Lagos: A walk with a rescued horse at the sanctuary

At this small sanctuary near Lagos, you do more than look at rescued horses. You meet them, hear their stories, and walk beside one through the South-West Algarve countryside. The off-grid setting gives the visit a calm, grounded feel.

I like the direct contact with the animals and the chance to learn how their gestures and moods affect your own behavior. I also like the honest focus on rescue, care, and simple living rather than a quick photo stop. The main drawback is that this is not a riding excursion, and the rough outdoor setting is not suited to people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

Key points

• Six rescued horses may take part: You walk with one horse while the others can follow along.
• Sakshin and volunteers lead the visit: Expect horse stories, safety guidance, and time to get acquainted with the animals.
• The walk has a reflective side: Your gestures, energy, and communication become part of the experience.
• The setting is off-grid: You see how people and animals live on the land with nature, away from a polished tourist facility.
• Small groups keep it personal: No more than eight people take part, with English, Dutch, or German spoken.
• The visit lasts two hours: At $53 per person, the value rests in the personal contact and rescue mission, not in a long list of attractions.

Meeting Rescued Horses Near Lagos

The experience begins at State of Being, a sanctuary in the South-West Algarve. This is not a conventional stable with rows of stalls and a busy schedule of rides. It is a place where rescued animals live on the land, and where the setting itself forms part of the lesson.

You enter through the field at the meeting point marked by the What3words address gaggles.deep.endorsed. Go up along the left side, open the gate, enter, and close it again. From there, walk or drive straight for about 200 meters across the property until you reach the team.

That final approach matters. You are not stepping off a bus into a ready-made attraction. You are arriving at a working, off-grid place. The directions require a little care, so save the location before setting out and read them closely. The meeting point is in a field, not at a conventional city address.

Once you arrive, the atmosphere is likely to feel informal and personal. The group is limited to eight people, which gives the guide and volunteers room to speak with you rather than simply address a crowd.

Sakshin, Volunteers, and the Horses’ Stories

Sakshin and the volunteers begin with an introduction to the horses and the sanctuary. You learn about the animals, how they came to live there, and what makes each one different. This opening is important because it changes the walk from a basic animal encounter into a visit with a purpose.

You are not simply handed a lead rope and sent off. The team explains how to behave around the horses and gives safety instructions before you approach them. That should help first-time visitors feel more at ease, especially if you have little experience around large animals.

The horses are the focus, but the people caring for them are part of the story, too. The sanctuary shows a way of life built around animals, land, and simple daily routines. You get a glimpse of what off-grid living can mean in practice, rather than hearing a broad idea about sustainability without seeing it in place.

One useful detail is the reported presence of six rescued horses. The exact horse you walk with may differ, but the group can include several animals moving together. The horses you are not walking may follow, creating a more social and memorable outing than a one-animal-at-a-time encounter.

Why the Horse Walk Feels Different

The central idea is that horses respond to your gestures, energy, and emotions. You do not need to treat this as a formal therapy session to understand the appeal. A horse notices how you approach, where you place your attention, and how clearly you communicate.

That makes ordinary actions feel more meaningful. If you move too quickly, hesitate, or give mixed signals, the horse may respond in its own way. The guide can help you notice these exchanges and understand how your behavior shapes the interaction.

I like this part because it gives the walk a second layer. You are outside in nature and spending time with a rescued animal, but you are also paying attention to your own communication style. The experience can prompt you to think about patience, leadership, confidence, and emotional control.

Still, it is best to keep expectations sensible. The session may feel reflective and calming, but it is not a guaranteed personal breakthrough. Your experience will depend on your comfort around horses, your willingness to take part, and the interaction you develop with the animal.

Safety First, Then Time to Connect

After the introduction, the team gives practical safety guidance. This is more than a formality. Horses are large, strong animals, and even gentle ones need to be approached with care.

You can expect instructions about how to stand near the horses, how to behave while walking, and how to respond to their movements. Listen closely, especially if this is your first time handling or walking beside a horse.

The small group helps here. With a maximum of eight people, there is a better chance to ask a question or receive a correction when needed. A larger group would make this kind of animal contact less personal and could make the horses feel less settled.

The information provided does not specify the exact equipment used or the type of footwear required. You should arrive in practical walking shoes and clothes suitable for being outdoors. The activity description specifically asks you to lace up your walking shoes, so avoid sandals or anything that makes uneven ground difficult.

Walking With One Horse Across the Property

The main activity is a walk with one rescued horse. The pace is not presented as a riding lesson or a fitness outing. Instead, the walk gives you time to stay alongside the animal and observe how it responds to your presence.

The other horses may follow. This detail gives the outing a pleasant group quality. You are not isolated with one animal in a controlled exercise. You may find yourself walking with a small horse group, watching their movements and relationships as you go.

The natural setting is part of the experience. You are spending time on the land where the sanctuary operates, not moving between a series of staged demonstrations. The surroundings offer quiet and space for the horse interaction to unfold without a packed schedule.

The route itself is not described in detail, so you should not book this expecting a named trail, dramatic viewpoint, or specific sightseeing landmark. The reward is the connection with the animal and the chance to see the sanctuary’s way of life up close.

That makes the activity best for people who enjoy slow experiences. If you want a fast succession of sights, a long horseback trek, or an adrenaline-filled outdoor activity, this will probably feel too gentle. If you want a thoughtful break from busy sightseeing, the pace may suit you very well.

Mindfulness in the South-West Algarve

Mindfulness moments are included in the session. These pauses encourage you to notice the horse, your own reactions, and the natural surroundings rather than rushing from one task to the next.

The quiet rhythm of walking can be relaxing. The gentle movement of the horses and the open setting may help you let go of the tension that comes with a busy holiday schedule. You do not need specialist experience in meditation or horse work. The team presents the activity as suitable for both beginners and people already familiar with horses.

This is also where the setting adds real value. The sanctuary offers a view of life lived close to animals and nature. You can think about care, responsibility, and the choices involved in maintaining an off-grid home for rescued horses.

The word mindfulness can sound grand, so I would keep the expectation simple. You will have guided moments to slow down and pay attention. What you take from them is personal. Some people may focus on the animals, others on the setting, and others on the way they communicate.

What the $53 Price Includes

At $53 per person, the two-hour visit is not cheap when judged by duration alone. You are paying more than an ordinary walk, but the price includes personal guidance, safety instruction, horse stories, time with rescued animals, the walk itself, and a conversation afterward.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If your goal is simply to sit on a horse or cover a long distance, this is not the right comparison. This experience is closer to a small educational visit and guided animal encounter, with a rescue mission and an off-grid setting at its center.

I find the small group especially important when considering the cost. Eight people or fewer means the activity is not built around moving a large crowd through the property. You have more room to ask about the horses and more opportunity to receive guidance during the walk.

The care element also matters. The money supports an experience centered on rescued animals and the people who look after them, though the information provided does not specify how the fee is divided. You should book because the format appeals to you, not because you expect a donation receipt or a detailed care report.

Languages, Timing, and Physical Access

The session lasts two hours, with starting times available according to the date you choose. That length is enough for an introduction, safety briefing, time with the horses, the walk, mindfulness moments, and a closing discussion without turning the visit into a full-day commitment.

Guiding is available in English, Dutch, and German. If you are comfortable in one of these languages, you should be able to follow the explanations and take part in the discussion.

This is a small-group activity with no more than eight participants. That number suits the format because animal contact works better when the group can remain quiet and attentive.

The sanctuary is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. The field entrance and the 200-meter approach across the property indicate that you should be comfortable walking over outdoor ground. The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment, so contact the provider before booking if you have any concern about the route or surface.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Algarve plans are still shifting, but the meeting point remains something you should prepare for in advance.

Who Will Enjoy This Horse Sanctuary Walk

I would recommend this to you if you like animals, quiet outdoor time, and encounters with a clear human story behind them. It suits curious beginners as well as experienced horse enthusiasts because the team starts with basic guidance and does not assume prior knowledge.

It also works well for anyone interested in off-grid living. You see more than the horses. You get a sense of how people organize daily life around rescued animals and the land.

Couples, solo visitors, and small groups of friends could all enjoy it. The limited group size makes conversation easier, and the two-hour length fits neatly into a day exploring the Lagos area.

I would not choose it if you need a fully accessible activity, dislike uneven outdoor settings, or want a traditional horseback ride. It may also disappoint you if you expect a large sanctuary with many animal species. The information describes rescued horses and an intimate property, not a full zoo or animal park.

Should You Book It?

Book this walk if you want meaningful time with rescued horses rather than a standard tourist ride. The strongest reasons are the personal scale, the stories behind the animals, the chance to walk while the other horses follow, and the unusual look at off-grid life near Lagos.

The praise for the kind care given to the horses is well supported by the format. The animals are presented as loved residents, not props for a quick activity. Sakshin and the volunteers give the visit a human side, while the mindfulness elements make you pay attention to your own part in the encounter.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, want a long scenic route, or prefer a more active horse adventure. For the right visitor, though, $53 buys two unhurried hours, close contact with rescued animals, and a thoughtful change of pace in the Algarve.

FAQ

How long does the horse sanctuary experience last?

The experience lasts two hours.

How much does the activity cost?

The price is $53 per person.

Where does the activity take place?

It takes place at State of Being in the South-West Algarve, near Lagos.

How do I find the meeting point?

Use the What3words location gaggles.deep.endorsed. Enter the field, go up on the left side, open and close the gate, then continue straight for about 200 meters until you see the team.

How many people can join the activity?

The activity is limited to eight participants.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide can lead the experience in English, Dutch, or German.

Do I ride the horse?

The included activity is walking with a rescued horse. The information does not describe horseback riding.

How many horses are at the sanctuary?

The experience includes six rescued horses in total.

Are the other horses involved in the walk?

The horses that are not being walked may follow the group.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.