Equestrian Vacations

Whilst trawling the web for today’s horse article, I came across this tongue-in-cheek list of lessons that a horse can give…. (author unknown)

• When you’re tense, let me teach you that there are lions in the woods, and we need to leave. NOW!!

• When you’re short tempered, let me teach you how to slog around the pasture for an hour before you catch me.
• When you’re short-sighted, let me teach you to figure out where, exactly, in 40 acres I’m hiding.
• When you’re quick to react, let me teach you that herbivores kick much faster than omnivores. 

• When you’re worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness.
• When you feel superior, let me teach you that mostly, you’re the maid service.
• When you’re self-absorbed, let me teach you to pay attention!! (I told you about those lions in the woods…)
• When you’re arrogant, let me teach you what 1,200 pounds of yahoo-let’s-go! speed event horse can do when suitably inspired.
• When you’re lonely, let me be your companion. Let’s do lunch. Also breakfast, dinner, and snacks.

• When you’re tired, don’t forget the 600 pounds of grain that need to be unloaded.
• When you’re feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of “veterinary services, additional.”

For a bespoke horse riding holiday in the UK, Europe or Peru check out www.equestrian-escapes.com or contact us on 01829 781123.

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.

A holiday recently added to Equestrian Escapes’ range of inspiring riding holidays is in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.  The beautiful Yorkshire Dales provide an excellent location for pony trekking, for the novice and experienced rider alike.

A range of accommodation awaits; B&B, a Georgian Country House Hotel or pretty self catering cottage – the choice is yours!  After a short session in the riding centre’s arena getting to know your mount, you will then venture into the spectacular Yorkshire heather moorland for a pony trekking experience you will not forget.  What better way to enjoy the stunning Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors than on horseback!

Choose between one hour, half day or full day pony trekking aboard one of the Fell, Dale or Cob horses, all with exceptional temperaments.  All pony trekking excursions are supervised by an experienced and qualified guide and are suitable for all levels of rider. 

Those that are not yet confident in the saddle need not miss out on their pony trekking experience as lead rein treks are available for younger, less experienced riders.

What are you waiting for?  Blow the cobwebs away and stave off any winter blues with a visit to Yorkshire!

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.

Equestrian Escapes’ Horse Riding Holidays

If you are looking for a holiday that is a bit different, and carries with it a sense of adventure, why not book a horse riding holiday?  Equestrian Escapes offers a wide variety of horse riding holidays, from Peru and Spain, Portugal and Italy, to the Uk and Ireland.  You can even take your horses with you on holiday, and learn new tricks together.  You can design your own riding plan to suit you from lessons, short hacks, half day rides to full day rides.

Riding in Berkshire

Accommodation is also varied, from pretty little B&Bs, to log cabin, quiet country hotels, to luxurious full board hotels and spas.

Here at Equestrian Escapes we are happy to discuss your perfect holiday.

We went with Equestrian Escapes to Dartmoor with our two girls, and had the most wonderful time!  Dartmoor National Park is so beautiful, and the horses are to die for!  We stayed in a lovely self catered cottage, and enjoyed a good pub meal in the evening.  Each day when we rode out the scenery was even more pretty every time, and saw a nice variety of wildlife, too – how lucky we were!  Dartmoor is really beautiful, and I suggest this holiday weekend to any family who needs a break away!

Explore Dartmoor with Equestrian Escapes

Many thanks,

Sophie and Paul

The beautiful surroundings of Tarporley, in the heart of rural Cheshire, is very picturesque and in the local pub we were told that it won the Best Kept Village Award in 2007.  For my birthday, my sister gave me tickets to Portal Golf & Spa.  I’ve never been one for massages and stringy vegetable juices, and was rather dreading it, to be honest.  Whilst pulling up to this amazing place, I was surprised by how much I wasn’t aching to be in the pub, and maybe she wasn’t such a bad sister after all….

A perfect spa and golf retreat.

Everything was clean and fresh, and everyone so welcoming.  When we collapsed on the comfortable beds our bodies sank into feather pillows and a squashy supporting mattress.  The attention to detail was fabulous, and hugely enjoyable.  Every comfort needed is available to you, and such friendly members of staff who are willing to ensure the spa is catering to your needs.

Now, the best part!  The golf course meant that I got rid of my sister for two hours so she could get some lessons, and I retired to the steam room for some down time with Jilly Cooper.  Honestly, if I have to turn fifty every year, I’d want to do it at Portal Golf and Spa.  We had a wonderful time, and learned that turning fifty isn’t as bad as it may seem….!

Jen & Vickie Southport

My husband hates the idea of riding around on a horse, “the poor animal!” he would say as I saddled up my furry friend.  So, I decided to research horse riding holidays that would introduce him to it, and make him realise these are not “poor animals” at all.  I found Equestrian Escapes that tailor-made me a holiday that could cater for my husband’s lack of interest, and certainly his lack of talent on a horse, and we found ourselves in Bournemouth.

He was given lessons starting right from the beginning, and he loved it!  My next fear was that he was beginning to look like he had the potential to be a better rider than myself!  Problem easily solved – I booked myself a riding holiday with Equestrian Escapes, totally alone, so that I could ride horses somewhere breathtaking, and work on my technique all at once.  This time, my destination was Wales.

Equestrian Escapes cater for everyone, and the quality of the holidays are outstanding.  Through them, my husband and I found the Brooke horse, donkey and mule charity and now regularly donate to help improve the animals that live in such harsh conditions.  If you are an animal lover, and want to get more involved with animals and particularly horses, Equestrian Escapes will be perfect for you!

All I wanted was a bit of time, just my husband and myself, to re-connect and enjoy some fresh air, as well as beautiful scenery!  I have always liked horses, and have been on many horse riding holidays since I was a young girl.  I lead a busy life, and don’t have time to spend hours dipping into books and travel guides, having to sort out every detail of my holiday; I just like to get there!  So, my husband found this site, Equestrian Escapes who tailor-make holidays for people just like me.  The choice of places was remarkable, and we settled for Wales, the Brecon Beacons!

A symbol of honesty and quality

As soon as we arrived at the wonderful Georgian house, we were amazed at all the luxury!  Our room was enormous and so comfortable, and the stables were out of this world!  I was delighted, this was just what we needed.  I breathed a sigh of relief as I mounted my beautiful horse and followed our very friendly guide out for a ride in the countryside.

Once we retired back to the hotel, my husband wanted to swim, and I thought I might join him, and perhaps even check out the spa….  Woweee!  The facilities were endless, it seemed, and not over crowded so if there was ever a oproblem there were always friendly and willing staff on hand, really magical!

When it came to supper time, I was so hungry!  I opted for the ‘home grown meal’ that was simply divine; like nothing I could ever cook myself, and we enjoyed wonderful wine from an expansive selection.  And what a night we had!  All of the staff were friendly, the whole place immaculately clean and tidy, and the pool and spa were to die for as well!  In the morning, after riding out, we went to the farm where all of their homegrown produce is sourced, and again nothing could be faulted in such beautiful scenery.  Everything was immaculate and well maintained, and you could tell that a lot of love went into these, much like the horses they provided.

Equestrian Escapes, THANK YOU!!

Notice the white star on the forehead

If ever you feel weary, and all alone, look not to the dog but to the horse for comfort. Horses are good listeners, and will stand beside you in perfect harmony if you run your hands gently down their back, and speak with a very gentle tone. 

When I was a little boy I used to climb up to the hay barn above the stables, and perch on one of the beams above my Mother’s favourite mare.  She didn’t seem to mind, as she munched away on the hay I dropped down to her and I spilled out my thoughts, and even made up stories aloud.  This became a ritual whenever I came home from school for the holidays, and my old friend would always be there to greet me with her long black fluttery lashes and open face with a white star fixed squarely on her forehead.

At the start of the Christmas holidays I came home with so much excitement as Christmas was coming, and that meant presents!  We also had recently arranged to catch some rays on a horse riding holiday to the coast of Spain. But that night, as usual, I snuck out to the stables. I remember vividly the large wooden ladder-type staircase up to the hayloft, with slippery mould growing off it.  I treaded carefully and opened up the stiff hatch.  From there I could see the lit stable, and my special beam.  I carefully balanced along the beam and gently lowered myself into a sort of sitting position, only to look down and find the stable bare.  I couldn’t understand it and looked in the paddocks.  She wasn’t there.  In the darkness I could see no white star, and no open face.  Walking slowly back to the house I went to my Mother.  Sadly, the mare had been found lame in the paddock and had had to leave us.  I couldn’t believe it, wouldn’t!  My best friend and listener had gone and left me and Christmas was forgotten. The horse riding holiday to Jerez came and passed and before I knew it the stunning scenery and beautiful landscapes had passed me by.

As most horse lovers will already know, this is both a sad fact of life… and riding, but with riding, more acutely. The average horse lives to between 20-30 years; there are records of up to 51 years old according to many sources. So throughout a life-long riding affair it is most likely that you will suffer a loss more than once.

When Christmas day finally rolled around the corner my mum gave me a massive hug and told me how sorry she was. She knew deep down I wasn’t interested in opening presents this year but still she told me she had something for me to remember our mare by, and it was perched on the beam in the hay loft. I reluctantly walked outside into the cold and made my way over. The cold bit my arms and I hugged my T-shirt for warmth. I walked up the wooden stairs and climbed through the hatch only to see nothing on the beam. It was the first time I had been here since… So I sat down and pondered, staring dead ahead at the opposite wall. I could practically hear Angel Eyes below me. All of the memories came rushing back and as I looked below I could see her with her blotchy coat of brown and white. Except… no star on her forehead? I dropped down gently and put my hand on her cheek as I examined her closely. This wasn’t Angel Eyes! Mum opened the door to the stables and smiled. I wrapped my arms around her and my Christmas was saved.