domestic animals grazing the grasslands of Túrkeve
decided to start updating the English website as well, so
from now on we will try to regularly provide some information
on our current activities.
Since last autumn, animal-keeping became a more active field
within the framework of the Túrkeve Landscape Rehabilitation
and Regional Development Program. This complex program aims
to revitalize grazing animal-keeping in the region, in order
to preserve the valuable habitats of the surrounding grasslands
and wetlands rich in rare and protected species. We put a
special emphasis on using traditional breeds, such as the
racka sheep with its special twisted, spiral-shaped horn.
The helping hand of the shepherd is the pumi, a traditional
Hungarian sheepdog - with some terrier blood in her veins
- for guiding and chasing the herd of sheep.
We also keep traditional Hungarian horse breeds, such as the
Shagya Arabian (also known as the Arabian of Bábolna), Furioso-North
Star and the Kisber Halfbred. These horses serve various purposes:
they pull a cart; they help children to make friendship with
horses; they are a reliable partner for beginners or advanced
riders to learn horseback riding or to go for a trail ride
in the peace and beauty of nature.
For meeting the growing needs of horse-keepers, who wish to
provide their favorite horses with a high quality stable and
appropriate living conditions, the "horse boarding"
services of Nimfea will expand in the near future: a new stable
is being built with 7 separated stalls, the horses will spend
most of their days grazing in the fenced paddock, and riders
can learn all tricks of dressage and show-jumping with the
help of a qualified trainer.
People say that Hungarians are the people of horses. Our ancestors
arrived in the Carpathian Basin on horseback, and horses were
great friends ever since. They played an important role in
wars and combats, and horses were the basis for the famous
hussar traditions. There were times, when herds of several
hundreds horses grazed the nearby grasslands. Our equestrian
culture is a living heritage, combining recreation and exercise,
and at the same time helping to preserve the unique natural
values of this landscape.