Local services
The stables of the Mátai stud, the sheep folds in Szatmáritelek and the animal folds of the Pusztai Animal Park open their doors to visitors between 24-25 February.
Guests can get to know the youngest arrivals of the winter Hortobágy, this year’s foals, racka (long-wooled sheep) lambs, Mangalica piglets, as well as day-old chicks, small ducks and geese, kid goats and donkey foals, led by shepherds and animal caretakers who take care of their animals.
The central location of the event, the departure and arrival point of the tours, is the Hortobágyi Tavern (Csárda), which will then open its doors to its guests again in the year 2024, and gypsy music will be heard within its walls.
“Open stable” locations and programs:
Puszta Animal Park – Animal petting zoo
In the petting zoo, visitors can meet bunnies, goats, and lambs up close, but can also see Mangalica piglets, calves, and young goats up close. 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 your own car or by walking about 1.5 km.
Bird ringing shows 11:00 a.m. 14:00 p.m.
Meeting and departure from the Pusztai Animal Park’s main building. During a short walk along the riverside, after visiting the ringing sites, those interested can get a glimpse into the mysteries of bird migration research, while getting to know the captured birds at hand.
Getting to know lambs in the racka stock of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate
The national park shepherd will present the characteristics of the racka sheep and how they keep the animals. Braver visitors can take the lambs in their hands and even take a selfie with them, not to mention the youngest sheepdog puppies. Guests can admire how beautifully the cow bells, bells or even snare drums sound, and at the end of the program they can warm up with a hot tea. A scheduled bus service from the inn takes visitors to the lambs.
Foal viewing in the stables of the Máta Stud
Guests arrive at the Mátai Stud in regular horse-drawn carriages from Hortobágy Csárda, where, warmed by a hot tea, the foal numerator shows the foals born this year and tells about the everyday life of the stud. In the central and mother mare stables, guests can even get to know and pet the little newcomers up close, or take a walk through the stud buildings. After the visit to Máta, visitors can return to the centre of Hortobágy by horse-drawn carriage.
Programs on both days between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.
9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. : local product fair on the porch of Hortobágyi Csárda
9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. : cash desk, central information
9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. the more than 300-year-old Hortobágy Tavern wakes up from its winter slumber and opens its doors for the first time this weekend and welcomes its guests with gypsy music
Departures:
- Foal inspection at the Máta stud stables 09:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. , 1:30 p.m., 3:00 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.
- Presentation about small animals in Puszta Zoo (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.
The duration of a program including round trip is approx. 1-1 hour 20 minutes.
The foal-viewing bus and the lamb-viewing bus depart from the parking lot in front of the Hortobágy Tavern, while it is possible to get to the Puszta Animal Park individually, with own car, or by walking about 1.5 km.
Date:24-25 February
Location: Hortobágy