Local services
The stables of the Mátai Stud Farm, the sheepfolds of Szatmártelek and the livestock farms of the Pusztai Zoo open their doors to visitors. Between 22-23 February 2025, visitors can meet the youngest newcomers to the winter Hortobágy, this year’s foals, racka lambs, mangalica piglets, as well as chicks, small ducks and geese, goat goats and donkey kids, guided by the shepherds and animal keepers who look after their animals.
The central location of the event, the starting and finishing point of the tours this year is the Tourinform Hortobágy building.
This is also when the Hortobágyi Csárda will open its doors to its guests again in 2025, and gypsy music will resound within its walls.
“Open stable” programmes:
Pusztai Zoo petting zoo
Bird ringing demonstration
Meeting sheep in the racka herd of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate
Foal viewing in the stables of the Mátai Stud Farm
Departures:
- Foal inspection at the Máta stud stables 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. , 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
- Sheep-watching bus to the racka (long-wooled sheep) fold in Szatmáritelek: 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
- Small animal show in Pusztai Zoo (can be visited individually): 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
- On Saturday at 11.00 a.m. Winter farewell folk custom presentation
- Pony riding both days between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
- The duration of 1 programme (including the trip to and back from the location) is approx. 1-1 hour 20 minutes.
Ticket prices:
Foal viewing: 3000 HUF/adult, 1500 HUF/child
Lamb viewing bus: 3000 HUF/adult, 1500 HUF/child
Small animal show: 1500 HUF/adult, 1000 HUF/child
Free admission for children under 3 years old
Child ticket: 3-14 years old
Open Stable Weekend Locations
Pusztai Animal Park – Animal petting zoo
In the petting zoo, guestc can get up close and personal with bunnies, goats, and lambs, but they can also get a close look at piglets, calves, and young pony foals. The feathered newcomers can be held in hand as part of the hourly guided tour, and this weekend visitors are also waited with a buffet. It is possible to get to the animal park individually, with own car or by walking about 1.5 km.
Getting to know lambs in the racka stock of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate
With the guidance of the national park’s shepherd, guests will learn what the difference is between a ram and an ewe, and what signs can be used to distinguish them. Meanwhile, this year’s increase in the black and white racka flock will also be counted.The braver ones can even hold the lambs in their hands, and even take selfies together. Guest will also be shown how the animals are kept in the barn. Our guests can learn what the term “separated herd” means, and they can watch the shepherd at work, who will also tell them how the winter days in sheep farming pass. They will see how difficult it is to catch sheep with a shepherd’s hook, but they can also hear about the training of the shepherd’s main helpers, the shepherd dogs. Finally, they can admire how beautifully the bells and snare drums sound. A national park bus service, departing from the Tourinform Hortobágy building according to schedule, transports visitors to the flock of sheep.
Foal viewing in the stables of the Máta Stud
Guests will arrive from the Tourinform Hortobágy building in horse-drawn carriages, accompanied by guides, to the Mátai Stud Farm, where foal enumerator will show the foals born this year and tell about the everyday life of the stud farm. In the central and the mare stables, visistors can even get up close and personal with the little newcomers. After the visit to Máta, attendees will return to the centre of Hortobágy by horse-drawn carriage.
Date: 22-23 February
Location:Hortobágy
Source:.programturizmus.hu Photo credit:dehir.hu