Reviews
912 reviews    1 2 3 29
Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Ant's Nest

5 star rating   18 March 2024

Catherine who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Another fabulous holiday at Ant’s Nest. | Excellent


Quinta do Rol - Portugal

Quinta do Rol

5 star rating   17 March 2024

Amelie who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Fantastic dressage training on Lusitano horses | The trip was absolutely incredible. It was everything I’ve always hoped for in riding and haven’t been able to find before. Riding Lusitano horses has been a revelation for me. They are everything I’ve always dreamt for in a horse, forward and ultra-responsive while being quiet and safe, super smart, perfect size for me and a lovely temperament. Perfect schoolmasters! All the horses I rode were amazing and they all taught me something different. All three trainers were really great too, again teaching me different things and constantly pushing me to improve. I got to ride piaffe, passage, Spanish walk, flying changes and one-tempis for the first time, which was incredible and a lot more than I ever expected I’d be able to do!


Wait A Little - South Africa

Ride and Dine Safari

5 star rating   16 March 2024

Rochelle (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Wild animals, fun and food | Got so close to the animals would have liked to be able to have more open canters


Quinta do Rol - Portugal

Quinta do Rol

4 star rating   9 March 2024

Ashley who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Memorable | Beautiful horses and great trainers and grooms
I was lucky enough to ride experienced advanced horses and also some not used in the school much yet due to the stage of their education so great variety.
We were not asked about if we wanted to do anything other than lessons. When we did ask for a hack it was soon accommodated and one of us wanted an inhand lesson which they quickly organised too
We couldn’t use the gym as used as storage and we were told couldn’t use the pool either.


Footsteps of Lawrence - Jordan

Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea

5 star rating   4 March 2024

Hanne who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. It was a fantastic ride in beautiful surroundings with a fantastic guide.


Explore Winter - Sweden

Explore Winter and Ice Hotel

5 star rating   2 March 2024

Debs who has been on 6 In The Saddle rides. ABSOLUTELY MARVELOUS !! | Don't be fooled by their size, these Icelandic ponies would put a 17hh warmblood to shame.
Our ponies were strong enough to carry us, forward going, very light to the aids, sensible and well adapted to their surroundings and snowy terrain.

They were polite in the stables to groom and tack up. Responding to gentle aids to ask them to move over, pick up a foot etc. They came to call and led in willingly from their paddocks.

Because they had the natural freedom to interact and play in their paddocks, they all just seemed to rub along together. Amiable, well-adjusted and happy ponies !


Estancia Los Potreros - Argentina

Estancia Los Potreros

4 star rating   1 March 2024

Katrine who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Los Potreros | Fantastic surroundings, which however become a bit monotonous after a few days. However there were various experiences that helped with that, including helping to drive cattle, capturing some of the horses and a polo day. Also a good thing is that you ride criollo/polo horses in the morning and paso horses in the afternoon.

Some horses had girth wounds but the guides were very aware of this and moved the girth if it was on it. However, they had no ointment or similar to treat with.


Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Ant's Hill

5 star rating   29 February 2024

Liz who has been on 21 In The Saddle rides. Fantastic! | Great range of horses, I rode 5 during the holiday. They offer horses to suit every level from complete beginner right up to livelier horses for charging about on. You can bring along non-riding friends and they can have a go too! A novice rider was being taught to canter while she was staying there, which she was loving. The riding varies slightly according to which lodge you pick (we stayed at both). As a nervous rider I felt super-safe, and the horses aren't at all fazed by the wildlife. They're very sure-footed on the steeper tracks.


Monte Velho - Portugal

Monte Velho

5 star rating   29 February 2024

who has been on In The Saddle rides. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience! | Top marks for excellent riding instruction with their highly trained and well cared for horses in a stunning location and modern facilities. I was particularly impressed with the trail rides not just for the sheer beauty of the landscape and incredible horses but also because you get to choose the pace so you can really test yourself as a rider and have a lot of fun!


Ol Donyo Lodge - Kenya

Ol Donyo Lodge

5 star rating   28 February 2024

Debbie who has been on 16 In The Saddle rides. Cantering in Vast African Spaces | Although I was a repeat rider at Ol Donyo, stable managers change and Laura was new to me. Despite her youth I was impressed with her knowledge of each and every horse and after chatting with me she found my dream horse - Narok. As a "senior" rider, sporting two brand new hips, I wanted security but not boredom and Narok, at 20, delivered. Laura got it just right and I forgot I was so ancient!


Horses, Dunes & Nomads - Morocco

Horses, Dunes & Nomads

4 star rating   25 February 2024

Birgit (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Unforgettable | Good


Monte Velho - Portugal

Monte Velho

5 star rating   24 February 2024

Jacquie who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. Excellent dressage training | All the instructors are very passionate and professional. The horse welfare is expectational.


Tierra del Fuego - Argentina

Mitre Peninsula

5 star rating   23 February 2024

Katrine who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Tierra del Fuego | My horse was a little older (it was his last ride) and he therefore lacked a bit of muscle, which meant that the saddle and girth did not fit so well. He therefore got a girth wound on the first day (and had scars from others) and had to have some extra equipment on both the front and back which meant that the girth could not move. It was nice that they put it on him, but a bit of a shame that he had to get a wound already on the first day. Otherwise, he was a lovely responsive horse, very surefooted and good in all gaits!


Macatoo - Botswana

Riding Safari

5 star rating   23 February 2024

Beverley who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Once in a lifetime amazing experience! | All of the horses were fabulous.


Los Alamos - Spain

Short Break

5 star rating   22 February 2024

David who has been on 10 In The Saddle rides. Excellent


Monte Velho - Portugal

Monte Velho

5 star rating   21 February 2024

Rebecca who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Educational and enjoyable in top-class accommodation | I went to Monte Velho with no experience of dressage, although I would have said I was a strong intermediate horse rider for trails and cross country. This was very far outside my comfort zone but the instructors were very patient with me. Fellow guests were also very encouraging, despite all being substantially more experiences. The horses are beautiful.


Estancia Los Potreros - Argentina

Estancia Los Potreros

5 star rating   18 February 2024

Jane who has been on 17 In The Saddle rides. Best adventure ever in Argentina | I could not be happier with the riding I experienced at Los Potreros. During my stay I rode 14 different horses, all wonderfully comfortable and well mannered, and the pasos were to die for! Soooo smooth and comfortable. If I had stayed longer there were more horses for me to try - I fell in love with all the horses I rode.

The saddles were extremely comfortable for long rides and the care that was taken by the gauchos and guides was second to none. Their passion for their horses and providing guests with nothing but the best experience was so evident.

I rode in the mornings from 10 am until around 2 pm and again in the evenings from 5.30 pm until 7.30 ish. Sometimes we were able to help with work on the farm such as moving cattle or horses for specific reasons and I really enjoyed this. I was also glad that it was a working farm and not events specially put on for the benefit of the guests. Having grown up on a farm it was wonderful to be herding cattle. Made me feel that I was 10 years old again.

Los Potreros more than met my expectations and I would love to go back.


Wild Coast - South Africa

Wild Coast Adventure Trail

5 star rating   17 February 2024

Sarah who has been on 17 In The Saddle rides. Amazing horses, scenery, organisation. Great guides. It had it all. | My horse was perfect for me, forward going but sensible, probably one of the best horses I have been paired with on a trip. The riding was fast with lots of canters on the beach and inland.
I normally don’t return to rides as there are so many new ones to do, but I think I’ll be back.


Wild Coast - South Africa

Wild Coast Adventure Trail

5 star rating   17 February 2024

Adrian who has been on 23 In The Saddle rides. Fantastic fast coastal/ beach trail ride | Excellent quality horses


Explore Winter - Sweden

Explore Winter and Ice Hotel

5 star rating   17 February 2024

Janet who has been on 15 In The Saddle rides. Truly Magical | It was as described


Explore Winter - Sweden

Explore Winter and Ice Hotel

5 star rating   17 February 2024

Julie who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Icy cold outside but a warm glow inside | Less riding than on most ITS holidays but we knew that before we went. Riding the little Icelandic ponies above the arctic circle surrounded by beautiful snow covered scenery was a real treat. Learning how to tolt from the experts was really good.


Explore Winter - Sweden

Explore Winter and Ice Hotel

5 star rating   17 February 2024

Teresa (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Sweden - Explore Winter | I loved the night rides in the snow covered forest. The riding was slower than some trips, but that was because of the snow and the terrain. We did have one fast canter in the snow through the forest that was great fun, and we also did a bit of tolting. We also had a lesson in the arena that was a nice addition to the trail riding. The horses are well cared for and loved.
[Becky from In The Saddle replies: We are so pleased that you had a fun time riding in the snow!]


Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Ant's Nest

5 star rating   12 February 2024

Bob who has been on 11 In The Saddle rides. Never fails to amaze! | I was initially in a mixed abilities group but was taken off for some lovely canters.


Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Ant's Nest

5 star rating   12 February 2024

Hetty who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. A holiday of a lifetime! | Beyond our expectations! My husband only had about 6 lessons before coming. They matched him with appropriate horses and gave him huge amounts of confidence. He was able to keep up with the advanced group and absolutely loved it. We both loved the riding and loved the way that the horses roam free in the reserve.
[Becky from In The Saddle replies: Thank you very much for your feedback and we are so pleased that you had such a wonderful time.]


Los Alamos - Spain

Villa Based Ride

5 star rating   11 February 2024

Dani (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) A truly special holiday | Excellent


Serengeti Migration Safari - Tanzania

Serengeti Migration Safari

5 star rating   11 February 2024

Sophie who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Serengeti Migration Safari - there are no words… | The horses were all fantastic, so well matched for each rider and so clearly cared for and loved by every member of the team.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We're absolutely thrilled that you had such a great return visit to Tanzania.]


Serengeti Migration Safari - Tanzania

Serengeti Migration Safari

5 star rating   11 February 2024

Melita who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. A fantastic holiday with fabulous riding and animal sightings and experiences | The riding was fabulous. We were well guided in preparation for hazards we might expect (holes, thorns etc). Their ability to navigate across the Serengeti savannah was was amazing.
It was quite fast paced and in every way met, indeed exceeded expectations.
We were massively fortunate with the weather and the incredible numbers of animals we saw.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you very much for your super feedback. We're really pleased that you enjoyed your return visit to Tanzania].


Los Alamos - Spain

Villa Based Ride

5 star rating   11 February 2024

Rachel who has been on 26 In The Saddle rides. Perfect riding holiday | All riders were beautifully matched to their ability. I rode a few different horses this week and loved them all. The horses are fantastic as is the organisation and guides. Thank you Rachel, Jose and Roberto for looking after me so well.


Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Ant's Nest

5 star rating   5 February 2024

Sara who has been on 8 In The Saddle rides. Wonderful holiday | Lovely, fit well trained horses who know and really enjoy their job.


Ol Donyo Lodge - Kenya

Ol Donyo Lodge

5 star rating   5 February 2024

Suzanne who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Magical Once in a Lifetime Experience | All riders have their priviate guides. I would let the guide know what pace and how long of a ride I would like to do. When my husband came along we went much slower. Everything is so personalized. The horses are incredibly cared for and you could tell how much they loved them. I fell in love with my horse who was perfect for me and my husband also had an incredible horse. We also had our personal game driver who was so incredible. We designed what we wanted to do each day. If my hubby and our guide went hiking but I rode, we would meet up somewhere special. It was so incredible how personalized EVERYTHING was.


White Stallion Ranch - Arizona

White Stallion Ranch

4 star rating   4 February 2024

Vikki who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Taste of Wild West | It was lovely to have an opportunity to try riding in a Western saddle, however this is not a holiday for experienced riders. The lopes/canters were short and none of the rides were out for their advertised time. We were incredibly lucky as met up with some other competent riders and asked to ride out with them at all times, but being with total novices would have been a frustrating experience and the majority of guests on the ranch were no novices having never ridden before. The horses were well matched to riders, my husband and I got exactly the sort of horses we had requested. Some of their hooves were a bit long in the toe, and horses were not groomed particularly well but standards in US are different to those at home.


Winter Ride - Romania

Winter Ride

5 star rating   3 February 2024

Amanda who has been on 14 In The Saddle rides. A winter wonderland | This was my 3rd trip to Equus but my first in the snow.
Inevitably the riding is not as fast as at other times of the year but we enjoyed plenty of canters and the experience of riding through the spectacular winter landscape is something I’ll never forget.


912 reviews    1 2 3 29