The industrial revolution transformed Manchester and its surrounding area into the second most populous region of the UK. But if you’re thinking that the only inhabitants are city-dwelling people, and perhaps a couple of pigeons, think again: wherever there are people, you’re sure to find horses. This is down to the deep connections between humans and horses, which have existed for millenia. These wonderful animals have been our way of getting around, our colleagues in many kinds of work and, most importantly, our friends since they were first domesticated way back in our prehistoric past.

The countryside around and between the cities and towns of the county, Salford, Stockport, Bolton and Wigan is peppered with stables and riding schools where our equine friends live alongside their owners, and everyone is welcome to come to meet them and enjoy their company, whether they live nearby or are visiting the area. If you’re crazy about horses, you won’t find it difficult to find a horse riding experience, or even a more unusual equestrian adventure without going far from the city centre, or spending a fortune.

Where are the best places to go horse riding in Greater Manchester?

• Oldham: To the East, Oldham district extends to the fringes of the Peak District National Park. You can enjoy miles of off-road hacking in this part of the county for a bit of peace and quiet. There are also opportunities for the youngest horse lovers - stable based sessions for toddlers.

• Tameside: This district is in the southeast of the county and has some great routes for riding and hacking with a minimum of time on roads, including along the Trans Pennine Trail which passes by the town of Hyde. Or you can bring your kids to the stables for a day with the ponies. This can be a “working” day including riding and stable chores, or a play day - a pony party!

• Stockport: The district of Stockport is the third most populous in the county, but it also boasts 14 nature reserves. It’s a great place for all kinds of riding: walkouts, hacks and treks. Some of these are suitable for even the most inexperienced riders, whereas others require a bit more experience in the saddle. And for younger visitors, there are sessions for them to get to know horses in the safe and welcoming environments of working stables.

• Trafford: Although more famous for its football stadium, home of the world famous Manchester United FC, Trafford has a healthy population of horses just waiting for your visit. Besides here, are especially good with kids, and there are numerous offers of stable days and pony parties for your son or daughter and their friends to enjoy the company of these special animals. Or you can take one of them out for a ride around the rural areas of the district, where you’ll be surprised by how much wildlife you might see.

• Bolton: The football club of Bolton are the Wanderers, but the equestrian stables here have a very clear goal: to provide fun and formational experiences to children. As well as riding and playing, they give children of all ages, abilities and educational needs the chance to learn something about horses, and maybe about themselves too.

• Wigan: On the way out of Manchester towards Wigan is a riding school operated by a team who both started riding at a young age, and they want to give youngsters their turn to get into the saddle too. There are lessons for all abilities if you can commit to regular sessions, or if you’re looking for a memorable occasion, why not organise a party with ponies for your kids?

Requirements to do this activity

You’re never too young to be baptised into the world of equitation in the stables around Greater Manchester. Special sessions are available for toddlers aged between 2 and 4 years old, so you’re little ones can get to know horses and riding at the same time as they start to understand themselves and the world around them. In these sessions they won’t go far on a horse, but children from 5 years and up can start to go riding out of the stables to explore the surrounding area.

Some stables that focus on children’s experiences have a maximum age of 12 years, but when it comes to going on longer rides and hacks, there has to be a minimum age, sometimes of 12 years, sometimes older, and sometimes based on experience and ability.

Weight is an important factor that horse owners have to consider for the wellbeing of their animals. Like people, every horse has its own constitution and capabilities which determine what kind of load they can carry. Horses that work with children can take up to around 9 stone, or 60 kilograms, whereas the weight limit for adults can be from 13 stone, or 80 kilograms, and up. It's worth getting in touch with the stables previously if you have any doubts about this.

How long does an experience last?

- It all depends on what you want to do, and how capable you are. The shortest horse rides for young children or adult first timers can last just 15 to 30 minutes and, when appropriate, the horse can be lead by an instructor on foot. This is known as a lead ren ride or a walk out. Longer rides can be an hour or up to half a day if you want to see a lot of the countryside around the urban centres here, but these excursions are for people who are used to spending an extended period of time on horseback. Also reserved for experienced riders is hacking. This is a kind of ride where the horse is given the chance to exercise, by catering, galloping, and tackling more uneven terrain. They can be quite short, there are hacks at just 1 hour, or up to 4 hours long, but you need to be experienced to join in.

- An own a pony day is a great way to keep your child busy during the school holidays and they’ll be looked after at the stables from the morning to the afternoon, and in turn they’ll look after a horse for a day and learn about the routine of the stables. A pony party is a shorter, more fun-based session for your son or daughter and their friends. They can vary in length, from an hour up to a few hours, and can include a birthday meal alongside the riding and the games. They’re available at numerous stables around the county.

If you’ve made up your mind to come to have the experience, just click the booking button and we’ll make it happen for you!