Situated in the Volvestre region of the Couserans,
perched on a hill surrounded by forestland
just 45 minutes from Toulouse, our horse farm
offers horseriding trips and
riding holidays for adults and children
of all abilities including beginners
lasting from 1 hour to several days.

bohinnathalie@wanadoo.fr

EQUILOISIRS ~ 09230 Fabas ~ Ariège-Pyrénées, France ~ Tél : (33) 05 61 96 41 32

Nathalie Bohin and François Meyer, equestrian guides welcome you to their farm "Equiloisirs". for unforgettable horseriding trips, suited to your ability, on purebred arabian or Castillonnais mounts as well as Landais poneys, all of them bred and raised on our farm.

We offer themed promenades of 1 hour to all day to admire the vistas of the Pyreneen chain on trails along the crests, or travel back in time to explore the trail of the 18th century glassmakers, all the while on the lookout for tracks and traces of animals. You'll be amazed at the variety of the wildlife and plantlife in this unspoiled region.

During mixed rides of 1/2 to a whole day we'll combine horseriding with a visit to local farms, swimming in a lake, enjoying a meal in a renowned restaurant in the medieval village of Tourtouse, or meeting local artists.

Rides of one half or a whole day are combined with visits to local landmarks, whether it's a renowned local restaurant in a medieval village, a lake for a swim, the museum of Saint-Croix Volvestre, farms raising, gascony cows, bees, or snails or an animal park, and you may also meet local craftspeople. On full moon nights, a nocturnal escapade to an ancient quarry.

Every Wednesday afternoon for children over 6 years old: initiation, discovery and perfecting horseriding on poneys and horses plus a convivial snack.
Our tandem saddle allows parents to share the pleasures of horseriding with their young child (2 to 6 years old).
Rates :
Per hour : 15 €
Lessons for young people, 10 sessions : 135 €
2 hours : 25 €
Half-day : 35 €
Full day (includes picnic lunch) : 70 €
We also have a small campsite with 6 pitches accommodating 20 people total and tipi rental
in addition to a holiday gîte sleeping 6 to 8 people.

Themed rides of 2 or more days let us share together a love of horses and nature while exploring this beautiful, multi-faceted region. Prices start at 80 € per day all inclusive (ask for details)

2 days:

Riding in the Petites Pyrénées: 2 day rides on forest trails in the Pyreneen foothills through magnificent countryside. Returnn in the evening to the gîte La Fitte.

In the land of Angora goats near the Mas d'Azil: Ride through the Petites Pyrenees to the Plantaurel and the farm Mohair Pyrenees. Accommodation in gîte or bed and breakfast.

From Tourtouse to St Lizier : Travel through the history of the medieval towns of the lower Couserans. Accommodations in bed and breakfast.

3 days
Medieval towns and Angora goats : Circuit St Lizier-Mas d'Azil, accommodations in bed and breakfast.

On the trail of the Master Glassmakers : in the 17th century the Volvestre and Plantaurel areas were famous for their glassmaking; today they offer a wild and unspoiled beauty for riders.

4 days
Crossing the Couserans : a ride through the Couserans from the Petites to the high Pyrenees, a total immersion in Mother Nature. Accommodation in gîtes.

Voyage through medieval and gallo-roman History: From the Couserans to the Comminges via the mountains to St Bertrand de Comminges, a beautiful historic town.

5 days
Tour of the lakes at the heart of Ariège : ride from lake to lake, finishing at lac de Mondeley; bathing with and without your horse. Accommodations in gîte and camping.

Starting in summer, riding-camping trips of 2 to 4 days organised by request for young and adult adventurers.

Information, reservations :

Equiloisirs
(33) 05 61 96 41 32
bohinnathalie@wanadoo.fr

English spoken

Riding holidays for 9-13 year olds
1 day on site to get ready and 3 days of riding from the Couserans to the Plantaurel with day of swimming, a cookout, and evening activities around the camp fire. From 9 to 13 July and from 14 to 18 August. Cost : 310 €

Riding holidays for 12-18 year olds
6 days immersed in nature with horses and friends : 1 day on the farm to get ready, 5 days of riding from lake to lake from the Petites Pyrenees to the Plantaurel, swimming guaranteed, between 29 July and 4 August. From 19 to 25 August, "Traversée fantastique du Couserans". Between the Petites Pyrenees and the big ones, a marvelous horseriding trip to the heart of the mountains. Cost : 420 €

Riding Holidays for 6-10 year olds
Initiation to pony riding and horsepacking for beginners from 5 to 9 July 2007. Cost : 290 €

These trips are led Nathalie Bohin, director of a centre de vacances, a certified equestrian guide and life guard, accompanied by an assistant for the intendance. Number of children limited to 8.

Download Programme (in French)
and Registration form

Equestrian relay
Equiloisirs provides accommodations for horses and riders following the 1400 km of riding trails in Ariège

Shower, saddle room, hitching bar, stable with 3 boxes and 6 stalls, paddocks await our horse friends and their riders, whom Nathalie and François will be able to provide with latest information on the state of the trails and itineraries off the beaten path, for exploring circuits around the riding centre or continuing on their way as they explore Ariège.
Prices per horse:
Paddock: 4€ - Stall : 8€, box : 12€. Grain or other food extra
Prices per rider:
Evening meal : 15€ (10€/child)
Breakfast : 4€ (3€/child)
Picnic: 6€ (4€/child)

Horse breeding
We have about 20 horses of 3 hardy, sure-footed races : pure-bred Arabians which we also train for endurance races, the local Ariège breed of Castillonnais, once threatened with extinction, that are adapted to this environment, and Landais poneys that are calm and active. This complementarity allows us to match each rider with the mount that best suits him or her.