Switzerland Horse Riding Holidays

Often when thinking about where to go on holiday, people want sun, see and sand for a summer holiday, or perfect powder snow for skiing for a winter holiday. However, for those who want to do something different, like horse riding, you often have to think a little outside the box. Although known mainly as a tax haven rather than a holiday destination, Switzerland is choc full of beautiful countryside, sweeping hills and valleys and of course the Swiss Alps. The country may be known for its pistes, but visit Switzerland in the summer months and you will find a great place to go horse riding.

Nestled between a number of different countries, Switzerland is land-locked and consequently only accessible by land or air. The country has a good road network to its major cities but the roads become more rugged as you progress further into the mountainous area of the country. There is an autobahn in Switzerland just as there is in neighbouring Germany but the speed limit in Switzerland is 120 km/h, slightly slower than it is in Germany.

There are also train services that run into Switzerland; the Eurostar runs into the country from Paris so UK travellers can change trains there and take the train into the country. There are also a number of airports in Switzerland that facilitate an airborne arrival into the country, the largest being Zurich airport, which is also known as Kloten airport. The cities of Geneva and Basel also have international airports.

Switzerland can be accessed from France, Germany, Italy and Austria and the country has 4 official languages: French, Italian, German and Romansh. The last of these is the least common. In areas which one language dominates, the culture and cuisine of that country tends to be prevalent.

Equestrian enthusiasts also enjoy visiting Switzerland for the marché-concours national de chevaux, the national horse market that takes place in the summer, in August. It is often a meeting place for breeders, trainers and riders and it is the home of the folkloric parade of horses. The event attracts thousands.

Although the horse is today found very commonly in Italy, the Freiberger, or franches-montagnes, is a notable horse breed from Switzerland. It is a large, sturdy and calm animal that is today used for mountain riding and the animal is the favoured steed of the Swiss army. The animal is most often a bay/chestnut colour and is a popular leisure riding horse today, but it was used in agriculture in the past.

Horse riding in Switzerland is refreshingly different; you are slightly off the beaten track and enjoy a different side of the Alps to most British tourists. Another advantage of visiting Switzerland is accommodation which includes horse riding is often of a higher quality, and so after a days riding you can return to your room and then enjoy a spa, sauna or swim! The lodges and hotels of Switzerland will help you relax and unwind after a day on horseback.