Horses and Ireland

 The two go together.   

An Exclusive Tour Traveling the Turf to race meetings, stud farms and training stables -  See the most beautiful and most valuable horses in the world 

We offer a range of different equestrian activities, ranging from horse drawn caravan holidays, to short cross country treks,  to long distance trail rides in Connemara,  The Burren,  & The Wicklow Mountains.  Some are organised tours, some are tailor made.  Let us know how we can help you.

Adams & Butler Ltd., Luxury Travel Specialists 

T +353 1 2889355 E info@irishluxury.com

Canada & US Toll Free 1-800-8945712

 

Holiday Ireland in a Horse Drawn Caravan

Escape Imagine escaping for a while from the hectic hustle of modern life into a world where the pace of life is unhurried and relaxed, the people are warm and welcoming, and you can unwind and breathe in the beautiful, unspoiled countryside of Ireland. Travel at a walking pace You can do just that with a horse-drawn caravan holiday. Your horse-drawn covered wagon allows you, and three or four other people, to sleep and cook for yourselves as you travel over the roads of some of the most beautiful areas of Ireland, stopping off at farms, country houses or pubs on the way. Travelling at a walking pace, natures beauty is yours to observe, appreciate and enjoy as only the wanderer can. Unique This unique holiday invites you to experience a way of life, a people, a culture and landscape, combined with an activity which practically anyone can enjoy. An overwhelming majority of horse-drawn caravan visitors have no previous experience of horses but have the willingness to experience and enjoy something completely different. This is a holiday where you and your horse decide the pace. You may choose to have a very quiet, leisurely, intimate break, or you may prefer to fill your time with activities. Freedom A horse-drawn caravan holiday allows you freedom to choose: riding cycling fishing walking golfing farm activities pubs restaurants Irish music sessions.

Parking

Horse-drawn caravans have no driving lights so they must be parked off the road during the hours of darkness.

Overnight Facilities

Designated farmers, guest-houses, pubs and hotels make overnight facilities available to horse- drawn caravan visitors for a fee. At a minimum, they provide parking for the caravan, grass for the horse, rubbish disposal and sanitary facilities. However they often provide much more, including packed-lunches, cooked meals, farm produce, child-minding services, hot showers, and sometimes transport to local visitor attractions.

Local Events

Information is normally available about local events such as folk-music sessions, festivals, pub entertainment, and religious services.

Local Facilities

Many localities boast golf clubs, angling waters, riding stables and other sports arenas as well as indoor entertainment facilities.

Horse Personality

In the course of an enjoyable and happy horse-drawn caravan holiday, you will inevitably develop a special relationship with your horse. Your horse has been tested for his temperament, health, road behaviour, driving skills and many other qualities, before being entrusted to you. Like people, horses have personalities (horsalities?). Some visitors are more active, some taller and some more confident than others. This is taken into account by the operator when choosing a horse for you.

Experience

You may have little experience of horses but the horse has plenty of experience of people! The horse-breed used can vary but it is generally Irish Draught, with a strong influence of Traveller Horse and some lesser of Shire and Clydesdale.

Training

The horse has been specially trained and tested to be suitable for this work. The welfare of the animal is entrusted to the visitor who will be instructed in inspecting the horse-shoes and the areas on the horse under the harness. Should a shoe be loose, broken or cast, or should the harness leave marks on the horse's skin, the operator should be informed immediately.

Care

The horse does a good job pulling the caravan so it deserves its rest and grazing at the end of the day. It should not be ridden unless specifically permitted by the operator.

Size

Both mares and geldings are used to pull caravans. The average height of a caravan horse is 15 hands and 2 inches - approximately 1.57 metres.

Preparation

As part of the preparation before leaving the operator's base, you will be instructed and given practice in watering, feeding and caring for the health of the horse as well as in harnessing and unharnessing, yoking and unyoking.

Riding Horses

Riding-horses are often available for rent. You may hire one to travel with the caravan, or to explore beaches, open country roads and mountainsides, when the caravan is parked.

Travel Time

Visitors travel between 7km and 20km per day. This takes between two and five hours, depending on the speed of the horse.

Locations in Mayo, Wicklow and Laois.