+306993077445 rancheros2015@gmail.com
Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding

Enjoy beautiful trails and horseback riding by the sea.

Choose from relaxing walk only rides, walk & trot rides, and exhilarating advanced level walk, trot, & canter rides. Each ride is approximately 45 minutes.

For your safety, each trail ride is accompanied by several experienced wranglers.

Age: 2+
Duration: 45’
Body Weight: Up to 85 kilos.

Useful information

At Agia Anna beach, there are 3 mini markets operating daily from 9 am to 2 pm and from 5.30 to 9.30 pm.
There is no ATM neither at the beach nor at the village of Agia Anna. The closest ATM is in Mantoudi (15k distance)
A Gas Station and 2 pharmacies are at the village of Agia Anna, not at the beach. The distance from the beach to the village is about 10 mins by car.
Finally, at Agia Anna beach there is a great brewery, Vynilio, where you can enjoy some rock music. They often organize DJ nights and live music concerts.

The route

In Chalkida follow the signs “North Evia”. 5km after, pass by N.Artaki and go towards Psachna. After 5km you arrive at a traffic light where you should take the left side towards St.John’s the Russian’s monastery. You then enter the area called Castella and you arrive at one more traffic light after which you keep going straight following again the sign “L.Edipsou-St.John’s the Russian”. You then drive over a mountain called “Aghios” for about 30km before passing by the village of Prokopi where you should follow the sign “Mantoudi, L. Edipsou”.
8 km later you go left at Mantoudi where a gas station is on your right (do not enter Mantoudi village instead) following a sign “Limni-Edipsos-Istiea”. In about 6km later you will see the junction which takes you to Limni if you go left, but you keep driving straight and in about 12,5km you will turn right where the sign “Towards Agia Anna beach” is (be careful because the sign is small). After 4 km you arrive at the beach of Aghia Anna, known also as Agali beach where you turn on your right at the road before the last one, a drive of 3km more will take you to Rancheros sanctuary which is right after the famous camping Agia Anna club.
From Chalkida you should estimate a travel time of about 1 hour and 15 minutes for a 70 km distance.

Contact Person: Deppie Kourelou: +306976687977, dkourellou@gmail.com

Visits for elderly people

Visits for elderly people

Northern Evia is a small paradise with waterfalls, pilgrimages, museums, splendid mountain slopes as well as seaside paths and beaches. All that fits into a travel program. Agia Anna Beach, built along the longest beach of Evia (about 9 km) is named Agali from the word ‘agalia’ which means hug because it’s like hugging the sea, is an ideal destination as it combines sea and mountain in equal doses.

Rancheros sanctuary is located in a pine-tree area of 17 acres in the forest where seven horses and two donkeys live in a state of liberty with the company of 5 dogs, 1 cat (all of them former strays), 1 rooster and 3 chickens. Five years ago, they were facing serious health problems and malnutrition. . . Now, under the care of Rancheros Rancheros, all equids are healthy, absolutely friendly and calm.

At Rancheros, we will first learn the stories of these equids, and then take care of them. We brush, clean and, of course, caress them. It sounds simple but it is the basic rule in pet therapy.

Pet Therapy, that is, animal therapy, is widespread in foreign countries, and in recent years its’ presence has been very strong in our country too. The philosophy is based primarily on the emotional bond that develops between humans (and other) animals.

All age groups , can join Pet Therapy programs. Especially for the elderly, there are many researches showing that pet therapy helps significantly people who suffer from dementia (Alzheimer’s etc.), but also this kind of therapy helps people with chronic conditions, mobility issues, depression, stress disorders, or heart disease.

However, one does not have to suffer from anything to experience the beneficial effect of a session. And it is obvious that Rancheros animals have excellent veterinary care.

An equally widespread method is equine-assisted therapy which is the one during which one treats the horse (feeding it, caressing it, brushing it, etc.) in order to achieve psychological benefits.
On the other hand, there is therapeutic Riding, during which the participant improves their muscular strength, balance, and attitude of their body. Whoever among the participants of your group wishes to ride a horse, that is possible, as Rancheros has the necessary equipment for both the horse and the rider.

Activity’s duration150 mins (no riding included).

Cost:120 euros (group price, not including walk or ride with a horse)

*These activities can take place in May, June and September.

 

Additional excursion

On the way to Aghia Anna, at the village of Prokopi, you can visit the monastery of St.John the Russian. A big number of pilgrims are visiting it daily.

Useful information

At Agia Anna beach, there are 3 mini markets operating daily from 9 am to 2 pm and from 5.30 to 9.30 pm.

There is no ATM neither at the beach nor at the village of Agia Anna. The closest ATM is in Mantoudi (15k distance)

A Gas Station and 2 pharmacies are at the village of Agia Anna, not at the beach. The distance from the beach to the village is about 10 mins by car.
Finally, at Agia Anna beach there is a great brewery, Vynilio, where you can enjoy some rock music. They often organize DJ nights and live music concerts.

The route

In Chalkida follow the signs “North Evia”. 5km after, pass by N.Artaki and go towards Psachna. After 5km you arrive at a traffic light where you should take the left side towards St.John’s the Russian’s monastery. You then enter the area called Castella and you arrive at one more traffic light after which you keep going straight following again the sign “L.Edipsou-St.John’s the Russian”. You then drive over a mountain called “Aghios” for about 30km before passing by the village of Prokopi where you should follow the sign “Mantoudi, L. Edipsou”.

8 km later you go left at Mantoudi where a gas station is on your right (do not enter Mantoudi village instead) following a sign “Limni-Edipsos-Istiea”. In about 6km later you will see the junction which takes you to Limni if you go left, but you keep driving straight and in about 12,5km you will turn right where the sign “Towards Agia Anna beach” is (be careful because the sign is small). After 4 km you arrive at the beach of Aghia Anna, known also as Agali beach where you turn on your right at the road before the last one, a drive of 3km more will take you to Rancheros sanctuary which is right after the famous camping Agia Anna club.
From Chalkida you should estimate a travel time of about 1 hour and 15 minutes for a 70 km distance.

 

Contact Person:Deppie Kourelou: +306976687977, dkourellou@gmail.com

School visits

School visits

Rancheros hosts school visits in order to provide children a unique experimental workshop.
Students of all ages, from infants to children on 3rd grade, can participate.
On top of allowing children explore the nature, away from the halls and desks, a visit to Rancheros has many more benefits:

  • It’s an opportunity for a very substantial acquaintance with horses and/or donkeys
  • Children learn the principles of animal welfare and respect
  • They come in close contact with horses and donkeys as they learn about the feelings created by such an experience
  • They perform ground exercises with the horses (if the children are small the exercises are done with a small pony)

Note: Children’s activities do not include horse riding. The contact is performed next to the horse.

 

Daily programs

 Number of participants 10-40

Available from Monday to Sunday

Children from 6 to 12 years old

 

 Part A: The acquaintance

The story of the horse and the donkey: : Where did the horse and the donkey come from? When did they become domesticated? Which is their natural environment? what made them so special? What they like? What they despise? How they helped the human civilization to survive: agriculture, transport, war. These and many more questions will be answered through images and in an interactive, experimental manner at Rancheros’ school.

The society of horses and donkeys:

Outside the fenced area, we get to know Rancheros’ horses and donkeys, their stories and the different characters of each one, while watching the herd, we come into contact with their hierarchy, the «operation» of the team and the balance within it.

Physiology: What colors do horses and donkeys see? How do they breathe? How do they swallow? How many babies do they have? How long are they pregnant for and how long do they breastfeed? How are the legs of the horses and donkeys? How many fingers do they have? Why do donkeys have such big ears? What are they afraid of and what do they like?

Διατροφή: Η βόλτα συνεχίζεται με μια επίσκεψη στον αχυρώνα. Ανάμεσα στα στοιβαγμένα δεμάτια (μπάλες) τροφής, μαθαίνουμε ποιό είναι το άχυρο και ποιός ο σανός καθώς και τι πρέπει και τι δεν πρέπει να τρώει ο καινούριος μας φίλος. Είναι η στιγμή που θα ξαναθυμηθούμε ποιά είναι τα δημητριακά , τα φρούτα και ποιά από αυτά τρώμε και εμείς και σε ποιά μορφή.

Equipment: : The first part of the program is completed by learning about the equipment of our horses and donkeys. What is a halter and a stirrup? How does the saddle fit on them? Why Rancheros’ horses are without horseshoes?
We learn about the rules that must be followed when a horse or donkey works in order to avoid getting hurt.

 

Part B: Caring and contact

Then the moment everyone was waiting for, the contact with our horses and donkeys. We take two animals (a horse and a donkey) to the children’s field and once we learn how to approach the animals, we can then take care of them. Time for endless caresses and hugs along with proper brushing.
The moment is magical when you picture it, the children next to these huge animals, expressing their trust and feeling relaxed, while the horses and donkeys on the other hand r enjoy the company of their new little friends!
The visit to Rancheros ends with an introduction to our trained doggies. We put a collar on them and take them for a walk with the leash. We teach them about stray dogs, where they come from, what are their needs as a dog and as a pet, what they eat and why the dog is considered to be a man’s best friend.

 

Part C: The Game of the Lost Treasure

 After learning all about Rancheros’ animals, the children will be handed a map of the Ranch with questions and riddles. Each clue leads them to the next one. “The one-eyed giant knows a secret,” “The dog with the two names knows what the treasure is …”. So where is the lost treasure hidden? The mysterious key that will lead us to the box of carrots to feed the animals?

 

 Part D: Horses in art – painting and exhibition

From the paintings of Degas and Fasianos in the hagiographies in Orthodox churches to the lyrics of Nikiforos Vrettakos and the music of Grigoris Bithikotsis composing children’s songs. From cartoons to Hollywood movies and car brands to symbols of knights as well as football teams. The horse is a symbol of beauty, strength and greatness. In turn, we make our own songs and paintings. Markers, painting blocks, board games and other creations are hosted at the “Children’s Table”.

 

Part E: Picnic in the forest

We recommend that children bring their own meal from home, according to each child’s nutritional program. However, at Rancheros, kids will be offered fresh pastries, juices, fruit and water. After the meal, we learn how to recycle the packages in which our food was wrapped and how to put the peels and seeds of fruits in the compost bin.

 

Information

The program takes place all year round. During the workshop, children are photographed with animals and the photos are later sent in high resolution to the school.
Agia Anna Beach is 2.5 hours away from Athens.

Cost:: 2€ per child

Contact Person:

Deppie Kourelou: +306976687977, dkourellou@gmail.com