Riding in Georgia

[scruffyponies]

Enjoyed Albania so much last year that I'm considering doing whilst I still can.

Has anyone any experience they can share of riding Akal-Teke x types, Georgia (USSR, not USA), or RideWorldWide?
Looking at a ride where pack ponies aren't used, as I think that would be quite limiting unless you're solely on high mountain routes where pace would be slower.

 

[sportsmansB]

I was in Albania last year too!

I've been interested in Georgia too as I enjoy being properly out of the way - I've been to Kazakhstan and looked into Kyrgyzstan too.
@HollyWoozle might have some ideas?

Happy to chat about my other varying adventures too if you are interested

 

[scruffyponies]

I was in Albania last year too!

I've been interested in Georgia too as I enjoy being properly out of the way - I've been to Kazakhstan and looked into Kyrgyzstan too.
@HollyWoozle might have some ideas?

Happy to chat about my other varying adventures too if you are interested

Ooh yes please.
Albania was our first dedicated riding holiday, although I have ridden in a number of countries during various travels in my youth. Did you ride with Caravan Horse?

I'm just a little bit worried about the horses being very much 'more' than I'm used to. The Albanian ponies aren't so very different to my natives, albeit in much harder condition.

 

[sportsmansB]

Ooh yes please.
Albania was our first dedicated riding holiday, although I have ridden in a number of countries during various travels in my youth. Did you ride with Caravan Horse?

I'm just a little bit worried about the horses being very much 'more' than I'm used to. The Albanian ponies aren't so very different to my natives, albeit in much harder condition.

Yes I think that was the same people. Near Gjirokaster?
I liked the albanian ones, they were a bit raw but very tough and knew their jobs.
I'll send you a pm

 

[scruffyponies]

Yes that was them. Christina and Ariel, and a bunch of ponies as hard as rocks!

 

[sportsmansB]

Yes that was them. Christina and Ariel, and a bunch of ponies as hard as rocks!

I had Mavri, the toughest spunkiest little mare who thought nothing of carrying (not very small) me up rocky slopes and galloping off at the top!

 

[scruffyponies]

I had Mavri, the toughest spunkiest little mare who thought nothing of carrying (not very small) me up rocky slopes and galloping off at the top!

I rode Dori, who was a saint, and similarly willing and tough. Unbelievably sure-footed.

 

[j1ffy]

I haven't but Georgia is somewhere I'd love to visit! It's supposed to be absolutely beautiful, Georgian food is delicious, and of course it's the birthplace of wine. Please do a report if you do go!

 

[Winters100]

I have visited Georgia many times, but not for riding. It is absolutely beautiful, and I am sure would make for a great riding holiday.

 

[First Frost]

I have ridden in the Tusheti region of Georgia. Absolutely wonderful, very off grid, felt like i had travelled back in time. We were based in the village of Omalo. You have to drive up the Albano pass (one of the worlds most dangerous roads) to get there. We had some rides where we stayed away over night so used pack ponies. The horses we rode were amazing, so sure footed but fast and with fantastic stamina. The herd travelled with us including foals and ponies carrying our things who were also loose.
The riding was fast but also covered some difficult terrain. Our guides were brilliant so welcoming and fabulous horsemen.

Would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an adventure and a new perspective!

 

[scruffyponies]

Update:

Have just returned. This is one for folks who like a faster ride and aren't fussy about living conditions (mainly camping, no toilets). Horses are smallish thoroughbred types in Russian dragoon saddles. Canters wherever ground permits, often through branches which require a lot of fending off, ducking and dodging. No prisoners taken, uphill, down-dale, twists, turns and plenty of puddle / rut-jumping, although nothing bigger than that. Some VERY long canter/galops - up to 15 minutes!

We had horrific weather for the last 4 days (out of 8), which made life much harder (had to evacuate due to flooding!)*, but still fantastic fun and a proper adventure.
Booked with Ride Worldwide.
*Sense of humor required.

 

[Kirstd33]

Update:

Have just returned. This is one for folks who like a faster ride and aren't fussy about living conditions (mainly camping, no toilets). Horses are smallish thoroughbred types in Russian dragoon saddles. Canters wherever ground permits, often through branches which require a lot of fending off, ducking and dodging. No prisoners taken, uphill, down-dale, twists, turns and plenty of puddle / rut-jumping, although nothing bigger than that. Some VERY long canter/galops - up to 15 minutes!

We had horrific weather for the last 4 days (out of 8), which made life much harder (had to evacuate due to flooding!)*, but still fantastic fun and a proper adventure.
Booked with Ride Worldwide.
*Sense of humor required.

Wowzers! This sounds incredible…. Off to the internet to research!

 

[SEL]

Oh that sounds like my kind of trip!!! (When I was a bit younger - I'm not a fan of damp camping these days)

I'm wondering whether to have a mid life crisis next year and book something adventurous. Photos please?????

I had a fab trip in Patagonia where the frozen rain came sideways from Antarctica and our tents were nowhere near robust to deal with it. The riding was fast and furious though. It turns out gauchos don't much like getting wet so we did a high speed ride from one camp to an abandoned old house (roof intact). They told two of our group to go in the support van and the rest of us to not fall off. Very sure footed horses because I think I had my eyes shut at times

I do think for all wilderness trips a sense of humour is required. Also understanding that sometimes things just can't go to plan and you need to go with the flow. Full on sandstorm in Tunisia caught us out riding and we lost a horse - fully tacked up..

Who did you go with and would you recommend?

 

[scruffyponies]

We were told that at least two riders over 80 had managed the trip previously, and drop-outs were more common among younger riders .
Ride Worldwide were great. Most of my companions were German and had booked with Pferd und Reiter.

 

[Sealine]

That sounds amazing. I have to admit my creaky knees hurt at the thought of 15 minute canters these days.

Some VERY long canter/galops - up to 15 minutes!

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I am soooo jealous! Lucky, lucky peeps, well hard worked for I am sure not just luck. Can I please urge any of you young guns thinking of embarking on this sort of trip to just go ahead and do it while you can. I can tell you for sure once you can't do these things you truly regret the things you didn't do, never the things you did do. Any more piccys scruffyponies?

 

[Cloball]

Sounds similar to my Mongolia trip where the previous ride had had to be diverted due to blizzard conditions ... In June. The most soft of the riders was a 21 year old student who had to take a 3 day break.

 

[crazyandme]

We were told that at least two riders over 80 had managed the trip previously, and drop-outs were more common among younger riders .
Ride Worldwide were great. Most of my companions were German and had booked with Pferd und Reiter.
View attachment 140348

Oooo good to know of a German company that maybe able to help me from Germany. I'm debating booking something like this to celebrate after my defense next year (hopefully)

 

[scruffyponies]

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I love the bum warming one!

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Food looks good too!

 

[Cloball]

Definitely inspired me

 

[SEL]

Oooh the food does look good!

 

[scruffyponies]

I love the bum warming one!

We were trying to dry out... literally soaked to the skin after 4 hours or so riding in the pouring rain through wet leaves. All had some kind of waterproof coat on, but had soaked through. Some of those wet bums were despite waterproof trousers too!
I ended up stripping off to my bra to be able to dry my jumper and t-shirt as near to the fire as possible without setting fire to it.