Vermont Icelandic riding Holidays, Vermont Icelandic horse riding vacation, Vermont Icelandic Horseback Riding tours, Vermont travel

United States

UNITED STATES VERMONT : Inn to Inn Rides on Icelandic Horses
What:	Three, four and five night inn-to-inn rides on Icelandic Horses through Vermont's Green Mountains.
Dates and Rates:	Vermont Five Day Inn to Inn Ride: May 20-25, June 3-8, 17-22, Aug 19-24, 26-31, Sept 2-7, Sept 9- 14, Oct 14 – 19 $1495 US. Five Day Inn to Inn Ride Fall Foliage Sept. 12, 19, and 26 Oct. 3: $1595 US . Vermont Four Day/Three Night Inn to Inn Ride. Sunday to Thursday AM: $875 US. Four Day Inn to Inn Ride Fall Foliage Season:Four Day/Three Night: $975 US. Three Day Inn to Inn Ride: May to November-Sunday to Wednesday: $775 US. Fall Foliage $875 US.
Horsesense:	Ride is suitable for advance beginners, intermediate or experienced riders. Icelandic Horses are normally pony size in height, but have the body of small draft horses. They are amazingly strong, durable horses that have no trouble carrying folks up to 250 pounds. Their most common gait on the trail is a tolt, which easily competes with speed of a fast trot. However the tolt is unique to the Icelandic in that the way they move one leg in relationship to another produces a rhythm which naturally drives riders into the saddle, without having to post or absorb the motion. It is very comfortable, secure gait. Astonishing in fact if you have never experienced the movement before.

Ride through beautiful rolling hills, through open fields, along green forests, crossing crisp fast moving streams in a setting that is broken by beautiful New England farms with quaint houses and red barns that characterize this area. The inn-to-inn rides programs offers interesting and frequently changing countryside plus very attractive country inns serving gourmet meals, offering in some cases hot tubs, the possibility of reserving a massage and the very best of country inn comforts. But beautiful riding terrain and wonderful inns are not the things that make this ride so special but rather it is the magnificent Icelandic Horse. People who have ridden for years may barely have a notion of the comfortable pace, the tolt, which produces a speed akin to a fast trot or slow canter but to which you merely sit, with legs forward, hands held high, without the need to post or absorb a lot of the horse's energy. It is almost like being on cruise control. It is not however as experienced riders know the same as sitting in your chair for you will expand energy and get all the positive workout you might trotting larger horses without needing the finesse or exhaustive energy required for long trots. When viewing the Icelandic horse with their long flowing manes one thinks how cute, how charming but despite the fact that they photograph very well, they do not ride like that for they are powerful sturdy creatures who exhibit incredible stamina. The horses are the results of 1000 years of isolation in Iceland and are currently becoming the favored breed of many who appreciate not only their strength but their smooth gait. The 4 and 5 day fall foliage rides fill very early in the season and we advise interested parties to make their bookings as early as possible.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Getting There* :
Burlington and Rutland are nearest airports. Ride center is 50 minute drive from Burlington, 1 hour from Rutland. For four/five day rides you are free to arrive at your first inn any time after 3 pm on Sunday. Arrival time at riding center is 9:30 AM Monday morning. The ride ends on your last scheduled day at 4:00 PM. Three day rides

Room and Board* :
Meals are designed for hungry riders. Breakfast is a 3 course gourmet meal, lunch is picnic style and dinner is elegant. The settings for breakfast and dinner are the charming inns of the area.On inn to inn rides guests sleep in charming New England style country inns. Most have private baths. The inns of New England are well-appointed, reflecting careful attention to detail and the history of the area.

Alternate activities:
On inn to inn rides guests sleep in charming New England style country inns. Most have private baths. The inns of New England are well-appointed, reflecting careful attention to detail and the history of the area.

Weather:

Weather during the riding season will vary from very cool nights in early spring and fall and warm days during the summer months. Evenings will be cool and layered clothing are the recommended way to handle the weather including rain gear for the occasional shower.

New England's riding season will produce seasonal weather, warming up in the summer months, with cool evenings likely. Rain gear to ride in is necessary although lady luck may have booked a reservation with you.

ITINERARY

Sunday	You arrive at your first inn any time after 3: PM. Dinner on this night is not included but there are many wonderful dining experiences in the immediate area. The inn has a hot tub, so please bring your bathing suits.
Monday	Arrive at farm at 9: AM for an orientation and introduction to the Icelandic Horse followed by a brief discussion and assignment of horses. There will be an opportunity to view a video about the history and gaits of the Icelandic Horse. Then we are off to the mad River for a picnic lunch. Afternoon takes us over lovely wooded trails and dirt roads to our next inn. Enjoy a hot tub and wonderful food.
Tuesday	Today you will really get into the gaits while enjoying magnificent views of the ski areas along the way. Lunch is a pretty spot by the river. Then off for more riding through forests and neighboring farm lands. Back at the inn you may choose to relax before dinner, explore the wonderful walking trails along the river or take a swim.
Wednesday	Our journey continues via the "Enchanted Way" through the marvelous terrain used by cross country skiers in the winter. Today will be a short riding day. We will arrive back at the farm for lunch. Then the afternoon is yours to do as you wish. A canoe trip can be arranged or maybe you would enjoy a massage. We will meet you back the inn for dinner . The inn has a hot tub and a game room.
Thursday	The morning starts out from the farm. You may choose to ride a different horse today. Then we will be off exploring Camel's Hump State Forest in an area that locals call " Baird in the Bush." Lunch is a brook side picnic and the afternoon offers dirt roads and lovely wooded trails that bring us to the Waitsfield around 4PM
Friday	Today we will ride up through the mountains along scenic stone walls and through old farm lands, even coming across stone foundations dating back about 100 years. Lunch is back at the farm, and for those who wish to ride in the afternoon we will be off for more tolting along our dirt roads. For those who opt for the full day we will return around 4 pm. If you choose to stay over on Friday you can add a ½ day riding on Saturday.