General Info

Wonderful horse riding holidays UK for beginners or nervous riders who want to gain confidence in the saddle and more experienced riders who want to enjoy riding horses to local pubs, historic estates, Exmoor National Park and the beautiful beaches of Devon's Coast.

The West Country of England is steeped in history and is the location of many a myths and legends. The scenery is magical, often draped in early morning mist, clearing to reveal the most amazing views across rolling green valleys and hills.

Exmoor is known as the “horse rider’s playground” and is home to herds of wild exmoor ponies and red deer. It is a mysterious area with a mix of “fairy” woodlands, rugged moorland terrain and peaceful farmland with wonderful thatched villages. It has an amazing network of bridleways to give horse explorers a chance to ride for days without retracing their steps.

Spend two to five hours riding each day, enjoying a mixture of lessons on the farm's forgiving Dales Ponies with a horse ride to the pub, across Exmoor through the wild Exmoor Ponies and the Red Deer or to the Coast for a ride on the beach. The farm is located beside Devon's gallops, where every morning race horses are put through their paces by professional riders and jockeys. You can earn bragging rights riding the gallops at a gallop or canter, enjoying what few non-professional jockeys have experienced.

Riders will struggle to find a destination that offers as varied a riding experience in terms of scenery and terrain and history. The farm's horses are fun and confidence inspiring. You do not have to be an adult to enjoy a riding holiday here at this English farm. Children over the age of eight also enjoy riding horses when on holiday!

Your host for this England equestrian vacation originally bred and used her Dales ponies for trekking in their homeland of the Yorkshire Dales. When circumstances brought about a move, she and her husband scoured the whole of Europe to find the best location for both the Dales ponies and her husband's racehorses. After viewing several properties in France, a farm came up in Devon and ticked more boxes than anywhere else. When you visit for your riding vacation, you will discover it is the horse riders paradise.

The farm is a working sheep farm that breeds Ryeland sheep, which were until recently also a rare breed but have made a resurgence in recent times.

Watch a video below of guests on the gallops, a unique exercise you can experience on this Devon riding holiday.

Your host for this holiday says this about the above video, "You can at least see what the gallops are and how much the ponies enjoy going up, but also how calm they are doing their job. We let customers choose which music they’d like to go up to and then they can watch themselves on the big screen afterwards over a cup of tea and cake. It’s a full mile mostly up hill, so quite a fitness task on the ponies. Even the racehorses stop pulling by 4 furlongs (1/2 mile) as they “feel” the hill."

Packing

Packing Tips for Your Riding Vacation in the UK

Laundry facilities are available on site.

Dress around the farm is practical and informal. Riding attire can be whatever you feel most comfortable in and what you are used to at home, so long as it poses no risk to your safety.

Your English host suggests that you pack the following:

• Riders must wear a safety standard approved riding helmet. The current standards recognised in the UK are EN1384, PAS015, and ASTMF116395. If you can bring your own hat you will be most comfortable and the hat will have moulded to your head to give you the safest head wear available, however if you are not able to bring your own, your host has a small selection of most sizes of both hats and riding boots available to borrow.
• Be prepared for all types of weather. Pack waterproof coat and leggings if possible. There are also some handy “pack a mac” type lightweight raingear that can roll up into a small bag that can clip onto the front of the saddle which is no hardship to carry then, and yet you’ll be prepared for that “sneaky” shower that the English weather can sometimes produce!
• Sun tan lotion and lip balm 
• For the long rides or for those of you who are not regular riders, think about how you can limit the “sore bottom.” Here are some suggestions; horse rider underwear, cycling shorts for underneath your trousers/jodhpurs, anti chaffing cream/gel. Breathable materials tend to work better against “rash type” marks on the skin that can develop from a long time in the saddle.
• You may want to carry your personal possessions with you on some of the rides, and so a small lightweight fanny pack or belt type bag may be useful for carrying a small camera, lunch money, lip balm, etc.
• If you don’t ride regularly then you may want a pair of gloves, also handy to have in a pocket if the temperatures drop.
• Boots and shoes will invariably get dirty or muddy as you are staying on a working farm and so they get left in the main hall to limit the mess spreading around the house. Although the bedrooms are carpeted, the bathrooms and main rooms in the house are stone flagged, so a handy pair of slippers will enhance your comfort in the evenings and whilst pottering about the house.
• Your host will provide water bottles that clip to your saddle during the rides. 

Please see Equitrekking Travel's General Packing Suggestions. 

About the Horses

This equestrian vacation destinations has mainly Dales Ponies, which are rare and native to England. They also have any relatives to the Dales, so recent additions to this wonderful herd are a Friesian and an Andalusian. There are also some Thoroughbreds on the farm, either for breeding or to race.

The horses are all kept as naturally as possible, living out all year as a big and happy herd. The youngsters learn from the older horses and are trained within their own time frame. 

Horse Training

Your riding vacation host will begin the backing process with them grazing completely free out with their herd, so all the early work is done without any pressure and with their own free will to participate. The ponies are trained to respond to minimal aids and to those riders who know how, you can control and influence them entirely with body language.

They are also forgiving enough to react to less subtle aids, so less experienced riders do not have to worry about being on such finely tuned animals as they are very good at “tuning out” when necessary, making them fun, safe and enjoyable rides to all. All the horses used for guests have good “brakes”, so do not need constant leg to move forward willingly and have all the preliminary lateral work; leg yield, shoulder in and half pass.

All the horses are ridden regularly by the owner who knows them inside and out. They are treated as individuals and with respect. They are much loved members of the farm family. There are 20 horses on the farm and currently 10 good all round riding horses for guests to choose. The rest are either youngstock or racehorses.

Activities/Events

Nestled in the most beautiful English countryside, this is a horse rider’s paradise with a wonderful varied mix of riding for all abilities. There is trail riding, varied terrain and the popular racehorse gallops on site.

There are many events held in Devon, Somerset and the West Country. The most famous equestrian event being the Golden Horseshoe Race in May.

Other area attractions include two National Parks-- Exmoor and Dartmoor. Jurassic Coastline. Castles, country houses and estates, lakes, moorland, forests, medieval villages, historic towns and cities, wonderful coves and beaches, surf, sun and legend, golf, climbing, canoeing, falconry, mountain biking etc. Racing trips, music and arts festivals.

Accommodations/Food

The main house is a traditional Oak Framed Devon farmhouse that has been lovingly built and restored. The farmhouse bedrooms are spacious with en suite bathrooms. The farmhouse itself is built with English oak, so the high open ceilings show off the beautiful wood beams and wood panels throughout the bedrooms.

All the furniture matches the rustic but very comfortable feel to the rooms, very comfortable beds with good mattresses. The bathrooms have wonderful deep roll top baths and all have complimentary bath foam with relaxing herbs specially blended for tired muscles. The accommodation is well above average in both style and comfort.

Currently there are 2 bedrooms; one large family with a double bed and 2 singles, the second room is slightly smaller having a double bed with one single. There are plans to create 2 extra rooms in the near future, but these will have showers in their en suite bathrooms and will be double/single occupancy.

We have one single room, so don’t charge a single if this room is available. Please inquire with us if you are a single traveler.

Food

Dinner will be served at the family table and is usually three courses of lovely varied cuisine, using where possible locally sourced and therefore usually organic produce. Food preferences are sought on booking so that a holiday menu can be specifically designed for that weeks guests and is therefore freshly prepared for farm visitors. This means that any diet can be catered for and vegetarians need not worry as your equestrian host for this England horseback riding vacation herself eats mainly vegetarian.

Meat Eaters need also not worry as your host has sourced some wonderful producers of organic and local breeds; Devon Ruby Red Beef, Saddleback pork and bacon and you may even be lucky enough to be staying when the farm's own lamb is on the menu!

Lunch, when taken on the farm, as many rides include lunch out on the trail, also using good food pubs and restaurants, is usually farmhouse sandwiches and /or homemade soup. Homemade cake is normally available at the end of each day for guests to help themselves to along with a cup of tea or coffee.

The kitchen is set up in a wonderfully homely way where it is easy to boil up the kettle and feel right at home. Breakfast comes with a choice of cooked, or a selection of pastries, fruit and cereals, catering to all tastes. The farm is not licensed and therefore cannot serve alcohol to guests, but your hosts are very happy to pop people down to the nearest local store to stock up for during their stay. There will always be space in the fridge or wine rack for guests favorite drinks.

For families with kids, dinner can be served at around 6.00pm during family breaks to accomodate tired kids.

The Ideal Traveler

Someone who loves nature and wants to explore the rich English countryside, appreciates a well loved horse and has a good sense of humor. Most guests love to groom and take care of their own horse, but this is not essential, but just try to resist not wanting to groom these lovely hairy horses.

This diverse England horseback riding vacation allows for beach riding, horse riding to area pubs and historic sites, national park visits and the chance to gallop on Dales ponies where race horses are trained.

Beginner Rider 7 days/ 6 nights

A wonderful English equestrian vacation for beginners or nervous riders who want to gain confidence in the saddle. Spend two to five hours riding each day, enjoying a mixture of lessons on the farm's forgiving Dales Ponies with a horse ride to the pub, across Exmoor through the wild Exmoor Ponies and the Red Deer or to the Coast for a ride on the beach. The farm is located beside Devon's gallops, where every morning race horses are put through their paces. You can earn bragging rights riding the gallops at a gallop or canter, enjoying a stretch of beautifully laid woodchips.

Dates & Rates 2012

April - November 7 days/ 6 nights
$1,643 USD* (1038 GBP)* for riders
$789 USD* (498 GBP)* for non-riders

* Price is subject to fluctuations based on currency conversions.

No single occupancy. Rates include all transfers from the local train station / airport. All meals, accommodation and riding, gallop fees, box journeys. Alcoholic beverages during the evening meals is not included. 

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Exeter airport or Tiverton Parkway station and be greeted by your first hosts for the trip. They’ll take you back to the farm or welcome those arriving under their own steam with a Devon cream tea and a quick farm tour to meet the horses and ponies. Settle in for the night with a wonderful farm cooked three course meal.

Day 2 -  Your first lesson on a Dales pony. After breakfast, you will learn how to influence this delightful, intelligent and willing breed of pony with minimal signals and use of rein and leg aids. The ponies are calm enough to take any type of rider, but with a lesson in one of the farm's arenas you’ll be amazed at just how subtle a body signal these ponies will respond to and you will enjoy the feeling of stopping and turning on just the slightest of movements in the saddle.

After a coffee break, try out your new skills on one of the many short circular routes out from the farm through the beautiful woodland in the Exe Valley.

Lunch back at the farm sampling homemade produce, followed by either another lesson to develop further skills, or another short ride out along the local lanes, tracks and bridleways or a relaxing walk around the farm or tour of the local area. There may even be the opportunity to harness up one of the ponies to take in a short pony and trap ride along the quiet hedge lined lanes. After relaxing in the roll top bath, another farm cooked three course meal.

Day 3 – Another lesson in the arena after breakfast. Then after a short coffee break you get your first full day in the saddle. Tack up your horse and ride the hills because you're off to the pub!

Travel along woodland tracks and climb “Hangman’s Hill” to reach Oakford and the Red Lion Inn. Here, hitch up the ponies and have lunch and perhaps sample the local Scrumpy Cider. The ride back will reflect just how much you want to do. You can ride the direct route to get back to the farm or can meander to take in as much of the wonderful scenery as possible.

After making your horse comfortable for the night and strolling round the farm to check over the livestock, you can retire to the bath to then join everyone refreshed once again in the lounge or out in the garden and conservatory before another meal.

Day 4 – After a full day yesterday, you can opt for a lazy start followed by either a lesson or a hack out along the numerous local tracks, or if you’re feeling fit and well, then do both! Then an afternoon with a choice of lazing around the farm and taking in the tranquility of the area or a trip out to one of the local sites.

Day 5 – It’s all about the gallops! Hopefully by now you’ll have tried a canter on the wonderful ponies with their steadfast nature, and they’ll have made you feel quite confident by now. Today is all about gearing up for a spin up the gallops, whether it’s just the last 3 furlongs (for beginners) or whether you attempt the whole 8 (1 mile). Don’t worry, these ponies are so good, that if you get tired and need to trot or walk a few furlongs in the middle, they’ll readily oblige! But what an achievement! A trip up the same gallops that the professionals put their horses through certainly earns you bragging rights. You may well be following in the hoofprints of a Derby or Cheltenham Festival runner!

You’ll finish on cloud nine and will be able to practice your victory salute before putting your horse back out to the well deserved pasture and then taking a trip out to explore the area or yet more relaxing in the tranquil environment on the farm. Tonight, you’ll be dropped down to a local inn for a great meal and to enjoy the great area pub evening atmosphere.

Day 6 – Today you’ll take a trip out in the horsebox to ride across Exmoor through the wild Exmoor Ponies and the Red Deer or to the Coast for a ride on the beach. The choice is yours and your host will describe the routes and also assess which ride will most suit your skills in the saddle. It’s a magical day whichever destination and the whole adventure of taking the ponies further afield and exploring deeper in to the West Country will stay as a great memory for years to come.

Return to the farm tired but happy, soak in the bath and enjoy one last meal at the farm before that last night of peaceful quiet sleep in the comfortable beds.

Day 7 – After a hearty breakfast, wander the farm to say farewell to all the residents before your hosts bid you farewell on your way home or drop you back to the train station/airport.

* This itinerary is subject to changes based on the weather or your trip guide's discretion.

Watch a video below of guests on the gallops, a unique exercise you can experience on this Devon riding holiday.

Your host for this holiday says this about the above video, "You can at least see what the gallops are and how much the ponies enjoy going up, but also how calm they are doing their job. We let customers choose which music they’d like to go up to and then they can watch themselves on the big screen afterwards over a cup of tea and cake. It’s a full mile mostly up hill, so quite a fitness task on the ponies. Even the racehorses stop pulling by 4 furlongs (1/2 mile) as they “feel” the hill."

Devon Riding Vacation 6 days/ 5 nights

Horse ride through the English countryside to historic estates, pubs, Exmoor National Park, UNESCO sites and the beaches on Devon’s North West Coastline. Ride on woodland tracks with stunning views across the Exe valley, taking in Exmoor and Dartmoor. The farm is located beside Devon's gallops, where every morning race horses are put through their paces. You can earn bragging rights riding the gallops at a gallop or canter, enjoying a stretch of beautifully laid woodchips.

Dates & Rates 2012

April - November 6 days/ 5 nights
$1,691 USD* (1069 GBP)* for riders
$656 USD* (415 GBP)* for non-riders

* Rates are subject to changes based on currency conversions.

No single occupancy. Rates include all transfers from the local train station/airport. All meals, accommodation and riding, gallop fees, box journeys. Additional expenditure would be any alcoholic beverages taken during the evening meals.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1- Arrive Exeter airport or Tiverton Parkway station and be greeted by your hosts. They’ll take you back to the farm or welcome those arriving under their own steam with a Devon cream tea and a quick farm tour to meet the horses and ponies. Settle in for the night with a wonderful farm cooked three course meal.

Day 2-  After a short assessment ride in one of the farm's arenas, set off from the farm through the woods to Knightshayes Court and Restaurant – a beautiful varied ride takes you through woodland and across farmland to a local estate and hall owned by the National Trust which has wonderful parkland to enjoy, ornamental gardens and ornate rooms in the main house. The highlight is a fully restored Victorian kitchen garden which fully supplies the needs of the restaurant. There’s time during the lunch stop here to wander the estate hall, gardens and also to do some souvenir shopping in the gift shop. On the way back enjoy delightful canters along the soft woodland tracks with stunning views across the Exe valley, taking in Exmoor and Dartmoor in the distance. Dinner at the farm.

Day 3- Red Lion Inn, Oakford – Explore the beautiful woodland between Stoodleigh and Oakford, with numerous tracks and bridleways linking up to the long climb up “Hangman’s Hill” to take in the glorious views of the rolling Devon Hills with Exmoor in the distance. Hitch your pony up to the rail outside the pub, cowboy style and settle down to a locally sourced lunch either inside by the log fire or on nice sunny days out in the beer garden. The ride back follows ancient green lanes through mixed woodland and open fields.

Spend the evening relaxing back at the farm, visit the youngstock playing in the fields before settling once again to a farm cooked three course meal.

Day 4-  Take a horse box trip to explore Exmoor National Park – Ride through ancient woodland and over moorland grazed by the royal Red Deer and amongst wild Exmoor ponies and through picturesque villages with thatched cottages and pubs. Exmoor is a horse riders paradise with so many tracks and bridleways to choose between, wildlife in abundance and steeped in history. On day trails through the National Park, there will be stops for lunch and an evening meal at a beautiful old pub, a choice between the Tarr Steps trail and the Dunster Trail.

Return to the farm for dinner and a long soak in the roll top bath.

Day 5- Devon’s North West Coastline – Visit the UNESCO biosphere of Braunton Burrows with its magical dune system with an abundance of rare species of flora and fauna. This ever changing landscape is beautiful to experience and despite being a military training ground as well as a nature reserve has its own unique calm atmosphere. The beach itself is 2 ½ miles of golden sand with views across to Lundy Island.

Return to the farm for another great meal and a long soak in the roll top bath.

Day 6- After breakfast you’ll be ready to experience the mile long gallop which partially surrounds the farm (beginner or novice riders can have one final woodland ride). Your host, who has successfully completed her Amateur Jockey assessment, can give you pre gallop race riding lesson should you want the full jockey experience, or you can just gallop up there in usual rider style. The ponies will not mind either way! But to experience galloping through the running rail and up the hill along the neatly raked gallop, footing that is nice on every stride, is an opportunity leisure riders will rarely ever get!

There’s plenty of time after the gallops to say farewells to all the residents of West Steart Farm and take in the views one last time before setting off home or to travel on to see more of this wonderful area. Take a trip to historic Bath, Exeter or even Glastonbury.

* This itinerary is subject to changes based on the weather or your trip guide's discretion. 

Watch a video below of guests on the gallops, a unique exercise you can experience on this Devon riding holiday.

Your host for this holiday says this about the above video, "You can at least see what the gallops are and how much the ponies enjoy going up, but also how calm they are doing their job. We let customers choose which music they’d like to go up to and then they can watch themselves on the big screen afterwards over a cup of tea and cake. It’s a full mile mostly up hill, so quite a fitness task on the ponies. Even the racehorses stop pulling by 4 furlongs (1/2 mile) as they “feel” the hill."

Related Travel Articles

Traveler Reviews

Thank you for helping me the confidence to fulfill a dream.

-- Margot, North Yorkshire 

The entire drive here, I worried that I’d be too late for a first day ride. Arriving more than 2 hours later after I’d hoped to and expecting no ponies until the morning, Zana met me, hauled my bag upstairs, turned and asked “would you like a short ride before dark?” “Give me 5 minutes!” So, we started the way the next 3 days would follow - on, around and with ponies! Zana and Jim run a truly inviting, engaging, warm and friendly centre. Zana’s tuition has completely altered my riding effect, it’s the most practical advice I may ever have received besides looking both ways before crossing the street. 4 good nights sleep in the lovely bedroom, gorgeous meals – who could ask for more? I can’t wait to return, there can be no finer a way to celebrate 60 than holing aboard Trooper. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

-- Meg, Massachusetts

Fi and I are connoisseurs of short riding breaks, but this one was absolutely THE BEST EVER (and we will be back). From the moment we arrived a calm descended, Zana is amazingly relaxed. The whole holiday was wonderful, relaxing, delicious suppers, good company and heavenly deep sleep in a quiet comfortable bed. I can’t wait to come back…

-- Mary & Fiona, Cheltenham

Well this is the holiday I’ve waited all my life for! The usual great company, wonderful horses and riding you always get with Zana but now with the added bonus of staying, being able to participate in non riding horsey things which makes the holiday just perfect. Add to that, marvelous countryside, great rides, the beach ride and the (I must get fitter for next time) Gallop. Zana’s cooking and beds so comfortable, its hardly surprising I don’t want to rush home to mine. Can’t wait to return.

-- Jackie, London 

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The riding was wonderful and the horses first class. You have a really slick operation on the go! Best of all was the warmth of your hospitality. Thank you so much.

-- Carrie, West Sussex 
 

Reading List

Guidebooks
Eyewitness Guide Great Britain by Eyewitness Guides
With its 1,400 photos, maps and excellent introductory chapters, this guide is both a general introduction to Great Britain and a region-by-region look at its attractions. Handsome, convenient and up-to-date, this is the guide to carry. 

Lonely Planet Devon, Cornwall & Southwest England
This comprehensive practical guide in the hallmark Lonely Planet style includes local and regional color maps, a section of photographs, and chapters on history, culture and attractions.
 

Literature
Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
A farewell walking tour of England by an American expatriate who has decided to return home after two decades. Like all of Bryson's books, it's full of rich conversations, humorous anecdotes and amusing interactions. 

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.   "



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.