Hooves & Heart: A Client’s Journey with Lancelot at Monte Barrão

 At Monte Barrão I found a brave, talented, clever and kind young horse and he was absolutely right for me in every way. He was educated according to his young age and big body, they saw that he needed more time than his brothers and gave it to him. He was trusting and willing, listening and making guesses based on what he had learnt, even though he didn’t know me. He must have had a great start to life to be so safe and attentive at only 4.

Lancelot: Elegance in Every Gaze

Lancelot and His Owner: Moments of Connection and Freedom

Lancelot and His Owner: Grace, Power, and Partnership in Action

This horse has been with me for more than 6 years now, and he is and has been an absolute delight in every way. He has a great sense of humour and will always try to make you laugh. He loves to learn, and wants the work to be challenging, applying his clever mind to figure it out. He is so safe and takes such care of his rider, he hacks out on the buckle on a windy day and never puts a hoof wrong. If something looks a bit scary, he will go over to have a closer look. He communicates like no other horse, asking me how I am every day and telling me exactly how he feels. I can ride him with my mind, he tries so hard to understand and wants to get it right. The more trust I give him, the more responsibility he takes.

When I went to visit Monte Barrão again later, it became clear to me why he is so confident, trusting and kind - they are values he has grown up with. Helena and João welcomed me to their home with such warmth and every living creature on their land clearly knows the safety of their hospitality, knowledge and care. Walking into the fields to greet young stallions or mares with foals at foot, there is a peace among them all that is very rare for horses to find in the human world.

Thank you Helena and João for trusting me with Lancelot and for making him so great!