We regularly visit our rides to ensure that the horses are up to the work required, that they are well fed, groomed and cared for. We also put ALL feedback from guests onto the feedback sections for each ride. We don't filter the comments so this gives you an independent view of the horses and riding. There are many riding holidays we visit which don't make it into the brochure and we would not recommend a ride if we thought the horses were not treated with respect. One of the key benefits you get when booking through in the saddle is the security of knowing you will be riding good quality horses, whether this is on a beach in Spain, through the African bush or high up in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming.

Some of our rides are only suitable for proficient riders while others would suit less experienced riders or even people who have never ridden before. Call us and we will be happy to talk with you about the different holidays. Whatever holiday you choose, you will probably enjoy it more if you ride regularly before you depart.

We have rides which are particularly geared to experienced riders, where you will be given a challenging horse and will have the opportunity for plenty of fast riding.

We've checked out all the rides we feature so we know the horses are well cared for. We only include rides where we are sure that the horses are well treated and that they get plenty to eat. There's nothing worse than arriving at your holiday expecting to go cantering off into the sunset only to find that it's nose to tail pony trekking. For each holiday we can tell you exactly what kind of riding to expect, the breed and size of the horses and their temperament. In some cases we can even suggest a specific horse.

Its also important that you tell us what you want from your riding holiday.

Our aim is find the riding holiday that most closely matches your expectations, so that you come back having had a wonderful time.

Not necessarily, a week's riding can be no more expensive than an equivalent beach holiday. When comparing prices don't forget that most riding holidays are all inclusive so there are very few extra costs when you are on holiday.

And what's more, because we don't add commission onto the cost of any of our rides, you pay the same as if you'd booked direct, but with the extra security, firstly that the holiday has been checked and secondly, that your money is safe because we are bonded with ATOL and ABTA.

No, all our rides are abroad. For rides in the UK we suggest you use the British Horse Society recommended establishments. If you want to take your own horse on holiday then we advise you contact Bridle Rides. Or for self guided rides in Wales try Free Rein.

Some of our holidays are geared towards families and others are suitable only for adults. For many people who book with us it is important who else is on the ride and because our holidays are mostly small groups we can often give you a good idea of who else will be with you.

Some of our rides are suitable for beginners or novices; however if your partner really doesn't want to ride then we can direct you to a holiday where there will be lots of other things to do such as walking, fishing, biking, swimming or sights to see. On some holidays we can offer a reduced rate for non-riders.

The group size can be anything from one person to over 20 (although a group size this large is rare).

Some rides will confirm if there is just one person booked. Others require a minimum group size of anything between two to six people.

The maximum group size varies from place to place. On some rides the maximum is six guests plus guides. A usual maximum is 12 guests but some destinations like Namibia and India run with groups of up to 16. In California there can be even more riders, which can be really exciting and of course sociable (you are subdivided into smaller riding groups).

It is not always possible for us to guarantee who else will be in your riding group because, on some rides, clients may book through other tour operators and there can be last minute cancellations or bookings which change the makeup of the group.

If the group size is important to you, then please check with us before you book. What one person would like; another would hate.

A definite yes.

Let us know what you are looking for. On some rides the group sizes are small and the ride may even be confirmed for one person. On others you would join a group of riders from all over the world but with one thing in common - a love of horses.

On many of the holidays there is no single supplement if you are willing to share.

Safety is a prime consideration when we select which holidays to feature and all of our holidays are run by experienced guides and horse handlers. While this doesn't mean that you won't be allowed to go any faster than a trot, in most cases the speed of the ride is determined by the terrain. We will however insist that you have adequate insurance cover before you go on any of our holidays and we recommend, for your own protection, that you wear a hard hat.

English is the main language used by the guides on almost all of our rides and so you don't need to be able to speak any of the local language.

In some countries the main horse guide may not speak English and there will be an interpreter along with the group to translate.

However, it is possible that the hotel or guesthouse owners may not speak English and your back-up guide may not speak English and so it will make a huge difference to your overall holiday experience if you are able to learn a few words of the local language so that you can at least say "thank-you" to your backup guide.

It is possible that your fellow riders may not speak English as a first language but English is the usual common language in the evenings on our rides.

The prime considerations are safety and comfort, rather than style. For each ride we will provide you with a recommend "What to Bring list". If you are a regular rider then you will probably already have everything on the list. Choice of footwear is one of the most common questions and for most rides we suggest ankle boots with a rubber sole. If you do need to purchase something, Performance Equestrian have an excellent web site where you can order a range of equipment including hats, boots and jodhpurs, all designed for maximum comfort on long rides. Some items can take a while to arrive so please order in plenty of time.

The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) have a useful web site on staying healthy abroad. If you can't find the information here, please email us and we will be pleased to help.

Embassy World have contacts for embassies worldwide.

Visa and passport information is also available by entering your nationality, country of departure, destination and any countries visited on transit.

If you need to renew or apply for a passport contact the UK Passport Agency. This site also has detailed information on visas, travel advice and contact details for people needing a passport in a hurry.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides regular updates on travel, including political stability and risks to personal health.