Getting the opportunity to saddle a horse and go horseback riding in Belize for the first time with
St. Leonard’s Tours was simply marvelous. As a beginner, I had no idea how to prepare or saddle a horse, let alone riding one! This
Belize horseback riding lesson and tour covers 2 phases: 1) 1-hour introduction on preparing and saddling a horse, and 2) 2-hour horseback riding session on the San Lorenzo Farm trail.
St. Leonard's Tours
Learn about the horseback riding experience to the magnificent Xunantunich Maya temples in western Belize.
This half-day horseback riding tour is perfect for beginners who are looking for an introduction lesson to horseback riding in Belize as well as riding veterans who are interested in refreshing their horseback riding skills or anyone who’d like to explore Belize’s western countryside on horseback.
Mrs. Carla picked up Pablo, Luis, and I up from our office in San Ignacio to head to San Lorenzo Farm where St. Leonard’s Stables are located. The drive took us a little under 15 minutes on the George Price Highway heading towards San Jose Succotz Village and the ever so popular
Xunantunich Maya Ruin. Along with St. Leonard's Stables, there are other notable businesses, such as Hannah Stables and Nabitunich, that offer horseback rides in Belize, either along San Lorenzo Farm's trail or horseback riding to Xunantunich Maya Ruins.
Upon arriving at the stables, we were greeted by Mr. Rodolfo and his farm's caretaker. The last time we saw Mr. Rodolfo was when we went on an exciting spelunking tour at Actun Chapat Cave. This time, he gave us the introductory session for horseback riding.
Our team learned how to properly prepared and saddle a horse. For a first-timer, the process was interesting to know about and having the opportunity to saddle my own horse was a pleasure. The name of my horse was Elijia, Luis’ was Joshua and Pablo’s was Tobit. We learned that the key to amazing horseback rides is to take great care of your horse and to be comfortable with them.
Here’s how you saddle a horse western style in Belize:
- Groom your horse thoroughly, especially where the saddle mat and seat will go.
- Make sure the saddle mat is clean before it is placed on your horse’s back, being sure to cover the withers.
- Place the right-hand stirrup of the saddle and the girth over the seat of the saddle.
- Stand on the left-hand side of the horse and hoist the horse’s saddle to gently place onto the horse’s back. The saddle horn should be right on top of the horse’s withers and lie evenly on the saddle blanket.
- Release the stirrup from the saddle and pull the girth down off the seat.
- Sling the girth under the horse’s belly just behind its front legs and feed the cinch strap through the ring of the girth and then back up. Repeat once.
- Pull the strap to the left of the upper ring and then cross over to the right.
- Feed the strap behind the upper ring and then through the ring to the front, tucking it under where it crossed itself.
- Take up the slack in the cinch strap, pulling up from the bottom to fit the saddle snugly on the horse.
- Mount the horse on your left-hand side and you’re ready to ride.
Each of us took our turn to saddle up our horses, Mr. Rodolfo guided us throughout the entire process to ensure that it was done properly and the horses were comfortable with what we were doing. Once we got that phase 1 down, we moved on to phase 2 of the tour, which was the horseback riding portion of the tour.
Mrs. Carla brought each of us a helmet and a bottle of water for the horseback riding tour. We were fitted into our helmets with the help of Mrs. Carla, making sure it wasn’t too tight or had too much slack.
From there, we mounted our horses one-by-one from the left of the horse and started the trail. The trail was at least 3 and a half miles long with many historic remnants of the Maya people that once inhabited the area along with the many plants and vegetation that had regrown over the years.
The horseback riding experience was more than I had expected. At no point, prior to the tour, I thought I would be taking a first-hand history lesson of the area that was once a connected village to the ancient city of Xunantunich.
Mrs. Carla was well-versed in her history information about the Maya that once occupied the land. According to Mrs. Carla, Xunantunich was a thriving city that later became abandoned due to the substandard farming situation that forced them to retreat to other parts of Belize. As unfortunate as it was for the Maya people to retreat from their homes, the image of the highest point of El Castillo was immaculate.
El Castillo from
Xunantunich Archaeological Site is the second highest man-made structure in Belize, next to the first, Caana from Caracol Archaeological Site. Indeed, the king, or Ajaw or Ahau in Mayan, would certainly feel as if he’s on top of the world.
Although we didn't get the chance to go horseback riding to
Xunantunich Maya Ruins, we saw a beautiful wealth of natural wonders on our trail.
We continued along the riding trail and saw intriguing flora and fauna of Belize. Mrs. Carla stopped at different spots to show us locally grown fruits, herbs, spices and other traditional plants used by the ancient Maya.
We rode our horses until we had arrived at a shallow bank where the Mopan River flowed. We took our horses to take a drink of water and a short break before heading back on the trail.
The western countryside of Belize was spectacularly beautiful. Taking a half day to learn about the native people who inhabited the area eons ago and being impressed by the strikingly beautiful terrain on St. Leonard’s tame and obedient horses was a great time spent.
Much gratitude to everyone at St. Leonard’s Tours for taking us out on this
half-day horseback riding experience. It was, indeed, a splendid time we had at San Lorenzo Farm with Mr. Rodolfo, Mrs. Carla, and their farm’s caretaker.
The Belizing.com team previously went caving
Actun Chapat Cave with St. Leonard's Tours. If you'd like to read about our experience at Actun Chapat Cave, then check out
our blog!
Where is this tour located?
San Lorenzo Farm is in close proximity to the village of
San Jose Succotz and one of Belize’s most popular Maya sites,
Xunantunich. On your horseback riding trail, you will be able to see the highest point of El Castillo Temple.
How to get to San Lorenzo Farm?
Mrs. Carla or Mr. Rodolfo will sure be able to accommodate you with complimentary transfers for the tours that you book with them. You can find and book tours offered by St. Leonard’s Tours on Belizing.com. They are an excellent choice to explore Belize’s countryside!
What is the cost of this tour?
Each session lasts 3 hours, 1-hour introduction course and 2 hours riding tour on the San Lorenzo Farm trail. This tour is not like any other Belize horseback riding tours because it gives you the opportunity to learn about preparing the horse for riding and get a fascinating history lesson of the Mayas that once built communities in the area.
St. Leonard Tours is offering a special rate of $40 BZD for locals who are interested in experiencing this one-of-a-kind horseback riding tour. This offer is available from Monday to Saturday until the beginning of December.
What to bring/wear?
This
half-day horseback riding tour is an easy tour for beginner and veteran riders. On this tour, you will be provided with your riding gear as well as bottled water at the beginning of the riding portion of the tour and refreshing lime juice at the end of the ride.
It is recommended that you wear a thin long sleeve shirt, long pants, and tennis shoes. Items that you should take along this tour are sunblock, bug spray, GoPro/camera, and a light sling bag.
When is the best time to go on this tour?
The best time to experience this
half-day horseback riding tour would be in the morning since it is much cooler compared to afternoons. St. Leonard’s offers this experience 6 days a week, from Mondays to Saturdays starting at 8:00 a.m.
Considering that it is a half day experience, lasting 3 hours, you have the rest of the day to explore more of Belize’s countryside with St. Leonard’s Tours. Some great options would be to visit
Xunantunich or
Big Rock Falls.