What’s on your equine activity bucket list or what have you already ticked off ?

[Mary3050]

Hi Guys,

I am creating an equine bucket list next year to do as health isn’t great and I want to enjoy riding whilst I can. Here’s a few things I want to do but what have other people done I don’t jump only like 40cm so not into jumping etc.

- Beach ride
- Farm ride and river paddle
- Attend a camp
- Horse photo shoot
- go out hacking and gallop up a massive hill with my friend who’s 1h 30 away

What else could I add to the list of fun must do’s ?

Many thanks

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Take your horse to the gallops.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Off road riding, i.e new forest, exmoor

 

[Snow Falcon]

Summer solistice ride

 

[Time for Tea]

Do a long distance ride or part of one, where you stay overnight en route, with a friend, e.g. South Downs Way, Ridgeway National Trail

 

[Time for Tea]

Book a lesson sidesaddle, or driving a pony and trap

 

[ArklePig]

I'm not really riding atm, but hope to be again soon. All that was on my previous bucket list was to ride a heavy horse and I've ticked off a clydesdale and a shire over the last couple of years. Following for ideas!

 

[Orangehorse]

I did a long held ambition this year to do the Freerein Border to Coast Ride. My next ambition is to ride in Windsor Great Park.

There are other rides I would like to do, FreeRein/Equestrian Escapes have a new 3 day ride which takes in some the routes I have done before, which would be good. There is also the Scottish Castles ride, not sure I would be fit enough for that another 6 day ride.

When my horse was fit enough I had thought it would be good to do a circular ride of Salisbury Plain, but never got there. I did a Bridlerides route in the Cotswolds which was lovely a few years ago.

I am trying to pack in a few things while I am still riding regularly and fit enough.

 

[Time for Tea]

Wonderful riding and fantastic food at Los Alamos in Andalusia, beach rides included plus a trip to Jerez. I booked via InTheSaddle.

 

[sportsmansB]

I was going to say its hard to beat a riding holiday and they come in so many different forms to suit. Really reminds me why I do it (especially on cold miserable dark winter days) and the freedom to explore that being able to ride horses gives us.
@HollyWoozle is your woman on here to help with that

 

[w1bbler]

Horseback safari, which I did a few years ago at Wait a Little in South Africa. I would love to be able to afford to go again.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks @sportsmansB!

Easy for me to say but a riding holiday is always a fun addition to any bucket list but I appreciate not feasible for everybody.

I would add “ride an Icelandic horse” to the list as I think there are a few places in U.K. you can do that and they are so special.

 

[Love]

No sure if you wanted ones on your own horse or what levels you have already ridden to but how about book a lesson on a real schoolmaster? My friend had a dressage lesson ( she is novice/elementary level) on a retired PSG schoolmaster and said it was an amazing experience. Or the equivalent on a jumping horse etc

 

[Boughtabay]

I went out with my closest bloodhound pack over the weekend on a hireling which included a long gallop along a beach - absolute blast of a day (I was knackered haven’t been out with a hunt in yonks). I’d like to get mine out one day maybe or buy another for hunting if his pea brain can’t cope, but this was a great day out on a lovey horse & I highly recommend!

 

[DabDab]

Currently on mine, though not sure how feasible they all are:

Horseback archery
Ride in the man vs horse
Some kind of competitive endurance ride (or maybe just a pleasure ride)
A working equitation clinic
Riding on Shetland
Learn to drive (just pootleing about type driving)
Compete in some online horse agility thingies
A multiple day trek with camping
Ride on a Welsh beach

Eta: I also want to train one of my horses to lie down on cue. Probably Arty as she is most into that kind of thing, and is very food oriented so if I could find a treat-based method...

 

[Peglo]

I want to ride through a forest.
We have no trees up here but I love forests and think riding through one would be amazing.

A riding holiday over several days would be good too.

Wouldn’t really mind where either of the above would take place. Just think it would be fun

 

[ihatework]

I’m lucky as I’ve pretty much done all I’ve wanted to with the horses. The one thing I have got a quietly building interest in is possibly some driving! Maybe one day I’ll get myself a ride & drive schoolmaster

 

[Northern]

I never really have a bucket list but I’m incredibly lucky to be on a working holiday in Africa at the moment. I can absolutely recommend going for it if anyone ever has the opportunity! The scenery is breathtaking even after being here three weeks

 

[shortstuff99]

Go to Golega horse fair in Portugal and/or SICAB horse fair in Spain. Both are brilliant experiences that you won't ever really come across in the UK.

For me I would like to do trail ride in South America or Costa Rica.

 

[Jenko109]

Mine is to ride in Egypt around the pyramids.

 

[nikkimariet]

Hacking Rooni round the Lake District
Riding Rooni round a GP

 

[SEL]

@Northern fab between the ears view!! Where are you?

I did quite a few rides in Africa when I was younger and can I highly recommend (just pricey)

Would love to ride with the bloodhounds

 

[Northern]

@Northern fab between the ears view!! Where are you?

I did quite a few rides in Africa when I was younger and can I highly recommend (just pricey)

Would love to ride with the bloodhounds

Namibia, somewhere in the South in the deep middle of nowhere. But we have Wifi, even at the stables

 

[SEL]

Namibia, somewhere in the South in the deep middle of nowhere. But we have Wifi, even at the stables

I'm very jealous. I did my two bucket list rides there 20 years ago (absolutely no mobile signal) & fell in love with the country. Enjoy.... And feel free to post more photos so I can drool

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Namibia, somewhere in the South in the deep middle of nowhere. But we have Wifi, even at the stables

Ooh, enjoy! I spent 4 months in Namibia a few years back and was lucky enough to be able to ride quite regularly as well.
I did a lovely one off ride near Victoria falls as well, where we came face to face with an elephant (and backed off rather quickly as he didn't seem to enjoy our presence that much) most of the horses were ex-racers I think and after the ride you just got off, tucked the reins over the saddle and they went straight back to their own stable to be untacked.
Also did some riding in South Africa, mainly in the school, but saw my first African Wild Dogs on a bush ride, which was really special. It felt like the middle of nowhere, but was only a stone's throw away from the local super market!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

We have recently "done a clinic".

Have had mine since she was just-backed at 4yo, and she's 10 now.

We had intended to take her to a nearby indoor school a few years back, but Covid put a stop to that little idea, then afterwards when it might have been possible the yard changed their policy about outside bookings.

Mine is a happy hacker and - oh dear the shame of it! - we've only been in a "school" for a few times i.e could count on the fingers of one hand.

This was a "Working Equitation" clinic at a nearby "big" yard. Took mine and friend's mare and we rocked up. Both horses were fine, they behaved impeccably, and we had a good time. Learnt a lot in the short time (an hour) and the time flew by.

We are now going to work on:

Half-pass: OK so not being a dressage diva there was this blank look as in WTF is that from me.......... then when I'd remembered what it was we did manage it a few times at the clinic. Now the practice at home needs to be done and we need to get it done with me mounted.

Sort out WHY pony is bucking when asked to canter in the school: this doesn't happen on hacks when she is cantering in a straight line. Happens only in the school. Physio booked next week to look at the problem. Vet coming anyway the week before Xmas to do jabs so if anything needing looking at by vet rather than physio we can do this.

(presuming we can get some answers to bucking issue above) Poles clinic: same venue, different instructor. We'd like to think about this over the winter. We could do it in walk or trot not necessarily canter. Think it would do us both good and hopefully be productive.

Hacking: maintaining our current activity and also utilising any opportunities to use our half-pass accomplishment for things like gates.

Small things in the overall scheme of things - and some may scoff at it. But it will do for us!

 

[Northern]

I'm very jealous. I did my two bucket list rides there 20 years ago (absolutely no mobile signal) & fell in love with the country. Enjoy.... And feel free to post more photos so I can drool

I am seriously in danger of not leaving haha. There are a lot of German descendants here who I get along with really well, and am picking up Afrikaans quite quickly too which is nice! I will do a post with pictures when I have a moment, I'm sure the hot and dry depictions will lift gloomy winter days!

Ooh, enjoy! I spent 4 months in Namibia a few years back and was lucky enough to be able to ride quite regularly as well.
I did a lovely one off ride near Victoria falls as well, where we came face to face with an elephant (and backed off rather quickly as he didn't seem to enjoy our presence that much) most of the horses were ex-racers I think and after the ride you just got off, tucked the reins over the saddle and they went straight back to their own stable to be untacked.
Also did some riding in South Africa, mainly in the school, but saw my first African Wild Dogs on a bush ride, which was really special. It felt like the middle of nowhere, but was only a stone's throw away from the local super market!

That sounds amazing. I have been to Namibia before and always wanted to go back. Have been through the wringer with work this year so decided to just go for it! I'll be here 6 weeks

 

[Pippity]

Things I've achieved:
- Galloping full speed down a beach on a heavy horse
- Galloping not-quite full speed on a TB (because I'm a wimp!)
- Week-long ride in AoNZ, staying in shearers quarters with gear carried on pack ponies
- Hacking/swimming with horses in Antigua

Things I want to achieve:
- Hunting, on an extremely reliable hireling who'll look after me every step of the way. (See aforementioned wimpiness!)
- Series of lessons on a schoolmaster who'll take me right back to basics. I'm planning on this being my first experience once the doctor gives me the okay to get back on board.
- Taking my own horse to the beach
- Horseback safari (but need to lose weight first. And fix this fractured spine.)
- Visit my friend in Abu Dhabi, and take him up on his offer of riding beautiful, well-cared-for horses through the desert

 

[ycbm]

I've done almost everything I'm physically capable of doing, or was in the past, but I'm still determined to ride one-time tempis before I die.
.