Horse riding in Tuscany?

lottieboos

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I was wondering if anyone had any experiences or advice to offer?

I am going on honeymoon in late August/Early September and we are going to Tuscany for 3 weeks, which is very exciting :)! I would love to go on some hacks to make to most of the beautiful countryside while I'm there. Obviously, I am not looking for somewhere to do a 'full-time' riding holiday - just on a few days (or my non-horsey OH will be rather unimpressed :D).

Does anyone have any recommendations? I always worry when looking for places to ride on holiday that I'll end up going somewhere where the welfare of the horses is not paramount.

In terms of locations in Tuscany we are driving there and spending a few days at one of the lakes (Lake Lugano) on the way down, then spending a week near Orvietto and a week at Porto Ercole (South Tuscan Coast). So places within reasonble driving distance of any of these would be great.

One concern I had though: will it be waaay too hot to enjoy hacking at that time of year in Italy (for humans, but more importantly, horses)?

Any advice appreciated! Its probably a bit of a long shot, but I thought it was worth asking!
 
I used to work in Tuscany, but the noth coast in the mountains, so too far for you and I think the school that I worked in is now a stud anyway. I think that there is someone who comes on here who has a riding centre in Tuscany, but can't remember her name!

As for temps - it will be hot, but the horses will be better used to it than you! We used to ride/do lessons before ten am and after 5pm, as we and the horses had a siesta. Most of the shops etc did too.

Enjoy yourself. I absolutely love Tuscany - its my fave place in the world, and I'm a long haul air stewardess who has pretty much been to most places in the world!
 
Try Il Paretaio. They love their horses, the house is lovely, the group meals were the best fun and real Italien home cooking - as you will never find in a hotel or restaurant. There are some gorgeous villages nearby for sightseeing, etc. You can do as much/little riding as you want.

For my not very horsey OH they organized a hack across the valley to a beautiful small Italian farm and we lunched under the Olive groves with their home produced oils wines cheeses and salamis. It truly doesn't get any better.

They also do early morning lessons before it gets hot, so you OH can either lay in or breakfast by the pool while you are having a lesson, then you can have the rest of the day to enjoy together. Heaven!
 
@Honey08 - Thanks for reassuring me about riding in the heat. I've never been to Tuscany before, although I have been to the Italian Alps in the summer, so I'm really looking forward to it!

@canteron and Fairynuff - Thanks for the recommendation - I will get googling and have a look at their website!
 
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