On horseback

[thyrnir]

Four days ago I got sure of ONE thing. I will walk or go horse-riding the French way in May 2010. First I didn´t think of horseriding - but I love it and have a very strong and nice icelandic horse - and if it´s possibly it must be fantastic. I already ordered a book which I hope includes useful and actual information.
Now I would like to have contact with people who has experience of this trip on horseback or if you, like me, are planning such a trip.
A lot of wishes to find interested people out there! Hallo!
From a rainy but beautiful Österlen in Sweden. / Hanna

 

[newfydog]

I had dinner with a guy doing the trip on horseback. He said he had a friend who had done it the year before, and the horse enjoyed it so much, he lent him the horse so it could do another trip.

The horse stayed outside our hotel that night, and was cared for by another friend driving along and helping out. The next morning the rider walked the horse for the first kilometer to let him warm up. No wonder the horse liked the trip!

 

[sillydoll]

I don't know of anyone who rode to Santiago but here is a bit of info that might help.

You will find help and support at: http://www.elcaminoacaballo.com

http://www.turismo-rural.com/natulacaballo/index.html

http://www.csj.org.uk have “The Way of Saint James on horseback: the complete guide” Javier Pascual:

Hire horses in Gallicia: http://www.gallopgalicia.com/

http://www.euroadventures.net/ViewProdu ... 1183&AF=36


Advice for Entering the City on Horseback
Pilgrims planning to enter the city on horseback should notify the Local Police (tel: 092) several days before their arrival. The police will thereby be able to tell you the compulsory route and stipulated times, and give you an access permit so that you can enter as far as Plaza del Obradoiro and stay for a short time in front of the Cathedral. Immediately thereafter, the horses should be taken to their pre-arranged stables or accommodation.
Pilgrim Office: 981 56 24 19
Civil Defence (Santiago): 981 57 50 00
Local Police: 092

 

[vinotinto]

I will walk or go horse-riding the French way in May 2010.

If so, please be careful. I saw a lot of horse folks during the last stretch, mostly in groups. One day I encountered a bunch of riders, and while they were fording a small creek a couple of the horses got upset at each other due to the crowding. I rode horses as a child (had one of my own), and I could tell things were getting out of hand.

Sure enough, one horse back-kicked another in the group, and it broke and ran right towards me. I had to dive out of the way to avoid being trampled. Luckily the rider was competent and got the wayward horse under control fairly quickly, but it was quite a harrowing moment, especially so close to Santiago... :arrow:

VT

 

[Anniesantiago]

In Viafranco del Bierzo live two people, Andreas and Frederika, who house people at their home, and who also support those pilgrims who choose to ride horseback. I'm looking for their email if you want it... haven't found it yet, but I'm sure I have it here...

He is a Templar and a wonderful, wonderful person.

Perhaps someone on the forum knows how to reach them?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Riding a horse on the Frances is a logistical challenge for anybody.
You need backup -- someone willing to drive a horse box or carry farrier tools and feed, etc.
You need to drive the route ahead of time and find and book places to stable and feed and/or graze the horse. (We have a donkey stable, and talk now and then to people who are looking for a place to put several horses. It´s a tough search.) You have to know where to find a farrier and/or vet if something goes wrong.
You need plenty of money.
I think this is why so many riders go in groups.
One thing distinguishes riders from hikers, and it´s their ability to fork out for both themselves and their four-legged friends. They move faster than the hikers, slower than the bikers, and do not often mix with people who are not also riders.

I rode a section of the Via de la Plata several years ago and loved it, but I went with an outfitter who took care of everything. It was a lot more of a pleasure trip than a Camino to me. That´s not to say riders do not make a legitimate camino -- zillions of riders have done it, and have benefitted tremendously whilst viewing the architecture along the way. Those old fabulous buildings were designed to be viewed from up high, on horseback, where the important people were!

It just seems like such a hassle, riding the Frances, esp. if you do it when the path is choked with hikers. But if I had an opportunity I´d certainly grab it!

Reb.

 

[cmpstla]

Hola Rebekah ! I believe "met" you earlier this year when inquiring about my Benedictine monl friends at Rabanal.... which I did meet up with in May 2010...

I am being drawn to the Camino by horse..perhaps next year 2011 or 2012... Just waiting to see what happens here... Do you know of a reputable group/ Company?? I am thinking of maybe Aug/Sep.... Patricia

 

[sillydoll]

The Way of Saint James on Horseback – Guide This guide on the way of Saint James on Horseback contains everything riders need to know to ride the Camino Frances from France to Santiago. It includes a description of the road, highlighting its potential difficulties, existing facilities for the horses on the Camino Frances, maps with icons that indicate the most suitable lodgings, list of blacksmiths, veterinaries and equestrian centres in every province the road runs through and much more. http://www.elCaminoacaballo.com Or from http://www.csj.org.uk
The CSJ Office can put you in touch with members who have recently made the pilgrimage on horseback.

Riding the Milky Way - Babette Gallard and Paul Chinn made the pilgrimage from Le Puy en Velay in France in 2005
Spanish Pilgrimage - A Canter to St. James by Robin Hanbury-Tenison
Robin Hanbury-Tenison and his wife Louella made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain in the traditional way - riding on white horses over long-forgotten tracks.
Horseshoes and Holy Water: On the Hoof from Canterbury to Santiago de Compostela - by Mefo Phillips
Pilgrim diary: http://www.santiago-compostela.net/cont ... eback.html

There are a number of touring companies that offer guided horseback rides on the various Camino routes in France and Spain.
http://www.euroadventures.net/
http://www.equipyrene.com/otsisl.htm
http://www.Caminosantiagoacaballo.com/
http://galeon.com/rabadeira/index.htm
http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com/Horse- ... Spain.html
http://www.jacobeoacaballo.com/www/index-en.html
http://www.chemindecompostelle.com

 

[robermarbe]

Hi
I would also love to do the Camino on horse on 2012, probably april or May. Later on I would say is too hot for the horses.
Are you still into making the way on horse back?.
I have prepared some kind of practical guide for myself with most of the things I might need for the horses, as accommodation, horseshoes, vets, food etc.
I could send you this practical topics or we could organise a group of people who wants to do this trip with the horses. I will take my own horse from The Netherlands.

 

[Gaia90]

Four days ago I got sure of ONE thing. I will walk or go horse-riding the French way in May 2010. First I didn´t think of horseriding - but I love it and have a very strong and nice icelandic horse - and if it´s possibly it must be fantastic. I already ordered a book which I hope includes useful and actual information.
Now I would like to have contact with people who has experience of this trip on horseback or if you, like me, are planning such a trip.
A lot of wishes to find interested people out there! Hallo!
From a rainy but beautiful Österlen in Sweden. / Hanna

Hei hei!
I'm norwegian but live now in the Netherlands.
I plan to do the same trip as you did (?)
The difference is that I plan to start here in Amsterdam (where I live).
But also want to do it with a icelandichorse!
How was it for yours?
Did he/she survive in the warmth?
How did you got food for your horse?
I plan to do the trip as they would have done in the middel ages.
(I don't want to take more with me then the clothes I'm wearing.)
And I was planning to ask people on my way for a sleeping place and food for my horse.
I plan to buy a horse some monthes before the trip and sell him after it, don't know if I can handle that....
I really hope to hear from you!!!
Warm greets from a farm in Amsterdam!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I would not advise doing the trip "as it was in the middle ages." Back then, (as now) people who rode horses were the people who had money. As such, they paid for their beds and for feed and stabling of their horses.

I live in an agricultural town on the camino where pilgrims sometimes BUY feed for their animals. If a mounted pilgrim asked for free food and shelter, I do not think it would work out so well for him!

But if you do the camino, and your Icelandic horse is still in good shape afterward, and you still want to sell him, please contact me. I could use a tough little horse, seeing as I can´t find a good saddle mule around here anywhere.

 

[Adrian51]

Hello, I just joined this forum.
I'm traveling with my horses Waldo and Chocolate (barefoot and without concentrates) from Groningen (Netherlands) to Santiago. I follow the GR 654. A difficult walkable route for the horses. I sleep in a tent and am entirely self suporting. My wife accompanied me with her New Forest Pony Chocolate the last 500 kilometers. Without problems we found every day place to sleep at farmers and riding stables. Nobody wanted to have money. Very sweet and hospitable people in France.
We are near Bergerac stopped after 2000 kilometers.
Next year 1000 kilometers to go to Santiago.

Just some days during the trip:

https://picasaweb.google.com/adri.en.wa ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/adri.en.wa ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/adri.en.wa ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/adri.en.wa ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/adri.en.wa ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/adri.en.wa ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J ... directlink

 

[Susannafromsweden]

Posts about how to travel by train from Madrid to O Cebreiro have been moved to a new thread which can be found here:
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/travel-from-madrid-to-o-cebreiro.25562/
Susanna/Mod.