Best time of day to fly: noon
Best day of the week to fly: Saturday
Best month for fewer flight delays: August
Best day of the week to shop for airline tickets: Monday or Tuesday
Best day of the week to rent a car: Tuesday or Wednesday

vacation. But I wondered whether one would become bored with sitting in a carriage for several hours. So off I went to Bavaria to check out this tour.

The tour owner, Andreas, fitted in traditional carriage driver apparel which included Tyrolean jacket, knickers and woolen socks greeted me, As we drove south of Munich, he explained the four-day itinerary included four hours per day in a two or four horse drawn carriage divided by a two-hour lunch. The ride was listed as one of the “1000 Places to See before You Die” by the New York Times Travel Guide. He just smiled when I shared my concern of boredom.

Andreas boasted that Bavaria with an abundance of private farm roads offered the best terrain for coaching. The farms were located in villages so many trails were built to access the fields. In other countries, the farms were located close to the fields so there was less need for rambling roads to connect the two.

My vehicle was an impressive green paneled coach led by two white and two black well cared for horses, I would not sit inside the coach rather in the seats on top of the vehicle. My company was six Germans. The driver announced the carriage’s departure with a song from his horn and the horses briskly walked along the road.

The scenery was a delight with ever changing landscape. Small chapels were built along the road for remembrances and reflection. Unique farmhouse adjacent to barns punctuated the rich green rolling hills where cattle and horses grazed. Villages complemented the land with the rust colored roofs, white washed walls and brown latticework of the Bavarian homes. Sparking lakes were surrounded by forests of pungent pine and oak trees. On the horizon, the historic castles nestled in the impressive Alps.

From atop of the carriage, my view and my senses were unobstructed to what unfolded around me. Our pace varied between relaxing walks and brisk trots. When we passed through villages we were often the subject of many tourists who were taking our pictures to memorialize their vacations. The day ended at the base of King Ludwig’s ornate Neuschwanstein Castle. The lodging was comfortable and my son who is a connoisseur of potato soup said it was the best he had ever tasted.

Did this feel like an equestrian vacation? Yes, despite the separation from the horses, I was still steeped in their energy and rhythm. Like all equestrian vacations, I viewed pristine landscapes inaccessible by car or bus.

Was I bored? Absolutely not! The cool clean air, the rhythmical beat of the horses’s hooves on the pavement and no worries about how I was to reach my destination lulled me into timeless state. The driver regaled us with stories and facts. The scenery, villages and castles were intriguing. I can understand why this tour was a must to experience in one’s lifetime for it is truly a great adventure!

The area is cherished by artists like Cezanne and authors like Peter Mayle. There is brightness to the land caused by the sun’s reflection off the graveled rocks, sandy soil and white washed homes. Limestone mountains reach high into the sky like boney fingers pointing to the clouds. The fields seem endless in tall sunflowers, purple lavender, red poppies and rows of grapevines. Almond and olive trees dot the rolling hills. Forests of cedar, pine and oak provide a cool shelter to the sun. The air can be fragrant with the scent of wild thyme and rosemary crushed under the horses’ hooves.

Medieval villages perched on rocky cliffs provide a picturesque view. The streets are venues for open air markets abundant with rich colorful produce and unique crafts. Horses are welcomed to drink from the community fountains.

The flatlands of the Camargue join the mountains to the sea. The land consists of flowing green rice fields and scrubby pastures to native white horses, black fighting bulls and pink flamingoes. The beach is a long stretch of pristine grey sand washed by the deep blue Mediterranean Sea.

Provence also features an adventure equestrian vacation as you can ride into areas of Luberon mountains which are inaccessible by vehicle. This horseback tour is a total immersion in the local culture as you stay in guesthouses and dine with those who reside there. Perfect for those who truly want to “get away from it all.”

And I must not forget to tell you about the food and wine…..very French, delicious and abundant! Croissants which melt in your mouth, flavorful soups, uniquely prepared meats, fresh, fresh vegetables, hearty grain breads, light desserts with too many calories, yummy goat cheese and robust wines are yours to enjoy.

Provence offers a feast for all your senses! Your great adventure awaits you there!

Horse riding looks so easy. It looks like the rider just sits there and has a good time. Well they actually do, but it does take a lot of muscle energy to do it well and to do it comfortably. Horse riding is not an extreme cardiovascular sport but it does use a lot of postural muscles. Horse riding uses the both left and right side of the body, equally, unlike many racquet or ball sports. To have a level of fitness for horse riding requires a special exercise program rather than just going to the gym or for a run.

Riders need to focus on building core stability and all of their body postural muscles. A basic Pilates program or following my “Pilates for Horse Riders”, will teach riders how to engage their deep abdominal muscles. I recommend training the upper body and arms with a length of physio band on a big physio ball. This will build up the strength and endurance of the trunk and arm muscles. The position the rider adapts in the saddle needs to be practiced and the position of sitting on a ball simulates this.

Sitting on the ball with yours legs wide apart and sitting up straight is equivalent to the riding position. By rolling the ball around in circles and forwards and backwards simulates the movement of the pelvis in the saddle. A horse rider needs good lower back movement and this exercise will free the joints up safely and with control. This exercise will also build the abdominal muscle strength. The ball exercise can be done while working on the computer or at the dinner table or in front of the TV. If this position is practiced often the endurance of the muscles is improved. If a rider is going to spend many hours at a time in the saddle then endurance is an important factor.

To train the leg muscles for trotting simple wrap your legs around the ball and push up into stand, then control lowering yourself back onto the ball. This exercise simulates the rise trot. It will strengthen the quads and the inner thigh muscles.

Stretching on the floor is necessary to keep the length of the muscles. In my program, I recommend lying on your back with your arms out wide and rolling your pelvis side to side. This stretch lengthens all the muscles you use in your daily life. Riding will tend to tighten the upper body muscles so stretching out daily will prevent pain and even headaches. The use of braces can be bonus for some riders who have trouble with posture and pain. I suffer disc pain and use a lumbar back brace. For riders with very round shoulders wearing a posture shoulder brace will help reduce pain and assist in endurance. For more on my fitness program and information about braces for horse riders go to my website: www.horse-riding-equipment.com.au

Thanks Annett!

I wanted to tell you about my amazing European Equestrian Vacation!

Belgium was chosen for my European dressage training because I want a stable close by the fly-in city. I will not need to do complicated transfer or travel long journey to the barn.

After arrangement by Cathy of High Pointe tours, the lessons were booked.

Lord Newcastle Stable is located 20 min. drive from Belgium International Airport, in a town called La Hulpe. There are 3 historic buildings housing 40+ horses. It is a medium size barn in Belgium standard. Riding is the 3rd national pastime, after football and tennis.

Europeans take practical approach to horse-riding. The aids are effective. The 2 school -horses I rode were well-trained and sensitive to the aids. They have huge movements (big gaits).

The first lesson was learning the sitting trot: I had not been able to do for years.

Denis said my back was too straight, the spine was unable to absorb the bounce from the trot. He told me to SLOUCH–round my spine and shoulders. Like magic, my buttock no longer bounced out of the saddle. Slouching loosened up my otherwise tight back. Denis said that slouching the spine is the secret of sitting trot!!! So the secret was revealed. No instructors in the U. S. would tell their student to slouch their backs!! Denis especially approves the western riding, regards it as the genuine classical riding dating back to the Spanish times.

The second day, Denis taught me contact and rounding the top line of the horse. Contact is to connect the horse’s mouth with pressure. He stood close to the corner of the arena, told me to ride thru the corner between him and the wall. My horse could barely do it. Denis said it was because the horse was not round enough! Uh! Round top line is equal to suppleness! The neck has to arch up in order for the hind legs to go more under. Horses’ neck has 9 vertebrates so it can curl up w/o problem. It seems curling the neck first before the hind legs can go under more? Just the opposite of what I thought. There is no need to sponge or move the bit. Just have quiet hands. It is much easier for me to do that!!

The 3rd day, Denis taught me the power of imagination and how to halt from the trot. Have a picture in your mind how you want the horse to trot, otherwise the horse will give you whatever trot he likes! I imagined I was Isabel Werth riding Sachmo! The horse immediately gave me a much better trot!

To effectively halt the horse is by slightly raise the hands by leaning the body back a bit.

After the classes, it was hacking out time. Woww! You would not see trails as beautiful as those in the forests of La Hulpe! The stable is surrounded by a vast and beautiful forest. One can say “Bonjour!” to passerby riders! Breeding is also common–you’ll see plenty of colts or fillys with mares in the area.

Belgium is a country located in the real center of Europe. For hundreds of years it was war and occupation due to its strategic location. Not until 1830 it became a country. Because of the EU, English is more widely spoken there. During the stay in Brussels, we tack-shopped at Aachen, Germany, went fashion shopping in Lille, France. We did not make it to Amsterdam which is only less than 2 hours train away.

Antwerp is 40 min. by train. Not just rich in Flemish culture, it is also called the “Diamond Capital of the World”. Since diamond is a girl’s best friend, and I have 2 daughters I can will my diamond to, what excuse is there not to buy? The diamond shops are across the street from the train station, with no fancy decors. I found the quality (4Cs) and workmanship of the jewelry are best I have ever seen! I did ring up a few Ks Euros on my credit card.

I strongly recommend all dressage enthusiasts to have a riding experience in Europe. You will appreciate it forever.

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After returning, I practiced what I learned on my 10 y o Dutch warmblood. He becomes a supple horse and I sit the trot like a pro!

Our trail turned steep and challenging through dense wood. My horse was not bothered by climbing over large rocks or weaving between closely placed trees. I was a little concerned. Unscathed, we reached a clearing in the forest where we rested and enjoyed a picnic lunch.

The trail turned easy as we descended along a logging road to the “fairy isles.” As we rode across the little grassy islands, I mused how a car or bus would not be able to reach the islands and if you hiked, you would have to swim to the isles, yet here I was riding a horse to the land….perfectly dry, with no effort. After we rode around the isles, we returned to the mainland for an invigorating and lengthy gallop to the deserted village of Kilmory Oib.

After this day, all my sleeping problems with sleeping vanished.

My senses where livened from the smell of a good horse, saddle leather, and the fresh scent of the land. My busy mind submitted to quiet focus. My muscles ached with the pain from achievement. My trust in a horse was strengthened. My special connection I share with them confirmed. And the freedom to just ride for miles and miles… I’m hooked

The area was steeped in ancient Neolithic ruins. We viewed two standing stones, circular underground burial cairns and the stone circle of Temple Wood…..all constructed 5000 years ago!

Hosing a horse is the best means of applying cold water. Draping wet towels over your horse is counterproductive as it will warm up and impedes heat loss by insulating your equine’s body.

Shade is preferable to a breezeless stall as breezes provide convective cooling. Electric fans can be placed in front of the horse.

Walking a horse during cool down can further delay the decrease in body temperature.

The traditional belief was that allowing your “hot” horse to drink would cause colic and founder. However, excluding very hard galloping, it is safe for a horse to drink after exercise. It has been found that your horse’s thirst drive decreases with time after exercise, so it is suggested that you offer water as soon as is practical. Your horse should be allowed to drink up to 1 -2 gallons during the first 15 minutes of recovery.

Here’s a handy guide to determine when it would be detrimental to your equine’s health to ride: Temperature (F) + Relative Humidity (%) – Wind Speed = Riding Index.

If the index is above 180 – do not ride! Your horse’s cooling systems will not function properly. You will need to perform intense cooling management.

If the index is 130-170 – use caution. Your horse can only partially cool its body. You will have to assist your horse with cooling management.

If the index is less than 130 and below – ride. Your horse’s system can properly cool down.