Whether you’re looking for a Western horse riding holidays in the UK with your significant other (what guy would pass up the chance to be a cowboy for a weekend?) or fancy getting a group of like-minded friends together for a break with a twist, we suggest you check out Loose Reins in Dorset.
The accommodation
Set in a tranquil wooded coomb looking across the River Stour to Hambledon Hill, Loose Reins epitomises the pioneer lifestyle without skipping on comfort. There are a choice of cosy cabins or luxurious canvas lodges, depending on the size of your party, which are all decked out with everything you could need from comfortable king size beds and open fire pits for cooking under the stars, to the all-important essentials like instant hot showers and flushing loos.
The riding
On the equestrian side, the centre offers a range of Western horse riding holiday in the UK suitable for beginners up to experienced riders with a focus on enjoying long trail rides in the country, learning horsemanship basics in the round-pen and perfecting Western riding techniques in the outdoor school. If you’re looking to go galloping around the beautiful Dorset countryside, then this probably isn’t the holiday for you. But if you’d like the chance to slow down and enjoy taking life at a more sedate pace, with great home cooked food and the chance to make new friends, then I’d definitely recommend a visit.
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Prices
Rooms: Cabin sleeping up to two adults and two children: two nights from £255; four nights from £525; seven nights from £745. Lodge sleeping up to six adults: four nights from £585; seven nights from £950.
Riding: Western riding lesson: group £42; private lesson £54. Two-hour trail ride: £75 Western taster experience (round pen horsemanship plus riding session) £85. Loose Reins experience (Western taster experience in the morning, lunch, two-hour trail ride in the afternoon) £165.
Find out more at loosereins.co.uk
Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (25 January 2018) with our horse riding holidays special, where one writer heads on an adrenline-fuelled trip to Spain, and another relaxes at a luxurious horsey hotel near to London
Welcome to Loose Reins
Riding facilities include a large outdoor arena
Lessons are available to perfect your Western riding technique
Training includes the challenges you might meet on the trail
Once the basics are in place you can explore the countryside
You can see for miles as you ride across the top of the hills
Horsemanship sessions in the round pen are also popular
Enjoy immersing yourself in the Western experience…
…in a comfortable meeting room for lunch with new friends
Your mounts, mainly quarter horses, have smart barn stables
The barn is light and airy and the horses are in great condition
When not working, the horses enjoy plenty of paddock time
During good weather cookouts around the communal fire pit are popular
Don’t miss the chance to practise your roping skills
The honesty shop contains all your basic provisions
Cabins sleep two adults in comfort
How cosy does this look? It lived up to expectations
Yummy local bread and brownies on my arrival
None of your kitchen essentials have been forgotten
The cute kitchen is small but perfectly formed
A flushing loo and instant hot water shower is hidden behind a door
Ponies in the back garden: the view from my bedroom window
Each cabin offers good levels of privacy from other guests
The beautiful view across the valley from the veranda
Regardless of the weather, it’s still cosy outside
