Hoofing About - Tales from the Trails Guided Rides

I don’t want to jinx it but the weather forecast for this weekend and the bank holiday looks just perfect for getting out and exploring the countryside on horse back.
If you’re not sure where to park, where to ride or even where there might be cows then one of my ride booklets might be perfect for you. Parking locations provided using what3words, map or the route and written directions and a gpx file like to the route in OS maps, so if you have the app you can follow along while you ride, sort of like having satnav, just without the turn by turn directions 😉

Limited time deal until the end of May, all 7 booklets for £50 instead of £60

Co you love hacking but not sure where to go, there’s hundreds of miles of fantastic bridleways across Leicestershire and into Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and I’ve been lucky enough to ride them all.
I’ve produced ride booklets that give you the routes with a map and instructions, a gpx link to the route on os maps and all the parking information you need using what3words.

Any questions pop me a message and I’m happy to help.

Limited time May deal, all 7 booklets for £50, that’s over 70 different rides for you to try out and enjoy.

If anyone has messaged me in the last couple of weeks can you please message me directly rather than through the page please as it seems messages aren’t working.

I’ve had people ask me a few times about doing a long distance riding holiday, mainly, the Mary Towneley Loop, it’s potentially looking like this could become a reality for 2023.
If it could be organised would there be any interest in this?
Would likely be 3 or 4 days of riding, this will largely depend on where accommodation is, it’s a 50 mile circular route, due to the nature of the terrain much of it is walk and trot however there are a couple of spots for a canter. It may also be possible to add on the Settle Loop for those wanting an extra day of riding.

Comment if interested ☺️🏇🏻
Some pictures of the fabulous views to be enjoyed

It’s been quite some time since I last touched base with you all, family drama, horse lameness and ultimately last week the passing of my beautiful Irish Setter Katie, my last homebred Irish who is so dearly missed by me, Martin and of course the Red & White Setters.

The time away has given me some time to think about Guided Rides moving forward, firstly, what Rides there are this year will only run until November, then we can all hibernate for winter!
Secondly, do people still want Guided Rides at all, with Pleasure Rides, Fun Rides, EGB etc all back up and fully running are small group rides that you can return to anytime still something that’s wanted? I’m still happy to run them in 2023 but most likely on a much smaller scale, probably only 2 per month, staying with the format of a morning mixed group, walk trot canter, and the lunchtime private group speed your choice or mixed group slower paced, if people still wanted Rides next year they would return late February/early March.
What are peoples thoughts? I’m also happy to do private group rides at a Ride location chosen by the group, for example, no Rides program at all (or maybe just a very limited one) and just a list of dates I’m available and maybe a list of Rides so the group picks a date and a ride from the list, Rides not on the list could also be discussed.
I also hope to look back into the idea of a riding holiday, something like the Mary Towneley Loop, a couple of days riding in Thetford Forest is also a possibility, a slim chance of the Kinder Loop in the Peak District but this wouldn’t be for the faint at heart given some of the terrain, hence only a slim chance.

A lot to take in but I’d love to hear your thoughts on all of this, in the meantime here’s the rides that are available between June and November, May’s Foxton Locks Ride is fully booked, any questions or to book just give me a shout ☺️ xx

When that hill is the first canter of the day 👌
A great late morning ride doing East/West Leake, we all had a blast, literally, 3 big hills to have fun up, 1 lovely loong canter and several lovely shorter canters, spot on for a sunny Sunday.
Day off tomorrow for Lady, not only has she been out 3 days in a row but she had to hack the 13 miles to todays start point, speedy mare got us there in 2hrs though 😂

Perfect weather today for a double trip round Clumber, sun, blue skies and super company, Saturdays done right!
More of the same weather tomorrow and 2 places left for East/West Leake if you’re feeling last minuet 😎

Don’t get FOMO
2 spaces left for the East/West Leake Ride this Sunday, 20th March, the weathers looking grand ☀️
I’ve been for a quick route check today, the canters are looking spot on, some lovely long ones to be enjoyed, looking forward to this one

The weekend weather is looking glorious ☀️☀️
If you’re feeling a bit last minuet and want to get out in the sun then there’s 1 space left for Clumber on Saturday morning and 2 spaces for East Leake on Sunday.
Roll on the weekend 🏇🏻

Doesn’t everything just feel better when the suns out and you start seeing the buds on the trees ☀️
Was busy riding yesterday so didn’t get an updated Rides list out but Lady is having a day off today after 3 days off work so it’s an “Update Tuesday” instead 😂

As always, any questions do just ask, I’m here to help, and if you’d like to book just pop me a message.

Can the lovely spring weather we enjoyed at the weekend please come back!! Hope you all managed to get out and enjoy the sun, I managed to get back to some hiking, with all the bad weather I’m not as fit for it as I was 😳

Ride update, the wonderful Combined Ride in March is now full, there’s some spaces available in May, September and October.

Any questions or to book just drop me a message, I’m here to help 😊

The Combined Ride on 5th March is now fully booked, can’t wait to head back to this one, it’s a not to be missed ride!
Next dates are
Sunday 8th May, 1 AM space available, private or mixed group lunchtime available.
Sunday 11th September 2 AM spaces available, private or mixed group lunchtime available
Saturday 22nd October 5 AM spaces available, private or mixed group lunchtime ride available.
Video in previous post ☺️

Hands up if you’re fed up of this weather 👋 Think the horses are as ready for spring and summer as much as I am!!

While it’s vile out and we’re all dreaming of long lazy summer days spent with horses and friends, and for some of us, gin 🍸 here’s an updated list of what rides are available, lots to look forward to 🏇 I do have bookings as far ahead as October so it’s never too early to book 😉
If you’ve got any questions or would like to book on a ride just pop me a message, I’m always happy to help with as many questions as you may have, so please never feel bad for asking lots of questions 😊

Woohoo, it’s February, one hoof closer to Spring ☀️

Spaces on the Combined Rides are filling up, even the September date, so don’t delay in booking, it’s a fantastic ride and certainly one not to be missed!

Up to date list of what’s available for Rides, yes, I know there’s no July ones there, I’ll possibly be taking a month off to help get ready for walking Ben Nevis and Scafell 😳 but I may well put a couple on, we’ll see.

Any questions, or to book a ride just pop me a message, happy to answer any questions you may have 😊

No wind for todays ride, chilly but blue skies and sun at Vicar Water and a great group of people, thanks for joining me ☺️

Now time to look forward to February Rides, longer days and hopefully a continuation of this dry weather!
Southwell on 5th February is full in the morning, I have space at lunchtime for another rider, the next ride is High Peak/Tissington Trail on 19th, experience some of the easier sections of the Pennine Bridleway, dedicated horse box parking with a corral for if your horse wants an after ride roll, just one short section of road as we connect the two trails, approx 10 miles, fabulous views, 10am meet, 3 spaces available.
A few pics from previous visits to this ride

Rather windy day at Sherwood Forest, but there was sun and some blue skies and even with me having stupidly shut my thumb in the car door on Friday evening we had some lovely canters.
Looking forward to Vicar Water tomorrow and then we’ve all survived January, the longest month ever ☺️

If anyones at a loose end this Saturday 29th, I have spaces available for the Sherwood Forest Ride, nice Forest tracks will allow for some canters, only one small bit of roadwork.

We’re now into the 2nd week of January, not long and we’ll of broken the back of winter and spring will be on its way, yay.
What New Years resolutions have people set, or as I prefer goals for 2022? Mine has been to get fitter, loose weight and of course lots of hiking goals this year as well as riding goals which started with a trip to the beach on New Years Day, I haven’t been to the beach since 2020 so was great to head back and start the new year the right way!

They’ll be a lot fewer rides this year, partly due to this years holiday plans and partly because I’m now without a horsebox so will be hiring, but quality over quantity and there’s some really great rides to enjoy this year, several new ones and some firm favourites with myself and riders, I’m particularly looking forward to revisiting the Combined Ride, Rolleston and The Ridgeway, they are such good fun 🐎

Kicking off the 2022 Rides is Charnwood this Sunday 16th, a lovely little route taking in three country parks, 2 spaces left if anyone wants to join me and 3 lovely regulars ☺️

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, thank you all for joining me this year and lots of lovely new friendships made, here’s to lots of fun in 2022 and hopefully no January lockdown 😳 😘

A sunny but chilly ride followed by wet and still chilly ride at Sherwood Pines, great tracks for winter riding and still getting some canters in, plus the added bonus of a lovely cafe at the parking so sausage sarnies are a must 😂
Looking forward to visiting again next weekend, there’s a space available if anyone wants to join us, mince pies welcome, it is December after all!!

It’s FRI-YAY……..with a miserable weekend forecast, but haven’t we been so lucky with the winter weather so far!

What Black Friday deals have people managed to snag, any fun horsey stuff, or treats for yourself? I grabbed some hiking clothing ready for next year and some doggy coats, if I’d of seen it earlier I might of grabbed a lazy-spa, bargain price right now at GoOutdoor!

There’s still time to book a ride (or more) at the Black Friday price, £30 instead of £35, I was going to end it at midnight tonight but will keep it going since we have Cyber Monday too 😂
So any 2022 Ride(s) booked between now and midnight on Monday 29th November are £30pp instead of £35 😁
And here’s the updated Rides for what’s available in 2022

🌟🌟BLACK FRIDAY DEAL🌟🌟
From now until midnight on 26th February book any 2022 Ride(s) for £30pp instead of £35 🏇🏻
* applies to group rides or private rides for 2+ riders

November Rides are now all done and we’re going to be into December before we know it!
There’s just 3 Rides in December as we all wind down for the C word (🎄🎅)
Sherwood Pines on 4th December has 3 afternoon spaces available, I’m there again on 11th December, a late morning Ride only on this date and there’s 1 space become available.
Finally for 2021 there’s Vicar Water on 19th December, there’s 3 morning spaces available.
You’re more than welcome to dress up all Christmassy for any of these rides, and while I can’t guarantee you won’t get rained or snowed on ❄️ I can guarantee that these are great winter riding routes that remain relatively mud free 👍

Any questions or to book just drop me a message ☺️