They call her Ojos Unicos. She is unique, because she has one brown eye and one blue eye. My guides for the day at Rancho Veragua told me that they had chosen her especially for me, as not only was she beautiful, but she had a temperament that would make me fall in love with horseback riding. I had not ridden a horse since childhood, thus I did not know what to expect on my equestrian journey.
Rancho Veragua is located about an hour’s drive from the center of Puerto Plata. It is a 3,500 acre ranch set on a nature preserve rich with organic beauty allowing guests a direct commune with their surroundings. It is a place where I had no objections to slowing down.
Horseback riding in the Caribbean does not get any better than this. My guides and I set off on a two hour trail where I was treated to constant narration of the scenery and area that changed with each gallop.
The trail took me through the scenic northern countryside and provided me a unique opportunity to take in the Dominican Republic first hand. Although it was quite a feat to balance riding a horse up mountains and through rivers while taking photos, I still found the ride to be incredibly relaxing.
My friendly, accomplished, and trained guides upon my arrival to the stables and from the beginning to the end of the trail ensured that I felt comfortable and confident at all times. I highly recommend using Rancho Veragua to experience the thrill of riding a horse through a part of the country that you might never had had the chance to see otherwise.
It was true, Ojos Unicos could not have had a better temperament and saying goodbye to her was difficult. Had I fallen in love with horseback riding? I believe it is still too soon to tell, thus I simply need to return to see if it might be something more than just a crush. . .
How fun!! I can’t imagine a better day than horseback riding while exploring the beautiful DR! Also love the plumeria shot… my fave 🙂
It was a wonderful experience! I’m so glad that I did it, despite some hesitations. I definitely want to ride again, maybe on the beach next? Plumeria is beautiful!!!
What a beautiful place to go riding, Andi, it just exudes peace and tranquility. 🙂
Yes, absolutely peace and tranquility! I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Forget the horse, I WANT THAT PUPPY.
Ummm how precious is she!?!
I’ve heard good things about the DR, but all of these posts are making me want to pack up and go RIGHT NOW!! Ojos Unicos and that puppy are A-dorable.
Haha if you go right now will you take me? And yes, they were both SO adorable!!! I wanted to steal that puppy!
The puppy reminds me of the quote ‘give me a puppy face’ hehe. Makes me want to take her home with me LOL. Have fun Andi! 😀
You’re SO right! She was super cute!!!
Andi-
What gorgeous pictures! That horse is fantastic, I haven’t ridden in a long time though. I fell once when I was in my teens and it just hasn’t been the same since!
Heidi
Oh my gosh, I’m not sure I could get back up on a horse if I fell!!! Thank you so much for your kind words re: my pics!
Sounds amazing! I grew up riding horses (my dad still has 4) – but that scenery is spectacular
Wow, 4 horses that’s incredible! What a fun thing to grow up doing. Yes, this scenery was SO spectacular!!!
Wow, a beautiful post!
Thank you so much!!!
Andi,
Great to know you had great fun riding Ojos Unicos!!! I am actually a little bit scared of riding horses since I fell from one in Costa Rica. However, I will like to give riding horses another try. Actually, the first time I ran a horse was in the Dominican Republic.
Oh no, you’re my 2nd commenter to fall off of a horse! That had to be SO scary!!! Where did you ride your horse in the DR?
No, I fell in Costa Rica. The horse I was riding started to fight with another horse, the sadle turned and I fell in a puddle of mud. The thing is that I had to get over the horse again because we were still far from the final destination. At least, I didn’t fall over horse poop.
Well, that’s definitely looking on the brightside of things! I’m glad that you weren’t seriously injured, sounds terrifying!!
Oh, sorry. I didn’t read your comment carefully. In the Dominican Republic, I went horse riding around the Boca Chica Beach which is near the capital.
No worries! I definitely want to ride a horse on the beach next time. Sounds so romantic!!!
This post is so super cute! I went horseback riding on a beach in Antigua and it was awesome! Definitely do it someday.
Everyone has inspired me to ride a horse on the beach now!!! Antigua must have been beautiful!
The last time I rode a horse it was in Mexico and they gave me a pregnant one because it supposedly had a good temperment but the horse ended up galloping!
Your trip sounds much more tranquillo.
Oh gosh a pregnant one! I would have felt so bad riding her. My guides had U.O. gallop quite a few times, but they warned me beforehand. Was difficult to hold my camera and gallop at the same time! For the most part though the trip was definitely tranquilo.
Gorgeous! Simply amazing. And Ojos Unicos is beautiful!
Awww thank you so so so much!!! Yes, she was beautiful!
Mad props on the photos! I know how difficult it is to take pictures on horseback. My last experience was a 3 hr trek, I remember having trouble walking the next day haha
THANK YOU!!! It was SO challenging to ride the horse and take photos! I swear I almost fell off 10X, but it was totally worth it. And yes, I was in AGONY the next 2 days haha.
This beautiful country looks like my village in India. I come a place called “God’s Own Country”
I love India so much!
Please tell me you are bringing that puppy home!
Trust me, I thought about it MANY times!!!
Now we live in a Chennai, but I am from a Village called Nilambur in Kerala. My American wife is tired of the big city life and in the next few years we will be moving to my jungle village.
I love love love Kerala! What a Paradise!!! That is wonderful that you will be moving back!
Well, we certainly missed out by not going horseback riding while we were there!
But this gives you a reason to return! 😉
When I went to Belize our resort had a horse stable and I loved riding through the jungle… what a treat!
Belize would be an incredible place to ride!
I absolutely love horseback riding! It’s such a great way to move quietly through nature and you feel so peaceful when doing it. Looks like you and Ojos Unicos had a good time together 🙂
We did have a lovely time together, but wow did I suffer the next day! I bet there is some awesome horseback riding in Chile!!!
OMG, that dog is ADORABLE!
Haha everyone keeps commenting on the dog! I wanted to take her home we me so so so bad!!!
gorgeous! loving the greens & reds in your photos…that must have been so much fun! i love horses
So much fun!!! And thank you for your kind words about the photos!
omg, that little puppy just stole my heart!
Mine too!!!
GREAT PICS & EXPERIENCE!
THANKS!
Great photos! Looks like DR was a blast. What kind of puppy is that? Looks like a boxer or a terrier. My mom and wife love horseback riding I would have stayed and played with the pup.
I think it was a boxer/terrier mix? She was beyond adorable with the most lovely personality! I played with her for about 30 minutes haha. She kept getting into trouble with the owners though. You know puppies!
GORGEOUS PICS!
THANKS!!!
GREAT PICS!
Gorgeous photos like always!
Awww thank you!!!
Beautiful shots, horseback riding was so fun. I had my first in DR too 🙂
Oh how cool, what part of the DR? I really enjoyed my experience, just not the pain the next day haha!
I’m not really a fan of horse riding but wow, the things you’ve seen are incredible.
And I’ve never seen a horse with blue eyes (or eye) before. Like something out of a fantasy story or something. 🙂
Isn’t it amazing? I had never seen a horse with light eyes before either! She just needed to be white and have a horn…
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