The Saga Rides
Duration: 4-7 days
Dates/Period: Start days any Thursday from 13.05-23.09.10.
Price: from £606/person
Accommodation: Ensuite rooms in recently renovated timber cabin.
Required: You should be able to handle a horse at walking pace, trot and gallop in a forest environment. Minimum age 12 for confident riders accompanied by adult, otherwise 18. Max weight 110kg.
The Northern Swedish Hourse (Nordsvensk Häst) is a tough all-around horse that loves to work. It is just as well-suited for the baroque riding style as for ploughing fields and dragging timber logs. It is an athletic, hard-working horse which, with its long mane and tail, looks like an image taken from an old, Nordic fairytale. They are superb in forest riding, with their surefooted strength.
The horses are trained using the Natural Horsemanship method. This means that their training and handling is based on the horses' natural way of communicating and reacting. Release of pressure is used in all riding and handling of the horses.
"If you were inspired by The Horse Whisperer, you can try the real thing on a natural horsemanship tour...You'll spend the day out in 300 square kilometres of riding ground before returning to the farm for a soak in an outdoor wooden tub, where you can soothe those muscles you didn't know you had. A hearty evening meal is prepared, after which you can look forward to a deep sleep in the quiet of the old farmhouse's timber log cottage." Recommended by Richard Hammond from The Green Traveller in Rough Guides "Clean Breaks - 500 New Ways To See The World"
Lovely long rides through forested hills and over picturesque pastures on Natural Horsemanship-trained Northern Swedish horses. You will be given a thorough briefing on these sturdy strong horses and how to ride them and you will have plenty of time to get to know your horse before you set off. Before galloping your instructor will ensure that rider and horse understand each other and are working well together. The landscape in the area is hilly and you will see very few humans, but lots of wildlife! You will pass places with splendid views, secluded forest lakes and lively forest streams.
You sleep in a newly-renovated timber log house on the farm in a room with 2 or 3 beds, all 3 rooms ensuite. Supper is served in the farmhouse pub, where you can linger in the evenings. Food is local produce and from the waters and forests around. A lot of fish and game is used, and it is possible to purchase local handicrafts.
On this tour it is possible to choose four days and three nights with two day's riding or up to seven days and six nights with five days' riding. You will be riding for between 4 and 7 hours each day. Additional days may be added if you wish.
A challenging but accessible wilderness dog sledding adventure in the Lapland mountains.
A flexible winter holiday based at traditional mountain station combining relaxation and adventure.
Hiking tours from a cabin base with a feeling of the wilderness.
A working holiday with Northern Swedish horses using Natural Horsemanship.
Challenging Adventurous Training activities for Armed Forces and University Armed Forces groups.
Fun and adventurous stag and hen activities, including dog sledding, timber rafting and wilderness canoeing.
Corporate activities tailor-made to suit your requirements, from reindeer sledding to sea kayaking.
For the latest news and discussions on outdoor experiences in Sweden visit our blog at www.wildsweden.co.uk
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Nature Travels Ltd. Registered Office: 26 Andover Green, Bovington, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6LN, United Kingdom
Company No: 5636754 | Tel: 01929 463774 | Email: admin@naturetravels.co.uk
Copyright Nature Travels 2010
Comments on The Saga Rides:
"It was quite an experience (a good one) though the Swedish saddle does take some getting use to. The horses were excellent, knew that they had a job to do and did it with enthusiasm...Also the location was perfect, quiet, incredible and varied scenery (it was still forest but changed with the weather and the variation of the routes), saw deer, moose with a calf and plenty of lakes, supplemented with entertaining stories of Trolls and Tomtas." Mike, August 2009
"I want to thank you for your service, you are very kind. My holiday was more than I expected. The people, the horses, the nature - everything in the right place. I felt home and Olle, Annemiek and Pieter are great people. As I told you, it was a dream riding horses in nature for a few days - my dream came true. I cannot imagine doing it somewhere else.
The way they treat the horses, the way they ride the horses is unbelievably beautiful and respectful. I learned a lot and will take that with me the next time I ride a horse. I will go back and stay longer." Didi, June 2009