Side Horse Riding On Beach And Through The Forests For 2 Hours

Horses meet sea and forest here. This Side excursion combines a ride through orange orchards, hamlets, rivers, and wooded paths with time on the beach, all for $35 per person. I like the two-part route, which offers more variety than a simple paddock ride, and I also like that hotel pickup, drop-off, an instructor, helmets, and two hours of riding are included. The main concern is consistency: the advertised two hours may be shorter in practice, and serious concerns have been raised about horse condition, safety, and the quality of instruction.

This is aimed at beginners as well as riders with some experience. The horses are described as trained for riding, and instructors are meant to explain the basics before you set off. Still, you should have moderate fitness, feel comfortable mounting and steering a horse, and be ready for an outdoor activity that may feel fairly rustic rather than polished.

Key points before you book

• The route has two distinct parts: roughly one hour through wooded paths, orchards, rural lanes, and natural surroundings, followed by roughly one hour at the beach.
• The $35 price includes transport: hotel pickup and drop-off, an instructor, helmet use, and two hours of riding.
• Pickup is at your hotel entrance: high privacy rules at many hotels mean the vehicle may not collect you from reception.
• The group can reach 15 people: that is small enough for a group outing, but individual attention may be limited.
• The published rating is mixed: a 3.4 out of 5 score from 40 ratings includes warm praise for friendly staff, but also serious complaints about horse welfare, helmets, road crossings, and shortened rides.
• This is not a luxury stable experience: the setting and ride can be enjoyable, but the operation may feel informal and disorganized.

What the four-hour outing really includes

The total excursion lasts about four hours, including transport, preparation, riding, and the return to your hotel. The actual riding time is advertised as two hours, split between the inland route and the beach.

That distinction matters. You are not paying for four hours in the saddle. Much of the morning or afternoon is spent being driven to the facility, receiving instructions, mounting, waiting for the group, and returning afterward. Some of the published accounts describe only about one hour and 15 minutes of riding, while others say the beach section lasted only a few minutes. I would treat the two-hour riding time as a target, not a guarantee.

The operation accepts up to 15 people. A smaller group could allow closer help from the instructor, but a full group may mean more waiting and less personal attention. If you are new to horses, ask at the start how long the ride will last and when the beach portion begins.

Hotel pickup requires one simple but important step

Your vehicle will not necessarily collect you at reception. The instructions ask you to wait at the main entrance gate of your hotel, because many properties in the area have strict privacy rules for outside vehicles.

That is easy to manage, but do not wait inside the lobby and assume the driver will come looking for you. Keep your phone available, and arrive at the entrance a little early. Pickup delays have also been reported, including one account of a delay of more than an hour. Since the excursion lasts only about four hours, a late start can cut into riding time.

Transport back to the hotel is included at the end. The pickup and return are useful additions at this price, especially if you are staying outside central Side or do not have a car.

At the stable, expect a basic introduction

On arrival, the instructors are supposed to explain the farm, the horses, and the riding basics. This should cover how to sit, hold the reins, control your pace, and behave around the horse.

The quality of that introduction appears to vary. Some people found the guides helpful, particularly on a first ride. Others describe little or no proper briefing, with beginners placed on horses and sent out quickly. One account describes a child and first-time riders being taken onto the route without enough instruction.

If you have never ridden before, speak up before mounting. Tell the instructor clearly that you are a beginner, ask which horse you have been assigned, and request help adjusting the stirrups and helmet. A calm, properly fitted helmet is not a minor detail. One account described a helmet slipping during a faster section, while another said a helmet was provided only after it was requested.

The advertised service includes helmet use, so I would not accept a ride without one. Check that it fits snugly and that the chin strap is secure.

The inland ride includes orchards, woods, and rural roads

The first section is presented as a ride through forests, orange orchards, small hamlets, rivers, and countryside. This is the more varied part of the route, and it gives you a better sense of the area around Side than a short beach-only outing.

The wooded section can be pleasant, especially where the ground is sandy and shaded. One account described this part as enjoyable and attractive. The orange orchards and rural surroundings also provide a change from the large resort hotels that dominate much of the coast.

But the route is not a pristine nature trail. Some descriptions report littered woodland, with plastic bottles and bags along the path. You may also need to cross or travel beside busy roads. That can be uncomfortable on horseback, particularly for a first-time rider who is still learning how to keep a horse steady.

Ask about road crossings before you leave the stable. Stay behind the guide, keep a safe gap from the horse in front, and do not try to make your horse go faster if you are unsure. The experience is promoted as a relaxing ride through natural surroundings, but sections near traffic may feel more like a working rural route than a quiet trail.

The beach section is the main attraction

The second part is meant to take place on the beach. This is the moment most people picture when they book the excursion: a horse beneath you, open sand, and the sea nearby.

Several accounts describe the beach setting as the best part of the outing. The coastal stretch can be especially pleasant in the late afternoon or autumn, when the light is softer and the temperature is more comfortable. Some riders were allowed to trot or gallop, and a few accounts describe horses entering the sea without saddles for those who wanted that experience.

Do not assume those faster or in-water activities are guaranteed. They depend on the guide, the group, the horse assigned to you, and your own ability. Beginners may remain at a walking pace, which is sensible. One account says the son of a first-time rider hoped to gallop but did not get the chance.

There is also a major timing concern. Some descriptions say the horses went to the beach only for photographs, then returned almost immediately. If the beach ride is the main reason you are booking, ask the operator before departure how much time will actually be spent on the sand.

Horse welfare is the most serious concern

The biggest issue is not the scenery. It is the condition and workload of the horses.

Several detailed accounts describe horses as thin, tired, sweaty, poorly groomed, or showing visible ribs and hip bones. Others describe horses being tied near trees between rides and then used again shortly afterward. There are also claims that some horses needed to be hit to make them move, and concerns that horses were assigned to riders who were too large for them.

These are serious welfare concerns, not simple complaints about a rough stable. I cannot verify each individual account, but the pattern is strong enough that I would not book this activity without asking direct questions first. The listed restriction says the tour is not suitable for people weighing 110 kilograms or more, yet one account raises concern about a horse carrying a rider who appeared too heavy for it.

Ask how the horses are rested between groups, how riders are matched to horses, and what happens if the assigned horse appears tired or unsuitable. If you arrive and feel the animals look unwell, overheated, or unable to carry you comfortably, you have every right to refuse to ride.

The positive side is that some accounts describe the staff as pleasant, helpful, and friendly. One rider also noted that the horses’ hooves looked well maintained. That does not erase the welfare concerns, but it suggests the operation is not experienced in exactly the same way by everyone.

Safety depends heavily on the guide and the group

The published maximum is 15 people, and an instructor is included. On paper, that provides a reasonable structure for a beginner activity.

In practice, the safety experience appears uneven. Serious accounts describe horses bolting, bucking, or becoming difficult at the beach, including one report of a child being taken away by ambulance and two other people being thrown. These claims are alarming. They may not represent every outing, but they are too serious to ignore.

The account also describes people crossing roads without enough protection and riders not always receiving helmets promptly. This is why I would ask about the route and safety procedure before mounting. A good guide should match horses to riders, keep beginners together, control the pace, and stop the ride if a horse becomes distressed.

You should also be honest about your ability. The activity calls for moderate physical fitness and is not suitable for people with limited mobility, health problems, or pregnancy. Even an easy walk on horseback uses your legs, back, and balance. If you have never ridden, a slow walking ride is a more realistic expectation than a fast beach gallop.

Photos are available, but set a firm budget

A photographer may take pictures on the beach, and souvenir photos can be purchased separately. One account describes a request for 30 euros, which the rider considered too expensive.

The practical lesson is simple: ask the price before the photographs are taken. You are not required to buy them, and they are not part of the $35 package. If you like the pictures and the price works for you, they can be a nice reminder of the day. If not, enjoy the ride and decline without pressure.

Is $35 good value?

At $35 per person, the package is inexpensive for a four-hour excursion that includes transport, an instructor, a helmet, and two hours of advertised riding. If the full route runs as planned, the combination of woodland and beach gives you decent variety for the money.

The value falls quickly if the riding time is shortened or the beach section is reduced to photographs. A low price also matters less if the horses are poorly matched to riders or if safety procedures are weak. You are buying more than a scenic route. You are also trusting the stable with your safety and the care of its animals.

For that reason, I would judge the price as potentially good, but not automatically good. The package is worth considering for a budget rider who confirms the timing, helmet policy, and horse welfare in advance. It is poor value if you mainly want a guaranteed two-hour beach ride.

Who will enjoy this most?

I can see this working best for:

• First-time riders who are comfortable with a gentle walking pace and willing to ask questions
• Families with older children, provided the guide gives proper instruction and assigns suitable horses
• Casual riders who want a short countryside and beach outing rather than a serious equestrian trek
• People staying in Side who value hotel transport
• Riders who enjoy a rustic, informal setting and do not expect a polished riding center

I would be cautious if you need a highly structured lesson, professional stable standards, a guaranteed gallop, or a spotless nature route. This is also not suitable for pregnant people, those with limited mobility or health issues, or anyone weighing 110 kilograms or more, according to the stated restrictions.

The activity is offered in English, but the level of English communication may vary. If you need detailed instruction, make that clear when you arrive and confirm that you understand the guide before setting off.

Practical booking advice for a safer ride

Before paying, ask the provider these questions:

• Will the full two hours be spent riding?
• How long will the beach section last?
• Are helmets provided automatically and fitted before mounting?
• How are horses matched to riders by size and experience?
• How long are the horses rested between groups?
• Will the route cross busy roads?
• What happens if I do not feel safe on the assigned horse?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours beforehand are not accepted for a refund. The activity also depends on good weather, and a weather cancellation should result in another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Side horse ride?

I would book this only after confirming the details directly, especially the horse welfare standards, helmet use, road crossings, and true beach time. The route has real appeal: wooded paths, orange orchards, countryside, and the possibility of a memorable ride beside the sea. Friendly staff and enjoyable beach outings have also been reported.

Still, the 3.4 out of 5 rating and the serious safety and animal-care concerns make this a cautious choice. If you want a low-cost, informal ride and can accept some uncertainty, $35 may be fair. If you want dependable timing, careful horse care, and professional instruction, choose a different stable unless the operator gives clear and reassuring answers before you go.

FAQ

How long does the Side horse riding experience last?

The full excursion lasts approximately four hours, including hotel transport, preparation, riding, and the return trip. The advertised riding time is two hours.

How is the riding time divided?

The advertised plan is about one hour through forests, orange orchards, hamlets, rivers, and nearby natural areas, followed by about one hour on the beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You should wait at the main entrance gate of your hotel rather than inside the reception area.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Helmet use is included. Because some accounts describe helmets being requested rather than provided immediately, you should confirm that your helmet fits securely before mounting.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes, the activity is presented as suitable for first-time riders, with instructions from an instructor. You still need moderate physical fitness and should clearly tell the guide that you are a beginner.

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not recommended for people weighing 110 kilograms or more, people with limited mobility or health issues, or pregnant women.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Poor weather may also lead to a new date or a full refund.