Finnhorse Ride and Old Smithy Fire-Side Experience

2-6

Advanced, Average, Beginner, Experienced

Oma paikallinen opas

175,00 €

Hiking to the village blacksmith’s workshop is a two-hour program where you get to know the horses, ride the horses on the farm’s private forest roads and trails, and spend time in the village blacksmith’s old workshop by the campfire.

Finnhorses, Ruka-Kuusamo Landscapes and Ronivaara’s Old Smithy

This two-hour experience brings together Ronivaara’s Finnhorses, Kuusamo’s countryside and a piece of the farm’s own history. You begin at Ronivaara Farm by meeting your Finnhorse and preparing for the trail with your local guide.

Before heading out, you receive a safety briefing and help with mounting. In the riding arena, your guide goes through the basic riding aids calmly and clearly: how to ask the horse to move forward, how to stop and how to guide the direction. The experience is best suited for adults with at least a little previous riding experience, and for less experienced guests who feel comfortable joining a calm trail ride.

Your guide then leads the group onto Ronivaara’s own routes. The trail moves through quiet paths, open countryside and Ruka-Kuusamo’s hill landscapes, with the Finnhorse setting a steady rhythm for the experience.

Back in Ronivaara’s farmyard, the experience continues in the old village smithy. This is an authentic smithy where Ronivaara’s blacksmiths once worked. At the smithy, you enjoy a warm drink, a sweet treat such as a bun or pie, and sausages. The old working space, the forge and the handmade objects give the moment a strong sense of place — something clearly rooted in Ronivaara, not added afterwards.

The Finnhorse gives the experience its rhythm and character. It is Finland’s native horse breed: strong, wise, versatile and trusting by nature. With its steady presence and calm strength, the Finnhorse carries you through the landscape and into a place where Ronivaara’s horse culture, countryside life and blacksmith heritage meet.

Forest riding with finnhorses in Ruska Laukka in Ruka-Kuusamo

Ruska Laukka tallin pihapiiristä kesä- ja talvikuvia Ruka-Kuusamossa

A Finnhorse Experience with a Real Local Story

This experience is a good choice for guests who want more than a standard trail ride. Ronivaara’s old village smithy gives the programme a story you can see: the forge, the handmade items and the old working space connect the ride to the farm’s own past.

The trail, the Finnhorse and the smithy create a warm and grounded experience for adults, couples and small groups. You ride in Kuusamo’s countryside with a local guide, meet the Finnhorse as part of the experience and finish in a place where Ronivaara’s history is still visible.

Good to know

Who is this experience for?

Finnhorse Trail Ride & Old Village Smithy Visit at Ronivaara is suitable for adults, couples and small groups who want to experience Finnhorses, Kuusamo’s landscapes and Ronivaara’s old village smithy in one programme.

This experience is especially suitable for:

adults with some previous riding experience
less experienced riders who feel comfortable on horseback
intermediate and experienced riders looking for a calm nature-focused ride
couples
friends and small groups
travellers interested in Finnhorses, Kuusamo’s nature and Ronivaara’s local history
young riders aged 12 and over with previous riding experience and readiness to join a guided trail ride

What does the experience include?

The experience includes:

meeting your Finnhorse at Ronivaara Farm
safety briefing, mounting assistance and guidance before departure
Finnhorse trail ride on Ronivaara’s own routes
professional local guide
visit to Ronivaara’s authentic old Kuusamo village smithy
the smithy’s forge and handmade items by Ronivaara’s blacksmiths
warm drink, sweet treat and sausages
riding helmet and necessary safety equipment
guest insurance and Finnish Equestrian Federation insurance for occasional riders

Duration: 2 hours
The duration covers the full experience: welcome at the farm, meeting the Finnhorse, safety briefing, guidance before departure, trail riding, visit to the old village smithy, refreshments and return.

Group size: 2–6 guests
Riding level: less experienced, intermediate, advanced, experienced
Format: Finnhorse trail ride and old village smithy visit
Price: 175 € / person
Minimum age: 12 years. Participation for younger experienced riders can be requested by phone or email.
Booking: advance booking online or by phone. Online booking closes 24 hours before the experience.

The experience is carried out with the route, weather conditions and the horses’ wellbeing in mind. Please dress according to the season and weather.

Good to know and arrival at the farm

The experience takes place at Ronivaara Farm in Kuusamo.

Address:
Meskusvaarantie 79b, Kuusamo.
Location in Google Maps

Please arrive in good time so the programme can begin calmly at the agreed time. Part of the experience takes place outdoors in the farmyard, stable area and on the riding route, so dress according to the weather.

Choose sturdy shoes and clothing suitable for a stable and outdoor riding environment. Wear long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. In winter, warm layers, gloves, a hat and proper outdoor footwear are important.

Please avoid loose clothing, scarves and backpacks. Riding equipment that has been used at other stables should be disinfected before arriving at Ronivaara.

FAQ

Do I need previous riding experience?
This experience is best suited for guests with at least a little previous experience on horseback. Less experienced adults can take part when they feel comfortable joining a calm trail ride. Please tell us about each participant’s riding experience when booking.

Who is this experience best for?
It is a good choice for adults, couples, friends and small groups who want to experience Finnhorses, Kuusamo’s landscapes and Ronivaara’s old village smithy in one programme.

What happens during the experience?
You meet your Finnhorse at Ronivaara Farm, receive a safety briefing and guidance before departure, ride on Ronivaara’s own routes and visit the old village smithy in the farmyard.

What is the trail ride like?
The trail follows Ronivaara’s own routes through quiet paths, open countryside and Kuusamo’s hill landscapes. The pace is calm, and the guide chooses the route and pace with the riders’ experience, the conditions and the horses’ wellbeing in mind.

What makes the old village smithy special?
The smithy is an authentic Kuusamo village smithy where Ronivaara’s blacksmiths once worked. Inside, you can see the forge and handmade items made by the smiths, which bring the farm’s history into the experience.

Is the smithy located at Ronivaara Farm?
Yes. The old village smithy is located in Ronivaara’s farmyard, so the smithy visit is a natural part of the experience at the farm.

What is served at the smithy?
At the smithy, you enjoy a warm drink, a sweet treat such as a bun or pie, and sausages.

Can a 12-year-old take part?
Yes, if the young rider has previous riding experience and is ready to join a guided trail ride.

Can a child under 12 take part?
Participation for younger experienced riders can be requested by phone or email.

How long does the experience last?
The full duration is 2 hours. This includes welcome at the farm, meeting the Finnhorse, safety briefing, guidance before departure, trail riding, the old village smithy visit, refreshments and return.

What should I wear?
Dress according to the weather and season. We recommend long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes. In winter, warm layers, gloves and a hat are needed.

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Horse Welfare First

The wellbeing of our horses is at the heart of everything we do
We work calmly, respectfully and according to each horse’s needs
Our horses have time to rest, recover and live a natural paddock life
We choose safe routines, suitable horses for our guests and responsible group sizes
If needed, the program may be adapted to ensure the comfort and safety of the horses

Local Heritage

Ronivaara is a traditional farm environment with a strong local story
We value the Finnish horse and its important role in Finnish rural culture
The old smithy brings local history, craftsmanship and atmosphere into the visit
We want to preserve and share the heritage of farm life, horses and nature
Our experiences are rooted in the landscape, stories and traditions of the area