Saddle up for an insider's guide to horse riding in Wales

Whenever I set off on a trail, my busy mind slowly but surely begins to quiet as I immerse myself in the changing views, putting one hoof in front of the other. It never fails to work its magic – and the freedom and sense of connection to the landscape and your horse are priceless.

My love of horse riding stems from childhood and has been a constant throughout my life. With a busy job and a stack of responsibilities, it’s a wonderful way to slow down, spend time in nature and gain some perspective. A desire to share this tonic, along with the incredible landscapes of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), is what prompted my partner and I to take on Tregoyd Mountain Riders (originally opened by Mr and Mrs Jones, my husband's parents in 1972).

Since then we have welcomed hundreds of riders to our stables, ranging from complete beginners to more experienced horse people. Our riding excursions are designed to suit all experience levels with pony treks, half-day rides and full-day hacks. We usually ride out from around March to October every year.

To make it work for everyone, we take particular care in matching our riders with the right horse. To do that, we chat over the phone to get a clearer picture of your experience and riding confidence. Groups are always small (usually 6-8), but with 40 resident ponies and horses, there are plenty of animals to choose between.

For young children, Dolly is the perfect pony - patient with a sweet temperament she makes anyone nervous feel safe. For more experienced riders, TJ and Tiger Lily are both well-behaved, but lively, and always up for a canter on the open stretches.

When customers arrive at Tregoyd they get a warm welcome and a thorough safety talk and riding demo. We fit them with a comfortable, safety-approved helmet, see they have the right footwear and talk them through the day. Then there’s a brief lesson during which we address any questions or concerns. Our riders learn how to approach their horse, mount and dismount, move off, stop and deal with different terrains and gradients.

When it’s time to head for the hills, we’re in a very privileged position at our stables. We can head directly from the yard onto country tracks and greenways, so there are very few roads to negotiate. Our place is in the east of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, so we have fantastic views across the Wye Valley and its river, and there are forest paths and open commons to enjoy. As we ride across the Black Mountains, we often encounter some of the wild ponies that live there.

It’s great to see our riders smiling and elated from their experience. They’re often tired from all the fresh mountain air but exhilarated, and you can see the sense of achievement on their faces if they’re riding for the very first time. It’s such a therapeutic and fun way to spend time in the great Welsh outdoors.

Tregoyd Mountain Riders are based in the heart of the Black Mountains and within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons National Park). This means there is easy access to great accommodation in and around Brecon, Crickhowell, Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye.

Hay-on-Wye is a particular favourite with its buzzing high street, independent shops and a good range of dining options and accommodation. For self-catering, Tredegar House right in the town is a great choice, alternatively, opt for a pub with rooms at the cracking Old Black Lion Inn. If you’d prefer to be out in nature, then the off-grid shepherd huts at The Huts in the Hills might be your thing.

There’s plenty more to enjoy in the area, including paddling down the River Wye in a Canadian canoe, adrenalin-charged mountain biking, hiking or visiting the castles at Hay or Abergavenny.

I adore the hills and heaths of the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons and love living in this wild corner of the country. I may be biased, but in my opinion, it’s one of the best places for horse riding in Wales. It’s ideal for beginners as there’s plenty of gentle countryside and off-road trails. For more advanced riders, the mountains offer steeper terrain and spectacular views, as well as open commons for a good gallop.

Other stables based in the Brecon Beacons include Grange Pony Trekking and Llangorse Multi-activity Centre.

I do venture beyond this region too though, and I particularly enjoy beach riding at Marros Sands in Carmarthenshire, in West Wales, where you'll find Marros Riding Centre.

In North Wales, the Menai Strait and Ynys Mon (Anglesey) are lovely. Here you'll find Anglesey Riding Centre. The scenery in the area is epic and on clear days a beach ride looking across the sandy strait to Eryri (Snowdonia) is spectacular.

• Always choose an accredited provider. The British Horse Society website has a useful tool for finding accredited stables by area.
• Wear comfortable trousers that allow you to move freely and ideally shoes or boots with a small heel. They should be a good fit too, and fasten up securely.
• Take note of the weather and bring the appropriate clothing. Layer up with microfibers for warmth and take along waterproofs, gloves and sunblock, depending on the season. If you have long hair, it’s good to tie it back.
• When speaking to your chosen provider, be clear and honest about your riding experience so they can match you with the right horse and excursion.