Raising Lusitanos
La Donaira farm covers 1700 acres high in the Serranía de Ronda, Andalucia; rolling land that drops from mountain crags and ancient oaks to groves of olives and almonds and into green valleys dotted with orchards, organic vegetable gardens and a vineyard. They keep sheep and goats, rare breed cattle, hens and bees, breed Lusitano horses, and have a team of German Cold Blood horses, mules and donkeys to help us work the land.
The Donaira Approach to Farming
Their open and experimental approach to farming is; a mix of tradition and innovation, based on permaculture design principles. The same principles underpin everything they do at La Donaira from green education and accommodation design to collaborative arts festivals.
This philosophy to maintain harmony in the land, keeping it organic and sustainable extends to the development of their Lusitano herd that is now at about 80 horses.
Horses Have Lived There Before
In fact horses have roamed La Donaira for many years and in particular a Lusitano Herd has been present on the farm since 2005. They have access to hundreds of hectares of rolling mountains and wide open landscape dotted with ancient trees streams and fantastic fresh air. A dream start in life for any young horse is a life in freedom in a herd where they can development naturally.
La Donaira is a perfect setting for such a start.
With the guidance of their mothers, the other mares and foals they learn to cope in different weathers, find food, interact with each, play and establish hierarchy. In addition the landscape means they grow in a very healthy way with strong limbs, keen eyesight, steady hearts, flexibility and balance on all types of terrain maintaining good body weight and fitness.
Lusitanos Living Lightly
La Donaira Lusitanos
The Bloodlines
The foundation mares were carefully selected and have bloodlines from stud farms Casa Cadaval, Guilherme Borba, Sociedade das Silveiras, Bessa Solar Pinhas. The aim is to produce Lusitanos with quality for dressage and leisure riding.
Horses with great characters and quality gaits.
In 2018 the owner of the farm Manfred and his breeding adviser decided to add different lines into the breeding making the choice to use Rubi AR, Portugal´s most famous dressage stallion who gave an outstanding performance in the 2012 Olympics ridden by Goncalo Carvalho. In addition to his own performance in dressage competition he is proving to be an excellent breeding choice with several of his off spring at International GP level some scoring over 70%. Several mares at Donaira are in foal to Rubi with foals expected in early 2019.
Keeping in Natural
La Donaira´s commitment to giving their horses the best possible start in life begins from birth the foals are in contact with humans to ensure that they know from the outset humans are friendly and add value to their lives. Their development is over watched by Seamus, a unique individual that found his way to La Donaira in 2006. Seamus, always ready with a smile is devoted to providing a sensitive, respectful approach to all the horses and in particular the young foals.
Seamus Philosophy
He believes it is essential that the right contact from birth ensures a confident young horse when it is time for them begin in their ridden life. This philosophy also means that when there are times it is necessary to handle them such as for vaccinations, moving and if they get an injury then they are not afraid, and remain gentle and safe to handle.
Seamus with a young colt
With the Horses from Birth to Starting
Seamus is always around the Lusitano herds on the farm checking their well being and maintaining regular contact with each and every one of them. At weaning he begins working with them individually in the spectacular round pen. Here they learn to be handled alone and develop their relationship with Seamus as their leader. He uses old techniques where the foal is lose and asked to move around the pen in a certain direction and the opposite direction guided my Seamus no chasing threatening or shouting the young foals simple sense Seamus´s body language and gentle coxing either way.
Eventually he invites them into the centre and rewards them with pats and soft words.
Working in the Round Pen
Eventually when they are between 3 and 4 years Seamus with an assistant begins the process of introducing them to ridden work.
Seamus provides courses on the farm in Horsemanship and Liberty Work
Dressage Training
All the ridden horses on the farm are educated in dressage both ridden and in hand. Some are available for lessons. They all live at the stable area where they have paddocks to enjoy through the day. The training programme which is classically based dressage is managed by Jose Manuel and his team. Each horse has an individual programme designed for him or her.
Gaining a Broader Perspective
There are visiting classical trainers that provide lessons, advice and training plans for each horse whatever age and level of ability. All horses have a basic training consisting of
- Lunge and in hand work
- Ridden Dressage
- Riding out
- Rest and Relax time
NUTRITION
Nutrition and Paddock Life
The horses nutrition is also carefully monitored and the farm have a professional equine nutritionalists who regularly visits to assess each horse and match the nutritional requirements to their level of work etc.
Get in Touch
Finca La Donaira
Office: Calle La Fuente, 49 · 11687 El Gastor (Cádiz)
General Enquiries: +34 951 39 00 59
Email: info@ladonaira.com
Reservations
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