1. Riding holidays

Discover...

...the wondrous world of trolls and mooses in the ample forests in southern Sweden on powerful local cold blood horses!

Far away from any street noise and stress in the middle of the ample south Swedish forests is an idyllic glade with a group of happy heavy horses. You and the other riders are accommodated in a typical Swedish guesthouse and explore the stunning nature of the surroundings on horseback. It is a true experience to take long gallops with these horses on never ending roads and to hear their power echoing from the vibrating ground…
All the horses are ridden in a natural way – amongst others with bitless bridles – Natural Horsemanship at its best!

*according to weather conditions, unexpected occurences or special wishes of the group, the program can or must be changed; but the journey will always keep its character.

Sample itinerary*:

Day 1, Thursday:
Meeting at the railway station at Tranas
Transfer to the farm located on a wonderful glade in the middle of the forest.
Room allocation, becoming acquainted with the farm, the horses and the other riders.
Welcome dinner with Swedish specialities; afterwards it is time for a drink in the pub for getting to know the others better!

Day 2, Friday:
Introduction to the way how the horses are trained – usually called Natural Horsemanship. Demonstration of different training methods to give the riders an understanding of the way the horses are handled and ridden. A nice example is the demonstration of the habituation to rustling noises, which is important for situations like when riders are using rain coats on horseback.
After lunch you have the possibility to try out yourself what you learnt in the morning. First you try out some lessons on the ground and afterwards in the saddle. It is important, that every rider feels safe with his horse and has the control over it.
Afterwards we start for the first ride; because of the training before you will feel safe with your horse and have time to enjoy the fantastic nature!
In the evening we enjoy dinner again and talk about trolls and other strange creatures we met in the forest…

Day 3, Saturday:
After breakfast we leave for a longer ride through accreted forests in search of a real swedish moose. We ride on winding paths deeply through the forest. But our horses are local horses: they find their way easily, because they lived in this environment for centuries. From time to time we pass lonely black lakes… We have our lunch in an old communal building, where people still meet nowadays for different occasions. In the afternoon we ride up on a mountain ridge and let our horses find their way through the trees themselves. Dinner will be served in the pub again and afterwards we can chat till we fall into our beds.

Day 4, Sunday:
Today we take a trip by car to see some small shops, where craftsmen are selling typical handcraft of the region – mostly made of wood. Here you can find some really nice souvenirs to bring home.
For lunch we go back to the farm. Our afternoon-ride ends near one of the numerous lakes of the region – if you want, you can have a swim or you just enjoy the hot water in a small tub heated with wood.
Olle will prepare a wilderness dinner using techniques of the Stone Age! The Fish will be cooked in a hole in the ground, the bread is baked over the fire and the dessert will be flambéed in a pan. In case of bad weather there is the possibility to put up a big traditional Sami-tent, so we can have our dinner inside.
In a mild nordic summernight we ride back home to the stable. The horses walk securely –they can see better than cats at night!

Day 5, Monday:
The morning ride brings us to a rocky hill with a spectacular view. Today we have lunch out of the the saddle bags. Afterwards we relax a little while our horses are grazing. On the way back we see an old wolf trap in the shape of a hole in the ground. We also pass moorland with small pine trees. Here everybody can try out riding slalom using the indirect rein.

Day 6, Tuesday:
Now that we know our horses well it is time for some really long gallops! It is a fantastic experience to feel the power and the stamina of these horses!
We have our lunch near the ruin of an old farmhouse. It is a really special place – you can almost feel the atmosphere of people living and working here, although nobody has lived here for about a century.
After the ride (like every day) we bring the horses to the field, where they enjoy to roll and relax afterwards.
This evening we enjoy our last swedish dinner…

Day 7, Wednesday:
Journey home

 

For more impressions visit our gallery "Sweden"!

 

Maybe you will also believe in trolls after this week?!?

You can choose a stay between 4 days/3 nights and 7 days/6 nights (maximum length of a program, you can certainly stay longer as well). The start of a program is always on thursday; guests who have already been here can start their stay every day of the week, because they already participated in the introduction of how to handle and ride the horses.

Included:

•  transfer from / to Tranas
•  accomodation in the guesthouse for 3 to 6 nights in double, three-bedded or single rooms with private bathroom
•  full board including water with the meals
•  small breakfast buffet
•  for lunch usually a picnic
•  for dinner traditional swedish meals (praised by our guests - your host is an awarded nature cook!)
•  all activities described
•  english-speaking guiding
•  a voucher from the insolvency insurance

Price per person in 2010 in double or three-bedded rooms:
4 days / 3 nights: €    670,--
5 days / 4 nights: €    830,--
6 days / 5 nights: €    986,--
7 days / 6 nights: € 1.144,--
Additional day:     €     158,--

single supplement: € 200,-- / 6 nights

Price per non-riding person 2010 (everything described above is included except for the acitivities):
Price for the first two nights: € 320,--
each additional night: €  99,--

Additional costs:

•  costs for the journey to Tranas
•  costs for drinks besides water
•  on request: transfer from / to Linköping for € 46,-- per person (round-trip)

Dates 2010:

departure every thursday from the 13th of May until the 23rd of September
Previous guests can arrive any day of the week, because they don't need the introduction anymore.

General information and requirements:

number of participants: 1 to 8

riding ability required: you need to be in a good physical condition and be able to control a horse in walk, trot and gallop.

weight: you should not weigh more than 110 kg.

age: general minimum is 18 years, 15 years if you are a confirmed rider and accompanied by an adult.

riding time: about 4 to 7 hours per day

horses and saddles: mainly North Swedish Horses, ridden with bitless bridles and with Swedish military, Mc Lellan or western saddles.

meeting point: railway station Tranas or directly on the farm

Please inform us, if you need a special diet!

Advice: our partner is certified by the swedish Ecotourism Association!

What to bring:

•  good riding cloths for different temperatures
•  raincoat and rain pants if needed
•  all weather boots
•  riding helmet (if you wish to bring your own; helmets are adviced by insurances and desired by our partner)
•  hut or cap (if you ride without a helmet)
•  bathing suit
•  sun cream
• camera (better a small one)

Available on-site:

•  bedclothes
•  towels
•  riding-helmets
•  short chaps
•  saddle bags
•  raincoats (limited number)
•  internet access (free of charge, client computer available)

Advice: Our partner also organizes Hike&Bike-Trips. The riders can as well be accompanied by non-riding guests; we are happy to organize alternative activities like fishing, canoeing, golf, etc. Just contact us for further information!

Regarding the Journey:

Destination station is Tranas.

The nearest airport ist Stockholm-Skavsta, which is approached by different Low-Cost-Carriers. Here you take a bus going to Linköping station (about 1,5 hours drive). Then you take a train to Tranas.
Alternatively you can fly with national airlines to Stockholm-Arlanda or Copenhagen-Kastrup (about the same distance from the farm) and then take the train to Tranas.

It is possible to organize a transfer from Linköping (when flying to Arlanda) or Nässjö (when flying to Kastrup) for an extra fee.

We are at your disposal for finding the best possibility for reaching our partner in Sweden. If you wish, we can also make you an offer for flight tickets (except Low-Cost-Carriers), a rental car and travel insurances.
We are looking forward to hear from you!

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2. Working holidays

 

Would you like to participate in the normal life on a farm during your holidays? Then book a working holiday in Sweden!
In the months April, May and September Olle offers his guests the possibility to help on the farm and "earn" a low priced holiday. You help 4 hours a day and additionally sit on the horse at least 3 hours. You will learn a lot about Natural Horsemanship! Depending on the season the duties vary from e.g. controlling the fences, working in and around the stable, training horses, cutting grass and working in the workshop or the house.
Due to the introduction into Natural Horsemanship, which takes place on Fridays, new Working holidays guests should arrive on Thursdays as well.

Included:

•  transfer from / to Tranas
•  accomodation in double or single rooms
•  full board including water with the meals
•  english-speaking host
•  a voucher from the insolvency insurance

Price per person for the working holiday :
7 days / 6 nights (Thursday to Wednesday): €  370,--
Additional day: €   53,--

Additional costs:

•  costs for the journey to Tranas
•  costs for drinks besides water
•  on request: transfer from / to Linköping for € 46,-- per person (round-trip)

Dates 2010:

bookable in the months April, May and September.

General information and requirements:

number of participants: 1 to 4

riding ability required: you need to be in a good physical condition and be able to control a horse in walk, trot and galop. Often many hours per day are spent in the saddle.

weight: you should not weigh more than 110 kg

age: minimum is 18 years

meeting point: railway station Tranas or directly on the farm

Please inform us, if you need a special diet!

Advice: our partner is certified by the swedish Ecotourism Association!

What to bring:

•  good riding cloths for different temperatures
•  raincoat and rain pants if needed
•  all weather boots
•  riding helmet (if you wish to bring your own; helmets are adviced by insurances and desired by our partner)
•  hut or cap (if you ride without a helmet)
•  bathing suit
•  working cloths
•  camera (better a small one)

Available on-site:

•  bedclothes
•  towels
•  riding-helmets
•  short chaps
•  saddle bags
•  raincoats (limited number)
•  internet access (free of charge, client computer available)

Regarding the Journey:

Destination station is Tranas.

The nearest airport ist Stockholm-Skavsta, which is approached by different Low-Cost-Carriers. Here you take a bus going to Linköping station (about 1,5 hours drive). Then you take a train to Tranas.
Alternatively you can fly with national airlines to Stockholm-Arlanda or Copenhagen-Kastrup (about the same distance from the farm) and then take the train to Tranas.

It is possible to organize a transfer from Linköping (when flying to Arlanda) or Nässjö (when flying to Kastrup) for an extra fee.

We are at your disposal for finding the best possibility for reaching our partner in Sweden. If you wish, we can also make you an offer for flight tickets (except Low-Cost-Carriers), a rental car and travel insurances.
We are looking forward to hear from you!