If you love horses, horse racing, horse treks, horse eventing, or all things horse sports, there are plenty of places you can visit. Some destinations feature historic racetracks, ranches, horse shows, and equestrian events. In some places, you can watch wild horses at their best, enjoy horseback riding, trek remote trails on the back of a horse, or play cowboy at a dude ranch. There’s no shortage of spots for horse lovers, but which are worth your bucket list?
1. Hovsgol Province, Mongolia (Best for taking in ancient horse culture)
Horse culture didn’t start yesterday but has changed quite a lot. If you wish to step back in time, a visit to Hovsgol Province in Mongolia will knock your boots off. It’s one of the last remaining nomadic horse cultures on Earth. Here, life moves to the rhythm of hoofbeats, much as it has since the Bronze Age.
A must-see is the so-called dark blue pearl of Mongolia. Lake Hovsgol sports pristine alpine shores where you can take in Mongolia’s nomadic and horse culture at its very best.
Best time to visit: June to September, when Mongolia’s unpredictable weather is a little forgiving.
Must-do: You can visit local Tsaatan families who continue their traditional lifestyle of herding domesticated reindeer on horseback.
2. Chincoteague Island, Virginia (Best for watching wild ponies)
Chincoteague Island is a horse lover’s paradise. On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, this spot marries wild horse sightings and small-town charm. The famous wild ponies actually live on neighboring Assateague Island. How they got there is another story. Some say they survived a Spanish galleon shipwreck, while others say they’re descendants of horses released by 17th-century colonists avoiding taxation.
It doesn’t matter who is right. What you should be after is the July Pony Swim. This yearly event is quite a sight, so much so that Marguerite Henry made it a feature in her Misty of Chincoteague. The so-called saltwater cowboys guide the ponies across the channel from Assateague to Chincoteague.
Best time to visit: July for the Pony Swim; April-October for general visits.
Must-do: Take the 3.2-mile wildlife loop at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to spot wild ponies and migratory birds.
3. Kentucky Country (Best for watching horse races, historic equine tours)
If enjoying racing meets is more your speed, Kentucky Country should be on your bucket list. The Bluegrass country was built on two things—horse racing and bourbon, and you can guess which one we love more. A visit here for a day or two will knock every horse lover’s boots off, especially during the world’s famous Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
The iconic Twin Spires at Churchill Downs and Keeneland racetracks (in Lexington) are actually open for visits year-round, but you want to be here for that two-minute thoroughbred race run. Long before kick-off, you can check out the grandstand, thoroughbred paddocks, and exhibits in the Kentucky Derby Museum. A tour of the historic Kentucky race tracks is also worth calling home about.
If you wish to back your favorite thoroughbred to add a little fun to your visit, you can do so at the kiosks. The last thing you want, of course, is to put down your life savings in the name of enjoying horse races. It might help to avoid the racetracks altogether if you or anyone in your company has a gambling problem.
That said, another perfect time for a horse fan to visit the Bluegrass Country is during the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. This prestigious competition features top riders from across the globe competing in show jumping, dressage, and cross-country events.
Best time to visit: First Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby, April for the Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Must-do: Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
4. The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana (Best for dude ranch experience)
If you’re looking for a posh dude ranch experience, we can’t recommend The Ranch at Rock Creek enough. In this 6,600-acre all-inclusive Relais & Châteaux property you will play cowboy just 20 miles outside of Philipsburg. That’s between the Yellowstone and Glacier national parks.
The ranch offers everything from horseback trail riding and roping lessons to private yoga classes and wilderness-inspired spa pampering. There’s never a dull moment here with fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and zip-lining.
Best time to visit: May-October, when the weather is pleasant and lots of events happening.
Must-do: The Memorial Day Weekend rodeo.
5. Okavango Delta, Botswana (Best for safari on horseback)
If you have tuned in to NatGeo, you probably know that Okavango Delta is a safari haven. It’s the largest inland delta in the world, where you can enjoy African bush camping and a horseback safari across crystal-clear canals and lagoons. As for wildlife, you can rest assured that plenty will come into view, including hippos, leopards, elephants, giraffes, lions, and zebras.
Best time to visit: July to October during the dry season.
Must-do: Evening sundowners and candlelit dinners under the African sky.
6. London International Horse Show (Best to watch the Olympia)
The London International Horse Show is everything you have ever dreamt of about the UK’s horse culture. Held annually the week before Christmas, think prestigious horse shows, eventing, and more.
Best time to visit: Mid-December.
Must-do: Book tickets well in advance.
7. Ring of Kerry, Ireland (Best for taking in Celtic horse heritage)
Experience Ireland’s wild beauty on horseback along the famous Ring of Kerry. This route offers riders the chance to pass by tranquil lakes, mountain passes, and beautiful beaches while avoiding the tourist-heavy roads.
Best time to visit: May to September.
Must-do: The traditional end-of-ride whiskey toast.
Wrapping up: Planning your trip
There you have it. Each of these seven places helps you appreciate horses and horse culture even more. Of course, it pays to plan your trip well in advance. That’s especially true if you are planning to see a popular event like the Kentucky Derby or the London International Horse Show.
