Horse Riding Holidays
Horse Riding holidays are becoming popular among lovers of horses and equestrian sports the world over. The concept of the riding tour is especially popular because it combines the sport with a chance to travel, see new places and meet new people. Not so long ago travel on horseback or by horse drawn vehicle was a necessity unless you wanted to walk and carry your luggage. A system of relays was set up in many parts of the world where travelers could leave a tired horse and find a replacement. It was also a place where carriages, on a more or less regular commercial route, could keep a change of horses. These relays usually combined accommodations and food for travelers.
Some riding holidays in Europe incorporate stays at these same relays. The Pony Express riders, who made the 2,000 mile trip from St. Joseph to San Francisco on horseback in an amazing seven days, which was only possible because of frequent relays for horse and rider.
As is the case with many of the most popular sports like riding today, they got their start as a necessity. Hunting and fishing are two of the best-known examples, but there are many others: archery, clay pigeon shooting, gardening, fencing, wrestling and boxing to name a few. It fits with Darwinian Theory that those who enjoyed doing something vitally important like hunting were better at it so that they survived to pass on their genes. This must be why good bird dogs enjoy the hunt so much. I imagine that travel on horse riding holidays appeals to our deep instinct for nomadism going back to the days when our ancestors had to move to survive.
