The most immersive equine experience!
Horse Herd, Alpine Meadows, Camp in the Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine
(for adults and adults with children aged 10 years and above)
Are you fascinated by horse psychology and behavior? Do you have a love for horses and nature? We welcome you to visit our horse herd! It's an extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the herd, observe the lives of horses, and witness the relationships among them within the herd. Lectures on horses and their lives, psychology, and behavior by the owner of the horse herd; accommodation; three meals a day; hot shower. The camp is located at an altitude of 930 meters above sea level, nestled between Polonyna Hosta and Polonyna Rivna, approximately 7 km from the Voevodin Waterfall.
Psychology of horses, hierarchy, instincts... There is a lot of discussion and theory surrounding these topics. However, seeing it firsthand once is worth more than hearing about it many times.
We will provide you with the essential knowledge and share our own experiences, but the most valuable experience will come from your own personal observations.
In the high mountains, there is a wild energy of freedom that resonates deeply within the herd of Hutsul horses. With their untamed spirits, the rugged surroundings, and the raw beauty of nature, you'll have the opportunity to find your true self. What could be better than the mountains? Only the mountains... and horses.
Idea: Camping during a horseback journey.
Recharge, Unwind, Observe
On every horseback journey, a rest day is designated every 3-4 days. People can relax, reflect on the distance covered during the journey, consult with each other, and receive instructions from the guide.
Leisure time on a horseback trip: people engage in self-care, relaxation, and horse observation. The horses graze, attend to their own activities, and observe humans in return. However, individuals who cannot see the horse in front of them may perceive it as a biological robot and attempt to interact with it as if it were a programmed mechanism, where the human is in control simply because they are alive. Communicating the concept of the horse's equal participation in collaboration to such a rider becomes exceedingly challenging. Another concept of the camp involves observing horses to comprehend that they are living creatures with their own lives, activities, and the ability to solve problems. The camp goes beyond mere leisure; it serves as the starting point for a person to collaborate with horses. First, a person needs to learn to work with the horse from a distance, then progress to working with the horse on a lead, leading the horse. Finally, the rider should be able to mount the saddle. The camp provides a themed experience where a person begins collaborating with the horse.
Collaborating with a horse while riding, leading a horse on a lead rope, and working with a horse (or herd) from a distance, whether near the horse (or herd), within the herd, or within the horse's (or herd's) field of vision, are all equally significant actions. A rider who lacks the ability to work with a horse (or herd) from a distance within the horse's (or herd's) field of vision or cannot lead a horse on a lead rope, as experience and practice show, can become insecure and lack confidence even when they are already riding the horse.
Place
A unique farm breeding Hutsul horses in their natural habitat, where there are no stables or enclosures, and the horses are not fed or watered, even in winter.
The farm with summer pastures is located at an altitude of 930 meters above sea level. The horses graze either within electric fences on the premises or freely on the meadows of Rivna or Hostra. The horses are self-sufficient and do not receive anything from humans. They are strong both physically and mentally, and they have their own thoughts and opinions. You can find more information about the place at the provided link.
Who is this camp for?
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Nature enthusiasts who have a deep love for the outdoors.
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Adults and children who are passionate about horses.
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Individuals interested in experiencing and learning about our collaboration with a herd of horses.
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Equestrians actively involved in various equestrian sports.
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Those who aspire to participate in a future mountain horse tourism course.
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Dedicated equestrians who consider horses an essential part of their leisure activities and are constantly seeking to expand their knowledge about these magnificent animals.
The goal of the camp is to:
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Engage people with nature and promote an understanding that other beings are living creatures with their own personal space, lives, and perspectives.
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Learn about the life of the horse herd through observation and exploration of the local area where the Hutsul horse breed originated.
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Foster a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world.
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Cultivate a sense of coexistence and respect for all living creatures.
To observe, experience, and then decide if you would like to continue with us further (camp - Online Course in Mountain Equestrian Tourism - Trainee - Equestrian Tourist). It is a kind of ethology (observation of animals in their natural environment) and equine therapy.
During lectures, master classes, and your time spent with the herd, we aim to showcase our methods of collaborating with horses. We want to emphasize that horses have a remarkable level of comprehension when communicated with effectively in their own language, a fact that many modern humans may not fully imagine.
You will receive:
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5 days/4 nights in picturesque mountainous terrain
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Accommodation: space for tents or a place in a heated tent with 16 beds and mattresses
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Meal organization: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Vegetarian options available (the same menu, but without meet). If you have any allergies or are a vegetarian, please inform us in advance.
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1 communal campfire area. Participants are responsible for organizing firewood for the communal fire. Our place is surrounded by forests.
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3 meals a day.
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Clean drinking water from streams.
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Hot and spacious shower facilities.
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4 toilets with toilet paper provided.
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A large cabin for activities during rainy weather.
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Hot tub: is available for 2 days (for a group of 15 people), for 3 days (for a group of 25 people), for 4 consecutive days.(for groups larger than 25 people). Firewood will be provided by the organizers. The group members are responsible for organizing the Hot tub.
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You can explore marked tourist routes such as Polonina Rivna, Voevodin Waterfall, and Polonina Hostra from the camp.
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Transfer from Uzhhorod to the campsite and back.
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Location: The campsite is situated at an altitude of 930 meters above sea level, offering incredibly picturesque surroundings. As a result, there are significantly fewer insects (both we and the horses hardly notice them!). The higher elevation provides cooler temperatures and easier breathing compared to the heat at lower altitudes.
Camp Rules:
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Listen to music only with headphones (live music with instruments such as guitars is permitted).
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Sort and dispose of waste properly.
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Avoid shouting and maintain a calm demeanor.
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Alcohol and other psychoactive substances are strictly prohibited. Remember, you are among horses.
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Do not touch or disturb the horses. Follow the rules of coexistence with the horses, which will be explained during the first lecture.
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Failure to comply with the rules may result in being asked to leave the campsite without refund.
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Participants: Adults and adults with children aged 10 and above.
This is an educational horse camp suitable for both adults and children (aged 10 and above) accompanied by adults. Its main focus is to provide a hands-on experience in order to gain a deeper understanding of the Hutsul horse breed. By being in the very environment where this horse breed originated - the mountains - participants can truly immerse themselves in the experience and learn more about these remarkable animals.
During the camp, the horse herd is enclosed within an electric fence that encloses the campsite area. This electric fence covers approximately 25 hectares of mountain pasture. As a result, the horses may be in close proximity to us or even among us, or they may not be visible at all, depending on the behavior of the participants. This setup allows for the best opportunity to observe the behavior of the horses as members of their own equine society.
This is not an ordinary horse camp where we will be petting or caressing the horses like dogs or plush toys. The main purpose of the camp is to show that horses are living beings with intelligence. We aim to explore how they live and behave in the wild. Horses live in the wild with their families, known as herds, where relationships and interactions occur, just like in any other society. For horses, their natural habitat includes the steppes, fields, and mountains. Living in stables or enclosures is a recent adaptation that is not natural for them. In the wild, if you want to pet a horse, you first need to capture or gain their trust. We will address these and other questions during lectures and master classes.
The first lecture on herd behavior rules will be mandatory, providing essential guidance for participants. Other lectures will be optional, allowing individuals to attend based on their interests. During the master classes, we will demonstrate various aspects of our horse interaction, such as leading, mounting, the types of saddles we use, and maintaining balance in step, trot and gallop.
For the simple reason that you are not familiar with it, even if you are an experienced equestrian, and do not know our system of cooperation with horses, participants in the camp will not be riding horses. This is to maintain fairness and respect towards the horses. This is our agreement with the horses, and we will adhere to it.
Why is it beneficial and interesting for children?
For children, this is a unique opportunity to be in the mountains, enjoy meals cooked over a campfire, and indulge in various berries such as strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Depending on the weather, there may also be a chance to encounter mushroom season. If they're willing, they can gather and dry a variety of herbs, which can be brewed into tea and enjoyed as a reminder of the camp and the horse herd throughout the year. For your child, this is a chance to enter a different world that is hard to come by elsewhere, being in a herd and in the mountains. It will spark many questions, and we will do our best to provide answers.
There is no internet connection and mobile phone coverage is limited in some areas. There is no electricity. In our modern times, this can be considered a luxury! It provides the opportunity to disconnect from technology and spend time in solitude, allowing for self-reflection and personal connection.
Schedule by days:
Day 1
The group will gather on the day the event starts at the main entrance of Uzhhorod Railway Station at 11:30 AM. One or two days before the group's start date, we will provide information about the bus and the driver's contact number who will meet you in Uzhhorod. The transfer will be arranged to the location that is reachable by the bus (approximately 5 km from us).
If you are traveling by car, please follow our bus to the designated parking area***.
Your belongings will be transported by an off-road vehicle. Participants will then walk a scenic 5 km route on the marked tourist trail (specifically the GREEN ROUTE) to reach Poloninske Farm.
4:00 PM - Lunch Afternoon: Setting up tents and getting acquainted with the camping area.
Rest Time
8:00 PM Dinner
Day 2
9:00 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM - Lecture: "Ethology: Building a Partnership with Horses."*
Content:
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We will provide the basics and try to delve into the topic of horses.
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We will explain how to move and behave, and why we need to walk in a certain way, speak with a specific intonation, so that the horses feel comfortable being among us, engaging in their own activities and observing us. Otherwise, the herd may distance themselves and move away from us.
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We will answer any questions that arise during the lecture.
The lecture is mandatory for everyone to ensure that no one unintentionally drives the horses away or violates the rules unknowingly. Gaining the trust of horses, just like with people, is harder to earn than to lose.
Bringing the horses onto the campsite.
2:00 PM Lunch
8:00 PM Dinner
Day 3
9:00 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM Masterclass: "Walking in Harmony: The Step of the Human, the Step of the Horse. Leading a Horse: How to lead a horse in such a way that it wants to follow you, inviting it to walk with you."**
Content:
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You will learn how to work with bridle and have the opportunity to practice it one-on-one, holding the reins and bridle in your hands to feel how the horse feels it.
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The masterclass leader will demonstrate working with reins from the ground on a horse from the herd, explaining their movements. You will observe the horse's reactions to the leader's cues, compare how you felt the demonstrated actions on yourself, and see how the horse responds to them.
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We will show you how the horse understands our movements and how we can communicate with them. The rein only confirms our intentions, while we invite the horse to follow us through the movements of our body, whether on the ground or while riding.
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Answers to questions that arise during the masterclass and the day spent with the herd.
2:00 PM Lunch
8:00 PM Dinner
Day 4
9:00 AM Breakfast
10:00 Masterclass (demonstration): "Collaboration with the horse, where the rein is an element of conveying information from the rider to the horse and vice versa, rather than just a control element. The movements of the rider and the horse at the walk, trot, and canter across varied terrain."**
Content:
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Saddle and unsaddle a horse
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Horse's movements at the walk, trot, and canter on varied terrain, including uphill and downhill. You will observe how the rider's body position changes in relation to the inclined surface.
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How to adjust the speed of the walk, trot, and canter
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Answers to questions that arise during the masterclass and the day spent with the herd.
2:00 PM Lunch
8:00 PM Dinner
Day 5
9:00 AM Breakfast
2:00 PM Lunch
8:00 PM Dinner
Free Day
Day 6
9:00 AM Breakfast
12:00 AM Departure
3:30 PM Arrival at Uzhhorod Railway Station, main entrance
Lecture is mandatory ** Attendance is optional *** Parking for vehicles is available 10 km away from us (including off-road vehicles), the security fee is 250 UAH for 6 days.
If you decide to go for a walk and are unable to return on time, your portion of food will be saved and kept for you.
What to bring with you?
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Camping utensils (spoon, fork, plate, cup or thermos, water bottle)
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Sleeping bag
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Headlamp
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Tent and sleeping mat for those who will be camping in their own tent
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Swimwear, towel for the hot tub, and personal hygiene items for showering
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Warm clothing
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Two pairs of shoes, one of which should be rubber boots or waterproof footwear
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Rain gear
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Power bank (electricity in the mountains is limited and used for essential purposes; in case of emergency, we can share before departure)
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Pack your belongings in a backpack, not a suitcase, so that in case of vehicle malfunction, you can carry your things to the bus. (This hasn't happened before, but it's better to be prepared. The train won't wait.)
What is the difference between a camp and a course in mountain horse tourism?
During the course, you work on your own: you start with the theoretical part and then participate in the practical aspect. The theoretical part is an online course, while the practical part involves interaction and cooperation with the horse during horseback trips, recording on camera, and discussing mistakes. The course is a personal development journey.
In contrast, a camp provides explanations and demonstrations to you. It is more of a leisure experience with an introduction to the equestrian theme. We showcase our collaboration with horses that are raised in nature, in the mountains.
Therefore, during the course, you get on the horse, while during the camp, you do not ride the horses as it is a time for relaxation and other activities.
What do the camp and the practical part of the mountain horse tourism course have in common?
What they have in common is that we live in the territory where a herd of Hutsul horses lives. In other words, we are guests of the horses, learning to understand them. We observe and respect the horses, allowing them to go about their activities undisturbed. The highest level of respect from the herd is when the horses don't even notice you and continue with their own affairs.