The Year of the Horse arrives with a sense of wild possibility – a reminder to move with courage, curiosity and just a little bit of swagger. In that spirit, this edit gathers some of the world’s most compelling stays where horses are not a side note, but a central part of the story. From desert canyons to Patagonian surf, African savannahs to Andean moonscapes, these are places where you don’t just check in – you saddle up.

Desert canyons and salt flats

In Utah’s sculpted canyon country, Amangiri feels purpose‑built for a horse’s eye view of the landscape. Private rides depart directly from the resort, with wranglers leading you across 600 acres of desert framed by Navajo sandstone, and longer off‑property rides that trace old outlaw routes with views over Lake Powell and the Grand Staircase. It’s Western mythology reframed as ultra‑minimalist luxury – sunrise in the saddle, sunset in the spa.wingedboots+1

Further south, Awasi Atacama pairs barefoot‑luxury style with entirely private guiding, so each room has its own guide, vehicle – and, if you wish, tailored rides into the dunes. You can explore the vastness of the Atacama on horseback, crossing ochre sand and dry riverbeds with the Andes and volcanoes on the horizon, then return to a courtyard lit by lanterns and Chilean wine.

Mari Mari Natural Reserve, at the gateway to Patagonia on Chile’s Pacific coast, offers a different kind of edge‑of‑the‑world riding. Here, beautifully groomed horses take you along secluded black‑sand beaches and through native forest, with trails designed for everyone from contemplative first‑timers to confident riders happy to gallop alongside the surf. It’s raw, wind‑washed Patagonia, softened by private oceanfront villas and a serious spa.

Islands, oceans and barefoot luxury

On Indonesia’s Sumba island, Nihi Sumba is famous for its Sumba ponies just as much as for its waves. As the tide drops, you meet your horse on the beach for a bareback ride straight into the Indian Ocean, wading and swimming in clear water in front of the boathouse. It’s one of those rare experiences that feels dreamlike even as it’s happening.

Over in the British Virgin Islands, The Aerial BVI adds an ethical, regenerative layer to the equine story through its Redemption Ranch. Rescue horses, ponies and even zebras live on‑island; guests can join ranch tours, learn their stories and ride along the coastline, often ending with a wade in the turquoise shallows. Each experience helps fund Aerial Recovery’s non‑profit work, so your island ride also contributes to wider impact.

Across the Atlantic, Vestige Son Vell on Menorca offers something quieter but no less poetic. The estate can arrange riding lessons on site or excursions along the historic Camí de Cavalls, the ancient bridle path that encircles the island. Think sun‑bleached stone walls, sea views and a languid Mediterranean rhythm – best followed by long lunches and late‑afternoon dips.

Europe’s country‑house canters

In Wiltshire, England, Lucknam Park is almost archetypal country‑house horse territory: 500 acres of parkland, an impressive equestrian centre and a line‑up of 35 horses suited to everyone from tiny riders to advanced jumpers. Guests can hack through the Southern Cotswold countryside, book dressage or jumping lessons, or simply mix a gentle ride with Michelin‑starred dining and spa time

Further north, Gleneagles in Scotland brings a sporting‑estate energy, complete with an equestrian school that caters to everyone from four‑year‑old beginners to riders training at British Horse Society Stage 4 level. Lessons in dressage, showjumping and cross‑country sit alongside hacking across the estate’s 850 acres – all paired with golf, falconry and a whisky‑by‑the‑fire finale.

On the Umbrian‑Tuscan border, Reschio in Italy is a love letter to horses as much as a design‑forward estate. Riding here has been compared to an African safari, with horses moving quietly among deer, wild boar and other wildlife across 1,500 hectares. Stables and the Teatro Equestro have been crafted with as much care as the villas themselves, and the estate breeds and trains its own Spanish horses with a notably gentle philosophy.

In Portugal’s Alentejo, Malhadinha Nova brings together wine, design and horses in one soulful estate. Here, Pure Blood Lusitano horses are very much part of the family story, with an on‑site stud farm and an equestrian team led by professional rider Pedro Sousa. Guests can take private lessons in the arena, try introductory dressage, or ride out through the vineyards and open fields before returning to long, wine‑paired dinners and big‑sky sunsets.

Riding the world’s great plains

In Kenya’s Laikipia region, Solio Lodge sits on a private rhino conservancy between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. Here, game drives are easily complemented by horseback safaris across the ranch, offering a different perspective on the wildlife and big skies. It’s an intimate, conservation‑focused base where riding can be woven into classic East African safari days.

For a more immersive equestrian safari, Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill in South Africa’s Waterberg region are hard to beat. Both lodges share a reserve with around 90 horses that live out among the game, allowing you to ride right alongside giraffe, antelope and more without the animals taking fright. Rides are tailored to all levels, from relaxed bush ambles to fast canters along sandy tracks, with the option to ride twice daily and genuinely make horses the heart of your stay.

Corocora Wildlife Camp, in Colombia’s Llanos, layers adventure onto conservation. Here, traditional llanero cowboys guide you by horseback across seasonally flooded plains, chasing wildlife, crossing rivers and, in some seasons, even swimming through lakes on horseback. It’s an elemental way to feel the scale of the savannah, then return to a small, beautifully simple camp set up for stargazing and storytelling.

Forests, waterfalls and mountain air

In Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge, Blancaneaux Lodge – Francis Ford Coppola’s jungle hideaway – offers guided rides out from the lodge’s own stables. A signature experience is the ride to Big Rock Falls, where you tie up the horses and descend to swim in clear pools beneath a waterfall before heading back through pine forest. It’s romance with just enough mud and adventure to feel real.

Down in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, Blanket Bay sits between glacier‑fed rivers and towering peaks near Glenorchy. The lodge can arrange western‑style rides on the adjoining Wyuna High Country Station, meeting horses with names like Rio and Braveheart and exploring classic South Island high country. It’s the kind of landscape you’ll likely recognise from cinematic epics – only this time you’re in the saddle, not the cinema.

 

If you’d like to “gallop into the new year” with a tailor‑made route that matches your riding level, preferred regions and season, we can help you shape these properties into a seamless, bespoke trail.

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