Pony Trekking

We can offer a range of pony treks and hacking to suit all ages and abilities, from short pony rides to full day rides for the more adventurous, with a picnic stop included!

We are a small friendly yard with happy horses and ponies, and we want to keep it that way! Our ride-outs are always accompanied by at least one qualified ride leader, and there will never be more than 6 guests on a ride unless specifically requested for example a large family group or group of friends. If there are beginners on a ride, there will be at least one ride assistant (probably more) on foot to offer help or advice if needed, or to lead younger or less confident riders. Young beginners will always be led initially until they feel confident enough to ride alone.

We always try to tailor our rides to the specific abilities of our riders and can offer something for everybody whether you would like a beach ride or would prefer tranquil forest trails, stunning hilltop views and lazy lochside picnics - or even a ride that incorporates all of these! Booking is essential for all rides.

Ride	Time	Price
1/2 hour pony ride	anytime	£10
1 hour trek	anytime	£15
2 hour trek	morning or aternoon	£30
Half day ride	10am - 1pm 2pm - 5pm	£40
All day picnic ride	10am - 4.30pm (approx)	£70
Evening barbeque ride	6pm - 9pm	£50

What you need to know

Riding hats up to current British safety standards are provided free of charge. Please wear sensible footwear! Our stirrups are fitted with toe covers as a safety measure to stop your foot from slipping through, however open-toed sandles and shoes with a heel over 2 inches are not allowed. For rainy days you should bring a waterproof jacket - we can provide waterproof over trousers and also waterproof pouches for cameras/phones etc. if required.

We are situated 400 metres from a lovely sandy beach, where it is normally possible to see seals hauled out on the rocks or the sand. Being used to us riding by they sometimes allow us to get really close!

We cater for all levels of rider. Beginners can take their time and enjoy the scenery and wildlife, and more experienced riders can enjoy a canter through the forest or even experience the thrill of a gallop along the sand!

Our 1/2 hour pony rides visit the beach. One hour rides are either beach, forest or both and Two hour and half day rides can take in beach, forest and hill - tides permitting of course.

We have safe, friendly ponies for beginners...

 

and fast fit horses for more experienced riders ....

 

Full day rides (picnic rides)

are not suitable for the first time rider, as we ride over rough terrain. However, we offer options suitable for novice and experienced riders, and parties with mixed experience can be catered for. We provide saddle bags, lunch boxes and water bottles - you just need to bring your own lunch.

Strath Brora Ride

We follow an old coffin trail high into the hills above Loch Brora, with stunning views in all directions from the summit. We often see herds of red deer up here. Slowly winding our way down the hill, we stop for our lunch at the end of the loch, allowing our ponies to splash about in the water - if it's warm enough and you are brave enough we could take them in for a swim! Ospreys are a sighted regularly from here. We follow the lochside where experienced riders can canter (or gallop!) along the lochside grazings, eventually coming to the end of the loch, and following a wooded trail along the side of the tumbling river, and finally returning to base.

Beach Ride

We have two options here, North or South. The North route is almost exclusively beach, taking in the beautiful long sandy curve of Brora bay - just begging to be galloped along! Whilst the South route travels along the beach and grassy meadows leading to Dunrobin Castle. Passing beneath the castle, we ride through Golspie, and on to Little Ferry, riding back along the beautiful sandy beach. From the village, we pass again beside the castle, crossing into the forest and riding to a viewpoint in the hills, descending again to the beach, where tide permitting, we will have a final blast on the sand.

Ben Bragghie

We follow the first half of the Southern route above, heading inland at Golspie village to ride through the
forest, and onto the winding trail leading to the summit of
Ben Bragghie and it's infamous statue of the Duke of Sutherland. The views from here are truly stunning - on a clear day we can see the peaks of mountains in 8 different counties, and views range as far as the Grampian mountains far across the Moray Firth. We return through the forests, and again, tide permitting will have a ride along the beach to finish.

Duchary Hill Fort

Again we ride along the beach and foreshore to Dunrobin Castle, crossing the Big Burn and riding to the foot of Ben Bragghie. Following twisting tracks above the Big Burn to the Curling Pond, where we stop for lunch, we ride on through the forest until we come out onto the open hill with stunning views overthe Moray Firth to the Grampian
Hills beyond. This is an excellent place to spot red deer
herds grazing in the heather. After climbing to the top of
the hill, we descend to Duchary Hill Fort overlooking Loch Brora and then return along the riverside or through the forest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why not share you lunch with your horse. Incidentally crisps are not a horses natural food and are not recommended (they have a real job opening the packet themselves!) Just try telling Zoe that!