What is Horseboarding?
Horseboarding is an extreme, fast-paced sport where riders and horses work together to achieve incredible feats of skill and agility.
The sport combines elements of horse riding, skateboarding, and Skijoring. Skijoring is a winter sport conducted on snow, while horseboarding is a warmer-weather alternative often taking place on grass or in an arena, using specialised boards instead of skis.
In horseboarding, a board rider stands on an all-terrain mountain board while being towed by a horse at high speed across open land such as beaches, fields, or specially designed tracks. The horse is ridden by a jockey who controls speed and direction, while the boarder focuses on balance, carving turns, and absorbing jumps. Speeds can exceed 35 mph, making it one of the fastest equestrian sports in the world and one that demands trust, coordination, and skill from both human athletes and the horse.
Horseboarding has a strong emphasis on horse welfare. Horses are carefully trained, conditioned, and monitored. Many are breeds known for speed and stamina with off-the-track thoroughbreds being a popular choice but any breed can be trained to tow. Despite its extreme appearance, horseboarding is as much about teamwork and precision as it is about adrenaline, making it a unique and visually striking addition to the world of action sports.
History of the sport
The modern sport of horseboarding got going in the early 2000s, with the sport gaining major traction in the UK. It was popularized by British riders who adapted mountain boards for use behind horses and organized early competitions. Horseboarding reached a wider audience through televised events and coverage on sports networks, especially after formal rules, safety standards, and professional teams were established. The International Horseboarding Association (IHBA) helped legitimize the sport and promote it globally, turning it from an experimental adrenaline activity into a structured competitive international discipline.
Where to see it
Live demonstrations, competitions and championships are often held a country shows. Following Horseboarding UK on social media will let you know when there is an event near you.
Can I book lessons?
At Valley Farm we can offer training and lessons in the basics to teach you what you need to know in order to get you started. Safety is a priority. We can provide a board and all the equipment required and point you in the right direction to purchase these things for yourself if you want to take it further.
During a private lesson you will learn how to attach the harness to the horse and rider, how to get a horse started with towing safely, how to stand on the board and be towed and how to avoid common mistakes. Using the speed and strength of a horse to tow a person holding onto a rope at high speeds, requires high levels of skill, coordination, and trust between the horse, the rider and the board rider. Horse riders must be able to walk, trot and canter safely while riding with only one hand.
Lessons are taught by qualified staff with one of our trained horses. They are suitable for individuals or couples who want to give it a try. We are also able to provide taster have-a-go sessions for small groups such as pony clubs and riding clubs.
Activity Days and Pony camps
We often include an introduction to horseboarding as part of our pony days and pony camps.
Where can I learn more?
https://www.horseboardinguk.org/ is a good starting point, offering information on rules, events, training, and safety. You can also find videos, documentaries, and competition footage online that showcase the intensity and athleticism of the sport.
