3 Great Horseback Riding Vacations for Adults and Kids with Special Needs

Learn about these three riding holidays that can accommodate individuals with special needs.

by Jocelyn Pierce

Everyone should be able to experience the joy of riding a horse and these riding holidays do just that. In addition to gaining therapeutic benefits from riding, guests can take part in a variety of activities, meet new people, gain a sense of achievement, and have lots of fun!

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch in Arizona

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch, located in the foothills of the Hualapai and Mohave Mountains in Arizona, is entirely handicap accessible, giving disabled travelers and their families the opportunity to enjoy a riding vacation without obstacles. Because the founder’s oldest daughter is in a wheelchair, they have first hand knowledge of the needs of impaired guests.

All buildings and outdoor areas at the ranch were built to be handicap accessible. Guest rooms and bathrooms are larger than what the current accessibility codes call for with roll-in showers or ADA tubs and hand held showers. All rooms are large, doors are wider, and there are no stairs anywhere on the ranch.

Depending on ability, guests can choose to experience a ride in the desert or in the arena. All riders with special needs must first take a ride in he arena so their riding ability can be assessed. Stagecoach Trails has a special ramp for wheelchair guests that enable them to mount their horse directly from their wheelchair. Wranglers and horses are well trained and the ranch also provides side walkers and/or someone to sit in the saddle with the disabled rider if balance is issue.

Other options for fun include the swimming pool and hot tub, which has an interchangeable chair lift.

Riding for the Disabled Association in the UK

Riding for the Disabled Association, or RDA, has chapters throughout the UK. RDA not only offers activities for all age groups and abilities, but also has riding holiday options. This year RDA held five holidays, giving participants the opportunity to go away for a riding vacation between June and September.

RDA hosts a variety of vacations including show jumping, carriage driving, endurance, and hacking, as well as caring for a pony for a week and riding or driving in the countryside. In addition to riding, most holidays include other activities such as swimming, game nights, and trips to local attractions.

For further details or to book, contact the venue directly for information on facilities, accessibility and the type of holiday available.

Hacienda Horses in Spain

Located in beautiful Cortijo Uribe in Andalusia, Hacienda Horses offers a specialized riding holiday for adults and children with disabilities. Owners Christine and Paul Hartfield founded Hacienda Horses with the intent to provide riding holidays for everyone-from beginners to experts, including those with disabilities.

This holiday is suitable for individuals who have never ridden, and guests are able to take carriage rides as well as rides into the countryside led by guides. Guests can also help groom the ponies and horses, who are chosen for this program based on their calm disposition.

Learn more about horseback riding vacations in the Equitrekking Vacation Guide, including wheelchair accessible ranches and check out discounts to get you there on Equitrekking Travel Deals.