Horses are a pretty big deal in Hungary, especially out on the great fertile plains (puszta) of southern Hungary. On a side trip from our float down the Danube with Viking River Cruises, we visited this horse farm for a display of traditional training of and uses for horses.
Horses–and cowboys–have been part of Hungarian culture since Central Asian tribes arrived on horseback in the Middle Ages. The horses were trained to lie down in tall grass to hide from battle, and saddles were made to slip off easily so riders could act quickly. We're shown medieval horsemanship games, testing the horses and their riders, demonstrating quick turns, speed, various gaits, and steadiness while soldiers fought with whips or lances. The repeated loud cracking of long whips doesn't even make the horses blink.
Some of the horses from this farm are soon to be movie stars: they're slated to appear in, what else, Game of Thrones. We're hoping they find some bit parts for the impressive Hungarian Gray Cattle, too, or the dark and curly-haired Mongolian Pigs.
Some posts on Travel Past 50 may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, we may earn a small commission. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
This farm property was returned to private ownership in the 1990s after the fall of the Soviet regime. As is the case with most large plots, there's a major investor here (the horse breeder) as well as a number of family businesses. All together, the stable masters, the farmers, the event center staff, and others make this a productive farm and place of employment.
Viking River Cruises hosted our accommodations aboard the LIF. This specific voyage from Budapest to Bucharest is called “Passage to Eastern Europe.” Ours was the last sailing of the season, but there's availability in both directions in 2016.
What fun! How far is this from Budapest?
The farm is outside of Kalocsa, a town about 140 KM (85 miles) south of Budapest, and also on the Danube. We visited while on Viking River Cruise’s “Passage to Eastern Europe,” and we docked one night in Kalocsa so we’d have a chance to see the town.
I like the part about lying down in tall grass. that’s what I’m going to do to hide from a battle. Smart horses!
Janet, we recently visited the Little Big Horn battlefield. Lying down in the tall grass didn’t work out very well for Custer and his men.
How thrilling to see this – was it a full day trip from the Danube?
This is quite close to the Danube, but a day trip from Budapest. Look for the Bakod Puszta Equestrian Center near Kalocsa, which is on the Danube.
Love the traditional standup rider truly in sync with the beautiful steeds. Very powerful image. We so love Central Europe and the Slavic influences in the region.
As these horses were at a full gallop, I don’t know if it was reassuring or disturbing that his boots were fastened to the foot saddles!
What a fantastic action shot you’ve captured in the top photo. I’ll keep their role in mind the next time I watch Game of Thrones!
This was taken with my little Canon S110. Oh, and there was the cutest, softest baby donkey, too. We bonded. :)
It’s the photographer, not the camera. As I’ve said many times. Kris is a good photographer.