Horse riding in Saint-Amand-de-Coly in Périgord Noir

Get in the saddle, for a horseback ride in the Périgord Noir in the woods, the bucolic hamlets and the green pastures of the town of Coly-Saint-Amand. Anne and Christophe welcome you to the Échappée Pastorale (fr), for a meaningful equestrian encounter with two enthusiasts. Installed since 2019, they offer the discovery of this preserved environment through their eco-pastoralism activity. If their horses are raised in herds, it is because they are attentive to the well-being of their animals, furry or covered with wool! Anne and Christophe are shepherds, riding instructors, they are also farmers and produce lamb meat in a short circuit, thanks to the maintenance of these perched meadows, at the top of our limestone cliffs. Horseback riding by the hour, half day, day or over several days to meet their ewes and lambs, this is another way of riding. Meet at this horse farm like no other in Saint-Amand-de-Coly.

Photos of the article © Guide du Périgord

Watch our lovely video report on Coly-Saint-Amand and the most beautiful village in France Saint-Amand-de-Coly, in Périgord Noir.

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the pastoral escape, Horse riding in Périgord Noir

Anne and Christophe are from Lower Normandy. While they confirm their wish to get back to basics, to make a living from their agricultural activity, surrounded by their horses, their sheep and their shepherd dogs, they stumble upon an offer from the Community of Communes of the Vallée de l'Homme, for the maintenance of meadows and pastures in eco-pastoralism. Transhumance in Périgord, yes it does exist! They embark their 12 horses and their ewes for a one-way trip, they settle in Saint-Amand-de-Coly (commune of Coly-Saint-Amand) in a horse farm where they do several activities:

• Horse rides, from 7/8 years old, on horses (they have 2 draft horses, 7 quarter horses and 3 Basque pottoks for children). The hikes are done on the paths they know perfectly, around the farm in this beautiful hilly region of Périgord Noir, between limestone cliffs, small valleys and high pastures. Panoramas guaranteed... The hikes are to map to your needs, but also several days for skilled horsemen, to the conduct of the herd on horseback.
  
  
• Horse- drawn carriage rides, with 2 carriages available, pulled by Breton and Poitou draft horses, to discover the beauties of the surroundings, for weddings, baptisms or various family celebrations and during village festivals.
  
  
• Anne and Christophe are shepherds, they have a flock of 180 sheep, led by 3 large Patous dogs, shepherds for driving and an adorable baby dog (at the time of our report). Well-trained herding dogs, who know their job perfectly and take care of the well-being of the ewes and their lambs, while enjoying the caresses and hugs of their owners. To find out more, read our report on eco- pastoralism in the Vallée de l'Homme (add LINK) (fr).
  
  
• Short circuit sale of lambs raised on site, of protected breeds. Tasty meat at producer prices!
  
  

   

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Rediscover horseback riding, take a horseback ride in the Vézère Valley

Going on horseback in the Périgord Noir is an original and close to nature way to stroll through the pretty villages and admire the landscapes. Anne is a guide in equestrian tourism and she guides groups, mounted on pleasant and peaceful horses. The quarter horse is a breed originating in the United States. They are perfect horses for leading herds because they are lively and do not get carried away too much, they know how to quickly come down under pressure. Perfect for beginners (like me!), They also have some " under the hoof " for experienced riders and know how to manage their effort in horseback riding. For horseback riding with children, the Pottoks are pleasant and gentle in character. These are horses from the Basque Country, where they are found in the wild. Well dislodged, they are perfect companions for walks. The horses are raised in herds, in the meadows. Good composition and accustomed to each other, it is very pleasant on a walk because conflicts are rare.

You can go on horseback, but also with a horse. The difference? A pack is installed on the animal, which can carry your picnic or your belongings and you go together, one next to the other, for a walk for a moment of sharing and conviviality. Children love it.

All activity begins with meeting the animal. We will brush it , introduce ourselves gently and install its hiking saddle, comfortable for humans and animals with a fair distribution of weight. We climb in the saddle and we head for the rocky hillsides, where we discover the close to the horses, they are well installed! We continue, according to the chosen route, walking quietly through the humid and luminous undergrowth of Périgord. Between oaks, beeches, hazelnuts, chestnut trees and plots of pine forest, we sometimes pass next to a borie, a vestige of the traditional habitat of the shepherds of yesteryear. Small dry stone walls, charming paths, hamlets that emerge from a grove… the real Périgord off the beaten track! Today we are going to visit Jack le Patou, who keeps part of the herd with the young lambs, on a high pasture. A beautiful view, the proximity of a walnut grove, we are so comfortable in the sun and with the lambs cuddling us...

   

  

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Horse riding trip in Périgord

Anne and Christophe offer different types of tourist immersions, between horse, sheep and nature. If you like to be in the great outdoors or if you want an original stay, this is the opportunity to disconnect for a few days… There are hikes accessible to all levels, just call Anne and Christophe to find out more. find out more about the schedule of stays (fr).

• Set off for 4 days in the direction of the most beautiful sites of the Vézère Valley, with evenings in charming stopover lodges, where the gastronomy of Périgord has not finished enchanting you...
  
  
• Do you prefer nights in a tent? Set off to climb the nearby Causse de la Corrèze lakes, you are well surrounded and accompanied to benefit from Anne's knowledge of the natural environment. You can also go towards the Lot.
  
  
• For experienced riders, go for 4 to 5 days on the roads of Périgord, driving the flock of sheep. A gentle transhumance, to the rhythm of the animals, a unique communion, in spring!
  
  
• For children and teenagers, 2-day hikes are offered with night under the stars and swimming with the horses.

To find out more, visit the Echappée Pastorale website!

   

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