Not far from Lviv, in the village of Lopushna, there’s a ranch, «Skarbova Hora» (Treasure Mountain). You can reach it in two ways: from Stryiska and Zelena streets. If you choose the first variant, follow the Stryiska route, take a turn to Zhyrivka and go straight to Lopushna. If you choose the second one, go straight to Davydiv, then take a right turn and straight to the «Skarbova Hora».
«Skarbova Hora» isn’t a mere ranch that just accepts visitors – it’s one of the centres of horse breeding. It organises unique horse tours through Galicia, hippotherapy sessions for children, and teaches how to love these animals as the ranch founders do. The owner Ostap Lun’, who travelled through half of the USA and decided to create his ranch here, is the organiser of all tours and trips. Since his childhood, the man has been fond of horses and everything related to them.
«Skarbova Hora is, primarily, our home. I live here with my family, but we also accept visitors and organise horse tourism, which was the aim of building a ranch. We opened a cafe and arranged guest rooms in this place. People just come to live here [for a short time]. In addition, we organise different events: concerts, weddings, corporate celebrations», – Ostap Lun’ narrates.
In the household, there are six horses and a donkey, and all of them take part in the trips. A horse Tristan became the first «resident» of the ranch after Ostap had purchased him from Roma people. The horse was two years old, but he was already huge at that time. There’s also a German-born Romantyka of the Hanoverian breed grazing nearby. Her previous owner was a wealthy man from the Lviv region who couldn’t deal with her temper. Latka (Patch) is a mare of the Hutsul breed, which Ostap Lun’ purchased in the Hutsul region. The donkey is cute, everyone loves him, but he’s also sly and stubborn. He’s like a pet, helpful in carrying things during the trips, the owner adds. People come here even from abroad to ride horseback.
«It’s important to remember that horse is a living animal, not a mechanism. It requires time, experience and lots of work to understand him», – he adds.
Rehabilitation specialists say that hippotherapy helps relax muscles and improve children’s mental state. It is helpful for children with autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. Hyperactive and overwrought children calm down, and some of them even fall asleep. The majority of parents notice positive changes after the sessions.
«The sessions are being adapted to the mood of a young rider: sometimes, a child wants to mere lie on a horse, sometimes does horseback exercises for general development. Children feed animals, take care of them and hug. It evokes positive emotions and joy in them», – a rehabilitation doctor Kateryna Nuryieva explains to Tvoemisto.tv.
According to her, horseback riding involves the main muscle groups in the human body. It occurs on a reflex level since the rider tries to keep balance while moving together with a horse. Therefore, the sessions have a general developmental effect.
The route which Tvoemisto.tv chose will take an hour. Usually, a trip here, according to Ostap, continues 8 hours a day with several breaks.
Here are some of our life hacks, which will be useful if you prepare for a similar trip horseback:
- Don’t wear white footgear
- If the relief will change during the trip, it’s better to wear a helmet
- Avoid leaving parts of your body uncovered and choose clothes that hide arms and legs
- The best trousers for riding are those of thick fabric, as they wouldn’t slip on the horse
- Insect spray and sunscreen will be of use
The most important thing is never to let the reins go, pull it right if you turn right, and a different side if you take a left. If you want to stop, pull it on yourself, and line the horse with your heels to accelerate. No matter if you go for a one-hour trip on horseback or plan a long ride for a weekend – it’s better not to start without preparation and basic riding skills. Don’t expect that you’ll learn it in the process because the horse feels your uncertainty and his uncontrollability.
Accommodation on a ranch. For a four-bed room here you will have to pay 1000 UAH, 1500 UAH for a six-bed room, and 3000 UAH for a twelve-bed room.
Horseback riding. One hour on one horse costs UAH 500, a horseback ride to the forest (30 minutes) – UAH 250, a joint trip on three horses for 20 minutes will cost UAH 500. Ten minutes of riding in a circle cost UAH 100.
«Your City. Your Country». Olha Koval, Yulia Danyliuk
Translated by Vitalii Holich
Photo and Video by Daria Kucher
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