ABOUT THE RIDING

Style of Riding: English but most of the horses are polo trained so neck rein.

Type of Riding: Safari/Trail-Ride - Some good canters of half a mile or more and plenty of trotting to cover ground. Gallops with the migration are a feature too. The riding is mainly over flat plains, wide open country with opportunities for good canters but there are some steep rocky escapments where you may have to dismount.

Type of Tack: Various saddles, polo, Wintec, French Trekking and Australian stock. Mainly snaffle bridles.

Hours in the Saddle: 4 to 6 hours a day when riding from camp to camp, 2 to 3 hours once or twice a day when not moving camp.

Riding Ability Required: Intermediate upwards. Good riding ability is important. Guests should be comfortable at all paces, be able to gallop and react quickly and safely as you will be riding in areas where big game wildlife is abundant.

Maximum Weight: 95kgs (14st7lbs)

Number of Guides per Ride: 1 plus groom.

Minimum/Maximum number of riders in group: 4/12

Looking after the horse: You are not expected to groom or tack up but you are welcome to assist.

ABOUT THE HORSES

The herd of 70 plus horses includes thoroughbred and thoroughbred cross. Many are home bred from Offbeat's best mares. All of them are responsive, tough and fit. Many are trained for polo and the best ones are hand picked for each guest on their riding safari. Here are a few of the horses you might meet.

Alibaba - 14 year old, 15.3hh grey gelding. Alibaba is a very reliable polo pony and safari horse. A favourite worldwide, who is equally at home on the polo pitch or looking after a novice.

Witch - Witch 13 year old, 15.2hh, chestnut TB mare. A top polo pony, Witch is very speedy but very relaxed and bomb proof on safari.

Precocious - Precocious 10 year old, 16hh chestnut gelding. Another top polo pony, Precocious is up to a bit of weight. He is nice and relaxed when on safari..

Rebel - 9 year old, 15.2hh chestnut mare. An ex race horse, polo pony and very relaxed novice ride.

Jemima - Jemima 9 year old, 15.2hh chestnut mare. Jemima is home bred and done some novice eventing as well as polo. She has a cheeky buck on the first day out but afterwards provides a nice relaxed ride

Dream Date - 11 year old, 15.2hh dark bay gelding. Dream Date is a pony refugee from Zimbabwe. He is a lovely ride and enjoyed celebrity status on the front page of Saturday Times Supplement.

Cancan - 7 year old, 15.1hh homebred bay mare. Although fizzy, Cancan makes a lovely ride and jumps well for an experienced rider

Eburu - 12 year old, 15.2hh bay gelding. A thickset, tough campaigner, Eburu is very strong and up to weight. He needs a competent rider.

Madrugada - 9 year old, 15.3hh liver chestnut mare. Great on safari, playing polo and pre-novice eventer.