Italy - Western Riding and Mountain Trail Course

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from YN of Kiruna on 13/10/2024

Western Riding and Mountain Trail Course.
This center based course is for intermediate and above riders who would like to deepen their communication with the horse both on the ground and in the saddle. It includes 6 lessons, each lasting 2 hours. There will be 1 theory based lesson and 5 practical lessons. During the practical instruction, riders learn the basics of western riding within an arena setting, once you have mastered the basics you will progress to riding out on the trails giving you the opportunity to put in to practice what you have learnt.

During the week the instructor will decide whether to organise more lessons in the arena or on the trail camp according to the guests experience, needs and interests, making sure you will learn while also having fun. There is also the option to increase the riding hours (at extra cost) and have another 12 hours riding-out in the countryside, should you wish to explore further and have more opportunities to put into practice what has been learned during the week.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

There are more than 60 horses that live in small groups, outdoors, on 100 acres of pasture land, in accordance to their natural needs of socialization and movement. There are about 40 working horses, including Haflingers, Appaloosas, Maremmanas, Arabs and Anglo-Arabs and some horses of mixed breeds. The horses live in different herds in big pastures throughout the year. They are reliable and secure, making it easy for riders, even the most difficult situations like steep slopes or the fording of a river.

Western saddles are utilised for comfort and ease. Simple guidelines will be given for those who have not ridden western before - it is very easy, relaxing and addictive. An American saddle on a well-trained and reliable horse offers all levels of rider a sense of safety and security on all areas of the trip. The American style of horse-riding is particularly appropriate for long excursions, with the gaits being comfortable without being tiring. The structure of the American saddle distributes the weight of the rider on a greater area of the horse's back than the English saddle. The centre of gravity lies further down, making the ride easier for horse and rider.

The western riding and mountain trail course is aimed at experience novice/ intermediate riders who can walk, trot and canter independently. This course is aimed at deepening your understanding of how to communicate with the horse through your seat and legs. Not suitable for non-riders. Minimum rider age 14 years. Maximum rider weight 100kg.

The weight limit for this ride is 220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The accommodation consists of comfortable double rooms. Some rooms have a private bathroom but you may have to share a bathroom with one other room. There are communal areas consisting of reception, a bar, living room with fireplace, hall with sofas and tables for games and relaxation, conference room, training or project room, pergola and garden. There is also a photocopier and fax machine, internet, slide projector and overhead projector available for use.

The peaceful, natural surroundings have remained unchanged for years. It is possible to camp in a secluded area, deep in a forest of green Acacias. The camp is equipped with excellent facilities, hot water, a small kitchen, a communal covered area. From June to September guests can stay in an Indian tepee for 4 people.

The centre is on an organic farm, born in respect for the environment and the love of this beautiful region. Meals use vegetables from the farm’s garden and high quality, local ingredients and produce. Traditional Tuscan dishes include influences from the cuisines of Umbria and Lazi.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Castell'Azzara, Italy, has a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm summers and mild winters. The region experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year, with late spring and autumn typically seeing the highest amounts.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Italy and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites

A supply of common medicines is kept at the camp and the guide keeps an emergency kit in his saddle bags. Specific needs of medicines or specific health-problems must be communicated before starting the trekking. Participants with allergies should carry along their usual medicines, just as all participants allergic to common medicaments.

In Italy the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

You will be able to charge batteries and cameras in your room. There is internet access available. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the permission of the group to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:
ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards – (some locations, mostly in the EU, can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
Riding boots designed for riding and walking
Chaps
At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
Long sleeved shirts
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Water bottle
Mobile phone

8d / 7n programme with 6 riding days. Western riding and mountain trail course has set dates from the end of March to end of October. The stationary programmes run from Saturday to Saturday throughout the season.

2025: 5, 12* April; 10 May; 14* June; 12 July; 23 Aug; 4 Oct; 1* Nov (*Confirmed)

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Chickens Eat Pasta', written by Clare Pedrick

A valley in Italy: confessions of a house addict - Lisa St Aubyn de Teram 

A Room With A View - E.M Forster

A Traveller in Italy - HV Morton

The Italian Tradition of Equestrian Art - Giovanni Tomassini

Privileged Horses. The Italian Renaissance Court Stable - Sarah Duncan

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit  www.thelongridersguild.com 

A fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Optional extras include a full service bar and extra riding hours.

Close by are several hot springs and thermal baths like in S. Filippo (50 minutes), San Casciano dei Bagni (35 minutes), Sorano (30 minutes) and the most famous of all the hot springs of Saturnia (50 minutes). A little bit further you may reach the ones of Bagno Vignoni (1 hour). For those who are looking for a refreshing bath there are the Mezzano and Bolsena lakes (both 45 minutes away). The sea is a little bit further, about 1 hour and 20 minutes away.

For the "nature-lovers" we suggest a walk in the natural reserve of Mount Penna or into the woods of Mount Amiata, where you may also find an adventure park, or on the Mount Labbro (nearby you there is a WWF natural oasis, Bosco Rocconi. In the mountainside of Monte Amiata, you will also find the beautiful garden of the swiss artist Daniel Spoerri, worth to be seen not just for it's sculptures but also for the beauty of it's garden and gorgeous view over the valley. Another garden to be visited is the Tarot Garden of Niki de Saint Phalle (about 1 hour and 15 minutes away) or the monster garden at Bomarzo (about 1 hour and 15 minutes away).
Guests can hire a bike or e-bike from the riding centre (book on reservation)
We recommend hiring a car as your hosts can't prove transportation to attractions.

Wildlife includes deer, wild horses, porcupines and wild boar.

Italy forms a peninsula in Southern Europe extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, Elba and about 70 other smaller islands. It is mostly mountainous, though between the Apennines (which form the spine of Italy) and the eastern coastline there are the fertile plains of Emilia-Romagna in the north and of Puglia in the south. The Alps in the north divide Italy from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

The Roman Empire was once the most powerful in the world, covering Europe and extending into modern day Asia. Their horsemanship skills second only to the Mongols further east. The incredible sophistication of Roman culture still leaves its mark across Europe and has been the foundation for countless artistic movements, including the Renaissance, through cities such as Florence and the medieval university city of Bologna.

Italians are understandably proud of their heritage and are renowned as people of great taste and as having an eye for the aesthetic. Their architecture and fashion leave most of the world in their shadow, appearance is very important to them and the majority of Italians will never leave the house without ensuring they are impeccably and elegantly attired.

Italian food, from pizza to pasta, has been adopted by the rest of the world but you will never taste a better pizza anywhere else. As with the rest of mainland Europe meals are eaten late with plenty of wine and preferably al fresco.

Italy is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. (There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram).

The international dialling code is +39.

Important information regarding rail travel:
Visitors are often caught unawares by train and transport systems requiring validation. Tickets bought in Italy for Regionale and Regionale Veloce trains are not marked for any particular time or train and become valid only when time-stamped at a validation machine. Without this validation, train operators assume the rider is trying to fare dodge, since the ticket could be reused. So validation is absolutely essential before boarding, and there are small boxes in the station or near the platform. After being time-stamped, the ticket is valid for the amount of time shown on the ticket.