Whether you’re an equestrian enthusiast or are simply wanting to enjoy a unique, luxury getaway, the world’s best equine hotels offer thrilling horseback riding experiences as well as immersive and life-changing wellness programmes and unparalleled nature immersion.
Here, the experts from The Equine Collective pick out five of the best horseback riding resorts and equestrian retreats around the world – from South Africa’s wild plains to Indonesia’s sun-drenched beaches and turquoise seas
Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort & Ranch: luxury horseback riding in British Columbia, Canada
Best for: wilderness, regeneration and horse–human bonding
Siwash Lake is an award‑winning, off‑grid luxury dude ranch nestled in 10,000+ acres of regenerating wilderness following a major 2017 fire. It offers an immersive SiwashSynergy™ horseback‑riding experience: guests are paired one‑on‑one with a horse, groom and saddle them, then ride across river canyons and new-growth forests under private guidance. Pre-ride rituals include “preliminary horsemanship” in the barn—a form of mindful bonding and meditation before mounting up. This intimate connection is central to the wellness and regeneration ethos of the ranch, where horse care blends with ecological renewal in a restorative retreat. See more at siwashlake.com
NIHI Sumba: wellness and equine therapy on Sumba Island, Indonesia
Best for: equine wellness and untethered morning meditation
NIHI Sumba is globally acclaimed for pioneering “equine wellness”, integrating horses into its spa and resort life. It’s the first resort to offer round‑the‑clock horse therapy and wellness services using onsite horses. New to its offerings is the Equine Wild Wellness (or Equine Connection) programme, featuring early‑morning meditation with the herd on a hilltop overlooking the beach – horses roam free without fences, and guests connect spiritually in that boundary‑less space. It’s a rare moment of equine-led stillness and emotional alignment at dawn. See more at nihi.com
Horizon Horseback: adventurous safaris and relaxed horseback riding experiences in Waterberg Biosphere, South Africa
Best for: wildlife and variety on horseback
Horizon Horseback offers a wide range of riding holidays in South Africa’s Waterberg Biosphere — from exhilarating game-viewing safaris and cattle herding to relaxed outrides through bushveld landscapes. With options for all riding levels and interests, it’s an ideal place to explore nature from the saddle, connect with horses, and enjoy the freedom of riding in a truly wild setting. See more at ridinginafrica.com
Silver Spur Ranch: authentic cowboy experiences in Bandera, Texas, USA
Best for: real cowboys and ranch culture
For those craving the authentic American West, Silver Spur Ranch delivers. Situated in the Cowboy Capital of the World, this dude ranch offers hearty riding, roping, and a front-row seat to wranglers at work. It’s family-run, full of character, and steeped in cowboy traditions that haven’t changed in generations. See more at legacyranchatsilverspur.com
Lou Calen: wine tasting and horseback riding in Provence, France
Best for: rosé-fuelled rides through provence
Horse riding and wine tasting rarely go hand-in-hand, but at Lou Calen, they do. Nestled in the picturesque village of Cotignac, this stylish Provençal escape offers scenic trail rides followed by curated rosé tastings from its on-site winery. The horses are beautifully cared for, the wine is chilled, and the lavender fields are postcard-perfect. See more at loucalen.com
Images: equinecollective.co.uk