Working Holidays with Natural Horsemanship

Overview

Duration: 7 days/6 nights.

Accommodation: En-suite rooms in log cabin at the farm.

Required: You should be able to handle a horse at walking pace, trot and gallop in a forest environment. Weight limit 110kg (240 pounds). You should be in general good health and able to participate fully in the maintenance work at the farm and care of the horses. Minimum age 12 for confident riders accompanied by adult, otherwise 18.

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A unique opportunity to work with Northern Swedish horses and learn the techniques of Natural Horsemanship in the forests of Östergötland.

For around four hours each day, you will assist with the general horse and maintenance work required in the day-to-day running of the farm and stables. Work will vary depending on the tasks required to prepare for the coming riding season and may include fencing, cleaning the stables, painting, training the horses, cutting the grass or working in the workshop.

You will have the opportunity to go riding for at least three hours each day. The farm is well-known as a centre of excellence for Natural Horsemanship techniques and you will learn a great deal about the way this method is used with the farm's Northern Swedish horses, practising the art on long rides through forested hills and picturesque pastures. You will be given a thorough briefing on these sturdy, strong horses and how to ride and handle them using Natural Horsemanship methods.

Accomodation during your stay in en-suite rooms in one of two log cabins at the farm. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served with the family or in the farmhouse "pub", where everyone gathers to relax and socialise in the evenings. The food served at the farm is local produce wherever possible, with game and fish from the surrounding forests and lakes.

Working Holidays with Natural Horsemanship is an ideal riding holiday for those with previous riding experience who would like to immerse themselves in the day-to-day running of a Natural Horsemanship stables, with wonderful opportunities for horse riding tours in the surrounding area.

Dates & Prices

Dates

21.04-27.04.12, 28.04-04.05.12, 05.05-11.05.12

The Price

Prices are in British Pounds. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment by bank transfer in Euros or Swedish Kronor. If this would be of interest, please let us know and we will be happy to provide prices.

• Price per person (in 2-person room): £460/person
• Single supplement: £140/person

What The Price Includes

Accommodation

Accommodation is in 1-3 person rooms at the farm. Rooms are en-suite. Bed linen and towels are included. There is also free internet access available at the farmhouse "pub".

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is eaten together with the family at the farm or in the farmhouse "pub". Local produce is used wherever possible, including game and fish from the surrounding forests and lakes. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

Working Holiday

As part of your experience you will be working around four hours each day, assisting with general maintenance duties and care/training of the horses as required on the farm.

Riding

You will have the opportunity to ride for at least three hours per day during your stay.

Horses

Northern Swedish Cold Bloods, trained to be safe and secure. The horses are handled and ridden with care and have Swedish cavalry saddles, developed over hundreds of years for both rider and horse for tough conditions and long rides over rough terrain. You will ride bitless but with a kind of ridehalter, otherwise known as a sidepull.

Equipment

Shortchaps, rain ponchos and approved riding helmets.

Guide

Experienced and knowledgeable local guide.

Transfers

Transfer to/from Tranås station. Pick-up will be at 18.15 on the start day, with return transfer leaving the farm at 08.00 on the end day (transfer time approx. 40 minutes).

What The Price Does Not Include

Alcoholic drinks, which are available for purchase in the farmhouse pub.

Optional Extras

It is also possible to book transfer from Linköping for £50 per person (transfer is included to/from Tranås).

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

You should be able to handle a horse at walking pace, trot and gallop in a forest environment. Weight limit 110kg (240 pounds). You should be in general good health and able to participate fully in the maintenance work at the farm and care of the horses.

Minimum age 12 for confident riders accompanied by adult, otherwise 18.

Equipment/clothes needed

A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing.

Groups

There is no required minimum number for this experience. Max. group size 8 persons.

Natural Horsemanship

Natural Horsemanship is a method of training and working with horses based on the observation of wild horses. The object is to create a partnership between human and horse similar to the kind of relationships which exist between horses themselves.

The technique avoids any methods involving pain or fear and uses release of pressure when riding and handling the horses, and the horses are ridden without a bit in the mouth.

Additional Notes

This tour has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for its commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

Location

Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

By Air

Fly to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Copenhagen airports. Train to Tranås (travel time 2.5-5 hours depending on options chosen), from where transfer is included.

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward connections to Tranås.

Map of Sweden