On most riding trips you do not bring your own horse: you ride a local one, chosen for your level. So the preparation is about you.
This guide covers what makes the most difference before you leave: what to ask, what to wear, and how to be honest about your level.
What to ask the ranch or operator before booking
- Which horse will be yours, and how it is chosen for your level.
- The riding level the program requires, stated frankly.
- What is included: helmet, chaps, boots, rain gear.
- The rider weight and age limits, which vary between programs.
- How many hours a day in the saddle, and what happens the rest of the day.
- The weather in that season and what happens on a day of heavy rain or heat.
- The level of rusticity of the accommodation.
Be honest about your level
Saying you ride “well” when you ride little helps no one, and the horse is chosen from what you tell them. Say how long you have ridden, how often, in what kind of riding, and whether you have cantered.
An intense riding experience does not do without fitness. If the program has many hours a day, it is worth preparing in the weeks before.
Basic clothing and gear
Think thin layers of quick-drying fabric or fine wool: the weather changes during the day. Avoid cotton, which chills the body when wet. Pieces without thick seams where you touch the saddle prevent rubbing.
Comfortable riding trousers, boots with a small heel (so your foot does not slip through the stirrup), and a well-fitted helmet. Many ranches lend helmets; ask beforehand and bring your own if you want to be sure of the fit. Thin gloves help you hold the reins.
Travel insurance
Check whether the policy covers activities with horses and read the exclusions. In remote regions, also ask about medical evacuation. We do not suggest coverage amounts: they depend on the region and on your profile.
Where Nomade comes in
When we design a riding trip, we take these questions to the operator for you and agree before departure on what each party provides and what you need to bring.
This guide is informational and does not replace health or insurance advice.
