Dietary needs? Don’t let them keep you out of the saddle

Food is one of the great joys of any horse riding holiday, whether it’s a hearty lunch after a morning in the saddle or a warm meal shared around a camp table as the sun goes down. We want every single guest to feel well looked after, including those with dietary requirements, restrictions and allergies. No matter what you eat (or don’t), you are absolutely welcome on our rides.

That said, different rides come with different logistics, and it’s worth understanding how catering works from one ride to the next so you can plan with confidence.

First things first: you will find information on each holiday’s meals and, more often than not, ability to cater for dietary requirements in the ‘Food’ section of each and every ride that you view (browse all our rides here). If you need more clarification about a specific ride, you are very welcome to contact us.

Centre-based rides:

For our centre-based horse riding vacations, where guests return to base each evening, accommodating dietary requirements is usually straightforward. The kitchens tend to be well-equipped and well-stocked, with flexibility to prepare separate meals or simply adjust what’s on the menu. Whether you’re gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, nut-free, or navigating a more complex allergy, our ride partners are well-practised at making it work.

Point-to-point rides:

These multi-day rides move through remote country, sometimes far from the nearest town or shop, with food packed and transported alongside the group. It’s one of the things that makes them so special. It also means that catering has real logistical constraints.

The challenges are mainly twofold. The first is remoteness. On a point-to-point ride, every meal and ingredient travels with the group from the very start. Once we’re out on trail, restocking isn’t an option, so supplies have to be carefully planned and kept manageable. It’s part of what makes these rides such an adventure, but it does mean riders with dietary requirements need to come in with realistic expectations about the variety of options available. The second challenge is based on local availability. Depending on the location, sourcing specific dietary products (certain gluten-free staples, specialty plant-based proteins, or particular allergen-free items) may be difficult or impossible in the regional areas we depart from.

None of this means point-to-point rides are out of reach if you have dietary needs. It just means we ask guests to give us a little more lead time, and to be as specific as possible when they book.

Booking form details

The good news is, it’s a straightforward process, and it starts with your booking form. The dietary section of your booking form is one of the most important steps. Be as specific as you can, instead of just saying “gluten-free”, state whether it’s a preference or a coeliac-level medical requirement. The more detail we have, the better our team can plan and pack for your ride. “Vegetarian” and “vegan” are easily manageable; “coeliac + soy intolerance + low-FODMAP” takes more planning… but we’d rather know early than be caught short!

From preferences to major allergies, the more we know about you, the better!

It is important to note that sourcing specialty ingredients, particular allergen-free products, sometimes comes at a higher cost. In cases where additional expense is unavoidable, we may need to pass on a small surcharge. We’ll always be as upfront about this as possible before your booking is confirmed.

A little tip from us!

We always encourage guests with specific dietary needs to bring a personal supply of trail snacks, energy bars, or anything you rely on day-to-day. Pack things that travel well and suit the conditions. This will act as a safety blanket to ensure you have something to fall back on if need be!

Still not sure? Just ask!

We’d much rather have a conversation before you book than have you talk yourself out of an adventure you’d love. If you’re uncertain whether your dietary needs can be accommodated on a specific ride, reach out!  Our team is happy to have an honest chat about what’s possible.

Your safety comes first, always.