Horses and riding in Croatia
Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch is, we dare to say, the best destination in Croatia for horse riding holiday. Velika Plana valley together with Lika planes is known as the natural haven characterized by its beautiful green landscapes and unique vegetation whose combination proved to be ideal for the creation of our ranch with the main activity being horse riding.
Natural resources and wildlife of Velebit mountain provide the opportunity for an unforgettable adventure holiday in Croatia. Although Croatia is best known as a summer holiday destination, more and more people are seeking escape from the crowds and traffic and searching for a different active form of relaxation in nature in winter and throughout the year.
Horseback riding has marked every civilization in the world in the past, making it a natural choice to become the main activity at our ranch. Our entire Linden team is made of true lovers of horses which offer our guests the possibility to experience an unforgettable connection with nature through mastering different types of horse riding skills. On our ranch there are no limits, only the freedom of choice.
A horseback riding vacation at Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch will, without a doubt, be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Our wranglers at the Ranch are well versed in natural horsemanship and love sharing their passion for horseback riding with guests of all different experience levels. Thanks to our various horseback riding programs from our staple 2-hour trail ride to multi-day rides, you are bound to never tire of the stunning beauty of the Velebit Nature Park landscapes, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
On our ranch, we offer various lectures and workshops for the gradual introduction to horseback riding from colt starting to horsemanship, and for those less eager in horse mastery, we have prepared other adventures that will keep you active during your vacation on our ranch.
OUR HORSE RIDING PROGRAMS FOR ADVENTUROUS CROATIAN HOLIDAY
Wherever you are at in your riding, whether you are a seasoned equestrian or an absolute beginner, we believe we offer a horseback riding experience that will greatly surpass your expectations. Upon arriving at the Ranch, there will be a time when everyone sits down to his or her first dinner. This is when the head wrangler comes to greet you and talk briefly about your riding experience. From there we are prepared to match you up with the horse that will help in making this the best horseback riding experience you have ever imagined. No matter how much or how little experience you may have, all riders go through a brief orientation before getting on their horse. The riding times are inclusive of the safety briefing and rest periods for the longer rides. This helps bring horses back into our minds and allows us to begin our journey to becoming better riders.
All horseback riding at Linden Tree is designed to ensure both safety and pleasure. The Ranch is pleased to offer a variety of lessons related to the safe and comfortable riding of our stable of horses. For the beginner, or someone returning to the saddle, we offer a riding school to hone skills and confidence. Private and group riding lessons are available.
One of the most important aspects of horseback riding at Linden Tree is woven throughout our entire horse program: natural horsemanship. For all of our guests that means that in addition to mastering the technical skills of riding horses, they will adopt something much more valuable – a real understanding and a deeper communication with horses, that in short time become their best friends.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HORSE RIDING ACTIVITIES ON OUR RANCH
We take pride in the fact that we can lay claim to having one of the best herds of horses in Croatia. This is not something that comes easily, but a large portion of this claim is due to the way we operate our entire horse program. Thanks to the excellent string of well-trained horses, we are able to offer specialized and individualized horse riding programs that will fully manifest your wishes during an unforgettable ranch vacation in Croatia.
Two hour horseback ride
The two-hour horseback riding program is the shortest riding program on the ranch with which you can start your cowboy adventure. Inhale the glorious scent of saddle leather mingled with wildflowers and sun-warmed pine.
Delight in the simple luxury of experience—the power of a strong and willing horse beneath you, the freedom of the frontier—and satisfy your yearning for adventure. This scenic ride goes through the valley with spectacular views, stream crossings, gorges and meadows.
Wagon ride
Real family adventure as three generations (grandkids, parents and grandparents) can fit in one of our restored country wagons for a ride through the village.
The journey will take you close to the farms that produce milk and dairy products for the ranch to experience organic farming first hand and see where our food comes from. Try your hand at driving our team of horses and earn the bragging rights!
Wagon ride
Real family adventure as three generations (grandkids, parents and grandparents) can fit in one of our restored country wagons for a ride through the village.
The journey will take you close to the farms that produce milk and dairy products for the ranch to experience organic farming first hand and see where our food comes from. Try your hand at driving our team of horses and earn the bragging rights!
Day ride
You’ll roam the range, being the one with your trusty mount and the land. This is the wrangler’s favorite! Treat yourself with an extraordinary day and experience the mountain country on a horseback. Whether you live in Croatia or are visiting, a trail ride through the beautiful foothills of Velebit Mountain, is very special activity for the whole family, group of friends, small company get-togethers or just simply for yourself. We provide a tasty lunch on the trail and interesting facts about the land, Croatia wildlife and flora. Enjoy a day full of great moments, fantastic scenery and fun on our sure-footed horses.
Join us for the whole day of horseback riding and enjoy a day full of exceptional moments, fantastic photos of landscapes and guaranteed fun.
Bruce and his team. I can’t wait to go back!
Pony Riding
Children enjoy guided pony rides at the Ranch. With our exceptionally calm horses and patient instructors, every child can go through this program while at the ranch and start developing basic riding skills. Those with experience can join advance group and work on their trotting skills or even try bareback riding.
Natural Horsemanship
Although the term itself is often overused and misunderstood, we relate this closely to what we consider our own variation, Linden Tree horsemanship. What this means to the guest is that the experience is bound to go far beyond that of a typical head-to-tail ride.
Your understanding of communication between yourself and your horse is what will be not only discovered but also advanced and understood. It is again one way that we are able to take your horseback riding experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
Although we consider this type of training to constantly be taking place, we also like to help our guests understand what it is that we are after in implementing such techniques.
Natural Horsemanship
Although the term itself is often overused and misunderstood, we relate this closely to what we consider our own variation, Linden Tree horsemanship. What this means to the guest is that the experience is bound to go far beyond that of a typical head-to-tail ride.
Your understanding of communication between yourself and your horse is what will be not only discovered but also advanced and understood. It is again one way that we are able to take your horseback riding experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
Although we consider this type of training to constantly be taking place, we also like to help our guests understand what it is that we are after in implementing such techniques.
Riding lesson
Many people tend to think that the horse is the only one being trained in this type of situation. Well, that’s not entirely true. We would love to help you understand how the horse is not the only one getting an education out of our training techniques. We can help riders overcome old experiences and instill confidence at any skill level.
Ultimate Cowboy Adventure
Once a year selected few guests have a privilege of participating in an expedition deep into the mountain and across Lika plain on a journey that can best be described through the words of those who have taken it before: “a trip of a lifetime” or “best vacation ever”! After you spend a week on the mountain listening to the sound of silence and deepening understanding of yourself and your place in this world, you never look at the life with the same eyes.
Evenings around campfire and stories shared, challenges of daily rides and unexpected situations ask of riders to bring their best. In its own way, this adventure for many who have taken it represented a rite of passage to their more authentic self.
PDF brochure.
Ultimate Cowboy Adventure
Once a year selected few guests have a privilege of participating in an expedition deep into the mountain and across Lika plain on a journey that can best be described through the words of those who have taken it before: “a trip of a lifetime” or “best vacation ever”! After you spend a week on the mountain listening to the sound of silence and deepening understanding of yourself and your place in this world, you never look at the life with the same eyes.
Evenings around campfire and stories shared, challenges of daily rides and unexpected situations ask of riders to bring their best. In its own way, this adventure for many who have taken it represented a rite of passage to their more authentic self.
Luxury nature resort at the heart of the wilderness.
Experience authentic guest ranch and restorative retreat hidden inside UNESCO Velebit Mountain Biosphere Reserve, Velika Plana, Croatia. Home of a unique horsemanship, bespoke attention to comfort, service, sustenance, and transformative experience.
“Portal to what matters!” – D. Derifaj