At Mas La Riba, we have two beautiful mares that you may encounter during your visit. They’re often visible during farm tours or roaming freely through the forest, as they graze across the estate and are only brought to the farm on Saturdays.
Despite their large and powerful appearance, they are gentle animals and often enjoy being petted. There’s no need to be afraid—while their approach might feel intimidating at first, they are completely harmless. The key is to respect their space: let them come to you, and always approach them from the front so you can observe their reactions. Occasionally, they may move their head suddenly or shift position, so be mindful of where you stand.
Though they look quite similar, they are different breeds. Argila, the older of the two, is a Comtois draft horse. Ula, born on the estate in 2015, is a Breton draft horse. These horses can weigh up to 800 kg and live up to 30 years.
Argila once worked alongside Marc, pulling a carriage for guided tours. Now retired, she helps maintain the estate’s meadows and undergrowth alongside Ula.
As mentioned earlier, they live under an extensive grazing system, obtaining most of their food naturally from the pastures and forest around them.
