Horseback Adventures in South America

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Ecuador

Ecuador Horseback Riding – Riding opportunities in the Andean highlands, at haciendas, the coast and the cloud forest take advantage of Ecuador’s biologically diverse areas.

Horseback Riding – Easy riding in the Sierra from Pululahua Crater.

Ride Andes – Haciendas, the Andes and volcanoes.

Hacienda La Alegria - Family farm life, with horseback rides to volcanos, cloud rain forests and Inca sites.

Peru

Horseback Tours – Luxury tours in Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cajamarca/Trujillo/Chicaylo, other locales and a trip to the 2005 National Show & World Congress 0f Peruvian Horses.

Perol Chico – Riobamba, Riding Resort Hacienda Marcahuasi, Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley either with a program or a customized trip.

Venezuela

Activities Page – Scroll down for horseback tours of Macanao on Isla de Margarita.

Los Nevados Andes Tour – Combines horseback, jeep, and hiking to tour the mountain region and villages.

Horseback Riding "Finca Yegua Blanca" – Family riding in “high meadows, going through colorful woodland, with giant ferns, following the course of a ravine sparkling with trouts, the roar of waterfalls, silences, enchanted lagoons and the ever mysterious mist.”

Ecotourism And Safari To Los Llanos – Combine a jeep safari with rafting and horseback riding for wildlife viewing.

Uruguay

Argentina, Chile and Uruguay – “Painted Bird Tour” is a fast paced tour in Uruguay, which means river of the painted birds in Guarani. Coastal rides provide wildlife viewing.

Uruguay Beach Ride - Eight days along beaches and pampas with Boogum Expeditions.

No matter where you ride, safety is a primary concern. Follow these “Golden Rules of Riding:

Stable standards, ethics and horse-care policies vary tremendously. Stables, owners and trainers change regularly, which means that the training and care of the horses also changes. Common sense is therefore essential. When considering a horse for hire, follow the golden rules of riding:

If a horse appears ill, lame, or abused, REFUSE to ride it. Change horses or leave.
If you cannot control the horse or do not feel safe, it's best to change horses or to not ride. If you are on the trails when a problem arises, do not hesitate to dismount.
If the tack (saddle & bridle) looks ill-fitted, old, cracked, and/or damaged, ask to have it changed, or a fall could ruin your holiday.
Check the tack adjustments before getting on the horse. Is the girth band tight? Are the reins and stirrup leathers in good condition? Most importantly, take the time to get your stirrups the right length. Stirrups that are too short will hurt your knees and can be dangerous. “
Adapted with thanks to EcuadorExplorer.com.
Additionally,
Trabajar el caballo en circulo (puede ser con una cuerda o suelto), preferible en un lugar cerrado con piso de arena, luego revisar el ajuste de la cincha y demas atalaje, hacer subir al jinete y repetir la operacion hasta comprobar que el mismo se encuetra seguro, confortable y adaptado al caballo. Luego de estas pruebas el jinete puede salir a otra pista mas extensa antes de iniciar su cabalgata por las montanas. Hacienda La Alegria has riders walk the horse in circles in a sheltered area, either on a guiding line or alone, checking the cinch and saddle, stirrups and other equipment until the rider is comfortable. They have the rider mount and dismount until they are sure that the rider is secure, comfortable on the saddle and with the animal before going leaving the arena and beginning the ride.

Wherever your horseback adventure takes you, Buen viaje!.

Don’t forget to post your experience on the South America Travel Forum.