Horseback riding experience at Balios Riding Club

It was truly a bountiful flower festival. The spring days, filled with the blooms of all sorts of flowers that delighted the eyes and nose, have passed, and May, the month of family, has arrived. 

If you're looking for a travel destination that the whole family can enjoy, head to Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Hwaseong City offers several edutainment destinations where you can create unique memories. 

Thrilling and Fascinating… Riding and Walking with Horses

"Manoon Culture Experience" is being held at Balios Riding Club in Paltan-myeon, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, under the commission of the Korea Racing Authority. 

Nestled within the picturesque natural landscape of the west coast, Balios Riding Club is home to 30 prized German horses, meticulously selected by Chairman Bae Chang-hwan, along with other renowned domestic and international breeds. 

The highlight of the Manoon experience here is the opportunity to interact with horses, which are rarely encountered in daily life. Unlike stuffed animals in a zoo, the horses here can be ridden, fed, and touched. 

Balios Riding Club boasts a vast area of over 12,000 pyeong (approximately 40,000 square meters), featuring four indoor and outdoor arenas, 108 stables, and trail riding courses. The horseback riding experience takes place in an indoor arena that meets international standards and is covered with soft sand. 

A total of three horses will participate in the most basic gait, the 'walk,' with visitors for 10 minutes. Riders will sit in the saddle, synchronize with the horse, feel the movement (bounce) of the horse's back, and walk at a speed of approximately 6.4 km/h. 

Although it's a very slow speed, first-time riders can experience a mix of fear, tension, and excitement simultaneously. The horse I rode was a brown horse named 'Sinryu' (New Human). It was a seven-year-old horse, equivalent to a 35-year-old adult in human years. 

Stables at Balios Riding Club

Outdoor arena at Balios Riding Club.

The horses participating in the experience have passed their prime at 5-6 years old and have reached a mature stage physically and mentally, so they greet visitors with a calm demeanor. 

Nevertheless, for first-time riders, the subtle bouncing of the horse's back and the height can be unfamiliar. Those who are easily frightened may experience a sense of impending doom, as if they might fall at any moment. 

There's no need to worry too much, as participants wear safety equipment, and the instructor has complete control of the horse. You can trust the horse and the instructor and comfortably entrust yourself to the horse's back. Horses are said to gauge their riders, thinking, "A novice is riding," if they sense tension. 

Unlike cars, horses require a certain level of dominance. I was quite tense at first, but after a few laps around the arena, I even felt like trying to go a bit faster. 

Feeding Carrots and Sugar Cubes to Horses

After the horseback riding experience, there's time to bond with the horses. In the open outdoor space, you can feed them carrots and sugar cubes and pet them directly. A word of caution: when feeding carrots, hold them by the end. For sugar cubes, place them on your open palm. This is to prevent accidental bites. 

Carrot feeding experience

Horses are intelligent and gentle, but they are also sensitive. Therefore, avoid sudden shouts or unexpected touches. It's also advisable to be cautious when standing behind a horse due to the immense power of their kicks.

Horses coexisted with humans before the invention of automobiles. They are familiar and cherished animals, yet they are rarely seen around us today. The experience of riding and touching horses, which are typically seen in movies or sports, will be a valuable memory for both children and adults. 

Meanwhile, the regular programs at the Manoon Culture Experience include education on horse industry-related professions such as equestrian instructors, jockeys, horse trainers, and farriers (horseshoes makers). 

Making Smudge Sticks by Harvesting Herbs from a Herb Farm

Wonpyeong Herb Farm in Maesong-myeon, Hwaseong City, opened in 1987 and offers experiences in harvesting herbs to make herbal liquors, herbal teas, and smudge sticks. 

Visitors participating in making herbal liquor and smudge sticks.While those accustomed to fruit wines might find herbal liquors unfamiliar, Western Europe has a long tradition of enjoying diverse herbs and spices added to distilled spirits for flavor and aroma. Herbal liquors originated as medicinal drinks for digestion and colds and are now popular as after-dinner drinks or cocktail bases. 

For instance, Jägermeister is a representative 35% ABV German herbal liqueur made with over 50 herbs, widely loved in cocktails like Jägerbomb (Jägermeister + energy drink). 

For the herbal liquor making session, 25% ABV soju was used. Depending on personal preference, one can make rosemary liquor, rosemary + cinnamon liquor, lemon verbena, or lemon verbena + cinnamon liquor. In addition to herbs, dried lemon and dried orange are added as secondary ingredients. 

The process is quite simple. Put the well-washed and dried herbs into a sterilized bottle, add the liquor, and seal it. It can be consumed after two weeks or used in cooking. 

Next, the smudge stick activity involves tying harvested herbs such as lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, and rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) into a bundle. Smudging, which originated from Native American practices of burning smoke to ward off negative energy and purify the air, has recently gained popularity as a mosquito repellent. A tip for making them is to tie them tightly without any gaps to prevent mold. 

May is a peak season for visitors, so reservations are essential for the experience programs at Balios Riding Club and Wonpyeong Herb Farm. After your experiences, a visit to the nearby Yunggeungneung walking trails or checking the schedule for the Hwaseong Boat Festival (scheduled for May 22-25) can complete a perfect day's itinerary. 

Text and Photos by Reporter Lim Yo-hee