Travel around Chile on a Criollo horse

By: Pablo Imberti Posted: 12/11/2021

Horseback riding in Chile is an ideal way to see this wilderness and all its splendour, well off the path of most tourists.

In this article, you will find the rides that the main equestrian operators have to offer in this country.

This is one of the most remote places in the world, where poor soil fertility and water scarcity are true challenges for the few farmers who live here.

The Chilean horse, also known as "Corralero", is the horse breed that we can find in the rural areas of Chile, especially in the central and southern parts of the country.

Known for their speed, these muscular and well-built animals are perfectly adapted to these mountainous areas. Their hooves are strong and their thick double-hair coat makes them well-suited for both cold, and hot and dry weather.

The first horses arrived in Chile from the Viceroyalty of Peru with the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, in 1540.

Although since 2002, breeders of Criollo horses have wanted to incorporate the Chilean horse as "Chilean Criollo", it must be borne in mind that there are some important differences, because the Chilean horse is purer and crossbreds are not accepted.

Thus, the Chilean horse is considered as a breed "improver" for the Argentine, Uruguayan and Brazilian Criollos.

Most recommended areas to explore on horseback

Chile offers great adventures on the back of criollo cross horses.

The rugged landscape of Chile and the immensity of the Andes Mountains make Chile one of the countries where riders can enjoy an unforgettable equestrian adventure.

Chile has many amazing valleys scattered amid the most impressive rock formations you have ever seen. One of them is the Melado Valley.

Here you can ride in unbelievable landscapes, at different paces at the foot of this world famous rock giant called Andes Mountain Range.

Another riding option is Chilean Patagonia.

The Chilean Patagonia offers many different equestrian route options .It forms the third largest glacier in the world (after Antarctica and Greenland) with huge blocks of ice submerged under the surface of incredibly beautiful blue lakes.

There are still virgin forest of beechand other trees. this is the home of the curious evergreen, embothrum coccineum, which produces vivid red flowers, as well as other flora unique to southern Patagonia.

Whether you choose one destination or the other, in Chile you will discover an immense and untouched territory where snow-capped peaks, wildlife and plant life will leave you speechless.

On the other hand, the hotel industry in Chile is good and you can choose from a wide range of accommodations, from comfortable inns and estancias to campsites where you can challenge the weather conditions.

During your horse riding holidays in Chile, you will experience the hospitality of its people and its delicious cuisine, which includes lamb and chicken served with vegetables, rice or potatoes. And to pair with your meals, the famous Chilean wines.

Below, you can see two riding holiday operators from two different parts of the country.

Chile Horse Riding

Only a few hours south of Santiago, they are located in the Melado Valley, a paradise for riders, who are eager for adventures, and hikers.

The property is surrounded by an incredibly beautiful landscape.

Since 2002, they have been offering their guided horse riding services in this scenic and charming area of Chile.

This region of Chile is still barely exposed to mass tourism. Here you will find a magnificent setting if you want to see the Chilean wilderness in its purest form: hot springs, blue shimmering glaciers, icy rivers and hidden lagoons.

Riding in this land is discovering how our planet was originally, before all the pollution brought on by modern civilization.

Danilo, founder and director of Chile Horse Riding

He loves to share his knowledge and stories of the beautiful Chilean mountains and the special people of the region, the inhabitants. You will feel at home, because his team is his family.

He worked as a real "Arriero" (Chilean Cowboy) and now he looks after a semi-wild herd of horses. After training them, he makes them available to his guests.

Breeders of Criollo horses

This is a working farm with about 50 horses of the Criollo breed.

This is a typical breed for Chile, as these horses are very persistent and powerful even in the upper parts of the mountains and in the Andes.

In winter, the broodmares and foals are near their farm, in the forest and in the mountains. Every year, in December – this is their spring – they bring all the horses in a horse trek called “Arreo” to the summer pastures in the Andes, near the Argentine border (Cordillera), just as it was done hundreds of years ago.

The whole herd spends 5 months in complete freedom, with no fences or corrals.

Their rides in the Melado Valley

They offer several programs , you will have the unique opportunity to explore the high Andes on horseback.

What follows is a description of their “Cowboy Experience” program, where you can experience the lifestyle of the Chilean Arriero.

Program “Cowboy Experience”

This 8-day cowboy experience offers one of the most authentic forms of horse trekking.

In old Chilean tradition, they drive their semi-wild herd of horses from its winter pasture in Rari to its summer pasture high up in the Andes.

On this equestrian route, you will experience the lifestyle of a real Chilean Arriero, accompanying the herd through all the hardships of the trek up the Cordillera.

Every night, you will get a well-deserved rest beside an open fire. Dinnertime is the perfect time to share your experiences of a strenuous day.

You will get the chance to taste and share a Mate with many other Arrieros that travel with their herds of cows, sheep and goat, and learn all about their traditions and lifestyles.

You can also relax in the hot springs, high up in the mountains.

They offer this trip only three times a year, in the months of:

• December: lathe tasks include mustering, branding and driving up to summer pastures. In total, 9 days of riding and hard work.
• January: mustering herd in the mountains, changing pastures in the Cordillera, too. In total, the ride lasts 8 days, with 6 days riding in the Cordillera.
• April: mustering horses on summer pasture and driving down to winter pasture in Rari. The trip length is 8 days riding down the Andes Range.

Route characteristics:

• You will spend about six hours in the saddle.
• The number of participants required: 1 - 6 people.
• The minimum age of the riders that want to join this tour is 14, and they must be with a parent.
• The riding level required is intermediate. There are cantering opportunities for experienced riders but guides will tell you who, when and where.
• They use Western and Chilean saddles.

More information about them on their website: https://www.chile-horseriding.com/

Horse Riding Patagonia

They’re located in Puerto Natales, south of Chilean Patagonia, and on their rides, you can discover the wildest places in South America.

With them, you will explore Torres del Paine National Park on horseback, enjoying the most amazing forests, hills, waterfalls, lakes and breath-taking views.

Their professional and highly experienced guides and their logistic management team guarantee a safe, leisurely and interesting trip.

Meet the hosts

Victoria Mattison – Founder

Born in Southampton in the UK, and formally a marketing manager for a company in Exeter, Devon, Vicky moved to Chile in 2005 and started a new chapter in Río Serrano, Torres del Paine National Park.

Vicky only ever wanted a dog and a horse, and finally managed to have both in Patagonia.

Today runs the reservations and logistics side of the trips and is also good at making natural soups and putting together all the gourmet lunches for guests.

Armando Iglesias – Guide

Born on an estancia in Tierra del Fuego, Armando has been living horseback adventures in Magallanes his whole life.

With a passion for estancia life, horses and mountaineering, Armando is an excellent horseman, passionate and knowledgeable guide with over 20 years of experience.

With his mountaineering background, accustomed to remote areas and managing groups in extreme places and weather, its the perfect guide for a horseback adventure in this Southern Part of the World.

Their horses

The horses used locally are Criollo-mix and vary in size with the majority being between 14 - 15 hands.

They are strong, fit, willing and sure-footed.

At some stages during certain itineraries (and in any case where it becomes necessary for whatever reason) horses will be changed.

Their equestrian programs in Torres del Paine

Horse Riding Patagonia organises riding tours in Torres del Paine National Park Trips include 5 and 10 days.

They can also arrange custom trips where you can choose the route and the length. They will take you to all the wild corners and the best lookouts of the park.

This ride is ideal for experienced riders that want to combine local flavour with a horseback adventure, and to rest in a comfortable place every night.

Characteristics of their equestrian routes:

• Groups are limited to between 2 and 10 guests.
• Riders must be between 17 and 70 years old, and good physical fitness is essential.
• Riders be an intermediate-to-experienced level of riding, should be able to control a horse on open ground at a canter and be used to riding outside in open spaces.
• There is a weight limit of 95 kgs.
• The ride includes Chilean guides, are bilingual and qualified Wilderness First Aiders. They know Torres del Paine perfectly well and they have many interesting stories to tell you.
• Food on the trips is organic and local wherever possible and they try to give guests gourmet food typical from this area.

10-Day Estancia Ride

This ride will take riders to the northern parts of Torres del Paine National Park.

Of the 10 days of the program, 8 are spent in the saddle, visiting places such as Punta Arenas, Río Serrano and the Paine Massif. You will visit an Indian burial site, ‘Chenke’, Tehuelche for Cemetery.

They will experience the lush green areas of the south, through to the dry, vast pampas of the north. You will stay on authentic estancias during the trip and, when this is not possible, clients will have comfortable hotels.

Sometimes you will ride for more than 8 hours a day. Since they are concerned about their horses’ well-being, during those long days, riders are requested to avoid overworking their horses.

This program also has a shorter version, which lasts only 5 days.

Custom Rides

These rides can be adjusted to your group’s requirements and there are no length or group size restrictions.

They will need the dates for the start of the ride and the distribution of guests (to arrange the accommodation) and the type of riding you are looking (beginner, intermediate or advanced).

They can then arrange an itinerary to suit all your wishes and needs.

For further information please go to their web site: https://www.horseridingpatagonia.com/

/ Photos: www.chile-horseriding.com y www.horseridingpatagonia.com /

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