Exmoor Horse Riding

Riding on Exmoor encompasses dramatic open moorland, riverside trails, peaceful fo tracks and picturesque villages. Publicatio containing guides of promoted riding route are available from National Park Centres o try the Coleridge Bridle Way - a challenginc new horse ride linking the Quantock Hills and Exmoor, from Nether Stowey to Exford. The route can be followed by using the detailed route guides and maps that can b< downloaded from www.coleridgeway.co.uk Exmoor is a rider's paradise and offers a variety of accommodation for both you and your horse.

Until about 50 years ago the horse was still being used on farms and for getting about on Exmoor.

A horse riders paradise, enjoy horse riding and general hacking onto open expanses of Exmoor on Anstey or Molland Common, or follow the many local bridleways.

Today riding plays an important part in its traditional way of life. Riding is an excellent way to view Exmoor and numerous riding establishments within the National Park rovide opportunities for everyone, beginner and expert alike. Rides vary from a short and gentle amble for the nervous novice to a hard day’s riding for the enthusiast.

There are pony-trekking and riding holidays with accommodation as well.

Horse riding on Exmoor

With peaceful forest tracks offering excellent going, wide open spaces for exhilarating gallops, meandering riverside trails, wooded valleys for strengthening hill work and rolling pastureland for relaxing hacking, Exmoor and the Quantock Hills are renowned as a rider's paradise, blessed with a rich and diverse landscape of deep valleys, ancient oak-woodland, dramatic sea cliffs, beautiful heather moorland, waterfalls and picturesque towns, villages and harbours. Together with an extensive range of quality accommodation, riding stables, tea-rooms, pubs, restaurants, and local shops, the area is able to offer riders of all abilities the perfect riding experience.

Summer 2006 saw the launch of 12 promoted horse-riding routes across some of the most breathtakingly beautiful countryside in the UK, Exmoor and the Quantock Hills. The new 'Exmoor & Quantock Hills on Horseback' publication, which includes 12 individual pull out and laminated maps, plus essential riding information, provides local riders and visitors with a great way to explore and fully appreciate the area's finest qualities. The guide has been produced by the British Horse Society, Exmoor National Park Authority and the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Service.

The official launch of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Country Ride in May 2007 gives horse riders a promoted route between Nether Stowey and Exford . A lot of hard work has gone into producing the route this far due to 'gaps' in the bridleway network. Due to the generosity of landowners over 5km of brand new permitted bridleways will be opened to enable safer, more enjoyable riding. For more details please visit www.coleridgeway.co.uk. The existing walking route opened in April 2005 and has been a great success story. Most businesses along the route are receiving an increase in trade as a result and the positive feedback from walkers has been exceptional. It is hoped that the riding route will build on this success.

Horse riding on Exmoor

Riding — Exmoor offers some of the best riding in England. There are many riding stables to choose from and some of our members provide stabling for you to bring your own horse. See holidays4horses

Exmoor is a wonderful horse riding country and what better way to explore the 267 square miles of National Park than from the back of a horse.

Exmoor is criss-crossed with centuries old bridleways, they follow the river banks, climb steep wooded hillsides and traverse the vast open heather covered moorland between the villages. This is some of the best riding in the country.

Within the National Park boundaries are some 400 miles (600kms) of bridleways. The National Park Authority has a special responsibility to ensure that all bridleways within its boundary are open and useable and that every path is signed where it leaves or joins a public highway. The more popular bridleways are waymarked using the national colour code of blue. Many riders are now bringing their own horses on holiday with them and some farms and riding stables can provide suitable accommodation for both horse and rider. Visitors can then explore at leisure the variety of scenery that Exmoor offers, from open heather moorland to the steeply wooded valleys.



Farrier at work

To help you plan your routes it is wise to buy the Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure 1:25000 map which covers the whole of Exmoor and shows all the bridleways in great detail. National Park Rangers and Visitor Centre staff with their local knowledge are always willing to advise visiting riders on suitable bridleways, and where they might see the famous wild Red deer or a native herd of Exmoor ponies whilst out on their rides.
Horses and ponies can of course be readily hired, by the hour or longer, from one of the many riding schools or trekking centres. Some centres arrange special picnic or pub day rides, or week-long holidays which are particularly suitable for children. Most centres offer some kind of tuition, this can vary from very basic to more advanced lessons depending on the rider's needs and ability. All breeds and sizes of horse and pony are normally available to cater for every type of rider from the beginner to the more accomplished rider. Whether you just want a quiet hack through woodlands hoping for a glimpse of the wild deer, or an exhilarating canter over the heather-clad open moorland with far reaching views to Wales or Dartmoor, the choice is yours. You can be certain of one thing, Exmoor is a special place for riding.




Riding Holidays on Exmoor

Some accommodation providers also provide some form of livery and many riders bring their own horses with them on holiday.

Horsedrawn Carriage Ride

You can also take a scenic tour carriage ride across the moor


Endurance Event
An annual event held on Exmoor Golden Horseshoe

Ride UK

The two riding routes across Somerset link the popular riding areas of Exmoor and Dartmoor to the British Horse Society's RIDE UK network across the rest of the country. The Exmoor route from Wheddon Cross includes the Brendon Hills and the full length of the Quantock Hills. The route from Dartmoor is in the process of being much improved along the top of the Blackdown Hills, linking the well known landmark of Wellington Monument to the ancient hill fort of Castle Neroche. The two routes join at Fivehead and run through the varied landscape of South Somerset before leading on to join the Ridgeway in Wiltshire. Further details of the route may be obtained from The British Horse Society, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. CV8 2LR. Telephone 0203 696697

Exmoor on Horseback

A Guide to six circular rides on Exmoor published by the British Horse Society, British Equestrian Centre, Stoneleigh Prk, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LR Tel 0203 696697

• www.equinetourism.co.uk
• Always Exmoor
• Burrowhayes Farm
• Calvert Trust
• Dean Riding Stables
• Essential Exmoor
• Knowle Manor
• Liscombe Farm recommended escorted rides from novice to expert
• Periton Park
• Point to Point
• Porlock Vale
• Spirit of Exmoor
• West Ilkerton Farm recommended cart rides on the open moor
• The Exmoor Pony Society

Bold Try Stables - Chulmleigh Enjoy your ride on our well-mannered, well-cared for horses and ponies. Accompanied rides through varying and beautiful scenic routes. All makes and models of riders catered for (15 minutes from Country Ways) Tel 01769 580366

Kingsland Stables - Woolsery, Bideford Enjoy a gentle hack through local countryside. We have horses and ponies for all sizes, ages and abilities. Novices and children most welcome. Our staff are friendly and experienced Tel 01237 431378

Collacott Equestrian Centre - South Molton Tel 01769 572725

North Devon Equestrian Centre - Shirwell, Barnstaple Tel 01271850864

Westacott Stables - Goodleigh Barnstaple Tel 01271 372965

Arlington Riding Centre - Arlington, Barnstaple Pony trekking and hacking for experienced and inexperienced riders Tel 01271 850300

Roylands Stables - Croyde Tel 01271 890898 Roylands is a small family run stables, established since 1988. It began with about seven horses and has gradually built up to a mixed bunch of good tempered, friendly, quality horses and ponies ranging from experienced well schooled horses and ponies used for teaching, to reliable trustworthy horses for the complete novice who just wants to ride for fun!!

Woolacombe Stables - Woolacombe 01271 870260

Witheridge Moor Equestrian is a small friendly yard offering Riding instruction for children and adults from beginners to advanced or hacking in the beautiful North Devon countryside. Long and short term, part or full Livery is also available in new internal stables with 77 acres of turnout. Tel:
01884 860396 Email

Keypitts Trekking Centre - Ilfracombe A friendly service catering from the complete beginner to the experienced rider with horses to suit all. Trekking over 200 acres of beautiful west country farmland and wooded valleys with views of the sea. New standard hats, body protectors if required Tel 01271 862247

Mullacott Equestrian Centre-Ilfracombe
Superb hacking all off road. Fantastic horses for all makes and models of rider. Sedate hacking for the beginner to exhilarating gallops for the experienced rider, Cross country course, beach rides, hacks and carrage driving. Also Quad bike rides for non riders. Tel 01271 866685

Doone Valley Stables - Oare, Lynton Set in the heart of the famous and stunningly beautiful Doone Valley. Escorted rides for all levals of rider including non-riders and children. Picnic rides, day rides or simply an hour to see what you can't see by road 01598 741278

Outovercroft Stables - Lynton Ride direct onto Exmoor, or through The Valley of The Rocks and around the spectacular Exmoor coast with little or no roadwork. Suitable horses and ponies for all abilities of riders. Hard hats provided. Tel 01598 753341

Brendon Farm - Lynton See Exmoor on horseback - go where cars cannot and enjoy some of the beautiful countryside first hand. Very little roadwork. Ride for as long as you likeover green fields and heather moorland. - riding hats provided. Tel 01598 741246

Mount Pleasant Centre - Templeton, Tiverton horse riding in beautiful england countryside, offering a comprensive range of activities including training, hacking and trekking. All rides are escorted. Tel 01884 860482

www.exmoorponycentre.org.uk

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