Margaret who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. The best horse riding safari experience | This was a dream come true after 2 years of waiting. The 3 horses I rode were wonderful and lovely characters. I always wanted to canter on an African Plain and had a great experience. We had a riding assessment to see how we rode at the school at the stables. It was fantastic to get close to many types of antelope (impala, Gazelles, and Okapi), we saw giraffe, zebras, cheetah, an elephant, warthogs, many type of birds all from horseback. The wonders of riding up to a bush breakfast (a first for me) added to the magic of the place and the peace and quiet made this so memorable.

Carol who has been on 14 In The Saddle rides. An incredible experience | The horses are superbly fit and very well cared for.

Vivien who has been on 41 In The Saddle rides. Making memories | We had some wonderful game viewing, I couldn't believe how relaxed the game were, just kept on chewing the grass and letting us watch them close up. We had some full on long, speedy canters along the tracks and went for a swim with the horses but, best of all, we took part in an impromptu game capture session, complete with helicopter (vet hanging off the side with his dart gun at the ready). I'm not sure how helpful I was but it was the best fun ever! So exciting and different from any other riding experience I've ever had. That memory will last with me forever, seriously good fun, and we actually caught some of the intended game as well, which always helps!

Paddy who has been on 6 In The Saddle rides. A week of adventure into an unspoilt and stunning part of South Africa with fast paced riding. | The ride exceeded our expectations on many levels.
The scenery was stunning with long sandy beaches, rocky foreshores with grassy headlands set against a backdrop of the roar of the Ocean waves. It was all breathtaking and when you thought you couldn't better the view another spectacular scene appeared.
The sure footed nature of the well trained and responsive very fit horses ensured us an excellent riding holiday. They never seemed to tire despite the long hours with many beach long canters. Julie Anne, our host and ride organiser, runs a very slick operation. Our riding guide, Tertia, was excellent taking great care over our safety at all times and in particular on the many river crossings. However she also ensured that a fast pace was maintained with numerous fast long canters during each day. A huge thanks to Julie Anne and her team.

Sarah who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous | A fabulous ride through the most beautiful part of rural Spain. The horses were excellent, well cared for and the saddles were very comfortable.

Ruth (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Ants lodge - Absolutely fabulous | It far exceeded expectations. We didn't realise how close we would be able to get to all the animals from horse back. It was magical. We also really enjoyed the swimming with the horses in the dam. We did that twice and it was fabulous. The canters were wonderful too.

Sue who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Fantastic ! | Above and beyond all expectations but then this was my second visit !

Diana who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Another fantastic riding holiday at Los Alamos | A fantastic range of horses to suit each rider. Rachel is excellent at matching the individual to the horses. fantastic chances for fast riding on the fire breaks and on the beach.

Milly O who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Stunning ride in the snow | The riding was very enjoyable with lots of canters. The landscape was beautiful with a mix of meadows, rolling hills and valleys all covered with a layer of powdery snow. During the course of the week on the rides I really felt we explored the local area with many of the rides going out in different directions. The horses were quite fresh as we were the first winter ride of the season and appeared very keen to be out in the landscape. My recommendation would be to pack lots of layers to stay warm as I was cold by the end of many of the rides.

Dilys who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Estancia Los Potreros - So good I went there twice! | Yes, but the "average" UK rider, whose experience is of riding schools, arenas, competitions and occasional hacking (but very circumscribed unless you live in certain areas) can have little idea of what to expect - it's as if you own, for a short space of time, your very own 60,000 hectares of ranch, free to roam the wide open spaces at will, without cars or other people. Riding across pampas grass is good for horse and rider, and the horses are well-trained and experienced on the rocky hilly terrain. You really can just sit back and leave them to it. In my normal UK environment I am not the most confident of riders, but there I feel absolutely confident. The landscape is varied and stunning. Every ride is accompanied by a gaucho and one of the English-speaking guides, who are fun company.
Guests who are not riders at all but decide to "try sitting on a horse" often have a wonderful experience. The back of a horse is simply the best way to experience that scenery.

Sandra (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Riding in a snowy winter wonderland on well schooled Icelandic horses - with lots of other exciting experiences | The riding was well planned and enjoyable. The stables were well run, organised and warm (important when its 20 below!). The staff leading the rides were delightful and gave good instructions. They knew the character and abilities of the horses very well and gave tips for each horse. They matched the horses to the individual rider's ability and personality. The horses were healthy and happy and well cared for. No bad behavior and willing. Although I have ridden for years, my husband has only been riding for 6 months and he had a wonderful experience. Tack was well maintained and saddles comfortable. We had 3 lessons while we were there as well as the hacks to help us with the 5 gaited horses. Instruction was excellent. One of the lessons was on the oval track - flying round the track on the ice in tolt and canter... good job the horses had studs! We were joined by a moose on one of our lessons as he ambled across the school. The instruction meant that both my husband and I were able to give the aids to tolt and we also had ground lessons to help with suppleness of the horses.
The hacks through the forests were during the day and night rides ( its dark at around 4pm) Tolting and cantering through forests on crisp snow in the dark with horses we could trust was a fantastic experience. Quite emotional.
While we were there there were parties of tourists from the nearby Ice Hotel - some of them with no experience of riding at all. They all enjoyed their trips out despite never having ridden before and were very well chaperoned and looked after. For the holiday experience we had though, staying at the farm and going out each day, it would be difficult to get the best out of it if you couldn't trot and canter easily before you went. You also bring in the horses, clean and tack them up so knowledge of horse care is needed too. We have our own horses so not a problem but some steeper learning for one of our group - "first catch your horse..."
There was a room filled with hats, balaclavas, wool socks, snow riding boots, padded overalls, wool trousers, jumpers, gloves etc to borrow. No reason to not ride because of the weather. No need to spend loads of money on kit if you don't want to ( though I liked the excuse for a new padded jacket) just good warm base layers needed.
We felt safe with the horses and well cared for by the staff.

Davina who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. What a phenomenal week! | The horses were so well looked after and impeccably behaved. They had horses for every level of ability.

Donna who has been on 40 In The Saddle rides. Fab riding in the sunshine | This was our third visit, which says it all!
Following unprecedented rainfall, we weren't able to fully follow the planned route and instead transferred to the Kob Inn by car and rode the Kob Inn ponies for 2 days whilst our horses remained at Wavecrest. Had a fantastic couple of days riding from KCob Inn which hadn't been expected!
I rode 3 of Julie Anne's horses in addition, which was great to have some variety whilst Phil's horse just loved the water, heading into the waves every time he hit the beach.
All our horses were sure footed and fit.

Michael who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Great | Excellent

Julie who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Safari holiday | All the horses were in lovely condition and all got on with each other too.

Nicola (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Macatoo - The Okavango Delta on horseback is always magical! | Staff were lovely, friendly and knowledgeable, and honestly this made a lot of the trip for me. Katie is great, as is Mod, Bernie, Thabo and Chief. I liked that guides eat and socialise with you beyond riding / guiding. I liked the effort to eat in different locations, and enthusiasm to go out in the car when makes sense (i.e. having seen lions on horseback).
I'd prefer a bit more mixed pace on the riding. It's quite a set formula - 90% walking with a few long canters in the morning or a couple of trots in the evening ride. Horses were also generally wonderful, clearly kept in good healthy condition and happy. Some horses perhaps could benefit from additional schooling.

Caroline who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Macatoo - The most incredible holiday with fantastic horses, stunning wildlife and nature | The riding was fantastic and I was very spoilt in the range of horses I was given. I loved riding them all and they looked after me, but you definitely need to know how to ride as they were forward and sensitive to commands. It exceeded all my expectations and more.

Emma (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Utterly wonderful | The horses were wonderful. Very well behaved and trained, with wonderful personalities. They were chosen very well for each guest. The scenery is fantastic and there was ample opportunities for long canters and gallops. Just perfect!

Jill (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Excellent

Caroline who has been on 18 In The Saddle rides. Azores Green Island Trail - Fantastic ride in a beautiful island | The horses had interesting histories and unique characters, with several having been rescued from difficult circumstances. It was wonderful to see that they had become very good riding horses, highly sensitive and also sensible. They tackled steep hills with no hesitation and were enjoyably relaxed in canter. It's the kind of riding we cannot do in England - lots of climbs and descents and long canters along sand tracks. Bruno, our guide, was remarkably well informed about the local flora and a very entertaining person to spend the day with. He matched us very well to our different riding preferences and styles. It was lovely being able to ride a different horse every day, and also feel sure that each one was getting a good rest after lots of exercise.

Julie who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. A fun and relaxing week with lovely horses, people, scenery and food | I was given Mangas on my first day, I had mentioned I enjoyed riding Icelandic horses and Mangas was about their size! I was pretty nervous as I had not ridden for so long due to lockdown, and Mangas, though he was the Grandma Giles of the equine world, was perfect for me because he just carried on through everything that came his way, sure footed, eager to trot and canter, ignoring any excitement around him, patient with my useless fumbling with his tack and entirely unconcerned with anything that might make a lesser horse shy.

I was really impressed with how fast this little powerhouse walked and easily kept up with the others.

My holiday included 2 hours riding a day and they were very generous with this.

I really enjoyed the rides as they were so interesting, riding up to the cave which we were able to visit inside. (I was impressed with the way the horses were left tethered, probably the safest way I have seen this done.)
Also the ride to the "drowned village" in the lake, up on to the plateau, and through the village which was really fun, as was encountering flocks of sheep with clanging bells and seeing all the different trees. Not to mention 30 griffon vultures coming out of the mist and circling right over our heads.

I really enjoyed the fact we were encouraged to groom, tack up / untack, as I hadn't done this for years and Beau was exceptionally patient in demonstrating this.
The horses were really well cared for and Beau who took us out was among the best guides I have ever had - she was so calm, kind, encouraging - and funny! And of course, always safe.

On my second day I had Olympia, she was a very beautiful mare and had I not been so rusty I would have enjoyed trying more of the horses, but I went back to Mangas from the third day.

The horses happily trot over stony ground that many would baulk at, but they are so used to it...

Rachel who has been on 26 In The Saddle rides. Absolutely perfect | Lovely mix of pottering around the forest with some speedy canters and gallops thrown in, not forgetting the wonderful beach rides.

Hanne (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Very well-schooled horses. Fine instruction.
Conversation equipment can be used to advantage when, like me, you come for the first time and have difficulty hearing, translating and understanding the instructions at the pace they come.

Line who has been on 8 In The Saddle rides. At Quinta Do Rol in Portugal, you ride different horses to learn to feel the horses and thus improve your riding, but they also listen to your wishes. I rode 4 different horses in 10 lessons. The horses are also specialists in various exercises, so depending on whether you want to train flying changes or traverse, the horse is selected for you.

Lucy (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Monte Velho - Riding experience of a lifetime | The school horses were amazing. I experienced GP dressage movements that I had always wanted to do (two time changes, piaffe) on horses that were so generous to a rider who was new to these.

Brian who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Great holiday | Great lessons, but gets a bit crowded when 4 in arena

Rosemary who has been on 41 In The Saddle rides. Consistently good riding and hospitality | My fifth time at Los A, so I knew what to expect. Lovely horses, great people, and a very relaxed atmosphere.

Julie who has been on 12 In The Saddle rides. Los Alamos - Fabulous | Excellent

Sarah who has been on 17 In The Saddle rides. Great horses and scenery with excellent accomodation. | Excellent

Helge who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Ol Donyo Lodge - Value for money | Nice horses very well mannered. They assess your riding capabilities, and recommend horses according to your taste and skills. The riding was made very safe, with one guide riding in front of you and one in the back.

Katie who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous | Those who horse riding know, that the most important is to keep both the horses and the riders safe. It was great to see that the ridings were well planned each day, according to the weather circumstances and the condition of the trails.

Wendy who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. long. long canters ! | this ride offers long.long canters along forest and dirt tracks . There are also lots of very long trots too !
in addition to the tracks there are climbs up and down the hills with some lovely views
The horses are very sure footed, reliable and willing, a real joy to ride .