has anyone done this? if so, any tips on where to ride for the most scenic views, and, what stables to select? it doesn't have to be IN Pienza but at least reasonably close - I don't mind driving half an hour or so but not an hour, for instance (unless of course the drive by itself is something else)

thanks!

I am sure that there are others...but the stable that I am familiar with is called Il Ginepreto near Buonconvento.

http://www.ginepreto.com/index.htm

Our son spent a eek riding in Chiusi, which is also in Tuscany but I am not sure if it is near enough Pienza for your purposes. If you are interested I can find out contact inof from him. It was a week long program and I don't know if they let people rnt horses for just a few hours. He did do that in Chiogga, which unfortunately is not near Pienza. Ruth

thanks to both of you! I contacted Ginepreto. sure, I'd love to hear about the one in Chiusi. I could always catch the train to Rome afterwards!

I will e-mail our son and ask him for the info. I thought I had saved it, but either did not or filed it in a way that is too clever for me to ever find again. Meanwhile I came across this - not near Pienza, but might be helpful for riders. It is from 2000.

There are horseback tours thru the Palladio Estates, ask any travel agent they should be able to get information on this. This is outside of Venice
www.hiddentrails.com is the best place. They have several riding tours in Italy. Cross Country International is also good. They are based out of New York.

quote:

Our son spent a eek riding in Chiusi

Ruth -- how does a "eek" compare to a euro?

You can also try Il Pornelleto. It's an agriturismo but they offer horseback riding excursions for non-guests as well. Rates are very reasonable...

You might contact Lorenza at Agriturismo Il Rigo who has booked clients of mine (who were staying at her place) on day's horseback riding excursion near Pienza.
You might tell her that Chandi Wyant from Sogni Italiani suggested that you contact her:
info@ilrigo.com

We are leaving for a Hiddentrails riding vacation in Tuscany March 30. The Stable is in Scansano, near Grosseto. Antico Casale di Scansano, and they have a website describing their facility. Pretty low key from a riding perspective, but who cares if you're in Tuscany? Snakey