Horse Riding on Exmoor

In Exmoor National Park, a series of well-maintained bridleways wend their way along its gorgeous coastline, across heather-strewn open moors and through oak woodlands. Confident riders can gallop along sandy beaches at sunset or spend the day following way-marked trails across the countryside, while opportunities for novice riders to build their skills and confidence can be found at riding schools throughout the park.  

Pitchup’s own equestrian expert has put together the following information on all that’s best about horse riding in the national park, from family rides to meeting the iconic shaggy-maned Exmoor ponies.

Riding Exmoor ponies

If it’s your dream to canter across the moor on one of its iconic native ponies, you can do exactly that at the Exmoor Pony Centre near Dulverton. Things can get very busy here, especially during the school holidays, so you'll need to book ahead to make sure you can be matched with a suitable pony. 

Taster sessions are available for youngsters or those with little riding experience, along with group lessons or gentle hacks around quiet rural lanes. Longer treks are available for accomplished riders aged 11 and over. Riding hats are provided but you’ll need to wear suitable clothing (waterproof layers and jeans or jodhpurs) and sturdy, comfy boots with small heels.

The Exmoor Pony Centre is run by the Moorland Mousie Trust. It’s home to around 35 ponies – who stand at around 12 hands – at any one time, including youngsters who are brought off the moor every autumn. You can support the charity's work by donating, fund raising or by adopting a pony.

Riding schools and equine services

There are equestrian centres right across the national park offering tuition on ponies and horses matched to your ability. There are also several livery stables if you're bringing your mount with you, including Emmetts on Exmoor (a riding school with an indoor arena, heated tack room and stabling for horses on riding holidays), Riscombe Farm, with four loose boxes and a secure, well-equipped tack room, and Cutthorne with a traditional 18th-century stable block and good grazing on the moor.

Guided rides and treks

Confident equestrians can go on horseback safari from Pine Lodge, where lunch is taken by the Tarr Steps clapper bridge across the River Barle. Anyone needing to gain their riding mojo may like to join leading-rein or one-on-one treks across the moor from Brendan Manor; three-day escorted treks in the saddle are also offered for competent riders looking to explore the spectacular Exmoor landscapes on horseback.

Exmoor Coast Holidays at Caffyns Farm also has a bunch of riding options, from led rides for toddlers aged less than five years old to coastal hacks with stunning sea views from the cliffs and an adrenaline-inducing gallop along Lee Bay beach.

Where to go riding on Exmoor

Those of you setting off on a ride independently can choose from 400 miles/600 kms of bridleways in the national park, with the more popular ones waymarked in blue. If you’re not sure where you can or can’t ride, here’s a helpful guide to Devon rights of way.

Pitchup's favourite ride out is described below. If you’re after further inspiration for riding in the area, contact Exmoor Bridleway Rides for a book of 12 rides, complete with step-by-step directions and details on where to park. 

Horner Wood

Distance: 4 miles (6.5 kilometres)

Time: 2 hours

Horse box parking: Horner Tea Gardens car park

Picturesque, lichen-swathed Horner Wood is part of the National Trust-owned Holnicote Estate near Porlock, which sprawls over 12,500 acres in Exmoor National Park. This circular ride on clearly waymarked bridleways (follow the pink arrows) is best for intermediate riders, although there is a shorter route for horse-riding beginners, signposted at ‘Cat’s Scramble’. The trail passes through ancient oak woodlands and is gorgeous at any time of year, but particularly so in spring, when bluebells coat the forest floor. 

Following the course of the River Horner up and down valleys and combes, there are spectacular views over to Dunkery Hill and its stone beacon. You may spot red deer among the trees; keep a look out for woodpeckers, wood warblers and rare fritillary butterflies too (take a look at our Exmoor wildlife guide for more on what you might see). You can refuel with a scrummy Devon afternoon tea at Horner Tea Gardens after your hack. 

Riding for visitors with disabilities 

Exmoor also offers riding opportunities and horsey encounters to visitors with a range of mental and physical disabilities.

• Among many other activities, Calvert Exmoor near Blackmoor Gate has an accessible riding centre with stables and purpose-built outdoor and indoor arenas, as well as facilities for carriage riding.

• Disabled riders are also catered for at the Exmoor Pony Centre, where there is a fully qualified coach leading all manner of therapies and well-being experiences. 

Exmoor is a horse-lover’s heaven, allowing experienced riders to explore the national park’s scenic coastline, valleys and open moorland on horseback. But you don’t have to be an expert equestrian to enjoy equine encounters in the park; anyone can meet and learn about the region’s native-breed Exmoor ponies, and there are numerous riding schools that teach all levels of ability and confidence.

If you’re a horse-mad family visiting the national park to ride, you’ll need somewhere with kid-centric facilities to lay your head at the end of a bracing day on the moor. Have a look at Pitchup’s selection of Exmoor family campsites and further afield those further afield around Devon and Somerset. When one of your number is not keen on horses, there are plenty of other family-friendly activities to keep them happy in the national park.  

Looking for more equestrian adventures? Read our informative guide to horse riding on Dartmoor.