Riding Stables in Tyrol

Horses themselves have surely galloped through countless childhood dreams, and so riding out on these noble quadrupeds through the meadows and forests of the very rich natural parks in the federal state of Austria is the fulfillment of a long-cherished wish for many. The classic among them is and remains hiking, where they explore the secrets of the area on foot. The mountain bike also takes you to remote parts in the midst of an idyllic paradise. What both variants have in common is the use of your own physical strength to reach your goal. But there is another way you can roam through the green nature, and this has a very long-standing tradition - namely, riding high on horseback.

But the therapeutic effect of riding should not be underestimated, and so it comes as no surprise that in our fast-paced time, so rich in stress traps, the horse has become a caring nurse. Physical and mental relaxation, training of skill and perception, the interaction of the individual muscle groups, and in general the holistic grounding experienced on the back of the horses - all of this makes riding an investment in your own health. In Tyrol, you can experience this therapeutic effect at the Center for Integrative Therapeutic Riding in Weerberg near Schwaz, where specially trained horses and experienced therapists ensure new strength and zest for life.

In Tyrol, the horse not only looks back on a traditional past as a working animal, but also as a means of transport for hikers. Riding excursions are still a popular holiday attraction, leading through idyllic paths through enchanted forests, impressive side valleys, meadows, alpine pastures, stream beds, and even into the mountains. Here, the vacationer gets a very special feeling for the breathtaking surroundings when the longer distances - as in old times - are covered in the saddle.

The Dreher Ranch near Telfs offers multi-day tours to the Geisterklamm, the Reiterjoch Alm, or through the Leutaschtal. Of course, consideration is given to your abilities and planned accordingly. The Kröller Ferienranch near Gerlos also places great emphasis on riding excursions. It wouldn't hurt to bring your cowboy hat here, as western flair quickly arises during an adventurous ride over meadows, forests, stream bridges, and even mountain ranges.

But if you don't want to take the reins yourself, you can enjoy a three-day carriage ride through the Kaisergebirge at the Achlhof in Ellmau. Four to six hours of driving time are covered daily on quiet side roads before setting up camp on a farm or in a guesthouse. In between, you can stop at cozy Tyrolean inns or enjoy your snack on a picnic blanket under the open sky.

As many riding stables as there are in Tyrol, there are just as many different options available to you for a holiday with horses. Absolute beginners will first enroll in a riding school or start with small ponies. Advanced riders can tackle the riding stable's lunge or the attached outdoor area (some even have a jumping course).
Later, the first guided rides are on the agenda, before venturing into the adventure and exploring the numerous riding trails on your own.

The Ortnerhof near Matrei in East Tyrol covers some of these areas. Here, horses from their own breeding can be broken in not only on the open riding arena, but also in the covered round pen. Once the horse and rider have become friends, there is nothing standing in the way of an adventurous ride in the Hohe Tauern National Park. In addition, the farm's petting zoo attracts with ponies, donkeys, goats, and fluffy mini horses.

Closely connected to the region are the small horses of the Haflinger breed, which are considered particularly undemanding, good-natured, and sure-footed. Moving in the mountains has always been in their blood. But the larger Noriker horses are also widespread here - mountain cold-blooded horses with high endurance.

The riding stables in Tyrol, however, offer even more - in some places, acrobatics on horses are performed and taught, while others want to bring even more joy to the little guests with petting zoos - where ponies are joined by donkeys, rabbits, and goats.

Haflingers and petting animals in one place? This is everyday life at the Haflingerhof in Westendorf in the middle of the Kitzbühel Alps. A riding arena and a riding hall are directly connected to the farm with exclusively equipped apartments. In addition, a generously designed playground brings a more than satisfied smile to the faces of the little guests.

Sport vaulting - a mixture of the mentioned acrobatics and gymnastics on the back of the horses - is a big deal at the Reitergut Darrehof. The horse farm is located directly at the entrance of Serfaus and has primarily tailored its program to children and adolescents.

It doesn't always have to be horses - from time to time, you may even encounter exotic friends from the Andes. Llamas are also becoming increasingly popular here and are moving into the everyday life of some riding stables. These animals can also have a strong influence on human health. Llama trekking tours, where you lead the animals instead of riding them, are also offered here.

The "Wald am See" farm in Kitzbühel, located directly on Schwarzsee, is dedicated to animal-assisted therapy with llamas. The more than 500-year-old farm in the middle of a nature reserve is a breeding ground for relaxation and is therefore perfect for therapeutic treatments.

Certified llama and mountain hiking guides await you at Barbara Steinacher's Lama Farm in Fieberbrunn and at the Koglhof near Ellmau. The latter focuses on offering seniors a joyful leisure activity, but also convinces with a program specifically designed for families with children. What both have in common: llamas!
Llama trekking tours with special themes (stone pine forest, fairy tales, summit ascent, etc.) are offered by the Tyrol Lama breeding farm in Wattenberg.

The furry friends are now an integral part of the region. Nevertheless, a holiday in Tyrol can quickly feel like a short trip to the other end of the world in this way.