This family-run horseback riding farm is fantastic. For one, the location is just magnificent. Located past the town of Barèges by about 5 minutes and up a little side road, the farm sits high up in the mountains surrounded by gorgeous snow-specked peaks, streams where you can have a refreshing picnic, and lots of great walking paths that you can stroll with your equine friends or not. I've been there twice now, once, pre-kid for a family horseback tour with a guide and fairly obedient group of horses (though my husband's horse truly had a mind of his own and would stop every two feet to snack -- ha!) We recently went back with my 3.5 year old son for his first pony ride. It was 12E for a 30 minute self-guided ride, which seemed just a little pricey considering how quickly that time goes by when you're off on your own with a pony who doesn't really want a kid on her back. That's right Fanny was as sweet as can be and followed our prompts to slow down, stop snacking and walk a straight line....until she had our son on her back. As soon as we put him on, she decided to speed up to an almost trot, scaring the bejesus out of him so he wanted to come off. We attempted three more tries, be each time she would speed up, so we eventually just walked Fanny in the park for a half an hour. That said, our son loved the experience and said that Fanny was his friend. So even though he didn't really ride the pony, just the experience of walking a funny animal with its little personality quirks through that amazing scenery was well worth the price. read more

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