10 Things to Know About Horseback Riding Vacations

When I began researching riding vacations, I was both delighted and astounded to find 631 links on the Internet to specialty travel suppliers around the world. From dude ranches to safaris, from beach rides to hayrides, from training with Olympians to novice walking trail rides, there are hundreds of packages to choose from for riders of every level. You can stay close to home, be a pioneer on a dusty cattle trail, or cross the ocean and the dateline to replicate the horseback adventures of your ancestors.

With so many options available, it's important to know what questions to ask a travel supplier:

- Is there a professional staffing the phone? If a company has no professional office staff, how can they provide good customer service or be responsive to your needs and questions? I contacted several providers who did not have an answering machine, much less a secretary, and in one case, the phone was answered by an 8-year-old child.

- How long have you been in business? While there may be excellent new travel providers in this area, having over 5 years of experience is a plus. Most of the top equestrian travel providers have been running tours for more than 10 years, and have worked in an equestrian-related field such as riding instruction or ranching prior to getting into the travel business.

- Have you, or one of your staff, led this ride? I found that many companies are simply subcontractors. Especially if you're considering a foreign travel adventure, you need a company representative on-site if at all possible. Will someone from the company be on the ride with you? If not, how often does a company representative take the ride to evaluate the level of service of the local tour leader?

- What level of riding expertise is needed? It's important for you to be honest about your abilities and to heed the advice of the experts who have done these rides many times. While a general riding level is usually indicated on the tour company website, I found that providers did not always agree on the definitions of "beginner", "intermediate" and "advanced". A common phrase used by the riding companies to describe the needed riding ability was "comfortable at a walk, trot and canter in a trail situation". However, there are many companies that cater to beginners offering what is called "nose-to-tail" riding, which is single-file at a walk. Be aware that even if you are an experienced rider, you may need some additional training for some of the riding adventures which keep you in the saddle for 4 to 6 hours a day.

- Exactly what is included in the price of this vacation? Top tour outfits are usually very explicit on their websites and in brochures about pricing. In general, packages are D.I.Y. as far as airfare or transportation to and from the meeting point for the trip. Usually included are meals, accommodations, horses & tack, travel gear such as tents and cooking implements if it's an outdoor ride, and at least one qualified tour leader. Many of the adventure rides also provide a support vehicle.

- What kind of equipment and clothing will I need? Gear lists are provided on the top websites, along with weather and climate information. It's always a good idea to go over these lists with a company representative, especially if you have questions or any special needs.

- Are there any age, weight or physical requirements? State laws and insurance regulations vary on these issues, but in general, ask questions if you weigh over 200 pounds, have any health-related problems, or have children under the age of 12.

- Do you get a lot of repeat business, or have any references I can check? Most reputable companies have both and are happy to provide them.

- Can I communicate with the outside world and how? Will the tour leader have a cell phone or should you bring or rent one? Will there be any access to computers/Internet along your route? How would someone be able to contact you in an emergency?

- What are the cancellation /refund policies? If you fall ill or have a family emergency and need to cancel, what are the cancellation and refund policies? What happens if your trip is interrupted or cancelled due to an "act of God" such as a hurricane, flood, or earthquake?

Airfare is D.I.Y. in most of the equestrian vacation packages, but meals, rides, and other activities are usually included. Due to the specialized nature of these vacations, and the limited size of the groups, there are no bargain basement rates, although some companies do offer specials in the winter months. Singles are welcome, but there is usually an additional charge for accommodations. Group sizes are usually between 6 and 20 people, varying with the type of trip you choose, and all of the suppliers offer custom trip planning for large families or groups.

Whether you're seeking an adventure like riding on the beaches of Uruguay or following the hoof prints of Genghis Khan, or if you're spending a week with your family exploring the cowboy life on a ranch, asking your travel provider these detailed questions in advance will help you plan an unforgettable horseback riding vacation.