- 3 mins
The estancia experience is one of the main things that set us apart here at Las Torres Patagonia, and when it comes to talking about these moments, we couldn’t forget to mention our horses. These noble animals, together with the baqueanos, or Patagonian cowboys and cowgirls, carry out different jobs in Torres del Paine National Park. Here we are going to tell you all you need to know about these wonderful creatures and how they live in the Patagonia.
The horses at Las Torres Patagonia
Las Torres Patagonia currently has close to 200 horses, each one with its own name given by one of the baqueanos at the stables. Rosita, Sorpresa, Ventarrón, Mira Lejos, Bombón, Forastero, Canario and Arrocito are just a few of the funny names given to each animal. It’s something important to keep in mind when you ride your horse and give it commands.
Horses are social animals by nature, thus you will always see them in small or large herds. It’s very rare to find a horse completely alone in Patagonia.
What jobs do the horses do on the reserve?
There are two main jobs performed by horses at Las Torres Patagonia. One of these activities is packing, and the other is providing exciting adventures that you can experience for yourself while on one of our horseback rides.
Let’s talk about the first one, which is packing. This is a traditional activity in the area, and for decades, the only way to cross the mountains with food and supplies for distant towns and villages was on horseback. It’s a job for the most daring.
Did you know that the mountain shelters at Las Torres Patagonia were built with pack animals for transporting materials? That’s right, and we continue to use this means of transport day after day to carry food and other provisions to sectors like Chileno.
How are the horses cared for?
At Las Torres Patagonia, we treat our horses like another member of the operations team, and thus their health and wellbeing are a top priority.
At the stables, horses receive veterinarian check-ups on a regular basis. They have given them vaccines, revise their teeth for possible dental issues, and make sure they have no digestive problems.
Likewise, we also change their shoes and file their hooves, so that they have the conditions and durability necessary to be able to move effortlessly across the vast Patagonian territory.
Plus, our horses are constantly supervised. Each one has a work chart in order to keep track of its working hours and its respective, well-deserved downtime.
Our holistic planned grazing system
Reducing our herd’s impact on the natural environment at Torres del Paine National Park is a full-time job. Thus, we came up with a strategy called a holistic planned grazing system.
This program aims at periodically rotating the horses to different pastures where they can spend the night and graze. This system prevents the horses from overgrazing or eroding the earth with their hooves.
In addition, this system is annually certified by the Savory Institute, guaranteeing its effectiveness in preserving the park’s natural environment.
Hotel Las Torres has multiple experiences where you can connect with these noble animals, as well as giving you the chance to see Patagonia’s most traditional activities, with horseback riding tours and our popular Baqueana Experience.
