Horse Riding in Northern Ireland

Horse riding is a hobby enjoyed by all ages and although many start horse riding when young, more people are taking up horse riding for the first time later in life. Known as ‘the land of the horse’, Northern Ireland boasts some of the best riding breaks you could wish for. This spring, get away from it all with an exciting horse riding adventure.

 

Horses are trained and ridden for practical working purposes such as in police work or for controlling herd animals on a ranch. They are also used in competitive sports including, but not limited to, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving, and rodeo. There is public access to horse trails in almost every part of the world; many parks, ranches, and public stables offer both guided and independent riding.

Horses are also used for therapeutic purposes, both in specialized para equestrian competition as well as non-competitive riding to improve human health and emotional development. Horses are also driven in harness racing, at horse shows and in other types of exhibition, historical reenactment or ceremony, often pulling carriages. In some parts of the world, they are still used for practical purposes such as farming.

 

Horses continue to be used in public service: in traditional ceremonies (parades, funerals), police and volunteer mounted patrols, and for mounted search and rescue. Riding halls enable the training of horse and rider in all weathers as well as indoor competition riding. Though there is controversy over the exact date horses were domesticated and when they were first ridden, the best estimate is that horses first were ridden approximately 3500 BC. Indirect evidence suggests that horses were ridden long before they were driven. There is some evidence that about 3,000 BC, near the Dnieper River and the Don River, people were using bits on horses, as a stallion that was buried there shows teeth wear consistent with using a bit.

Craigantlet House Stables

Craigantlet House Stables

Craigantlet House Stables is farm run and has a friendly atmosphere, we provide variety for both horse and rider. Based in the beautiful Craigantlet hills that boast amazing views over Belfast Lough.
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Birr House Riding Center

Birr House Riding Center

Established in 1974, Birr House Riding Centre provide riding lessons, pony days, weekly courses, Training for Exams, Pony Club membership, Livery Facilities, Competitions and Events and Riding Days for the Disabled.
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