You may have noticed that all of our horse riding holidays mention the riding ability globetrotters need to have in order to participate. We divide this into four levels: beginner, intermediate, strong intermediate and advanced. Check out the definitions below and watch THIS video to find out more:

Beginner – reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.

Intermediate – confident and in control on a moving horse at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly. Comfortable and competent using aids {you need to know what aids are} to communicate with your horse.

Strong intermediate – an intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly outside of an arena and is comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day. Strong intermediate riders are comfortable and competent in all three gaits; able to post or sit to the trot; have an independent seat while cantering (don’t hold onto the saddle); and can pick up the correct canter lead. They can also navigate more complex terrain, including asking a horse to sidestep and jump over a small obstacle.

Advanced – a frequent rider who is very fit, comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day, and has an independent seat and soft hands. Advanced riders are confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain. They can ride over small jumps and know the techniques used to collect a horse.

Hopefully you now feel confident in describing your ability and choosing a ride that’s a perfect fit!

If you have any doubts, or if there’s a ride you’re longing to experience but you’re not sure if your riding level is high enough, don’t hesitate to get in touch! We’re always happy to clarify things and answer all your questions, big or small.

We have a number of rides that are perfect for globetrotters who have been out of the saddle for a while – designed to cater to your individual fitness level and riding ability while giving you a big confidence boost.

For more information, check out our blog post here.

We understand. It’s quite daunting to know which ride you should book on when we have over 60 different riding holidays in our colourful Globetrotting portfolio.

But if it makes you feel better, there is no wrong decision. Hand on heart, all of the riding holidays that you’ll wanderlust after on our website are superior, the duck’s nuts, the cat’s pyjamas. Promise.

In saying that, if you’re still feeling lost, why not take our nifty pop-quiz here, which will take no more than 2 minutes, and will definitely help you find a horse riding holiday perfectly matched to your desires.

Otherwise, take a read of this article, How to Choose the Perfect Riding Holiday, for some more insight as to which type of riding vacation will suit you.

Absolutely!

As a mother to three young globetrotters (Finn, Birdie and Poppy), nothing gives me more joy and pride than bundling up our wanderlust-filled family and taking them globetrotting. I believe horse riding is a life skill that needs to be learned, like swimming. As I’m sure you’ll agree, horses can teach us so much from a young age – persistence, patience, courage, responsibility – and give us the freedom to explore nature’s spoils. And trail riding, whether at home or on holiday, is the perfect foundation to set kids up for a lifelong love affair with horses.

Granted, not every family has access to trustworthy horses and fun trails at (or near) home. But you can enjoy this beautiful experience on plenty of our Globetrotting holidays. We have a selection of rides around the world that will suit the entire family, no matter your budget, timeframe, holiday preferences or riding ability (including non-riders!).

So whether it’s your entire family or a mother/daughter or father/son trip, click here to view a list of family friendly horse riding holidays, including age limits and suitability.

Age is no barrier in signing up for a horse riding adventure. The majority of our globetrotters range in age from 35 right through to 72, so you’ll be in good company no matter which ride you decide to join. Believe me: if you’re in good health and want to grasp life with both hands and go on a wildly exciting adventure that will blow your socks off, then one of our riding holidays is for you.

After sixty, gone are the days of riding young horses that prance on the spot, am I right? You want to relax and enjoy the experience, knowing that you’re riding safe, responsive horses, surrounded by like-minded people, and that your creature comforts on and off the horse are delivered. THIS I can guarantee, and that’s the true benefit of booking with Globetrotting: we offer impartial advice as an agent that specialises in horse riding holidays. We can steer you in the direction of a horse riding holiday that suits your riding level, interests and budget.

If you’re riding regularly, you’ll be MORE than fine to conquer a huge percentage of our rides. And to be honest, if you’re in (or past!) your sixties and lucky enough to still be a frequent rider, you should be taking advantage of this time in your life – leave the cruise ships and the New York shopping trips for when you need a zimmer frame! This is the golden time to put yourself first; babysitting your grandchildren can wait.

For those who haven’t been in the saddle for a few years and are concerned about whether your body will handle the riding hours each day, I recommend looking into our entry-level rides. And if you need to get yourself riding fit, this blog post has some very handy tips.

Meet some globetrotters aged 60+

First up, there’s Margaret Mooney, who has notched up more riding holidays with Globetrotting than we can even count, including the Maasai Mara ride in Kenya, the Arhangay Ride in Mongolia, The Patagonia Trail and more! This is what Margaret thought of her ride in Patagonia:
‘If riding a surefooted Criollo horse up and down precipitous mountain trails under a blazing blue sky is on your wish list, then The Patagonia Trail is for you! Experience luxurious glamping on the banks of a crystal clear river, feast on delicious asados and parillas washed down with plentiful Malbec. Ride through ancient forests to remote campsites that can only be reached on horseback to find a cold beer and delicious lunch waiting for you. Sit around the campfire in the evening, listening to the profound silence and watching the moon rise over the mountains. Swim in the icy Lake Traful after enjoying the amazing hospitality of Felipe’s home. The only thing I didn’t like about my time in Patagonia was that it came to an end all too soon! If there was just one word to sum up this experience it would be EXHILARATING!’

Not to be outdone is Kaye Bracken, who discovered Globetrotting late in life and has been absolutely unstoppable! At the time of writing she has five Globetrotting rides under her belt, is booked on The Margaret River Ride and the Twin Coast Adventure in New Zealand, and after that her sights are set on the Touch of the Highlands Ride in Iceland! When asked why she loves horse riding holidays so very much, she said the following:
‘Horses can give you such an insightful aspect of the country in which you are riding. Nothing beats being surrounded by nature on the back of a horse. Everything is crystal clear – the country, the smells, the colours, the season, whether it be summer, spring, autumn or winter, really feeling the sun, the wind, even the rain. Each ride has its own individual taste, which keeps me coming back and wanting more.’

But wait, there’s more! To read our full article, ‘You’re Never Too Old to Go Globetrotting‘, click here.

Believe it or not, the majority of our globetrotters travel solo. I started my career as a single globetrotter and have made life-long friendships borne from hours upon hours of conversations in the saddle. Once you’ve completed a horse riding holiday as a single traveller, you’ll realise that it’s an absolute cinch and you’ll be signing up for the next ride (as a single) in a heartbeat.

Here is why:

FREE CHOICE
You can pick the travel dates that fit within your holiday schedule rather than co-ordinating with a friend.
You can select the PERFECT ride based on your budget, time and riding ability rather than downgrading your expectations to fit with a friend who may not be as confident in the saddle as you. Or vice versa – you may be a beginner looking for an entry-level ride where you can really get your riding mojo on.

THE PEOPLE YOU MEET
Typically, when travelling alone, you’re in a better position to meet more people and get out of your comfort zone than if you were travelling with a friend or partner. The wonderful part of a horse riding holiday is that more often than not, almost everyone on the ride is a single traveller. You’ll meet like-minded folk who all share a common love of horses and travelling. You’ll enjoy endless hours of swapping riding stories around the campfire that would bore a non-equestrian to tears!

WE MAKE IT EASY
From the get-go, we make solo travel easy. If you’re going to a foreign country, we ensure that one of our representatives is at the airport with your name on a sign (yep – you’ll feel famous) to collect you, take you to an ATM to get the local currency and drive you to your hotel.

Also, once you’ve booked your holiday, we invite you to join our private Globetrotters Facebook group, a space for all globetrotters who have ridden with us in the past or are about to embark on their first ride. It’s a great spot to ask questions and get first-hand advice. You’ll also be able to correspond with other globetrotters booked on the same ride, so you can make arrangements to meet up beforehand or share transfer costs if required.

We’ll always try our very best to secure you a private room or tent (depending on the style of accommodation) without having to pay a hefty single supplement charge. If you have to share due to ride numbers, we’ll make sure you’re teamed up with a rider of the same gender – who doesn’t snore!

So don’t put off your Globetrotting career simply because you’re flying solo – life is WAY too short and there are FAR too many riding holidays to conquer. To start you off, check out this list of Globetrotting rides that offer single accommodation with no single supplement!

And finally, here are some words of encouragement from other solo globetrotters:

“If you are toying about the idea of travelling on your own, maybe you’re a bit worried, don’t be…JUST DO IT! I had such an amazing time and met the most wonderful people who I anticipate riding with again. Thank you Globetrotting for all your help.” – Carolyn Francis, The Patagonia Trail, Argentina

“‘Just hurry up and do it!’ would be my quote to any fellow horse lovers who, like me, followed all of the Globetrotting posts for over a year but never actually booked one. When I finally did, I just wished I had done it sooner! I attended as a single rider, not knowing anyone when I arrived, but I now have a group of brilliant friends to book with for our next Globetrotting adventure!” – Anne Smerdon, Glenorchy Back Country Ride, New Zealand

“I travelled alone and was thrilled to find that many in our group were also solo travellers, so don’t be afraid to go it alone! We were all there for the same reason and have made some excellent friends from all over the country.” – Susen Wettenhall

“Absolutely enjoyed the trip. Everyone in our group had a blast (half of them were solo travellers like me). We became fast friends because of the passion for horses. This was the first time I went out to travel as a solo traveller and I really felt relaxed and pampered, the whole atmosphere felt like a big family.” – Terri Yang, Shell Wyoming, USA

“This was my third ride as a solo globetrotter and it won’t be my last. Such an incredibly grounding way to travel.” – Lucy Dyball, Glenorchy Back Country Ride, New Zealand

“As a solo female traveller, I felt safe and fully supported by Christian, Laura and the team throughout the journey.” – Jenny Horner

If you’re considering dipping your toe into the addictive world of horse riding holidays, you may want to consider one of our entry-level rides to see if horse riding while seeing new landscapes is your cup of tea. Pssst: we know it will be, but you might be wondering if you’re riding fitness is up to scratch, if the horse quality is as good as we say it is and if the people on the rides are as nice and like-minded as they sound.

Rather than jumping head first into a 10 day riding safari across the Namibian Desert where you’re in the saddle for 7 hours, you might want to start off with something a bit more mellow, maybe in your own country.

Our entry-level rides are perfect if you’ve been out of the saddle for a while, are a tad nervous, travelling solo, or if it’s your first horse riding holiday.

Click here to see all of our entry-level ride recommendations.

Yes, we offer a variety of riding destinations that cater to both riders and non-riders. On each individual ride page, we specify whether non-riders are welcome.

We’ve also made a list of the best Globetrotting holidays that cater for non-riders – check it out here.

If you’re still unsure, feel free to check in with us, and we’ll confirm whether the ride you’re interested in is suitable for non-riders.

This depends on the individual ride. We have rides suitable for beginner to advanced riders. On each ride page, we specify the riding level required, and you can also filter our list of horse riding holidays by riding ability. If you’re unsure of your riding level, click here to find out. And if you’re still unsure which rides are best suited to your ability and interests, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

There are also a variety of rides that cater to riders of all levels. We often have couples, friends or families where one guest is an experienced rider who would enjoy a fast paced canter and one is a beginner rider who is more comfortable at a trot.

At Globetrotting, we believe in absolute clarity from the outset. You’ll always see the full amount payable upfront, so there are no surprises, no surcharges, and no hidden fees once you begin your booking. The total amount payable will include:

• Ride Price
• A fixed Booking Fee of AUD $150 (or the equivalent in the ride’s currency)

This Booking Fee applies to all rides, regardless of ride price or payment method, and is payable with your deposit.

That’s it — no credit card fees, no extra charges, no unexpected add-ons. Just transparent pricing from your very first click.

If you need to cancel your saddle seat prior to 90 days from departure date, Globetrotting will credit the total paid so far for the ride, plus the booking fee, minus a $500 amendment fee.

If you or any member of your party need to cancel your riding holiday once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us in writing {email}. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when we receive it in writing at our offices.

If you have to cancel and we’re notified more than 90 days prior to departure, we can offer you a global ride credit, less a $500 amendment fee (in the currency of your ride invoice), and this credit can be used on any ride we offer with a validity of 36 months.

If you have to cancel and we’re notified less than 90 days prior to departure, you will need to make a claim through your individual travel insurance policy to seek compensation. We recommend ALL Globetrotters to take out travel insurance the moment they confirm their saddle seat with a completed booking form.

We do not offer refunds.

To view Globetrotting’s terms and conditions, click here.

As per Globetrotting’s terms and conditions, you agree that you will, at least 90 days prior to your departure date, provide us with written notification (by email) of any changes to your booking. If we are able to accommodate the change(s) that you have requested, we may charge an administration amendment fee of $500 per person in the currency of your ride invoice. We may waive the administrative fee if the change request involves adjusting the departure date for the same holiday and ride booking within the same season.

Additional supplier fees may also apply where a booking is changed. Where we incur any liability for a supplier cancellation fee for any booking which you change or cancel, you agree to indemnify us for the amount of that fee. Any change requested within 90 days of the original departure date may, at our election, be treated as a cancellation and the cancellation fees set out in clause 9 below will be payable.

To read Globetrotting’s terms and conditions, click here.

All spots and credit vouchers are non-transferable.

Yes! We now offer waitlists for rides that are 100% sold out. Just visit the ride page and click the ‘Waitlist Me!’ button in the departure dates & rates section. You’ll then be notified via email if a space opens up on any departure date for that ride.

Likewise, to receive an email when new dates are announced, you can click ‘Notify me of future departure dates’ in the departure dates & rates section of the relevant ride page.

If the ride you’re keen on isn’t completely sold out but the particular date you’re after is, your best bet is to ensure you receive our emails and follow us on Facebook and Instagram – if a saddle seat becomes available, we’ll re-advertise it via these channels. And then it’s simply first in, best dressed. You can also email us to let us know that you’re after a particular date.

To join our email database, click here.

Well it just so happens that we have a very comprehensive list as prepared by one of our globetrotters, Anna King, who is also a physician. So not only does she write from a medical background, she also knows what is needed as a globetrotter. #winning

Check out her informative Before You Go article here and her On the Ride article here.

The short answer – yes. Travel insurance is compulsory on all Globetrotting rides and is a condition of booking with Globetrotting, regardless of whether you’re travelling within your home country or abroad. When selecting a travel insurance policy, we require that at a minimum you are covered for horse riding as an activity, and medical expenses, including emergency repatriation.

When looking for a travel insurance policy, make sure it covers horse riding, severe weather events, cancellations, personal liability, loss of luggage and personal effects, and most importantly cancellation insurance. This will cover cancellation penalties in certain circumstances if you have to cancel your trip unexpectedly due to illness, injury or unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately, cancellation insurance will not cover you if you change your mind (unless you take the ‘cancel for any reason’ insurance – which we recommend.)

Your insurance policy, including the specific name of your insurance company, policy number and emergency insurance contact number, MUST be provided before you start your ride. You can upload your travel insurance details in your account.

For more information on the long and short of travel insurance, read this article.

Our personal independent travel agents can provide no-obligation travel insurance quotes that specifically cover horse riding.

When completing your booking form, please indicate if you would like to receive a quote for competitive travel insurance that specifically includes horse riding as an activity.

Once you’ve secured your saddle seat on a Globetrotting ride you’ll have access to your online account which  includes vital and valuable information about the ride you’ve booked, including a suggested packing list, visa information, currency, medical shots required etc. We’re firm believers in providing as much information as possible so you can best prepare for your ride of a lifetime.

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there: several hours in the saddle and a few too many gulps of coffee and you find yourself silently praying that someone will shout the words ‘toilet break!’ before things get squirmy. Here is our honest guide to toilet etiquette on the trail.

The bush wee
First things first: if you need to go, you need to go. Unless you’re galloping away from a bull elephant or three minutes away from the next designated pit stop, it’s perfectly okay to call a halt! Surprisingly often, we find the majority of the riding group are thinking the exact same thing (‘I need to pee!’) so when someone speaks up and asks to stop, everyone lets out a sigh of relief. Chances are you’re not the only one who could do with a break, whether it’s to duck behind a bush or just to get some sunscreen out of a saddlebag. We all have bladders, and we all know how it feels to be busting. Don’t tie yourself in knots about stopping for a wee, and if you feel awkward about it, try laughing! It feels so much better to have a chuckle at the absurdities of life than to beat yourself up about a small and unavoidable issue.

Of course, it’s best if you can find a place with a bit of cover, but in dire circumstances, the best way to get some privacy is simply to tell the group where you will be, e.g. ‘I’m just going to walk towards that hill,’ so that all riders can politely turn away. A big jacket can also work wonders if you need to drop your pants.

To keep reading our ‘Toilet Talk’ article, click here – we also touch on differences to be aware of around the world, managing your period on a riding holiday, hygiene and health. Practical advice so you’re well informed and well prepared to avoid any embarrassing moments!

I’m glad you asked! There is an unspoken code among riders on the trail that will stand you in good stead on your next horse riding adventure. Whether you’re a beginner rider or just haven’t ridden out as part of a group for a while, you may not be aware of the etiquette that helps keep everyone happy and safe when blazing a trail on horseback. After years of guiding and participating in oodles of horse riding holidays myself, here’s the universal set of riding manners that I’ve picked up along the way.

1. If someone is opening or closing a gate, walk your horse through the gate and come to a halt, leaving enough space for others to pass through behind you. Wait until the gate is closed before riding off.
2. Never pass your lead guide, whether at a walk, trot or a canter. Your guide knows the track and their environment intimately, while you’re a visitor under their care. Also, passing other horses can lead to a race mentality among the herd.
3. If your guide signals to stop, be quiet or point out something, follow their instructions and pass the information on to your fellow riders behind you, who may not have seen or heard.
4. When riding single-file or along a narrow track, maintain at least a ‘one-horse gap’ between your horse and the horse in front. This gives everyone room to manoeuvre if necessary and prevents tiffs between horses.
5. Be aware of your fellow riders and their horses. If a rider has a horse that needs to be at the front of the group to prevent it from jogging, try not to pass that horse.
6. Horses who are a bit on the cranky side, and horses who don’t get along with each other, should be given ample space and ridden in the order recommended by the guide.
7. Encourage your horse to stride out in the walk, rather than slipping behind to the back of the group and trotting to catch up. It’s not good for your horse’s education and will become exhausting for you, the rider.
8. At river crossings give the horse and rider ahead of you plenty of space before entering the water yourself.  This will prevent the horses from swimming on top of each other, which can be extremely dangerous.
9. A special rule for Africa: the quieter you are, the more likely you are to have amazing wildlife encounters. So leave the loud conversations for the campfire and you’ll be amazed at the animal experiences you’ll be privy to.

Good question! On our horse riding holidays and safaris, tipping at the end of your adventure is {more often than not} customary, but each ride is different to the next. Once you’ve booked on your chosen ride, in your account you’ll see suggested tip in the trip prep section so you’re prepared and can budget accordingly.

Yes. We road test each and every ride to ensure that rider safety is of the highest standard. All of our holidays have well trained horses, experienced guides and horse handlers, and first aid kits are carried at all times. Depending on the group size, each ride will have two guides: a lead guide who rides at the front of the group and a back-up guide who rides at the tail of the group. We strongly recommend that Globetrotting clients wear a helmet while riding and interacting with horses. We also require all clients to purchase adequate travel insurance that includes cover for medical expenses and horse riding as an activity.

We wouldn’t dream of recommending a ride that doesn’t treat their horses well. We road test each and every ride or ride partner that we offer and seek feedback from globetrotters on a regular basis to ensure that horse welfare is of the highest standard. Horse culture differs between each country that we operate in, but we believe that all horses should be treated with respect and be well cared for. It’s paramount to us.

The type of saddle is dependent on the outfitter, the saddle best suited to the individual horse, and the terrain you’ll be riding through. If you prefer a specific type of saddle, a request can be made to the outfitter in advance (subject to availability).

The answer is no (unless you have the cash to fly your horse to Kenya!) Our portfolio of holidays involve riding the horses provided by the ride outfitter. A lot of riders prefer to ride their own horses as they know them inside out, but we can assure you that you’ll be truly satisfied with the horses on each and every Globetrotting holiday. They are truly top class – our globetrotters often tell us they wish they could bring their steeds home!

Before you arrive, we send the outfitter information about your riding ability, riding history and the type of horse that you prefer. This enables the outfitter to match you with the perfect horse according to your ability and preferences. In the unlikely event that you’re not happy with your pairing, there is always the option to swap horses if need be.

We personally road test each and every ride {and thus each herd of horses}.

Get to know some of our Globetrotting guest horses here.

The group size depends on the individual ride’s popularity and capacity. On every ride page, we specify the minimum and maximum group size for that particular holiday.

The maximum group size with any ride that we recommend is 16 guests plus guides {with a ratio of one guide per five guests}. To be clear, you won’t be riding with 16 guests each day; instead you’ll be split into smaller sub-groups so that everyone can ride at their preferred pace. You will meet the other groups for meals and off-the-horse activities.

That said, most rides have a lower maximum group size, with some offering as few as four saddle seats per departure.

Not a problem, we specialise in catering to experienced riders. On each ride page you’ll find the riding ability required to participate in the ride {beginner, intermediate, strong intermediate or advanced}. On rides that cater for all abilities, you will be divided into groups according to your riding level, so those who wish to can enjoy a faster paced ride when the terrain allows, while those with less experience can go at a pace they are more comfortable with.

You can filter our horse riding holiday portfolio by ‘level of experience’. You can also check your riding ability here. And if you’re still unsure which rides would be best suited to your ability and interests, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

That’s what we’re here for, to find the perfect ride for YOU.