The wildest horse ride in the States

Big skies, crashing hooves, the yip of coyotes as the campfire crackles after dark… A week on horseback through Wyoming, led by a veteran cowboy, is the American dream come true.

Few ranches run cattle drives, so you’ll need to book through a specialist travel agent. Catering for intermediate equestrians, the ride begins the day after arrival, under the watchful eye of the trail boss – but with chances to gallop free, too. Breakfasts are hearty and camps comfortable – a relief, since up to seven hours a day are spent in the saddle.

The lowdown: Equitours (00 1 307 455 3363, www.ridingtours.com) offers an 11-day guided trip in Wyoming from around £1,600, all in, except flights. BA (0844 493 0787, www.ba.com) has returns to Las Vegas – a two-hour drive from the starting point at St George – from £549.

Alternatives: Try cattle-driving in Arizona, Montana or British Columbia; from around £1,399pp a week, including flights, accommodation and food, with Ranch America (0845 277 3306, www.ranchamerica.co.uk).

* Competent riders could consider a trail ride from Utah to the Grand Canyon. Sleeping under canvas, a six-night trip starts at £1,105pp with Unicorn Trails (01767 600606, www.unicorntrails.com), including food; flights extra.

* American Round-up (01798 865946, www.americanroundup.com) has a week at Rankin Ranch, outside Los Angeles, from £894pp, all in, not including flights. Virgin Atlantic (0844 874 7747, www.virgin-atlantic.co.uk) flies to LA from £559 return.

Horseback safari, Botswana

The usual Jeep safari pales by comparison next to the mounted version: it’s just you, your steed – and a guide with a gun, just in case.

An Okavango horse safari calls for competent riders, but what a trip: riding four to six hours a day, with long canters and wildlife encounters so close they’ll raise hairs. Safaris last five, seven or 10 nights in luxury camps (open from March to November).

* Ride World Wide (01837 82544, www.rideworldwide.co.uk) has a five-night horse-safari experience from £1,900pp, all in, including transfers from Maun to the camp. Flights are extra – around £1,000 for BA returns to Johannesburg and Air Botswana connections to Maun.

* For more information on safari companies in Botswana, see www.botswanatourism.co.bw

Gourmet gallop, Provence

Horseback doesn’t have to be hardcore – a week in the saddle can be one of the most laid-back holidays you’ll have. That’s especially so in civilised Provence, and the Lubéron, one of its most beautiful expanses. On this trip, every day unravels through new landscapes, with long, leisurely interludes of gratuitous wine-tasting, some particularly recherché French lunches and comfortable lodgings as well as a guide.

* Equitour (0800 043 7942, www.equitour.co.uk) offers a seven-night package from £1,100pp, including all meals and accommodation; flights extra. EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) flies to Marseille from Bristol and Gatwick. Or try BA (0844 493 0787, www.ba.com).

* For more details of horse-riding and other activity holidays in Provence contact Maison de la France (www.franceguide.com).

A Scottish trot

Once you’ve tried it, it’s said that it’ll change the way you ride forever, such is the liberty of ‘Western riding’, a freer method pioneered by early American ranchers that involves controlling the horse through trust and subtlety, rather than with the bit and a kick of the boots. Lunga Riding Stables, in the Western Highlands, is one of the few riding centres in the UK to teach the skills of ‘natural horsemanship’ – its horses have been trained using techniques inspired by American horse-whisperers.

* Lunga Riding Stables (01852 500632, www.lungaridingstables.com); tuition costs £35 for 45 minutes. A four-hour pub-trail ride costs £70.

* The Old Vicarage (01736 711508, www.oldvicaragepenzance.co.uk), in Cornwall, can also arrange natural-horsemanship holidays.