Muddy Stilettos


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/yellowstone-horses.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59780" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/yellowstone-horses.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/yellowstone-horses-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/yellowstone-horses-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Yellowstone </figcaption></figure>



<p>Inspired by <em>Yellowstone</em>, the award-winning US series on Paramount+ starring Kevin Costner as the head of a Montana ranch family refusing to sell its land to greedy city businessmen (think <em>Dallas</em> meets <em>Succession</em>), we’re suddenly eager to drive cattle, trot along trails and ride into the sunset. Trouble is, we don&#8217;t have time to fly half-way around the world to jump on a horse right now, so instead we&#8217;ve tracked down the UK’s top gee-gee adventures where you can get a taste of the cow boy life closer to home (Kevin Costner, unfortunately, not included).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Great Dartmoor Cattle Drive (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.dartmoorridingholidays.co.uk/horse-riding-holidays/ranch-holidays-dartmoor/" target="_blank">The Great Dartmoor Cattle Drive</a>, Devon </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="689" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Unknown.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-59641" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Unknown.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Unknown-600x413.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Unknown-762x525.jpeg 762w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>About as close to the real cowboy deal as you can get in the UK, this three- or six-night holiday includes helping drive cattle to new grazing pastures on Dartmoor. It’s not a tourist gimmick, cattle driving has been the traditional way of moving livestock at Meldon Farm for hundreds of years, and in true wild west style you’ll be riding along valley bottoms, up and down steep inclines, across rivers and through woodland. Accommodation’s a local inn or glamping in a shepherd’s hut on the farm and you’ve got to be 18 years and over with some riding experience to join in the fun. </p>



<p><em>Fancy climbing into the saddle?</em> <em>There’s one place left on the six-night 2-8 Sept 2022 holiday. June-Sept drives in 2023, from £1440pp. </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Welsh Borders Trail (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.unicorntrails.com/europe/uk/welshborders/" target="_blank">Welsh Borders Trail</a>, Wales</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="741" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Unicorn_Trails-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-59643" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Unicorn_Trails-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Unicorn_Trails-1-600x445.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Unicorn_Trails-1-709x525.png 709w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you want to go wild, wild west literally, then head for the hills and mountains of Wales on this four-night adventure. One of the few remaining parts of the UK with a true sense of wilderness, you’ll spend three days riding through ancient woodlands, deep valleys and unspoilt countryside, spotting birds of prey and castle ruins along the way. Base is the second highest farm in the country, where incredible views are a given along with a slap up breakfast to fuel you for the day’s horse trekking ahead. </p>



<p><em>From £775pp with <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Unicorn Trails (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.unicorntrails.com/europe/uk/welshborders/" target="_blank">Unicorn Trails</a>.</em> </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Loose Reins (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.loosereins.co.uk" target="_blank">Loose Reins</a>, Dorset </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="739" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LooseReins.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59644" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LooseReins.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LooseReins-600x443.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LooseReins-710x525.jpg 710w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Looking for an authentic ranch-style stay? Well this glorious glamping farm getaway is gold. Cosy cabins have a pioneer vibe with western-stye interiors and are named things like Ranchers and Gold Panners. After a day hot trotting it around the Dorset countryside on horseback with a guide from equestrian centre <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Bushes EC  (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.bushesec.com" target="_blank">Bushes EC</a> (just ten minutes up the road from Loose Reins), it’s time to hang up your hat and get cosy back at your log cabin, tucking your toes into a Navajo blanket as the sun sets over pastures of livestock and you stir your sausages and beans over the campfire, <em>Blazing Saddles</em> style.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>Two nights from £340 (sleeps four). </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Boltby Trekking (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.boltbytrekking.co.uk" target="_blank">Boltby Trekking</a>, North Yorkshire </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="359" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/desktop-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59998" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/desktop-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/desktop-1-600x215.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/desktop-1-900x323.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image: @northyorkmoors.org </figcaption></figure>



<p>Say howdy to a two-day trek in the remote North York Moors National Park. Boltby is based on a working farm for that cowboy at the ranch authenticity, and there’s ample opportunity to trot past herds of sheep and cattle as you explore the bridleways criss-crossing the hills and valleys of this epic landscape. </p>



<p><em>From £250pp including horse hire, B&amp;B and luggage transfer (available May to September).&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">And further afield&#8230;.</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Ranch Riding in Andalucia (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.equestrian-escapes.com/Ranch-Riding-In-Andalucia/" target="_blank">Ranch Riding in Andalucia</a>, Spain </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="483" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RanchAlf.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59646" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RanchAlf.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RanchAlf-600x290.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RanchAlf-900x435.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Channel your inner John Wayne (ok you might have to dig deep, but it’s in there) and book this incredible riding break on a working cattle ranch in Jerez. During the seven-night adventure you’ll learn how to handle your horse around livestock, work on the ranch, visit a stud farm and enjoy gourmet Andalucian picnics and wine and sherry tasting too (now that sounds like Muddy-style ranching). </p>



<p><em>From £975pp with <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Equestrian Escapes (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.equestrian-escapes.com/Ranch-Riding-In-Andalucia/" target="_blank">Equestrian Escapes</a></em>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.eddylouranch.com" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.eddylouranch.com">Eddylou Ranch</a>, Sweden </h2>



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<p>Yee-haw! Here’s another western-themed holiday just over a two-hour flight away. From learning to throw a lasso and trot around a trail park to enjoying campfire suppers, nights tucked up in self-catering log cabins and relaxing in the cowboy spa (we’re not entirely sure cowboys do actually chill in Jacuzzis, but we’re happy to go with the flow on this one), it’s the perfect place to ranch and relax. </p>



<p><em>Cowboy ride and Jacuzzi experience, from £63pp; one night in a cabin (sleeps four) from £127.&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><strong><em>Yellowstone seasons 1-4, available to stream now on Paramount+</em></strong></p>



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Ride of your life! Make like it’s Montana on a UK horseriding holiday

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