Horseback Riding

Horse Riding Tours

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It arrived here, over a thousand years ago, on the very first ships of the settlers. From that day it has remained a loyal servant and friend to the people. The Icelandic horse is very friendly and easy to handle, so this tour is suitable for beginners and experts alike.

Your tour guide will give you all necessary information about riding as well as tell you a little bit about the magnificent Icelandic horse: This tour will take you to the red pseudocraters and black lava fields of this otherworldly area. Experience the country the authentic way; on the back of the Icelandic horse, and make some amazing holiday memories on this fun-filled tour.

It is the perfect tour for all animal lovers who want to add a little twist to their Take home unforgettable precious memories from a complete tour of Iceland, from North to South, East to West, in just eight action-packed days. This tour is for anyone who would like to see all Iceland has to offer, from the most famous spots to the lesser-known gems.

Horseback riding in the Soča Valley

This is the perfect tour for those who want to relax, not worry about the road, and take in all the beauty of a new country around them. You can add various activities, such as horseback riding, snorkelling, and whale watching. See the daily itinerary below for details. You'll also have many opportunities to hunt the Northern Lights each evening. You'll spend Day 4 ice caving, a rare treat for visitors to Iceland, only available in the deep winter. These ice caves are carefully searched out each fall by qualified glacier guides, experts who know when the ice is safe and ready to display its dazzling beauty.

Each spring, they melt and disappear forever, so you must see them during this limited time. This is the perfect tour Go for a whirlwind self-drive tour of Iceland's most fabulous attractions with this short holiday plan in Iceland. This 4-day itinerary is for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to spare in their busy schedule but still longs to relax and see the most famous sights in Iceland at their own speed under the midnight sun.

There are also other extra activities you can add on to make your journey even more special, and by booking them now, you'll get these excursions at a discounted price. You can try out a snorkelling tour in Silfra gorge or scale an ice cap on a glacier hike. The choice is yours. Treat yourself to an incredible trip in Iceland with this 4-day summer self-drive tour. This 4-day itinerary is for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to spare in their busy schedule but still longs to relax and see the most famous sights in Iceland at their own Make the most of your time in Iceland with this extensive day, self-drive tour.

This self-drive package helps you save money without sacrificing anything! Best of all, you choose where to drive, and when to leave. There are no bus schedules or impatient tour guides to worry about. You're free to spend as much time in each spot as you'd like. To help with this, we've handpicked hidden locations across the land where you can be almost entirely alone, far from noisy people or busy streets.

Customise your vacation during booking so that it's exactly what you've been dreaming of. You can get all of these excursions at a reduced price if you book them alongside this tour. Check out how many stunning sights and activities you can see and do in Iceland on this amazing trip!

This self-drive package helps you save money without Hop on the saddle with this picturesque horse riding tour and experience the incredible wealth of Iceland's beauty from on top your own Icelandic horse! At the stable, you will gear up and be introduced to the basic principles of horse riding. One of your friendly and experienced guides will choose a horse to fit your skill level.

For this tour, you will need to bring a pair of sturdy shoes, sneakers or hiking boots. It is also recommended to bring a comfortable pair of pants riding pants are not necessary , a pair of gloves and a thin hat to wear beneath your helmet. If you would like to bring small items such as a camera, it is advised to wear a waist bag.

Horseback Riding - Bonaire Official Tourism Site

Backpacks are not allowed on horseback. Soon, you will be riding through some truly gorgeous countryside; dried lava plateaus, farmlands and rivers, all surrounded by a stunning vista of volcanic mountains. Passing by a number of farmsteads, you will also have the opportunity to see firsthand how agriculture has developed across the region. At the end of your tour, you can sit back and relax with a hot cup of coffee and some delicious home baked cake before it is time to return to the city. Book this brilliant and accessible horse riding tour and you too can make some fantastic holiday memories with some of Iceland's most famous four-legged residents.

Check the booking availability by choosing a date. The Icelandic horse is very gentle, so this tour is perfect for both beginners and expert riders alike. Once there, you will get to meet your horse for the day. The Icelandic horse arrived here on the Viking ships of the settlers over a thousand years ago. You will be provided with all the necessary riding equipment, such as a helmet, boots, gloves and warm overalls.

After that, there is nothing left but to mount your steed and head on out to the wild Icelandic nature. Discover the Icelandic countryside the same way the Vikings did; on the back of a horse. Book now to secure your spot on this fun-filled tour. This hour-long tour is ideal for those who want to try out this activity, and those looking up to fill a small window of time while packing as much into their days as possible. Here, you will be provided with a riding helmet and overalls if the weather demands it before you will be introduced to your steed for the next hour.

Icelandic horses are delightful animals, very different to other breeds because of their thousand years of evolutionary isolation; no other horse has diluted the stock since the turn of the millennium. Their short, sturdy stature and shaggy winter coats are the most notable things upon first glance, but after a moment, you will note they are curious, intelligent and sociable. After introductions, you will mount up and set out on your adventure.

Children as young as five are welcome to join, although those under seven will be led by a guide. This hour-long tour is ideal for those who want to try out this activity, and those looking up to fill a small window of time while packing as much into their days as Meet the friendly Icelandic horse on this short and affordable tour to a local horse farm, where you can attend to these beautiful creatures and be led around the stables without holding the reins yourself.

This adventure is ideal for those who want the chance of a close encounter with this incredible breed without embarking on an actual riding tour. The Icelandic horse is truly a unique breed, known throughout the world for its friendly temperament and vibrant personality.

These animals arrived at the island with the very first settlers. Having adapted to their environment with no natural predators around, they are not easily spooked. All riding gear will be provided for you, including a safety helmet, riding boots and rainwear. Once you have been led around the stables, you will enjoy a briefing on the fascinating history of these amazing creatures, as told by your certified local guide.

This adventure is ideal for those who want the chance of a close encounter with this Experience Iceland in a fun and easy way with this 5-day family friendly all-in-one package. Should you wish to make your day more action-packed, you can add on an array of extra activities during the booking process. Witness the wonders of the Icelandic nature during the Northern Lights season in comfort, with this 5-day tour package.

None who want to see the incredible landscapes of Iceland should overlook this opportunity. Other than the 8 full days of guided adventure, all transfers and accommodation will be sorted for you, including the return airport transfer and 2 nights of stay in the capital.

There are no hidden costs upon arrival; all arrangements are included in the price, as is the entrance to the Blue Lagoon. Joining this tour could not, therefore, be any easier.

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Furthermore, you can add adventure to the trip, by opting to take excursions while booking; it is possible to glacier hiking, whale watching, horse riding, lava caving, and to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of an ice cave. Of course, as you are travelling in winter, when the days are short and nights are long, this tour presents many opportunities for you to see the Northern Lights. Due to the fact that you will spend time traversing very remote areas throughout the dark hours, with little light pollution, your chances are even greater. Immerse yourself in Iceland, by seeing as much of it as possible over ten days.

Go horseback riding on the sturdy and friendly Icelandic horse in the beautiful nature of North Iceland. This adventure is the ideal choice for horse lovers, families and groups wanting to experience the Icelandic landscape on horseback, just as the Icelandic people have done since the Age of Settlement. Your tour begins as you get picked up from your accommodation in Akureyri, and brought to the stables located close to town.

Here, you will meet your experienced local guides and get acquainted with Iceland's favourite animal. Once you have been assigned to a trusty steed that fits your profile, get ready to saddle up and begin your easy, one-hour trail ride through North Iceland's stunning landscapes. You will be on the actual tour, riding the horse for 1 full hour. We do not count the time getting prepared, helmets, and safety talk as part of the actual tour time, so you will have lots of time to enjoy riding around on the horses!

Not only will you befriend the small, shaggy Icelandic horses who are famed for their smooth gait, but you will take in the breathtaking mountain vistas and wide fields of grass waving by the lakeside path of your journey. These horses have also been isolated on the island since the days of the country's settlement, resulting in the famed mellow temper of the species, as well as their noteworthy affluence in befriending their human riders.

This excursion is designed for riders of all levels of experience, meaning that no matter whether you are a beginner or an expert, you are sure to have a wonderful time connecting with your horse in the North Icelandic countryside. This adventure is the ideal choice for horse lovers, families and groups wanting to experience the Icelandic landscape on horseback, just as the Icelandic people have done since the Age of This tour combines two of the most popular activities in Iceland for maximum enjoyment of nature: Though Geysir is shy these days, its neighbour Strokkur loves to have an audience for eruptions every 10 minutes.

Next, you'll visit the mighty Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, powered by glacial runoff which pours down the river and tumbles over the two-tiered falls. You can view its blistering force from afar, or take the walking path directly down to the falls to feel it rumble beneath your feet. This is where the longest ongoing parliament in the world was founded in the 10th century.

You can still see the ruins of old booths and meeting areas built there in past centuries as thousands gathered in the valley to settle disagreements and form alliances. The site is also a rift valley, a geological feature resulting from the ocean floor spreading, dragging the crust of the earth apart with its devastating force. If you are a nature and animal lover, book this best value tour and make the most out of one day in the land of ice and fire.

Join this tour to see all the best Iceland has to offer in summer! You'll visit some of the most spectacular waterfalls, forest trails and sandy beaches the country has to offer. All this in just six days! If you'd like to add more fun, you can also reserve extra activities during the booking process. If you are curious about other possibilities, there are many tours in and around Reykjavik to choose from. You could take a boat ride to see the whales of the North Atlantic or take a culinary walking tour of the city and indulge in a taste of Iceland. If you never get enough of adventure, you can even extend your trip for a day and use it to go cave exploring, or, better yet, go inside a volcano!

The possibilities are endless. You'll have the chance It depends on the tour you choose, but you can expect to ride between one and three hours. Please look at your tour's description for further information. For certain tours, yes, but you can also find numerous tours which will accommodate inexperienced riders. Warm and waterproof layers, sturdy shoes such as riding boots or hiking shoes , gloves and a thin hat to wear under your helmet. It depends on the tour. For shorter tours the age limit is usually between seven and eight years.

The Icelandic horse can carry an adult without difficulty. However, the maximum weight will depend on the particular tour you choose.

Tours are usually not cancelled due to rain but if you are worried about cancellation, you can check with your tour provider on the day of your tour. Only warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Helmets and overalls will be provided on site. This depends on the tour. You should not feed the horses without asking the owners or tour guides, since the horses are well fed and should not have their diet interrupted. If you wish to bond with your horse by feeding it, simply pick up some grass or hay from the ground and see if they feel like having a snack. The Icelandic horse is an isolated and protected breed and no other species of horse are allowed into Iceland.

The Icelandic horse may be exported, but the animals that leave can never return. Read reviews by travellers from across the world. See all package details. Prague, minute ride from the centre. Thank you, it was my best birthday present. It was a great experience, very professional as well as personalised at the same time.

The instructor very helpful. Friendly operator with patience. Pick-up Your driver picks you up at any address in Prague you choose. Transfer Enjoy a comfortable ride in an air-conditioned minibus to the horse stable. Instructions Your English speaking instructor gives you the safety briefing. Ride Relax during the trip in the beautiful nature on a lovely horse. Transfer Your driver takes you back to your chosen address or to another Magical Prague experience.

Drop-off Enjoy the rest of your day in our magical city. Everything is taking care of for you and the entire day is completely stress free. Thanks Kristina and Joseph for a fun day! Absolutely brilliant, highly recommended experience. Modern rodeo competitors in timed events sometimes use a closed rein without a romal.

When & where

Western riders wear a long-sleeved shirt, denim jeans, boots, and a wide-brimmed cowboy hat. Cowboy boots , which have pointed toes and higher heels than a traditional riding boot, are designed to prevent the rider's foot from slipping through the stirrup during a fall, preventing the rider from being dragged—most western saddles have no safety bars for the leathers or automatic stirrup release mechanism. A rider may wear protective leather leggings called chaps. Clean, well-fitting work clothing is the usual outfit seen in rodeo , cutting and reining competitions, especially for men, though sometimes both men and women wear brighter colors or finer fabrics for competition than for work.

Show events such as Western pleasure use much flashier equipment, unlike the English traditions where clothing and tack is quiet and unobtrusive. Saddles, bits and bridles are ornamented with substantial amounts of silver. The rider may add a jacket or vest, and women's clothing in particular features vivid colors and even, depending on current fads, rhinestones or sequins. Western horses are asked to have a brisk, ground-covering walk, but a slow, relaxed jog trot that allows the rider to sit the saddle and not post.

The Western version of the canter is called a lope and while collected and balanced, is expected to be slow and relaxed. Working western horses seldom use a sustained hand gallop, but must be able to accelerate quickly to high speed when chasing cattle or competing in rodeo speed events, must be able to stop quickly from a dead run and "turn on a dime. Horses, mules and donkeys are driven in harness in many different ways.

For working purposes, they can pull a plow or other farm equipment designed to be pulled by animals. In many parts of the world they still pull wagons for basic hauling and transportation. They may draw carriages at ceremonies, in parades or for tourist rides. As noted in "horse racing" above , horses can race in harness, pulling a very lightweight cart known as a sulky. At the other end of the spectrum, some draft horses compete in horse pulling competitions, where single or teams of horses and their drivers vie to determine who can pull the most weight for a short distance.

In horse show competition, the following general categories of competition are seen:. Roping includes a number of timed events that are based on the real-life tasks of a working cowboy, who often had to capture calves and adult cattle for branding , medical treatment and other purposes. A lasso or lariat is thrown over the head of a calf or the horns of adult cattle, and the animal is secured in a fashion dictated by its size and age.

In spite of popular myth, most modern "broncs" are not in fact wild horses, but are more commonly spoiled riding horses [ citation needed ] or horses bred specifically as bucking stock. There are many other forms of equestrian activity and sports seen worldwide.

What’s included

There are both competitive events and pleasure riding disciplines available. A study in Germany reported that the relative risk of injury from riding a horse, compared to riding a bicycle, was 9 times higher for adolescents and 5. Other findings noted that helmets likely prevent traumatic brain injuries. In the United States each year an estimated 30 million people ride horses, resulting in 50, emergency department visits 1 visit per riders per year.

Approximately hours of experience are required to achieve a substantial decline in the risk of injury. The survey authors conclude that efforts to prevent equestrian injury should focus on novice equestrians. The most common injury is falling from the horse, followed by being kicked, trampled and bitten. About 3 out of 4 injuries are due to falling, broadly defined. Furthermore, the study noted that in Germany, one quarter of all sport related fatalities are caused by horse riding.

Some possible injuries resulting from horse riding, with the percent indicating the amounts in relation to all injuries as reported by a New Zealand study, [21] include:. Among 36 members and employees of the Hong Kong Jockey Club who were seen in a trauma center during a period of 5 years, 24 fell from horses and 11 were kicked by the horse. Most frequent injury sites are the lower trunk Within this study patients were treated and released Horseback riding is one of the most dangerous sports, especially in relation to head injury.

Statistics from the United States, for example, indicate that about 30 million people ride horses annually. Of those, about 60 die each year from their brain injuries. Head injuries are especially traumatic in horseback riding. About two-thirds of all riders requiring hospitalization after a fall have sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Horseback Riding Operators

The use of riding helmets substantially decreases the likelihood and severity of head injuries. When a rider falls with a helmet, he or she is five times less likely to experience a traumatic brain injury than a rider who falls without a helmet. Once a helmet has sustained an impact from falling, that part of the helmet is structurally weakened, even if no visible damage is present. In addition, helmets should be replaced every three to five years; specific recommendations vary by manufacturer. Many organizations mandate helmet use in competition or on show grounds, and rules have continually moved in the direction of requiring helmet use.

In , the United States Equestrian Federation passed a rule making helmet use mandatory while mounted on competition grounds at U. Georges and above is also riding a test at Fourth Level or below, he or she must also wear a helmet at all times while mounted. The idea that riding a horse astride could injure a woman's sex organs is a historic, but sometimes popular even today, misunderstanding or misconception, particularly that riding astride can damage the hymen. In female high-level athletes, trauma to the perineum is rare and is associated with certain sports see Pelvic floor Clinical significance.

The type of trauma associated with equestrian sports has been termed "horse riders' perineum". In men, sports-related injuries are among the major causes of testicular trauma. In a small controlled but unblinded study of 52 men, varicocele was significantly more common in equestrians than in non-equestrians. Organized welfare groups, such as the Humane Society of the United States , and animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals , have been known to criticise some horse sports with claims of animal cruelty.

Horse racing is a popular equestrian sport which is practiced in many nations around the world. It is inextricably associated with gambling , where in certain events, stakes can become very high.

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