HORSEBACK TREKKING IN JORDAN
GENERAL INFORMATION

THE RIDING ABILITY REQUIRED

These trips require that one be in good physical form - we emphasize this. The point is significant: in any one of our programmes, you can find yourself riding for 5 to 6 hours a day, sometimes for long distances, in climate conditions which are not always easy (heat, wind, cold). And usually sleeping outside at night, under the moon...

"Under the moon" Photo M VERIN

The change of diet, of sleep rhythms and needing to adapt yourself to a new group of companions, to accustom yourself to a horse that you don' t know, perhaps also to an unfamiliar style of harness, all these are not always easy to handle, and should not be aggravated by having to struggle with a poor physical condition as well.

Riders' try out

These trips should therefore only be undertaken by experienced riders:

• You should be at ease with all horse paces, have a good seat, be used to riding out of doors and not be panicked by the wide spaces suddenly open to you.

• You need to be able to ride easily, to balance comfortably, have good hands, be able to control your horse without resorting to brutality, to be calm in all circumstances

Saddling up		Up and... down!		How to tack up!

You need to know how to harness your steed, to saddle it up, to tighten the girth when you are already in the saddle, to tie up your horse correctly when dismounting, to maintain the distances between riders, to hold your pace firmly, to adapt to the various bits that might be used.

You may use your own saddle if you prefer, but please let us know ahead of time. Bring a sheepskin with you if you have one, but we do NOT recommend using saddlebags.

English Thorowgood saddles are used, made of synthetic material but very comfortable and giving full satisfaction over the last ten years. Special saddlepads are supplied with pockets for light personal effects and as much water as you want to carry.

Originally Bedouin horses were ridden without bits in normal activity - the bit being reserved for racing (or for war!) and for difficult horses. Nevertheless for convenience and to adapt to more usual practice in Europe, we use snaffle bridles with eggbut bits, the "Pelham" or the "Hackamore" bridles with small branches

Seef-Saad		Shams		Shollah