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!
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.
Dear Equestrian Escapes,
I recently travelled to Slovenia and came across some horses that reminded me of a horse-riding holiday that I booked through you. I went alone, to Barcelona and had the most wonderful time. I remember especially that the horses were so healthy and well looked after, and Barcelona itself was so pretty. I am currently travelling around Europe on business, but when I return I think I may just ring you to book a well-deserved horse-riding break! Italy, perhaps this time! Or perhaps I should try something entirely different? Maybe the side-saddle?…….
I look forward to speaking to you on my return,
Many thanks,
Eduardo (Horse Expert)
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
My Father used to love old buildings, and whilst growing up my parents used to take us around old broken down ruins and French Chateaus often tumbling down the hill side. The usual scenario would be that we would be driving in some remote area of France, a grey wreck would be seen in the distance and Dad would decide THAT would be the picnic spot. So, the usual climbing through thorns, and having to route around for the odd dock leaf because of stinging nettles everywhere, would ensue. This could take a while, but Dad was dedicated. Upon arrival, as it were, you were then made to perch on some mossy damp stone that had once been a chimney, and marvel at the arches as you munched on your bacon roll.
So, now that I was married, I thought it would be nice to stay in a proper castle. And where better than Italy? It really was a delight to feel the warmth of the place, and not have to zip your Musto right up to the top to prevent wind chill. The surroundings were a complete sensation, and the castle was sheer luxury.
The Perfect Italian Castle Retreat
The beaches were as beautiful as advertised and not crowded so it was such bliss to canter along, before having the most delicious lunch. Whilst I was thinking this could not get better, the vineyards stretched out before us, and the whole setting was breathtaking. And that was only day one!
The most amazing holiday I have been on, a real experience, and something I would certainly suggest to anyone who is passionate about beautiful scenery, good food, luxurious buildings and above all, horses!
Many thanks, Jan Richards
I have been on horse riding holidays before, and recently used Equestrian Escapes so I found this holiday. I wanted to take my own horses riding and looked for the best options. I was a competitive rider, but my husband wanted to come with me and had never ridden before. This was not a problem, and my husband received wonderful lessons with a very patient teacher, perfect for beginners! All of the facilities were top class and the horses clearly looked after very well. For my own horse he was given a traditional stable not far away from the other horses. Parking was clearly signposted, and easy to get to. I was even able to try riding side-saddle; an experience altogether unfamiliar, but great fun nonetheless!
We were so well looked after that even the trainers were kind enough to look over my horse with me, and give me nutritional advice. It really was a holiday packed full of fun and adventure!
Equestrian Escapes Friesian Horse
Friesian horses must be among the most beautiful breed of horses. The arch of their necks and the elegance in the way they pick up their feet are among the most enchanting features of horses. None are like it; dramatic black, a noble attitude, and the size alone is impressive. The thick, swishing tails, and the sheen in the sunlight give a magical quality to their dignified presence, and they are commonly used at funerals due to their colour and gracious stance.
In the summer, the sun changes the jet black to a more chestnut brown that ripples as they move. The long lashes frame their gleaming eyes, and whiskers sit around the mouth. Although they are strong and powerful, they have a very quiet way about them. The most magnificent breed, and the perfect companion!
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!
As a girl, I was always one for fairytales. At a young age it was the dream of living in a castle, locks of blonde hair down to my waist, the perfect complexion with no freckles, pretty pink flowing dresses, and a Cinderella-style horse and carriage as my favoured mode of transport.
I soon grew up. But with this, the dream never really went away.
My mother was born and brought up in Africa, and upon moving to England at an early age, soon became obsessed with the horse. She used to spend hours showing me how to check their feet; ways of running ones hand down their legs to feel for any lingering trouble, and always to avoid ragwort! These have stuck with me, somehow, and by puberty my interest was huge, among other aspects.
When it was time to leave home and ‘find myself’, and I decided to combine my Mother’s favourite things; Africa and horses. I knew that I had to go to the Masai Mara, to experience that life, and to try to see what my mother loved.
It was booked, my mosquito repellent was packed, and I was away!
What first struck me was the heat, and I marvelled how these beautiful, healthy horses could bear it as they whisked at the flies with their tails. They moved so elegantly, and the sound of their hooves on the famously red African soil was enchanting. As we rode over the Masai plains, dust flew up behind us, in a dream world that was such bliss and could not be further away from the world I lived.
In the evenings, the Masai would dance to us as we sat around a large log fire, watching the embers crackle as their feet hit the ground to the rhythm of the beat. The horses took no notice, and went about their grazing business nonchalantly.
At sunrise we prepared our horses and set out at a gallop to watch the sun come up and slowly touch the landscape with her white light. The beauty was utterly enthralling, and the sheen on my horse was breathtaking.
My Mother was right. Her fairytale had come alive before me.
I became obsessed with my experience, and addicted to finding such beauty again. I rode out in Peru, New Zealand, Ireland, Tuscany and even The Road of Bones in Far East Russia, but nothing met my expectations.
It was not until I found Equestrian Escapes and their Cheshire Horse Riding Holidays that I was satisfied. The horses gleamed, and their friendly faces shone out from the pristine stables that were their home. Who would have thought I would find what I was looking for almost on my front door step? A UK riding holiday! I was amazed, and entirely impressed. Never had I seen such care given to these beautiful animals and from this a kind of mutual respect between the horse and the rider united us together. The rolling green hills and wonderful sounds of the birds made me feel like I was in a bubble, like Africa, and so far away from everyday life.
