Offers of Horseback Riding Hertfordshire

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is the title of a textbook used by students in JK Rowling’s magical universe of Harry Potter. This title was later used for a series of films set in the same universe, but it could just as well serve as the title to this guide to horse riding experiences in Hertfordshire. Horses are real life fantastic beasts, combining strength and speed with compassion and kindness, and they’re found throughout the county. The fact that these films were actually shot here at the Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, is just a magical coincidence.

This is a largely rural county, with no large cities. The Rivers Lea and Colme flow southwards to join the River Thames in London, and in the West of the county the land rises to the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The country lanes and woodland paths make travelling through this landscape a true pleasure, and sharing the experience with a horse is sure to bring you the feeling of calm and freedom which we all need to have a break from our busy lives. With a multitude of activities, locations and price tags, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Where are the best places to go horseback riding in Hertfordshire?

• Hertford: The county town has historic links to London along the River Lea, and to this day it’s within easy reach of the capital. But spending time in the idyllic surrounding countryside, you’d never guess that King’s Cross is just 40 minutes away. The rural scenery is perfect for hacking, while young equine enthusiasts can enjoy pony camps that run in the school holidays. You can also organise a birthday party for your son or daughter and their friends, where the ponies are also on the guestlist!

• St Albans: The11th century Cathedral (known as the Abbey) makes this the only city in the county. The history of St Albans stretches back to the Roman period, so the timeless pastime of horseback riding is well established here. You can take a long hack along the river, or bring your little ones for their first equestrian adventure whether it’s a party, a lesson or a gymkhana.

• Chiltern Hills: To the North of Hemel Hempstead, the land rises to this charming range of highlands. This is the kind of terrain that horses love: good paths, gentle gradients, open skies and, best of all, no noise of cars and traffic. You’ll love it too if you team up with one of these fantastic beasts to go trekking over the hills. You can also meet horses that have been trained to provide ‘equine support’, and use their natural empathy for therapeutic purposes.

• Welwyn Garden City: Designed in the 1920s to be ‘The Perfect Town’, Welwyn combines the best elements of city and countryside life. Well connected to neighbouring towns and with transport links to London, it’s also set in the heart of Hertfordshire's rural idyll. Everyone’s welcome at the stables, to enjoy hacking or a lesson, or a pony experience on the stable grounds.

• Ware: not far from the county town, some of the top equestrian experiences are located near Ware. Luxury hacking on sport horses is our recommendation for intermediate and experienced riders. On the other hand, for children who are new to the world of horse riding, there are some wonderful ponies just waiting to take kids for their first rides.

What kind of experiences can you find?

Hertfordshire offers the complete package of horseback adventures, from the traditional to the innovative and the playful to the challenging. Children are particularly well catered for here, even toddlers can have their first taste of horse riding, sitting in the saddle and being led by a trainer on foot. Lessons are also available to kids of all ages, whether they have their own horse or not, as are pony experience days or pony camps. These will be a baptism for your son or daughter into the equestrian world, as they’ll take part in all the daily activities of the stables, including the behind the scenes responsibilities of mucking out and grooming, as well as riding and exercising the horses. And for an unforgettable celebration that they’ll never forget, you can organise a pony party for your child and their friends, where they’ll play alongside the animals and have the opportunity to learn something too.

- Adult novices can also have an initiation into the riding world. The gentle landscape of the region is perfect for first timers to get a feel for riding on horseback. Climbing onto a horse, sitting in the saddle and controlling it with the reins and stirrups takes some getting used to, so you don’t want to worry about mountainous or complicated terrain on your first ride! Having said that, there are also ample opportunities for seasoned jockeys to indulge in their hobby in beautiful landscapes and more challenging routes. From short treks of 30 minutes to energetic hacks that can take 3 hours to complete, you’ll find everything here.

Requirements to do this activity

This is an inclusive activity and all are welcome here. Toddlers can take a horse for a walk soon after they themselves learn how to walk, as 2 years old is the minimum age. Trotting, cantering and galloping will come later, but there are lessons on offer for all ages to help develop these skills. But you don’t need to have had instruction in horse riding in order to enjoy this pastime, beginners are encouraged to start with a short ride or trek. On the more challenging end of the range of experiences is hacking, taking horses for an energetic ride to exercise them. You need to know how to canter and traverse steep or uneven terrain to take part in this activity, so it’s reserved for experienced riders. As part of a project to make horses and riding available to all, people with mental or physical disabilities can take part in some activities around the county in centers adhered to the RDA.

Finally, it has to be said that these animals have a limit of how much weight they can carry. Though this varies from horse to horse, and also across the life span of an individual, if you weigh more than 12 stone, it’s important to get in touch with the stables in advance of your activity to check if there’s a suitable horse for you.

The fantastic beasts of your dreams are to be found here, make the magic come to life by booking your adventure today!