In Utah’s sculpted canyon country, Amangiri feels purpose-built for a horse’s eye view of the landscape. Private rides depart directly from the resort, with wranglers leading guests across 600 acres of desert framed by Navajo sandstone, alongside longer off-property routes that trace old outlaw trails with views over Lake Powell and the Grand Staircase. It’s Western mythology reframed as ultra-minimalist luxury, sunrise in the saddle followed by sunset in the spa.

Further south, Awasi Atacama pairs barefoot-luxury style with entirely private guiding. Each room has its own guide and vehicle, with the option of tailored rides into the dunes. The vastness of the Atacama unfolds on horseback, crossing ochre sand and dry riverbeds with the Andes and volcanoes on the horizon, before returning to a courtyard lit by lanterns and Chilean wine.

Mari Mari Natural Reserve, at the gateway to Patagonia on Chile’s Pacific coast, offers a different kind of edge-of-the-world riding. Here, beautifully groomed horses lead riders along secluded black-sand beaches and through native forest, with trails designed for everyone from contemplative first-timers to confident riders keen to gallop alongside the surf. It is raw, wind-washed Patagonia, softened by private oceanfront villas and a serious spa.

On Indonesia’s Sumba island, Nihi Sumba is famous for its Sumba ponies just as much as for its waves. As the tide drops, horses are met on the beach for a bareback ride straight into the Indian Ocean, wading and swimming in clear water in front of the boathouse. It’s one of those rare experiences that feels dreamlike even as it’s happening.

Over in the British Virgin Islands, The Aerial BVI adds an ethical, regenerative layer to the equine story through its Redemption Ranch. Rescue horses, ponies and even zebras live on the island, and guests can join ranch tours, learn their stories and ride along the coastline, often ending with a wade in the turquoise shallows. Each experience helps fund Aerial Recovery’s non-profit work, meaning every island ride also contributes to a wider impact.

Across the Atlantic, Vestige Son Vell on Menorca offers something quieter but no less poetic. The estate can arrange riding lessons on site or excursions along the historic Camí de Cavalls, the ancient bridle path that encircles the island. Sun-bleached stone walls, sea views and a languid Mediterranean rhythm set the tone, best followed by long lunches and late-afternoon dips.

In Wiltshire, England, Lucknam Park is almost archetypal country‑house horse territory: 500 acres of parkland, an impressive equestrian centre and a line‑up of 35 horses suited to everyone from tiny riders to advanced jumpers. Guests can hack through the Southern Cotswold countryside, book dressage or jumping lessons, or simply mix a gentle ride with Michelin‑starred dining and spa time.

Further north, Gleneagles in Scotland brings a sporting‑estate energy, complete with an equestrian school that caters to everyone from four‑year‑old beginners to riders training at British Horse Society Stage 4 level. Lessons in dressage, showjumping and cross‑country sit alongside hacking across the estate’s 850 acres – all paired with golf, falconry and a whisky‑by‑the‑fire finale.

On the Umbrian‑Tuscan border, Reschio in Italy is a love letter to horses as much as a design‑forward estate. Riding here has been compared to an African safari, with horses moving quietly among deer, wild boar and other wildlife across 1,500 hectares. Stables and the Teatro Equestro have been crafted with as much care as the villas themselves, and the estate breeds and trains its own Spanish horses with a notably gentle philosophy.

In Portugal’s Alentejo, Malhadinha Nova brings together wine, design and horses in one soulful estate. Here, Pure Blood Lusitano horses are very much part of the family story, with an on‑site stud farm and an equestrian team led by professional rider Pedro Sousa. Guests can take private lessons in the arena, try introductory dressage, or ride out through the vineyards and open fields before returning to long, wine‑paired dinners and big‑sky sunsets.

In Kenya’s Laikipia region, Solio Lodge sits on a private rhino conservancy between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. Here, game drives are easily complemented by horseback safaris across the ranch, offering a different perspective on the wildlife and big skies. It’s an intimate, conservation‑focused base where riding can be woven into classic East African safari days.

For a more immersive equestrian safari, Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill in South Africa’s Waterberg region are hard to beat. Both lodges share a reserve with around 90 horses that live out among the game, allowing riders to move right alongside giraffe, antelope and more without the animals taking fright. Rides are tailored to all levels, from relaxed bush ambles to fast canters along sandy tracks, with the option of twice-daily outings that genuinely place horses at the heart of the stay.

Corocora Wildlife Camp, in Colombia’s Llanos, layers adventure onto conservation. Here, traditional llanero cowboys guide guests on horseback across seasonally flooded plains, tracking wildlife, crossing rivers and, in some seasons, even swimming through lakes on horseback. It is an elemental way to experience the scale of the savannah, before returning to a small, beautifully simple camp set up for stargazing and storytelling.

In Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge, Blancaneaux Lodge – Francis Ford Coppola’s jungle hideaway – offers guided rides out from the lodge’s own stables. A signature experience is the ride to Big Rock Falls, where the journey pauses for a swim in clear pools beneath a waterfall before continuing back through pine forest. It is romance with just enough mud and adventure to feel real.

Down in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, Blanket Bay sits between glacier-fed rivers and towering peaks near Glenorchy. The lodge can arrange western-style rides on the adjoining Wyuna High Country Station, introducing horses with names like Rio and Braveheart while exploring classic South Island high country. It is the kind of landscape familiar from cinematic epics, only this time experienced from the saddle rather than the cinema.

For those inspired to gallop into the new year, our ASMALLWORLD Bespoke Travel team is on hand to curate a seamless itinerary tailored to your riding level, preferred regions and season, shaping these remarkable properties into a truly personalised trail.