Natalia (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Breathtaking! | Best horses and best guides! Riding trails were amazing!!!! 🙂 tremendously enjoyed all hacks!

Mandy who has been on 6 In The Saddle rides. My happy place!! | The horses at Ants are looked after fantastically with care and applied knowledge. They really have the best life living out in the reserve. The guides are all excellent and really friendly people. They take great care to match the horses and the rides with individuals.

Debbie (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Very good, exactly as described. | I enjoyed the riding although had forgotten that when riding in a group when one horse trots or canters they all do. The horses were well used to the routes and tended to anticipate trot and canter.

Emma who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. North Macedonia | Both horses I got to ride were fantastic, albeit very different. First I got Erdo, a small (~135 cm) Balkan mountain horse, and then Jafar, a somewhat larger (~165 cm) more sporty type. They were both well-trained and responsive and fantastic fit.

The riding itself was demanding, and the guide Vasko could well say that now we should ride our horses little more, and not just let our horses follow each other's tails. In addition, the route included both a lot of riding uphill, and just as much downhill, which was a bit hard on my knees.

You ride in western saddles, and that requires a slightly different riding style than I'm used to.

However, the route is beautiful, the landscape is very varied, the biodiversity is high and there is the opportunity for some fantastic, long canters on horses that always felt in control (and it makes you completely forgetting about your sore knees).

Joanna who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Lovely forward going horses | I rode two horses during my holiday who were both forward going and a great match for me - I feel I got exactly the type of horse I like to ride who also enjoyed being at the front like I do.

I felt the riding in the forest became a bit samey - although the forest was beautiful with all the spring flowers out. The beach riding was fab and a real highlight

The horses were all lovely and well cared for. The riding operation is well organised by Rachel.

Whilst I understand that the amount of riding offered was as advertised I personally would have liked a bit more riding for a week's holiday.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thanks so much for your thorough feedback. It is great that you enjoyed your allocated horses and rate your week as Good overall. Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your holiday.]

Judena (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Memorable fantastic experience | Our guide Mohammed was a consummate horseman. Friendly, quiet and courteous he gave confidence to both horse and rider. He got the balance right every time between a marvellous sense of adventure and never feeling unsafe. We travelled across such varied and fascinating terrain. Totally first rate. The horses were superb- calm, responsive, sure footed - and very handsome! They are really well looked after.

Shelby who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. This was a great ride. The highlight was the horses. They were smart, responsive and fun to ride.

Sissel who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Perfekt rideferie også når du reiser alene.
Perfect riding holiday even when you are traveling alone. | Hestene er veldig godt trent og fine å ri. Jeg fikk prøve 4 forskjellige denne gangen og har funnet en favoritt!
The horses are very well trained and nice to ride. I got to try 4 different ones this time and have found a favorite!

Alison (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) An incredibly beautiful & relaxing holiday in the mountains of Crete | The rides were breathtaking with a nice level of trust in the rider. They exceeded my expectations.

Emmeline (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Amazing! | The riding was spectacular, tailored to the group and the guides really know how to match the horses to the guests. All of the guides were knowledgable and kind, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the riding here! The terrain was varied with plenty of lovely long canters. I really felt well looked after as a solo traveller

Sophie who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous relaxing holiday | Beautiful hacking routes, obedient and responsive horses

who has been on In The Saddle rides. An adventure that exceeded expectations! | Moolmanshoek is a stunning place to visit. It may not have the big game, but it has so much more to offer. The horses are incredible and negotiate the steep ascents and descents as if they were mountain goats! As someone who doesn't have the best head for heights, the riding was both challenging and amazing in equal measures, but I put my trust in the horses that I rode and they didn't let me down. I am in awe of what they can actually do! It wasn't all up and down the mountains though, we also explored the pastures and the valley, mingled with the game, cantered on the miles of endurance tracks that they have there and just enjoyed the beauty of the reserve. Wiesman and Lindy were both excellent guides who helped to make our adventure complete.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you - we loved getting your feedback on Moolmanshoek and are really pleased that you enjoyed your trip].

Leslie who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. One of the Best! | Well-behaved and well-trained horses - a joy to ride!

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you for your lovely feedback. We're so pleased that you enjoyed your time at Los Potreros].

Alice (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Fantastic | The riding was superb. All of the horses were forward but sensible and very well matched to each rider.

Judith who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous riding | Felt so comfortable and safe on all the horses I rode. The horses were all well mannered and seemed happy. I loved the simplicity of letting them roam off after riding - what a good idea.
The guides were knowledgeable and fun.

Janette who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Magical place and fantastic riding with beautiful well behaved horses. The saddles are very comfortable and rides the right pace and duration for intermediate to experienced riders. We loved it! Definitely coming back. | I hadn’t ridden for 6 months and so Rachel gave me a horse that was more mature to ride. The younger me would have probably liked to gallop faster but I knew my competence at the moment! You never know it may change! I loved it and definitely want to go back.

Barak who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Perfect! | Excellent

Jacqueline who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Surpassed my expectations! | I was matched with a beautiful gelding, Marlboro, who I hit it off with instantly! A really gorgeous, endearing horse to both handle and ride. I loved this ride, it had everything, starting with the visit to Petra, then riding in the most beautiful and spectacular scenery which felt other worldly at times, and finishing off with a visit to the Dead Sea and Mount Nebu. The support crew were so kind and helpful, and the food was out of this world - all fresh tasty food - I really don't know how they managed it!

I was a bit hesitant to book given the instability in the region, but I needn't have worried, and the people of Jordan are so welcoming and hospitable. This really is a bucket list ride and surpassed my expectations!

Anne (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Be honest about your riding skills for your own sake. The horses are forwardgoing and strong so if you want a calmer horse, be specific about it when you book. I had to switch horse on day 2 (luckily it was possible to switch with another participant, since we were in the middle of the desert) as the first horse was too strong for me, and only "jogged" at a half trot, so after no walking two days, my back was done). So an extra star for sweet Lucy from "In the saddle", who was on the ride, and wanted to switch with me. After that I rode the most beautiful little gelding, which I had a fantastic rides on, where I enjoyed every minute.

In general, the horses are not classic tourist horses that just follow the horse in front. They are more independent, and each has their own pace. This also makes the horses something very special and fun to ride, and they are not afraid of anything.

They are Arabians, so they go fast at a canter, and they can be difficult to stop, they want to race, so you have to keep your speed down.

I would say that as a rider you should be at least at an intermediate riding level and like forward going horses to get the best out of the ride. The horses are therefore best suited to experienced, not nervous riders because of their speed and strength. It was super exciting to try riding a different type of horse than I am used to.

The horses are looked after really well and it is clear to see that the horses are highly valued by the guide and the team around them.

We probably walked about 90% of the time (we also had the misfortune of a horse in the group going lame on the last day, which can't happen) which was completely fair, as the sand can be heavy for the horses. The canters are fantastic with lots of speed.

Liz (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) I loved being able to ride so far into the remoteness of desert. The scenery was incredible, exceeded all my expectations and being able to visit Petra and other cultural sites at the start and finish of the holiday really enhanced this trip.

Emma who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Bucket list experience that will be hard to top | We had a group of 11, that was a tad too large. All the riders were very capable but it felt like the guide was a little overwhelmed as he wanted very steady canters, when there were lots of opportunities for a more forward ride, which frustrated a lot of us.

Deborah who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Petra - a bucket list destination with riding thrown in | The riding was through amazing desert scenery. We rode from about 9.30am until 6pm with around a 3 hour (much needed) stop for lunch. We also made some shorter stops on the way to visit water springs, natural rock features ect. The pace was mostly at a very lively walk with some canters (although those on the slower horses would often do short canters to catch up).

The Arab horses are extreamly forward going, some of them preferring to jog instead of walk. Also in the canter there were a few horses that got very excited. I would suggest not "over horsing" yourself if you prefer a more relaxing ride. I found my horse quite challenging, he did always stop, but it took me a couple of days to figure out how to keep him more chilled and really bond with him.

Mike who has been on 8 In The Saddle rides. One of Life's Grand Adventures | Excellent

Zazi who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Like a God in Macedonia ~ The Dionysus trail as it's meant to be | Excellent

Catherine who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Excellent as ever | Excellent

Gemma (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Amazing!! | Had not ridden properly for over 30 years.(except 6 lessons before holiday). Was given a couple of quite steady horses to begin with then progressed onto more forward horses which was ideal. Enabled me to be sure I was happy back in the saddle going faster.
Really enjoyed being back in the saddle.

Robin who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Amazing | This is an amazing place, bathing with the youngsters in their herd and natural environment was almost as amazing as the riding lessons. The food is great, it feels like a home from home.... We will be going back again soon.

Joanne who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous | Another beautiful trip to los alamos to ride precious horses

Fiona (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) A magical dream come true | This riding was fantastic. The scenery, the horses, the guides and the Gaucho's were the best ever. The horses were amazing and so calm, well trained, sure footed and kind. All the horses I rode were amazing and it was hard not to have a favorite. The skill they have in climbing up and down the mountains was fabulous and cantering across the plains was brilliant .

Jackie who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Dressage training experience exceeded expectations | Amazing highly trained Lusitanos with very good instructors. A variety of horses that you can ride different ones or request the same horse if you prefer.
Immaculately turned out and everything done for you so you just concentrate on riding and enjoying the facilities.
Fortunately an indoor school with good viewing facilities so it didn’t matter that it rained.

Ira who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Brilliant all round | Excellent instructors and very well schooled and well looked after horses. Couldn’t have asked for more.

Sophie (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Was an unreal experience which I highly recommend to others. A wonderful choice of different levels of riding catering for all in addition to other activities or relaxing in the spa. | Excellent