Horse adventures in the Balaton Uplands

The riding school has not only a round pen, sandy and grassy tracks but also a direct connection to the forests of the Balaton Uplands National Park, which provides an excellent opportunity to learn trail riding in the woods. Here everyone – whether beginner or advanced – can get on horseback and learn about a method less known in our country: western riding. This variety originated in America, more specifically in the state of Texas and differs significantly from the elegant English saddle riding style which is most common in Europe. The horse breed that is best trained for this style is the American Quarter Horse, which is also the most common horse breed in the world. The horse must be calm and balanced because for the cowboys they were a kind of life insurance to carry out their daily tasks and work. It is precise because of these qualities that El Dobogó Horse Farm has bred this breed of horse.

Instructor Zoltán Csontó pays special attention to human-animal contact. No one should get on a horse until they have done exercises about half an hour on the ground, getting to know and trust the animal. At the farm, they pay special attention to the mental and physical health of the animals, because they are kept in small groups in large open-air pens all year round, giving them more freedom of movement and socialisation than average. The riding school leader has learned, applied, and taught the 'Parelli Method' in his riding school. The method basically focuses on developing a partnership between rider and horse in which they mutually understand and respect each other. To do this, it is essential that you hold, ride, and train your horse the way your horse wants you to.

Besides the court, the extensive area also has a social room, a training room, saddle storage and two eight-bed rooms, providing accommodation for those who register for the regular summer horse camps. The unique feature of the building complex is taking advantage of the terrain, it is almost nestled in depression, making it both sheltered from the wind and almost invisible from a distance, leaving the natural landscape intact.

If you're roaming around this part of the country (perhaps in combination with a tour of the Lookout Hill), you can book an appointment – a two-hour session – on the horse farm's website and easily fit it into your itinerary. Riding together can be an excellent family programme for more agile families, but it is also a great opportunity for those who would like to get away from everyday life, as it requires maximum attention and care to establish a relationship with the animal, so it can easily make us forget the troubles of everyday life.