ABOUT THE RIDING

Style of Riding: The basic riding is English with some Natural Horse elements in the handling of the horses.

Type of Riding: Trail Ride. On average, you will ride 30 km and spend 5 to 6 hours on the back of the horse each day. You will take regular breaks throughout the day and stop for at least one hour for lunch. Each day begins and ends with a 15 minute walk (on foot), for the riders and the horses to warm up/relax. The pace is mainly walking with opportunities for trots and canters every day and a few extended gallops during the week. The circuit includes some difficult passages, where you will be asked to get off your horse and walk. You must be in good physical condition.

Type of Tack: Mclellens. Your saddle will be fitted with 2 saddle-bags, so you may carry your personal belonging with you.

Hours in the Saddle: 5 to 6 hours per day.

Riding Ability Required: Intermediate upwards. You must be competent at all paces and be able to stay in the saddle during group canters. You also need be able to tack up your horse yourself.

Maximum Weight: 90kg (14st).

Number of Guides per Ride: 1 or 2 (the group will be split into 2 if more than 8 riders)

Minimum/Maximum number of riders in group: 2/12. If more than 8 riders the group will be split into 2. Please note The Bivouac Trail runs parallel to the Guesthouse Trail on most dates BUT the Bivouac option will only operate if there are 4 bookings (or more) for this formula. In other words, clients booking early for the Bivouac option should be prepared to upgrade to the Guesthouse formula (for a 140 Euros supplement ) if this condition is not met by the time the trail takes place. In many cases clients booking on the bivouac trails would be better off staying in a pension or guesthouse. We believe the Bivouac Trail should only be booked by those on a tight budget or by people who really enjoy outdoor living. It is important for anyone considering the Bivouac option to realise that conditions on this ride are extremely basic and they will not find the commodities of an hotel in the middle of nature.

Looking after the horse: Clients on the Bivouac Trail are expected to tack up/untack their horse, attach it for the night, water their horse at the fountain in the evening and in the morning, and help feed it.

Clients on the Guesthouse Trail are required to tack up/untack their own horse, but the guides and staff will water and feed the horses in the evening.

Clients on the Luxury Guesthouse Trail are not required to tack-up/untack their horse themselves: an assistant will prepare their horse in the morning and take care of it at lunchtime and in the evening.

ABOUT THE HORSES

Of the 16 horses used, 15 are mares and 1 a gelding. They are all small (between 15hh and 15.2hh), friendly cross-Arab breeds, that combine speed with endurance. They are particularly suitable for Cappadocia's tortuous tracks and paths.