General:
In order to participate in our Trail riders must be fit and able to trot, canter and gallop at ease, You must also be capable of taking good care of your horse: feed , groom and tack up.
On all programmes children must be over 12 years of age and good riders and also must be capable of spending long hours in the saddle.

The Sligo Trail is an unguided trail ride.
You can ride the Sligo Trail only with a minimum of two* riders.
*The unguided Trails are suited to a minimum of 2 persons - but, if you really would like to ride a Trail and you don't have a riding companion we have the possibility to help you find one on our Meeting Page on the Internet.

The Sligo Trail is well organised for you.

The Sligo Trail is a self-led trail, which means you can choose your pace while riding with your own little group. Your horse will take you along golden beaches, mountain sides, forest trails and country lanes, there is no need to worry, the trail is marked in the terrain.
You will have three days directly on the sea and three days through the mountains and forests of Co. Sligo.
We have marked the route on your map and you will find corresponding markings in the terrain through which you will ride.

You will be given a list of farmhouses, where we will have pre-booked your accommodation. Here you will find a bed for yourself and a field for your horse.
If you wish to have evening meals at your farmhouse, the landlady will gladly provide it for you (this is not included in the offer).

You will be provided with all equipment for your horse and saddlebags for your luggage. We will then collect you from your last overnight stop so that you will not have to make your way back to the farm again.

Day 1:
Arrival at the Horse Holiday Farm by mid-day in order to meet your horse and have a short trial ride to become acquainted. You will receive your saddlebags and maps. Overnight in a guesthouse near Horse Holiday Farm.

Day 2:
After a hearty breakfast proceed to the stables to prepare your horse for the Trail; you will be instructed in saddling up and how to read our map.
You will ride from the farm along the shore to Dernish Island, watch out for the colony of seals and to Streedagh Beach where three ships of the Spanish Armada went aground in 1588 just a short distance off shore.
You can now enjoy a gallop along a wonderful golden sandy beach.
Overnight at Streedagh Point. Approx. riding time $/5 hours. As this days riding is controlled by the tides the starting out time varies.

Day 3:
You ride along old cart tracks and bogland with Ben Bulben on your left and the Atlantic on your right. In the distance you can see Inishmurray Island, an ancient monastic island, about 7km from the coast. This monastic settlement was founded around 500 A.D. Now proceed to Trawbawn for a little gallop. - the name in English means White Sands. Continue on down to Ballyconnell and on your next overnight stop at a family guesthouse. Approx. riding time 4/5 hours.
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Day 4:
Head for Ardtarmon Strand passing the lovely Ardtarmon Castle on the way along to Lissadell Beach. You will pass by the historical Lissadell House, family home of Countess Constance Markievicz and extolled in poetry by WB. Yeats. "The light of evening, Lissadell, great windows open to the south, two girls in silk kimonos both beautiful, one a gazelle".' On leaving the beach you now head for the foot of Benbulben from where there are breathtaking views over Sligo Bay. At this point it is only a short taxi ride to Sligo to experience music and the lrish pubs. Riding time approx.. 5 hours.

Day 5:
This day takes you along the shores of Glencar Lake and Glencar Waterfalls "Where the wondering water gushes from the hills above Glencar" (Yeats) and along an old shepherds path to Hangman's Hill. This pass will bring you to l000ft from where you will have magnificent views over a vast area. Today's riding time is about 4/5 hours. If you can spare the time do try to visit Park's Castle on the shores of Lough Gill.

Day 6:
Follow country lanes to the picturesque village of Dromahair and then make your way along by Creevalea Abbey to the beautiful Lough Gilt, watch out for the Isle of lnishree on your right.
On leaving the lake you will ride through Slishwood and along small country lanes to your next overnight stop. Riding time about 4/6 hours.

Day 7:
Today you will ride to Ballygawley Wood a through Union Wood, where you might spot some deer, along Union Lough and head for the Atlantic Coast again, from Culleenamore Strand you will have miles of beaches ahead of you right around the Golf Course and Strandhill Village to Gibralter Point (this day is governed by the tides). Overnight at Strandhill. Approx. 5/6 hours riding time.

Next morning after breakfast we will collect you and your equine friend and take you back to the farm.