Anyone taken a horse on the Camino?

[LesBrass]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

 

[wayfarer]

We met a group in 2012 who travelled from the Camargue to Santiago on horseback but they had a support team with them to organise places to stay, grazing and feed and horse boxes to transport them through or around the cities, having chatted with them I got the impression that it was a big operation, there were about 20 in total including the support team. They camped a lot and they seemed to be having great fun.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I've seen groups on horseback.
That could be pretty cool with some planning.
Years ago, Joe and I stayed with a Templar who took groups on the Camino on horseback.
Let me see if he has information - maybe you could contact this person.

 

[LesBrass]

Thank you... that's good to know that it's possible. @Anniesantiago that would be amazing! thank you so much

 

[alexwalker]

Thank you... that's good to know that it's possible. @Anniesantiago that would be amazing! thank you so much

I've once seen a single person riding the Camino. So there are facilities out there.

Check Google results here:

horse camino frances - Google Search

 

[Kathar1na]

I met two pilgrims on horses on the Camino Frances in recent years but I don't know where they started.

The first pilgrimage on horses was organised in 1963 by Henri Roque and some other pioneers of the contemporary pilgrimage to Santiago. They started in Eygalières (Bouches-du-Rhône) in France.

In 1982, Denise Péricard-Méa rode on horseback from Bourges in France to Santiago, accompanied by her two adolescent children.

Both groups were autonomous and without support vans.

Since then, it has probably become more popular and easier to do such a trip.

 

[C clearly]

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

I've tagged this thread with "dogs & other animals" but that tag is dominated by dogs.

Here is a list of threads that have "horse" in the title.

 

[Kathy F.]

On my first Camino, I met a woman who brought her donkey. She only lasted a few days, maybe a week. The donkey started balking on the downhill to Zubiri.

Also, the donkey simply took up alot of space on some of the narrower passages of the Way. No one minded moving to the side, of course, but it was a distraction especially when the donkey decided it did not want to go! She brought her donkey to carry her pack, if I'm not mistaken.

Eventually, she had to get a horse transport and take it back to France, my understanding. Talking to her along the way before she left, she sometimes had trouble finding a place overnight for her and her donkey, finding food, etc. I don't know why/how much that would be a problem when you got to the main cities.

It seemed similar to the problem I saw many people have bringing their dogs with them. It looked good on paper, but the reality was more problematic. The dogs, mostly adult pets, were simply not ready for the strenuous activity demanded by the Camino.

Are there solutions to these challenges? Of course! But I saw these challenges adding to an activity which already challenged some people to the max.

 

[Kathar1na]

Just remembered something: There is a marked trail for riders on horseback, about 220 km, from Saint-Palais to Hendaye. It passes through Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. For a little while, it coincides with the Camino Frances.

Not directly related to your question, @LesBrass, but randonnée équestre is a thing in France, and if you find such an organisation in the south west, they may have useful information and connections for organising such a trip to Santiago.

 

[Jotown]

21 May 2018 , Camino Portuguese , near Ribeira , two pilgrims on horseback passed us , also photographed by local press photographer

 

[Anniesantiago]

Joe sent me this which is all the info we have. We were sent to their house when the albergue at Villafranca had bedbugs, so somebody there may know if they are still in the same place.Rebekah of Moratinos may also know. Or Tomas the Templar may know. It was a pretty cool place where we slept on a mattress filled with hay. I just remember them having horses out in the pasture and telling us that they took pilgrims on the Camino on horseback. They seemed like the kind of people that would be happy to share information. I have a photo of them somewhere. I will look for it. FOUND IT! My gosh, was I EVER that young!?

I have NO idea if this is still a good email address but maybe it will help you find them.
Good luck!

Federica and Andres. Templar House, “the angel’s rest place.”

anazal@hotmail.com

This info is from when we were there, and i think that was 2009.

 

[Barbara]

It's certainly possible, but the problem is food. Not for you, the horse. Grass alone isn't enough when the horse works hard every day, and they have rather delicate digestive systems. Take a tent and train your horse to be tied up at night or take a portable electric fence. Some, not many, places have stables but you will have to organise food and bedding. Don't expect to do much sightseeing or visiting, and you need to be a decent rider before leaving. A pack donkey is a lot easier, though even that has its problems. Oh, and get good at posing for photos when you are hot (or freezing) tired, dirty and hungry. Have a list of blackmiths and vets, and some sort of emergency transport on stand-by if possible. I've done around 4000km with my donkey, but would hesitate to take any other equine with the possible exception of a very rugged pony or a mule.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I remember seeing a stable erected in Calzadilla de la Cueza for use by pilgrims. There was a sign posted there explaining why it was there, mentioning that were others and who put it up. Perhaps the hospitalero in town could post you a picture of the sign so you could write to the people who put up the stable.

 

[stinmd]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

If your friend does decide to bring a horse, please make sure it wears a diaper ;-)

 

[Barbara]

If your friend does decide to bring a horse, please make sure it wears a diaper ;-)

Actually that's not stupid in towns. I always picked up after with a supermarket bag, then looked for a flower bed.

 

[brault-singh]

There’s a book called “Travels with my Donkey” by Tim Moore, that tells of his time on the Camino and the troubles and joys he had. Interesting read and very funny. It might be insightful.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

If you"re interested in other routes by horse, Filiberto Hernandez has written a guide to the Via de la Plata on horseback:

Un peregrino elabora una guía ecuestre de la Vía de la Plata

www.salamanca24horas.com

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[KellysMom]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

When I walked the Camino Frances in May/June 2019 there were two gentlemen from Germany, I believe, who were on horseback. They were filming a documentary about it. I would run into them every once in awhile and soon realized that they were finding areas outside of the "norm" to stop overnight because of the accommodations for their horses.

 

[Anik2001]

I saw on a French Facebook group a lady who started in France with her horse. She had to stop after a few weeks because her horse had lost too much weight.

 

[AlpacaArte]

Robin Hanberry-Tennison wrote a book Spanish Pilgrimage - A Canter to St James.

There are also a lot of companies offering the experience for a price.

 

[pagespan]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

Yes, very possible. I met a man and his daughter 8 years ago on the francés (and again 3 years later, Camino magic) who was doing just that. Very doable and fun. You have to make arrangements with farmers for boarding horses along the way, and the albergues can suggest some. Hospitaleros are understanding about you having to feed the horse before you can officially "arrive" and will hold your bed.

 

[SeaHorse]

I did have my own horses in one period of my life so I have some idea what a horse can and be willing to do. There are very steep descents on the Camino where no horse will be happy to go, especially if they are kilometres long. Repeat it for days and days. Just no. You will have to go around on roads and is that such a good thing either. Also very few albergues were suitable for horses and even fewer actually had signs they would accept a horse.

 

[Lance Chambers]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

I have seen many people riding horse on the Camino. I have done the Frances a number of times and see them often.

Have a great Camino.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

It is doable with good planning and the right horse. Probably a horse or pony that is used to Endurance events or a nice quiet, well socialised Arab (small, strong, used to long distances and intelligent).

 

[trecile]

Taking any other living being on the Camino is too much responsibility for me!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

There’s a book called “Travels with my Donkey” by Tim Moore, that tells of his time on the Camino and the troubles and joys he had. Interesting read and very funny. It might be insightful.

I have read Tim Moore's book and it was very entertaining and humorous!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Taking any other living being on the Camino is too much responsibility for me!

Any 4-legged creature is too much responsibility for me, but I have successfully taken a couple of 2-legged ones.

 

[Roland49]

I've met a spanish solo-pilgrim on horseback in Grañon. He started in Pamplona. He rode from stable to stable (or Albergue with a Paddock). Maybe there is a database with all possible stops for equestral pilgrims?

It is possible to do, the biggest question is how to get to your starting point with your horse if you are from abroad?

BC
Roland

 

[Kathar1na]

It is possible to do, the biggest question is how to get to your starting point with your horse if you are from abroad?

I guess the OP's friend is from the south west of France? Then that is not a big question, it would be normal to start from where his/her horse is. I had a look at some websites. They recommend that this should only by done by experienced riders who themselves know already what it is like to ride every day for hours. It is not the same as doing a short Camino trip for a day or five on rented horses.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

There’s a book called “Travels with my Donkey” by Tim Moore, that tells of his time on the Camino and the troubles and joys he had. Interesting read and very funny. It might be insightful.

Spanish Steps: Travels with my Donkey. I gave up after a few chapters having decided the man was an idiot.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I admit I dont know much about horses but...
I have met a few pilgrims with donkeys and pack mules, and the few I spoke to admitted to having a challenging time of it, and yes, a constant source of curiosity which in itself must be tiring. I imagine a horse, being more sensitive and easily spooked by guard dogs, cyclists, road and agricultural traffic etc, would be a real handful over such a distance. I think it might be easier to wheel a baby over the primitivo in a pram than ride a horse across the Frances...

I think it might be easier to wheel a baby over the primitivo in a pram than ride a horse across the Frances...
Positively Biblical! I like it.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Actually that's not stupid in towns. I always picked up after with a supermarket bag, then looked for a flower bed.

The coach horses in Seville have a purpose made "hammock" slung under them to help keep the streets clean.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

There are/were stabling facilities at O Cebreiro and Melide and an Englishman was allowed to camp out in the huerta at Gauclemo with his hinney but imagine trying to find facilities in urban Burgos or Leon!

 

[Kathar1na]

@LesBrass, I know that this is not what you and your friend are looking for but when googling for "Camino Frances a Caballo" I found a number of offers for organised Camino trips on horseback, so this must be more common than I thought. One such offer says that el camino de Santiago Francés se puede hacer desde O Cebreiro (6 noches y 7 días), desde Astorga (9 noches y 10 días), desde Logroño (21 noches y 22 días) o el camino hasta Finisterre (4 noches y 5 días).

So it is certainly done and feasible but it requires obviously more planning when an individual rider attempts this on his/her own and without external organisational help.

 

[Kathar1na]

On the same website, I also read that the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation (RFHE) has started to homologate parts of the caminos to Santiago. Specifically, they have homologated 236 km of the Via de la Plata. I think another poster mentioned this already in this thread. So this means that there is a part of the Via de la Plata that is more adapted to horse riding than other parts.

 

[Barbara]

So, am I actually the only one on this thread who has done three Caminos with a donkey? Instead of guessing?

 

[DoughnutANZ]

@LesBrass your friend needs a horse like this grey

Full Arab, strong, quiet, very well socialised, confident around people, traffic and dogs and well used to Endurance events. In fact briefly famous in ANZ for being the mount of the first child under 10 to complete a 100klm Endurance in ANZ. She completed longer events with an adult rider.

The Chestnut with her in the water photo is probably not so suitable. The Chestnut is an Anglo Arab (Arab crossed with Thoroughbred). She (Chestnut) did compete in some Endurance events and she is certainly well socialised but she inherited too much love of speed from her Thoroughbred side and gets bored if she has to go slow for too long.

The Black in the photo below may also be a good candidate as he is a Station Bred and grew up free ranging over thousands of hectares of hill country on the very hilly and rugged East Coast around East Cape. The Camino Frances pales against this sort of country. He never got tested in Endurance events though.

 

[Kathar1na]

So, am I actually the only one on this thread who has done three Caminos with a donkey? Instead of guessing?

And nobody in this thread who did a Camino on a horse.

 

[Roland49]

And nobody in this thread who did a Camino on a horse.

In my Hayday I was a passionate horseman for many years and did a daytour on horseback on my vacation 2016 in the Toskana. Met a german girl on my bus to Porto that did the pilgrimage (as far as I remember for 10 days) on rented horses and was quite amazed with her voyage.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Spanish Steps: Travels with my Donkey. I gave up after a few chapters having decided the man was an idiot.

Jeff, you just didn't read his book far enough, plus him being an idiot made me feel better about myself.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

@LesBrass according to this website, https://www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/camino-santiago-horseback/ your friend will need to contact the Police before entering Santiago de Compostela to get a permit. Once your friend has the permit then they are allowed to ride into Plaza del Obradoiro.

Good luck with your planning

 

[DoughnutANZ]

@LesBrass This book looks to be about the most up-to-date at the moment, updated in 2018; "Your Camino eBook – A Lightfoot Guide to Practical Preparation for a Pilgrimage" by Silvia Nilsen, available at https://pilgrimagepublications.com/...de-to-practical-preparation-for-a-pilgrimage/

This appears to be a general guide but with information about places where you can livery your horse.

There are other guides that are just for horse riders but they are all way out of date.

Of course, Covid-19 may well have enforced other changes as well

 

[VNwalking]

This book looks to be about the most up-to-date at the moment, updated in 2018; "Your Camino eBook – A Lightfoot Guide to Practical Preparation for a Pilgrimage" by Silvia Nilsen, available at https://pilgrimagepublications.com/...de-to-practical-preparation-for-a-pilgrimage/

That'd be @sillydoll .
Perhaps she'll also chime in here.

 

[LesBrass]

Thank you so much for all the information! what an amazing font of knowledge you all are I've sent his link to my friend... I think he's thinking he'll walk it first before bring his horse.... but you've given him plenty of avenues to explore!

thanks pilgrims!

 

[Barbara]

@LesBrass according to this website, https://www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/camino-santiago-horseback/ your friend will need to contact the Police before entering Santiago de Compostela to get a permit. Once your friend has the permit then they are allowed to ride into Plaza del Obradoiro.

Good luck with your planning

Never bothered with that with Dalie. Just walked in early in the morning. Only got told off once and even then it was only "go away when you have finished your breakfast"

 

[igailfh]

I’ve seen at least three groups, usually four to five people, on the Camino Português. They organise the entire Camino in advance & have feed for the horses & a good support crew. The one group I talked to said they rented the horses from somewhere down below Lisbon. They also plan ahead the alternatives for steep climbs & descents, the same as many cyclists do. I always enjoyed seeing them go past, such a cool way to travel!

 

[stinmd]

I've met a spanish solo-pilgrim on horseback in Grañon. He started in Pamplona. He rode from stable to stable (or Albergue with a Paddock). Maybe there is a database with all possible stops for equestral pilgrims?

It is possible to do, the biggest question is how to get to your starting point with your horse if you are from abroad?

BC
Roland

And what to do with the animal at the end of your camino??

 

[Kanga]

I've come across horse riders quite a few times, but they have almost always been in groups with support teams and everything organised in advance. And usually only for relatively short treks - a couple of weeks at most. I do recall a couple riding together and they were having difficulties. They had tried to organise things in advance, but obviously not well enough.

 

[Sean Lad]

I've come across horse riders quite a few times, but they have almost always been in groups with support teams and everything organised in advance. And usually only for relatively short treks - a couple of weeks at most. I do recall a couple riding together and they were having difficulties. They had tried to organise things in advance, but obviously not well enough.

The authorities in Santiago don't allow horses into city any more
Health and safety issues I think
You still see police on horseback in remote areas keeping an eye on pilgrims

 

[Barbara]

And what to do with the animal at the end of your camino??

Ride home. Or use your own van, or use racehorse transport firm. That's the easy bit. I walked my donkey for two months with nothing prebooked. We camped a lot. It wasn't easy. Horses are much much harder to feed and house.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

The authorities in Santiago don't allow horses into city any more
Health and safety issues I think
You still see police on horseback in remote areas keeping an eye on pilgrims

Would you please post your reference for this as my understanding is that you are incorrect

 

[DoughnutANZ]

And what to do with the animal at the end of your camino??

What would anyone do? They would take their well loved animal home with them.

This seems so obvious that I wonder why you would raise it?

 

[VNwalking]

Apart from the logistics, isn't that a bit stressful for the poor animal who has already indulged it's owner considerably?

If you've never had a horse in your life, you won't understand the nature of the unique bond that forms. A horse is a partner, not a possession, and you take care of his or her comfort first, before you take care of yours.

So 'poor animal' ... not likely.
Not to mention that horses like getting out as much as we do, and I've known horses who would practically run into a trailer, knowing an adventure was afoot.

Anyone navigating the challenges of riding to Santiago from France would not be alone in that journey. The horse is an equal partner who must be be listened to, and whose limits must be absolutely respected. The OP says her friend is a 'keen horseman,' and if so, he would likely live from this place.

So if you are coming from

ignorance on the subject

please wait a bit before you share your opinions and assumptions.

About the original question...
@LesBrass, I did a quick search and found these links, which give a good sense of what your friends (he and his horse) would be facing:

Doing the camino on horseback | Camino de Santiago

In April 2002 my sister Susie and I set off from Canterbury Cathedral to raise money for charity by riding our Appaloosas along the mediaeval pilgrim routes through France and Spain, known as the Way of St. James. We’re just middle-aged happy hackers who had never done any endurance riding, and...

santiago-compostela.net

The Camino de Santiago on horseback: Another form of pilgrimage

lll➤ Do you like riding? Have you thought about doing the Camino de Santiago on horseback? ✅ We give you some tips to do the Camino on horseback ✅

santiagoways.com

This site and this one organize equine caminos, and it is obviously possible to enter Santiago on horseback, with official permission:

Just outside Santiago the riders reach the village of Lavacolla for the final night, near Monte do Gozo. This is a significant hilltop landmark - for your first view of Santiago Cathedral towers in the distance.

On the final morning, you have an early ride into the famed City and its magnificent Cathedral. We have special dispensation to enter the Cathedral Plaza early in the morning. It is a memorable experience to arrive here before the city is fully awake and the main body of pilgrim travellers arrive on foot.

The official Spanish tourism site says this is what you need to do:

You must notify the Local Police (call 092) when you arrive in Santiago de Compostela so they can tell you the times and routes for taking your horse into the city and to the cathedral. The Local Police will also give you a permit to enter the Plaza del Obradoiro square and stop briefly in front of the Cathedral with the horse.

 

[Kanga]

What would anyone do? They would take their well loved animal home with them.

This seems so obvious that I wonder why you would raise it?

Because getting the animals home is a logistical problem. It is not obvious. We do not usually walk home and animals are often not able to be easily transported. For example one friend with whom I walked had to get her dog home and it could not be carried on buses and she had to hire a taxi at vast expense.

 

[Kanga]

For some reason we've have a few aggressive posts in this thread. I don't understand why - people getting out on the wrong side of the bed? For whatever reason, please pause before you hit the response button. Would you say this to the person face to face? If not, it is probably rude and a breach of Rule 1.

I have deleted some posts.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Because getting the animals home is a logistical problem. It is not obvious. We do not usually walk home and animals are often not able to be easily transported. For example one friend with whom I walked had to get her dog home and it could not be carried on buses and she had to hire a taxi at vast expense.

Hi @Kanga it is always obvious to a person who has a horse. It is exactly the same "problem" that crops up when you start your equine Camino. The person riding the horse has to get it to the start somehow, having done that, why would getting it home be any harder? The misinformation being propagated by posters who have self declared that they know nothing about horses is just silly.

 

[Turigrino]

And what to do with the animal at the end of your camino?

You should burn his saddle and give him a bath at Finisterre beach

 

[VNwalking]

It seems my innocent questions have triggered an angry response from a couple of posters who are clearly passionate about horses and that wasn't my intention

Assertive surely; angry not at all.
Simply filling in the picture with first-hand knowledge, and accurate information about the situation in Santiago.

 

[Kathar1na]

Travelled to Santiago on horseback and received a Compostela:

In May 2021 -- 9 riders
In 2020 -- 59 riders
In 2019 -- 406 riders
In 2018 -- 318 riders

On average and in a normal year in recent times: around 60 riders and horses per month during the season with arrivals during April-August/September.

 

[Kathar1na]

The authorities in Santiago don't allow horses into city any more

A recent article in El Correo Gallego where pilgrim Antonio Mosquera Rodríguez from Monforte de Lemos reports about his recent pilgrimage from his home town to Santiago with his horse Luzera:

"Many people told me that I would not be able to enter the old town with Luzera, that it is only allowed before nine o'clock in the morning ... But I have to say that they didn't give me any problems and I was able to ride my horse through the streets until 12 noon, when I had to pick up my Compostela".​

​

This was in March 2021.

As others have pointed out, it's not forbidden, it's not about "health and safety", it's about the traffic on the streets, and you need to inform the local police. Riding on horseback is, after all, one of the traditional ways of going on pilgrimage to Santiago.

 

[Sean Lad]

I live in Ireland and we are big into horse racing
horses are transported all over Ireland and Uk Europe on daily basis
we transport horses to Australia down under for a race meeting and we even win sometimes
air travel for horses luxury travel all possible
show jumping at Olympic s in Japan in July horses transported all from all over the world
live and let live

 

[LesBrass]

Pilgrims... thank you so much for all the information. My friend who asked the question has already decided he's going to walk first... but the desire to take his own horse will no doubt linger and perhaps he'll attempt it in time. But your research and information has been fabulous!

thank you

 

[Barbara]

Hmm? Forgive my aforementioned ignorance on the subject, but potentially towing a horsebox or trailer all the way back across Spain for (some?) days. Apart from the logistics, isn't that a bit stressful for the poor animal who has already indulged it's owner considerably?

Two days with plenty of breaks, and a night in a field or stable. Dalie loved going for a walk and would step into her trailer without having to be asked. I suspect horses prefer activity to being stuck in a stable, too.

 

[Turigrino]

Also very few albergues were suitable for horses and even fewer actually had signs they would accept a horse.

For me, there was never an issue with albergues accepting a horse. The only problem arises when hospitaler@s assign them a top bunk.
Especially the one above my head.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

For me, there was never an issue with albergues accepting a horse. The only problem arises when hospitaler@s assign them a top bunk.
Especially the one above my head.

Adorable! So cute and my fave forum chuckle of the day!

 

[SeaHorse]

For me, there was never an issue with albergues accepting a horse. The only problem arises when hospitaler@s assign them a top bunk.
Especially the one above my head.

The horse wasn't ok to switch places? what about an extra carrot?

 

[Robo]

Taking any other living being on the Camino is too much responsibility for me!

True, even humans!!

 

[Carmen L. Padron]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

When I walked, Sarria to Santiago, on 2016 I ran into a pilgrim on horseback and I took down the information for a friend. See if they can help,
Post edited by moderator to remove personal contact details.

 

[Mefo Phillips]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

Very late reply as I've only just spotted this post! Yes, it's possible. My sister and I rode our own horses from Canterbury to Santiago de Compostela in 2002. It took us four and a half months, and was an extraordinary and life-changing experience. Mefo Phillips

 

[mspath]

For those who read French this text published in 2014 by Denise Pércard-Méa, Franco, saint Jacques et Compostelle is a fascinating intelligent study across time of the varied politics of the camino including horsemanship.

 

[chinacat]

Very late reply as I've only just spotted this post! Yes, it's possible. My sister and I rode our own horses from Canterbury to Santiago de Compostela in 2002. It took us four and a half months, and was an extraordinary and life-changing experience. Mefo Phillips

Is this link of @VNwalking ’s you and your sister?

Doing the camino on horseback | Camino de Santiago

In April 2002 my sister Susie and I set off from Canterbury Cathedral to raise money for charity by riding our Appaloosas along the mediaeval pilgrim routes through France and Spain, known as the Way of St. James. We’re just middle-aged happy hackers who had never done any endurance riding, and...

santiago-compostela.net

 

[NM99]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

I know someone who did the Camino a few years ago got a Charlie horse one day, but other than that I’m afraid I can’t help you.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I know someone who did the Camino a few years ago got a Charlie horse one day, but other than that I’m afraid I can’t help you.

I guess that this is a very American joke? It has no humour for anyone else.

 

[trecile]

I guess that this is a very American joke? It has no humour for anyone else.

I guess that the term charley horse isn't used outside the US for a muscle cramp.

"A charley horse is the common name for a muscle spasm or cramp. Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle in the body, but often happen in the leg."

Charley horse : MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

A charley horse is the common name for a muscle spasm or cramp. Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle in the body, but often happen in the leg. When a muscle is in spasm, it contracts without your control

medlineplus.gov

 

[Mefo Phillips]

Is this link of @VNwalking ’s you and your sister?

Doing the camino on horseback | Camino de Santiago

In April 2002 my sister Susie and I set off from Canterbury Cathedral to raise money for charity by riding our Appaloosas along the mediaeval pilgrim routes through France and Spain, known as the Way of St. James. We’re just middle-aged happy hackers who had never done any endurance riding, and...

santiago-compostela.net

Yes, it is. The book I wrote about it, Horseshoes and Holy Water, was published in 2006.

 

[lalaone]

It is always interesting to learn you’ve been using a peculiar idiom without realizing it. The term “Charley Horse” for “muscle cramp” indeed turns out to be very American, originating among baseball players in the late 1800s. I wonder if there’s another idiom used in Australia or the UK. Strangely enough, it seems that other languages also have weird idioms for muscle cramps, some even related to horses. (And donkeys. And water buffalo). Please see below if interested. I’d hope all those wonderful animals understand that they are beloved companions of pilgrims, chuckling or snorting at humans’ sometimes strange use of language.

SpanishDict

SpanishDict is the world's largest online Spanish-English dictionary, translator, and reference tool.

www.spanishdict.com

From Wikipedia: In France, it is referred to as a crampe (cramp) or, if the muscle is torn, as claquage. In Spain, it is known as a calambre. In Portugal, it is called a paralítica (roughly "paralyzer"). In Brazil, it has become known as tostão or paulistinha. In German, it is known as a Muskelkrampf ("muscle cramp") or more colloquially as a Pferdekuss ("horse kiss") if there is a bruise or "Muskelkater" ("muscle hangover")[7] without a bruise. In southern Italy, it is called morso del ciuccio ("donkey bite"), while in northwestern Italy, it is called vecchia ("old woman") or dura ("hard one" or "tough one"). In some areas of central Italy, it is called "water buffalo". In Norway, it is referred to as a lårhøne ("thigh hen"), in Sweden lårkaka ("thigh cookie"), and in Finland puujalka ("wooden leg"). In Japan it is known as komuragaeri (??????) ("calf cramp"). In Israel, it is called regel etz ("wooden leg"). It is called chaca ("rat") in the Chamorro language of Guam and the Mariana Islands. In Hindi, it is colloquially known as a 'bainta'[citation needed]. In Telugu, it is known as 'timmiri'.

 

[kelleymac]

Hello

A friend and keen horseman is interested to learn if it's possible to complete the camino on horseback. He lives in France and would arrive with his own horse. He is very experienced but has no idea if it is possible to complete the full camino in this fashion. I know folks have walked with donkeys and I have seen some horses whilst walking... but that's the limit of my knowledge.

I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?

thank you

I've been on the look out on how to do this-- but I only see pricey tour groups. I would love to figure this out. ( Alas, my horse lives with me here in western NYS.) You might try talking with the guy who runs Al Paso (you can find him on facebook) at las Herrerías-- he has horses that haul pilgrims up the hill to O'Cebeiro.