Horse riding at Recanto do Peão, Bonito MS: the countryside at farm pace

The ride at Recanto do Peão crosses the fields and woods of the property at walking pace, with a guide and horses used to beginners. It is the quietest outing in a Bonito itinerary — the opposite of a quad bike.

What the ride at Recanto do Peão is

Recanto do Peão is a rural property in the Bonito region whose main activity is horse riding. The route crosses open country and stretches of forest inside the farm, at walking pace, accompanied by a guide.

The value of the outing lies in its pace. In an itinerary dominated by water, equipment and fixed times, a ride is the only activity where the movement is silent and the landscape passes slowly enough to be seen.

Your first ride, step by step

People who have never ridden usually fear the wrong part. The delicate moment is not the route, it is getting on: you step into the stirrup with your left foot, push up on the saddle — not the pommel — and swing your right leg over. The team holds the horse and guides each person, and it takes less than a minute.

Once mounted, posture settles almost everything: straight back, heel lower than the toe, loose reins. A horse on a guided ride follows the one in front by itself; pulling the reins constantly only confuses the animal.

What you see from horseback

The height changes what you see over the grass, and the silence changes what you hear. Birds that vanish at the approach of a vehicle stay where they are; the farm cattle pay no attention; and conversation in the group naturally drops, because there is no engine competing with it.

In an itinerary where almost everything is fast — rapids, quad bikes, ziplines — this is the only outing whose pace belongs to the animal rather than the visitor.

What to wear

• Long trousers: shorts and a saddle do not mix, and chafing arrives quickly.
• Closed shoes with a low heel that will not slip through the stirrup.
• A hat or cap and sunscreen.
• Repellent, especially on late-afternoon rides.

When to go

The dry season is more comfortable: firm ground, no mud and fewer insects. In hot weather, late-afternoon departures are worth far more than midday ones — high sun over open country tires both the visitor and the animal. Heavy rain usually cancels.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to ride?

No. The ride is guided, at walking pace, and the horses are chosen for beginners.

What if I am afraid of horses?

Say so on arrival. The guide adjusts the animal and your position in the group, which usually settles it.

Written by: Adriano Habermann Last updated: September 13, 2026