Renting a horse for small portions

[Sharonih]

I have heard that you can choose to hire a horse for portions of the Camino (not a tour) has anyone done this? Are last minute rentals easy to find? Cost involved? Suggestions please I am hoping to do the Camino in March/April 2018.

 

[trecile]

You can hire horses for the ride up to O Cebreiro. However, I knew some people who wanted to do that, and had trouble coordinating with the horse owner.

 

[mspath]

This is a French account of one rider and his horse riding towards Santiago. --
http://www.worldtrailrides.com/rando/compostelle-claude-bonnot.htm

For several other recent posts/links re horses on the camino in France and Spain check out this earlier forum thread.

Happy trails and Buen camino!

 

[Devon Mike]

I have met a few people who took a horse ride from Las Herrerias up to O Cebreiro to avoid the steep climb. Their packs were taken up by car and I think it cost around 35 euros.

 

[julia-t]

In March there were no horses to be found in las Herreiras. Probably too early in the year. But it was a lovely walk up through the mossy trees to la Faba and Laguna de Castilla, so I didn't mind too much.

 

[linkster]

I took the horse up O Cebreiro with Viktor the caballero. Viktor walked ... he held onto the tail of my horse and it pulled him up the mountain. It cost 35 euros. We stayed at an albergue in Las Herreiras and had now trouble coordnating with Viktor. In fact, as we were getting ready to leave when a few friends came walking into town and decides to join us. He saddled up 2 more horses and we were on our way. Originally it was just going to be the 2 of us. We passed by other friends that heckled us, but we got to look around and enjoy the spectacular vistas rather than watch each foot on front of the other on the climb up. The trail looked more like an old trail from the AT (rougher). Afterward Viktor walked us into town to a bar where are packs were waiting. We sat outside and had a drink and snack with him before leaving. I think he said he does the ride twice a day. We did ours in the morning around 10.

 

[linkster]

I also took the horse drawn carriage from Carrion de los Condos with a bunch of friends.

 

[Sharonih]

I also took the horse drawn carriage from Carrion de los Condos with a bunch of friends.

Interesting I had not heard of the horse drawn carriage before I will look into that and see the feasibility of it.

 

[Sharonih]

I took the horse up O Cebreiro with Viktor the caballero. Viktor walked ... he held onto the tail of my horse and it pulled him up the mountain. It cost 35 euros. We stayed at an albergue in Las Herreiras and had now trouble coordnating with Viktor. In fact, as we were getting ready to leave when a few friends came walking into town and decides to join us. He saddled up 2 more horses and we were on our way. Originally it was just going to be the 2 of us. We passed by other friends that heckled us, but we got to look around and enjoy the spectacular vistas rather than watch each foot on front of the other on the climb up. The trail looked more like an old trail from the AT (rougher). Afterward Viktor walked us into town to a bar where are packs were waiting. We sat outside and had a drink and snack with him before leaving. I think he said he does the ride twice a day. We did ours in the morning around 10.

Thank you for the information and if I choose this and get Viktor I will tell him I heard his name through you if that is alright.

 

[linkster]

I attached a picture of where we caught the horse drawn carriage in Carrión de los Condes. It was in a parking lot next to an auto repair garage. It was cold the morning we left. The ride took a couple of hours. I would bring some coffee and breakfast next time, and do it up right. They took our packs by car to Calzadilla de la Cueza. We had some breakfast at the cafe and then hiked to Terradillos de los Templarios. It was an easy day on the Camino.

 

[Sharonih]

I attached a picture of where we caught the horse drawn carriage in Carrión de los Condes. It was in a parking lot next to an auto repair garage. It was cold the morning we left. The ride took a couple of hours. I would bring some coffee and breakfast next time, and do it up right. They took our packs by car to Calzadilla de la Cueza. We had some breakfast at the cafe and then hiked to Terradillos de los Templarios. It was an easy day on the Camino.

Wow fantastic, thank you

 

[DeansFamily]

Having owned a horse and having ridden 250km rides multiple times in steep terrain, here's a heads up.......it isn't easy for the horse and it won't be easy for you either. To properly ride high country you must raise yourself out of the saddle and give the horse the ability to use its hindquarters so it can push its way uphill. No sitting back nice and easy, unless you don't care what is happening to the horse. The carriage sounds a little bit kinder, but we found the walk easy enough. And if you have never ridden before you will discover muscles that you didn't know you had the day after......guarranteed

 

[Anniesantiago]

I saw the horses carrying people up to O Cebreiro and I felt sorry for them.
I personally would not choose this.

 

[Anne Measures]

I attached a picture of where we caught the horse drawn carriage in Carrión de los Condes. It was in a parking lot next to an auto repair garage. It was cold the morning we left. The ride took a couple of hours. I would bring some coffee and breakfast next time, and do it up right. They took our packs by car to Calzadilla de la Cueza. We had some breakfast at the cafe and then hiked to Terradillos de los Templarios. It was an easy day on the Camino.

 

[Anne Measures]

Several people have asked about the horse drawn carriage from Carrion de Los Condes. The telephone number is 687885147 the lady is called Marie Marris. She intends to begin next week ( today is the 18th May 2018) as is has been raining and the horses do not like the rain. Too late for me but I hope this information helps others. Buen Camino