Question 1

How to enroll in the mountain horse tourism training course?

Accepted Answer

1. Purchase the Basic Plan subscription here.(https://pay.fondy.eu/s/dhlySBsNWeyj) For more information, visit this link.(https://en.hutsulkoni.com/kinnyjturyzm)
2. Follow the instructions on the page that appears after a successful payment.
3. Begin the online course after we provide access to the page https://www.hutsulkoni.com/mytesten.(https://www.hutsulkoni.com/mytesten)
4. How to take the online course? First, watch the videos attentively, then complete the test assignments. You can take the test as many times as needed, and the same goes for the videos. Once you are satisfied with your results and feel that you have grasped the material, click the "Next Topic" button. The next test will be available in 20 hours. If you have the time and inspiration, refreshing the page will reveal the videos for the next day, allowing you to preview them in advance (though it's still recommended to follow the course day by day).
5. To enroll in the practical part of the course (training), choose the green group on the calendar page and contact us. We will pre-register you for the group. After completing the online course, you need to sign up and undergo an interview with the course author (an audio call on Telegram, taking 20-30 minutes). After the interview, your spot is considered definitively reserved. The cost of the training for those joining us for the first time is 350 EUR, payable on the first day of the training or a couple of days before. For first-time participants, no deposit is required. The course takes at least 15 days, so please consider this to complete the course and interview before the practical training dates. Otherwise, you may need to reschedule the dates for the practical course.
6. Guidance from the course author: It is essential to go through the course in a way that allows you to engage in conversation on all the topics outlined (continuing the guide's thoughts when they speak). The course covers situations that occur during our practical sessions and expeditions, where you find yourself one-on-one with the horse. To participate in the practical sessions, it is necessary to adhere to all the rules of the course, listen to the guide without engaging in discussions, and respond to the guide's advice during the practice.
7. Participant in the practical part of the course - a course attendee who does not adhere to the rules of conduct during the course, engages in discussions with the guide, does not respond promptly to given recommendations, or responds in a specific manner, continuing the course without close contact with the horse. In other words, they participate in saddling horses under the especially vigilant supervision of the guide, actively engage in camp life, and observe the horses. All of this is intended to ensure tranquility in the group and safety during the practical parts of the course.
8. Fill out the participant questionnaire.(https://en.hutsulkoni.com/anketa) 
9. Group meeting at 11:30 AM in Uzhhorod, departure no earlier than 3:30 PM from Uzhhorod. The bus takes participants to a point accessible by car, and from there, participants walk 5.5 km along a marked scenic tourist route. Off-road vehicles will transport belongings.
10. Within the campsite, there is no electricity or internet (available at the peaks of Ostra and Rivna), and mobile network coverage is very weak. However, there are specific locations from which you can make phone calls.
11. What to bring with you?

• Travel utensils (spoon, fork, plate, cup or thermos, water bottle)
 • Sleeping bag
 • Small mat for sitting 
 • Warm clothing
 • Two pairs of footwear, one of which should be rubber boots
 • Rainproof clothing (not made of polyethylene to avoid scattering in the wind)
 • Power bank
 • SD card or flash drive with a minimum capacity of 32 GB to save all materials recorded during the practical part of the course
 • Something for leisure time outside the course program (from a book to musical instruments)
 • Pack your items in a hiking backpack, not a suitcase, so that in case of off-road vehicle breakdown, you can carry your belongings on yourself.

So, if you are coming to us for the first time, for example, for Training Camp 1: May 20-26, 2023, you need to do the following by May 15, 2023:

1️⃣ A minimum of 15 days of online preparation is required. Complete the online course, which takes 14 days, and on the next day after its completion, take the overall test for the entire online course.
2️⃣ Schedule and participate in a 30-minute audio interview with the course author.
3️⃣ Collect all essential items for the trip, including a sleeping bag, travel utensils, and clothing.

Question 2

Can we come for an excursion to your place?

Accepted Answer

We maintain a herd of 84 horses: 50 in the mountains and 34 in the mares herd. We are already pushing ourselves to the maximum and cannot afford any distractions - our goal is to preserve the horses. You can visit us only as part of an organized group participating in a Training Camp as a participant or as guests of the Horse Guests Camp. In an organized group, we can ensure control and supervision over each of these communities (horses and people). The reason for this is that we are surrounded by horses. It is a herd, and it is essential for individuals to know how to behave within a herd.  We have an offer for Horse Guests Camp - before allowing people to interact with the herd, we provide lectures on how to behave around the horses. Here are more details about the camp: https://en.hutsulkoni.com/camp (https://www.hutsulkoni.com/camp)And the best way to get to know us is by joining our Training Camp ;) Here's more information about the course: https://en.hutsulkoni.com/kinnyjturyzm (https://www.hutsulkoni.com/kinnyjturyzm) If "excursion" appears in our schedule at some point, it will be an organized group with its own program where we can prepare the group for the encounter with the horses.

Question 3

Why can't I participate in multi-day mountain horse riding expeditions without completing the online course and training camp?

Accepted Answer

An expedition in the wild should be enjoyable and interesting for all participants, and most importantly, safe for both the horse and the rider. To participate in our multi-day mountain horseback riding expeditions, mastering the military seat is necessary (it is best suited for Hutsul horses and mountain conditions).

You also need to be able to independently handle and saddle the horse, and be knowledgeable about horse handling both individually and within a herd.

Typically, before heading out to the training arena, you should have acquired the skills of a secure seat in all gaits (walk, trot, canter). We offer mountain trips as part of the basic course program.

Similarly, riders should acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for such trips. In fact, the basic course is a multi-day horseback mountain trek combined with training that will allow you to participate in further trips and derive even more satisfaction from them.

Question 4

Where are the Training Camp and Horse Guests Camp held?

Accepted Answer

Farm

A unique private farm dedicated to breeding Hutsul horses in their natural meadow habitat. There are no stables or barns here, horses are not fed or watered, even in winter. The farm, with its summer pastures, is located at an altitude of 930 meters above sea level in an area known as Urochyshche Preluky. The horses graze either in electric fences near the farm or freely on the Rivna or Hostra mountain meadows. The horses are self-sufficient, they receive nothing from humans, and as self-sufficient beings, they are physically and morally strong and have their own opinions. What happens here is a symbiosis of humans and horses; humans provide shelter and relative peace and protection to the horses, and in return, the horses do their part in working with equestrian tourists and course participants.

All our relaxing videos with horses grazing, living, playing, and resting were filmed right here in the Urochyshche Preluky area. Surrounded only by mountains, the nearest settlement is 6.5 km away."

The area is exceptionally picturesque, located at an altitude of 930 meters above sea level, which means we have far fewer insects (we and the horses hardly notice them!); it's cooler, and it's easier to breathe compared to the heat below. These conditions are very comfortable for both horses and humans and allow us to work with the horses peacefully in the summer.

Participants of the Horse Guests Camp, (https://en.hutsulkoni.com/camp)if they wish, can independently go on three marked hiking routes: Polonina Rivna, Polonina Hostra, and Voevodin Waterfall. The farm is located at the intersection of these three routes.

Polonina Rivna
With an elevation of up to 1482 meters, Polonina Rivna (or Runa) is the largest mountain meadow in the Carpathians, stretching for almost 15 kilometers.
Here you can find the ornithological reserve "Sokolovi Skeli" and the Voevodin Waterfall (we recommend dedicating a separate day to reach the summit of Polonina Rivna and another day to visit Voevodin Waterfall).

(Ваш маршрут буде починатися від нашої ферми в Урочищі Прелуки)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQY4Bxb8nYU

Polonina Hostra
Elevation: 1405 meters.
(Your route will start from our farm in the Prelyuki locality.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXzdHl1Dya8&t=268s

https://youtu.be/1aorZFA1UBg

Question 5

What is the purpose of the interview with the course author before attending the Training Camp?

Accepted Answer

The interview with the course author, Oleksander Ihnatenko, before the Training Camp is an audio conversation that lasts no more than 30 minutes.

❗️The purpose of the interview is to prepare the participant for the training:
- Introduction and acquaintance
- Clarification of details
- Formation of realistic expectations from the training (neither too low nor too high).

✔️ This is the beginning of the practical part of the Training Camp where you introduce yourself and we prepare ourselves to work with you. When you join our training, you become part of a community that comes to us repeatedly, and we are familiar with it. The course author and instructor create a system for your adaptation to the group. This is for your future comfort and the comfort of other participants in the group.

✔️ We observe how well you have prepared for the online course. We provide recommendations. While you may be able to fool the human instructor, the horse will see through you immediately. 😉

Question 6

Why are there different levels of equestrian tourists?

Accepted Answer

Firstly, because the safety of the tourists is our main priority during the trips, we base our decisions on the abilities of the weakest participant. Therefore, in order to ensure pleasant and enjoyable horseback journeys in the mountains for the entire group, we will gather participants of the same or similar level for each trip. Secondly, the existence of different levels motivates participants to strive for higher levels and join more challenging trips.

Levels of an Equestrian Tourist
​
Level 1 The tourist has learned the theory. He treats the horses adequately, saddles the experienced horses independently, adjusts stirrups, mounts and dismounts a horse without any help. The rider position is close to ideal military style, with a deep seat.

Level 2 The tourist does not swing in the saddle while going down the mountain. Ideal military riding position, perfect or close to a perfect trotting, and working with reins. He does not allow the horse to eat, can direct the horse and make the horse move himself, bypassing trees and obstacles easily, and does not tighten the reins. Can work with the horse on foot: holds the horse without irritating it, and can lead the horse

Level 3 The tourist controls the horse easily. Controls the speed of the walk, works with the feet.

Level 4 The tourist can easily catch a horse in the herd, can hobble a horse, has proper rider position at all gaits that fit the mountain style perfectly, a gallop without a saddle and using a saddle, goes down from any mountain easily. Understands the herd.

There is always an opportunity for developing. As soon as we see that there are enough active participants with Level 4, we will open Level 5.

Question 7

What are the living conditions during the training and horse camp?

Accepted Answer

Outdoor adventure conditions
Imagine going on a hiking expedition in the mountains and living among a herd of horses amidst breathtaking landscapes.

https://youtu.be/HPi23Unekew

Accommodation is provided in a shared 16-person large tent with beds and mattresses, or you can use your own personal tent. For the large tent, you will need a sleeping bag.

Three meals a day are provided, featuring Ukrainian cuisine. Meals are prepared together with participants, either at an open fire in a cabin or in an outdoor kitchen.

Kolyba and a large table under a roof
Vat
Shower (using firewood)

https://youtu.be/hFsL_4-o7jQ

Question 8

How to get there?

Accepted Answer

Here is our location https://www.google.com.ua/maps/place/Фермерське+господарство+%22Полонинське+господарство%22,+Закарпатская+область/@48.809945,22.8676257,16z/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x4739764058ea2529:0xfa8036b54a01bb6e(https://www.google.com.ua/maps/place/%D0%A4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%B5+%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE+%22%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%B5+%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%22,+%D0%97%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F+%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C/@48.809945,22.8676257,16z/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x4739764058ea2529:0xfa8036b54a01bb6e)
This will help you gather yourself and focus. Before the horseback journey, you can challenge yourself by going on a hiking trip, simulating a horseback expedition in your imagination based on the terrain you will be exploring.

Transfer to Water Intake 2 (a small hydroelectric power station) will be provided by off-road vehicles. Participants will walk 5.5 km to the "Poloninske Hospodarstvo" farm on a scenic marked tourist route (only the GREEN ROUTE). There will be a junction where a table with benches is located. You should take the road where the table will be on your right-hand side! Otherwise, you might end up on the BLUE ROUTE, which goes in the wrong direction for you.

There will be a sign, a barrier, and a stile.
Then you proceed under the barrier and continue straight:
Cross the stream over the footbridge (it will be on the left). Then follow the road until you reach the next stile:
Pass over the stile and turn left, continuing straight towards the buildings until you reach the cabin with a table. We will meet you there.

Question 9

What to bring?

Accepted Answer

• Camping utensils (spoon, fork, plate, cup or thermos cup, water bottle or thermos)
 • Sleeping bag
 • Sitting mat or cushion (optional, but very convenient)
 • Headlamp
 • Tent and sleeping mat for those who will be staying in their own tent
 • Swimsuit, towel for the hot tub, and personal hygiene items for showering
 • Warm clothing
 • Two pairs of footwear, one of which should be rubber boots
 • Rain gear (not made of plastic that can fly away in the wind)
 • Power bank
 • Something for leisure time outside of the course program (from a book to musical instruments)
 • Pack your belongings in a backpack, not a suitcase, so that in case of a breakdown of the off-road vehicle, you can carry your things with you.
 • SD card or a flash drive with a capacity of at least 32GB for storing recorded materials.

Question 10

The weather in the area where the Training Camp and Relax tour are conducted.

Accepted Answer

Prelyuka location is situated at an altitude of 930 meters above sea level. Here is the weather in our area: https://www.accuweather.com/en/ua/preluka/1208304/hourly-weather-forecast/1208304 (https://www.accuweather.com/en/ua/preluka/1208304/hourly-weather-forecast/1208304)