Perol Chico

03/07/2024

Peruvian saddles: luxury comfort and fine craftsmanship.

06/05/2024

Sacred Valley Ride, April '24

19/04/2024

Introducing JDS Amadeus, our new gelding from excellent bloodlines (grandson of CCC Señor del Valle). Amadeus was born and raised in Arequipa and won many prizes in the show ring. He is incredibly smooth, very well-trained, energetic and offers 'the ultimate ride'. We are very happy and proud to have him in our stables. 😊

15/04/2024

Our new leather saddlebags.
We always have a support team & vehicle that can bring anything you want during a riding day. We meet them 3 times a day: at the start, during lunchtime and at the end of the day. It allows us to ride and travel ‘light’ during the day, carrying only the most essential stuff behind our saddles. Our new saddlebags are designed to have enough space for two bottles of wine on each side (or whatever you want) without disturbing the movement of the horse. On top of the saddlebags, you can tie your jacket, a woollen poncho or both. Handcrafted by Peruvian artisans.

29/03/2024

"The mountains are calling."

Looking forward to our new riding season and adventures high in the Peruvian Andes, the Land of the Incas.

26/02/2024

The Rolls-Royce of horses.

The main function of the Peruvian horse is called ‘pisos’, comprising its harmonic, fluent and almost stylistic movements, and the ability to execute the perfect four-beat lateral gait. The idea is for the horse to cover as much ground as possible in the most effective, economical way; that is with the least possible steps, and minimal effort and vertical impact for the horse and rider. To achieve this the horse should be able to take long strides and deliver strong impulsion or driving force from its hind legs and hind quarters (the motor). It is because of its natural 4-beat lateral gait and conformation that the Peruvian Paso can take those long strides and reach far under its body mass. A ‘trotting’ horse or horse that moves in diagonals is unable to do this because its front leg on one side is in the way.
In a normal walk, our horses are faster and use fewer steps to cover ground than most other breeds, because of their long strides.

From Eduard's book "Peru's best kept secret".

18/02/2024

Enriching equestrian travel high in the Andes and along Peru's beautiful Pacific coast. The horse of the conquistador, the Land of the Incas, history, culture, the best food in South America, and so on. How can you not love Peru?

09/02/2024

Update:

Perol Chico has been offering horseback riding vacations and adventures from our ranch in the Sacred Valley for almost three decades. Over the years, this part of the Peruvian Andes has become a prime destination for tourists visiting South America, with the main attractions being Cusco and Machu Picchu. However, our country has so much more and so many other beautiful places to offer.
We are excited to expand our horse riding activities and adventures beyond our current location and bring the beauty and hidden marvels of other parts of Peru to our guests.

For our rides in Peru, we partnered with our long-time friend Claudio Cavallero, who owns a prestigious horse breeding operation in Arequipa with a herd of nearly 100 horses. Francesca, Claudio's daughter, is in charge of the family ranch.
In the past (between 2009 and 2014), Perol Chico organised several horse riding expeditions in the desert of Arequipa with Claudio's support. Claudio is a true horseman, a great organiser, and a family man. His knowledge of Arequipa's culture and traditions, the best places to visit and how to get things done is impressive.

Eduard and Claudio are re-joining forces with one common objective: offering the most incredible and unforgettable horse riding adventures and experiences in Peru.

21/01/2024

"Horse riding is not just travelling a distance on horseback. It is a time of reflection, balancing the mind and creating a unique bond with our horse. It ends up being a spiritual and artistic experience to live the emotion and pleasure of being in contact with nature from which the city distances us so much."

- Mariano Cabrera Ganoza

16/01/2024

NEW RIDE: The Humboldt Ride
Named after the most influential naturalist, explorer and father of environmentalism, Alexander von Humboldt, our new 8-day coastal ride offers a unique opportunity to explore and discover Arequipa's beautiful countryside and dramatic coast on horseback. Ride with us along forgotten smuggler trails that weave through stunning landscapes along the Pacific coast, and explore and discover some of the hidden natural wonders of Peru.
https://www.perolchico.com/humboldt-ride

17/10/2023

19/08/2023

Zest for life

20/07/2023

The Paso Llano.
Nothing in the mountains is flat, so our horses learn to lift their hindlegs a bit higher than horses only trained for the show ring.
Perol Chico's well-trained and spirited horses still offer the most comfortable and smoothest ride imaginable and can cover lots of ground effortlessly. They are top athletes and eat the trails, no matter where or when.

23/05/2023

Explore the Land of the Incas on horseback and discover the real Peru. A once in a lifetime experience.

29/04/2023

Dedicated to offer authentic and enriching equestrian travel experiences in Perú, since 1996.

29/03/2023

PVF Arbol de Jaime, stallion 17 y/o

07/03/2023

I came across this simple but beautiful poem and I thought I should share it. To Misti, one of the very best horses I have ever owned.

DON'T CRY FOR THE HORSES
Unknown Author

Don't cry for the horses that life has set free,
A million white horses forever to be.

Don't cry for the horses, now in God's hand,
As they dance and they prance in a heavenly band.

They were ours as a gift, but never to keep,
As they close their eyes forever to sleep.

Their spirits unbound, on silver wings they fly,
A million white horses against a blue sky.

Look up into Heaven, you'll see them above,
The horses we lost, the horses we loved.

Manes and tails flowing, they gallop through time,
They were never yours, they were never mine.

Don't cry for the horses, they'll be back someday,
When time is gone, they will show us the way.

Do you hear that soft nicker? Close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses, LOVE the ones who are here.

15/01/2023

WDU MACCTA, our 12 y/o gelding with an inexhaustible energy and lot of heart. Loves to show off.

14/01/2023

Real craftsmanship, regardless of the skill involved, reflects real caring, and real caring reflects our attitude about ourselves, about our fellowmen, and about life.

- Spencer W. Kimball

13/11/2022

In Peru the headgear is called “jato” and consists of three pieces: the halter with its shank, the headstall and reins, and the eye cover and strap.
The headgear is made of braided strands of goat or calf rawhide. The more strands used in the braiding, the finer the end product. Fine headgear is one in which twenty or more strands of leather per inch are used, making each strand one-twentieth of an inch (or less) wide. Of the three pieces of the jato, it is perhaps the eye cover (“tapaojos”) that calls for the most attention. This is a very typical element of Peruvian headgear, and is mainly used in the first stages of training. It can also be used to keep a horse in place without having to tether it.

22/10/2022

PEROL CHICO, the Sacred Valley, Cusco - Perú
Established family business offering exceptional horse riding experiences with purebred Peruvian Paso horses, since 1996.

16/06/2022

WHY WE SHOULD RIDE MORE

Before 1969, the Peruvian Paso horse was a plantation workhorse and a traveller's horse, with constant selection pressure based on reliability, strength, usefulness, and comfort. This unique selection environment attained a balance between athleticism, strength, and a luxurious ride. A happy medium....