Mary who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Invigorating, inspiring and warm experience | We were thoughtfully matched to our horses.
The overall speed and adventurousness of the riding were controlled by the level of experience of the riders. Our pace became more adventurous as the days and our confidence progressed. We were consulted at all times and always felt safe.
The terrain was stunning.

Charlie who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Amazing holiday | The riding was challenging but really enjoyable. The horses are very well cared for and super fit and agile. We were able to cover a lot of different terrains and the setting was really stunning. Because it’s a desert, there are lots of wide open spaces and the guides don’t micromanage you. I learnt a lot and my riding got a lot better over the week. The length of the rides was ideal for me with around 3 hours each morning and 2-2.5 hours in the afternoon. Despite the long lunch breaks I was never bored and loved being out in the desert, away from civilisation.

Jennifer (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Everything was wonderful | Bashar, our guide, was exceptional. We were riding as a small group and he took every care to ensure that we were all safe and happy. He checked the tack of each horse before we set off at the start of each stage. We also had regular water stops with our support driver Badr. The horses were sure-footed over terrain which was challenging at times. They were all strong, forward going, responsive and well-mannered. Saleem was in regular contact with the staff and also came out to join us at several points on the trek.

Joanna who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Incredible riding with a rich cultural experience | The riding was incredible. The horses were so agile, clambering up rocks like mountain goats and then navigating steep sand dunes - you only realise how tough that is on the legs when you try to walk through the sand yourself!

The horses are bred for endurance riding and are so well atune to their environment. My horse was young, but very calm in the walk and a lot of fun during the canters and gallops (where terrain permitted). I felt safe and in control the whole time. She was a lovely mare who had her ears pricked the whole time and was clearly enjoying her job.

It is hot riding towards the end of the morning so I really recommend wearing a buff or similar so you can pull it up over your face as it gets hot, long sleeved shirts for sun protection and factor 50 are a must in the desert climate. I also took electrolyte tablets to pop in my water to prevent dehydration which was really helpful.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We are so pleased that you had such a fantastic time in Jordan].

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!

Anna who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. 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 9 In The Saddle rides. One of Life's Grand Adventures | Excellent

Julie (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) I had the most amazing time | Saleem and his team were great, and the horses were super. I had a particularly feisty little fellow who was young and had a more challenging nature, and I absolutely loved forming a bond with him over the 6 days as we got to know each other well! I was delighted to ride where it felt we had the desert all to ourselves, riding together as a group chatting and laughing, as well as enjoying some peaceful riding with the group, but not constrained to a line or formation, to take in the stunning landscape. We had plenty of canters and it was a very happy balance between fast and exhilarating, and gentle to enjoy the surrounds - and say hello to the Camels we came across along the way!

It’s not for the inexperienced or faint hearted - and that’s why I loved it! A truly authentic exploration of the country’s stunning history and sights, with an incredible experience of the desert on lovely, very well looked after and loved horses. And the dead sea was much appreciated after our days in the saddle to ease the muscles and wash the sand off!

Hanne who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. It was a fantastic ride in beautiful surroundings with a fantastic guide.

Annie (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) It was obedient and I felt safe when I rode.
It wasn't quite fast enough compared to the pace in walk, so I had to trot a lot of the time to keep up, and it was tiring over a longer period of time.

Katy who has been on 11 In The Saddle rides. To ride in the desert and sleep under the stars was an experience I will never forget. | The riding was fast paced but the canters relatively short due to the impact on the horses legs when riding on sand. We usually had about two canters in the morning and two in the afternoon. The horses have a lot of energy and a very forward walk and will often go between a forward walk and a gentle 'jog'. It can be tiring if this is your first time riding a forward Arab horse (as it was for me), but a great experience. You will need to find your seat bones quickly! The saddles were very comfortable with fleece seat savers. A long lunch break allows you to rest in the hottest part of the day.

Natasha (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Very enjoyable | Excellent

Jo who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. Just Awesome! | Great fast, group ride (not in an orderly single file) over varied terrain on keen Arabian horses. Not for the faint hearted or less experienced.

Tam who has been on 24 In The Saddle rides. Fast riding through fabulous desert scenery on beautiful forward-going Arabian horses and sleeping under vast starlit skies. | The horses are spirited, as you would expect of Arabs, and some are surprisingly young but well trained. The riding is fast at times (depending on the terrain), in wide open spaces and you are not riding in a controlled line - which is why it's fun, of course - so you need to be a confident rider and aware of other horses around you.

Amy who has been on 15 In The Saddle rides. Rewind and repeat - I’d go again tomorrow! | Absolutely. Not everyone had experience riding in a group but Osama did a great job educating. Riding Amira I was usually in front and seeing the scenery through her ears took my breath away. Letting her out during our race was a highlight - I think she could have gone for miles at speed.