Recent Horse Riding Holiday Blogs
Latest Blog
Dude Ranch Vacation..What’s THAT?
What’s a Dude Ranch Vacation? For that matter, what the heck is a “dude?” Back in yesteryear, cultured socialites, arrogant and rich, were called “dudes” when they came out West to see what life was like for the “other half.” Guest ranches in the Old West earned the […]
What’s a Dude Ranch Vacation? For that matter, what the heck is a “dude?” Back in yesteryear, cultured socialites, arrogant and rich, were called “dudes” when they came out West to see what life was like for the “other half.” Guest ranches in the Old West earned the nickname “dude ranch” to refer to the type of patrons they attracted. It’s been carried on ever since!
Here’s an article about all different types of Horse Riding Holidays.
3 Types of Dude Ranch Vacations
To help you decide which kind of Dude Ranch Vacation is for you, take this quick quiz!
What do you think of when you hear the term "cowboy"
How adventurous are you?
How often do you pull out your Wranglers & Justins?
How often do you ride horses?
What's your idea of a perfect evening?
Which activities sound awesome to you?
What kind of food sounds most appealing?
Which best describes your favorite type of vacation?
The Working Ranch Vacation
A working ranch vacation is just that – you pay to become a wrangler at a ranch for a few days or week. This is a very hands on experience, where you will get to do things like herd cattle, ride and mend fences, and doctor and brand calves.
Some of the working ranches have you move the cattle from one grazing area to another. This could mean you might be in the saddle 6-12 hours a day. You should be physically fit before you go on this working ranch vacation. Here’s an article on how to get fit for your horse riding vacation.
The working ranch vacation is an awesome opportunity to see how real ranches work, and how cowboys worked in the Old West. Make sure you know exactly what the ranch will be expecting of you, and what is covered in the fee before you make your first payment. Some, if not all, are completely non-refundable. If you are unable to make it the date you planned on, they carry it over to the next year. So be prepared for that!
If you’ve ever dreamed of being an authentic American cowboy, this vacation is for you! So pack your Wranglers, Justins and cowboy hat and hit the trail!
Book Your Working Ranch Vacation >
The Dude Ranch Vacation
If you love the idea of the old West, but don’t necessarily want to work during your horse riding vacation, a Dude Ranch Vacation, also know as a Guest Ranch Vacation, will probably be your best bet for an awesome vacation.
A Dude Ranch Vacation will get you on a horse pretty much daily – which is what we want, right? But along with daily horseback rides, there’s many other activities to keep you very busy, depending on where you go. Some of the activities include:
- Whitewater rafting
- Fly fishing
- Hiking
- Gold Panning
- Rodeo
- Mountain Biking
- Spa
- Yoga
- Fireside tales
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Bird Watching
- ATV riding
- Yellowstone Tour
- Plus many more fun activities!
As you can see, the list is long so you definitely won’t get bored when you are off your horse! One of my favorite Dude Ranch Vacation destinations is Rimrock Ranch, about 25 miles from the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, and 25 miles from Cody, Wyoming. It’s an awesome guest ranch with lots to do!
Some places even provide you with boots, cowboy hats and chaps!
The meals on your Dude Ranch Vacation are generally family style meat & potatoes, although each ranch is individual and will list out what they specialize in. And for those with alternative dietary needs, most ranches have other options, but should be notified when you book your horse riding vacation.
The Luxury Ranch
Ahhh the lap of luxury! On your Luxury Ranch Vacation, you will get pampered at a beautiful ranch that most often includes a spa, hot tub, 5 star dining experiences and a host of other luxury amenities. But you’ll still get to ride horses, if that’s on your list of things to do!
Most of these luxury ranches are all inclusive, meaning all food and drink are included in the price. Usually all activities are included as well, although some may have excursions that are “ala carte”, meaning you can add these activities on to your trip at an extra price.
A Luxury Ranch Vacation means just that – luxury, WITH a luxury price tag. These vacations are definitely upscale and priced accordingly. Some are family vacation places, but others cater to the singles and couples who don’t want to be around the families. It’s all good! There’s something for everyone!
If you like 5-star, chef-created meals, this is the horse riding vacation for you! A lot of these ranches also have their own sommelier! So pack up your best boots, fancy western outfits and expect to be pampered on these luxury ranch vacations!
Book Your Luxury Ranch Vacation >
Whatever type of Dude Ranch Vacation you choose, each one will provide a trip of a lifetime. And most likely, wherever you go, you will need to fly there. Of course, we all like to save money, so I like to use the Dollar Flight Club to find the best prices. There is a free version, and a paid version. Check it out!
So go! Get out there, and book your Dude Ranch Vacation today!
Horse Rental Excursions – Let’s GO!
Have you chosen your horse riding holiday yet? No? Not ready for a full-blown horseback riding vacation? Ok, let’s see how to get that horseback ride in during a vacation you are already taking! Horse rental is just the key! This may […]
Have you chosen your horse riding holiday yet? No? Not ready for a full-blown horseback riding vacation? Ok, let’s see how to get that horseback ride in during a vacation you are already taking! Horse rental is just the key! This may also be called a horseback trail ride.
Horseback riding is something that is done almost everywhere you can think of in the world. So, why not find a way to explore where you are already going on vacation?
What is a Horse Rental?
A horse ride where you pay an hourly fee is a rental. Usually the minimum rental is one hour and the cost will usually be between $25 to $50 per hour, although depending where you are renting the horses it can be more. The most common form of horse rentals are for horseback trail rides. A stable will offer rides ranging from one hour up to a full day of riding.
Who Can Rent a Horse?
Pretty much anybody over 18 years of age! Some places may take 16+ but you’ll have to call first and make sure. There may also be weight limits so if you think there’s a question there, make sure you know that before you get to the tour or stable to avoid wasting time or embarrassment. If you have the will to go on a horseback trail ride, you can make it happen!
Where Can I Get a Horse Rental?
Just about anywhere in the world! I love to get on a horse on every beach I go to. As a result, I’ve gone for a horseback trail ride in
St. Croix USVI
Jamaica
South Africa
Cabo San Lucas
Playa del Carmen
Riviera Maya
Dominican Republic
… to name a few! So obviously Mexico and the Caribbean are great places to ride horses on the beaches, or in jungles. But what about other destinations?
Tell me how I can travel for WHOLESALE!
Let’s look at where North Americans travel to mostly, other than Mexico and Canada, which by far are the most popular sites.
| Top 39 Destinations | Horseback Riding? | |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Morocco | √ |
| 38 | Poland | √ |
| 37 | Singapore | √ |
| 36 | South Africa | √ |
| 35 | Argentina | √ |
| 34 | New Zealand | √ |
| 33 | Viet Nam | √ |
| 32 | Hungary | √ |
| 31 | Czech Republic | √ |
| 30 | Brazil | √ |
| 29 | United Arab Emerites | √ |
| 28 | Turkey | √ |
| 27 | Greece | √ |
| 26 | Thailand | √ |
| 25 | Austria | √ |
| 24 | Australia | √ |
| 23 | Peru | √ |
| 22 | South Korea | √ |
| 21 | Taiwan | √ |
| 20 | Hong Kong | √ |
| 19 | Israel | √ |
| 18 | Switzerland | √ |
| 17 | Columbia | √ |
| 16 | Aruba | √ |
| 15 | Ireland | √ |
| 14 | Philipinnes | √ |
| 13 | Netherlands | √ |
| 12 | Japan | √ |
| 11 | Costa Rica | √ |
| 10 | India | √ |
| 9 | Bahamas | √ |
| 8 | China | √ |
| 7 | Spain | √ |
| 6 | Jamaica | √ |
| 5 | Germany | √ |
| 4 | Italy | √ |
| 3 | France | √ |
| 2 | Dominican Republic | √ |
| 1 | United Kingdom | √ |
Well, it looks like you can take a horseback trail ride just about anywhere! I’m going to add to that list Iceland, which is on my bucket list as well. I mean, who wouldn’t want to ride an Icelandic pony?
Horseback trail rides and horse rentals are not limited to other countries. If you are visiting family in another US state, for example, or even a couple hundred miles away from your home, look it up and see what you can find! Horseback trail rides are a great way to explore any area, not necessarily only exotic ones!
What Preparations Are Necessary for a Horse Rental Excursion?
Payment & Tipping
Pretty much a credit card and yourself is all that is needed at most horse rental places! Most places around the world accept most major credit cards nowadays. However, you should probably bring a little bit of cash to tip your guides after the trip! Most of them don’t get paid much, and a lot of countries are pretty poor comparatively, so the guides or wranglers are very appreciative of that little extra you can give them in appreciation of a great ride! If they don’t actually ask for it by passing around a hat or something similar, you can always slip your favorite horseback trail ride guide a few bucks to show your gratitude.
Depending on where you are in the world, you should give them cash in their native currency; however, in places that are very touristy – like Mexico or the Caribbean – they love to have American dollars. Some people suggest tipping 15-20%, just like you would a waiter, but that is really up to you and how much fun you had on your horseback trail ride! I tend to tip on the high side, because I know they probably need it and I like to show my appreciation.
Clothing
Always be prepared for extreme weather when you do horse rentals. No matter where you are in the world, on horseback you are more exposed to the elements than ever. You should always check the weather before you go to see what it might be like the day you plan your horseback trail ride. That way you can bring rain gear if you need it. Here is a great lightweight riding duster and here is a heavier one for more inclement weather. I also like this one for all around use.
No matter what time of year you are going to be riding, it’s good to have a hat to protect your face from sunburn, or from a downpour of rain. Here is a great lightweight hat:
Or this cute shapeable hat:
Or this awesome water resistant Australian hat that will crush right into your suitcase and come out great! You can also get a chinstrap with it:
There are so many to choose from! I’d love to see a picture of you in your new hat!
Horse Riding Helmets
There are so many horseback riding helmets![""]("//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=cowgirladvent-20&l=ur2&o=1")
Pants/Breeches/Shorts
What you wear on your legs for your horseback trail ride is a matter of choice as well. I was raised riding Western, so I always wore jeans. But I also rode English in horse shows, so I learned to appreciate the stretchy-ness of breeches. And as I’ve gotten older, I REALLY appreciate stretchy, comfy clothes, so I prefer the breeches to jeans, now.
I would say, though, that having a cell phone pocket is a mandatory option for me nowadays, so you may want to consider that in your search for Boots/Footwear This is another area I will devoting a post specifically to. Nowadays the options for awesome horseback trail riding footwear are endless! As I said before, sneakers were never an option. Only cowboy boots, or English boots when I rode English. Now, you can get what they call Womens paddock boots
Other types of horseback trail riding shoes can be found That way I can be as sure footed as my horse in all terrain! And of course, wherever you go on vacation, don’t forget the travel insurance! I recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing, depending on what kind of traveler you are. So go ahead! Plan your vacation and add a horse rental to it! Gotta get ready for your horse riding holiday!Other Things to Know for Your Horse Rental Trip
Get Fit for Your Horse Riding Holiday
Get fit… What does that mean? You could be at your peak of fitness right now…but still, if you don’t ride often, you’ll find that you’re going to be sore in places you didn’t know existed after riding 6-8 hours on a […]
Get fit… What does that mean? You could be at your peak of fitness right now…but still, if you don’t ride often, you’ll find that you’re going to be sore in places you didn’t know existed after riding 6-8 hours on a horse! It’s best to find and wake up those muscles before your horse riding holiday begins. It’s much harder to enjoy the views if you are uncomfortable and/or are in pain the entire trip!
Or you could be like me, menopausal, with various aches and pains, like plantar fasciitis that has kept me from doing a lot of exercising the past couple years. So you have a lot a catching up to do (like me!).
You’ll want to get fit BEFORE your horse riding holiday to avoid injury – short term and long term. Added muscle strength protects your structure. It’s strength-imbalance that causes most injuries. A well-rounded routine can rebalance the body, which can reduce the likelihood of tweaking musccles and causing serious injury. If you just jump right up on a horse without any physical preparation, you could perhaps pull a muscle in your back and create a permanent, recurring injury. That’s just an example. So lets get supple and have a GREAT horse riding holiday, pain free!
What Muscles Will Be Used When Riding Horses?
Great question! Let’s go over what muscles you need to train up to get the most out of your horse riding holiday! That way you can target some areas you feel need more help.
- Leg Strength
- Core Strength
- Back Strength
- Flexibility
Leg Strength helps you use your leg while riding and also helps support your horse, creating a more connected and confident ride for both horse and rider.
Core Strength increases a rider’s ability to balance and support the horse without relying on their hands. It also helps you hold your balance, whether the horse is walking, running, or even shying from something.
Back Strength helps when you are riding a stronger horse and you need that strength to help manage him.
Flexibility is important because it keeps your muscles from tightening and causing hip and back problems.
Good overall fitness, strength and endurance help a lot because as you can see, riding uses many parts of the body. All your muscles are working to hold yourself upright on a moving horse, and the faster you go, the more those muscles work!
How to Get Fit for Your Horse Riding Holiday
First off, before doing any of the exercises or programs listed in here, please consult your physician. Make sure you’re not going to do something that will hurt you permanently or keep you from going on your horse riding vacation.
There are several things you can do to get fit for your horse riding holiday. Remember to take it easy as you get started and don’t push yourself too hard in the beginning. It’s best to start several months before your trip so you are feeling great about riding and not aching!
Exercising to Get Fit for Your Horse Riding Holiday
There is quite a bit of information out there for equestrian workouts. However, a lot of them are specifically designed for the competitive equestrian. Here is a list of exercises to check out. Again, make sure your doctor approves of any of these workouts before you start. All of these seem pretty good, except for the crunches. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve heard they’re not the best for us older folk. I’ll be going for the planks instead.
Here’s another great article on How to Become a Better Horseback Rider from the University of Kentucky equestrian coach, Sue Stanley.
There’s also some books that are great for helping you get fit for your horse riding holiday. You can Shop at Amazon here. There’s also exercise aids that you can get, too, to be able to follow the some of the videos below.
For those of you who like visual aides instead of written instruction, I’m sharing my library of videos to help you get fit for your horse riding holiday. These include some specific videos on various body parts you might need to strengthen, like knees and core muscles. You can pick and choose which one or ones might be best for you!
Yoga for Horse Riding Fitness
Yoga is a great way to get fit for your horse riding holiday. It not only relieves stress, but can also increase flexibility, strength and balance. Yoga is also great for strengthening your core, which is one of the main muscle groups you’ll need to strengthen. Here’s a couple great books on equestrian yoga:
There are also a lot of videos on YouTube for helping you get fit for your horse riding holiday. I’ve gathered a few of them here.
Other Ways to Get Fit for your Horse Riding Holiday
Go Horse Riding Locally
The BEST thing you can do, if possible, is to get out and get riding before you go. If you don’t have your own horse, there are several options to be able to get on a horse before your horse riding holiday.
Take Lessons
There are usually training facilities near every city. These stables have horses for you to learn or re-learn on. Just let them know why you are requesting their services, and they’ll accommodate you. Even if you have to drive a bit to get to the stable, wouldn’t it be worth it to get in shape for your trip?
Lease a Horse
It might be worth your time to look into leasing a horse for 3-6 months before your horse riding holiday, to get into great riding shape!
Work Off Riding Time
Check in with local stables and see if you can work off riding time. Many stables need a hand with feeding horses or mucking out stalls and are happy to “pay” you with riding time. This is also a great way to get in overall shape for your horse riding holiday!
Volunteer at a Theraputic Center or Horse Rescue
Sometimes, horse rescues may need volunteers to help train and exercise their horses. While this will vary depending on the particular rescue and its policies, if you are a talented rider, then you may be able to volunteer at a horse rescue and get some riding time in in the process. If you’re interested in this possibility, call some local rescues to see if they need any help exercising their horses. Even if they don’t have any riding opportunities for you, volunteering at a rescue may allow you to spend some quality time around horses, thus helping you get fit for your horse riding holiday. Plus, you’re helping out a great cause!
Swimming for fitness
Swimming can be the most underrated form of exercise, and certainly not one that comes first to mind when getting fit for your horse riding holiday. However, swimming can actually be one of the best overall forms of fitness, in that it encompasses strength, stamina, flexibility and cardio, all in one shot! Here’s a video that explains more.
Get Moving!
It’s also a good idea to do some form of cardio, whether it be a cardio class, biking, running, swimming, or just walking. Every time you move, it helps your body get in shape. So get out there and get moving, so you can get fit for your horse riding holiday!
*This article is meant to be only an outline for ways to get fit for your horse riding vacation; you can do your own research to find out exactly what muscles do what, if you want, and ask your doctor what works best for you. I am not a professional.