We GUARANTEE you won't find the same horse riding holiday at a lower price through any other source... and if you do, we promise to refund the difference!
from £2,195 or €2,495
Horsemanship Riding Holiday – 7 Night Package
Designed for all levels of riders to deepen their connection with horses, improve and/or develop their groundwork and riding skills, and explore the scenic forest tracks around the centre. Includes lunch and dinner each day and 4 horsemanship sessions, 4 arena riding lessons, and 4 two hour treks over 6 days. Horsemanship sessions will vary and can include bareback, ground and mounted work, yoga and/or breathwork on horseback, horseback archery, or Equine Assisted Learning sessions. Includes bed & breakfast accommodation.
Low Season – 1st September – 30th June
High Season – July 1st to August 31st
Trek & Train Riding Holiday – 7 Night Package
This is a great option for those who wish to focus improving their riding skills in the arena as well as enjoying some relaxing time on horseback exploring the remote Irish countryside. Suitable for any riding level, including beginners. Includes lunch and dinner each day and 6 days of riding with 1 horse riding lesson and a 1 hour trek each day as well as the option for a full day ride (not suitable for beginners) or donkey walk with a picnic on one day in the week. Includes bed & breakfast accommodation.
Low Season – 1st September – 30th June
High Season – July 1st to August 31st
Jump Training Holiday – 7 Night Package
For the advanced rider, focus your riding holiday on jumping in and out of the arena. The first day of riding is a calm assessment and introduction to the centre, the instructors, and the horses, while the remainder of the week will get you flying over the fences at both Slieve Aughty Riding Centre and Flower Hill Equestrian Centre. Includes lunch and dinner each day, a combination of arena jumping lessons and cross country lessons at Slieve Aughty Riding Centre over 2 days, and three days of riding at Flower Hill Equestrian Centre (2 sessions per day) with transfers. Includes bed & breakfast accommodation.
Low Season – 1st September – 30th June
High Season – July 1st to August 31st
Included – All meals in the certified organic restaurant (many vegetarian options), riding & other activities as per package
Excluded – Flights, transfers, drinks (there is an honesty bar with wines, bottled beers and spirits/mixers you can help yourself to)
Getting There
BY CAR
Slieve Aughty is close to Loughrea, Galway and an easy drive from most places in Ireland, taking about 1.5 hours from Dublin.
BY PLANE & BUS
Most people from abroad fly into Dublin from where you can self drive or you can take a bus to Loughrea and we can organize a taxi/transfer from there which will cost approximately 15 -20 Euros.
The lodge is open from March through to the end of September 2022
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
For something a little different Slieve Aughty is a little little gem of a place we’ve discovered hidden amongst the foothills of the wild and remote Slieve Aughty mountains, surrounded by forests and lakes. We think its the perfect wholesome retreat for horse lovers who appreciate organic foods.
Have you a holistic approach to your horse riding and always fancied to deeply connect with horses and learn more about natural horsemanship? Do you love fresh organic, healthy & delicious mostly vegetarian food?
As well as practicing natural horsemanship and the owners also love yoga so you can ask about yoga sessions which in season sometimes are on option but the real magic of Slieve Aughty is off road access to over 2,000 acres of enchanted forest right on their doorstep. This means miles and miles of fabulous hacking as well as some cross country jumps to play over, options for picnic lunches and all day hacks. It helps if you believe in fairies and unicorns…even if you don’t…you just might after a stay in this fairy tale bubble. If you’d like to bring your own horse or pony on holiday with you they are very welcome with just small nightly charge of E20 to cover stabling, feed and hay.
The horses and ponies here are well loved and clearly happy horses. It’s the perfect place to build up your confidence, bring your family or friends and to introduce non riders to the magical world of horses. We also have a lot of solo riders coming here as it is such a welcoming spot. If you need to escape the stresses of the world and take time out to enjoy a holistic approach to country life…in lovely surroundings with cute and quirky accommodation, amazing organic mainly vegetarian food and a relaxed home from home feel this could be the sanctuary to head to.
Horses – 12 horses and ponies; A good mix of solid Cobs, Connemaras and ponies.
Level of Riding & Pace – Beginners to Intermediate. If you’ve never ridden Slieve Aughty will take great care of you. If you enjoy lovely hacking and some light cross country jumping this is all on option plus of course learning archery on horse back is amazing as well as natural horsemanship which the team are passionate about and love to teach.
Tack – English style.
Weight Restriction – 15 Stone / 95 kg / 210 lbs.
Group Size – Maximum 6 riders to any lesson or hack.
Slieve Aughty is a purpose built modern lodge with 9 ensuite rooms in the main house where there is also a lovely dining area, sitting areas, bar area and spots to relax in. Each room is tastefully decorated by Esther who is from Holland and you can see the Dutch/sometimes Indonesian influence in the design. The rooms are quirky and well thought through with a mix of antiques, clever design using local materials (a stone dashed bath tub which I loved for example) and spotlessly clean.
Outside there are 2 wooden eco cabins which can also be used for families and self catering, again these are cutesy, quirky and unique in their design. We’d love to snuggle up in one of the mezzanine beds in the cabins.
The Food
With a certified organic restaurant on site and organic garden which you are welcome to explore the food is wholesome, pure and absolutely delicious. Outside there is a Pizza oven for pizza nights but most of the meals are served buffet style in the lovely airy dining area indoors. Keeping in tune with the holistic approach here many meals are vegetarian but there are always meat and fish options too so everyone will eat well.
Breakfasts include cereals, granolas, museli, selection of cheeses, salami & pates, yoghurt, eggs cooked to order, pancakes cooked to order, mushrooms, tomatoes, homemade breads, coffee, teas & juices.
A typical light lunch would include homemade soup, signature seasonal salad, homemade breads, homemade dips, spreads & cold meats, organic cheeses, brownies or cookies, juice, tea and coffee.
Delicious and filling dinners are offered with choices that include starters like Roast sweet potato soups, a main could be bangers, mash & onion gravy or a potato and cauliflower curry all accompanied with rice, potatoes, chips and a wide array of fresh garden salads. Desert options include homemade ice-cream & buttermilk pie with berry sauce.
There is a bar with a good selection of bottled beers, wine and spirits with mixers. It’s an honesty bar so groups and individuals can help themselves if there is no-one about to serve, all very relaxed.
Horsemanship Riding Itinerary (7 nights, 6 days riding)
Day 1 -6
A plan will be made of how each day will go and will include 4 horsemanship sessions, 4 arena riding lessons, and 4 two hour treks over 6 days. Horsemanship sessions will vary and can include bareback, ground and mounted work, yoga and/or breathwork on horseback, horseback archery, or Equine Assisted Learning sessions
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
If you are having trouble finding exactly the right horse riding holiday for you from our horse riding holidays collection, please contact us directly using the form below and tell us in your own words what you would like to do and we will use our extensive knowledge to make sure we find that perfect horse riding holiday.
· Zara's Planet · Web Design and SEO by New World Digital