UND-Pilsa Blog

There is something about horse riding holidays, which builds a wonderful camaraderie in the group. Of course, participants share the challenge of handling their mounts well and avoiding any interference with the other horses. There is the satisfaction of keeping one’s horse in a good position during long canters and not allowing it to sail ahead of the other riders. It is easy for a safe canter to turn into a flat out race, especially if the riders are spread out abreast in a long line as we sometimes go in Kenya across the African bush. One also has the shared feeling of excitement and discovery. An advantage of riding is that the horse can look where he is putting his feet leaving the rider free to look around and talk with nearby companions. Hikers cannot do that nearly as well.

One of the most attractive aspects of the riding holiday is the wonderful introduction it provides to the local people. They feel far more friendly toward travelers who come on horseback than they would to those who just drive up in a tour bus. Beside that on horseback, one can reach remote places where tour buses never could go.

Another appealing aspect of horse riding holidays is the bond, which often builds up with the horse who is sharing the adventure with you. We can appreciate it when the horse pricks up his ears as a donkey brays in a field nearby or a water buffalo pulling a cart passes close on a sandy track. One can understand their antipathy to those mean tempered camels, which are frequently encountered in many parts of the world. We can share his excitement as he gallops along with a herd of zebra, which have challenged him to a race, and be glad for him when he munches hay and grain after a long day’s ride.