Gipsy Ranch charges US$16 per person for an hour's ride on the beach, or US$52 for a longer, half-day ride.

Suitable for all riding abilities, the week-long trip includes four half-day rides along gentle forest trails, taking in the medieval hamlet of Castelfalfi, the castle at Tonda and the natural springs of Bagni di Mommialla.

Here is information on the horse farm: Horse Rides DAY RIDES: You can book full-day, half-day, one-hour and two-hour rides, as well as your own overnight accommodations at the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm.

A full-day ride (which includes a picnic lunch) is $125 a person; a half-day ride, $60.

(Advance notice of 24 hours is required for full-day and half-day rides.)

A half-day ride is $55 and a full day $95.

The final leg was just a half-day ride to Fredericksburg.

If flights are full, it is possible to fly to Lanzhou, and take a train, bus or taxi for the half-day ride to Xining.

No experience is needed for the two-hour and half-day rides, but reservations are advised, especially at the Yosemite Valley stables.

The barn manager, Mary, came around to ask if we wanted all-day or half-day rides.