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 😁

Otherwise Patagonia is the place... I'm seriously wanting to do this though we'll be compromising and traveling on 2 wheels (plus big motor) rather than 4 legs

For dude ranches - A friend highly recommends white stallion ranch in Arizona

I am saving to go myself!

Good lord! @CaveMum that Rockies trip has just blown through to the top of my bucket list! Wow!

Unicorn Trails do a range of excellent rides all over the world, have always had a great experience with them

I've been eyeing up a holiday at Hacienda Horses in Spain. Place looks lovely and the horses are stunning: www.haciendahorses.com

If you fancy western style riding, this place in Canada is amazing. I went a few years ago...fab horses, great accommodation and lovely hosts.

packtrips.ca/

Iceland! Natural springs and hot pools, amazing scenery, lovely horses.

FreeRein is fantastic, I've ridden with the family who run it since I was a child. You cant guarantee the weather but actually, it's usually better than one would expect. The riding is exciting and fun, you can do guided or self guided (you need at least two for self guided).
Anything from two days to seven days trail riding. You'll meet other people who are riding alone so you'll make friends. I'd do this first maybe for two or three nights before embarking on anything abroad.

I've also ridden in Ireland, Spain, Australia and other countries but I have to say the riding in Wales is more exciting.

In Spain there are places that offer "trail riding" but is only two or three hours a day and not terribly exciting.

Los Olivios in Andalusia is daily short (2-3 hours) rides in the mountains with the rest of the day free for lounging around the pool. The food is fantastic and there's a help yourself bar (included). It's remote though so it's not easy to leave the finca if you want to do anything other than ride or lounge, but for me it's a lovely sun guaranteed break (I've been three times).

Also in Andalusia is a place's with pure bred Andalusians but I'd avoid it like the plague- food is awful and the riding is walking around the farm twice a day or dressage lessons from a very old fashioned style teacher who I found to be grumpy and unpleasant to be around. (I can't remember the name of the place I'm afraid- it's in southern Andalusia closer to Seville).

I haven't done it myself, but friends have done riding holidays in Spain, Portugal and Africa, and cowboy type holidays in Arizona (but I don't think they're riding every day, it's more like a trail ride or two included in the trip). The proper riding holidays in Spain/Portugal you're riding multiple high level horses a day, usually in a school. The Africa one I think was more trekking orientated. But I get the impression there's loads to choose from!

I rode the ring of Kerry, just me and a guide and it was the most amazing break I've ever had.

I'd love to go again.

I can highly recommend this group - unfortunately the weather isn't predicatable but it would probably fit your budget.

https://www.facebook.com/wilderways

I went with a friend, horse riding in Mozambique - rode in the sea swimming with the horses - it was absolutely amazing ...

I can recommend anything that Sally Vergette does in South America [the founder of Ride Andes]. Had the absolute holiday of a lifetime bringing bulls down from the volcanoes in Ecuador with her amazing ponies. Stunning scenery and she is fantastic.

Otherwise can recommend Tarifa in S. Spain...go to sleep overlooking straits of Gib and the Atlas Mountains. Spend days riding great horses up and down the beaches there and also inland. There are a few operators- I didn't go with a group but easily made friends. Can try to remember where I stayed if that appeals...

@Mxflamingnoravera years ago I went on holidays with black mountain holidays based near hay on wye. Looking at free rein it looks very similar except they do the unguided trails. BMH was fast paced trail riding over the breacon beacons staying at a different hostel each night.

I can recommend www.frenchridingholidays.co.uk - they are based in southern France, super horses and scenery, lovely staff, nice accommodation, a pool and it's all inclusive.