Rafaels Trail Riding – Kardamena

Rafaels  is named in memory of a beloved nephew who tragically died at a young age just a few years ago.

Rafaels is new and they have  launched their fabulous website.  They have been up and running for the last few months in Kardamena, Kos and are going from strength to strength.

For those of you whom might remember ‘The Donkey Trail’ article we featured last year, it is a similar concept, only with horses!

Katy and Takis have formed a great team and with a whole lot of  support behind them from friends and family,  they have been working non stop around the clock to make a dream come true.

We were lucky enough to meet them and the horses before the summer season kicked off.  Unfortunately,  due to the terrible storms when we went in April  and the damage that the extreme weather conditions had caused at that time, we were unable to saddle up then and have not had the chance since!

We had a great morning anyway and the children enjoyed meeting all the horses and giving them treats.

Winston was the very first horse they encountered, large and an old man at 16.  He has recently been struggling on his sore feet with a condition that has been caused by extreme neglect from his previous owner.  Katy had found him starving and on death’s door.  Over the months under Katy’s protection and with loving hands he has slowly started to recover, although desperate for specialised medical care which thankfully arrived later on in May, and now he is a new and much happier and healthier horse.

The children (as did we), loved listening to the names of the horses, where they had come from, their charactors and favourite foods.

Christinaki is a 9 year old horse and spent her time sniffing at the children’s pockets in the hope that there were more apples in there!

Asproulla (orginally from Rhodes) is known as a gentle sweetheart that also loves treats.

Then there is Bella who arrived from the mainland last year in a terrible condition.  Happily she is now on top form  and had  a foal during the winter months, in fact during a storm and therefore they decided to call him Storm.

Storm is of course adorable and the children all fell in love with him.  He was born on one of the worst wintry nights, hence his name.

Electra, is a young (4 year old)  and was a little  bit shy, but a favourite who has come on in leaps and bounds since she arrived at Rafaels.

Then lastly  Scruffy Horse, a big lipped  horse from Albania, who will  eat anything and is totally stubborn at times we are told!

All the horses were gently grazing the neighbours ‘lawns’, and were happy and content with the children stroking them.

Katy is an experienced  horse trainer,  before living in Kos Katy worked as a horse trainer in the police force. Katy  has been working with all of the horses throughout the  winter.  They are all suitable to be ridden by children as well as adults.  Obviously Storm is still too young, and Winston is retired though.

There are  several activities for children/adults (summer and winter), and the programme is aimed at children from 4 years and upwards and adults of course.  There are beginner courses and children can ride in the paddock or be lead along the beach.   For  more experienced riders (over 12 years of age), there are organised excursions up into the hills and to the ancient castle of Antimachia.   Spectacular views, picnics and an experience you won’t forget.

There are BBQ days out too, so be sure to follow them on facebook to keep up to date.

For further information on the rides, prices, how to pre book, book ….please take a look at their website.

www.horseridingkos.com

They also have some fabulous photographs for you to enjoy on their website.

You don’t have to be a tourist to treat yourself or your family to a riding session or excursion.  Come along and have some fun and have a really special experience.

Congratulations on all the hard work so far and we wish Katy and Takis  lots of luck for the rest of the summer and always!