Roll over, goat yoga, because, regardless of what Chinese astrologists would have us believe, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of the horse. While others are lolling by infinity pools, adventure-seekers – and those champing at the bit for the release of Girls and Their Horses, Nicole Kidman’s glossy new showjumping drama – are trading beach towels for bridles and galloping off around the world on a wilder kind of getaway. From the pine forests of Scotland to the wide-open skies of Wyoming, a new breed of horse holiday invites travellers to reconnect with nature – and themselves – in a slower, deeper way. Think morning meditation with four-legged friends at a holistic farm retreat in South Africa’s Franschhoek mountains; cantering alongside giraffes in the Kenyan bush; or, in Finnish Lapland, magical night rides bathed in the glow of the midnight sun. If you’re looking for equine travel at its most immersive, these are the places to pack your boots for now. Cowboy hat, optional.
Sterrekopje’s low-slung exterior | Credit: Emma Jude Jackson
Beyond this profoundly grounding experience, the surrounding land is therapeutic in itself, with sun-soaked days promising wild swims and barefoot walks in the garden, a glass of wine made with locally grown grapes in hand. Alongside horse meditation, guests can forage, create in the Sterrekopje Atelier, soak in the wood-fired bathhouse or try their hand as “earth tenders” or “wild wanderers.” However you spend your stay, expect an uncurated, unhurried and deeply nourishing getaway.
sterrekopje.com
Meditate with horses
Franschhoek, South Africa
At Sterrekopje, a 50-hectare regenerative farm and holistic retreat centre in the foothills of South Africa’s Franschhoek mountains, guests start their day not crammed into a rush-hour train, but sitting in silence alongside Asher, a noble old Percheron steed, and Leo and Kana, two spirited young Appaloosas. This gentle ritual invites stillness, presence and breath-led connection with the animals, who are free to come and go as they please. It’s a soulful art born in the Namibian bush and developed by Sterrekopje’s trainer, Hayley, who first encountered it there – where trust must be earned without halters, ropes or expectations.Beyond this profoundly grounding experience, the surrounding land is therapeutic in itself, with sun-soaked days promising wild swims and barefoot walks in the garden, a glass of wine made with locally grown grapes in hand. Alongside horse meditation, guests can forage, create in the Sterrekopje Atelier, soak in the wood-fired bathhouse or try their hand as “earth tenders” or “wild wanderers.” However you spend your stay, expect an uncurated, unhurried and deeply nourishing getaway.
sterrekopje.com
Exploring Wyoming with Ranchlands | Credit: Ranchlands
Horse riding here is less “yeehaw” and more “moving meditation” – a chance to sink into silence, sync your breath with your horse’s gait and feel your emotional equilibrium improve with every hoofbeat. Join a pack trip into the high country, learn the quiet art of horsemanship or simply sit awhile with the wranglers, swapping stories as the sun melts over the canyon. This is the kind of place that gets into your bones – and stays there.
ranchlands.com
Live like a rancher
Wyoming, US
Those seeking huge American skies and landscapes redolent of classic western movies will find them at Ranchlands. Based at Paintrock Canyon Ranch, overlooked by Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, this family-owned, female-led outfit blends working-ranch authenticity with poetic adventure. Guests sleep under canvas and wake to the rhythm of the land, with slow mornings followed by trail rides through wildflower-dotted meadows, dips in trout-filled creeks and long, dusty evenings by the fire.Horse riding here is less “yeehaw” and more “moving meditation” – a chance to sink into silence, sync your breath with your horse’s gait and feel your emotional equilibrium improve with every hoofbeat. Join a pack trip into the high country, learn the quiet art of horsemanship or simply sit awhile with the wranglers, swapping stories as the sun melts over the canyon. This is the kind of place that gets into your bones – and stays there.
ranchlands.com
Horses from Haras de La Cense | Credit: Le Barn
Afterwards, stroll back through the woods for fondue on the terrace, or join one of the hideaway’s famed campfire circles, where stories and nightcaps are passed around as generously as the chocolates. With forest hikes, wild swimming, cycling and spa rituals to look forward to – and no formal check-out times on Sundays – this is the kind of equine escape that doesn’t ask much of you, and gives so much back.
lebarnhotel.com
Try your hand at horse-whispering
Bonnelles, France
Tucked inside a 500-hectare estate in Bonnelles, less than an hour’s drive from central Paris, the laid-back, design-forward Le Barn in the Rambouillet forest shares its go-slow ethos – and grounds – with Haras de La Cense, one of the world’s leading centres for holistic horsemanship. And on Sundays, guests are invited to enter the ring themselves for “The Whisperer’s Experience”, a quietly powerful masterclass in non-verbal communication, grounded in respect for the horse’s emotional intelligence. No riding skills are required: this is all about connection. Over two-and-a-half gentle hours, small groups are guided through a series of exercises that culminate in a whispered exchange with a horse – a practice believed to soothe the animal’s nervous system, and inevitably, your own.Afterwards, stroll back through the woods for fondue on the terrace, or join one of the hideaway’s famed campfire circles, where stories and nightcaps are passed around as generously as the chocolates. With forest hikes, wild swimming, cycling and spa rituals to look forward to – and no formal check-out times on Sundays – this is the kind of equine escape that doesn’t ask much of you, and gives so much back.
lebarnhotel.com
The Balmoral Estate in the Cairngorms | Credit: Martin Bennie / Unsplash
highlandsunbridled.com
Everything you need is taken care of – from transport and horse-riding equipment to meals and expert support – so you can focus entirely on those magical views. Whether you’re travelling solo or with friends or family, this experience makes for a rare chance to see one of Europe’s lesser-known regions from a fresh perspective, with the added warmth and insight of a dedicated local team.
bohemiadventures.com
Roam wild and free
Scottish Highlands, UK
For wild moorland and Munros, with the occasional eagle soaring overhead, saddle up for a week-long ride with Highlands Unbridled through Scotland’s Cairngorms – the UK’s largest national park. Covering around 225km over eight days, this is a journey for experienced equestrians: those happy cantering over open hill passes, navigating steep trails and helping to saddle their horse each morning. Explorations on four legs take in ancient drovers’ roads and stalkers’ paths, river crossings and Caledonian pine forests, plus sweeping vistas from the flanks of Mount Keen and Lochnagar, and a lunch stop beside what was Queen Victoria’s favourite spring. You’ll trot through Balmoral Estate, crest the Bynack plateau – gasping at the chocolate-box views – before passing a secret loch said to be watched over by fairies. Nights are spent in a mix of cosy Highland inns and remote lodges, where hearty meals and whisky by the fire come as standard.highlandsunbridled.com
Ride and hike Bohemian Switzerland
Czech Republic
Discover Bohemian Switzerland National Park on horseback with Bohemia Adventures, a passionate local company dedicated to creating immersive, unforgettable outdoor experiences. Founder Vladka grew up in the heart of the park and brings her global guiding experience – from Canada to Costa Rica – back to her home turf for a tour that blends the thrill of riding with the joy of exploring this glorious region. You’ll journey through lush forests and sunlit meadows, riding and hiking to renowned spots like the Bastei Bridge, perhaps stopping to enjoy a tranquil boat ride through the Kamenice River gorges. With expert guides and personalised instruction for riders of all levels, riding, hiking, nature and culture combine seamlessly to create something truly unforgettable.Everything you need is taken care of – from transport and horse-riding equipment to meals and expert support – so you can focus entirely on those magical views. Whether you’re travelling solo or with friends or family, this experience makes for a rare chance to see one of Europe’s lesser-known regions from a fresh perspective, with the added warmth and insight of a dedicated local team.
bohemiadventures.com
Exploring Kenya’s wildlife on horseback | Credit: Stevie Mann, James Lewin
Guided rides range from gentle bush ambles to wild, wind-whipped canters across open savannah, with English-style tack, expert guides and a strong focus on safety at all times. You’ll also have access to game drives, bush walks, mountain biking and guided e-biking, and fly-camping under the stars. Run by the Dyer family, who are fiercely committed to community and conservation, Borana is a place where adventure comes with purpose, and where every day offers riders an opportunity to help protect the wild for generations to come.
borana.co.ke
Want a deeper escape? Overnight stays are available in Laenlammen’s rustic wilderness cottage, with a traditional Finnish sauna at the ready to soothe saddle-sore muscles.
visitfinland.com
Go on a horseback safari
Central highlands, Kenya
Thought galloping past giraffes was an impossible dream? Think again. Tucked into the golden hills of Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, Borana Lodge offers one of Africa’s most exhilarating and inclusive horseback safaris. Home to more than 30 well-schooled horses – from steady mounts suitable for beginners to nimble thoroughbreds only for expert riders – guests are invited to saddle up and explore the Borana Conservancy’s breathtakingly beautiful terrain with the wind in their hair – and zebras, lions, impalas and the rest of The Lion King cast for company.Guided rides range from gentle bush ambles to wild, wind-whipped canters across open savannah, with English-style tack, expert guides and a strong focus on safety at all times. You’ll also have access to game drives, bush walks, mountain biking and guided e-biking, and fly-camping under the stars. Run by the Dyer family, who are fiercely committed to community and conservation, Borana is a place where adventure comes with purpose, and where every day offers riders an opportunity to help protect the wild for generations to come.
borana.co.ke
Saddle up in the midnight sun
Rovaniemi, Finland
Laenlammen Farm near Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, offers one of northern Finland’s most atmospheric horse-riding experiences: a twilight trail trek beneath the never-setting sun of the Arctic summer. Guests begin at a rural ranch, pairing with calm Finnhorses or Nordic coldbloods, before setting off through serene forests and across hills offering dramatic panoramic views. The ride proceeds at a gentle pace, making it ideal for beginners, and unfolds in the soft golden glow of the midnight sun – a near-magical phenomenon unique to Lapland between May and August. This two-hour experience (from £94pp) includes a guide, a short introduction and all necessary equipment.Want a deeper escape? Overnight stays are available in Laenlammen’s rustic wilderness cottage, with a traditional Finnish sauna at the ready to soothe saddle-sore muscles.
visitfinland.com