One of the most special parts of our Hooves Around Galicia trip is getting to know the horses individually. Every horse at the ranch has their own personality, strengths and little quirks, and throughout the week you will build a real connection with them.
Written by Tereza
All horses live outside on large green pastures and spend their days together as a herd in the Galician mountains. They are incredibly independent, confident and used to difficult terrain. One thing guests always notice is how well the horses ride together: they are comfortable next to each other, but can also easily keep distance without stress or drama, making group riding feel relaxed and enjoyable.
Also read: Horse riding holiday in Galicia, Spain
Grelo is a purebred Galician horse born wild in the mountains around Baiona. At 11 years old, he is one of the true gentlemen of the ranch. He rides in a smooth natural gait, making him incredibly comfortable for long days in the saddle. Grelo is calm, very sure-footed and perfect for riders looking for a slower, more relaxed horse with a kind personality. He carries himself like a true señor - complete with a beautiful flowing mane.
Piti is the newest member of the gang and only 5 years old. Despite his young age, he has already been on quite a few trips and has an incredibly trusting and loving personality. He is best suited for a lighter rider and responds beautifully to soft aids and signals. Piti is one of those horses people instantly fall in love with - sweet, attentive and always trying his best.
Farruco is one of the famous brothers at the ranch (his brother is Trono). He is a purebred Galician horse with a natural gait and officially registered as a Cabalo de Marcha Galego (CMG). At 7 years old, Farruco combines an impressive physique with speed, energy and an incredibly comfortable ride. He is fast, powerful and a lot of fun, especially for riders who enjoy a more forward and energetic horse.
Bongo is Adrián’s main guiding horse and truly one of the leaders of the herd. He is a beautiful Lusitano x Arabian cross with an expressive personality and real presence. Bongo naturally has authority among the horses and is often used by Adrián for leading rides, liberty work, riding bareback and fetching other horses from the fields. He has a very quick walk, endless charisma and feels incredibly connected to Adrián. Because of his important role during rides and his strength, he is usually ridden only by the guides.
Oreo is a 5-year-old PRG x Quarter Horse cross and one of the biggest personalities at the ranch. Strong, flexible, robust and extremely intelligent, Oreo adapts a lot to his rider. If you ride quietly, he can be calm and relaxed — but if you challenge him a little, he can easily become one of the fastest horses in the group. One thing is guaranteed: people absolutely adore him. Oreo has a special talent for making riders fall in love with him within approximately five minutes.
Trono is Farruco’s brother and another purebred Galician horse. At 6 years old, Trono is slightly calmer and a little less intense than Farruco, while still being very fun and forward to ride. He has just the right amount of spice while still being suitable for riders who may not want an extremely fast horse.
Mulato is all about comfort. He is a French trotter x Galician horse and one of the best choices for riders looking for a super comfortable, chill and reliable horse that can still easily keep up with the group. Long mountain rides on Mulato feel smooth, relaxed and enjoyable, making him a favourite for riders who value a gaited comfort.
Charro is one of the newer horses at the ranch and is currently still being trained. He was sick for a long time, so Paloma has been patiently helping him regain strength and confidence again. He is a horse best suited for experienced riders, but once you understand him, he is incredibly rewarding and exciting to ride.
Cova is a young mare who surprised everyone this season by becoming a mum instead of a riding horse 😂 She is only 4 years old and had already started her riding training, but clearly had other plans and gave birth to a beautiful foal instead. She is sweet, curious and already showing lots of potential under saddle, so we are very excited to see her continue her training in the future…once mum life calms down a little.
Apache is the proud father of the foal and one of the younger stallions at the ranch. At 3 years old, he is currently starting his riding journey with Adrián. Like several of the Galician horses at the ranch, Apache naturally rides in a comfortable gait, making him incredibly smooth to sit. He is still young and learning, but already showing lots of personality, talent and that special mountain horse energy the Galician horses are known for.
Bemba is a border collie, and the mum of Chaco. She is incredibly sweet, gentle and calm, always quietly keeping an eye on everyone and making sure the whole group stays together during rides and walks. Bemba somehow always knows where home is and could probably navigate every tiny corner of Baiona better than most humans. She loves cuddles, attention and accompanying the group on adventures, often trotting alongside the horses like she fully considers herself part of the herd.
Chaco is Bemba’s son and basically pure goofy puppy energy. He is playful, affectionate and extremely snuggly, always looking for attention and trying to convince guests to become his new best friend. He still gets a little too excited sometimes and may jump up occasionally, but he is learning quickly. Chaco is the definition of a sweet gentle soul: funny, chaotic, lovable and guaranteed to make everyone laugh at least once a day.
And of course, no proper family farm would be complete without a cat. Mitchi is Adrián’s grandmother’s cat and quite possibly the most snuggly and unbothered cat you will ever meet in your life. He expects attention from everyone, happily lets people pet his belly, touch his tiny paws and carry him around like the princess he believes he is.
