Our Horses

Our Horses  

The Criollo is the predominant horse breed in Chile, and is well- known for its´hardiness and stamina. It may have the best endurance of any horse breed in the world next to the Arabian. In fact, due to the criollo's low basal metabolism it may be a better long-distance horse than the Arabian in prolonged races over a week in duration with no supplemental feed. The breed is used extensively among gauchos for its´ability to travel long distances day in and day out, with little food and water, and is calm and level headed while doing ranch work. The Criollo is very athletic and intelligent, and makes an excellent long distance traveling partner.  

We have a herd of over 20 Criollo and Criollo mix horses. We started with an original herd of 14 horses which were running wild in the Andes Mountains, in a section called Sierra Baguales which separate Chile and Argentina.      
Boris´s uncle owned a ranch in these mountains and interbred the wild mares with Thoroughbred, Chilean Horse, and Percheron stallions. This cross resulted in large, beautiful, athletic and sound horses, with high bone density, and solid hooves. These horses became so well known that the Chilean military purchased 50 to 60 horses a year in the 70´s and 80´s.
When the uncle passed away, Boris was left with the herd of horses. At the time that we rounded them up, they had been running with a wild herd for more than five years. Out of that herd of 60 horses, we chose the older mares and geldings, and the most sound looking colts and fillies.  
Since then, we acquired a beautiful and gentle stallion that we have crossed with some of our mares, as well as some local rescue horses that we´ve rehabilitated and used for tourism.
We are well known locally, for our beautiful, well mannered horses, and more than anything, for the way that they are trained. 
Although natural horsemanship is becoming more accepted, the antiquated gaucho form of horse breaking predominates, even though it is dangerous and oftentimes cruel. As hot blooded and delicate breeds (like the Arabian) become more popular, Boris has built a reputation (and career) by training these horses in a gentle, natural way, demonstrating that it is much faster and rewarding to start the horses in a kind manner


The Saddles that we use are a modern, more comfortable version of the chilean saddle. They are much like riding in a Western or Australian saddle, with the legs farther out in front, the knee angle more open, and less contact with the lower legs. They have long, stirrups which are covered at the foot, and are placed more forward than an english saddle. The seat is very comfortable, and shaped like an english saddle, contoured to the seat. There is no horn. We use breastcollars, and occasionally crupers, and saddle bags. The reins are much like western reins, and the horses are always ridden with a halter as well. 
We offer helmets, and half chaps on all of our excursions, and encourage riders to wear both, especially if that is what they are used to riding in at home.
 
 


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