Finca Estrella
Trail Ride (7 hours) “Volcano Tour Negras”
11.04.2023
What can I expect from the Finca Estrella 7-hour trail ride? Here you will find all the important information about the schedule, the stable, the trail ride, whether photos were taken, and my conclusion.
Table of Contents
Information
Guests paid for the Finca Estrella 7 h ride in cash and these were group rides with other participants. Helmets could be borrowed free of charge on-site. The rides were done in Western saddles and bitless bridles.
This trail ride did not take place regularly.
Stable
The horses were kept in different herd sizes in open stables with shelters, wearing fly masks and fly sheets. They received hay four times daily and concentrates twice daily. Each paddock had a large water container that was always filled. The open stables were clean because the team mucked out regularly.
Arrival
On arrival, we were greeted by the dogs and the team. We waited until all guests had arrived, then discussed our riding experience and were assigned our horses. Meanwhile, the staff brought the horses from their paddocks, tied them up, picked out their hooves, and removed their fly sheets. Guests were allowed to groom the horses themselves. Each tie-up spot had a clean grooming box labeled with the horse’s name. Everyone chose a helmet. The staff saddled the horses, and each rider was given a saddlebag to store drinks in plastic bottles. Before bridling, there was a briefing with all necessary ride information. Staff then bridled the horses. We led them to the arena and lined up in a set order. Each horse was sprayed with fly repellent. Using a mounting block, the team helped each rider one by one—tightening the girth, steadying the horse while mounting, adjusting stirrups, and sharing tips about the horse. Finally, the guide mounted up, and the ride began.
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Trail Ride
The ride started directly from the stable. We rode up a small, steep path to the road, where cars occasionally passed. Following the road through the village Cruz del Camino, we eventually left it behind. At a corner, we turned right and began the steep climb into the forest. Once at the top, we took a short break. Riders dismounted, and the horses were allowed to graze. The staff checked the hooves for stones and removed them if necessary. After the break, each rider remounted from a rock while the guide held the horses. Once the guide was mounted, we continued our ride through the hilly forest. On flat stretches, we had the chance to trot and canter. These sections were short, as the paths were limited, and the guide always ensured no horses got injured. We rode continuously through the forest until we reached the Negras volcano. From horseback, we could admire the impressive volcano. From there, the ride continued to our picnic spot at the barbecue area Zona Recreativa Arenas Negras. We took a long break here. The staff provided roughage and feed bags from the saddlebags so the horses could enjoy their lunch. While the horses ate, the riders could enjoy their own packed meals. At water sources, the team filled a collapsible bucket so the horses had plenty to drink. Once both horses and riders were refreshed, everyone remounted, and we continued through the forest. At suitable spots, we again had the chance to trot and canter. We followed the path until we reached the beginning of the forest section. There, we dismounted once more to let the horses graze. We walked down the steep hill on foot, as it was too steep to ride. At two points, guests could either continue on foot or ride until the path became too steep again. Through the village of Cruz del Camino, we led the horses, and at the end, we rode a short stretch until we reached the steep path to the finca. The last meters, we led the horses back to the stable.
After the ride
Back at the stable, we led the horses to the tying posts. The staff took over, unbridled and unsaddled the horses, and tied them up. The hooves were checked, the legs cooled with cold water, and the saddle area was washed with warm water and a sponge. Before returning to the paddocks, the horses were covered with fly rugs and sometimes fly masks.
Photos
Photo breaks were possible upon request.
My Review
I really enjoyed this ride. The horses were very well cared for, and everything was relaxed and well organized. I especially liked that we walked on foot during steep downhill paths. The short grazing break was also a nice touch, giving the horses a chance to snack on grass.
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