Horse-riding in Zeeland

If you’re in Zeeland and you fancy some hands-on horse-riding experience, there are opportunities aplenty, for beginners and the more advanced alike. There’s a large number of riding schools that provide lessons.

Perhaps your kids would like to try out some pony-riding? If they’re not yet old or confident enough to do this on their own, Pony Adventures organises woodland rides under the supervision of an instructor.

If you already have some horse-riding experience, you can find many amazing outdoor rides, from seashore and forest hacks to sunset jaunts and rides on Zeeland carthorses. Amongst others, outdoor rides can be arranged through Ponyhof Aagtekerke, Beleefboerderij de Stelle, De Meiwerf and De Zwaanhoek. It’s a great way to meet other horse-riding enthusiasts and enjoy the Zeeland countryside. Check out the websites for the conditions and the required level of experience beforehand.

As well as riding for the sheer fun of it, Zeeland also has some unique horse-riding traditions and events. In springtime, there is the traditional Strâo, where horses’ legs are washed in the sea. A colourful cavalcade of riders and their beautifully decorated horses parade through the villages to the beach where this annual ritual takes place.

In the summer, popular equestrian events, especially in Walcheren, include riding at the ring and ‘sjezenrijden’. You can marvel at the participants in their magnificent Zeeland traditional costumes. Horse-riding enthusiasts can also try their hand at Jumpin' de Weel in Nisse, a popular horse-jumping and dressage competition.

If you’re planning to bring your own horse to Zeeland, there is an extensive network of bridleways throughout the province. This also includes beach rides in Schouwen-Duiveland and in Zeeland-Flanders, to bridleways across dykes and polders in Walcheren, Noord-Beveland and Zuid-Beveland. Check out this extensive network of bridleways on Routeyou. In addition, the Fok- en Menvereniging Schouwen-Duiveland website lists the various routes which are specific to Schouwen-Duiveland.

Tip: the Paard en Bed website gives a listing of accommodation in Zeeland where you can also stable your horse.

Stichting Ruiter- & Menroutes Schouwen-Duiveland is an interest group which keeps horse-riding and horse-driving enthusiasts up-to-date about (access to) bridleways and carriage routes on the island via their Facebook and Instagram pages. Maps of bridle paths in Schouwen-Duiveland can also be obtained from this organisation or from the following sales points: Paardenhotel Burgh and Manege Grol.

Stichting Ruiter- en menroutes Noord-Beveland is a similar organisation providing information, inspiration and routes in Noord-Beveland.

On most beaches in Zeeland there is limited access to horse-riders from May to September. Check the rules before you go.

All waymarked routes are regularly checked. However, if you see something which is not quite right, you can report this to routemeldpunt.nl.