Hallo

Just got back from a Natural Horsemanship course based in Southern Sweden. Slightly different from the more traditional English and Western styles, but great fun. Learnt only a little about the natural horsemanship discipline, but they were incredible horses (Swedish Cold Bloods), a large heavy breed, primarily for dragging logs out of the forest, but very calm and forgiving of an inexperienced rider in the matter. The hosts were fantastic and a presented numerous culinary delights every night - even for vegetarians. The scenary and rides were something else, more than 30000 hectare of remote forest almost for the sole benefit of the riders with plenty of lakes to rest and take in the sights. With the variation of the weather something new could always be seen from the same viewpoint. Apart from the usual trekking paths in the forest there was plenty of opportunity for cantors and gallops and the chance to get lost while the guide tries to scout out a new route - we always made it back before dark (just)

There was a variety of wild life to see such as red squirrels, roe deer and moose with calf. Other wildlife in the forest such as lynx and badger I did not get to see. Nor did I see Trolls or Tomtas but I was assured they were about looking out from under large flat rocks and dolmens. Only down side was the Swedish cavalry saddle that takes some getting use to.