Reviews
1226 reviews    1 2 3 4 5 39
Balkan Rides - Bulgaria

The Devetaki Plateau

5 star rating   26 October 2024

Jan (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Great riding in beautiful landscapes | The riding and the horse I was assigned did absolutely meet my expectations (10/10). As this was the first time I sat in a saddle after a years break, I was a bit nervous when starting this riding holiday. But, I was matched with the perfect horse (Makarov) who was impeccable, absolutely reliable but still forward going. The riding itself was the perfect mix of walks, trots and canter on great open fields. A minor point I could mention is that the guide horse was rather slow. In the canter this resulted in us sometimes falling back to trot as we tried to stay behind the guide horse. Towards the end of the week my back was increasingly unhappy about that. But this is a minor detail that does not take anything away from the amazing riding I've had!


Macatoo - Botswana

Riding Safari

5 star rating   24 October 2024

Tim who has been on 16 In The Saddle rides. Third visit and as enjoyable as ever | Varied terrain and pace. The horses I rode were honest and workman-like (and one rather more than that). They all do the job.


Estancia Los Potreros - Argentina

Estancia Los Potreros

5 star rating   24 October 2024

Alison (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Estancia Los Potreros | It definitely met expectations- especially loved the Peruvian Paso horses. Had never ridden anything like them before!

[ITS replies: Thank you very much for your feedback on Los Potreros. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay].


Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Lodge Stay

4 star rating   23 October 2024

Kate who has been on 6 In The Saddle rides. Good | I was suprised at the amount of cantering - especially given how hard the ground was. The horses all seemed quite happy with it though.


Learn to Ride in a Week - Azores

Learn to Ride in a Week

5 star rating   21 October 2024

Tibby who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. A magical place to learn to ride | I've sat a saddle since age 4 but I never rode English so I spent a week getting great instruction and also lots of additional hours in the saddle.


Miyak Tribe Trail - North Macedonia

Miyak Tribe Trail

5 star rating   20 October 2024

Deborah who has been on 6 In The Saddle rides. More than just a riding holiday | The riding was great on forward going horses with lots of fast canters (from day 3 onwards), day 1 and 2 are more reserved with is less cantering which I hadnt realised.


Miyak Tribe Trail - North Macedonia

Miyak Tribe Trail

5 star rating   20 October 2024

who has been on In The Saddle rides. Unique | Excellent riding experience, I stayed for two Miyak trail rides one after the other just because I enjoyed it so much, overall approx 400km. Scenery, food, horses, people all fantastic.

[ITS replies: Many thanks for your lovely feedback on the Miyak Tribe Trail. We are really pleased that you enjoyed your return visit].


Miyak Tribe Trail - North Macedonia

Miyak Tribe Trail

5 star rating   20 October 2024

Bregje who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. PERFECT | I’ve been on many, many trails…….but these horses were fantastic! Loved my one, but they were all great! All very fast walking pace, easy to control, forward, gentle, comfortable. Unique!


Velani Country Hotel - Crete

Sun and Riding

5 star rating   20 October 2024

Liz who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Relaxing riding in beautiful mountain scenery | Well behaved and willing horses who are loved and well cared for. The riding was mainly at a steady pace due to the mountain terrain and stony tracks. The guides were extremely attentive and helpful and made sure everyone was safe and happy.


Monte Velho - Portugal

Monte Velho

5 star rating   19 October 2024

Kate who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Wonderful riding experience & fantastic facilities | Quality horses and instructors. Definitely felt that they went above and beyond to match us with suitable horses for our abilities and goals. Highlight was a lesson with Joao Torrao, who is based there. Really enjoyed watching the training when I wasn’t riding.

Will go back and have more lessons next time. Was good to get out on the trails but enjoyed the lessons most.


Highland Trails - Iceland

Winter Riding and Northern Lights

5 star rating   18 October 2024

Emma who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Iceland winter riding and northern lights | It surpassed expectations.. I was expecting to feel rather “under horsed” as I am tall and used to 16.2 rides. They are diddy, but absolutely don’t ride as little as they look. They are willing but mannerly, unbelievably sure footed and I felt like I was floating in Tolt. Hannes and his family are so welcoming and the food is delicious.


Sierra Nevada - Spain

Sulayr Ride

5 star rating   16 October 2024

Jennifer (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Amazing | Fabulous, well cared for horses. Incredible riding over scenic mountain terrain.


Castellare di Tonda - Italy

Castellare Train & Trail Short Break

5 star rating   16 October 2024

Edith (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Wonderful acquaintance with western riding | We had a lovely stay in Castellare di Tonda. The horses were very well trained and the rides in the Italian landscape were stunning. Tuscany is beautiful. We were in October and we had perfect riding weather.
The lessons from Franco were inspiring and Aisla was a very good and pleasant guide on our trips.


Sierra Nevada - Spain

Sulayr Ride

5 star rating   16 October 2024

Debbie who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Scenery I had only dreamed of seeing! | The riding was exactly as described! Very challenging terrain - the horses were incredibly well schooled and very sure footed - I would not have believed we could have negotiated the paths that we did.

Mainly slower paced for obvious reasons but some lovely canters at times as well. Just superb!


Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Ant's Nest

5 star rating   15 October 2024

Keith (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Safari on horseback | It met my expectations and more all the guides and training was perfect


Estancia Los Potreros - Argentina

Estancia Los Potreros

5 star rating   14 October 2024

Anna who has been on 8 In The Saddle rides. I had a fabulous time | I had a fabulous time - horses, riding and staff all absolutely excellent. I had told them about losing my confidence after an accident a couple of years ago necessitating 5 operations and Kevin, the manager Georgia and the guides went to great lengths to help me regain it and have a wonderful time.

The riding exceeded my expectations even though I had visited the estancia 8 years ago.


Monte Velho - Portugal

Monte Velho

5 star rating   13 October 2024

Celia who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous holiday. Excellent instructors, educated horses. I can’t recommend enough, it was great | I went with a completely open mind. I had a fantastic week, instructors, horses ….fabulous


White Stallion Ranch - Arizona

White Stallion Ranch

5 star rating   13 October 2024

Michelle who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Struggling for words to describe just how good White Stallion Ranch is | Well cared for horses that couldn't have been better matched to us. Stunning scenery to ride around on the ranch and up the mountains. (ITS comment: We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the riding at White Stallion).


White Stallion Ranch - Arizona

White Stallion Ranch

5 star rating   13 October 2024

Gaynor who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Amazing | It was the best place, everything was excellent, the horses were well trained, all the extras - shooting, archery, ebiking, axe throwing etc were well organised and informative. The food was so good I’m sure I’ve put on weight! I had a really lovely massage in between riding. The only draw back is it’s so far away!


Castellare di Tonda - Italy

Medieval Tuscany

5 star rating   12 October 2024

Jill (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) A wonderful week of horses and beautiful scenery | From start to finish everything was easy and a great service. The pre-holiday admin was easy and the company very efficiently made sure everything was in place.

All the horses were very well cared for and well trained. My horse was a sweetie and felt super safe and behaved beautifully in the group. Our guide Ailsa could not have been better. She worked tirelessly to make sure she found ways to satisfy our desire to canter about as much as possible.

The Tuscan countryside is absolutely stunning and our group had the best time. I can thoroughly recommend this holiday.


Castellare di Tonda - Italy

Medieval Tuscany

5 star rating   12 October 2024

Pat who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Brilliant riding holiday | The riding covered a variety of terrain from shady dense hilly woodland to open rolling fields & tracks. In places the views were amazing. The horses were well schooled, responsive & sure- footed & plenty fit enough for the week's work. There were many opportunities for trotting & cantering as well as leisurely walks to admire the scenery.
Our weather was mixed but Ailsa was very flexible to swap times & days to give us the maximum riding time. On a rainy afternoon we were offered an indoor schooling session with Franco which was both enjoyable & informative.
Overall a very pleasant & relaxing week. Ailsa went out of her way to ensure we had a good time.


Castellare di Tonda - Italy

Medieval Tuscany

5 star rating   12 October 2024

Ian (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Enjoyable and inspiring week | Many reviews mention Ailsa - with good reason. An absolutely genuine person who went out of her way to make the riding/holiday special.
Being new to Western riding I was a little apprehensive prior to my holiday. I needn't have been. A little research on You-Tube gave me adequate preparation. This coupled with responsive horses which instilled confidence meant I had a wonderful experience. Thoroughly enjoying the style of riding.
Although rain made some trails unusable at times, Ailsa always aimed to ensure we were able to ride as much and as long as possible. On one day the rain had made the trails unsafe so Ailsa arranged for us to have a lesson with Franco in the indoor school. He is an absolute Jedi. Quiet and unassuming Franco is an expert horseman who with just a few drills improved ones riding without being intimidating. Inspirational.
Franco and Ailsa have an indisputable passion for their horses. The horses are trained to a high standard and their care is paramount.
Overall I would certainly recommend this holiday and would readily repeat the experience.


Kambaku Safari Lodge - Namibia

Kambaku Safari Lodge

4 star rating   11 October 2024

Rohini who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Namibia - Kambaku Safari Lodge | Whilst I appreciate the cautiousness, they could have included more and faster canters. The last evening when I was solo with the guide we were able to have a long canter.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you for taking the time to provide detailed feedback on your stay at Kambaku. We discussed your comments to the ride operator, who confirmed that you joined the safari rides for competent riders and were given your own guide for the bush breakfast. Unfortunately Kambaku did not receive any feedback on site about the speed of your rides and so had the impression you were happy with the pace. We are sorry that this was not the case.]


Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Lodge Stay

5 star rating   10 October 2024

Liz who has been on 6 In The Saddle rides. Everything you dream of | Guides were passionate and knowledgeable. Horses were a pleasure to ride.


Maasai Mara - Kenya

Maasai Mara Starting at KO 8

5 star rating   9 October 2024

who has been on In The Saddle rides. Super luxurious bucket list experience | Riding was as described. On the whole a slower pace on account of terrain and presence of game, but with a few opportunities for trots & canters. Our guides were very tactful managing different levels of experience, health, and fitness in our group. Because of the format with a mid-morning snack break and long lunchtime siesta, there were opportunities for those who wished to transfer to vehicles to do game drives instead of ride.

Horses were in excellent condition, they were a mix of warmbloods, quite sturdy draft crosses, and more stock-horse types.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you so much for your super feedback. We are really happy that you enjoyed this very special safari. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.]


Macatoo - Botswana

Riding Safari

5 star rating   9 October 2024

Nancy who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. Macatoo Camp - lives up to its reputation for an amazing experience | They have horses to suit a wide range of riders and do a terrific job of keeping them happy and healthy in the bush. Mod runs a great program and will work with guests to find good matches, even if you have to swap around a bit to get it just right. Horses are all super with the game. There are plenty of fun long canters at the speed all are comfortable with (so this might vary with the group). Not much trotting, which is fine. You cover about 12-15 miles a day.


Sierra Nevada - Spain

Alpujarra Short Break

5 star rating   7 October 2024

Andrew who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Sierra Nevada - Alpujarra Short Break - Trail ride | Excellent


Los Alamos - Spain

Villa Based Ride

5 star rating   6 October 2024

Anita who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Riding holiday | This is my forth time with this family, what wonderful accommodating people they are, can’t do enough for you, wonderful horse’s fabulous family, highly recommend


Estancia Los Potreros - Argentina

Estancia Los Potreros

5 star rating   6 October 2024

Bob who has been on 17 In The Saddle rides. Simply Superb | The horses and the riding were fantastic. I rode different horses every day and enjoyed them all, and was amazed at just how comfortable the Pasos are. Kevin, Georgina and the whole team (particularly Pachi and Angela) all strove to ensure that we had really enjoyable (and safe) rides


Alentejo Trails - Portugal

Coastal Trail North to South

4 star rating   6 October 2024

Angie who has been on 24 In The Saddle rides. Very enjoyable but would not go back | Some of the rides could have included some more trots and canters. We had one ride that was only at walk when there were good opportunities to trot. When we did trot and canter, they were lovely and long.

Some of my fellow riders were a bit unsure about the beach ride on the first day, setting out on a new horse in the dark. I was OK and this was in the itinerary.


Los Alamos - Spain

Villa Based Ride

5 star rating   6 October 2024

Vivienne (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Every day was an unforgettable adventure | Never been on this type of riding holiday before. It far exceeded my expectations. Excellent food and drinks at every meal.


Los Alamos - Spain

Villa Based Ride

5 star rating   6 October 2024

Dee who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Amazing | Yet another amazing time at Los Alamos. Everyone goes that extra mile to ensure you have the best time. Thanks too Andrew. Riannon, Jack. Rachel and Denise. Plus of cause Jose and Roberto our guides and wonderful horses.


1226 reviews    1 2 3 4 5 39