Christine who has been on 8 In The Saddle rides. Hugely pleasurable enjoyable experience, in gorgeous surroundings on very well schooled horses | Having been on this holiday a few times before, you worry whether it is going to meet your expectations.

If did the holiday is run very smoothly with guests catered for every step of the way.

the riding was very enjoyable and the speed and variation just right

Alice (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Unforgettable and way above expectations! | The riding was very varied, each day was different. Most of the time is spent walking, but the horses are so forward going this is not tedious. The scenery is so breathtaking that there is plenty to look at, and there are some technical areas where the sure-footedness of the horses is really tested. The first couple of days were a bit more steady, but this gave us time to get used to the horses and their way of going. There were loads of opportunities for a good canter or gallop, and the horses were fantastic and really obedient.

The riding is not for the faint hearted, and it is fast over varied terrain. You need to be comfortable and competent to get the most out of it!

Claire (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) The most amazing adventure that somehow far exceeded expectations! | I can't find the words to properly describe how utterly amazing our experience at Rocking Z was. The location, the people, the horses; all of it far exceeded expectations. There was a herd of 100 horses (with one born the morning we arrived!) all of which were known inside out by everyone at Rocking Z and were provided with 5* care. We were amazed at how they chose horses to suit each of us so well, some that intentionally looked after and gave confidence to riders, others that challenged our riding skills in a really positive way. Everything went at a pace we were comfortable with for our riding abilities. The trails were plentiful with breathtaking views and opportunities to 'lope' regularly if you wanted to and a couple of really good gallops on the all day ride which ordinarily would scare the life out of me but on an wide open track and finishing on a mountain top it was literally and metaphorically a being on top of the world moment! We had a go at barrel racing and on one day we got to be real cowboys and helped drive the herd of 60 cattle across the mountain and river to a holding pasture. Although I knew there would be more than just trail riding (although you could just trail ride if you wanted), I was absolutely blown away by the additional activities. Anna's knowledge of the workings of both horse and human bodies and the effect on riding is next level, I really enjoyed the bio-mechanics session she led. Equally Maria's 'Ride to My Focus' and Justi's 'Liberty training' were so interesting and we got to try these methods for ourselves with the RTMF being slightly emotional for several of us! (which sounds crazy but if you're horsey you'll get it!). I didn't expect to learn so much and in the words of Bridget who has worked on the ranch for 8 years, I've added some new tools to my horsey toolbox. Overall this really was the ultimate horse riding holiday.

Vivien who has been on 46 In The Saddle rides. Stunning scenery | This is the third Namibia horse safari I have completed so knew what to expect. There were many long, frequent canters that were wonderful to do, especially when the terrain opened up during the second half of the ride. We also had some super canters on the beach on the last day as the tide was out (lucky timing).

[Abbie from ITS replies: We are so pleased that you enjoyed your return visit to Namibia - this time to explore stunning Damaraland. Thank you for your lovely review.]

Natteleigh (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Amazing experience! | There was a good mixture of walk trot and canter depending on the route you took each day and the terrain. The riding was a great experience and the horses know the routes very well.

Naomi (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) An amazing experience | The instructor Ivan, was exceptional in his instruction and riding ability. We not only had the pleasure of being taught by such a knowledgeable and talented instructor but we also had the pleasure of being able to watch him school the horses from youngster's to schoolmasters. He was gentle, understanding and displayed a great level of horsemanship.
The horses welfare and wellbeing was clearly a top priority.

Laura who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. An amazing and wonderful experience | Thoroughly enjoyed the riding on well matched, well looked after, safe horses. Our guides Silas and Canelle were lots of fun while keeping us safe and contributed to a magical experience.

Debbie who has been on 8 In The Saddle rides. Lovely country, fabulous horses and company with some great memories | Beautiful fit, responsive horses. Exceptionally well cared for. They live out as a herd and appear to be very content. Although we were expected to groom and tack up our own horses the guides always picked up if something wasn't quite how they like things done. They also carefully checked over every horse at the end of every day and swapped horses in and out if they had any concerns at all. Both Clive and I were very well matched with our horses - 2 for me and 3 for Clive. The pace was great. Lots of walking to take in the scenery and chat but also plenty of trotting, canters and gallops. They like the horses kept in a line which means it all felt very safe and horses that don't get on so well were separated. Special thanks the Ugne and Nora our guides and Simon the logistics manager. They managed everything so well. We were so impressed with how smoothly everything ran! True professionals.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you for your super feedback. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your return visit to Romania].

Meraney who has been on 24 In The Saddle rides. Great mix of riding and sightseeing on a beautiful green island | We had one day where the expected trip to the North of the island had to be substituted for a second trip local to the Quinta as the horse trailer was not available. This was a shame as we covered very similar ground and missed seeing another part of this very varied island. in general the riding was well thought through to give us something new to experience each day and to show off the variety of terrain on the island,

We sometimes went as a complete ride of eight guests which made instructions and speedy riding harder, especially on trails where people are inline and can't hear at the back. On the days when we split into 2 rides of 4 it was much better for all guests. They did their best to accommodate this where possible

Viooltje who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Disconnecting from outside world in pristine nature | The horses were exceptionally healthy and in excellent condition. They were well-fed, every minor scrape or wound was treated with cream each day, and not a single horse showed any signs of fatigue, even after eight days on the trail.

Rosamund who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Intensive and fun to work on new riding skills | I keep coming back to Alcainca for a full on riding experience. The latest Introduction to Working Equitation was no exception. Mario and Ivan break down exercises and build confidence with incredible attention to detail. Each lesson was different and aimed at improving technique. I totally recommend for a huge feeling of achievement and ideas to take home.

Barbara who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. Exhilarating, fun , contemplative holiday | My second time at Macatoo ( last time 17 years ago ) I had such a good time last time I was slightly concerned it wouldn’t match my last trip . I needn’t have worried as it was absolutely amazing in every way .
Lots of lovely quiet moments in close proximity to undisrupted game expertly patiently guided by Chief . Interspersed with exciting water based canters . Swimming & more peaceful water walks .
The horses were all fit , happy & very willing . We were all well matched with our horses ( we were a group of 10 ) The horses were very well cared for .

June who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Fantastic experience! | The guide was eager to ensure we were all well matched with our horses, and asked for feedback after every ride. Horses were well schooled and a pleasure to ride.

Vivienne (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) A dedicated week of instruction in Portuguese equitation (dressage) | Alcainça Equestrian provides a relaxing and picturesque environment to receive intensive instruction for improvement in equestrian ability and knowledge. The horses are stunning, all proficient and responsive schoolmasters who are clearly well cared-for. There is no doubt that the welfare of the horses takes precedence in all activities at the school.

Two lessons per day were scheduled; a one-to-one in the morning, and then a 3-rider group lesson in the afternoon, which allowed us to perform some drill work. With personalised guidance delivered by experienced instructors who are passionate in their craft, my riding skills improved rapidly and I found myself performing complex lateral movements and certain collected movements which would otherwise have taken years to achieve!

Sally who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Riding through the tropical Lantana! | The riding was great. We had the opportunity to ride different horses, but could also say if we particularly liked a specific one. I liked the fact they were all rested the following day if they had been on a day ride. They all knew their job but still had something about them, they were calm to handle and fun to ride.
The riding was varied both because of the terrains and the weather....lovely sunshine to torrential rain! The island is beautiful, and riding through the 'jungly' bits was amazing, the smell of the flowers was gorgeous. Our guides Bruno, Hugo & Leonie were all great, very friendly and knowledgeable and really wanted us all to have a good time.

Lottie (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Bulgaria surpassed all expectation | The riding was varied, exciting, and expertly paced throughout the holiday. Regular breaks and water stops ensured both riders and horses remained comfortable. Horse welfare was clearly the top priority at all times, with every animal treated with care and never pushed beyond its limits. The quality of the horses was exceptional, and the scenery was simply breathtaking, making for a truly memorable riding experience.

Beverley (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Amazing Bulgaria | The riding/ countryside exceeded my expectations.. As did accommadation/ food etc

Greta (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Exceptional Holiday | The horses are clearly beloved members of the family, not simply working animals. I had the privilege of riding a beautiful Lusitano mare named Mel—Portuguese for "Honey." She was tall, strong, kind, and incredibly willing. Once I found my rhythm riding English, I enjoyed every moment with her—from relaxed walks and energetic trots to canters and, of course, exhilarating gallops! Each day's ride offered completely different scenery and adventures, making every outing feel fresh and exciting. We typically spent three to five hours in the saddle, and I appreciated that horse-and-rider partnerships remained consistent throughout the week while the varying ride lengths allowed the horses plenty of time to rest and recover.

Lauren who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Buena Vista! (Beautiful View!) | The first horse I had (Tonio) was perfect for me but then I had Rumi for 2 days who was only 4 years old and he was rather difficult for me to handle in various situations because he was a baby (he was very spooky whilst I was wearing a poncho for instance and wouldn't stand to be mounted). I also tried Benito who was great for me too though fairly spooky with buses - but you can't have everything!

One day one of mum's horses (Caracol) got a bit saddle sore and I saw a few saddle sore marks (white hairs on the withers) on a few horses when we brought them in which is why I knocked them down a touch. However the horses had 2 rest days for every 2 work days which we appreciated and apprently they were to have 2 months off after we'd been.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you for your lovely feedback. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at the superb Hacienda Zuleta].

Rebecca who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Amazing riding experience | I had 7 lessons and rode a different horse each time, which was great to help me adapt and adjust my riding. My instructor Hannah was lovely and very encouraging.

Jo who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. Dream Dressage Experience | The riding experience was excellent. The horses were beautifully trained, varied and a pleasure to ride, and the instruction was of a very high standard. Bernardo, in particular, was outstanding! I may have developed a holiday romance for a chestnut stallion - THE best lesson I’ve ever had!

I had 6 lessons on 6 different horses and worked on flying changes, travers, leg yield, shoulder-in, passage, piaffe, tempi changes and more!

There are just a few suggestions that I think could make the experience even better. It would have been nice if the lessons had been split more evenly between the covered arena and the outdoor school. Five of my six lessons took place in the covered arena, and it wasn’t until I specifically asked that I had the opportunity to ride outdoors, while some other guests had already been using it.

On a couple of occasions, one rider in the group understandably required considerably more support from the instructor. This meant there were periods of around 20–25 minutes where I was waiting with little or no instruction, and by the time the lesson returned to me it was quite difficult to pick up where I’d left off. As a result, I felt I only received around 15–20 minutes of meaningful tuition in those sessions. We mentioned this to the team at Monte Velho during the trip, and they were absolutely fantastic—very understanding, accommodating and keen to improve the experience.

One additional suggestion would be to have a short consultation with each rider at the beginning of the week. Discussing individual goals, strengths and areas for development before the first lesson would help tailor the training from the outset and make the experience even more personalised.

[Olwen from In The Saddle replies - we are so pleased that you enjoyed the instruction at Monte Velho. We have also forwarded your very constructive comments to the team at Monte Velho. I know they already try to do everything you suggest but it is good that they are reminded. Thank you].

Arabella who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Amazing | The riding was great. There was a choice of different rides to do every day. I particularly loved the mountain rides with fast lopes to and from the mountains and some fun rocky paths to various passes.
My horse (Forest) was amazing, sure-footed, gentle and forward going. We had some great (very) fast lopes together.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you for your lovely feedback. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time in Arizona].

Monica who has been on 35 In The Saddle rides. Fantastic. | I learned to ride at 40! Found Los Alamos 25 years ago and return at least 3 times a year. Everything about it makes me happy.

Louise who has been on 20 In The Saddle rides. Fantastic as always | Fully met my expectations as been several times and each time excellant

Dija who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. 10/10 - Fabulous ride through rural Uganda | The rides were so varied and the horses are fit and a joy to ride. I’ve only ever done a true gallop a few times in my life, and it was great fun to turn it up a bit.

My mum had Sputhern Comfort, who’s a real gentleman and gave her the most wonderful ride and totally took care of her. The first full day had some long canters and gallops and she’d be the first to admit she’s not this kind of riding fit. So she took it a bit easier and Nat and TJ were so accommodating, letting her ride until she was knackered and/or feeling broken and then picking her up in the jeep and taking her to meet us later in the day. We both really appreciated the extra care they took to make sure she had a fantastic holiday too.

I rode Hunters Gold, who is an absolute superstar. I would trust that little horse with my life. I am going to miss him so much.

We rode through towns and villages, tea, coffee and sugar plantations which are slowly nibbling away at the rainforest , a peninsula of Lake Victoria, the Mabira forest where we saw the rare grey cheeked managabey monkey in three different places, we galloped through villages with children cheering us on, been chased by cows, seen the huge variety of fruit and veg that grows in this fertile soil - avocado, pineapple, bananas, passion fruit, corn, pumpkins and more, watched people making the clay bricks for their homes, ridden along the banks of the Nile and swum with the horses. Had a Ugandan spray tan from the red dusty gallops which tinged us all a shade of red.

It was a wonderful experience, lots of memories made on what will be my mums last big ride. She’s going to stick to more sedate stuff now she’s in her 70s I hope to come back for round two. Big thank you to Nat, TJ, Laura, Moses, Jeremiah and the rest of the team who showed us such care and kindness.

Philip who has been on 11 In The Saddle rides. Magical locations and fabulously great horse riding | The horse riding was varied each day, riding two differnt horses over various terrain, often at a walk, but fast gallops where the terrain allowed.

Zoe who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous!! | It was fabulous to fulfill my dream of riding a Lusitano stallion! I had an hour lesson every morning, with one lovely hack as extra on one of days.. then I could explore surrounding area with non riding husband and hire car, or relax in afternoons!
The instructors were very knowledgeable and all the horses were amazing! It was also great to see their Olympic dressage rider ride and train! Horsey heaven!

[Abbie from ITS replies: We are so pleased that you both enjoyed your time at lovely Monte Velho. Thank you for your super feedback].

Thomas who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. A good place to go | Good

Lene (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) I think they were testing me out for the first 2-3 lessons. The horses clearly got better and better as she saw that I was able to handle them.
I had a really nice and skilled instructor, but looking back I have to admit that I had my nose turned up for a professional rider who could really have suited me.
Hanna was nice, but when I booked the trip I was looking for professional Portuguese instruction.

Samantha (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Wonderful | The riding met all expectations.
Horses were in good condition and well cared for.
This is always a concern of mine when seeing horses abroad.
I asked for forward going horses and got exactly as I asked for.

Belinda who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Love galloping through the water, while giraffes look on. | This ride is one of my favorites. Riding in the flood waters of the Okavango is amazing and something you can't get anywhere else. Abundant wildlife is everywhere. You are able to ride very close to the wildlife. I never tire of seeing lots of elephants and giraffe. We were lucky enough to see wild dogs, close up, as well as riding within a few feet of hyena. The option of a game drive allows one to get close to lion and elephants. I also love the option of an afternoon boat ride. It was wonderful. The 'tents' are nicer than some homes, with wifi, indoor and outdoor showers and flush loo. Every tent has a huge deck overlooking the flood plain. Watching 'Eddy" the local elephant , sloshing and feeding in the water, a few feet from our deck was incredible. I just loved it!
[Olwen from In The Saddle - I am so glad that you enjoyed your return visit to the magical Okavango Delta and got to experience it in full flood.]

Debbie who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Breathtaking trail riding week | Riding exceeded expectations- some very fast open gallops on most days when terrain allowed. High level of safety checks and very well organised.