F.A.Q.
Frequently 
Asked Questions

Answers to Questions you might have about our Horsetrekking centre, our activities and offers

Read through our Frequently Asked Questions concerning reservations, the organisation of our horse rides and treks, conditions of participation as well as some practical information. 
Click on each question to see the corresponding answer. 

1 - Do I have to reserve horse rides and treks ?

Not all of our treks take place everyday. Therefore, it is best to contact us in order to find out when the trek you want to do is being organised. We can also advise you on which trek would be the best adapted for you as a rider.

Reserving is the best way to be sure that you will be able to do the trek you want to do, when you want to do it (especially when we are busy). To reserve, just contact us by email or telephone so we can send you a registration pack. You just have to return this pack to us with a cheque that we will request.

If the timeframe doesn’t allow for post to be exchanged, you still need to reserve either by telephone, by email or by coming to visit us at the Centre. 

2 - Can I cancel my reservation ?

The French Consumer Code (article L121-21-8, alinéa 12) excludes the following services from its 14-day right of return or retraction: accommodation, transport, catering, car hire, and leisure activities organised for a specific date and/or time period. 
Therefore, we will not refund amounts paid if you cancel your reservation. Medical reasons are exempt from this (on presentation of medical documents). 
For any other reason for cancellation, we can offer you the chance to reorganise your trek at a later date (within a limit of 3 months and subject to availability) and if and only if you cancel no later than 20 days before the scheduled date.

3 - Are horse treks cancelled if it rains ?

It all depends on the rain…! If it is a question of small showers, the trek will not be cancelled and we will equip you with long coats that can be placed in the saddlebag of your horse and worn in case of rain.
However, in case of heavy rain or storms, treks will be postponed (subject to availability) or cancelled. 
If the Centre de Randonnée Équestre cancels the trek or you are not available to come at a later date, deposits will be repaid. 

4 - Are horsetrekking groups organised by ability level? Will I get to gallop ?

Groups are not organised according to ability level (aside from treks reserved for riders who are comfortable with the three gaits). This allows us to keep groups and families together who might have different ability levels but who want to share the experience together. When the trek includes the possibility of walking, trotting or galloping, the gaits used vary according to each rider’s ability level. This allows each rider to enjoy the trek safely and within their ability. For example, for riders who we judge to have the necessary abilities, it will be possible to gallop during the “Gorges” trek. 

5 - I’ve never ridden a horse before and/or I’m a bit scared… Can I still take part in a trek ?

Aside from the treks reserved for riders comfortable with all three gaits, all of our treks are open to riders of all levels, from beginners to experts. 
It is not unusual to be slightly apprehensive when faced with a large animal, especially when you are not used to it. 
That’s why we accompany you, helping you to discover, meet and (we hope) like your horse !

6 - Can two people ride the same horse at the same time ?

No. Each horse can only take one rider at a time. 

7 - Can my child ride my horse with me or the guide’s horse with her/him ?

No. Even if the parent in question is a good rider, safety rules mean that (even very young) children cannot be taken on to a horse with parents. 
The guide is there in order to ensure that everything runs smoothly during the ride by accompanying and helping the other riders and organising the trek. Therefore, no children can be taken on a horse with the guide.

8 - Can we go horsetrekking alone without a guide ?

All of our horse rides and treks take place in the presence of a qualified guide, whatever the ability of the different riders. We do not hire our horses alone.

9 - Do I have to wear a helmet to ride a horse ?

While French legislation does not yet oblige horseriders to wear a helmet when riding outdoors, the Fédération Française d’Équitation and our insurance organisation require helmets to be worn when riding. 
Therefore, whatever their level, all riders will be asked to wear a helmet. No exceptions to this rule will be made.

10 - Can I ride a horse while pregnant ?

No. Pregnant women are not allowed to ride horses at any stage of their pregnancy. This is due to the very high risk posed to the unborn baby. 

11 - I have back / hip / knee problems, can I ride ?

Horse-riding is not advised if you have back, hip or knee problems. However, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor, who is the only person who can inform you reliably as to what you should or should not do.

12 - Is there a maximum weight for horseriders ?

Yes. We have a lot of horses. However, they are mainly “small” trekking horses and each horse is only able to carry weight proportionate to their size. Therefore, we impose a maximum weight limit of 85kg for our strongest horses. 

We impose and enforce this limit in order to protect the health and wellbeing of our horses. We therefore ask that you be completely honest about your weight when you reserve. If we realise that you have tried to “trick the system” by understating your weight, your reservation will be cancelled without refund. 

13 - Is there a minimum or maximum number of people that can ride ?

We organise horse rides and treks for groups of 2 or more. We welcome groups of up to 35 people at any one time, so long as the weight, height and ability level of the riders can all be accommodated by our horses. Rides and treks undertaken in large groups will be accompanied by several guides.

14 - How many people are in each group for the horse treks ?

The number of riders can vary widely according to the chosen trek and the time of the year. If many people make a reservation for the same trek but are not part of the same group, we will form sub-groups in order to ensure that there is a reasonable number of riders and to make the trek enjoyable for all.

15 - Can we reserve a “private” trek ?

Once a request for a “private” trek has been made, the group must pay a rate equivalent to 8 riders. 
If the group making such a request has more than 8 riders in it, each rider will pay the normal rate.

16 - Can I choose my horse ?

Horses are matched with riders at the beginning of each trek. This match is based on a number of criteria such as the ability level, weight and height of the rider. 
Only 5 of our horses were born outside of the herd. We know our horses perfectly and we take great care in order to create the perfect match between horse and rider. 
Trust us, just because you are attracted to a certain horse doesn’t mean that he or she will be the best match for you !

17 - What should I bring in order to ride ?

We ask that you bring the following clothing in order to ride: long trousers (no shorts or three-quarter length bottoms) and closed shoes (such as trainers or walking shoes or boots). We advise that you wear a t-shirt (with sleeves) rather than a vest. 
Saddlebags are fitted to the saddles. Therefore, you should bring water (1 – 2 litres per person), a small snack (avoid chocolate, which doesn’t react well to heat!), a small sweater or jacket according to the season, a camera, suncream, and a cap or hat for when you are not riding. 
For the treks that allow time for swimming, you can take swimwear and a small towel (do not wear your swimwear during the trek, as this causes chafing). 
For our full-day treks, bring a picnic adapted for horseback : wrap your food carefully, avoid fragile fruit and don’t forget that salad dressing tends to escape easily…!
The establishment declines all responsibility for any belongings that are damaged, broken, lost or stolen during a ride or trek. 

18 - Can I bring my dog ?

No. Dogs are not allowed on rides or treks and are strictly forbidden from entering the premises of the Centre. This applies to all dogs, irrespective of size, or whether they are on a lead or being held in the arms of owners.

19 - Can events be organised ?

Yes. We can offer a number of different propositions for your group events that include our horses and/or our canoes. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

20 - How are horse rides and treks organised ?

Whichever ride or trek you choose, the time spent with your horse goes beyond the time you spend riding. Together, we will take care of your partner for the journey both before and after the ride. 
We accompany you to the paddock in order to pick out your horse before helping you to brush and saddle her/him. In this way, you will have the time to get to know your horse. 
Following this, you will leave for your chosen ride or trek. 
When you come back, you will once again take care of your horse before leading her/him back to the herd. This is a perfect way to thank your horse for the great experience you have had together. To learn more, take a look at the ''Our Approach'' section.

21 - Why do riders participate in preparing the horses ?

Aside from dogsledding, horseriding is the only activity that humans practise with animals. Building a good relationship is essential if horse and rider are to communicate and share a part of each other’s lives. 
Therefore, we think it is important that each rider is able to go and pick out her/his horse from the paddock before helping to prepare them for the ride and, after the trek, thanking them by taking care of their needs before taking them back to the herd.

22 - Is GPS satellite navigation the best thing to use to find the Centre ?

GPS satellite navigation is not 100% reliable in the area. Indeed, sometimes it will send you onto roads that are difficult to negotiate while searching for the shortest route, or perhaps the signal will disappear in the middle of nowhere…
In order to travel serenely, we advise you to download and save one of the PDF route plans that can be found in the "Find Us" section. We have put together route plans for most of the towns and villages of the Verdon as well as some of the region’s bigger towns and cities.
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