Horsey holiday of a life time

[Thequeenofthetypis]

I'm currently on holidays with 2 temperamental tweens, an oh who wants to sleep all day and my mother in law! Tbf, the mil is probably the easiest company of all them.
But I'm dreaming of a holiday where I get to do exactly what I want all day every day. If money was no object ( I can start saving) where would you recommend for a horsey holiday? I would like lovely scenery, pretty much riding all day every day, but near coast or lakes for regular swimming, so good weather also. Don't need luxury accommodation, basic is good enough. I'm a horse owner/ advanced rider, can sit on pretty much anything and up for anything really.
Also will be on my own do safe for woman solo travelling a must. Is this too much to ask?? Maybe I should put in aibu 😁

Riding and cooking in Italy sounds great, is there a web site??

Iceland . Riding coast to coast with a loose herd of horses across lava fields and amazing beaches. Lots of thermal pools to warm up in!

or riding through the cloud forest in Ecuador. Rounding up cows ( and llamas!) here https://haciendalaalegria.com

www.equestrian-escapes.com

There are also a lot that pop up on my Instagram and Facebook all the time...once the algorithm thinks you're interested then you will be spoilt for choice!

Los Alamos in Spain - I went for a week in 2021 and it was just wonderful. I think 8 out of the 10 guests when I stayed were repeat guests - people return year after year (I would if I could afford to!)

Lovely accommodation with a pool, gorgeous horses (mostly Spanish or Arab types) and plenty of gallops on the beach and along the firebreaks.

I'm on the Bay - mare called Coquetta, I won the firebreak race we had one day on her 🔥

I grew up somewhere with amazing hacking (east highlands) but weather rarely good enough to enjoy it. I now live somewhere which should have amazing hacking but the condition of the bridleways isn’t good enough to enjoy it.

I want to do a ranch holiday in the US.
I know someone who has done horseback safari and another who has done a big trip in Iceland. Both rave about it years later. Both cost THOUSANDS.

Iceland

I went here many years ago with a small group from the stables. We had a wonderful time with lots of hacks through sunflower fields and lessons, but also some side trips to see flamenco, Jerez Spanish riding school and a beach ride. https://eponaspain.com/train-trail/

@Thequeenofthetypis Count Kalnoky's riding treks in Transylvania are a blast - fantastic countryside and horses. Quirky but comfortable. A proper change of scene.

Someone from my yard did the Mongolian riding holiday and still raves about it years later. He had to get pretty riding fit beforehand by increasing his hours in the saddle, but absolutely loved it.
He went on his own too - and met amazing people.

Depends on your budget but inthesaddle do amazing holidays. We did the Azores week about 12 years ago. It was so good my husband proposed (still married!) next year we are going to Ants Lodge for a horseback safari. The Azores was about £3k for both 12 years ago. Ants lodge is about £4k per person per week

It was this article I saw back when OP

www.cntraveller.com/gallery/ranch-holidays-in-montana

How about Rose Cameron Rides? Jordan, Wadi Rum. Looks amazing and definitely safe for a solo woman.

I did a short break with equestrian escapes this spring (uk) and my friend has used them twice (Iceland and uk). Would recommend speaking to them. They were very helpful. Good luck.

I always worry that the horses were overworked.

We went to a Canadian ranch once, they were very careful with their horses. Really good with hot tub & sauna, good food, etc. Middle of literally nowhere!

If I were rich (and not disabled!) a horsey holiday would be my idea of heaven, would need be somewhere warm where can do forests and beaches and swim with the horses. Sadly never gonna happen

Have you seen siraihouse.com? It looks amazing!!

I dream about doing one of the ride worldwide holidays. They do Patagonia and stuff. Maybe check out their website for ideas? (I have no affiliation with them!)

Try In The Saddle. Been to Andalusia a few times. Horses VERY well cared for. Super gallops on the beach and through the forests!
If I lost weight I'd go back in a shot....

Thanks for all the great recommendations. SA/Canada / Argentina look absolutely amazing, but realistically will remain out of budget I think. Will investigate further Azores/ Andalusia, with serious saving I should be able to stretch to one of these. It helps that I'm only saving up for a party of one 🥰🥰 Thanks again for all recommendations

My friend did a safari on horseback. Looked amazing!

Scratch the Azores, must have looked the prices without my glasses on🤣
So that narrows it down to Andalusia, which looks amazing. Scrolling through the in the saddle website now. Omg the SA safari looks out of this world. Will put on the list for when my lotto numbers come up.

Mongolia! I know someone who did a horseback tour, seriously a trip of a lifetime but the armed guard did make her double take

We did a one day trek in Morocco , Essaouira. I'm a bit of a novice but DH basically grew up on horseback. The horses were beautifully looked after. They do longer packages it was just an activity for us rather than the focus of the holiday.
I wouldn't go back to Marrakech as a lone female traveller but I would to Essaouira , much more laid back and an artsy hippy vibe. Also lovely women's collectives where they make argan oil products

I did los alamos. Fab rides, fab horses. Swimming pool in afternoon!
You have to be a good rider at all paces.