Riding holiday for whole family - is this a good idea?

[RedundantExpat]

DH and I used to ride decades ago, DDs are 8 and have taken the first lessons but no galloping yet. We are thinking about a horsey/riding vacation for all of us - is this a good idea?

If so, do you have any recommendations? As much as a dude ranch in the US sounds attractive, I would love to avoid the expensive and long trip. DH suggests Hungary where he once took a riding holiday but I don't fancy it. Something with a bit of comfort/luxury or at least not camping.

even if you rode years ago are you riding fit?
that would be my main concern if i was planning this.

think of the pain!

I've been with free rein in Wales and they do onto the trail holidays for rusty riders, however your daughters might be slightly too young at the minute but it's worth asking

How much would I have to prepare myself, do you think?

I think you would want some preparation if it's been decades. It probably won't take you long to get back to w/t/c, but you don't want to waste time on a holiday doing this.

If your DDs are 8 and novices, then a full riding holiday might be a bit much for them too? Something where you could maybe stay at a stables and have a ride out and a lesson each day and do some stable management might be better? Then if any of you are really aching, you could skip a day or a ride?

Try www.frenchridingholidays.co.uk

They are brilliant - loved every minute I spent there.

I went riding for 3 hours in one go once. Bloody agony the next day and I ride once a week!!

Not really any way to prepare yourself - Id choose somewhere you weren't relying on riding as your only entertainment all day.

Thanks for the good ideas. Will take it on board.

I went on a week long riding holiday in Iceland a couple of years ago. I hadn't ridden for 12 years except for a long weekend on Dartmoor I used as preparation. Not a good idea. I coped quite well but thighs purple from top to bottom on my return.

A very long time ago DH and I went to paradise Ranch in Wyoming, it was really good fun, they do special activities for children.

I went to wheal buller in cornwall and rode 4 hours a day, the worst thing for me was my boots rubbing the backs of my ankles raw, meant I couldnt really walk properly. I did 3 days so 12 hours of riding in total

The other big mistake I made was thinking I could just spring into the saddle from the ground without practice! I had to keep finding bits of hillocky grass to stand on, or positioning horse on steep slope sideways on. With Icelandic holiday we just went flat out for half an hour or so, had a little break and a drink, got back on and went flat out again for another half hour repeated all day.

Maybe we'll just go somewhere the kids can do an hour of pony riding a day ... - thanks for all your thoughts.

I think the new forest would be amazing for a few short rides for all the family.

Second vote for French Riding Holidays- best riding I have ever done. Went with non horsey DH and even he had had a little gallop by the end and lots of canters on a very gentle trustworthy horse

Take deep heat and painkillers if you're rusty