A hack out on the hills
Writer Abi Whyte ventures out onto the upland moors of the Welsh Borders on a horse named Davy, just a stone's throw from The Nant's lakeside retreat.
At first my horse Davy seems reluctant to go out in the rain but with a little kick of my heels he heads out of the stable, guided by Bryngwyn Riding Centre instructor Poppy on her horse, named Ped.
Poppy has been a horse-lover all her life, having lessons right here as child. She now works at the centre full time. I ask her what she loves about her job.
"Watching people ride, I can see that it offers so many things for different people," she says. "We provide a course called Changing Lives - it's for kids who don't engage in education. Riding is a way of teaching them responsibility, resilience and other life skills. And it gives them a sense of freedom that's away from a computer."
Views into Wales
We weave up the riding school's drive then we're out on Bryngwyn Common, which is blanketed with heather and gorse looking suitably atmospheric in the grey drizzle.
"On a clear day you can see the Black Mountains, Hay Bluff, Pen Y Fan (the highest peak in South Wales) and the Brecon Beacons," Poppy tells me. "We're really lucky where we are, it's nice and remote. It offers great hacking – we don't have to go on the road at all."
Even in the rain this feels like idyllic riding. Davy seems content along our muddy track and even speeds up a wee bit as we circle the common. I can make out the peaks Poppy mentioned in the distance - hazy grey silhouettes against a lighter grey.
I remark on Davy's lovely temperament, and Poppy responds, "Happy horses are key to our riding centre. They deserve a happy, healthy life. Without happy horses, we wouldn't be able to do what we do."
For fear of getting too soaked we keep our hack short and make our way back to the school, where Davy seems keen to get stuck in to a new batch of hay his stable.
Gentle connection
As I dry off, Poppy tells me more about the many benefits of riding.
"We get people with bad hips and bad backs come here and they find that horse riding really helps them. It's very good for your core; opens up your hip flexors and improves your posture," she says.
"And it's wonderful for your mental health," another rider joins in. "Even smelling the horses can make people feel so much happier. You get in tune with them; they can hear your heart beat. They're such big, gentle creatures."
So what advice would Poppy give to anyone considering trying riding for the first time, but are hesitant to do so?
"Just give it a go," she says. "I think it's one of those things that a lot of people think they can't necessarily do, then they try it and surprise themselves. Even if you're just coming for a one-off hack with us - it's such a relaxing experience. And it's something completely different to do."
Bryngwyn Riding Centre is just up the road from our lakeside retreat Ebba. The centre offers 1/2-hour or 1-hour riding hacks out on the Bryngwyn moors. All levels of experience welcome. Find out more at ridinginwales.com