Most people, when they think of adventure vacations think of things like hiking, safaris in a Land Rover, a “barefoot” cruise, scuba diving, or maybe whitewater rafting. They don’t think about vacations that involve traveling on horseback as an adventure. 

Equestrian adventure vacations give you a different perspective on exotic locations like Africa, while keeping you close to nature and participating in an activity that is more environmentally friendly that jeep travel or helicopter tours. Horses that are hired in horseback adventure vacations are trained and willing to carry you, and they seem to automatically introduce you to people in the places you visit.


Tip - Enhance your riding experience with a jumping saddle.






There are numerous advantages to equestrian adventure travel. Horses can take you to remote areas that are difficult to get to otherwise. Horseback riding is great exercise, and has been a traditional form of transportation that has served mankind worldwide for centuries.

Many different types of equestrian adventures are available in Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. While this is a relatively new concept to travelers from North America, people in Britain and France have long been taking horseback adventure vacations in many corners of the world. In the United States, rights of way for horses don’t exist anymore in most places, but that is not true for places on other continents.

The place of horses in culture and history is deeply embedded worldwide, from Ireland to France to Argentina. As a form of transportation, horseback riding has been an integral part of history in most parts of the world. Showing up on horseback is not cause for alarm in most places. In fact, you’ll probably be greeted warmly, as your horse becomes the perfect “icebreaker” for talking to new people. Arriving by bus or on foot won’t get you much attention in a lot of places, because it is so commonplace, but horses seem to make people happy wherever they go.



For adventures in wilderness areas, horses are a great choice, because if you are hiking or walking, you have to carry all your equipment on your own back. Riding vacations, on the other hand, gets you from place to place at a pace that lets you take in your surrounding in a way no other form of transport can. And costs for equestrian adventure tours are quite reasonable.

Different horseback adventure vacations vary according to the level of skill required to participate safely. Different tours will go at different paces, some fast enough to travel 20 or 30 miles in one day. Beginners to the sport of horseback riding undertake several days of instruction before attempting a trip by horseback. People who are of relatively normal weight, who are fairly fit, and willing to learn can catch on quickly. A week of instruction can prepare even beginning riders for a fairly tame equestrian adventure.

The animals used in horseback adventure vacations also benefit from the experience. It allows them to experience interesting sounds and sights, and gives them scope to take the occasional invigorating gallop along an open space. Horseback riding is not just good exercise for the horse, but for the rider as well. Your travel by horseback is an interactive adventure that is out in the open rather than closed up in a vehicle. Another plus is that many equestrian vacations feature delicious meals served at the end of travel segments.

On an equestrian adventure vacation in Africa, a horse can easily outpace an elephant or other wild animals, keeping you at a safe distance. Each evening, camps are set up with comfortable sleeping arrangements and excellent meals.

A completely different horseback tour might take you deep into the Loire Valley in France, or over rolling green hills of Ireland. The horse has been a revered and versatile means of transport for centuries, and equestrian adventure vacations are a great way to experience destinations in a new and different way.