Would you like to ride your own horse and discover Portugal's coast, towns, and villages? It is a highly engaging activity for everybody who comes to spend a few days in this lovely location. As a result, hundreds of riders choose to enter the world of horseback riding each year, enrolling in lessons that allow them to travel from end to end of the most beautiful places of the Portuguese territory, all while enjoying nature and the best vistas while galloping. As you ride through the most distant parts of Portugal, where it is impossible to reach by any other means of transport or by foot, you will feel like the protagonist of a cowboy movie. Do you want to know more?
1. Where are the best riding schools in Portugal?
You can find riding schools where you can learn to ride or improve your level with specialised lessons all over Portugal. It is one of the best places to embark on this adventure in Lisbon. This city is home to different riding schools that will take you through beach and mountain routes where you will witness the most magical landscapes on all of the coasts of Portugal. Viana do Castelo is another of the most special places to get into the world of horse riding, where in addition to enjoying the company of horses, you can admire the natural beauty of this location, situated at the mouth of the river Lima and surrounded by hills and the sea, which hide incredible sandy beaches. This is a perfect location for combining a horseback riding lesson with a day at the beach to unwind after a day of trotting. You can also take a riding lesson in the Ría Formosa Nature Reserve, a paradise where, in addition to enjoying a wonderful experience on horseback, you can witness a variety of birds and have the best views of the islands, canals, sandbanks, and marshes that you will pass through. Finally, if you want a more inland journey, you can ride a horse through the municipality of Elvas. An equestrian lesson will take you through its streets and emblematic places such as the Aqueduct, the fortress of Nossa Senhora de Graça and the Castle of Elvas while you take the course. Which one do you choose?
2. What are the many types of horse riding disciplines?
You can have a one-of-a-kind riding experience by participating in various activities tailored to your training preferences. You can practise the discipline of jumping, in which you must overcome various obstacles on horseback while riding bars without knocking any of them down. Dressage is a discipline that involves training and requires performing challenging movements. For this activity, you will need to take more classes. If you want to feel the rush, the Raid is the best equestrian discipline since it combines speed with skill and physical endurance shared with the horse. This is a mode of transportation in which you will travel great distances via various hilly or ocean terrains. You can also train in cowboy dressage, and you will learn to do a series of exercises in a ring that is relevant to the countryside and working with animals. Finally, you will have the option of reining training that involves learning to perform various moves while accompanied by the horse, demonstrating the animal's skill and speed.
3. What should I bring to a horse riding lesson?
To enjoy a horseback riding experience in any of the areas in Portugal, you will need a few essential things to ride safely. The most important thing is to dress comfortably, especially in long trousers to protect yourself from stirrups. Footwear is also required, ideally ankle-covering boots. The remainder of the equipment, such as waistcoats, gloves to minimise chafing, and a helmet to protect you in the case of a fall, is usually provided by the riding school where you attend the classes. The availability of saddles, with which you will be able to get on the horse and make the experience more pleasant on the saddle, is also required. However, you only have to bring the first two things mentioned - comfortable clothing and footwear. The latter can sometimes be purchased at the equestrian centre where your experience begins.
4. What requirements do I have to meet?
Most riding schools in Portugal require a federative licence provided by the Equestrian Federation before you can participate in a riding session. This will allow you to participate in a riding lesson or course in a small group setting, where the most qualified instructors will teach you how to ride a horse correctly and safely. If you already know how to, they will assist you in improving your technique in any of the disciplines you wish to pursue. As for age, it is not necessary to have a minimum age requirement because the instructors will adapt the classes to your level of experience and age. This makes the activity suitable for both children and adults. Although it indeed requires a certain amount of coordination and balance, it is advisable to be at least 5 years old.
5. What is the duration of the riding lessons?
When you first start horseback riding, the first thing you want to search for are classes that will give you the confidence you need to enjoy the experience. The first 6 to 10 lessons are devoted to learning to ride a horse. You will learn to ride on the back, take your first steps, turn and turn with the horse, conquer obstacles, enjoy the light trot, and educate the horse to obey your commands in all of them. Each of these sessions lasts around an hour, and you'll be left wanting more. If your skill level is either intermediate or advanced, the classes usually last longer, allowing you to enjoy this journey for up to three hours. It all depends on your riding experience and preferences.
When is the ideal time in Portugal to take a horse riding lesson?
Because this is an outdoor sport, it is best to go on a day when the weather is nice, not too hot, not too rainy, and not too windy. In a nutshell, there is no specific time to engage in this activity. September and October may be ideal for a horseback riding lesson in Portugal because of the weather qualities.
