Equestrian Vacations

TackGuru.com is a new product review website developed for equestrians. The site allows horse owners to read about the experiences (good and bad) that other knowledgeable equestrians have had with the products they want to buy or try. The site includes reviews for tack, horse clothing, equine feeds, stable supplies, supplements, and equestrian clothing and equipment.

“In today’s tight economy every purchase that you make for your horse undergoes extra scrutiny,” explained site developer Liz Goldsmith. “If I want to buy a saddle, or try a supplement or medication, or buy a helmet, I find it very helpful to read about others’ experiences. When I looked for a site that offered this type of information, I couldn’t find anything that was like I envisioned. Either the scope was limited or the reviews were on manufacturers or tack store sites, which might be biased.

“Research shows that user reviews have the greatest influence in a buying decision,” she continued. “People value the opinions of their peers even more than single reviews by ‘experts.’ That makes quite a bit of sense because with items such a saddles, personal preference plays a large role in someone’s satisfaction.”

Goldsmith spent more than a year researching review sites and thinking about how she could make a site that offered a unique perspective. “I looked at review sites across many different industries and cherry picked the features that I thought were most compelling,” she explained. “I also found that people on equine forums would ask for opinions on different products and I thought it would be so much more helpful if this information was organized in a way that was more accessible – easier to find, listed in one place, and with an aggregate rating.”

As a result of her research, TackGuru.com features:

• Rated user reviews that provide both individual comments and an overall ranking. It was important to her that you could see an aggregate “score” that spans multiple reviews.
• A format that combines multiple reviews in a single location. She didn’t want people to have to keep “clicking” to read more reviews.
• A broad scope of products. Rather than just focus on tack, she wanted to create a single source for the full range of products that equestrians use and need. The site addresses feeds, supplements, stable supplies, blankets, tack, equestrian clothing and even provides a place to rank on-line suppliers.

TackGuru.com is free to use but requires registration. “I have found that when people must register, the quality of their reviews is higher because the authors have some accountability,” said Goldsmith. “In addition, when you find a reviewer whose views you agree with, you want to find other products they liked or disliked.” She explained that “The site was in beta testing for several months last year and I was very impressed by the insights offered by reviewers. This is a sport where the users have a lot of knowledge and experience to share.”

TackGuru.com is physically located in Lincoln, Mass.  Site owner and developer Elizabeth Goldsmith is a life-long equestrian who has tried many of the products reviewed in the site. She encourages all equestrians to share their opinions on the products they have tried.

We understand that owning your own horse can be very expensive and many of the people who travel with Equestrian Escapes don’t have their own horse. The service that we offer gives both riders and non-riders a chance to experience the reality of having their own horse whether its during a weekend break or longer. Our Adult Intensive course  combines dressage/jump lessons with hacking and stable management which gives first time horse owners a feel of what its like to own their own horse.
We have recently come across a website called Horse Shares UK, offering horse owners and first time buyers a cost effective solution to what can be a very expensive vocation. Read on for more details-

Find a horse to loan or a horse for share at Horse Shares UK. Established in 2006, Horse Shares UK is now one of the UK’s leading websites solely advertising horses loans and horse shares and attracts thousands of visitors each week. Owning a horse is a rewarding experience but can become very time consuming and costly. Often a good solution for horse owners is to have a sharer for their horse or to put their horse out on loan as an alternatively to selling. Equally, sharing a horse can be a great stepping stone towards owning a horse of your own. Browse through our horse share and loan advertisements or place your own advert with us today. Advertising on Horse Shares UK is simple, cost-effective and is guaranteed to target the right audience helping you find the perfect loan or share agreement quickly. There is also great information about loaning and sharing, including real life experiences from people that loan and share horses.
For more information visit www.horsesharesuk.co.uk/ or contact them via email.

Equestrian Escapes have branched out-

We are now not only offering a wide range of horse riding holidays spread over the whole of the UK and abroad, but also organising coach travel to 5 of the biggest music festivals!

Music Festival Holidays are a company run by students for students. We are here to offer an affordable and easy solution to getting to those hard to reach UK & European music festivals. Benicassim Festival, Exit Festival, Global Gathering, Kendal Calling and MELT! Festival.

We will enhance your festival experience from a long weekend to a holiday you’ll never forget. We organise your festival ticket along with coach travel to the festival and stop-offs for nights out en route to the event.

We are your one port of call for organising your perfect music festival holiday!

Please contact us by calling 01829 781 860, or alternatively email matthewcaplan@musicfestivalholidays.com where we will be happy to discuss your music festival holiday…Alternatively if a horse riding holiday is more up your street call Equestrian Escapes on 01829 781123, we’d love to speak to you about your riding holiday!

Dont worry your favourite horsey holiday company isn’t emigrating! Equestrian Escapes are leaving their small (but perfectly formed) little office behind and travelling all the way accross the drive into our brand new beautiful one!

For the past 4 months Mike and his superb team of builders and electricians have set up camp (pretty much) at Rose Cottage and spend days upon days erecting our huge fantastic new office. Much to the delight of Hector our resident dog who has had full time ball throwers on site at his every beck and call!

On the 4th November Sarah and Lou will be hauling desks, computers and files over to the new build where we can then look forward to answering your emails and phone calls looking out over Mark’s pretty carp pond, Sarah’s well manicured gardens, and across the rolling fields where Trevor, Percey, Fan and Julio graze.

The next stage (much to Lou’s disappointment) will be for Sarah and I to decorate our new office with fairy lights and rows of tinsel in time for Christmas!

We are hoping that with the new larger office we will be able to work better and more efficiently as a team, with the newly installed computer and phone system we aim to give you the customers an even higher standard of quality customer care and service.

Our goal and Philosophy will always remain the same-

To provide a truly memorable horse riding experience designed by people who understand horse riding. This means you can book with confidence knowing we have:

* Inspected and approved the stables and the quality of the horses you will ride
* Checked the riding instructors and guides are suitably qualified and operate safely
* Assessed the rides for their quality and to match them to differing riding standards
* Checked your accommodation to ensure it meets our demanding criteria
* Carefully put together riding itineraries that are fun, exciting and challenging (for those who want to be challenged!)

Our Philosophy

At the heart of our business is our respect for horses and the value they have added to man throughout the ages. We feel the horse helps remind us of the strong link between humans and environment. In addition we recognize the benefits that horse-riding gives to individuals.

We want to be known for offering the best selection of UK horse riding holidays and abroad possible and for our customers to feel happy to recommend us to their friends and families.

Fore more information please contact Equestrian Escapes on 01829 781123 where you can speak to Sarah, Lindsey or Lou. Alternatively emal us at info@equestrian-escapes.com

Stuck for Christmas present ideas?

Looking for something original, unique and guaranteed to make someone very happy?

We have the solution! Did you know that Equestrian Escapes can provide a voucher redeemable against any of our holidays?
How about providing your friends or loved ones with a horse-riding weekend of a lifetime (or at least contributing to it if that suits you better!).

Simply select a destination, contact us on 01829 781123 with the name of the person you are buying for and we will provide you with an itinerary which will make someone very happy this Christmas. Don’t worry about the dates – that can be arranged later.

On the first day of Christmas….
We have a great choice of UK destinations. Experience the delights of the English countryside in Yorkshire, Cheshire, Dartmoor and anywhere inbetween! Choose between an award winning farmhouse B&B, luxury spa hotel, log cabin or country house hotel and unwind in style. We cater for all levels of riding experience and put together riding itineraries that are fun, exciting and challenging (for those that want to be challenged!).

Mistletoe and wine?
We might not be able to organise the mistletoe but the wine we certainly can!

We can combine a riding holiday with wine tours in the Loire valley vineyards; the charming Purbeck vineyard in Dorset; Ribatejo vineyards of Lisbon or Jerez’s famous vineyards for a cultural experience you will never forget.

Magic moments….
Maybe it will be the lure of the Mediterranean coastline with its sandy beaches and hours of sun that appeals. With riding holidays in mainland Spain, Portugal, Italy and Mallorca we can cater for all levels of experience. Choose from a self catering apartment, B&B, luxury hotel or even a tipi! Match this with trail rides in the mountains, dressage lessons or that beach riding you’ve always wanted to do and you may just have your dream holiday.

Some pictures just don’t need captions!

There is nothing like Mom’s lap no matter who you
are.

This is a newborn offspring of Taskin, a

Gypsy Stallion owned by Villa Vanners of Oregon .

These pictures were taken immediately after his birth on April 6 2010.

The mare laid down, and then he trotted around and crawled right up into her lap.

Take a moment out of your busy day to enjoy these pictures, lovely!

http://www.equestrian-escapes.com/

I have been researching horse articles today and came across this poem, just what is a horse? I think this describes it perfectly!

What is a horse?
A horse has eyes as dainty as a mink.
The grace is interrupted merely by a blink.
A horse is beauty.

What is a horse?
A horse is a tree in a storm that never goes down.
A horse is a weathered rock that stays around.
A horse is ancient.

What is a horse?
A horse waltzes like breeze over rivers.
She curvets and leaps like rain shivers.
A horse is a marionette.

What is a horse?
A horse is determination, that never stops flowing.
A horse is fondness, that never stops growing.
A horse is poetic power.

Equestrian Escapes, offers you the choice of some of the very best  individually created equestrian holidays in the UK and Europe. We are knowledgeable horse lovers dedicated to designing you the best possible horse riding holiday. If you would like more information about our holidays please contact us so that we can advise you. We cater for all ages and abilities, if you cannot find your perfect holiday we will tailor make a holiday especially for you.

email: info@equestrian-escapes.com

Tel: 01829 781 123

Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims 24th October 2010!

This unique trail ride will take you high up into the stunning Tramuntana Mountains that run for about 90 kilometres from the South West to the North East of Mallorca; the range runs close to the sea and offers breathtaking views of the coastline from many of the higher peaks – what better way to absorb this amazing scenery than by horseback!

You will take the ancient pilgrim’s path, the Cami Vell de Lluc, to the Monastery at Lluc. Passing along gravel and earth tracks, through the river bed and beyond the ancient holm oak forests.

After spending the night in this beautiful old Monastery you will tack up once again and prepare for the downward journey home.
At first you will take a different route through what looks like an enchanted wood, eventually returning to a familiar landscape, down the steeper paths to the shallower inclines of the Tramuntana.

Sadly this brings you to the end of your journey but what better way to end than with a traditional Mallorcan supper of paella and a crisp chilled glass of white wine, then head back to your charming Andalucian hotel for one final night.

Please note we do have other dates available for this ride.

Get in contact with Equestrian Escapes now on 01829 781 123.

Autumn and winter are readily approaching and what better place to appreciate the wonderful rusting colours of fall and the morning frost on the ground than from one of the ten uniquely decorated bedrooms in our luxury country house hotel.

The hotel stands in 17 acres of formal gardens and parkland with wonderful views across the Cheshire countryside towards the Welsh mountains – an ideal touring base for Chester and North Wales and a perfect pre-Christmas romantic setting!

We’re offering a two night stay in this beautiful country house hotel, four riding opportunities and a free beauty treatment all for £265. The perfect birthday or Christmas present!

During your stay you will enjoy expert tuition and wonderful riding out along picturesque bridleways of Delamere forest. These holidays are suitable for all abilities and ages.

The on-site beauty therapy suite offers a wide range of treatments including non-surgical and surgical treatments. Our favourites include the spiritual healing hand ritual – a combination of a deluxe manicure with an energy boosting massage, ideal therapy for your hands after a long days riding. And the back neck and shoulder massage to sooth those aching muscles.

The famous Roman walled City of Chester is only fifteen minutes away. Packed with culture and its magical magpie buildings it’s an abundance of character and is a place not to be missed when visiting Cheshire. From the 12th November the streets are lit up making Chester the ideal place to do your Christmas shopping and soak up the festive atmosphere.

This holiday offer lasts until the 23rd December, so get in contact with Equestrian Escapes now on 01829 781 123 autumn/winter horse riding holiday in Cheshire! The free beauty treatment only applies to booking made Monday to Friday, offer excludes weekends.

SICAB Seville

SICAB is held once a year and and includes all activities; show jumping, carriage driving, classical and country dressage, the national livestock breeders’ championship.  Also in the events are a variety of events and shows for you to watch, and even a quality horse auction!  This horse riding holiday is for any equestrian enthusiast, and is surely not one to be missed.  The quality of horses that are on display is like none other, and their elegance and grace is none other than wondrous.  SICAB Seville is a wonderful horse riding break opportunity, where you are sure to find your clarity with these horses!

For more information on a horse riding break to SICAB in Seville, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with Equestrian Escapes.  SICAB runs from the 23rd to the 28th November 2010, so book while you can!!

23rd - 28th November 2010