ABOUT THE RIDING

Style of Riding: The horses respond to both English and Western riding.

Type of Riding: Trail Ride/Expedition. The terrain comprises of gravel and sand plains, sometimes very hard and difficult. There are steep climbs and descents and you may have to dismount and lead your horse. The days are long and arduous. Water supplies may be limited. Fitness, good health, experience in horse riding and dealing with horses is essential.

Type of Tack: Saddles are either of the lightweight Western variety or a tailor-made combination of a Western and a stock saddle, specially designed for Reit Safaris. All saddles come with saddlebags. Reit Safaris have a tack maker in their employ and make most of the tack themselves. Bridles are either fitted with snaffles or are totally without bit.

Hours in the Saddle: 6 to 10 hours a day.

Riding Ability Required: Intermediate upwards. You will need fitness, and good health. Experience in both riding and dealing with horses is essential. You need not be a professional dressage rider or show jumper, but should really feel at ease on the back of a cantering horse, have a tough mind and a sense of humour

Maximum Weight: 85kgs (13st5lbs) Heavier riders may join the ride on paying a supplement of 30% of the ride only cost for an extra horse.

Number of Guides per Ride: 1 or 2.

Minimum/Maximum number of riders in group: 6/15

Looking after the horse: You will be expected to groom, tack up and feed your horse whilst on the ride.

ABOUT THE HORSES

Sixteen years ago Reit Safari started with six horses. Now they keep between 80 and 100 horses and, to answer your question straightaway, yes, they do know every single one by name and character. They are horses of different breeds, each of them a very dear, reliable companion: most are crossbred from Arabs, Hanoverians, Trakehner, Lipizzaner, Haflinger and all types of ranch horses.

On average they are medium-sized and since all of them were raised outdoors, without a stable, on the rough terrain in the bush, they are swift as well as surefooted. Some have participated in show jumping and dressage, others in endurance riding, but the majority are just plain happy trail horses.

A lot of work is put into training the horses thoroughly and keeping them healthy. The horses are trained according to the principles of natural horsemanship and can be ridden to continental dressage standards as well as neck reining.