Family Horseback Riding in Israel
Family Horseback Riding
The nice thing about touring Israel in a saddle is the ability to view the country from up close and smell the scents of the forests and flowers.
Mount Hermon (Photo: מוחמד מוסא שהואן, CC BY 2.5)
Wildflowers are invitingly close as compared to a view from the window of a tour bus. Approaching that cold mountain stream to run a hand through the sparkling fresh water is as simple as dismounting from the horse and walking a few steps.
Family horseback riding tours in Israel easily accommodate the stamina of smaller family members. It’s easy to stop when the mood strikes and move on when everyone is ready to go. Israel is filled with wide-open expanses made for riding horses, and western-style riding stables abound throughout the country to make your equestrian quest that much easier.
The beautiful terrain in Israel includes everything from the snow-topped Mount Hermon, which is a paradise of wild flowers in the summer, to the sparkling Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), the meandering tributaries of the Golan, the depths of the Ramon Crater in the Negev, and the craggy cliffs that keep watch over the Mediterranean Sea.
Israel Horse Riding Tours
Horses in the Carmel (Photo: Ron Almog, CC BY 2.0)
The main concern related to a horseback riding tour of the Holy Land is the heat. During the summer in the desert, temperatures can soar to 40 Celcius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Check the weather before you start out. If the weather is going to be very hot, opt for an early morning or late evening tour. Water is essential equipment; enough should be packed to last the day! Bring a well-stocked first aid kit to treat minor injuries. You should have something in the kit to treat dehydration. Be sure to take salty pretzels, potato chips or olives with you for sodium replacement, and oranges, tomatoes, or other fruits to restore potassium loss.
A proper riding helmet is important; check to make sure the facility provides the sizes necessary for your group.
Horsing Around (Photo: Alan Kotok, CC BY 2.0)
Moshav Havatzelet HaSharon offers horse riding tours for all levels, including family or groups trips. The various tours offered at the moshav include seaside, field, and Mediterranean cliff tours. All riding tours are conducted by qualified riding instructors and are tailored to both the riding experience of the participants and the time families have allocated for touring on horseback. Most of the riding tours offered at Havatzelet Hasharon are an hour long, but families can ride for as little or as long as they like.
The moshav is located off Route 2 on the Tel Aviv-Haifa highway, just north of Netanya. For further information call: (09) 866-3525 Mobile: 054-459-2180.
The Dor Ranch is located on the Dor-Tantura Beach along the Mediterranean coast, said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Israel. The beach has secret coves and bays and there are islands with natural streams to tour and explore. Here, families have miles of magnificent horseback riding terrain engendering a sense of endless freedom.
Horseback Riding Lessons
At Dor Ranch, the specialty is raising and training horses, along with offering excellent riding instruction. The staff custom tailors each tour to the client so that a marvelous time awaits those who wisely choose this ranch.
Families needn’t worry about their level of riding experience, the staff understands that families and groups are made up of individuals and they make sure that tours remain within the comfort zone of all. Take an hour tour with your family or make it a full-day affair. In addition to exploring sand dunes, spectacular rock formations, marine wildlife, and fish ponds, you’ll experience Israel in a completely new way. Email: dor-ranch@hotmail.com or phone: 054-354-4325
Family Horseback Riding in Israel: Did You Know?
At Dor Ranch, the early bird catches a . . . horse? The Ranch offers a 10% discount to guests who arrive before 11 AM.
