The equestrian tourism in Adyghea

Majestic mountain range of Big Tkhach.... Picturesque Rufabgo waterfalls… Unique caves "Nezhnaya" and Azishskaya…. Rocky gorges in vicinity of Khadzhokh... Mineral springs, forest lakes and mountain rivers for rafting... Climbing walls and Alpine meadows along the main Caucasus mountain range... Beech and boxwood forests... The Lago-Naki plateau and mountains of the Nagoy-Chuk, Tybga, Dzhemaruk, Dzhuga and others... Dolmens camp with dozens of dolmens... Mountain range Acheshboky or Devil's gates... There are all wonderful creations of nature of the Caucasus, unique attractions of touristic Adyghea which are available to visit year-round for all lovers of nature and tourism.

More than a dozen exciting tourist routes are offered in the region today for both travelling on foot and horse riding. Different length and duration in time, in groups or individually, to the Black sea or to one of the mountain ranges of the Caucasus - all of them are popular and active almost all year round - from April to November, but most often in warm time. However, preparation for travelling on foot or horse riding tourist route should start in advance, and often the success of its implementation is determined by the correctness of chosen path, experience of guide, forces of tourists themselves, as well as it depends on ability to find in the region calm and well-trained horses and an experienced instructor in the case of horse riding.

Speaking about the equestrian tourism and the rest in Adyghea, it is important for every tourist to understand the following: Where in Adyghea can he rent horses for horseback riding or for a horse-riding touristic route? What is the best place to start if he has chosen a horse riding holiday in the region? And where in Adyghea can he quickly learn how to ride before to go on a one-day horse trip?

So, if you decide to prefer horseback riding in the Sunny Adyghea to a holiday on the sea or a trip abroad, first of all, you should know that the region offers among actual opportunities of horse tourism the following:

First, two or three-hours horse riding in the recreation centers in Dakhovskaya glade at the fork in roads to Guzeripl and Lago-Naki, in Khadzhokh, near the gorge Meshoko and in other places. They are organized both in advance and on request at the place of a camp of horses well-trained for this type of rest.

Secondly, more than a dozen horse-riding tourist routes are organized by experienced instructors individually or in groups. In general, horse riding routes of Adyghea lie at altitude of 600 to 2000 meters above sea level and provide an opportunity to admire different landscapes with different climatic features.

Third, horse riding and routes are offered by the rural tourism. Small rural hotels with 10 to 60 seats, located in the Maykopsky region in the villages Kamennomostskiy, Dakhovskaya, Ust-Sakhray, Novoprokhladnoye, Merkulaevka, Pobeda, Khamyshky and Guzeripl, can organize horse riding and even horse trips for a few days.

In Adyghea, everyone who wants to start riding can learn horse riding in the equestrian school in the village of Gaverdovsky (Maykop). The Republican specialized children and youth school of Olympic reserve in equestrian sport has been operating in the region for several decades and provides an opportunity to engage children with disabilities, offering them hippo therapy (treatment with horses).

For visitors and tourists who have chosen Adyghea as a place for horseback riding, the first lessons of horse riding can be given by experienced instructors working with travel companies, organizers of horse tourism. In such cases, quickly learning to ride will depend on abilities of learner and experience of instructor.

And for those who are engaged in equestrian sports not the first year and prefer tourism on horseback in picturesque corners of our country, just in such as Adyghea, it can be useful some councils of the master of saddlery Aydamir Patokov known in the North Caucasus, who is engaged in production of Circassian saddles on ancient technologies and fond of horse tourism.

 "For horse rides and routes we have to choose well-trained horses. Horses that are not used to riding on mountainous terrain or are not accustomed to riding children and going along tourist routes for long distances can show their temper. In fact, the riding horse should work from year to year at tourist points, and owner of the horse should know what kind of horse is it, what horses are suitable to each other and can stand in conjunction during a horse riding. Therefore, it’s better to address to well- recommended organizers of equestrian tourism, horse owners who have already proved themselves and have an extensive experience. In the region, there are many one-day firms buying cheap horses before the season and offering them for horseback riding and routes. And at the end of tourist season, they sell horses, as in the winter their maintenance and treatment require significant expenses.

Often, people who come to mountain Adyghea for horses riding are non–professional riders. In general, there are children and women, those who have dreamed all their life to get on a horse, ride, jump "with the wind", and they think they will get at the first time. In fact, to learn how to ride a horse, they need not only courage and perseverance, but also help of an experienced instructor, organizer of horse riding. He will not only explain how to sit on horseback, but also choose a suitable horse and a proven route.

For more experienced riders, it’s better to choose the most interesting touristic routes in the mountains. In Adyghea, there are different horse crossings. For example, the famous route "30" through Fisht to the sea. But in this case, it should be remembered it will be difficult for an unprepared person to hike for 10 days at once, especially on horseback. So for beginners, I would recommend a horseback ride or route no more than a day trip. In addition, for a two - or three-days routes to the sea should, we could take into account frequent changes of climate. It can be very hot, cold, and windy. It rains, and in the morning, in the mountains there are copious dew and even frosts.

For riders from other regions, who decided to go through a multi-day horse route in Adyghea, it’s best to take local horses, accustomed to mountains and frequent changes of climate and landscapes. These horses can be rented from trusted organizers of equestrian tourism. To talk more specifically and to recommend routes prepared for riders, it’s, first and foremost, horseback riding to Fisht or Big Tkhach. The horse route to Fisht where the tent town is located, takes 3-4 days. The route to the Big Tkhach, where you can stay at the night only in your tent, takes one or two days there and the same back".

For those who have questions about the equestrian tourism in Adyghea, they can contact the local hotel complexes in advance or on the eve of the trip and agree indicating number of days of horse trip and number of its participants. Many rest homes in Maykopsky region cooperate with proven private organizers of horseback riding and routes. There are also hotels, for example, in the area of the gorge Meshoko which offers rural horse riding, well trained horses know all local riding routes.

Among experienced instructors, escorting riders in Adyghea there is well-known instructor Ruslan Vorokov. He organizes horse riding and multi-day trips, he has his well-trained horses, knows all their features and habits, how to choose a horse for a future rider. His tourist center is on the way to the Lago-Naki plateau. Those who want to go on a horse trip, his valuable recommendations of an experienced instructor will be very useful.

"Today, horse riding in Adyghea is increasingly popular among both local residents and tourists from other regions of Russia and foreigners. However, not everyone fully understands what is important to know about a horse riding in the mountains.

First, the best time for horseback riding is from the end of June to August. In June, the mountains still have a lot of snow. And in autumn and in winter, it’s preferable horse riding with a length of 2 and 3 hours on terrain or daily. But in winter, there also are a lot of tourists who want to ride. Unfortunately, it will not go on horseback in the cold season far away in the mountains.

Secondly, regardless of horse riding or horse riding trip, experienced instructors are obliged to conduct a full briefing where they inform tourists about all issues. In the case of multi-day trips, this applies to warm and changed clothes, comfortable tent, food supplies and, of course, daily care for horses. Usually, when we accompany tourists to Fisht, it's easier because of a hotel and tent town. But, nevertheless, we recommend to bring the own tents. Two - or four-person tents are sold everywhere, they are easy to fold and have no weight. But it’s convenient, if they want to stay, we say, for one night in one picturesque place on the side of mountain lake, this tent will be enough. For women and children who have never ridden or even seen a horse, we organize an instruction lessons and we teach them how to ride in the saddle. And then we accompany them with pleasure.

Third, there is important to determine a touristic route in advance, taking into account places in Adyghea that would be visited during such horse trip. The most popular routes are Fisht, Big and Small Tkhach, through the mountains to the sea.

Fourth, most often the group gathers up to 10 people who are accompanied by 2 instructors. Sometimes, the whole families come. Sometimes, we have a group of different people, strangers to each other, gathered together.

Fifth, we offer proven horses ready for this chosen route. Mainly, these are horses of Kabardian breed – hardy and quite calm, accustomed to the local features of landscape and long-distance campaign. Of course, we count on caring for horses in a multi-day riding route. At the same time, we constantly monitor their health and we are ready to teach tourists some simple riding techniques."

If you visit Adyghea, you can see today in the region the equestrian tourism is a unique opportunity to combine your favorite activity or sport with an excursion in the mountain and recreational complex. Taking into account different types of horse riding routes in the region, it’s not only the equestrian tourism, horse riding or trips for lovers of leisure activities; there are fascinating and informative journeys. And let tourists and vacationers use information of so-called "gypsy mail" or "word of mouth" talking about horse riding in Adyghea. Nevertheless, the website of the Committee for tourism and resorts of the Republic of Adyghea has been active for a long time, there it’s possible to choose a horse route taking into account its seasonality, length and duration, as well as number of participants in group (www.adygcomtur.ru).

Yes, today our Adyghea is known for its tourist routes and excursions, as well as horse crossings. Some of them pass through the high plateau Lago - Naki to the Black sea coast. The Lago-Naki plateau is a special place with amazing rock knots and ridges, snow-capped peaks, picturesque river valleys. Today, few people refuse to see with their own eyes a splendor of Alpine meadows and eternal snow, a beauty of mountains ranges, a fabulous world of boxwood forests, a serenity of lakes and rivers. In the winter season, many people want to visit ski routes of the North Caucasus, including in the Republic of Adyghea, and in warm time to go along tourist routes to the Black sea on foot or on horseback. For such lovers of the equestrian tourism. it will be useful all recommendations, thanks to which the equestrian touristic route will be an exciting and completely safe journey in the country of mountains.

Welcome to Adyghea! Take advantage of a great opportunity to ride and at the same time to visit picturesque sights of our region, acquiring a new invaluable experience of eco-tourism.

Author: Fatima Teuchezh.