| 1) Remember to book your holiday through a | | | | ready for anything! |
| trustworthy and established tour operator. | | | | 6) Make sure that you find suitable holiday insurance |
| This will ensure that your horse riding holiday flows as | | | | for your horse riding holiday |
| smoothly as possible, as you know that your holiday | | | | It may seem obvious now, but when you're actually |
| of choice has been tried and tested by the experts. | | | | in the process of organising the fine details of your |
| Although it can be tempting to save some money by | | | | holiday such as insurance, it's easy to become |
| booking on line, a tour operator offers financial | | | | distracted by various bargains and savings, causing |
| security, so if the hotel or stables that you have | | | | you to neglect the most apparent of things. Check |
| selected goes bust, you won't lose all of your hard | | | | carefully that the insurance that you have selected |
| earned money! | | | | covers accidents and mishaps when riding horses, as |
| 2) Check that the stables where you are going have | | | | if the worst happens and you become injured in any |
| fully qualified, professional staff. | | | | way then the last thing that you want is for your |
| There is nothing worse than going for a riding lesson | | | | insurance to fail you and to be confronted with a |
| or expedition with an instructor or guide that isn't | | | | large medical bill as well as a ruined holiday! |
| properly qualified, and in other words just doesn't | | | | 7) Be aware of your personal fitness |
| know their stuff. Not only is it dangerous to entrust | | | | This one's another slightly embarrassing guideline, as |
| your well being to a person that has little experience, | | | | horse riding may not seem like the most strenuous |
| it will also detract from your holiday experience. | | | | of activities, but if you aren't up to it physically then |
| 3) Choose a holiday that is suitable for your standard | | | | it can be a daunting and gruelling task. You must be |
| of riding. | | | | honest with yourself, and if you feel that you are |
| This is a very important one, as despite the fact that | | | | not in the best shape, then don't cancel the holiday, |
| it can be both embarrassing and difficult to swallow | | | | just exercise a little, until you feel confident in both |
| your pride and admit that perhaps you're not quite as | | | | your riding ability and your fitness. |
| good at riding as you had thought you were, it is | | | | 8) If you're not travelling alone, choose a holiday that |
| essential when planning a successful trip. No one will | | | | suits your family as well as it suiting you. |
| judge you as a person on how good at riding you | | | | Even though it can be nice to get away from your |
| are, you are on holiday to enjoy yourself, not to | | | | life at home and have a break in relative solitude (at |
| prove yourself as a rider. Only book rides and lessons | | | | least as far as your family are concerned!) if you |
| that you feel confident taking part in, and if it seems | | | | choose to go away as a group, then make sure that |
| like it might be a little bit too intense, the chances are | | | | the holiday suits everyone. It is very easy to find |
| it will be, and you are risking both your safety and | | | | beginner riding courses for those of you who are less |
| your enjoyment. | | | | confident in your riding ability and if riding doesn't suit |
| 4) Make sure that you choose which time of year | | | | one of your loved ones, then many equestrian |
| that you go on holiday very carefully. | | | | holidays offer alternative activities. |
| The fantastic thing about equestrian holidays is that | | | | 9) Take your safety very seriously! |
| they are not bound by seasons as is common with | | | | When travelling abroad it is sometimes very easy to |
| many other types of holiday, so there is no pressure | | | | forget that the dangers that you encounter at home |
| to pay ludicrous prices for flights and accommodation | | | | are still apparent, and just because you're there to |
| during the peak summer months. A hot, sweaty ride | | | | have fun doesn't mean that you're invincible! Ride |
| is not always pleasant, so remember to take into | | | | carefully at all times and do not be tempted to show |
| account the fact that a cool spring hack may be | | | | off to fellow holiday makers or family members, and |
| much more appealing than roasting both yourself and | | | | enjoy yourself responsibly. |
| your horse, just because it's the summer holidays! | | | | 10) Put plenty of time aside for relaxation |
| 5) Be sure to pack the correct equipment and | | | | This may seem like a very obvious point, but it's |
| clothing | | | | much easier than you would think to book yourself |
| With the frantic, panicky experience that it last | | | | too many activities and put too little time aside for |
| minute packing, it can be very easy to forget the | | | | relaxation. Although it is enjoyable, horse riding can |
| bare essentials, and even though you would never | | | | also be strenuous, so don't feel pressured to spend |
| think of going for a ride without a hat, boots or | | | | every minute of every day on a horse. Just because |
| gloves when at home, it may slip your mind abroad. | | | | you are on an active holiday, don't feel embarrassed |
| Just remember to bring a suitable pair of shoes with | | | | or guilty for sitting by the pool or enjoying a long |
| a solid heel, a properly fitted riding hat, comfortable | | | | lunch followed by a siesta! |
| trousers and some lightweight gloves and you'll be | | | | |