By Audrey Pavia

You don’t have to be a rugged cowboy, blazing the trail with a six-shooter in hand and spur under heel, to enjoy the thrill of a horseback adventure. Following are our picks for the best places on the planet to saddle up.

1. Darhat Valley, Mongolia.
In summer, the Darhat Valley in Khovsgol is home to the Tsaatan, one of the few remaining nomadic riding cultures in the world. Only by horseback will you get a true sense of what life is like for these native Mongolians, who depend on horses not merely for transport but for survival. Ideally, spend at least two weeks, timing your trip around the annual Naadam Festival, a celebration featuring horse races, archery contests, and wrestling matches.

2. Mammoth Lakes, California, U.S.A.
Alpine forests, pristine lakes, and raging rivers await horseback vacationers who take day rides into Inyo National Forest or pack into the backcountry for a week or more. The John Muir and Ansel Adams Wilderness Areas are both accessible from Mammoth and provide some of the greatest scenery in the Sierra Nevada. Trust your mount to watch his step through the steep terrain and take in the great views of the mountains above and the valleys below.

3. Andalusia, Spain.
In Andalusia, where the history of Europe and Africa meet, much of daily life is centered on the horse. Bright, sunny weather blends perfectly with a Mediterranean culture to make this part of the world worth seeing from the back of a proud Andalusian horse whose bloodlines predate Christ. A vacation in the Seville area offers the opportunity to learn English riding from European masters. And no visit would be complete without a visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestra.

4. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, U.S.A.
Most visitors to Yellowstone never leave their vehicles, a good number of which are essentially mansions with license plates. But that just means there are hundreds of acres of secluded backcountry to explore, and much of it can only be seen from horseback. Along with spectacular scenery, you may catch a glimpse of moose, elk, and the recently reintroduced gray wolf.

5. Snowy River, Australia.
A visit to the untamable high country surrounding this legendary stream flowing through the states of New South Wales and Victoria will give you a chance to experience the Wild West, Australian style. During a weeklong riding trek in this scenic part of the Australian Alps--made famous by the film The Man From Snowy River--you will see emus, kangaroos, wombats, and even herds of wild brumbies (aka wild horses, and yes, we had to look it up, too).

6. Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.
When one pictures a desert, the Sonoran immediately comes to mind. Home to majestic saguaro cactus, this desert just outside of Tucson hosts an amazing array of plant and animal life. Resorts and dude ranches are prominent throughout the Tucson area and offer day rides, cattle drives, and lessons in gen-u-wine Western riding.

7. Margarita Island, Venezuela.
Margarita lies just north of the Venezuelan mainland in the Caribbean Sea. Picturesque fishing villages and colonial sites are among the island’s top attractions, but it’s just as notable for the chance to take long rides along pristine Caribbean beaches and through forests of exotic South American cactus.

8. Santa Ynez Valley, California, U.S.A.
This central California valley is one of the most charming areas in the western United States. Rolling hills covered with oak and chaparral are close enough to the rugged coastline to lend a salty tinge to the air. Guest ranches and luxury resorts in the area provide daylong trail rides through the idyllic countryside. The quaint Danish-style town of Solvang and beautiful nearby Santa Barbara also provide out-of-saddle opportunities for shopping and sightseeing.

9. Killarney, Ireland.
The western coast of the Emerald Isle is prototypical of Ireland’s topography and culture. Rocky cliffs meet the sea, while brilliant green farmland invites you inland. Warm pubs and B-and-Bs eagerly receive the intrepid traveler who chooses to journey along the coast on horseback (called "pony trekking" in these parts). Céad Mile Fáilte: Not just welcome, but a hundred thousand welcomes.

10. Black Hills, South Dakota, U.S.A.
The most appropriate, if not most convenient, way to see these historic peaks is via horseback, riding through the land where the Lakota Sioux battled the U.S. Cavalry and where bison still roam free. If you get a little saddle sore, however, we’ll let you get away with making your visits to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore by car.

Audrey Pavia is the author of Horses for Dummies.