Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing and booking an experience

How do I book an experience?

Available experiences can be booked through our online booking system.

You can also contact us at info@ruskalaukka.fi or +358 40 5300 603 if you need help choosing an experience or would like to ask about other available times.

Book an Experience

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. Experiences at Ronivaara are booked in advance.

This gives us time to prepare the horses, guides and other practical arrangements for the people arriving that day.

Check the individual experience page and booking calendar for current availability.

How do I choose the right experience?

Start with what you would like to do and how much previous horse or riding experience you have.

Some experiences are suitable for beginners and first-time riders, while others require previous riding experience. You can also meet the Finnhorses without riding through farm visits and other Finnhorse experiences.

Each programme page gives the participation requirements for that experience.

You do not need to make yourself sound more experienced than you are. An accurate description helps us guide you towards a suitable experience and Finnhorse.

Explore Finnhorse Experiences

Can I book a private experience?

Yes.

Private Finnhorse experiences are available for people who would like to spend time with the horses with their own family, partner or small group.

There are also private options for riding and horsemanship.

Private Finnhorse Experiences
Private Riding & Horsemanship

Riding experience and first visits

I have never ridden before. Can I still come?

Yes. Several experiences at Ronivaara are suitable for people with little or no previous riding experience.

You will be guided before and during the activity, and a suitable horse is chosen with the rider and the experience in mind.

Check the individual programme description before booking, as not every riding experience is intended for beginners.

I used to ride, but it has been a long time. What level should I choose?

Tell us approximately how much you have ridden, what kind of riding you have done and how long it has been since you last rode.

Years alone do not tell everything about riding experience.

If you are unsure, contact us before booking. We can help you choose an experience where you can begin at a comfortable level.

I feel nervous around horses. Can I still visit Ronivaara?

Yes.

Tell us if you feel nervous or uncertain around horses. Knowing this helps us guide the first meeting calmly and choose an appropriate way to begin.

You can also choose an experience where time with the Finnhorse begins from the ground rather than in the saddle.

Can I meet the Finnhorses without riding?

Yes.

Riding is only one way to meet a Finnhorse at Ronivaara. Farm visits and other Finnhorse experiences give you opportunities to spend time around the horses and learn about them without riding.

In snowy winter conditions, horse-drawn sleigh rides offer another way to experience the Finnhorse.

Farm Visits
Finnhorse Encounters
Sleigh Rides

Children and families

Are children welcome?

Yes. Many experiences at Ronivaara are suitable for children and families.

Minimum ages and other participation requirements depend on the individual programme, so always check the experience page before booking.

If you are travelling with children of different ages or experience levels and are unsure which programme suits everyone, contact us.

Does everyone in the family need to ride?

No.

There are different ways to meet the animals at Ronivaara. A farm visit, for example, can be a good choice when a family would like to spend time around the Finnhorses and other animals without everyone taking part in a riding activity.

Explore Farm Visits

Clothing and equipment

What should I wear?

Dress for the weather and for spending time on a farm.

Wear comfortable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear. For riding, wear long trousers and a long-sleeved top or jacket.

In winter, warm layers, warm footwear, gloves and a hat are important.

Depending on the season, the farmyard and natural ground can be snowy, icy, wet, muddy or uneven.

Plan Your Visit

Do you provide riding helmets?

Yes.

A riding helmet is always used when riding. Helmets are available at Ronivaara, and safety vests can also be borrowed.

Can I bring my own riding equipment?

Yes, you can bring your own suitable riding clothing and equipment.

Equipment that has been used at another stable must be cleaned and disinfected before bringing it to Ronivaara.

If you are unsure about your equipment, ask us before your visit.

Weather and seasons

Are Finnhorse experiences available throughout the year?

Most Finnhorse experiences at Ronivaara are offered throughout the year.

The surroundings change with snow, spring thaw, summer pasture and autumn colours, while the Finnhorses and everyday life of the farm continue through the seasons.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides belong to the snowy winter months.

Life & Seasons at Ronivaara

What happens if the weather is difficult?

Weather and changing ground conditions are part of everyday life at Ronivaara.

We follow the conditions when working with the horses and carrying out activities. For riding, the route and pace are chosen according to the riders, the horses and the conditions.

If the conditions significantly affect the safe delivery of your booked experience, we will contact you.

The Finnhorses and other animals

What kind of horses will I meet?

Ronivaara is a Finnhorse farm.

The Finnhorse is Finland’s native horse breed, and the horses at Ronivaara are known to us as individuals with different characters, skills, strengths and relationships within their herds.

You can meet the individual horses on our Finnhorse page.

Meet Our Finnhorses and learn about finnhorses

How is horse welfare taken into account?

Horse welfare is part of everyday decisions at Ronivaara.

The horses live with other horses and have opportunities for movement, outdoor life, rest and recovery. Their health, behaviour, individual needs and workload are followed as part of daily care.

The horse–guest combination is chosen with both the horse and the person in mind. If a particular horse needs rest or a lighter day, another suitable Finnhorse can take its place when needed.

Our work is also supported by the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label, SRL Laatutalli and HyväTalli Silver level.

Read About Horse Welfare
Sustainability & Responsibility

Can I touch or photograph the animals?

Yes, when the situation allows it and according to your guide’s instructions.

Move calmly around the animals and give them space. Your guide will show you where and how to approach them.

You are welcome to take photographs during your visit as long as doing so does not disturb the animals or the activity.

What other animals live at Ronivaara?

Alongside the Finnhorses, sheep, chickens, dogs and cats are part of everyday life at Ronivaara.

Where you meet them depends on what is happening around the farm that day.

Animals at Ronivaara

Arrival and facilities

Where is Ronivaara?

Ronivaara is in Meskusvaara, Kuusamo, Finland.

Meskusvaarantie 79B
93800 Kuusamo
Finland

The drive takes approximately 20 minutes from Kuusamo town centre and 25 minutes from Ruka.

Contact & Getting Here

How early should I arrive?

Please arrive about 10–15 minutes before your programme begins.

This gives you time to arrive calmly and get ready before the activity starts.

Are there toilets and changing facilities?

Yes.

Guests have access to toilet and changing facilities, as well as the stable cabin at Ronivaara.

Payment, changes and cancellations

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept the most common payment cards and cash. We also accept the Finnish employee benefit payment methods Smartum, Edenred and Epassi where applicable.

How do I change or cancel a booking?

Contact us as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel your booking.

The conditions for cancellations, changes and refunds are explained in our Booking & Cancellation terms.

Booking & Cancellation

Still wondering which experience is right for you?

Tell us who is coming, what previous experience you have and what you would like to do.

We know our horses and the different ways of spending time with them, and we can help you find a good place to begin.

Explore Finnhorse Experiences

Contact Us