Horse Connection Experience in Marathon: A Non-Riding Session with Free Horses

This is a horse experience with no riding at all. You spend 90 minutes among a small herd of free, untrained horses on a farm in Marathon, north-east of Athens, and learn how they communicate, how the herd is organised and how they respond to you. It costs from €35 per person and suits adults and children, including people who feel nervous around animals.

What is the horse connection experience?

It is a guided session in the horses’ own space, built around observation and body language rather than saddles and reins. The programme draws on horsemanship together with ideas from psychotherapy and homeopathy, and its aim is education and personal development rather than sport. You do not get on a horse. Instead, you meet the herd on its terms.

There is no fixed script inside the paddock. The horses choose whether to come closer to each person, and that choice depends on how calm, tense or open you are. Many people find this the most revealing part of the session.

What happens during the session?

After a short introduction, you walk into the area where the horses live. Your guide helps you read what is going on around you:

• How the herd is organised, and how the lead horse sets the pace for the others.
• How a horse signals curiosity, comfort or the need for space.
• How your own posture, breathing and movement change the way the horses react.

As the session goes on, you can touch the horses, invite one to come towards you, guide it with body language alone, or ask it to move away. None of the horses are trained to perform, so every reaction is real.

Where is it?

The farm is in Marathon in north-east Attica, the area famous for the battle of 490 BC and the original marathon run to Athens. The horses are kept in conditions as close to nature as possible, living as a herd and treated with holistic veterinary care. We send the exact address and directions when your booking is confirmed.

Is it right for me?

Yes, if you are curious about animals, want something calm and different from the usual sightseeing, or would like a gentle way to get comfortable around large animals. It works for:

• Children and adults who are afraid of animals, or have had a bad experience with them. The slow, pressure-free approach helps build confidence.
• Families looking for a shared experience that does not depend on fitness or riding ability.
• Couples and friends who want a quieter half-day outside the city.
• Anyone interested in body language, emotions and non-verbal communication.

No experience with horses is needed. You will spend most of the time standing and walking slowly on uneven ground.

How is this different from horse riding?

• Horse riding: you sit on a trained horse and follow a route, and the focus is on handling and control.
• This experience: you stay on the ground with free horses, and the focus is on understanding them and noticing your own reactions.

If you want to ride, this is not the right choice. If you want to understand horses, it is a good place to start.

What should I wear and bring?

Dress for a farm. Closed shoes that you do not mind getting dusty or muddy are the most important thing. Long trousers, a hat and sun cream are sensible in summer, and a warm layer in winter. Bring water. Leave strong perfume at home, as horses react to scent.

When is the best time to go?

Sessions run through the year. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant for standing outside, while in summer a morning or late afternoon slot avoids the midday heat. The horses are often calmer and more relaxed in cooler parts of the day.

How to get there from central Athens

Marathon is around 40 kilometres north-east of central Athens. By car, take the Marathonos Avenue route through Gerakas or Pallini and continue towards Nea Makri and Marathon; the drive usually takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. KTEL buses run from central Athens to Marathon, though a car or taxi is easier for reaching the farm itself.

Good to know

• This is a non-riding programme. You stay on the ground throughout.
• The horses are free and untrained, so each session is different.
• Book instantly online with a per-person price.
• Combine it with a visit to the Marathon tomb or a swim at Schinias beach nearby.