Learn a whole new way to be with horses, both on the ground and in the saddle, building a relationship based on harmony and trust.
Our Courses
Establish a connection both in the saddle and on the ground in our week-long courses. We are happy to teach total beginners but also welcome experienced riders, who are looking for a new way to be with horses.
Course structure
The schedule for each week is adapted to the needs of our participants at the time, but the basic elements are always the same: natural horsemanship groundwork, lessons and rides into nature at a walk.
Accomodation
Guests stay in our typical Alentejo ranch house in the midst of our valley, where the river Mira flows through twenty hectares of pasture. Enjoy evenings out on our terrace in groups of max five guests.
Our philosophy
Our philosophy is based on the idea that riding should be enjoyable for both human and horse. We strive for horse-friendly riding by using the principles of Natural Horsemanship, with a special emphasis on Freedom Based Training® inspired by Elsa Sinclair. When horses are free to decide if they want to be with us or not, we really have to try hard to fulfill the need for connection in us and the horse.
Dates & Prices
Temperatures in Portugal are most comfortable in spring and fall. Therefore, we offer courses from April until June and again in September and October each year.
Our Team
A small and dedicated team supports Sandra in her mission to help her guests enjoy their stay and maximize their learning with the horses.
Our Horses
Our herd of riding horses includes a few quarters, a few Portuguese and the odd warmblood, but all of them are excellent teachers.
What our clients say
197
Riders
25
Hectares of pasture
33
Horses
Are you ready to learn with us?
Join us for a week-long course of horsemanship, including lessons on the ground and in the saddle as well as trail rides in the unspoiled nature of South-West Portugal.
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Final Project Trail by Nadia Mendes
Training Titus - Episode 6
Training Titus - Episode 5
Training Titus - Episode 4
Training Titus - Episode 3
Training Titus - Episode 2
Training Titus - Episode 1
Starting Zorro
Imelda & Luana in Denmark
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Facebook FEED
🇩🇪 🇦🇹 🇨🇭 Winter auf der Sundance Ranch
Working student Paul reitet Jungpferd Legend durch den vom Regen hohen Fluss
🇬🇧 🇺🇸 Winter at Sundance Ranch
Working student Paul is riding youngster Legend through the rain-swollen river.
🇬🇧 🇺🇸 Teaser alert 😉
Lysette started riding Titus this week and it looks amazing. We haven't had time to edit a video for you, but hopefully will be able to do so next week. Here's a screenshot of the video of his first session in the arena as a preview.
🇩🇪 🇦🇹 🇨🇭 Teaser Warnung 😉
Lysette hat diese Woche angefangen Titus zu reiten und es läuft super. Wir hatten diese Woche noch keine Zeit, ein ordentliches Video für euch zu schneiden, aber nächste Woche schaffen wir es hoffentlich. Bis dahin habt ihr hier schonmal einen screenshot vom Video der ersten Session auf dem Reitplatz.
Two of the major influencers on how we do things here at Sundance Ranch talk to each other in this great podcast:When I first heard of Elsa Sinclair I was a bit of a skeptic, probably because I was unable to fathom the amount of perseverance and patience it would require to do what she did: take a wild mustang and train it with no tools, no small spaces, giving the horse complete freedom to leave at any time.
However, once I saw Elsa working with a horse, I was instantly converted. With every interaction, she is focused on how the horse is feeling and because of this, she creates a powerful relationship without all of the traditional "natural horsemanship" techniques. Having her on the podcast was a great time, she shared some amazing stories and insights into how she has grown as a trainer and communicator. Hope you enjoy this episode and thanks again Elsa Sinclar for the wonderful conversation!
www.warwickschiller.com/podcast/