Enjoy a Western horse riding holiday in the UK

Whether you’re looking for a Western horse riding holidays in the UK with your significant other (what guy would pass up the chance to be a cowboy for a weekend?) or fancy getting a group of like-minded friends together for a break with a twist, we suggest you check out Loose Reins in Dorset.

Set in a tranquil wooded coomb looking across the River Stour to Hambledon Hill, Loose Reins epitomises the pioneer lifestyle without skipping on comfort. There are a choice of cosy cabins or luxurious canvas lodges, depending on the size of your party, which are all decked out with everything you could need from comfortable king size beds and open fire pits for cooking under the stars, to the all-important essentials like instant hot showers and flushing loos.

On the equestrian side, the centre offers a range of Western horse riding holiday in the UK suitable for beginners up to experienced riders with a focus on enjoying long trail rides in the country, learning horsemanship basics in the round-pen and perfecting Western riding techniques in the outdoor school. If you’re looking to go galloping around the beautiful Dorset countryside, then this probably isn’t the holiday for you. But if you’d like the chance to slow down and enjoy taking life at a more sedate pace, with great home cooked food and the chance to make new friends, then I’d definitely recommend a visit.

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Prices

Welcome to Loose Reins

Riding facilities include a large outdoor arena

Lessons are available to perfect your Western riding technique

Training includes the challenges you might meet on the trail

Once the basics are in place you can explore the countryside

You can see for miles as you ride across the top of the hills

Horsemanship sessions in the round pen are also popular

Enjoy immersing yourself in the Western experience…

…in a comfortable meeting room for lunch with new friends

Your mounts, mainly quarter horses, have smart barn stables

The barn is light and airy and the horses are in great condition

When not working, the horses enjoy plenty of paddock time

During good weather cookouts around the communal fire pit are popular

Don’t miss the chance to practise your roping skills

The honesty shop contains all your basic provisions

Cabins sleep two adults in comfort

How cosy does this look? It lived up to expectations

Yummy local bread and brownies on my arrival

None of your kitchen essentials have been forgotten

The cute kitchen is small but perfectly formed

A flushing loo and instant hot water shower is hidden behind a door

Ponies in the back garden: the view from my bedroom window

Each cabin offers good levels of privacy from other guests

The beautiful view across the valley from the veranda

Regardless of the weather, it’s still cosy outside

What a great place to end the day with a glass of something special

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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.

Howdy! Head on a Western riding holiday (without leaving the country)

The accommodation

The riding