A horse riding trip through shady pine forests or on the beach is a lovely change of scenery for many travellers on holiday in Mallorca. The largest Balearic Island has the highest density of horses anywhere in Europe.
The whole year is riding season in Mallorca. November and the winter months are particularly popular however, when the holiday island falls into a long sleep of several months, there are some fantastic opportunities to enjoy the deserted freedom on horseback on deserted beaches. Numerous stables in Mallorca offer rides in the outdoors. Whether you decide to take part in a trip to Cala Mondrago Natural Park on the east coast, in the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana or on the beaches at the bay of Alcúdia, is entirely your choice.
If you see the word “Rancho” this will tell you instantly that this is a riding stable. The operators usually offer holistic holiday packages that focus on first hand contact with the horses. Accommodation on a horse farm usually means guest rooms with typical rustic fittings or in a finca. Catering is mostly half-board and includes breakfast and a set menu in the evening. Since most equestrian centres are located in the interior of Mallorca, it is advisable to rent a car, to keep you flexible during your riding holiday.
We offer a comprehensive programme. Each day, you can take part in a 1-3-hour horse ride, where you will experience the breath taking natural Mediterranean landscapes of Mallorca as you pass through pine forests, orange groves and windmills. Riding on the beach is usually only possible outside the main season. Most riding centres offer complete packages with a certain number of equestrian days. Additional rides must be booked directly with your hosts in this case.
Learning to ride in Mallorca also involves mastering the right techniques and commands. While experienced riders may roam the countryside alone or as part of a group, riding lessons are first and foremost offered for beginners. Even children over the age of four can learn to ride a horse on a Mallorcan horse farm. Gentle ponies are used for the youngest. For adult riding students, lessons are initially quite long as you get to grips with the correct posture in the saddle and how to interact with the animal. Another key part of the course is learning how to take care of the horses. Participants are trained in guiding, balancing, saddling and stable work.
Owners of stables in Mallorca are usually pretty rigid about animal welfare. Most of the horses live in groups in a field and only live in individual stalls if it deemed in the best interests of the individual horse. The animals are gentle and patient and have been thoroughly broken in. As they live outdoors and socialise with each other, the animals are rarely nervous, even on main roads. In Mallorca, many different breeds of horses are used – Andalusians and Camargue horses are among the most popular though. The latter have a strong physique and are originally from Provence in the south of France. The next most commonly seen breed are Menorquins. These are pure bred horses from the neighbouring island of Menorca.
What a beautiful time of year to get outside. There’s nothing better than the feeling of fresh air on your skin when it’s not too cold and with this drop in temperature, it’s now the perfect weather to enjoy the outdoors. We know there are many hikes on the island that we have all done many time times, but have you tried any of the stunning horse riding trecks we have in Mallorca? Horse riding can be truly therapeutic, and at the moment where we aren’t doing close group activities, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors together on separate horses, embracing nature and getting a bit of exercise while we’re at it!
We wanted to share our favourite routes that we truly recommend you try over the winter season.
Can Picafort – This gorgeous long stretch of white sand and clear waters is truly magical, and just to make it a little more dreamy, cantering across it on a horse. We can’t imagine anything more satisfying. If you already know Can Picafort, you know it’s next to the beach of Playa de Muro which stretches across the entire bay of Alcudia, crossing 6km of gorgeous Caribbean-like coastline.  A couple of great riding schools that will take you out up here are Rancho Grande and Rancho Gran Picafort. They both offer various excursions that will give you a really worthwhile experience.
Calvia – If you fancy a countryside type of treck this is the location that will take your breath away. Through fields of almond & orange trees that blossom beautifully in certain months at the beginning of the year. The countryside air is one of a kind and can heal you in many ways taking your stress away. A riding school to take you around the scenery in Calvia are Club de Equitación Es Pás.
Paguera – Rancho La Romana is a family run horse riding stable where you can hire a horse or take a group trip across the hills of Paguera towards the coastline where you can treck across the rocky cliff side up from spectacular turquoise waters. It makes a very relaxing family journey that is suitable for both elders and children.
There are so many beautiful parts of the island, we are definitely making the most of this weather to explore.
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