The first thing I notice as we drive through the gates of Quinta Carvalhas are the beautiful Lusitano horses lying in the paddock. Their ears pricked up and as we approached the house, surrounded by lemon trees and pink bougainvillea, a small dog greeted us.
My sister, Charlotte, and I spent our childhood riding, sometimes with our late mother, and we came to Quinta Carvalhas, a retreat center near Golegã, the horse capital of Portugal, to experience its equine therapy program.
Horses have helped me through countless challenges, from my parents’ divorce to those difficult early years of parenthood, but a fall a few years ago made me lose my confidence.
The farm, which opened 60 miles north of Lisbon last year after being renovated by South African owners Michelle and Richard Thomas, is home to 16 horses including several Lusitanos. The Portuguese pure blood is one of the most respected and oldest breeds.
It’s hard to believe we’re only an hour away from bustling Lisbon, where we spent a whirlwind 24 hours and a tuk-tuk tour, lunch at the opulent Seen Sky Bar and a night at the new opened Locke de Santa Joanaa former monastery, now an ‘aparthotel’ with a lovely restaurant, whiskey bar and swimming pool.
We start with a session with Swedish horse trainer and dressage champion Tana Ericson, who tells us about the difference between ‘warmblood’ (known for strength and stamina), warmblood (good all-rounders) and coldblood horses (stoic and chunky). She asks us to describe ourselves on the same scale.
We are introduced to the horses, including a Lusitano named Chancellor and a handsome head named Bentley. Then we are asked what we like about our horses.
Tana explains that horses are like mirrors when it comes to reading and reflecting our ‘energy’. Bentley, I’m told, has picked up on my ‘playfulness’ and is becoming more relaxed as a result. I feel absurdly flattered.
Georgina Fuller tries equine therapy at Quinta Carvalhas near Golegã – the horse capital of Portugal – which could be a ‘life-changing’ experience
Quinta Carvalhas (above) opened 60 miles north of Lisbon last year after being renovated by South African owners Michelle and Richard Thomas. It is home to 16 horses
The next day starts with yoga before our trail ride. This is the first time my sister and I have been riding together in years and I wish our mother, who died of heart failure when I was in my 20s, was with us.
The final part of our equine therapy involves a one-on-one session with Tana, where I am asked to choose a horse to lead into the arena. I choose Mr Blue, a giant Lusitano cross. I was intimidated by his scale and stature. However, after spending time leading this gentle giant around the ring, I feel more confident.
Michelle tells me that equine therapy can be ‘life changing’.
‘Horses give insight into what you experience in life. They offer a non-judgmental presence and a calming reflection,’ she says.
Bentley, says Michelle, is not always so friendly. With one gas he ran away and hid in the stable.
The guest said, unfortunately, it’s because ‘everyone is leaving her’. She used Bentley’s reaction as a catalyst to try to change her body language.
After three days we are sad to say goodbye, but my faith in horses has been restored.
I reconnected with my childhood and, I realized, with my mother. I like to think she was with us in spirit and I know she would have loved those Lusitanos too.
