HORSE PACK TRIPS & TRAIL RIDES

PAINTED PONY GUEST RANCH COSTA RICA Santa Cruz, Guanacaste Costa Rica www.casaguahorses.com
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Overview

History
Painted Pony Guest Ranch Costa Rica's owners, Kay and Esteban, have been providing quality horseback riding tours for over 12 years, as well as breeding and training the wonderful Spanish Criollo horses. Kay is a wildlife artist with a Ph.D. in Biology and Ecology originally from Michigan, and Esteban, her husband, is a Zotecnista (farm vet), born and raised in Guanacaste. Life on the ranch is a comfortable blend of their two cultures. Kay first came to Costa Rica as an ecology professor and later director of an international conservation organization working on tropical forest preservation and protection. A life long avid rider, she soon fell in love with not only the noble Criollo horses of Guanacaste, but also her farm vet, Esteban. Esteban’s family has been part of the horse and cattle culture of Guanacaste for over five generations. Kay and Esteban have developed Finca Casagua into one of the finest horse ranches in the area, breeding and training their own stock. Located in an oasis of large Guanacaste trees, surrounded by green pastures, just minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, the ranch is centrally located to take advantage of Guanacaste’s famous tourists attractions.

About Guanacaste
Costa Rica’s north Pacific province of Guancaste is one of the hot vacation spots in the world. Famous for its vast white sand beaches, surfing breaks, world-class sport fishing, dry tropical forest flora and fauna, and of course, colorful cowboy or Sabanero culture, Guanacaste offers endless options to the rider and non rider alike. Once a remote vacation spot, Guanacaste is now served by all the major airlines through the new international airport in Liberia, just 45 minutes from the ranch and Pacific Beaches.

About the Horses
“Our horses are special, they are why we are here.” Chosen for their noble temperament and comfortable gate, the Spanish Criollo horses of Guanacaste are used for cattle ranching, rodeo, pleasure riding, fiestas and even lower level dressage. A combination of bloodlines from the Andalusian, Barb, Jennet and later the Peruvian Paso, the Criollo horses are also the foundation for the Paso Costarricence. Painted Pony Guest Ranch Costa Rica staff will match rider to horse to give the best riding experience available in the area. Most horses were born on the ranch and trained with Natural Horsemanship, Imprinting and other non-violent methods. In addition to tours and trail rides, boarding and training, Painted Pony Guest Ranch Costa Rica most recently began a “Paint and Paso” breeding program with a goal of breeding Criollo horses with “color and comfort” using their handsome paint stallion and Criollo mares.

Tours & Trail Rides
Ride the Old Spanish Trail and colorful ox cart trails through the beautiful dry tropical forest countryside passing cattle ranches, typical small towns and experience a “real taste Costa Rica”. Painted Pony Guest Ranch Costa Rica customizes small group trail rides and tours to the needs and experience of the riders, beginners to equine professionals.

Natural History Tours & Trail Rides
Guanacaste's dry tropical forest is one of most endangered ecosystems in the world. Your bilingual guides will introduce you to the unique plants and animals of the region as well as the colorful culture of the locals called Guanacastecos. The early morning or late afternoon tours leisurely travel back roads and small towns surrounding the ranch. See howler monkeys, tropical birds, spectacular tropical flora and fauna while learning about the natural and cultural history of Guanacaste.

Cantina Tours
One of Painted Pony Guest Ranch Costa Rica’s most popular rides, the Cantina Tour, is a real Guanacaste cultural experience. The guides will lead you through backcountry trails, finding out of the way places with good food and cold drinks for the rest stops. Ride the beautiful oxcart trails and visit small towns with a flavor of the “old west”. To take advantage of the cooler afternoons, rides start about 3:30pm and return at sunset or by moon or starlight. Special family tours are also available.

Traditional Fiestas & Tope Horse Parades
From the end of November to the end of July is fiesta time Costa Rica. Every weekend traditional small town fiestas feature bull riding, traditional foods and dance. Horses abound, from Guanacaste cowboys to residents and visitors riding a variety of Costa Rica horse breeds. Costa Rican Pasos horses offer a smooth high stepping ride. Sundays, from 50 to 1000 horse enthusiasts meet for the colorful Topes or horse parades and fiestas. Anyone can join in the festivities as a band leads the high stepping horses through town to the fiesta and bullring. After the parade, riders and their guests are treated to a reception with traditional food, drinks and music. Later riders join the fiesta to watch the bull riding or even go to a dance.

Natural Horsemanship & Equine Education
During your visit learn more about basic horsemanship, Natural Horsemanship training or take lessons either traditional Cowboy style or the high stepping Spanish style on beautiful Costa Rican Pasos. Painted Pony Guest Ranch Costa Rica staff continually improve their Natural Horsemanship training skills with clinicians in the US and Costa Rica. Painted Pony hosts a variety of clinics on all aspects of horse training and health.

Weddings & Private Parties
Painted Pony Guest Ranch Costa Rica offers private parties and wedding packages including weddings on horseback, ranch weddings, pre-wedding parties and receptions for large or small groups. Even non-riders enjoy the Sabanero Show featuring beautiful Spanish horses and Guanacaste cowboys. Let them help you design your perfect day and a honeymoon on the beach.

Accommodations
You will have choices of accommodations while in Costa Rica. Stay at the ranch at the cozy Spanish style ranch house or private casita surrounded by tropical flowers and shady trees. Cool off in the splash pool after your ride or sip a cold drink while you watch the horses from the porch rockers. Ranch breakfast, lunch and most dinners provided. Extensions to beautiful beach B&Bs or one of the many hotels or condos, can be arranged before or after your ranch stay. Visitors may want to enjoy the many other vacation attractions or just lounge on the beach watching colorful Pacific sunsets. Transportation provided from Liberia, Tamarindo and area hotels.

Side Trips and Attractions

• Deep Sea Sport Fishing
• Canopy Tours
• Kayaking
• Sunset Sailboat Tours
• Day Spas
• Surfing
• Arenal Volcano Day Tour
• Golfing
• Bird Watching
• Monkey Rescue Center
• Day Trips to the Arenal Volcano
• Rental Cars to Explore on Your Own

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