FRANCE ON HORSEBACK

Horse riding tours and equestrian holidays in France

Ride in France - Horseback holidays- Ride in France - Horse riding holidays and equestrian vacations +33 437 02 2000

FAQ ABOUT OUR EQUESTRIAN HOLIDAYS

 

 

 

Do I have to be an experienced rider?

 

For most of the riding tours, you must be an experienced rider, able to ride at all gaits in different outdoor conditions, on Western and/or English saddles.

If you are a novice rider, you can choose one of our stationary riding tours, in Provence or Périgord, where you will learn how to ride and discover some of France's nicest regions.

We remind you that for safety reasons we strongly recommend you to wear a helmet when you are riding.

 

Physical preparation

Even if you rhave a regular riding practice, a riding trail is very different from your usual way of riding. You'll ride an average of 4 to 6 hours a day, and for several days. A riding trail requires being fit, being comfortable in the saddle and having good stamina. Therefore, we suggest you to intensify your physical activity one or two months before departure in order to make the most of your riding tour.

Your riding ability is also important, and if you don't ride regularly, we recommend you to increase the number of horse riding sessions before departure, with a minimum of 2 hours on horseback every time.

If you never rode during a full week, you may test yourself on a weekend riding tour, to be sure you are ready for long hours in the saddle.

 

 

How to book?

  1. Read carefully the available information about our different riding tours.
  1. Once you have chosen your riding tour, send an email to the agent in charge of this riding tour (the information is on the right of every ride page).
  1. We will confirm the availability as soon as possible, and send by fax or email a contract that you will have to fill and fax to us.
  1. Payment has to be completed 1 month before departure, either by international credit card, or by wire transfer (please pay attention to transfer fees that your bank may charge). At this time, you also have to give us your travel insurance number, as well as the emergency phone number (of course we never have to use it, but prefer to have it, just in case!). Your international credit card may provide travel insurance, if you pay your riding tour with this card. However, pay attention to your insurance conditions, as some of them may not cover horse riding risks, and hospital costs, as in France they can be quite expensive.
  1. We send the voucher and all necessary information as soon as the payment has been completed.

 

Are there any health precautions to take?

 

Jet lag
If you are coming from the East (United States, Canada...), you will surely land in the morning after a night in the plane. This first day will be hard, but try not to sleep until the evening, so that you get used to the new time as soon as possible. If you cannot stay awake, just sleep one hour or two, and then go outside until the evening.

 

Vaccinations
No specific vaccines needed, (just your usual vaccines, especially tetanus, has to be up to date).

 

Food
Please, tell us about any food allergy or specific diet.

 

 

Do I need a passport or a visa?

 

Please, check passport / visa conditions according to your nationality.

 

 

 

What I should put in my luggage?

 

We hope this list is as complete as possible. Of course, it also depends on the riding tour you have chosen, but you can use it as a guideline.

 

For horse riding

 

 

To relax

 

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Swimsuit

 

Do not forget ...

 

 

If you choose an adventure riding tour (accommodation under tents and in refuges)

 

  • A small towel

 

In the plane, remember to take all the important things in your hand luggage.

 

Do I need travel insurance?

 

We recommend to all our riders who have been residents in the European Community for more than 6 months to subscribe the Multi risk insurance we suggest: repatriation, medical cancellation and luggage.

This insurance includes research fees, rescue, medical fees, travel interruption fees, and your fees in case of cancellation for a medical reason. However, we also propose a the cancellation insurance.

If you are not a European resident, you should provide insurance by yourself.

Anyway, we ask all our riders to be covered by repatriation insurance, suitable for horse riding activities.
In such a case, if you do not subscribe to our Multi risk insurance, it is absolutely necessary for you to give us all the details about your repatriation insurance (name of the company, contract number, and emergency phone number).

Credit cards can include insurance protection if you pay your trip with it. Only top of the range credit cards (Premier, Gold) include cancellation insurance, others will only provide repatriation insurance with various amounts of franchise. Be careful with the level guarantee, ask your bank about the "equestrian" risk!

Consult our travel insurances.

Warning: Cancellation insurance only covers cancellation due to illness, death of a family member, professional unforeseen difficulty... It doesn't cover a cancellation if you just decide not to come.

 

Do I have to speak French?

 

No, all our guides speak English, very often with a nice French accent, sometimes with quite a basic level, but you should always be able to understand each other and make the best of your riding tour!

In case you would like to learn a few French words related to horse riding, here is an English - French - Spanish horse riding dictionary.

 

English

French

Spanish
Horse
Cheval
Caballo
Mare
Jument
yegua
Foal
Poulain
Potro
Gelding
Hongre
Caballo castrado
Stallion
Entier / Étalon
Caballo entero / Semental
Head
Tête
Cabeza
Eyes
Yeux
Ojos
Ears
Oreilles
Orejas
Nostril
Naseau
Nariz (ollar)
Withers
Garrot
Cruz
Croup (rear)
Croupe
Grupa
Neck
Encolure
Cuello
Mane
Crinière
Crin
Tail
Queue
Cola
Legs
Jambes
Piernas
Hoof
Sabot
Pezuña
     
Tack
Harnachement (général)
Arreos / Montura
Saddle
Selle
Silla de montar
Girth
Sangle
Cincha
Bridle, snaffle
Filet
Brida, bridon
Rope
Longe
Lazo
To saddle
Seller
Ensillar
To unsaddle
Desseller
Desensillar
To girth
Sangler
Cinchar
To loosen the girth
Dessangler
Aflojar
To shorten
Raccourcir
Acortar
To lengthen
Rallonger
Alargar
Stirrup
Etrier
Estribo
Sweat blanket (1er tapis pour la sueur)
Saddle pad (2ème tapis contre la selle)
Tapis de selle
Pelero (1er tapis pour la sueur)
Mandil/ faldón (2ème tapis contre la selle)
Brush
Brosse
Cepillo
Hoof-picks
Cure-pieds
Despalmador
Horse shoe
Fer
Herradura
Chaps
Chaps
Pierneras
Half chaps
Mini-chaps
Polainas
Helmet
Bombe
Casco
Hat
Chapeau
Sombrero
Gloves
Gants
Guantes
Flask
Gourde
Cantimplora
Boots
Bottes
Botas
Camping
Bivouac
Vivac (camping)
Tent
Tente
Tienda
Sleeping pad
Tapis de sol
Colchoneta
Sleeping bag
Duvet
Saco de dormir
Stakes
Sardines (pour fixer la tente)
Estacas
     
Walk
Pas
Paso
Trot
Trot
Trote
Canter/ Gallop
Galop
Galope
Right
A droite
A la derecha
Left
A gauche
A la izquierda
To limp
Boiter
Cojear (renquear)

 

 

------------------------------------------