On the back of Andorra
ANDORRA IS AN EQUINE COUNTRY
The normal reaction of a foreigner when he thinks of this country tends to evoke images of snowy peaks or bare peaks. And, at most, the occasional Romanesque town of slate and tear stone. But what is not kept in mind is the number of horses that live on its slopes, grazing during the summer on the ski slopes. It is already the orgasm of the idyllic , with green pastures, anarchic streams that are fed by melting ice and beautiful foals running around their ball. In fact, in the forests of the natural parks there are dozens of copies in semi freedom who look and live wild. Dude, you're on their turf.
To the 'Pyrenean cowboy'
THE HORSE IS THE IMPROVED VERSION OF A 4x4
"Can a horse climb all that?" This is the most common question that is usually asked in the different equipment centers of the Pyrenean valleys. The most logical thing is to think of a horseback ride in the style of Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall: on the plain, with the sun setting in the distance and a cloying theme song. But the truth is it is a very useful species to save the hardest ramps . The horses bred in Andorra survive on the summits thanks to powerful hindquarters that activate to their maximum power when the rider bends down and releases weight to the lower part.
On the hardest ramps you have to put faith in the matter, because it seems impossible that the animal can easily overcome the difference in level. And yet, the very blessed does. In comparison with a 4x4 they win because they do not consume as much and are not usually driven in the city by rich mothers fond of double parking. The horses of Andorra they are usually the product of a mixture of mountain breeds bred at will , although in the ** Hípica Casa Bou ** they prefer to focus on breeding the Austrian breed hafliger tyrol , very accustomed to the demands of height.
Can a horse get here?
ETERNAL ENVY TO CHILDREN
Andorran children are superior. In winter they have mandatory ski lessons. In summer, mountaineering and climbing and in their free time they usually take over the riding schools in a kind of attempt to commune as much as possible with their environment. For this reason, from their earliest childhood they know how to talk to ponies and how to treat great specimens. The result: the fearful adult is often utterly humiliated, so it's best not to underestimate the astonishing calmness and professional handling of the younger ones.
Andorran children, the great riders of the country
A HORSE TAKES YOU WHERE NO ONE GOES
Now, where do these excursions go? In Andorra there are different equestrian centers such as the tarter , House Bou, L'Aldosa either The flat that offer different options to explore its rugged trails. All these routes have a common denominator: go where no other vehicle can go . In fact, many of the horses used for these expeditions are rented by hunters and climbers to carry material and supplies to the highest and most inaccessible valleys.
Almost every Andorran path is susceptible to being colonized by horseshoes, although the most beautiful (and accessible and easy) adventure is the one organized by the Comú de la Massana together with Hípica L'Aldosa. The excursion consists of climb from Arinsal to Pla de l'Estany , overlooking the spectacular valleys of Comapedrosa. A distance of 3 kilometers in which an accumulated drop of more than 600 meters is saved until reaching the refuge Joan Canut.
Horses are also used to carry food on long journeys.
resting by the lake
neighing culture
But not everything is epic horse riding and wild adventure . A less daring and more parsimonious and cultural alternative is to do the Iron Route on horseback. Equestrian El Tarter organizes this activity in summer, offering a different point of view of this walk full of art and curiosities. Why have you never enjoyed sculptures by artists such as Saturo Sato or Rachid Khimoune on top of a horse? At the very least, it offers a different point of view, higher and more neighing.
*** You may also be interested in...**
- Andorra without skis in seven steps
- Curiosity Shop: Toy Andorra
- Andorran Wine Gastro Rally
- All articles by Javier Zori del Amo
The Iron Route of Andorra