Updated Saturday, January 27, 2024-00:39

When I plan a trip to the mountains, I first think about what I want most: going alone? Call my friends or colleagues from the mountain club? But I would never have thought about going for a walk in the company of ponies... And this is what

Walk with me

proposes , an original initiative that organizes routes in nature in the company of these little horses. «Walking with our ponies makes us feel an indescribable sensation of peace and calm. These animals transmit harmony, they are capable of reinforcing our self-esteem or giving us comfort in difficult times and, if you want, even being accomplices of your secrets," explains Isabel Madrid, who had the idea of ​​offering these walks for adults in response to a new way to understand ponies. More than as animals to ride, as companions of experiences.

«Walk with me is mainly a riding school for children, what happened is that I realized that adults also liked to be with the ponies, and then we had the idea of ​​offering this parallel activity so that older people could also enjoy the environment and the animals, walking with them, holding their hands, because of course they don't ride them. It is a way to bring little ponies closer to humans at the same time that we benefit from their closeness,” says Isabel.

First of all, a clarification:

do not confuse ponies with foals.

These are the puppy horses, from birth until they shed their baby teeth, and the ponies are "a horse in mini format", of which there are up to 55 breeds and which can measure from 70 cm. to one and a half meters. These mini horses, which were given as pets in the 17th and 18th centuries to princesses and princes, are characterized by their docile, friendly and affectionate character. In fact, they are so sensitive that they need pampering: if they don't feel cared for, they can become depressed. This high sensitivity makes them ideal companions with whom to share problems and feelings and return loaded with positive energy and peace.

«The ponies we have are very balanced, very calm, it seems that sometimes they even look you in the eyes and listen to you. We have a special pony, Minnie, who has a very high perception, she really seems like a person who is listening to you," Isabel Madrid tells us. And the positive effects of

equine therapy

on our physical, mental and emotional health are scientifically proven. In the case of these walking ponies, "the benefits are only emotional, because by not riding we cannot work on a physical level. The relationship increases self-esteem and security, encourages self-control, improves communication and enhances concentration and attention "says Madrid.

There are up to 55 different breeds of ponies.WALK WITH ME

And that concentration begins as soon as we arrive at the Walk with me center in

Valdemanco

- a town in the Sierra Norte embedded in a small valley, between the Sierra de La Cabrera and Pico Mondalindo - and meet those who are going to be our companions. walk. The experience continues choosing the perfect pony for our personality. Isabel makes the pertinent introductions while she explains the most notable traits of her character: «The sensitive and shy Minnie is very receptive to the mood of the person she walks with. She is very delicate and curious, always attentive to what surrounds her.

This is Tinkerbell, who has an energetic and radiant personality, he likes to take long walks"... and continues introducing us to the rest of the equine team: "Here Tambor, he is patient and calm with people, very affectionate, his walk is calm and no hurry. Pocahontas, on the other hand, is a very active pony. His walk is fast and energetic, always wanting to move forward. And finally Simba, who has a lot of personality. "He is independent and has a rebellious and undisciplined character, although if you know how to connect with him he is sweet and loving."

After the first crush and choosing our best friend, we make him handsome, brushing and caressing him, and this simple action already relaxes us. «That contact with the animal, caressing it and brushing its fur, normally calms people who come with high revs, who are stressed or who are not used to the stillness of the countryside. This work makes them focus more on action and connect with the animals," Isabel explains to us. Once the setup is done, we begin the ride walking alongside our ponies, leading them by the reins.

The most common route is the one that surrounds the Valdemanco Lagoon, one of the wetlands cataloged and protected in the Community for its faunal and botanical interest. Another is to go up to the Convent of San Antonio and San Julián de La Cabrera, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the northern area of ​​Madrid, and from there visit the archaeological sites of

Cerro de la Cabeza

, which range from the Bronze Age to the medieval time. The most important thing "is that the walk has to be calm, enjoying the path, without rushing, we do not have the objective of getting anywhere and going with a certain time, we will walk whatever we want," Isabel concludes. After the pony ride we will return home more relaxed, full of positive energy and with a mountaineer friend that we will add to the agenda. So, wow!

ACTIVITY

: Walk through the mountains in the company of a pony to disconnect and relax.

ORGANIZED

: Walk With Me Experiences.

WHERE

: Valdemanco.

MOBILE

: 696537987.

WEB

: walkwithmeexperiences.com