Offers of Horseback Riding Wiltshire

If you’re travelling through the pastoral county of Wiltshire, you might be surprised to see huge white horses, up to 40 metres tall, on the hillsides. Don’t worry - these giant beasts don’t pose any threat, they’re not even alive. Wilshire’s hills are made of chalk, a white rock which supports a thin layer of earth, often topped with grass. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors realised that it was relatively easy to expose the chalk below and leave lines, markings and patterns in the hillside that could be seen for miles around. There are many white horses in southern England, some of them dating back 3,000 years, with the highest concentration in this county. This figures are evidence of the timeless importance of real horses in this region, which makes it an excellent destination for an equestrian adventure.

Spending time with horses has numerous benefits for our physical and mental health. Riding and hacking are great forms of exercise for horse and rider, while the connections that we make with the animals can bring us a sense of calm and harmony. The great outdoors is also great for our wellbeing, and the wide open spaces of Wiltshire’s chalk downland give us space to disconnect from our daily routines. That’s why a horse riding activity here is our recommendation for anyone who needs a change of scenery, a physical and emotional boost, or just a fun day out with an animal companion.

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

• Salisbury: From the Gothic cathedral to nearby Stonehenge, the area around Salisbury is charged with positive energy. Several stables near the city welcome people of all kinds to meet their horses and have an unforgettable experience with them. Children can “own a pony” for a day to learn about the daily routine of a horse, including riding and exercise as well as stable duties of grooming and mucking out. Or if you already know a bit about riding, you can take the horses hacking through woods and over hilltops.

• Amesbury: An Iron Age burial site from the same era as the oldest white horse figures was uncovered in Amesbury in 2002. Who knows what other ancient secrets can be found in the area? Riding a horse is a great way to explore the countryside around the town, and the country bridleways can be accessed directly from the stables, so there’s no stress from sharing roads with cars and other traffic.

• Shrewton: This small village hosts a very special stables, where horses are used in therapeutic activities. Equine therapy is a growing field in addiction, rehabilitation and mental health care, and practitioners and participants agree that it’s an incredibly beneficial alternative or complement to traditional talking therapy. Rides and pony experience days are also available here, which can help anyone to relax and unwind.

• Westbury: Sharing the valley with the Westbury white horse, the oldest of the chalk horses in Wiltshire, you’ll find a stable where horses share their home with campers. This is one of the best spots in the county to go horseback trekking, taking in views of the white horse and the hills around, as well as leading you through ancient woodland.

• Devizes: In the centre of the county there’s a pack of ponies who like to party. You can bring your son or daughter and their friends here for a birthday celebration to remember, complete with riding, games and food. Or you can bring some ponies to your special occasion - whether it’s a wedding, party or festival - to be the guests of honour.

• Swindon: A host of equestrian experiences are within easy reach of the largest city in the county, Swindon. Riding experience packages are a fantastic introduction into the life of a rider, as they’ll include riding alongside stable management sessions. There are miles of rural tracks and trails to explore by hacking, and there are pony parties for the youngest as well.

What kind of experiences can you find?

- If your goal is to get in the saddle and go for a ride through the Wiltshire countryside, you only need to take 30 minutes out of your day. These shortest rides are mainly for children or nervous novices and are known as lead rein rides, where you’ll be accompanied by an instructor on foot who guides the horse. Independent riding experiences are usually an hour long, while those with some experience in the saddle there’s great hacking throughout the county. This kind of riding is the best way to exercise a horse, and it involves walking, trotting and cantering to raise the pulse of the horse and the rider.

- Pony experiences for children are fantastic for the youngest who want to find out more about horses. An immersive own a pony day will let your son or daughter experience the reality of having their own horse, as for a full day they’ll be responsible for looking after the animal: exercising and grooming it, and mucking out the stables. Pony parties focus more on the fun side. This is an opportunity for your child to enjoy themselves with their friends - and some new equestrian friends too! They can be organised for an hour or two.

Requirements to do this activity

While TV series and movies make riding a horse look easy, the reality is that it takes time to build up the skills and confidence to work in harmony with a horse. That’s why you can only go hacking if you have some experience in the saddle and you know how to walk, trot and canter and handle uneven or steep terrain. More sedate rides are a possibility for less experienced riders, while you can take your first steps on a horse with no experience at all on a supervised lead rein ride.

Horses are big, strong animals but they’re gentle enough for young children to get up close to them in the right kind of conditions. Children as young as 4 years old can have equestrian experiences here, and older children and teens can do more activities and take on more stable responsibilities as they grow up. Despite their size, there are limits to the load that a horse can take. The exact weight depends on the individual, but some can’t carry more than 13.5 stone, or 85 kilograms. Get in touch to make sure that your weight is suitable for horse riding before arrival if you have any doubts.

Admire the white animals, and fall in love with the real ones, your reservation is just a click away.