South African riding holidays

[criso]

Lots of honeymooners which was a disaster for the non-riding husbands who'd have 10 lessons before arriving then find a riding school horse just outside London isn't quite the same as 6 hours bushwacking !!

There was a couple a bit like that at Horizon. Not honeymoon and the second riding holiday, he'd been dragged on. He wasn't horrendous but wasn't completely in charge and fell off once. Last fast canter/gallop of the day heading towards home, he failed to pull up when we did and horse carried on. He was ok until the 90° turn into the lodge where he carried straight on. That could have been a bigger issue on one of the Safari's which they were heading out on.

That was with one of the younger local guides whose rides were fast and wildlife was a blur as you went past at speed. However it was balanced by another guide who was slower and told us all about plants and trees and who to recognise poo and one of the owners who told us all about the history, cattle breeding and horse training.

There was also an American couple who looked a bit precarious but they were moved into a different group.

 

[SEL]

I met many people who clearly lied on their forms about how much riding they did - which makes it tricky for everyone.

The worst I ever had for that was in Jordan. It was clearly stated the trip was for experienced riders. I'd lost my ride 12 weeks before so I warned ahead that I was rusty so they could ensure a quieter horse, but listening to the group in the hotel the night before I felt very much the amateur (& I'd done years of riding overseas)

Shouldn't have worried. The guy who was "into eventing" can only have evented from his sofa in front of the TV. The lady with a yard of expensive warmbloods (she told me what each one cost) refused to get on the young Arab mare they'd chosen for her and her friend could only ride with the reins 2 inches short. None of them could stay in balance on the buckle and none of the horses reacted well to a tight rein.

I ended up on the young Arab mare and we barely got out of walk for a week because they were all so scared. No amount of cajoling them to loosen their reins worked.

I did moan at the tour operator when I got back!

 

[blodwyn1]

Something I wish I had done when I was younger and fit but I didn't have the money then! Now I could afford it but I am too old and disabled and only walk on my beloved cob I think the lions would get me loitering at the back!

 

[Lamehorses]

No idea of cost currently as it was a few years ago now, but I still regularly talk about the fantastic experience I had at wait a little.
Fab fast riding on well schooled horses & there is nothing like being up close & personal with the animals.
Highlights included a lion with the remains of a recent kill, racing giraffe alongside a dry riverbed & hours tracking elephants, who can hide amazingly well considering their size.
Then the sundowners at the end of each ride & fab food

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I went to Horizon many years ago and it was phenomenal. But we are talking maybe 12-15 years ago (which I cannot believe!), so before it was so popular and perhaps not run by the same people?

We weren’t there for a riding holiday (my family don’t ride) but also had one of the most amazing experiences at Sosian lodge in Kenya seeing a pack of wild dogs (among other animals but those were my favourite) on horseback. I’m not sure if they do longer ridden safari type breaks or the costs, but the few days we were there were incredible.

Not a riding one, but also did a brilliant safari in Botswana where you move camps every night to see more animals and spend the days travelling in a jeep