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I've once seen a single person riding the Camino. So there are facilities out there.Thank you... that's good to know that it's possible. @Anniesantiago that would be amazing! thank you so much
I've tagged this thread with "dogs & other animals" but that tag is dominated by dogs.I said I that I would ask the oracle of all things camino related... this forum! Any pearls of wisdom for him?
Federica and Andres. Templar House, “the angel’s rest place.”
This info is from when we were there, and i think that was 2009.
If your friend does decide to bring a horse, please make sure it wears a diaper ;-)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
Actually that's not stupid in towns. I always picked up after with a supermarket bag, then looked for a flower bed.If your friend does decide to bring a horse, please make sure it wears a diaper ;-)
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.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.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
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).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 read Tim Moore's book and it was very entertaining and humorous!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.
Any 4-legged creature is too much responsibility for me, but I have successfully taken a couple of 2-legged ones.Taking any other living being on the Camino is too much responsibility for me!
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.It is possible to do, the biggest question is how to get to your starting point with your horse if you are from abroad?
Spanish Steps: Travels with my Donkey. I gave up after a few chapters having decided the man was an idiot.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 think it might be easier to wheel a baby over the primitivo in a pram than ride a horse across the Frances...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...
The coach horses in Seville have a purpose made "hammock" slung under them to help keep the streets clean.Actually that's not stupid in towns. I always picked up after with a supermarket bag, then looked for a flower bed.
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!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
And nobody in this thread who did a Camino on a horse.So, am I actually the only one on this thread who has done three Caminos with a donkey? Instead of guessing?
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.And nobody in this thread who did a Camino on a horse.
Jeff, you just didn't read his book far enough, plus him being an idiot made me feel better about myself.Spanish Steps: Travels with my Donkey. I gave up after a few chapters having decided the man was an idiot.
That'd be @sillydoll .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/
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"@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
And what to do with the animal at the end of your camino??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
The authorities in Santiago don't allow horses into city any moreI'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.
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.And what to do with the animal at the end of your camino??
Would you please post your reference for this as my understanding is that you are incorrectThe 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
What would anyone do? They would take their well loved animal home with them.And what to do with the animal at the end of your camino??
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.Apart from the logistics, isn't that a bit stressful for the poor animal who has already indulged it's owner considerably?
please wait a bit before you share your opinions and assumptions.ignorance on the subject
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.
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.
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.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?
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.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.
You should burn his saddle and give him a bath at Finisterre beachAnd what to do with the animal at the end of your camino?
Assertive surely; angry not at all.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
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:The authorities in Santiago don't allow horses into city any more
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.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?
Also very few albergues were suitable for horses and even fewer actually had signs they would accept a horse.
Adorable! So cute and my fave forum chuckle of the day!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?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.
Taking any other living being on the Camino is too much responsibility for me!
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,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 PhillipsHello
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
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.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 guess that this is a very American joke? It has no humour for anyone else.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.
Yes, it is. The book I wrote about it, Horseshoes and Holy Water, was published in 2006.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
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.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
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