There is something very special about swaying back and forth, side to side in a worn saddle, meandering through a cool forest on a hot summer’s day.
We take our homestay students to visit a ranch and let them enjoy a one hour guided horseback ride through the hillside.
Camille, the owner of Appaloosas, does everything right; beautiful, healthy, horses- tame enough that they think they are dogs, a big open space for the horses to roam and a riding trail that shows some of the forest of southern France.
The trail takes you over a hill, near streams and close enough to the Canal du Midi to see the boats floating by. The shaded path is a nice change for our students during the heat of the summer sun and a break from the beaches and rivers where we try to beat the heat.
The children picked their horses from a line-up in the stables. We spent some time with the horses after the one hour ride and we fed them grass. We wandered around the ranch and met all the horses and some of the owners too. The children picked their favourites.
I was surprised to see a group of teenagers hanging around taking care of the horses. I asked who they were, and someone told us that some own horses that live there, while others just rather be there than anywhere else. Some help out and in return ride the horses. Beats hanging out at the local 7-11.
Prices
Horses
- 1 hour walk 17€
- 2 hour walk 28€
- 1/2 day 35€
- 1/2 day with food 45€
- 2-3 days 65€/day
Poneys
- 1/2 hour 6€
- 1 hour 10€
Les Appaloosas Ranch – Lieu dit ‘Bertalas Sud’ 34310 Montouliers
Telephone # 06 58 58 35 11
Appaloosas du Pech Montouliers
