Riding in Andalucia

I first visited Los Olivillos as a farrier and my oh my, is it off the beaten track! Once there though, you can shake off any tired feelings of your first journey and soak in the ambiance of this hidden treasure.

The owners, Donna and Tony, came to live in this remote area some years ago and have combined their considerable skills to develop a riding paradise. Visiting clients are made to feel at home immediately and as you will be their only clients during your stay your riding will be designed purely to suit you.

The ancient olive farm is the centre for their riding exploits which are many and varied. One day you could be taking a gentle hack to a far away bar/restaurant and the next be involved in a colourful Spanish feria. Another time you may be camping in a mountain cave or staying in a far away hostal. And apart from joining in at a local feria or fiesta you never need to ride on a road.

Next to safety, the emphasis is on having fun. The country side is spectacular and you can expect to see a variety of birds and wildlife and join in with some local activities.



Donna & Tony have worked hard to improve the standard of their horses over the years. You will be riding pure Andalucian (PRE) horses. They also train and school horses and aim for top quality in their breeding program too. So you will be able to see some of the youngsters they are bringing on.

Riding in Andalucia is without doubt one of the finest experiences. The location of Los Olivillos is beyond compare and in Tony and Donna you would be hard pushed to find a more hospitable couple.

Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, is the pure horseman's dream. The Pure Anadlucian (PRE) horses are bred, raised and schooled here to the highest standards.

Even those with no horse experience could not fail to wonder at the beauty and artistry of the horses and riders at the Academy.

A colleague of mine, Andrés Cánovas and his wife Josephine run a marvellous establishment close by and always happy to help visitors to the area.

Josephine and Andrés have a wealth of experience and knowledge. If you are looking for that special Andalucian horse I recommend you contact Josephine for advice and see her gallery of Pure Spanish Horses.

Andrés covers a large area with his shoeing business including excursions to Portugal. He offers an excellent farrier service and if you are lucky, you can contact Andrés here.

Sarah Vesey at Caballo Blanco Trekking offers fantastic riding opportunities with unrivalled scenery in the Lajaron region of the Alpujarras, Granada. She has been established for many years and can accommodate hourly rides or multi-day rides...take your pick.

Joe and Simone ride from Finca la Morisca which is a remote farm set in open country 12km from the Alcala de los Gazules on the edge of the famous national park Los Alcornocales. Joe and Simone have years of experience and offer holidays for riders who are both confident and experienced at all paces. They love the long rides so you should be fit enough to ride at least 5 to 6 hours a day...you have been warned.

and maybe you 'ld like to chat about where you can find Andalucian horses. These are such noble beasts with a temperament almost unequalled in the equestrian world and with stamina and character to match, they are hard to resist.

If you would like to explore the possibility of owning your own pure Andalucian horse or horses then talk to us, Tony, Donna and Edward. We know the horses, the people and the places to go that you would never find on your own. We also know how to negotiate the best prices over a coffee or a beer and tapa and of course a long chat !

You can contact us like this:

Send an SMS (text message) saying "CALL ME" to these mobile telephone numbers (0034) 0034 619 171 592 or (0034) 677 841 962
or (0034) 600 642 796 or (0034) 600 462 114

or simply e-mail axarquiafarriers@gmail.com

Pat Brooke has run the well established Finca Pacheco near Es Secadero for a good number of years. Her experiences have led her to cater for discerning individuals and small groups, making an excellent holiday spot where golfers and equestrians can combine their interests. The rolling countryside around Finca Pacheco is ideal riding country and begs to be enjoyed not just by riders but also by walkers, birdwatchers and painters. You can find Pat 14 kms inland from Sotogrande, between Malaga and Gibraltar.

Here is a link for a general overview of other recommended riding establishments. and Andalucia.com is worth a visit.

For even more information visit Google

Fantasia Adventure Hoildays run their sucessful business on the Atlanic coast at Barbate, south of Cadiz and north of Tarifa.

The Costa de Luz, famous for it's tranquility and friendly people, is totally unspolit and you are sure to have a fine time when you visit Steve and Caroline

Moving east, Karen Marshall BHSII, runs La Herradura Riding Center 10 minutes from Almunecar. Karen offers lessons and rides for all ages and standards including country trails and rides on the the beach of the Costa Tropical.

Andalucia Horse Riding is another out of the way small establishment set in a the hills above Velez Malaga, east of Malaga. Midway between Triana and Lake Vinuela. You will be made very welcome after your short journey to the stables but I don't suggest you try to find your own way there.

One advantage here for many riders is that they offer riding in english saddles so if you feel more comfortable that way, this could be for you.

The rides across the mountains have breathtaking views and an interesting feature of this area is the choice to build a Buddist Stupa here. This modern temple is one of only four of its type in the world and when you visit the area and feel the tranquillity you will start to understand why.

If you are travelling by air, the main international airports are Malaga, Granada and Seville.

Visitors come from as far afield as Russia, Poland the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Nearer home, they come from Germany, France, Italy, Africa, the UK, Ireland and of course Spain itself.

It's easy to find your way here. If you would like some more background information visit Spain and get the flavour of a white-washed pueblo with Finca Fantastica Travel

There are so many places to hire horses it is difficult to know where to begin. Try this selection if you haven't found somewhere yet.

Rancho Huerta Del Batán Adventurous riding holidays in Coin by the Sierra de la Nieves Reserve Park on Andalucian horses. Beautiful Ranch with apartments and swimming pool.

Centro Ecuestre Cortijo Las Minas is near Archidona, Malaga. The smart stables offer: Accompanied Hacking and Trail Riding by hour: 1 hour, 1,5 hours, 2 hours, 3 hours: Half Day 2, 5 and 6 Day Trails and riding lessons by arrangement.

The España Escape Experience where Sam and Suzanne provide tailored multi-activity holidays east of Malaga. Your base is their family run, fully catered luxury villa, ideal for families and groups of up to 12. As well as riding they offer a number of mountain and water based outdoor activities or you can just chill out by the pool soaking up the sun.

Escuela de Arte Ecuestre, Costa Del Sol
Based in Estepona, this is one of the best equestrian centres in Spain. Extensive facilities. BHS and ABRS approved training and examination centre. Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa Del Sol, Estepona, Malaga Tel. 952 808 077.

Hurricane Hotel, Tarifa
Situated right on the beach, this well known Moorish style hotel has good riding facilities, offering beach rides, lessons or four day excursions through mountains trails to Ronda.
Tarifa, Cadiz. Tel: 956 684 919

La Almoraima, Castellar de la Frontera, Cadiz. The stables lie behind the former 17th century convent and hunting lodge, now a countryside hotel with game lunches on Sundays. Ride through leafy cork woods. Approximately 10 euros per hour.

Caballo Blanco Trekking
Unique trekking centre in the heart of Andalucia, impressive horses available for hire from 1-8 hours every day. BHS qualified instructor offering both riding & jumping lessons. Further details on the Horse riding Holidays Page.
Cortijo La Chaparra, Granada. Tel (0034) 6277 94891 / (0034) 9583 47175

San Roque Equestrian Centre
British managed with qualified British Horse Society instructors. Lessons available in Spanish or English. Hard hats and boots available.
Tel: 956 796 464

Valderrama Equestrian Centre
In the hills just above Sotogrande, professional tuition in dressage, jumping and competition preparation. Lessons from beginners upwards with BHSAI and escorted hacks in delightful countryside. Livery service available.

Los Caireles Riding Club, Marbella
Trips and excursions to mountain villages, horse rental, beginners lessons, spanish style dressage, horse training, liveries. Open Tuesday to Sunday in Marbella.

Hipica International
A small and friendly family run riding school in Churriana, where the emphasis is on safety and fun. Training to BHSA1. So far Spain has no teaching exams recognised at international level, which is why it is so important in Spain to gain British Horse Society exams. Tel: 952 960 543.

La Almuna Briton Diana Paget and her mother are famous for their superb home cooking on terrace overlooking valley. B&B riding holidays and excursions through orchard groves to campo and beyond. Prices on request.
Aptdo 20, Gaucin 29480, Malaga. Tel: 952 151 200.

Riding al Andaluz
Los Barrios, Cadiz. Argentinian-born Anna Davidson provides 5-day, 5 hours a day adventure riding holiday along smugglers' paths through the sierras and beautiful natural park of Los Alcomocales. Led by Don Ricardo Recio, owner of San Bernabe equestrian centre. For experienced riders. Prices on request.

Rancho Los Lobos
Ranch setting in rural Jimena with mountain and river valley routes to choose from. Accommodation available. Managed by Wolf Schlezer.
Jimena de la Frontera. Tel: 956 640 429.

Dallas Love
From her ranch nestling alongside the picturesque mountain village of Bubion, above Granada, you can mount a sweet-tempered, part-Arab Andalucian horse for a short or day-long mountain trek, and share a delicious picnic. The trail affords stunning views across the towering Sierra Nevada mountain range, with abundant wildlife and indigenous flora to hold your attention en route.
Bubion, Granada. Tel: 958 763 038.

Hipica Almerimar
El Ejido, Almeria, Paseo del Lavante s/n Telephone: Tel: 950 482 684.

Equitacion la Noria, Los Escullos, Almeria Tel: 950 389 808.

Picadero Mojacar, Ctra Playa de Mojacar.
Mojocar, Almeria

Camping Cortijo El Barrial Corterrangel - Aracena, Huelva Tel: 959 501 001.

Las Cabañas de Cubbres, Finca la Lancha, Cumbres Mayores, Huelva Tel: 959 710 177.

Doñana Equestre, Hotel Puente del Rey, El Rocio, Huelva Tel: 959 442 474.

Club Hipo El Pasadoble, Sector G Parcela 90, Matalascañas, Huelva Tel: 959 448 291.

Centro Equestre Epona, Carmona, Seville. Tel: 608 155 359.

Cortijo las Navezuelas, Cazalla de la Sierra, Ctra Sevilla SE196, km 42, Sevilla. Tel: 954 884 764.

Picadero de Antonio Angulo, Extramuros, 22, Osuna, Sevilla. Tel: 955 820 406.

Rancho El Rocio, Larga,44, Puebla del Rio, Sevilla. Tel: 955 771 212.
Visit Andalucia.com for more information.

Members of AGETREA are all registered establishments meeting the high standards and legal requirements of Active Tourism in Andalucia. It is your guarantee of professionalism in holidays and horse care.
Andalucia on Horseback

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For direct and up to date information contact Tony or Ed, the Axarquia Farriers. You can easily contact us by sending an SMS (text message) saying "CALL ME" to these mobile telephone numbers (0034) 619 171 592 or (0034) 600 642 796 or (0034) 600 462 114

We will get back to you ASAP
or
Skype ID: fincafantastica
or
by email: axarquiafarriers@gmail.com

Our opinion, as professional farriers with over 40 years experience, is that the standard of shoeing in Andalucia needs improving.

The difference in the standard of shoeing and general care of horses from a northern European perspective, is in some cases, a wonder to behold. It is by no means all bad and we know several very good farriers, both Spanish and foreign imports like us, but there is plenty of room for improvement.

We have a mission!

Our observations on farriery in Eastern Andalucia particularly is derived from several years of shoeing here. I have shod Olympic Show Jumpers in Canada; famous racehorses in the UK, Canada and USA; saddle horses, Quarter Horses, World Class Driving Horses as well as mules and donkeys in need of help.

My colleague, Tony and I share the same philosophy. We take a holistic approach. We are daily trying to improve the standard of shoeing and service in order that the horse, you, the client and we, are all happy.

We are able to carry out any corrective and theraputic work using both traditional methods and modern technology and we are on call for any farriery related problems that you may wish to discuss or want a second opinion on.

We have forged a team (in association with equine veterinarians) to provide a Professional Farrier Service covering the Axarquia and beyond.

Additionally, we are available for basic trimming, anatomy and practical "emergency shoe removal" clinics.

We are the Axarquia Farriers and you can easily contact us by sending an SMS (text message) saying "CALL ME" to these mobile telephone numbers (0034) 619 171 592 or (0034) 600 642 796 or (0034) 600 462 114

We will get back to you ASAP
or
Skype ID: fincafantastica
or
by email: axarquiafarriers@gmail.com

For more information please visit The Axarquia Farriers, Tony Forsyth and Ed Kirwan

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send a text message (SMS) to (0034) 600 4623 114 or (0034) 600 462 796 saying "CALL ME"

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