Without further ado, let’s get into our guide to Ireland equestrian tours.
Top Locations for Horse Riding Holidays in Ireland
Clew Bay
The Clew Bay Trail Ride takes you to some of the most dynamic landscapes in the country. On this 7-day tour, you’ll explore awe-inspiring sandy beaches, coastal areas, offshore islands, quaint villages, mountain paths, rural lanes, and local heritage sites. Your guide is a qualified riding instructor whose family has been involved with horses for generations. Picnic along the trail, enjoy the views and company, and get to know Irish culture.
Galway and West Coast
Galway is one of the most well-known areas of Ireland. If you’d like to explore this area, you should check out the 7-day Galway Standart Tour. The uncultivated wilderness here will take your breath away. Dive into the rich culture of the Connemara people, taste fresh catches from the Atlantic ocean, dance and sing to traditional Irish music at a local pub, and take in spectacular abbeys, gothic churches, and walled gardens.
In the East Galway countryside, you can take your horsemanship to the next level on the 5-day Yoga and Horsemanship tour. Through daily yoga sessions and immersive horsemanship events, you’ll go on a journey of self-discovery in this fusion of yoga and Irish countryside horseback riding. Participate in two daily yoga classes, trail rides, arena lessons, horseback archery, yoga on horseback, and bareback riding. Foster your physical strength and mental clarity. By the end of this trip, you’ll feel more attuned to yourself, the horses, and the world.
Or you can choose the Horse Training Clinic and Irish Cultural Experience. This 7-day tour introduces you to the local breeds—the fun-loving Connemara Pony or friendly Irish Draught Horse—and allows you to learn from one of the world’s most esteemed equine trainers, Julie Goodnight. Julie is renowned for her practical training programs for riders of all levels. Ride on a quiet country road to a forest that looks like something out of a movie, pass through the remains of a deserted village, learn about Moycullen Castle, a well-preserved Irish tower house, and visit the Glengowla Silver Mines, where you’ll descend over 120 feet (35 m) to see what mining was like for the locals centuries ago.
Hoping to take a girl’s trip? The Women Only - Ireland Cultural Tour is just the thing. Enjoy 7 days of exhilarating riding trails and Irish cultural experiences with other like-minded women. Savor the spectacular views of Connemara and breathe in the fresh sea air. Visit the home of Connemara Marble (the national gemstone of Ireland). Take a tour of Aughnanure Castle, a tower house built in the 15th century and restored in the 1960s. Feast at a local award-winning restaurant where you can partake in gourmet dining with fresh local ingredients. Ride through forests, over hills, and along the Wild Atlantic Way, where you’ll go from beach to beach and have a chance to take a dip in the clean Atlantic waters.
Dublin Area
Hoping to explore Dublin while in Ireland? The Dublin Horse Show tour will allow you to take in the city and ride around the surrounding area for 7 days. On the back of a beautiful Irish Pony or Draught Horse, you can take leisurely rides around a farm, meander down country lanes, trot through a rich forest, and explore historic sites like castles. Toward the end of your trip, you’ll head into Dublin to see the Dublin Horse Show, where you can watch some of the world’s best show jumpers compete.
Causeway Coast
The iconic Causeway Coast is a great place for some adventure horse riding in Ireland. If you opt for the 4-day Riding Skills Development tour, you can build your skills for the first couple of days in time for the epic adventure across Ballintoy Beach and nearby coastal paths at the end of the tour. You’ll learn horse riding basics amid the thriving countryside, rugged coastline, and welcoming Irish hospitality. Visit historic castles, fishing villages, quiet beaches, mountain streams, towering cliffs, and rolling hills.
The Causeway Coast is also home to some of the backdrops for one beloved TV series: Game of Thrones. If you’ve ever wanted to retrace the steps of Arya Stark and Theon Greyjoy, the Game of Thrones Horse Riding Experiences tour is perfect for you. Immerse yourself in the tales of the show as you explore the Dark Hedges, also known as The Kingsroad. Traverse farmlands and breathtaking beaches—the filming locations for the Isle of Pyke. Stand in the exact spot where Brienne triumphs over Ser Loras. Discover the mysteries of Mussenden Temple, the setting for the iconic Dragonstone.
On the 6-Day Iconic – Castles, Causeway, Coast and Countryside tour, white sand beaches, rugged coastlines, verdant countryside, and enchanting mountainous trails provide the setting for an unforgettable experience. See everything the North Coast is famous for. Conquer Dunluce Castle, a ruined medieval fortress, on horseback. Ride the heather-clad slopes of the North Antrim Hills. Enjoy afternoon tea in a glass-sided mountainside cabin. Pass the ancient Mussenden trees before venturing to the Mussenden Temple, built on the edge of a cliff over 100 feet (35 m) above the sea.
On the Two-day North Coast Riding Adventure, you’ll experience the world-famous North Coast of Ireland. On the first day, take a picturesque journey through rolling hills and peaceful glens that surround the stables. The lush greenery and tranquil beauty of the area are what scenic horse riding in Ireland is all about. On the second day, you can venture into Whitepark Bay, a golden stretch of sand that’s perfect for beach riding.
How to Prepare and What to Expect on Guided Horse Riding Tours in Ireland
To best prepare for your horseback riding trip in Ireland, there are a few things you should consider.
The first is your riding experience and health considerations. If you have a lot of riding experience and you’re in good health, the tours shouldn’t be a problem for you. However, if you’ve never ridden a horse, or it’s been a long time since you have, or you have some health issues, you may want to choose a beginner-friendly tour with a low difficulty level.
Each tour in our catalog has a difficulty rating and description that will help you decide if it’s a good tour for you. You may also consider taking some horse riding classes in your area before your vacation to build or brush up on your horse-riding skills.
You should also consider what to pack. Ireland has a mild, temperate oceanic climate with warm summers, mild winters, and a lot of rain. Research the typical weather for the time of year you plan to go and bring the appropriate gear. You may want to bring layers, so you can adapt as the temperature changes or the rain comes and goes.
Bring riding pants, tall boots (break them in before you go), a riding helmet (one can be provided to you if you prefer), a rain jacket, and riding gloves. Don’t forget a camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, and a small waist pouch for riding either. You don’t need to bring your own tack or equipment though.
Each day varies depending on the tour you choose, but here’s what a typical day looks like: you’ll have a hearty breakfast (sometimes with the opportunity to help feed the horses), then you’ll either hop on the horses or drive to where you’ll be riding. You’ll usually spend most of the day riding with a stop for lunch. In the evenings, you’ll head back to your accommodation. You may have the opportunity to eat dinner there or at a local restaurant. The rest of the evening is usually yours to rest.
Conclusion
Ireland is full of beautiful green landscapes and gorgeous coastlines that make for wonderful horse riding destinations. Consider booking an equestrian vacation in Ireland to reconnect with nature, have fun with friends or family, and bond with a stunning horse.
To find the perfect trip of a lifetime, explore our catalog of Irish horse riding tours. Horse Tours Club has a global presence and expertise in equine tours. We’ll help you plan a trip to Ireland you’ll never forget.
