Equestrian Holidays
Imagine heading off for a break and having an equestrian holiday tailored to suit you and your level of riding. Your own horse is welcome to come on livery here at Iceford or you can experience one from our team, while you stay in one of the local hotels or B&B’s. Your holiday will be packed with all the favourite activities instructed at your level (lessons, cross country, show jumping, beach, trekking and mountain rides).
- Option 1: Bring your horse on livery and work away at your own pace using the wide variety of facilities we have here at Iceford.
- Option 2: Bring your horse on livery and have a programme of activities organised to suit your level and your interests.
- Option 3: Ride one of Iceford’s calm, relaxed and well schooled horses.
Options 2 & 3 can be an intense morning of activities leaving you with your afternoon free or these can be split into morning and afternoon and this will leave you with the middle of the day free
Other activities in the area include kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding, salmon and trout fishing and fishing charters. If you prefer to stay on land there are walking trails, North Mayo Sculpture Trail, archaeological tours, bike hire and guided tours.
If you would like to improve your English in a fun and creative way Iceford work closely with Donmar Cottages and Language and Culture West.
Remember this is your holiday and Iceford want to help you to make it special.
Donmar Cottage, Homestay English language courses
This year Language and Culture West have teamed up with Iceford Stables to offer Homestay and language courses with an equestrian holiday for the experienced rider.
Learning English in Ireland at Language and Culture West is a unique experience. These courses are run by an Irish family who provide homestays with an English language course and a full outdoor cultural programme.
Learning English at your teachers home as well as in a small group of motivated people ensures that you really can have a total immersion experience, both rewarding and enriching. Gain the confidence to speak only in English throughout your stay, even with your friends and family.
The aim at Language and Culture West is to create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and to ensure that students speak in English at all times. They have devised methods to increase confidence and make this possible.
Language and Culture West is open all year round and welcomes students of all ages, including family groups (age restrictions and numbers apply for riding activities).
The English language courses are conducted by certified TEFL and TESOL teachers (all family members) at the family home.
Courses are available for all levels, beginners to advanced. Individual learning requirements can be catered for.
The homestay experience at their cottages in Foxford and Ballycastle is unique. In addition to accomodation and meals, guests partake in varied daily outdoor and cultural pursuits. It is a real family experience. They also organise an activity and cultural program that is exciting, interesting and suitable for all ages. Students are therefore occupied each afternoon, evening and weekend with English speakers. This is the key to the success of our unique program.
Groups are limited to 8 students. You can choose arrival and departure dates that suit you.
For further information see www.donmarcottage.com
Horses For Sale
The Irish Draught, Connemara, Irish sport horse and Irish cob are all part of the team here at Iceford. These horses are intelligent, brave , kind and willing. This temperament makes them ideal competitive rides as well as real enjoyable pleasure horses for pony club, riding club and all round fun companions.
Along side a busy riding school Iceford has a number of horses and ponies for sale. They are bought, their education is improved and they go on to find forever homes. Whatever you are looking for, Iceford can help you to achieve that dream. For sale, we have horses, ponies and cobs that may have worked in the riding school as part of their training and young unbroken horses/ponies that you can put your own stamp on. We specialise in training competitive future stars and all rounders that are broken riding and ready to go. When they leave Iceford they are calm, confident, well mannered and ready to start a new adventure with their new owners.
We have European and International clients that return regularly to purchase horses from us for all equestrian activities. We regularly receive wonderful feedback about the Iceford horse/ponies and also love to hear from the new owners about the progress they have made.
We pride ourselves in providing quality and well schooled horses/ponies for our clients.
Livery / Schooling
Iceford Stables is located between Ballina and Enniscrone on the Mayo/ Sligo border. Situated along the Wild Atlantic Way with views of the river Moy and surrounding areas, we offer hacking along the safe, quiet country roads and farmland.
Facilities for you and your horse to enjoy:
- Large indoor arena 22m x 40 m
- Outdoor floodlit arena 20m x 40m
- Large newly resurfaced outdoor arena 40m x 60m which is linked to the cross country.
- All weather cross country with over 25 fences and 3 water jumps.
- Large comfortable stables with deep clean beds and automatic drinkers
- All year turn out – summer on grass & winter in the outdoor
- Top quality haylage which is saved on the farm
- Top quality feed and special requirements catered for
- Regular visits from dentist, farrier and vet
- Qualified instructor on site to provide training and advice
- Schooling is at an additional cost
- Owner on site to provide late evening yard checks.
- Toilet on site
- Free horse box parking
- Home ground to the Round Tower Riding Club
- Warm and friendly atmosphere
- Central location to show venues in both Mayo and Sligo and only a 2 hour drive from Galway
A schooling programme can be put together to suit your needs and your horses level of training. This can be organised for a once off or in block sessions. It’s ideal if you want to keep your horse fit and ready for the weekends especially if you work/study full time.
Student Training
As an AIRE approved establishment Iceford can offer BHS (British Horse Society) training. Regular riders can avail of the added benefit of being coached in stable management together with their riding lessons.
For anyone who is interested in getting professionally involved in the industry the BHS exams are the recommended pathway. Iceford welcomes students embarking on their BHS exams and assist them in whatever way we can.
Instructors at Iceford Stables have Garda Vetting, safe guarding and first aid certificates as well as being AIRE assessed and hold BHS qualifications to stage 4 and intermediate teaching.
Iceford has a spacious 3 bedroom apartment on site to accommodate students wishing to spend time in the west of Ireland.
Students will become part of our team and share our enjoyment of working with horses. Students will become immersed in the English while learning new skills and improving existing ones through tuition and practical experience.
For this experience to suit you all you need to join us is a willing attitude to learn, motivation and be enthusiastic. It’s a great way to experience Ireland and the wonderful country side, make new friends and see what makes the Irish horses so sought after.
Our Happy Clients
“Hi my name is Alexa and I’m a French student studying accounting. In 2019 I travelled to Ireland and stayed at Iceford stables for three months. I have lots of great memories from my stay. I really improved my English and made some great friends. I was made feel part of the team and this helped me to improve both my English and my knowledge and skills with the horses. Also I got a chance to travel to show around the area. Aiden and Lizzy also gave me the chance to compete at both showing and jumping and arena one day events. Some of these were new experiences for me. The landscape around the area is beautiful. Ballina is located between mountains, green fields and beaches. Thankyou Aiden and Lizzy, I highly recommend Iceford Stables.”