Country Quest Portugal

We visited Country Quest for a week at the end of September 2022. Pia and Daniel are wonderful hosts in many ways and so is the place.
We went to learn a more humane way of keeping and training animals (as opposed to the traditional whipping of horses) and what we found was incredible. Their knowledge of modern neuroscience and the habits of horses and other animals was put into practice in such a way that the horses were queing up to be trained instead of hiding to the furthest corners of County Quest's huge plot. If only more horses had the opportunity to have a life like that.

Pia and Daniel made us feel at home and it was nice talking to them on a variety of topics. Pia even offered to help us with our school project to keep an eye on how some of the seeds we planted will start to grow. We learned that horses are herd animals and they need other horses and lots of room to move around and possibility to forage almost 24/7 to stay healthy.

We were also able to see what real country life is like and our kids, 5 and 8 were also welcomed to join in taking care of the horses on the property. Their cats and especially the dogs were super nice with kids and probably enjoyed kids' treatments as much as the kids did😀.

The location itself is nice and private, away from all the buzz, yet close enough to visit the ocean in 35-40min drive (+ a super cozy river beach is just 2km away) or reach their place in an hour and 10min from Faro airport.

We recommend visiting the place to anyone who considers having horses or already has them and struggles with any sort of horse problems. You will have a glimpse of what the future of animal keeping could be and what you can do to make your horse feel better.

I spent some magical days with Pia and Daniel and their horses! The house and surroundings are quiet and peaceful, the food is delicious, the horses are kind and great teachers of life. I left feeling renewed!

I was taken to Country Quest by a friend last weekend iam not a horse person but loved the place beautiful part of Portugal. Pia and Daniel treat you like you are apart of there family. Food was fantastic horses was a pleasure to be with gentle giants .you wouldn't find this experience anywhere else. Will definitely go back in the future.

What an incredible experience spending time with 12 beautiful horses each with their own story. You can tell they are so happy and well cared for by pia and Daniel - Thank you for welcoming us to your home and teaching us so much. We can’t wait to return!

I spent yesterday at the Country Quest in Alcoutim with my kids, aged 9 and 23, and what a moment !!

A fantastic place, a true hidden gem of tranquility, great hosts and such an enriching and surprising way to spend time with horses.

As generous as they are, they bring peace of mind to the stressed Parisians we are ...

Great memories for all of us, and definitely a place to return back to for more precious time with the horses !

i warmly recommend the place for any genuine horselover who is looking for real quality time with the horses in their natural environment.

For anyone looking for a basic poney riding experinece for the kids, please considering going somewhere else, this place is just the exact oppositite and only so much greater in all meanings of the word !

Helle

An amazing place with a very respectful way of seeing life and horses in particular. I learned a lot about different aspects of what surrounds us all in life. Thank you Pia and Daniel for de amazing experience and for receiving us with so much affection. I really felt at home.

Amazing peaceful place ❤ horses free to roam lives it here

Passei dois dias com a minha filha neste espaço maravilhoso , os anfitriões são fantásticos, a comida vegana é a Pia que faz e é uma delícia , os cavalos são gentis , talvez sejam os mais gentis e felizes que conheci até hoje ,( vivem em liberdade e com muito espaço com os da sua espécie)
Na memória ficou também um nascer do sol que jamais esquecerei.

Um lugar fantástico onde se sente harmonia, paz e tranquilidade. Poder conviver com 12 éguas, agora felizes, num estado natural foi incrível. Recuperaram a sua natureza e a felicidade, graças ao esforço e dedicação do Daniel e da Pia. Estes animais recuperaram a confiança no ser humano graças ao empenho deste casal e partilham-na com qualquer pessoa que os visite. Foi mágica a experiência, mesmo para quem, como eu, não tinha a-vontade com animais deste porte. Sente-se a preocupação constante para que tudo esteja do agrado do animal. Nada lhe é imposto, o seu bem estar é a prioridade na herdade. A juntar a tudo isto, a possibilidade de pernoitar neste ambiente familiar, ouvir a partilha de experiências do Daniel e do Pia, poder realizar experiências de meditação e degustar os menus vegetarianos da Pia, foi o complemento perfeito a uma curta mas incrível estadia. Recomendamos vivamente a mentes abertas!

Foi fixe

Génial