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Last Update: 06 Aug 2010

Riding Holidays | Slovakia

Horse riding in Slovakia is gaining in popularity, helped by the success of riding as a competitive sport in neighboring countries, particularly the Czech Republic and Austria. Traditionally Slovakia, or officially the ‘Slovak Republic’, has a long history of horse breeding. It has a national stud farm at Topoľčianky which is famous for breeding Lipizzaner horses, as well as Arabians, Hucul horses and Slovakian Warmbloods. The Slovacky Ore Mountain region in the east of the country has its own native breed, called the Guculskaya horse. These are descendents of Tarpen horses. Throughout the country there are quite a number of hotels and country estates which offer guests horse riding as one of many activities, often working with local riding stables or nearby stud farms.

Longer horse riding vacations are possible in central Slovakia near the UNESCO town of Banska Stiavnica. Beginners will have professional riding lessons on well schooled mounts in an arena. More experienced riders can opt for a combination of lessons and treks or join a week long horse riding holiday with riding trails through picturesque countryside past farmland and lakes, and visiting sites such as the old laval rock formations and hill fort at Kalamarka and Pusty Hrad (Deserted Castle), now a ruin but once the largest castle in central Europe.

If you like western style riding travel further south to Zaježová. Here riders of all ages and abilities are welcome to learn the art of western riding with an emphasis on natural horsemanship. Or head west to the Vtáčnik mountains for a western farm stay near Žarnovica. As well as western riding lessons and day treks on the farm’s warmblood horses, try a longer camp out ride staying out in tents with meals around a camp fire.

Visiting Slovakia is an eye opening experience. While similar in architecture and rural culture to the Czech Republic, in other respects it is rather different. The Czech and Slovak languages are quite unlike, although share similar linguistics. The landscape in Slovakia tends towards steep Alpine like mountains in the north and flat open plains in the south. The Czech Republic on the other hand is more rolling hills throughout. While on holiday in Slovakia it is worth taking time to explore the interesting streets of the capital Bratislava. Also visit some of the many gothic chateaux and castles often set in really stunning locations in the High and Low Tatra Mountains. The High Tatras are the tallest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains, with the highest peak, the Gerlach standing at 2,655m. Try local dishes such as 'Bryndzové halušky', the national meal of potato dumplings and fermented sheep cheese called ‘bryndza’.