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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Imelda & Luana in Denmark
Sundance Ranch by Bruno Barata
River Crossing
Meet Bailey
Imelda & Luana - Week 5
Imelda & Luana - Week 4
Imelda & Luana - Week 3
Kursablauf
Imelda & Luana - Week 1
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Facebook FEED
Unsere Kurse fangen auf der Weide damit an, dass wir ganz beim Pferd sind. Wir fühlen uns ein, versuchen Harmonie herzustellen, indem wir es spiegeln und nachempfinden. Dadurch lernen wir das Pferd kennen und bauen eine gute Basis für die gemeinsame Arbeit auf.
Nicht das Mundstück kontrolliert das Pferd. Nur das Pferd kontrolliert das Pferd.
Wir können allerdings lernen, unser Pferd so gut zu lesen, dass wir ihm mit den Herrausforderungen, die ihm das Leben in unserer Welt stellt, helfen können.
Hier auf der Sundance Ranch reiten wir mit dem einfachen Sidepull sowie mit dem Gefühl und Timing, das wir in der Bodenarbeit entwickelt haben.