New Forest Horse Riding
A fantastic way to explore the National Park

I can recommend New Forest horse riding as a great way to discover and explore this lovely National Park, at its best. I don't make bookings for you and I cannot accept any responsibility for your New Forest horse riding experience, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it and have a wonderful time.

New Forest horse riding. Hack out and you'll get close to the National Park and all its wildlife.

New Forest horse riding from Arniss Equestrian across the beautiful Ogdens area of the National Park.

A What's On recommendation as well as your horse riding experience

Spring Event of the Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association

2024 update TBC

Here's a wonderful Heavy Horse Event I would thoroughly recommend to you. 

Enjoy the  Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association  wonderful display of many much loved heavy horse breeds every year. A wonderful show!

• Heavy Horses working the land
• Wagon Rides
• Ring Displays
• Horses Ridden and Driven
• Refreshments
• Trade Stands
• Free Parking

Venue - Harbridge Farm, Ringwood (A338), Hampshire, BH24 3PW

Admission: Adults £tab    OAPs £tab    SCHHA members & children under 16 FREE

No advance tickets available – pay at the gate

Dogs are welcome, but must be on a lead at all times

Contact: Tel. 07773 155 817

Web site:  www.southerncountiesheavyhorseassociation.co.uk

Email:  annie.dawson@hotmail.co.uk

Archive info from my recommended days out

The Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association are a wonderful society dedicated to the wellbeing and future of the working heavy horse. On Sunday 13 April 2014 at the Heavy Horse Event at Harbridge Farm, Ringwood they showed their kindness and generosity to my little old Mum - wonderful people!

A very dirty trick! My website is built on personal recommendations and content and pics have been stolen.

Please note that my copywritten content and photos have been used both with my permission on Burley Manor Stables website (after much discussion!) and without my permission on Brockenhurst Riding Stables website. As well as my photos being manipulated and the water mark taken off, under "About" my content has been used virtually word for word.

I do not recommend Brockenhurst Riding Stables. I have never visited these stables until yesterday when I wanted to meet the owner to discuss this breach. I'm pursuing through legal channels this violation of my intellectual property.

I'd also like to add that I don't believe the owner of these stables knew of this violation but the web designer certainly does and despite me speaking to them once they have again produced a website using my material.

Arniss Equestrian at Godshill

New Forest donkey

I've just visited Arniss Equestrian at Godshill which is close to Fordingbridge. This is an idyllic area of the New Forest to experience horse riding from. A huge advantage is you wont be going out on any roads, you simply set off down a stable track and you are out on the open forest. 

Mixed age and ability riders were just mounting up when I arrived and all the ponies and horses looked safely tacked up and all the riders had all the necessary safety gear on too.

Jan, the owner welcomed me, although she was busy and allowed me to have a look around. All the horses were munching their hay nets happily or having a midday doze. This is not only a beautifully situated equestrian centre in 50 acres of stunning countryside, but it is also very well run.

Here's why I would recommend you experience New Forest horse riding with Arniss Equestrian

• No road work - direct New Forest access
• Many trails to follow - some leading to lovely New Forest pubs
• Experienced or beginners can be catered for
  
• Younger riders must be 4 years old and all instructors are CRB tested
• British Horse Society approved for both hacking and livery
• School holiday activities as well as summer camp can be arranged. Childrens parties, hen and stag parties, team building and corporate events can also be arranged
  
• Lovely facilities - all weather arenas and jumping arenas and a cross country course is coming soon
• Everyone was friendly and welcoming but also professional and safety conscious too
• Read the Tripadvisor reviews for recent visitors great experiences
  

Burley Riding Stables

These New Forest riding stables are next to a warm and friendly hotel and are run by Sharon. When I spoke to her recently she was really welcoming with a great sense of humour.

She told me that they now have a lovely horse called Godfrey who can accommodate a human weight of 20 stone! rather him than me though? He really is huge but rather lovely.

Size isn't any issue here - There are also two cute and very speckly little Shetlands in the yard Sausage and Tomato you can see them below.

Here are 2 riders with one of the experienced and qualified staff ready to hack out onto the open New Forest.

• Sharon runs this yard very professionally - you'll sign a disclaimer and be checked out on your riding skills and equipment you may need before your ride
  
• It was very clean - all the stables were clean, freshly watered with contented horses and ponies looking out into the yard - some were happy dozing when the sun came out - a typical horse trait I've found!
  
• Tack was well looked after and all the horses and ponies were groomed and looking good
• They are right in the heart of the Forest, in the lovely village of Burley, in the grounds of the Burley manor Hotel which has recently changed hands and which I haven't yet revisited. As you drive up to the stables and the hotel, you will see red deer in a field on your right. 
• You will go along a little bit of road to get onto the open forest but Burley is a New Forest village that has many visitors both with hooves and feet and so everyone is used to New Forest riders out and about
  

You can have a one hour ride which is for any standard of rider or a two hour ride for the more experienced rider.

Sharon has experienced and qualified staff on hand and is Association of British Riding Schools Approved. Can you imagine going out into the heart of the New Forest - on a horse ride - what will you experience on the way?

All the New Forest ponies and other animals will take much less notice of you as you mingle amongst them - they will be less aware of you, and probably come up closer, as you'll smell more of horse to them than human!

I've always found when I've been riding that you can get a much better experience of nature from the back of a horse - give it a go - I know you'll love it.

If you stay at the Burley Manor Hotel for a weekend break, you can let the hotel make the booking for you, then it can fit in with your plans for your relaxing getaway break.

New Forest Burley Manor Riding Stables - the beautiful Bertie

New Forest Burley Manor Riding Stables - Sausage and Tomato

Make your New Forest getaway break that little bit more special by booking a one or two hour New Forest horse ride in the beautiful New Forest - you'll remember it forever.

I would recommend these New Forest horse riding stables. They are well run, clean and well kept New Forest horse riding stables and the staff are friendly and helpful. The horses all looked lovely, well looked after and happy.

To really enjoy New Forest horse riding at its best you will need a bright but not too hot, sunny day - we wish! 

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