It can only be a matter of time before some over-funded net entrepreneur launches an ambitious service for horse-riders. Would-be holidaymakers could select their animal from an interactive photo gallery and plot their routes through Welsh hills with the aid of an online navigation system.

Riding holidays.com
Until that happy day, however, the insubstantial Riding holidays.com will continue to provide scanty details of obscure ranches in Portugal.

Discover Wales on Horseback
If you want to try out a day in the saddle before booking a whole week's holiday, Discover Wales on Horseback is a cheap choice. A mere £30 buys a luxury coach journey from the West Midlands to the Brecon Beacons and the use of a friendly pony for the day.

Bridle Rides
Riders with their own horse may like to visit Bridle Rides, which organises bridleway routes and accommodation, including stabling, on 13 networks around England and Wales. Rides last between two and six days, but unfortunately the new owners have omitted the prices from an otherwise excellent website. E-mail them for the brochure.

Cae Iago
Cae Iago, in Carmarthenshire, has weekend breaks from £137, rising to £350 for a week, for riders over 17 who weigh less than 15 stone.

Equestrian Holidays Ireland
Equestrian Holidays Ireland brings together fairly advanced riding holidays from all over Ireland, some of which offer courses in hunting, dressage and other formal skills.

Drumgooland House
If not everyone in your party wants to ride, or the idea of combining riding with golf or walking appeals, Drumgooland House in County Down (Northern Ireland) may be more suitable.

EquiTrek
Australia may seem a long way to travel to go riding but, according to EquiTrek, the journey is worth it. The company organises treks for intermediate (at least 100 hours' experience and a willingness to spend six hours in the saddle) and advanced riders throughout Australia and New Zealand. Safari Riding has similar opportunities in Tanzania.