Horse Riding - A Gentle trek in Mallorca Review

I knew there would be some degree of pain or discomfort after such a long excursion but I knew the experience would be worth it and I was totally correct in thinking that, it was a fabulous day trip!

Hipica Formentor is run by Lorenzo Crespi and the philosophy is all about natural care and natural riding, the surroundings and their living arrangements are as close as possible to what nature intended, the horses have bare hooves and are ridden with lightweight saddles and bridles that have no bit. They relocated last year to their new location within the Albufera wildlife reserve, a wetland stop for migratory birds, so the trails that are ridden are perfect for experiencing Mallorca’s wealth of wildlife.

The day started at 10 o’clock, we met at the stables, which is very easy to find from the MA-13 towards Alcúdia, and got acquainted with each other. The group was mixed ability; there was myself, a complete novice; Rosemary, an expert rider who is currently in the throes of relocating her entire life from the UK to Mallorca and two members of her family, Amanda and Gabriel who were out on a family holiday, both of them had more riding experience than me.

Lorenzo asked each of us about our experience and then picked horses to suit us, with the exception of Rosemary who has a horse living at the stables year round. I was paired with a horse called Jenny and then given a brush to give her a bit of a groom in preparation for saddling up. Jenny was so relaxed that she seemed to be dozing off during the grooming session; I thought this surely is a good sign and it put my mind at rest, knowing that for the rest of the day I’d be in the care of this magnificent and chilled out horse.

We left the stables once we were ready, saddled up and Lorenzo had given each of us saddlebags with cold water bottles and space for sunglasses, cameras etc. The pace of the day was really dictated by my lack of experience, it was a gentle excursion but there were stretches of the trails where those that were more skilled could go for a canter. The trails took us through open farming countryside, fields of potatoes, rice, almond orchards, past poly-tunnels full of strikingly red strawberries, with vistas that went on for miles in all directions and framed nicely by the backdrop of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains to the north.

Not long after we set off the skies clouded over and it started to spit with the odd raindrop. As we were nearing the caves of Campanet a helpful chap in a car driving the opposite way to us, stopped to tell us that it was really raining hard further up ahead, but we forged on. He was certainly right, we all got soaked to the skin but the beauty of a Mallorcan summer storm is that it’s not cold and just as quickly as it appears it can disappear. So we rode on, refreshed by our morning rain shower and as we ambled along the trails we appreciated our beautiful surroundings. I pointed out a hoopoe, with its undulating flight and saw several little egrets flying over the fields. We rode through the narrow streets of Ullaro and through Mallorcan woodland of holm oak and pine. As we rode we conversed, getting to know each other as we drew nearer to our lunch time stop. The storm decided to make its reappearance and we were treated to a spectacular light and sound show courtesy of Mother Nature. I was worried how the horses would fare in a storm but none of the horses paid any attention to the booming thunder claps and the bright lightning strikes, which was very reassuring.

Restaurant Menestralía was our venue for lunch and what a plentiful feed it was. We hitched the horses at the back of the restaurant where they too lunched on tall fennel plants and other grasses. The restaurant is a buffet, being a vegetarian I was concerned that there would be only one or two choices but I needn’t have worried as the spread was huge and there was plenty of choice. We relaxed over lunch and talked about the stables and Lorenzo’s hopes for the future growth of the business. He already has loyal clientele that come back year after year and the hope is that the business will continue to grow and investments can be made back at the stables. He spoke with such affection for the horses in his care; it was a delight to hear.

After our lovely lunch we set off back to the stables taking a different route but equally as scenic. After a day with Jenny (my horse) I felt more confident and enjoyed myself when we went for a full speed trot! Rosemary gave me some tips on movement in the saddle and how to find the rhythm and Lorenzo was at all times mindful of my inexperience, always asking if I was OK to trot and checking on how I was doing.

Once we were back, the horses were happy to go back into the enclosure with all the others and have a well-deserved munch on some hay, whilst we sat and relaxed in the shade with Lorenzo’s dogs keeping us company.

My overall impression of Hipica Formentor is that Lorenzo loves the horses in his care and he wants to share that with everyone. The natural care and natural riding offered is unique and I would urge you to pay a visit.

We did the long excursion with lunch for €85 but you can do shorter rides, 60 minutes for €25 and 90 minutes for €35. There are also trail riding excursions up into the Tramuntana mountains with overnight stops at extraordinary places like the monastery in Lluc.

These trail excursions are tailor made so can range in price from €450 to €900 depending on time of year, number of days and individual requirements. You can also do a week long riding holiday and that is also tailor made to your needs. If you fancy really getting involved then you can do a working holiday where food and accommodation is included and you will gain a wealth of experience carrying out this rewarding work.

Though a full day in the saddle did leave me very sore for a few days after, I enjoyed the day immensely and I will certainly be back there later this summer.