Ecuador Horseback Riding
Ecuador provides
riding enthusiasts with a surprisingly rich variety of opportunities.
You can ride high in the Andes through the grassy páramo
plains with glaciated volcanoes as a backdrop; through lowland
tropical rain forest; or even through the many unique ecosystems
of the Galapagos Islands.
Ecuador's specialty is
the combined horseback riding/hacienda program. The country's
extensive hacienda system makes it possible to ride through quilted
pasture land from one hacienda to another, many of which now operate
as country inns and send riders out with scrumptious country picnics.
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Riding in the Pululahua Crater north of Quito.Photo by Finca Colibrí. |
Ecuador has
a number of stables which rent good horses, and if you know where
to look you can find pure Peruvian Pasos, Andalusians, and Arabs.
Beginner riders are advised to hire the tough, mixed-blood "Criollo"
horses. Be forewarned: even healthy horses will generally look
thin in the Sierra - at these altitudes the horses cannot afford
to carry extra weight - so you will rarely find "bonnie",
well-padded mounts.
Golden
Rules of Riding
Stable standards,
ethics and horse-care policies vary tremendously in Ecuador. 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:
1. If a horse
appears ill, lame, or abused, REFUSE to ride it. Change horses
or leave. Please let EcuadorExplorer.com know if you find inhumane
conditions at any stables.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Western tack
is typically used in Ecuador, though some stables offer English
saddles. Western saddles are recommended, as they are safer going
up and down steep terrain and are generally more comfortable for
long rides. Few stables offer riding helmets, so if you are planning
on doing any serious riding bring your own helmet.
Where
to Ride
The Sierra
(highlands) offers the best riding in Ecuador. Imbabura province
provides Kodak-worthy pastoral scenery with volcanic backdrops.
Some rides showcase the area's haciendas, as well as the Cotocachi
and Mojanda ranges and the snow-capped Cayambe volcano. Cotopaxi
National Park, with its wild páramo plains (above 16,000
feet) and omnipresent Cotopaxi volcano, provides a uniquely Ecuadorian
landscape in which to ride.
In equatorial
Ecuador you can ride year-round, although some months are better
than others for certain areas. The coastal areas and semi-tropical
Baños have a tendency to be muggy. In the Sierra north
of Quito, the month of May can be rather wet, while during the
rest of the year it typically rains only in the late afternoons;
and by this time the horses are back in the stables and you are
fireside enjoying a pre-dinner aperitif.
Please see
our horseback riding tour
operators page for a list of Ecuador's finest tour operators.
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