Horse Holidays

Experience horse riding
as nature intended…

Each of our horsepowered journeys has been specially designed to free you from the stresses of everyday life and help you reconnect with nature in a unique way.

Our horse holidays start on a Monday morning (Sunday evening arrival is available on request) where you get the opportunity to meet our horses before having your assessment lesson in one of our arenas.

After your inital assessment you will head out on of our local trails in the lush green countryside. At the end of day 1 you will have bonded with your horse and got a feel for the local area. On the subsequent days you will go on a set trail of 3-4 hours per day along country lanes and country roads where you will experience the joy of horse riding along with stories of local people from the past. You will develop an understanding of how the people from the past have helped to shape today's landscape. A packed lunch will be provided on each of these days.

You will be accompanied on our trails by one of our experience guides. Participants must be able to ride independently in walk, trot and canter.
We would advise participants to have regular lessons beforehand to ensure that they have the required level of fitness.

See our sample itinerary below:

DAY 1

Monday
As you arrive at the equestrian centre you will be greeted by our friendly staff, who will walk with you through fields nestled in the Faughan Valley. Here you will be introduced to our wonderful horses in their natural habitat and begin to discover how they communicate and how our body language influences their behaviour. You will ask your horse to accompany you to the yard, where you will develop your bond further by grooming them and preparing them to ride. After your assessment lesson and a bite of lunch, you will then meander through lush country lanes and picturesque fields, our guides sharing stories about the landscape and local characters as you go along.

DAY 2

Tuesday
Your horse-powered journey will take you on a voyage of discovery around the old land owners residence of the Beech Hill Country House Hotel. From the moment you ride past the charming gatehouse along country paths passing by ponds and woodland, you will be captivated by the spectacular and secluded setting of this magnificent 18th century country house. The Georgian elegance of the Beech Hill is reflected in the magnificent gardens and creates an idyllic backdrop for a leisurely hack.

After riding along the country paths at the Beech Hill you will continue along the bluebell forest. Here you will learn about the history and landscape of the Beech Hill - from Georgian times to World War II. You will meander along the forest lanes until you meet the Old Forge Road, then walk and trot to the top of this quiet country thoroughfare. Canter routes are available on request
Here you will be greeted by the most breath-taking panoramic views of Derry and beyond.

DAY 3
Wednesday
Roseann's Trail .................. On horseback walk along the track that Roseann walked to school, shoes tied together over her shoulders, walking barefoot, to keep them good for school.........You will hear about the local people that she knew and how a horse had a major impact on her young life all from the vantage point of horseback looking over hedges as you ride past lush green fields to the sound of the horse's hooves....................

DAY 4

Thursday
Follow the trail to the bottom of scenic Slievekirk (Sliabh Circe in Irish), meaning Mountain of the Hen, what is called Bertie & Joe's Forrest Trail. As you ride 370m above sea level, you will be treated to panoramic views of Lough Foyle, Donegal and the North Coast, along with winding country roads, lanes and lush greenery.
The open landscape then changes dramatically as you enter the forest; the rich scent of pine filtering into the fresh country air. With deer and other wildlife roaming the forest, you might even catch a glimpse of something extra special…

DAY 5
Friday
Depart after breakfast with fond memories of your equestrian adventure.
Canter routes are available each day and the itinerary can be adjusted to suit individuals. The Itinerary of The Trail Ride may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control such as bad weather, etc. and we reserve the right to change this without prior notice.

Horse Holidays
We offer self catering accommodation for up to 6 people on site at the Stables. The cost of the horse holiday is £1500 per person based on 2 people sharing. This includes a welcome pack and a packed lunch for each day of the trail rides. Accommodation is available for an extended stay on request and depending on availability. To book you horse holiday go to our contact us page .......

In order to help us with your inquiry please state the following :

your preferred dates
number of people
level of riding experience
if you require accommodation for non-riders
if you require extra accommodation before or after the trail
if you require airport transfers
any special requests you may have eg. special diet etc,