What experience do you need for bridle riding?
You don't need special skills for bridle-riding, but you'll find the experience is surprisingly different from most other riding. Your horse will too.

Bridle-riding does not involve difficult riding, so if you're used to looking after your horse and riding out on 2-3 hour local hacks, you should be fine. There are no jumps and no speed pressure so, as a result, we have had riders with a very wide range of experience from experienced distance riders to "happy hackers" who've never done this sort of riding before.

The end of a wonderful day. The photo above is of Paul & Penny Steadman from Tavistock riding on Martin Down in the Cranborne Chase network. Martin Down is criss-crossed with high quality bridleways - you can see one snaking away in the background.
On the left is Joan Departe from Peterborough riding in Norfolk at the end of May 2007. The poppies are out much earlier than they used to be - possibly a result of global warming!
Bridle riding doesn't require top quality horses, although they enjoy it too. The mileages can seem a bit daunting if you haven't tried it before, so most of the centre holidays and some of the shorter 2 day place to place rides are designed to encourage first timers to put their hoof in the water. Bobbie from Bridle Rides is always happy to chat through your concerns over the phone (tel : 0121 445 6998) and advise on the best choice of ride before you book.

Whatever your experience, you must have your own horse or access to a friend's horse to do a bridle ride. It is becoming almost impossible to hire horses for unescorted riding (ie. where the horse is kept away from the owner's premises overnight) because most insurance companies see this as an unacceptable risk - and we understand that it is now a specific exclusion for BHS approved riding centres.

We know of a few reputable companies who offer Bridle Rides type holidays on their horses that we are happy to refer enquiries to, although all but one will only offer escorted rides. Click on the following link for more information - I don't have a horse .

lone riders

Bridle riding is best suited to small groups of 2-4 people, and you must be accompanied by at least one other person on a horse or mountain bike. We don't accept lone riders because you don't meet many people on the bridleways, which could be a problem in an emergency, and because our hosts worry about them too much. It's OK as long as you are accompanied, and we have several couples who ride together regularly on a horse and mountain bike - we've even had a few very fit people accompanying riders on foot! If you need to find a riding companion, it is often best to look in your own local area, possibly via your local Riding Club or BHS branch. You can also put an advert on our Co-rider page. We have paired a few people up in the last few years this way, but it's not generally as successful as finding someone in your own area!

Is there a minimum - or maximum - age ?

Provided that you are a competent rider, you can do a bridle ride. As a result, we have had a very wide range of ages from 6 to over 70 (under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who should also make the booking) - but you do need to be fit enough to enjoy spending 5-6 hours a day in the saddle. One-centre holidays with petal rides (ie. where you return back to the same base each night) may be best for riders who may get tired because you can always cut the ride short or turn back.
Priscilla Labouchere was one of the first riders to venture out in 2003 and rode with her 12 year old grandaughter, Cecily, in the South Cotswolds. She wrote us an article about her experiences from which these extracts and photos are taken, which illustrates that you are never too young (or old) to try bridle riding.

"We had cold but sparkling weather, and the bridleways took us through parkland, woods and spectacular hilly Cotswold country. When Cecily got cold, she got off and ran, as Eddie (her pony) would stand like a rock for her to re-mount".
Priscilla and Cecily both rode purebred Exmoor ponies, Eddie and Smartie. Cecily's mount, Eddie, was only rising 5 - but by the end of the ride he and Cecily were experts at "opening gates, with or without dismounting".
"We stopped for our tea-break in a steep, sloping field with a little stream running through it. Eddie ...very carefully stepped down into the stream and then followed it up, snuffling into every hollow and waterfall. When he reached the 18" drain that the water came out of, he continued his exploration, sticking his entire head up the pipe like a terrier looking for a rat!"

"In those 70 miles the two juniors, Eddie and Cecily, never gave me a moment's anxiety. Eddie couldn't have proved a more charming and fun example of what an Exmoor pony can offer. We completed a brilliantly happy and confidence giving journey".