Horse tourism in Russia is gaining popularity from year to year. More and more offers for those who want to relax actively, but non-standard. If you like horses and interesting routes, nature, then such options are designed specifically for you. Fortunately, there are a lot of opportunities, and the rich variety of landscapes allows you to travel on horseback from season to season, getting an all-new experience.
Everything for tourists
It is very difficult to imagine a modern Russian tourist cluster without horses. This pleasure is available in various parts of the country. Equestrian tourism is developed in the Crimea and near Moscow. You can ride a thoroughbred horse in Bashkiria or Altai. Horse riding in the Urals makes an incredible impression when travelers are surrounded by ancient mountains decorated with snow caps, and a person overcomes all the difficulties of the journey with his faithful friend - a horse.
You can ride horses, once in the Northern capital of Russia, in Buryatia or in the Caucasus - in short, the geography of such tourist routes has been completely unlimited. Although it is worth recognizing that the richest choice in the Siberian regions. Some time ago, this type of travel practically disappeared, which was associated with the economic situation in the country and the peculiarities of fashion - everyone was eager for warmth, for beaches. But now the situation is fundamentally changing. Do you doubt that equestrian tourism is so in demand? Photos will convince you otherwise. On horseback, you can tirelessly walk many kilometers every day, marveling at the beauty and diversity of Russia's natural wealth. You will be available trails in the forests, mountain roads and steppe. Can this really leave anyone indifferent?
Pleasure for everyone
Equestrian tourism in Russia is such a pleasure that goes beyond the familiar to the average man, and that is why he beckons. There is nothing more romantic than horseback riding through the incredible beauties of forests and fields of immense Russia.
Who can take part in such a transition? Yes, almost everyone! Do not be afraid if you do not have special training, and you have never seen a horse live before. Before the transitions begin, instructors will explain how it works: how to manage the animal, how to care for it and how to make the trip mutually enjoyable for both the rider and the horse.
Nowadays horseback riding in Bashkiria, Altai, the Caucasus is the best way to forget about the everyday hardships and difficulties of city life and immerse yourself in the romance of a long transition, the starry sky above your head and a feeling of complete freedom - such that you want to sing, and as if even wings grow. Truly, in such a campaign one cannot help but become a romantic.
The best for you
There are people for whom equestrian tourism is something frightening. They believe that this is contact with almost wild animals, from which it is completely unclear what to expect. In fact, this is not so: horses are one of the most intelligent mammals tamed by humans. They perfectly understand the person, are friendly and very subtly feel attitude towards themselves. If you care about a horse, then she will love you even in the absence of good riding skills.
So, the most interesting regions for equestrian tourism in Russia:
- Baikal;
- Altai;
- Caucasus;
- Mountain Shoria;
- Bashkiria.
What does it look like?
Although in our time the development of equestrian tourism in Russia is in full swing, this does not mean that there are still few opportunities for travelers. Choosing your route, you can be sure that you will be able to pick up something that is perfect for you.
Trips are:
In the first case, the route is very small. The rider rides in just a few hours. In the second case, the route stretches immediately for several days. Features of equestrian tourism with a long trip:
- the opportunity to see various landscapes;
- acquaintance with nature reserves, suburbs;
- a chance to spend enough time with the horse to make friends.
There may be stops on the route, although the shortest can do without them. As a rule, halts are made when animals need rest. Much depends on the degree of complexity.
However, the described option is the simplest. But for those who already know how to ride a horse, there are much more interesting opportunities for active pastime - these are equestrian tourism competitions. Such organizations are organized both in Russia and in some other countries of the world. As a rule, routes are laid in very picturesque places, and the winners get good prizes.
Horse tourism in Khakassia
Speaking about the popular areas of this active pastime in Russia, Khakassia should be mentioned first. This place is more suitable for those who are interested in history, loves archeology, whose heart skips a beat from touching antiquities.
The trails of the Khakass routes pass near the ruins that have been preserved for a long time, past the mounds and caves, which are associated with ancient legends. As a rule, all routes are quite simple, but complicates their need from time to time to cross rivers in the mountains and small streams.
Buryatia and Altai
The organization of equestrian tourism in Buryatia is a real pleasure, as those who are involved in this business admit. The local landscapes are beautiful and diverse, thanks to which it is possible to form a path for the group, regardless of its level of skills. There is an opportunity to lay very simple trails for those who are riding a horse for the first time, and you can also make a difficult route for real athletes. It is Buryatia - the most popular destination in Russia among the master riders. Mongolian breeds are most widespread here, and all animals with low stature possess remarkable strength and calm disposition. Even those who are just mastering horsemanship can confidently stay in the saddle.
But Altai trails are a completely different story. Here, most of the routes lie in the steppe. However, there is one common feature with Buryatia: an abundance of diverse routes. Since tourism in Altai has been going uphill in recent years, tourists from all over the world have been inviting here, therefore there is a large selection of both directions of routes (you can visit the most different corners of Altai) and levels of difficulty. Do not hesitate, only experienced instructors will be at your service, able to train even the one who sees the horse for the first time.
Ural and Baikal
The organization of equestrian tourism in the Urals is no less attractive and interesting (however, it is also profitable) than in the places described earlier. It may seem to an inexperienced person a strange choice of a place to travel on horseback, but in fact, the Urals are great for this type of tourism. True, there is one limitation: in winter, routes are closed here. It is worth remembering that all trips take place in the taiga, and this is not the safest place on the planet, especially in the cold season. As a rule, only travelers who have reached the age of 18 are taken on routes in the Urals, they must include an instructor in the group.
But Baikal is more accessible for beginners and attracts with the opportunity not only to ride horses, but also to learn something else. Combined tours are popular here, when it is possible to overcome part of the route with animals, and some with boats and kayaks.
Kuban
Equestrian tourism in the Krasnodar Territory has long been one of the "chips" of the region. It is here that the horse riding season opens first. The most advertised are those tours that start from Sochi, but there are many that go from other cities of the region.
Statistics show that travelers prefer to choose routes of short length, designed for beginners or those whose level of equestrianism is low. When exploring various proposals, be sure to pay attention to the ridge Una Koz. From year to year, a lot of various attractive routes are traditionally opened here that will definitely not leave anyone indifferent.
Where does it all start?
As already noted, equestrian tourism in Russia is well developed, there are many opportunities. But it’s not necessary at all, having the idea to ride horses in beautiful landscapes, immediately rushing to get the program. Professionals recommend: first, find out about the presence in your homelands of a hobby club dedicated to horsemanship, and sign up for a couple of lessons there. This will help to understand whether pastime with horses will bring you happiness.
Another option is to go on a short test drive without moving away from civilization. Make it easier than ever, because there are many offers of easy routes near Moscow and St. Petersburg. And if you realized that you are getting real pleasure from what is happening, then you can allow yourself something more thorough, serious, away from civilization.
In Siberia on horseback
If the most attractive types of horse tourism for you are those that are offered to travelers in Siberian regions, then you should allow yourself to go there. There are a huge number of travel programs from different companies, but they all necessarily cover the key points of Siberia, the most popular among travelers. And that’s true: how can you deny your customers the opportunity to see Belukha or plunge into the taiga?
However, it is Belukha that is where it all begins. As a rule, travelers, choosing a route, want this mountain to be seen at least from a distance, and even if there is a chance to drive closer, it seems like a fairy tale. Despite its relatively small height, the mountain is considered very difficult to climb and attracts the attention of extreme people around the world. The severe elevation captivates with its glaciers and walls of snow, so steep that your head is spinning only from one glance at them. However, traveling on horses, you do not need to think about what it will be for those who decide to conquer such open spaces - because you just pass by. This route, unlike climbing, is accessible even to beginners.
Another charming Siberian place is Karakol lakes. They are surrounded by impregnable cliffs, nearby there are many interesting caves and impressive waterfalls. These places are considered a natural monument.
Combined horseback riding tours
As mentioned above, on Lake Baikal, travelers most often go on routes, some of which are driven by horses, and some are walked. But this is far from the only opportunity to go on a combined journey.
No less pleasant are the prospects that are offered in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Local travel programs combine hiking and animal journeys. You can enjoy the beauties of local nature reserves and meet friendly horses, see the beauty of the taiga and see how people live in our time in settlements far from civilization.
Historical background
If not for the way our history has developed over the past few centuries, equestrian tourism would not have developed now in the form in which we know it. The history of this trend is rich, curious, attractive, but most of all - its ups and downs in recent times.
For a long time, horses tamed by people have been useful to people in a variety of situations. They were used to move goods, helped to plow fields, were irreplaceable comrades in war and even sports. Equestrian tourism simply could not fail to appear, because any healthy person can ride a horse, regardless of age and gender.
Horse riding originated in ancient times, but to this day it is fanned by romanticism and attracts people of all generations. Karl Marx wrote that man lives in nature, that it is precisely his body, and this must be recognized in himself, and acknowledged, one cannot help but enter into dialogue. Riding - this is such a dialogue with nature, a dialogue with oneself through the world.
It so happened that in the 20-21 centuries horse labor is practically not used - it was succeeded to be replaced by machines, due to which the life of these noble animals has become easier and more enjoyable. Some even said that now horses will need to be entered in the Red Book, since they are no longer needed for plowing! However, in our days, such a statement, already refuted by recent decades, seems ridiculous.
Horseback Riding
The most different types of equestrian tourism began to develop recently. Of course, certain competitions existed before, but only in recent years there have been so many. Equestrian tourism has become like a fever that engulfed human civilization in the 60s of the last century, and has not let it go since then.
Why is equestrian tourism so relevant? A city man gets tired of the concrete walls surrounding him for a whole day 365 days a year, and the opportunity to ride a horse is the best way to forget about boring everyday life. Some people run, others go or do gymnastics, but there are always those for whom horseback riding is the best choice.
Riding a horse is good for health and gives the right load for the human body. During a camping trip, such physical activity, when the rider is surrounded by virgin nature, makes a particularly strong impression - it is not only useful, but also pleasant for a person, heals his psyche and improves his mood not only momentarily, but also in perspective.
Prospects for the development of equestrian tourism
Others still doubt that such exist. However, there are very few such skeptics, because the popularity of this sport is only growing. This is observed both in Russia and in other countries of the planet. New campsites regularly appear, updated routes are being worked out, allowing tourists to get acquainted with a large number of attractions, reserves, natural beauties. Already in 1973, equestrian tourism was the second most popular in France, second only to skiing.
Equestrian tourism also attracts those who seek to become famous. Since this sport has appeared relatively recently as a tourist destination, there are many opportunities for those who wish to set records, which they use. Constantly the media report on new and new conquered points, routes, increasing the duration of the trip and its intensity. Who knows, maybe you can achieve that you beat all the records we know? Just start!
There will be more opportunities
According to statistics, not only urban residents, but also residents of the countryside are engaged in horse riding in our country. These are tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people, united by a common interest. This undoubtedly attracted the attention of the Equestrian Tourism Federation, both international and Russian. This direction is actively sponsored, subsidized, and the initiative of entrepreneurs who have chosen it for work is encouraged.
Equestrian tourism is what attracts special attention. To this day, activists have been arguing with skeptics who believe that this kind of sport is meaningless and empty. But in practice it is clear that it is in our time that amazing opportunities open up for those who are passionate about such an active pastime.
Of course, in equestrian sport there are many such tasks that have yet to be solved, but there is an excellent base for this. Incidentally, it was in Russia that horses of the highest level have traditionally been bred for a long time, which then participated in various sports around the planet. This means that there is an excellent base for equestrian tourism: smart, reliable animals with excellent character and physical stamina.
It has already been mentioned above that numerous routes for tourists who want to travel on horseback are laid in Bashkiria. And this is not surprising, since from the time of the Soviet Union it was here that some of the best horse breeding in the country were concentrated here. In addition, special schools have traditionally worked and work here, teaching young people and adults to ride horses. Strong instructors are trained here. This means that a tourist arriving from a big city can safely entrust his life and safety to them and have no doubt that the trip will leave only positive impressions. All this creates an excellent perspective for the development of equestrian tourism in Russia and beyond.