Riding Holidays at Haflingerhof Kattien - Autumn Camp in the Lüneburger Heide

The week is built around daily riding. On arrival riders are grouped by ability: beginners begin on the lunge, while those who already ride go straight out independently. Instruction comes from experienced riding teachers and an FN-qualified Reitwartin, and the course is adjusted to what each participant can already do. There is riding in the morning and again in the afternoon - in the indoor school, on the outdoor arena, or on hacks along the quiet paths around the farm - plus a theory lesson every day. The riding week closes with a small show competition where riders show what they have learned, and everyone receives a certificate. The operator does not publish a fixed number of lessons per week.

A one-week stay on the Haflingerhof in the village of Kattien, in the Uelzen district of the Lüneburger Heide. The price covers six nights in a multi-bed room with shower and WC, full board, riding instruction morning and afternoon, a daily theory lesson, a riding course matched to the rider's level, the leisure programme, experienced supervision, and insolvency insurance. Travel to and from the farm is arranged by the family - no coach or flight is included. The riding camp itself is run by the Haflingerhof; Jugendtours publishes the trip and handles enquiries before booking.

Participants stay on the farm itself, in comfortable multi-bed rooms with their own shower and WC. The farm sits in open Heide landscape in the middle of the village of Kattien. Outside there is a large garden with sheltered seating corners, and a sandpit and swing for the youngest guests.

Full board is served in the farm's dining room. Balanced meals are provided throughout the stay, and a vegetarian or pork-free diet can be arranged - special dietary wishes should be given at the time of booking. The operator states that this trip is not suitable for participants with a peanut allergy or who require a protein-free diet.

Horses fill most of the day, but the week also carries a full leisure programme: a movie evening, a campfire, a farm rally and more. Games on the farm use whatever the season offers, and the first afternoon starts with getting-to-know-you games. Table tennis is available, and when the weather allows there are barbecue and campfire evenings in the garden.

The Haflingerhof has an indoor riding school and an outdoor arena, with riding paths leading directly from the yard into the surrounding Heide. Indoors there is a dining room for the full-board meals; outdoors a large garden with seating areas, a table-tennis table, a sandpit and a swing.

Autumn is the quiet season in the Lüneburger Heide: coloured woods, clear air and rustling leaves on the bridleways. Children and teenagers from eight to sixteen come here to get close to the Haflingers and ponies, to learn to ride or to ride better, and to spend a week among others who feel the same way about horses. Groups are small - eight to ten children with their own supervisors, who are on hand around the clock.