Pony Trekking With My Sister on The Isle of Mull
My sister and I were pony mad as kids, as many young girls are. Every year we’d go on a big family holiday to the South of France, and our parents would treat us to a hack. This meant riding side by side in sand dunes and on beaches in the blazing sunshine. As we got older, my sister got her first horse, while I settled for occasional riding lessons and hacks. Fast forward 20-something years, and we finally got to ride side by side once more, with Mull Pony Trekking.
Despite not growing up in an outdoorsy family, like most kids of the 70s and 80s, we spent the majority of our time outside, biking, roller skating and building dens in the woods. We weren’t the type of family to spend weekends exploring the countryside or going for hikes though, so as adults, an active outdoors lifestyle is something we’ve both chosen to embrace.
Weekends immersed in nature, whether camping, open water swimming or hiking have been a mainstay of my life for the last 15 years. There aren’t many activities that I’ll say no to (just don’t invite me caving, ever), and those who know me are aware that I’m always outdoors and probably doing something random.
With a dog, a horse and an active lifestyle that makes mine look positively sedate, my sister and I are similar in many ways. We’ll rarely turn down the opportunity to try something new, and we’re always up for doing something fun together. We went snowboarding earlier in the year, and in September we holidayed again together with our partners and parents, spending a week on Mull.
Childhood holiday highlight
Thanks to my recently reignited obsession with riding, every time I’ve gone away camping or glamping this year, I’ve found a local riding stable and booked hacks, so when my sister suggested we ride on Mull, of course I was up for it.
We quickly realised that despite me riding her horse once or twice, we’d not actually ridden together since our childhood family holidays in the South of France! Apart from mithering for ice creams, the only thing we’d reliably pester our parents for was a hack, so every year we’d go riding together, with our younger sister joining us once she was old enough.
Mixed ability group
Despite my sister having her own horse and being a far more accomplished equestrian than my novice self, we were able to find a hack suitable for not only the two of us, but our partners too! My sister’s partner and I are probably most similar in experience, whilst my husband is a total beginner, having ridden only once before.
Accommodating everyone, from a wobbly beginner to a confident equestrian, was no mean feat, but Liz at Mull Pony Trekking did a brilliant job. Upon arrival (following a farcical hunt to find the adjacent campsite toilets), we were matched with ponies. Forward and eager for my sister, sensible and steady for my husband, and somewhere in between for the rest of us.
Bonding with our ponies
Weighing 74kg, I’m used to being immediately paired with big horses when I hack out, and it’s not uncommon for me to be riding a 17hh giant. By contrast, Highland ponies are a native breed and, as such, are short, stocky and hardy little things. Typically standing at a maximum of 14.2hh, our ponies were super cute, and we had some lovely bonding time with them, brushing them down and tacking up.
We led our ponies across the field and down to the outdoor arena, hopped on (the mounting block was probably overkill, but hey, anything for an easy life), and set about getting to know them. This also gave Liz and her colleague the opportunity to get the measure of us and make sure we were happy with our ponies.
My pony, Brodie, was the newest addition to the stables and the youngest of the bunch. Willing, eager and kind, I found him immediately responsive and he didn’t need too much encouragement. In contrast, my sister’s pony was initially a little lazy and reluctant. Thankfully, once he got going, it was an entirely different story, and he did indeed turn out to be a little rocket.
It’s so important to be honest and not overstate your ability when booking experiences like this, and Liz noted that, when booking, I’d been spot on in explaining our different ability levels. So, if you’re new to riding and you’re going away and planning a hack, please do consider what the words ‘beginner’ and ‘novice’ really mean. Being honest about your ability and weight is critical, both for your own safety and for the welfare of the horse you’ll be riding.
Making precious memories
With her own ex-racehorse thoroughbred and having had horses for most of her adult life, I can’t explain the joy I got from seeing my sister confidently gallop off down the beach. It was exhilarating just to watch her! She was absolutely in her element, and trotting alongside her later was extra special, having not done so since we were kids.
After my sister’s cheeky gallop, Liz set off with the two of us following for a more sedate canter, while my husband stayed behind and had the opportunity to trot.
Between splashing through water and taking in the scenery at a walk, I managed a few trots and a couple of lovely short canters alongside my sister’s partner. My canter seat is still very hit-or-miss, and my previous ride a couple of weeks earlier had really dented my canter confidence, but happily, the magical little Brodie fully restored it.
Despite his first-ever ride being earlier this year, my husband was clearly in love with Laurie, the sensible little pony he was paired with, and seeing him so at ease and enjoying himself was wonderful.
Despite the day being dull and wet, the Loch Na Keal scenery was still absolutely spectacular. There is simply no better way to explore the great outdoors and get close to nature than on horseback, in my opinion. While the eagle that often lands on the beach, and that I’d hoped to spot, was absent that day, the grim weather couldn’t dampen what was a fantastic way to spend a couple of hours.
If you don’t have your own gear, riding hats can be provided, and they are pretty flexible with footwear too, as they use caged stirrups. If you’re heading over to Mull, our 2-hour beach trek cost £65pp and I can’t recommend Mull Pony Trekking enough.
Horse riding holiday plans
We enjoyed the experience so much that we’ve decided to forgo our annual snowboarding holiday next year in favour of a horse riding holiday. We’ll need to find something suitable for me as a novice and my far more experienced sister, and we’re yet to decide on a UK-based riding holiday or travelling abroad, but it’s something exciting for us to look forward to!
If anyone has any affordable mixed-ability horse-riding holiday recommendations, we’d be grateful to hear them and you can get in touch here.
