Holidays on Horseback

Further Information

 

If you have any queries about your booking with us, please ring.

What to Bring

Warm and waterproof clothing, waterproof trousers and jackets -

However settled the weather may look, never venture into the hills without warm and waterproof clothing. When not in use this may be tied to the saddle, or carried in the saddlebags.

Footwear -

Consider your footwear carefully. Boots with tread and heel are practical. Tight riding boots may not be comfortable for long riding days. Wellingtons are suitable if the weather is not hot.

Hats and Gloves –

Warm gloves and possibly (see next paragraph) a woolly hat for early and late season bookings.

Hard Hats –

Ensure that your hat is comfortable enough to wear for 5, 6 or 7 hours. An uncomfortable rider is an unsafe one. Hats dangling from saddlebags are a potential hazard. As an experienced rider you may prefer to ride without a hat. Your attention is drawn to the General Booking Conditions 3.

Penknife –

most important. Useful for emergency repairs, cutting twine/string etc.

Skin Protection Cream –

During summer month’s sun and wind on the open hill can burn quickly and unnoticeably. Cover arms and necks.

Eveningwear –

Light and casual clothes and footwear.

Water Bottle –

Almost essential for very hot summer days. Screw top plastic.

Small Torch –

for early and late season bookings.

Emergency Nibbles –

Chocolate, nuts etc. in case your day is longer than planned.

Packed Lunch/Drinks –

for your first day on trail. (If you are staying the night before your trail, your B&B or Hotel may provide packed lunches. The filling station in Clyro stocks sandwiches, drinks etc. see map)

N.B. FreeRein supplies a very basic First Aid Kit and Reflectors. Mobile phones work only very intermittently in the hills.

 

Packing

Please arrive at FreeRein with three categories of luggage:

One Holdall/ Suitcase/ Rucksack per rider –

packed and ready to label for road transfer, or to repack onto packsaddle. N.B. Max weight – pack saddle = 20lbs(9kg) excluding waterproofs as below.

Collection of articles –

ready to pack into the saddle bags (pair of bags per. rider, each 11 x 6 x 3 inches) Cameras, lunches, drinks, water bottle etc.

Waterproofs/ Spare clothing –

to wear or fasten to saddle.

     

How to find FreeRein at Clyro

Please see here for map. FreeRein is in the grounds of the Baskerville Hall Hotel (locally known as Clyro Court.) Do not confuse with the Baskerville Arms Hotel, which is also in the village.

 

Trail preperation at FreeRein

 

Outdoor parking available, at owners risks. Keys may be left in FreeRein Office.

Luggage:

Transfer all luggage to FreeRein Map Room. Label luggage for transfer by road / Repack into saddlebags. Pack saddlebags with lunches, cameras etc. and add items provided by FreeRein (First Aid, saddle covers, reflectors, hoof picks, binder twine). The saddlebags should be evenly weighted.

Tacking Up:

Preparing for the trail.

Groom –

use brush to groom. The currycomb is to clean the brush.

Check Hooves –

pick up and inspect each hoof. The order of hooves is not important. Many of the horses will pick up the foot ready to be inspected.

Tack Up –

remove halter, put on head collar, put bridle on over the head collar, place numnah well forward and position saddle. This too should be well forward so that it can work its way back into the natural position. Girths should be immediately behind the front legs, and done up loosely until you are ready to leave.

Adjust Stirrups –

Do this before you are ready to mount up. Long days need long stirrups. From clenched fist to under the arm is suitable for most riders.

Saddlebags / Packsaddle –

Demonstrated

Waterproofs / Spare Clothing –

Fasten firmly with ties to front of saddle. The ties should he easy to release. Clothing is easiest to fasten when rolled long and thin.

 

Maps and Route descriptions

 

Return to map room for tea/coffee and to study route descriptions and maps of your trail. Read the introduction to your Route Pack carefully. It explains in detail how the route finding system works. One rider reads from the Route Descriptions, the other check progress on the Maps. It is important to allow plenty of time for this part of the preparation. Advice and help are available from FreeRein staff. DO REMEMBER time spent studying the maps and routes before you set out, may save hours later.