The high elevated Andean "Sierra" provides the best riding throughout Ecuador. Cotopaxi National Park is an excellent location for horse riding with its wild paramo plains reaching over 16,000 feet along with its centrally positioned awesome Cotopaxi volcano provides a classic Ecuadorian landscape in which to journey. Some Hacienda programs include the Cotacachi and Mojanda ranges as well as the snow-peaked Cayambe volcano. The Imbabura province with its pastoral views and white crested volcanic backdrops gives you as well one of the best riding in the country.

The most recommended way to see Ecuador's unique countryside is through developed hacienda programs; such haciendas act mainly as inns and pack wonderful Picnics.

Horses can also be rented for all levels of rider, for example beginners are often recommended to take the tough mixed blood breeds while the experienced rider may be better suited with the pure breeds.

Usually, some stables don't provide helmets. High level riders should bring their own. In Ecuador, Western tack (saddle and bridle) is generally offered as well as English saddles. Western saddles are safer for ascending and descending rugged hard inclined terrain and much more comfortable for longer rides.

• Check the saddle and bridle adjustments before mounting. The girth band should be tight and the reins and stirrup leathers warn or sufficient. Make sure that your stirrups have the right length because if they are short, your knees will catch and could be very dangerous.
• Study your prospective horse initially for any appearance of lameness abusiveness, bad conditions, under fed or sickness signs. If you find any anomalies refuse to mount it.
• If the saddle & bridle looks old, is too loose, damaged or cracked, change it immediately or just don't ride it!
• If the horse is over volatile and you feel unsafe, change horses or just don't ride that day. If you are on a route when a problem hits, dismount immediately.

Most haciendas offer horse riding tours. For more options see Ecuador's best haciendas section and the horseback riding tour operator's page for a list of Ecuador's finest tour operators.