Discovering the pleasures of riding: Saddle up!

 
Considered a discipline reserved for a privileged public in Madagascar, riding is a natural desire that manifests itself from a young age before developing into a passion. We will refute this idea of restriction and show that riding is above all a sports activity with multiple health benefits regardless of its quality of hobby.
 
To move in galloping, trotting or not, whatever the pace, this outdoor sport works the adductor muscles of the pelvic limb, dorsal and abdominal. Add these benefits, the action on the respiratory system, especially seeing that equestrian activities are generally practiced in spacious environments, and in direct contact with nature. Finally, on the psychological side, riding creates a sphere of trust: self-confidence and confidence in the animal. The first is the concentration required for the activity to control the stallion (which is still eight times your weight) while the second is the fact of living a certain complicity between the two parties; to play this art of dominant / dominated ratio. In short, the breath of mutual respect.
 
 
Attractive element of tourism
Since riding is simultaneously an art, a hobby and a sport, it enters the tourist attractions of the Big Island proposed in different regions. Equestrian hike, horseback ride by the sea, introductory course, walk, ... This is what establishments offer to satisfy tourists; the latter have the choice to go to these specialised centers or hotel complexes according to their respective expectations.
 
This article was featured in Prime Magazine January 2018

Useful Information

When to go

The beaches of the east coast or the city of Antsirabe usually experience an increase in the number of tourists in the Easter weekend period. The equestrian centres, meanwhile, are open all year, and sometimes they even organise competitions.How long ? Mastering the three paces (trotting, galloping, not) requires regular and continuous training sessions. It does not depend at all on the number of falls, but rather the atmosphere of the course, the horse in question, the environment in which you train and especially the instructor. So choose your instructor carefully! The internationally recognised certifications are FEI (International Equestrian Federation), IGEQ (International Group for Equestrian Qualifications), and COC (Certificate of Capability).

How to get there

The Equestrian Farm of the Rova, a stable located near Ambohidratrimo and part of the Malagasy Federation of Equestrian Sports (FMSE) offers all types of horses and various activities to their customers. Another equestrian centre in the capital is the Amajo Poney Club, which even invites toddlers to learn about horse riding by offering them an entire learning program. It also offers the general public courses, pedagogy, for example the course in varied terrain (PTV): a single field where the rider will have to pass different tests (ditch crossing, curbs, footbridge, etc.). On the side of Ankadikely Ilafy, there is the COT or Olympic Club Tananarive. The Bevalala (Atsimondrano) racetracks and the Mahazina racetrack at Ambatolampy should also be noted, which are on the RN7. A little further east of the capital, the Domaine de l'Hermitage in Mantasoa, 73 km from Tana, offers customers the possibility of riding horses. In Toamasina, the Sunny Golf Club is known for its horseback rides by the sea. The Domaine des Haras Masteva, run by the Neptune Hotel with its surface of 7 hectares, is an equestrian centre affiliated to the FMSE. One to visit ! In the city of water, in the Vakinankaratra region, you can have a horse riding rendezvous at Villa Salameko, in the city centre in front of the train station or at Lake Andraikiba. For a baptism, you can find horses on the beaches of Toamasina, Foulpointe, Mahambo or Mahajanga. Aride of 10 minutes costs 5000 Ariary. Three training sessions in a centre are worth about 150000 Ariary. For an organised hike in the Isalo National Park, you will have to pay 220 to 1000 Euros.

Where to stay

Where to eat

What to see

The Equestrian Farm of the Rova, a stable located near Ambohidratrimo and part of the Malagasy Federation of Equestrian Sports (FMSE) offers all types of horses and various activities to their customers. Another equestrian centre in the capital is the Amajo Poney Club, which even invites toddlers to learn about horse riding by offering them an entire learning program. It also offers the general public courses, pedagogy, for example the course in varied terrain (PTV): a single field where the rider will have to pass different tests (ditch crossing, curbs, footbridge, etc.). On the side of Ankadikely Ilafy, there is the COT or Olympic Club Tananarive. The Bevalala (Atsimondrano) racetracks and the Mahazina racetrack at Ambatolampy should also be noted, which are on the RN7. A little further east of the capital, the Domaine de l'Hermitage in Mantasoa, 73 km from Tana, offers customers the possibility of riding horses. In Toamasina, the Sunny Golf Club is known for its horseback rides by the sea. The Domaine des Haras Masteva, run by the Neptune Hotel with its surface of 7 hectares, is an equestrian centre affiliated to the FMSE. One to visit ! In the city of water, in the Vakinankaratra region, you can have a horse riding rendezvous at Villa Salameko, in the city centre in front of the train station or at Lake Andraikiba. For a baptism, you can find horses on the beaches of Toamasina, Foulpointe, Mahambo or Mahajanga.