It’s not necessarily the first activity you think of when you’re on vacation, for a variety of reasons. Yet, with a change of scenery, nature, and a touch of adventure, combining horses with your vacation can be a rich idea and promote great experiences to enjoy as a family.
Trekking, nature holidays or more sporty… horse riding offers everyone, regardless of age, physical condition and level of practice, unique moments of sharing.
And for those who have no ideas, here are four possibilities for activities in the heart of equestrian tourism…
Club course to get started
This could be the starting point for many, especially for those who may have some apprehensions or do not feel comfortable on horseback. Doing a course of a few hours or several days to discover the world of horses or familiarize yourself with equestrian practice is often a good start. And for the little ones there are also pony clubs, often more fun, which also allow children to make new friends.
Immersion in an equestrian center to discover new practices
The next step could be the opportunity to discover new activities or disciplines. Whether you are already an experienced rider or a beginner, now is the time to discover other ways of practicing horse riding such as horseback archery, equestrian acrobatics, polo or horse ball. Different approaches and practices that combine complicity, trust, a special relationship with the horse (or pony) and team spirit.
Even if not all equestrian centers offer all of these activities, through the clubs of the French Equestrian Federation (FFE) the choice is still there.
Horse or carriage ride
There’s nothing like a horseback ride to get away from the daily grind. Whether it’s a half-day or multi-day excursion, in a group or on horseback, hiking is a great activity for lovers of the outdoors and outdoor vacations.
Between discovering a region, steep mountain trails or sand on the beach, bivouacs in nature and starry nights, generally everyone is amazed. And then it is also an excellent choice for eco-responsible tourism enthusiasts who want to (re)live a simple holiday immersed in nature.
A horseback ride to recharge your batteries and regain your energy
Finally, if you simply want to indulge in a moment of relaxation with family or friends for an hour or two, horseback riding offers many virtues to leave behind the tumult of everyday life.
Calm and soothing, the complicity that is created between horse and rider helps to let go and recharge the batteries. If you are in your holiday destination, this will allow you to discover the region and the local heritage in a different way. If we stay at home, this escape with the horse in contact with nature allows us to clear our heads, forget about stress and recover the energy we lack. Why not try it from time to time…