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 or the local activities.

Come along and meet Donna, Tony, Jeff and Jorge. To contact with us, send an email or call us: 619 17 15 92 (Tony) or 680 69 80 47 (Jorge).

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. The Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre (the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art) is the place to visit.

Even those with no horse experience could not fail to wonder at the beauty and artistry of the horses and riders at the Academy. The school trains horses and riders in dressage, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon there is a show in the indoor arena where the horses "dance to music". On other days you can watch the training sessions.

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.

Cabalagar Rutas Alternativas is based in the village of Bubión in the heart of the Alpujarras, south of Granada. To ride here is to really experience a difference.

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 !

Here We Are Demonstrating the Spanish Walk

If you are interested in learning more the you can contact us like this:

Send an SMS (text message) saying "CALL ME" to these mobile telephone numbers or (0034) 654 025 358 or (0034) 619 171 592

or simply Email Me Now

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.

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

Recently the laws regarding riding on the beach have been tightened so do be sure to check before you book anything what restrictions apply in your chosen area. There is nothing guaranteed to spoil a good break from home than a run-in with the Guardia Civil!

Moving east, Karen Marshall BHSII, originally from the UK, runs La Herradura Riding Center.

It is 10 minutes from Almunecar, Granada. Karen offers lessons and rides for all ages and standards including country trails and rides on the the beach of the Costa Tropical.

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.

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, A Taste of Torrox and if possible be sure to visit the biggest "romeria" of the year, El Rocio..

The "romeria" is where people on horse back, in gaily decorated wagons or just walking, make a pilgrimage through the country side in this case to El Rocio . Nearly a million people gather in a small hamlet in the marshlands of the Guadalquivir river delta, where the statue of the "Madonna of the Dew" has been worshipped since 1280. iT IS A SPECTACULAR EVENT.

If you do visit please be sure to book very early and take plenty of STRONG mosquito spray. SERIOUSLY!

If you live in Spain you can sell your horse through Finca Forum's FREE service.

Horses for Sale & Wanted - Visit Finca Forum -

For a more personal service and and up to date information contact Tony or Ed, the Axarquia Farriers. We are out and about everyday and come across horses that you will never find on your own. We know the horses and the owners so we are in an ideal situation to find the right horse for you and at the right money too!

You can easily contact us by sending an SMS (text message) saying "CALL ME" to these mobile telephone numbers or (0034) 654 025 358 or (0034) 619 171 592

We will get back to you ASAP
or
Skype ID: fincafantastica
or
by email: Email Us For Help in Buying Your Spanish Horse

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.

NEW, we are available for basic trimming, anatomy and practical "emergency shoe removal" clinics. e-mail us for details.

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 or (0034) 654 125 358 or (0034) 619 171 592

We will get back to you ASAP
or
Skype ID: fincafantastica
or
by email: Email Us

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

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