From East to West by Saddle is Best

Claire Alldritt

I loved this book! A funny and inspiring story of Claire’s horseback journey from one side of Scotland to the other, carrying everything she needed for the journey on her two horses. Claire is a wonderful storyteller, recounting every calamity she faces along her journey. This book was the start of my interest in long distance horseback adventures and although it doesn’t cover kit specifics, it’s a captivating account showing what’s possible.

Edge of Blue Heaven

Benedict Allen

An easy to read diary of Benedict’s horseback journey across Mongolia, relying on the hospitality of the nomads and their gers to feed and shelter him along the way as well as a collection of traditional mongolian horses to carry him and his gear. On reaching the gobi, he switches from horses to camels, walking over 40km a day to cross the vast desert during the narrow summer window, before autumn descends bringing snow and making the route impassible. The book is full of stunning photos too!

On Horseback BHS Guidebook Series

British Horse Society

A collection of guidebooks produced by the BHS in 1994 with hand drawn maps, illustrations and route descriptions. The series covered 12 areas: Ridgeway Downs, Westmorland, Western Fells, Exmoor, Dorset, Leicestershire and Rutland, Humberside, The Cotswolds, Somerset, Northamptonshire, South Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire

Connemara Mollie

Hilary Bradt

A captivating and well written novel covering Hilary’s horseback adventure around the coast of Ireland in 1984. A keen adventurist and used to being uncomfortable, she traveled to Connemara with a saddle and a bridle she’d purchased in Peru as well as a sleeping bag and a few essentials. She bought a Connemara from a local farmer, tacked up and set off! Almost unheard of in current times, Hilary traveled along the coastline completely on her own, with just Mollie for company, asking farmers to use their fields and stopping in pubs and villages to buy food. A remarkable story that delves into her journey along with the generosity of people that she meets along the way.