Family Friendly Rides
The Margaret River Ride, Australia , Castle & Estate Ride, Ireland , Dressage in Spain , Khovsgol & Arhangay Rides, Mongolia , Shell, Wyoming, USA , The Bushveld, South Africa , Helena, Montana, USA , The Tassie Ride, Australia , Corrientes, Argentina , Sierras Chicas, Argentina , Glenorchy Back Country Ride, New Zealand , El Rancho Ride, Mexico , The Kosciuszko Ride, Australia , The Snowy River Ride, Australia , The Grampians Ride, Australia , Big Horn Cattle Drive, USA ...As a mother to three young globetrotters (Finn, Birdie and Poppy), nothing gives me more joy and pride than bundling up our wanderlust-filled family and taking them globetrotting. I believe horse riding is a life skill that needs to be learned, like swimming, and is part of our working life as globetrotters. As I’m sure you’ll agree, horses can teach us so much from a young age – persistence, patience, courage, responsibility – and give us the freedom to explore nature’s spoils.
Generally on a weekend, we pack saddle bags and ride out on local trails teeming with nature, wilderness and silence. The girls will sing nonsense songs, we’ll pick wildflowers and adorn the horses’ bridles with them, and then we’ll stop by a nearby creek to eat our saddle bag-packed delights and share some with the horses. These mini adventures make me smile and I believe they’re the perfect foundation to set the girls up for a lifelong love affair with horses.
Granted, not every family has access to a team of trustworthy horses, riding trails on their doorstep, and horse transport. But you can replicate this beautiful riding experience for your family on our Globetrotting holidays. We have plenty of rides from Australia to Mongolia that will suit the entire family, no matter your riding ability, budget, time or preferences. And yes, that includes non-riders.
Read on to find your family’s perfect horse riding holiday!
The Bushveld, South Africa
THE best way to discover Africa as a family. Set on a private, 21,000 acre wildlife reserve and conservancy in the vast South African Bushveld, it’s perfect for ALL ages and abilities – and non-riders, too! Here, you can ride among Africa’s famous wildlife without worrying about dangerous game. Off the horse, you can jump in the 4WD vehicles for some fantastic, safe sightings of elephants, lions, rhinoceros, leopard and more.
The two best itineraries for families are the All-levels Lodge Ride (beginner to advanced riders) and the Signature Safari (intermediate to advanced riders), both set entirely within the vast wildlife reserve and conservancy. The All-levels Lodge Ride is a tailor-made itinerary consisting of one or two half-day rides each day, where you’ll see an incredible array of wildlife and have some fun with jumping, polocrosse, Western games and swimming the horses. Other activities include guided bushwalks, game drives, cycling, fishing, ziplining and massages.
Then there’s the Signature Safari, a set itinerary that combines all of the above with excitement of riding point-to-point across the Bushveld, including full-day rides from one secluded lodge to another. If you’re a family of regular, confident riders, this is a must!
The Tassie Ride, Australia
This holiday is absolutely perfect for families embarking on their first-ever Globetrotting adventure. Direct flights to Launceston are available from most Australian cities and your hosts will collect you straight from your hotel on day 1 of the ride, so logistics are a breeze. Whether you tack on some extra sightseeing before or after your ride or squeeze a 3, 4 or 5-day riding itinerary into a long weekend or school holidays, the whole family will love taking a bite out of the Apple Isle on The Tassie Ride! No matter what itinerary length you choose, or when you visit, you will be blown away by the sheer variety of scenery you’ll discover on any one day. There’s plenty of cute wildlife, too: kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and eagles can all be spotted by those with keen eyes. You might even get up close to a Tassie Devil! With reliable, steady horses, stunning scenery, relaxed trails and THE most incredible beach ride, not to mention gorgeous accommodation, this holiday scores an A+ on our family-friendly list.
Corrientes, Argentina
This estancia-based ride is the BEE’S KNEES of family-friendly holidays in Argentina! It’s the perfect place for you and your family to experience life as real gauchos while soaking up eye-wateringly beautiful scenery. Whether you want to settle in at the main estancia or embark on a thrilling point-to-point ride, there’s something for everyone—no matter your riding level. The gaucho guides will bend over backwards to keep your kids beaming, while also giving the adults plenty of chances to kick up their heels. Each day you’ll ride out on sturdy Criollo horses to help the gauchos move cattle, try your hand at lassoing, or just enjoy long, scenic rides through lagoons filled with wildlife. The best part? You’re riding alongside a herd of free-running horses! And if not everyone in your crew is a rider, no worries—there’s bird watching, fishing for golden dorado, wildlife safaris, cooking classes, and plenty of poolside relaxation. With incredibly warm hospitality, unforgettable and super FUN riding, fantastic Argentinian cuisine and breathtaking scenery, if you’re considering South America, this ride is a must.
Sierras Chicas, Argentina
If your children are aged 10 or above and you want to get off the beaten track, you can’t do better than this remote, off-grid estancia in Cordoba, where the horses run faster than the internet and phone signal is a thing of the… future? (Who knows?) In place of technology, you’ll find a herd of 80 home-bred horses, mainly Criollos but also Peruvian Pasos – known as the Rolls Royce of horses thanks to their silky-smooth, ground-covering gaits. Globetrotters often tell us they’re addicted to this breed after riding them through the estancia’s 6,500 acres of rolling hills, winding rivers, and open pampas. From cattle work to full-day picnic trail rides to learning traditional gaucho games and playing a friendly game of polo, there’s no shortage of variety in the saddle! In your downtime, you’ll be plied with mouthwatering Argentine meals – think sizzling asados and fresh empanadas – while unwinding by the pool or talking the night away with your hosts, who truly make this a home-away-from-home.
The Margaret River Ride, Australia
If you have children in their teens, you literally can’t go wrong with this riding holiday. The age limit is 12 and host Paul and Fiona, have been making equine enthusiasts grin from ear to ear for nearly 15 years. Their Margaret River property is also a boutique vineyard, and they have a mob of home-bred, well-mannered horses that will accommodate everyone from nervous to experienced riders. Paul and Fiona are all about having fun, and the hundreds of globetrotters who have completed this ride never want to leave the beautiful property, and more importantly the wonderful horses, behind.
As a family, you’ll enjoy never-ending beach canters, trying your hand at polocrosse and mounted games, riding along secluded bush tracks and discovering wide open pastures alive with native wildlife including large mobs of kangaroos, emus and red-tailed black cockatoos. Oh, and you get to try ‘glamping’, too!
Glenorchy Back Country Ride, New Zealand
If the land of the long white cloud has always been on your bucket list, you can’t go wrong with our five-day, four-night Glenorchy Back Country Ride in the South Island of New Zealand. If your kids are movie buffs, they’ll get a kick out of riding through emerald green landscapes and ancient beech forests seen in blockbuster films like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. But this ride is so much more than movie scenes. It’s so popular with our globetrotters that it sells out on reputation alone! Keep in mind, there is an age limit of 12 and the ride is only available to intermediate to advanced riders. If you have a son or daughter who is handy in the saddle, you’ll love that this is a point-to-point ride, where you ride to a new destination each day, AND that it’s off-grid. Bye bye, technology!
El Rancho Ride, Mexico
Looking for a safe yet authentic way to explore Mexico? Say hola to this ranch-based ride just 90 minutes from Mexico City! Transfers between the ranch and Mexico City (or the airport) are included, so all you need to do is get yourselves to Mexico and let your fantastic hosts curate the perfect trip for your whole family. You’ll be guided by charros (Mexican cowboys) and an English-speaking guide, which truly is the best of both worlds, ensuring you’re totally immersed in the local culture, history and ecology. Parents and kids can either ride together or enjoy separate adventures at their own pace before coming together for flavoursome Mexican meals. With over 30 diverse riding routes, there’s something for everyone – fast-paced gallops across open valleys, relaxed rides along cactus-lined trails, and treks through remote desert canyons.
You can ride as little or as much as you like, with a plethora of vehicle excursions on offer to nearby markets, towns and famous archaeological sites, numerous spa services available, a waterfall, pool, hot tub and yoga studio at your disposal, and drinks on the house!
The Kosciuszko Ride, Australia
If you’re a family of avid campers and adventurers who love nothing more than getting back to the simple things – ‘eat, sleep, ride, repeat’ – you’ll LOVE this ride in beautiful Kosciuszko National Park. Children as young as 10 are welcome, provided they’re independent riders of intermediate or above riding ability and a good level of saddle fitness. Don’t worry – there are different rules for grown-ups! As long as you can control your horse at a walk and rising trot, and are willing to canter, you’ll be very welcome. This is a great ride for adults returning to the saddle, as it’s mainly at a walk due to the ever-changing, often-challenging terrain. The other perk is there’s NO moving camp! You’ll ride in a cloverleaf pattern, covering new ground each day but returning to the same comfy campsite, where large safari tents with stretcher beds and hearty camp-cooked meals await. Oh, and did I mention you might spot Brumbies? Core memories right there!
The Snowy River Ride, Australia
Taking things up a notch, The Snowy River Ride is a 7-day adventure (5 riding days) through the rugged mountains and valleys of Alpine National Park in Victoria, the route criss-crossed by the mighty Snowy River and punctuated by incredible mountaintop views. Children aged 12 and above are welcome, provided they are at least intermediate-level riders with good overall fitness, a positive attitude, and experience camping and hiking. While you won’t be pitching your own tents or cooking your own meals (those provided are absolutely outstanding!), on most days you’re riding from A to B, so everyone needs to be up for consecutive full days in the saddle across all kinds of terrain, including sections where you’ll dismount and lead your horse. The pace is slow, but the landscape is absolutely breathtaking! Hosts Jayd and Jane excel at leading an all-ages experience, and their own kids often accompany them on this holiday.
Khovsgol & Arhangay Rides, Mongolia
If you’re looking for a riding experience that will expand your children’s perception of the world – this is the ride for you. I can’t wait to visit Mongolia with my tribe! Ever since we rode across the steppe together, Steven and I have made a pledge to return with our girls once they’ve all passed the 12 year milestone. It’s the culture shock that excites me: you’ll see how the Mongolians live, staying in smoky gers, galloping across the steppe, and being spectators at a rural Naadam Festival. The Mongolians are the most hospitable, warm and welcoming people I’ve ever met, which is why this ride is so special.
You can choose between a 13-day or 19-day itinerary, with the ride season running from June to July, which fits in perfectly with school holidays. These rides aren’t for the faint-hearted and involve training prior to departure, not so much for the kids but for the adults who aren’t saddle fit. It’s suitable for everyone from beginner to advanced riders, as long as you’re fit, happy to rough it and have a good sense of humour. It’s also very reasonably priced!
Castle & Estate Ride, Ireland
Give your family the royal treatment on this luxurious horse riding holiday in County Monaghan, Ireland. Your kids won’t be the only ones whose jaws drop onto the plush carpet when you set eyes on the castle, lodge and estate in which you’ll lose yourself for the next few days. And that’s the other great thing – we can organise custom, private departures year round, ranging from three to seven days in length. The minimum age is seven, and there’s a reduced rate for children aged seven to 11. Oh, and did I mention there are over 300 cross country jumps scattered across the postcard-worthy estate grounds?! #winning!
This ride is prefect for families with mixed abilities, as the riding itinerary can be tailored especially to your riding experience, interests, and goals. You’ll be able to choose from a combination of instruction, dressage, show jumping, cross country and estate rides, with a beautiful fleet of well educated, trustworthy horses and world class instructors at your disposal. And for the non-riders, there is a smorgasbord of off-the-horse activities on offer!
Dressage in Spain
This ride is set in Carmona, one of the famous ‘white villages’ of Andalusia, and is perfect for lovers of dressage, Andalusian horses, Spanish equitation, cultural immersion and history. Like the Castle & Estate Ride in Ireland, the itinerary on this holiday is tailored to your abilities and desires, with three programs to choose from and the option of booking a two-day, three-day, or seven-day stay at any time of year. The minimum age is 12, but this is flexible depending on the child’s ability and confidence. The magic of this ride is learning to dance to the rhythm of the revered Andalusian horse, honing your riding aids and position until you and your horse feel completely in-sync: a spine-tingling moment! Off the horse, you’ll get to experience the very best of Andalusia, including a Flamenco show, a legendary horse show in the town of Jerez, and the joys of discovering Carmona at your own pace, finding a taverna in which to dig into the local tapas or stumbling upon a laneway marketplace. Be warned: you might have trouble leaving once you’ve all found the rhythm of Spanish life!
The Grampians Ride, Australia
Looking for a family holiday in Aus that leaves no holds barred when it comes to comfort? You can’t go past this winter getaway. Based at historic Mount William Station in the foothills of Victoria’s mighty Grampians mountain range, The Grampians Ride is a 5-night itinerary combining iconic Australian country landscapes, fantastic history, beautiful trails and five-star accommodation. Over four days in the saddle, you’ll ride point-to-point through this beautiful region, with free time spent enjoying the many delights and surprises of Mount William Station, from strolling through the olive grove to devouring a chef-prepared three-course dinner. All riding abilities are welcome, and it’s also ideal for non-riders, with a plethora of activities and adventures within easy driving distance of the station. Children aged 10+ can join as riders, provided they are independent riders of intermediate or above riding ability, with a good level of saddle fitness.
Shell, Wyoming
Giddy up, globetrotters! America is an easy family holiday destination that doesn’t involve too much thinking. I firmly believe that a ranch riding experience has to be #1 on your to-do list if you’re travelling to the States. It’s a rite of passage to swing your leg over a cow horse in the prairie lands and chase after some cattle – don’t you think? This family-run cattle ranch near Cody in Wyoming has a minimum age of eight, and caters for all riding levels. We fell in love with this ranch when we road-tested this ride and believe it’s the perfect family riding locale.
Rest assured, it’s not a dude ranch where you’ll ride nose to tail on a dead-to-the-leg trail horse. The horses are top quality and the riding groups are small and intimate, with no more than four or five guests per wrangler. Plus there’s a huge range of different landscapes to explore, from blood-red canyons to pancake-flat prairies to the dusty cattle yards.
Oh, and if you have a family member who is a non-rider, there are plenty of activities to keep them happy, such as trap shooting, kayaking, hiking, four wheel driving, fly fishing – the list goes on.
Helena, Montana
This family-run ranch in Helena, Montana, is perfect if you’re looking for a blend of adventure and relaxation, OR if you’re keen to give the young ‘uns a taste of natural horsemanship. There’s no minimum age, and you’ll be the guests of the Wirth family, whose young children who often play around the lodge. The ranch is their home, and meals are served family-style, with guests, wranglers, hosts and kids all sharing space and stories over simple, home-cooked meals. Each day’s activities will be tailored to your interests, whether you’re keen to join in with the ranch’s cattle work, head out for a full-day ride with lunch on the trail, or learn Parelli-style natural horsemanship in the arena. The ranch even has a dedicated children’s riding program, allowing youngsters to have fun with safe ponies and experienced wranglers while parents embark on longer, faster-paced rides. Off the horse, there’s archery, roping lessons, skeet shooting, hiking, fishing, a hot tub and history talks, so non-riders have plenty to do. Evenings are free for families to relax and spend quality time together.
Big Horn Cattle Drive, Wyoming
If you and your kid/s (aged 12+) are busting to experience the real deal – a genuine Western cattle drive where you’ll ride, eat and sleep like the cowboys do – believe me, this is it. The Kerns family have been grazing cattle in the Big Horn National Forest for generations and each departure date coincides with a key seasonal movement for their cattle. These are seriously long days in the saddle – 6 to 11 hours each day – so be sure you’re all suitably saddle fit and adventure-ready: if you’ve never camped before, or are still developing your kids’ independence, maybe work your way up to this trip with one or two less intense riding holidays first. But – when you’re all ready for an adventure you’ll never forget, with uninterrupted time in nature and the satisfaction of a job well done at the end of each day, DO NOT miss this ride!