farms and riding centres offering different options for riding holidays throughout the various regions of Wales. Some concentrate more on pony trekking, some on trail riding, some specialise in instruction or unaccompanied children's riding holidays, still others offer carriage driving instruction in Wales.

Featured here are a variety of pony trekking centres in Wales, offering week-long holidays, short riding breaks or weekend breaks in Wales on horseback and guided rides for adults and children on sure-footed native Welsh Cobs and ponies, and larger part-bred horses.

Pony treks in the Welsh mountains can last for one or two hours, for half a day, or for a full day with a pub or picnic lunch. These pony treks are ridden at a slow pace, mainly at a walk with some trotting, enabling novice or inexperienced riders to enjoy the beautiful Welsh mountains and valleys, to ride among the herds of wild Welsh ponies in their native mountain and moorland habitat, and to watch the soaring red kites and buzzards.

Other riding centres offer trail riding holidays in Wales for more experienced riders. These are fast rides over demanding terrain, following the ancient drovers trails which cut across steep sided mountains, and sheep paths criss-crossing wild and rugged high moorland, with opportunities for picnics beside lonely lakesides. You can expect to ride forward-going horses and ponies, which will give an exciting but safe ride, especially suitable for adults and children who can canter and gallop independently.

Some of the riding holiday centres in Wales featured here offer bed and breakfast for riders, or self-catering horse riding holiday accommodation for week-long, weekend or short riding breaks, in north, mid or south and west Wales and the welsh borders. These riding holidays provide the opportunity to see even more of the wild and remote areas of Wales.

There are horse riding holidays offering 'inn to inn' or 'farm to farm' rides, where horse and rider will stay at a different welcoming pub, hotel, farm or country house in Wales each night, travelling much longer distances over the duration of your stay. Some of these riding holidays start on the Welsh borders in the east, and travel over mountains, moorland, farm tracks and through forests all the way to the Welsh coast in the west, finishing with a gallop on the beach - the ultimate riding holiday.

Tied up with the decision as to what type of riding holiday you would like, is an honest assessment of your own riding ability. Are you a novice or experienced rider? Be scrupulously truthful about this - it is very important that you are not over-horsed, and you can always try a livelier horse tomorrow.

You also need to think about how riding fit you are. Horse riding uses very specific muscles, which only really develop with regular riding. If you do not usually spend a long time in the saddle, it may be best to stick to short rides, at least at the beginning of the week, which return each night to the same base, rather than a week long trail riding holiday with 6 hours in the saddle each day.

The British Horse Society, the Association of British Riding Schools, and Wales Trekking and Riding Association carry out checks to ensure that riding holiday centres have in place minimum safety and welfare standards. It is a good idea to pick an approved centre. Many are featured here. If the centre you choose is not approved by one of these organisations, consider seeking references from previous guests. Equestrian Wales have not checked the riding holiday centres featured on this site, so we are unfortunately unable to give personal recommendations.

If you would like to add your own recommendations for a riding holiday centre, riding school or another equestrian business in Wales that you have used and which is listed in this site, please click here, add your comment and be sure to name the centre you are commenting on.

Once Equestrian Wales has helped you choose your region and pick your riding centre, enjoy your holiday. While you are here, why not visit one of the many popular agricultural horse shows and equestrian events in Wales held throughout the year. Or show your support by visiting a horse and pony welfare sanctuary in Wales. If you need new riding clothing or tack for your holiday, visit one of the many tack shops and saddleries in Wales. Enjoy more equestrian treats by visiting a world-beating stud farm in Wales, where there are often foals and youngstock for sale. Seeing for yourself the magnificence of a Welsh Cob stallion in full flight is a treat not to be missed. Or enjoy a riding lesson at one of the excellent riding schools in Wales featured on our pages. If you would like to post feedback, please click here.

If you are taking your own horse on holiday, you need to do some planning to make sure your holiday runs smoothly for both of you. Equestrian Wales can help you choose accommodation for you and your horse in Wales for an unescorted riding holiday, decide which part of Wales you would like to visit, and find suitable local horse transport in Wales. 

Before you travel, make sure your horse is fit and well with recently fitted shoes and comfortable, well-fitting tack. Check that your stirrup leathers and girth straps are not worn or frayed. If possible, take spares - a stirrup leather buckled around your horse's neck acts as a useful neck strap when riding on rough ground, and can be the spare you need in case of an emergency.

You first need to decide which part of Wales you would like to visit. You can find information to help you decide here. Remember that, even if you think your horse is quite fit, riding over mountains or rough ground uses a lot more energy than a quiet hack on country lanes - so let your horse get used to the different going by keeping your rides shorter for the first couple of days.

Your next consideration is what type of accommodation you are looking for, both for yourself and your horse. Would you prefer bed and breakfast or self catering accommodation? And does your horse need a stable, or will a secure field be more appropriate? Are you happy with DIY livery, or do you want a complete break from it all, with fully serviced livery? Equestrian Wales features B&B and cottage accommodation with stabling, b&b for horses, all types of accommodation with stables, farmhouse accommodation, and self catering cottages and accommodation for horse and rider.

Some riding centres and many accommodation providers in Wales cater for the independent rider travelling with their own horse. You will find listings of bed and breakfast cottage or farmhouse accommodation for horse and rider with stables or grazing in Wales, self-catering accommodation offering overnight livery, and even hotel accommodation in Wales offering stabling and grazing on a DIY livery basis where your own horse is welcome, in north Wales, mid Wales, or south and west Wales. Some centres even provide horses for your riding holiday in Wales, or hunters for hire for some great days out hunting in Wales.

If you have decided which area you would like to visit, check the entries on the appropriate Regions page. This will give you details of the various providers of accommodation with stabling in that area, so that you can make your choice.

If you know what sort of accommodation you want, but not where, check the entries on our Take your own horse on holiday to Wales pages - these include accommodation for horse and rider in Wales in private houses, equestrian centres, studs and riding schools which offer DIY livery or grazing with the use of their own private facilities. There are pictures to help you decide, together with links to their own websites.

When it comes to choosing your routes, Equestrian Wales lists the best and longest bridleways throughout Wales. You will find information on and pictures of the best bridleways and horse trails in Wales to ride on your own horse on the Access pages. Use these to help you plan. Some entries also tell you which Ordnance Survey map covers the area and shows the bridle routes to be followed, helping you plan ahead.

Many of our featured advertisers will also willingly help you plan local routes to avoid roadwork as much as possible, and to make the most of local bridleways. Some can lend you maps and even provide route cards, while others will guide you if you prefer. You will find details on Equestrian Wales of forest bridleways and horse trails in Wales, and horse routes through some of the most beautiful mountain regions of Wales. There is also information on beach riding in Wales - which beaches you are allowed to ride on, how you can gain access to them, and if there are any restrictions.

Do prepare yourself if you intend to ride in the mountains or a remote area - you need to take certain precautions, for example carrying a compass and map, carry suitable equipment and sufficent food and drink, and wear appropriate clothing. You can find more information on this here.

Galloping on a golden beach is one of the things that most riders dream of. Wales is blessed with miles of beautiful sandy beaches for horse riding - and riding holiday centres in Wales which can make your beach horse riding holiday dream come true. See the beach riding access page for further information on which beaches you and your own horse can ride on, and which riding holiday centres offer fantastic beach rides in Wales.

There is also fantastic mountain and forest horse riding in Wales, for beginner or experienced riders, with or without guides. The mountains of Wales are spectacular, varied, and filled with wildlife and rare birds of prey, including the beautiful red kite. Find out more about the Welsh mountains and their different characteristics here, from the Brecon Beacons National Park, to the Cambrian Mountains, the Black Mountains and the mountains of Snowdonia. There are few areas of the United Kingdom which can offer so many miles of fantastic mountain horse riding, with few roads and fewer cars, and often only sheep and birds for company. Come to Wales, and sample the best horse riding holidays in the UK.

Wales also has acres and acres of peaceful forest, some filled with ancient deciduous trees and the wildlife that live there, others coniferous forests with their own distintive pine scent, and the opportunity for wonderful canters on tracks cushioned with pine needles. All offer something special to horse riders in Wales.

You may need to find local horse transport in Wales, either to get you and your horse to Wales, or while you are here. There are a number of dedicated specialist horse transporters in Wales, offering UK-wide services. Some prefer to transport just your own horse from his stable at home, to the cottage, farm or livery yard you will be based in during your holiday with your horse in Wales. Others may be able to combine the trip with another horse they are travelling to or from the same region, or a point to pointer travelling to a race in your area. This can help to keep the cost down for you. Whichever option you prefer, the horse transporters in Wales listed in our pages will be able to transport your horse, safely and securely, to and from Wales.

If you are unlucky enough to break a stirrup leather, or lose a brushing boot, while on your riding holiday, you may need to find tack shops and saddleries in Wales near you. Some tack shops in Wales offer a tack mending service, others will be able to sell you the new item of tack you need. If you need to find a saddlery in a specific area, see the north Wales, mid Wales or south and west Wales pages, where all the equestrian businesses in the relevant area of Wales are listed side by side.

Why not time your visit to take advantage of a horse show - Equestrian Wales has details, dates and websites of horse shows and equestrian events in Wales. There are major county shows with qualifiers to all the top United Kingdom championship shows, and local country shows. There are classes for all types of horses and ponies, ridden and in-hand, show jumping, dressage and eventing competitions, and there is the Royal Welsh Show, illustrating all that is best in the horse world in Wales. A day out at a horse show can be fantastic fun and good value for money, with so many horsy things to see and do. Equestrian Wales is the best place to find all the dates and venues for horse shows and equestrian events in Wales.

Another great day out is a visit to a stud farm in Wales. Most studs will welcome your visit, though most prefer to have notice. You will find web links and contact details for the top stud farms in Wales and stallions at stud in Wales on the pages of Equestrian Wales. There are top class competition stallions of all breeds and types at stud in Wales. Youngstock by these top stallions are usually for sale. Enjoy your visit to a stud farm in Wales, and pick out next year's young horse to bring on.

You can find out in this section - where you can take your own horse for a holiday in Wales, where you can find B&B or self-catering accommodation for you and your own horse in Wales, or where you can book a horse riding holiday - whether pony trekking or trail riding - in Wales.

You will also find some alternative horse holidays in Wales, including carriage driving instruction and horse-drawn boat cruises.

If you want to combine your horse riding holiday with another exciting outdoor activity, then Wales is certainly the place to visit. There are a number of specialist holiday centres in Wales, offering something a bit out of the ordinary, and activity centres which offer both horse riding and activity holidays, whether canoeing, pot-holing or climbing. Whatever you preferences, you will find plenty of choice.

Click here to see a map of the counties of Wales.

We look forward to welcoming you to Wales for your next horse riding holiday.

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