Western Natural Horsemanship, Spain
Reviews
“A very enjoyable week - pleasant surroundings and a friendly atmosphere. All the horses were in good condition and well looked after.”
Horses
Type of horses:
Andalucian and American Quarter horses
Nature of horses:
Well trained and responsive
Height of horses:
15-16 hh
Weight limit:
14 st/89 kg
Tack type:
Western
Weather
Current Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, 15 C
Forecast:
Sat - Clear. High: 17 Low: 7
Sun - Sunny. High: 18 Low: 7
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Natural Horsemanship combined with Pressure and Release Training Clinics
2010 Prices: £810 per person for 7 night Clinic.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
This ranch offers a Natural Horsemanship clinic which can suit all needs and abilities. The owner has worked in the equestrian business for 25 years at ranches in Australia, the United States and the UK before moving to Spain. He is UK affiliate of A.Q.H.A. Here they can show you how to communicate with your horse and achieve more than you ever dreamed possible.
This is a family run business with good home cooking and friendly atmosphere. Roy has over 40 years experience and knowledge on managing horses in many different environments and lived in places where his life and daily routine depended on his horses being well behaved and dependable, such as the Australian Bush, Central W. Queensland; Montana and now in the mountains of Andalucia.
He would like to share this knowledge with you. Spending a week on the Ranch would be a great opportunity to live with and learn about your horses, it is more than just a holiday.
Whether you are looking to holiday away from it all or you are looking to enhance your horsemanship techniques this is the perfect location. Roy offers equestrian training in a variety of disciplines using natural pressure and release methods, which begin on site in the round pen.
He will enable nervous riders to gain confidence in the saddle with his quiet techniques and knowledge. This is a holiday where family members of all levels will be perfectly happy. Beginners will learn the basic techniques and experienced riders will also gain much from Roy's expertise.
The ranch is set in the beautiful Andalucian countryside where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air. Tranquil trails up through mountains and olive groves, fields of corn or sunflowers, past rivers and streams (and wait until you see the stunning sunsets!).
During the hot, hazy summer months, when temperatures reach 40 degrees by lunchtime, riding & training will take place early mornings and/or late afternoons/evenings. When you are not in the saddle there is no reason to be bored (see other activities) or why not just relax by the pool with a good book and top up your tan.
As Roy has many horses for sale, it does enable a prospective purchaser to experience a horse for the weekend. If the horse is purchased on the weekend and a deposit paid, you will receive a full refund for your stay at the ranch (air fare and travelling expenses not included).
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is in four double bedrooms inside the cortijo and shared guests bathroom. There is a separate lounge area available for guests although you are always welcome in the family lounge
All bedrooms are fitted with fans keeping the house cool during the summer months.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are freshly prepared daily using local produce. Meals can be eaten in the dining room but are normally taken "al fresco" in the covered, shady terrace facing the pool.
Lots of fresh salads, vegetables, chicken, pork and fish, local desserts, local wines, water and fruit juices. The ranch is famous for quality pork, cured hams, breads and cheeses.
Special dietary requirements can be catered for on request. Shirley is renowned for her cooking and can produce wonderful tasty dishes for vegetarians and those on other special diets.
Within walking distance are two friendly Spanish bar-restaurants "Venta El Cordobes" and "Meson Diego"both offering excellent Spanish delicacies, try a "tapas" (small portion of food) with your beer! Worth a visit (or two!)
Activities
On site there is swimming pool and communal area which guests can relax by after a tiring morning or afternoons riding.
Fishing, birdwatching, swimming,canoeing, rockclimbing and scenic walks are among some of the activities at the nearby picturesque, turquoise lakes of El Chorro and Ardales. Here there are a handful of good restaurants and bars that have stunning and colourful views - a chance to enjoy the local cuisine.
The nearest village is a typical "Pueblo Blanco" the name given to the many small whitewashed Andalucian villages. It has a historic Moorish castle which looks protectively over the valley. It is also home to the final battle of Sir James Douglas who was carrying the heart of Robert the Bruce to his last resting place. The village also holds a cheese festival (Feria de Queso) each year in October when thousands of visitors flock to this small village to sample products from all over Andalucia.
Despite being Andalucía's fastest-growing town - Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its centre. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below,
Ronda is only twenty minutes by car. from the ranch so it will be easy for you to get to and soak up the atmosphere. There are supermarkets, restaurants, tapas bars, boutiques, good shoe shops and souvenir shops to browse. The bullring, one of the oldest in Spain, has an interesting museum with shop attached and once inside it is evident that Ronda was one of Orson Wells´ favourite haunts. A market is held in Ronda on Sunday mornings.
There is much here that children will enjoy including go-karting, crocodile park and the beautiful beaches of the Costa Del Sol just a short drive away.
Because the ranch is in a quiet location, you may wish to hire a car.
Further Details
Languages: English and Spanish
Health requirements: No specific health requirements but a reasonable level of physical fitness is desirable.
Age limit: None
Tuition: Yes
Included: Accommodation, in-depth training and tuition, all meals, airport transfer for 4 guests
Not included: Airfares, airport taxes, car hire, personal and medical insurance, there is a surcharge for transfer of more than 4 guests from the airport
Travel Information
The ranch is located at the foothills of the Sierra de Bandoleros
in the heart of Andalucia.
Free transport to and from Malaga airport for up to 4 persons (within sociable hours) For parties of more than 4 persons there is a one-off surcharge payable of 120 euros.
Only 1 hour from Malaga airport with good connections by road and rail.
Airport: Malaga
Alternative Airport: Seville
Programmes
Natural Horsemanship combined with Pressure and Release Training Clinics
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The 7 day Clinic offers intensive training in horsemanship, including Natural Horsemanship combined with Western training and riding. These courses are tailored for ‘hands on’ training (ie you will be involved with feeding, grooming, general stable care and management and total horse care.) Training and riding is included within the Natural Horsemanship courses. : Saturday: Arrival and departure day. Arrivals should be within sociable hours, (between 10 am and 5.00 pm approx). Outside sociable hours should be confirmed and there will be an additional fee of 50 Euros each way to be paid locally. Sunday to Friday. Intensive training including natural horsemanship combined with Western training and riding. 5 hours per day. Start and finish time depending on time of year. Practical participation and demonstrations. (Guests can join a clinic any day of the week and pay pro-rata, however they would need to make their own way to the venue (bus ,taxi or train). There is a bus stop right outside. The Long Term (one month) course is for those interested in Natural Horsemanship and Western training using pressure and release methods, who would like to improve their riding skills for pleasure, reining and trail competitions. Training is provided by a professional horseman who has successfully trained and competed in Western discipline. Train, manage and ride with confidence using P&R training methods. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 6 |
| Ability description: | Novice to advanced. |
| Type of ride: | Natural horsemanship tuition and training combined with western riding. |
| Total riding time: | As itinerary |
| Departure dates: | Dates to suit |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |