Each trekking has a carefully planned itinerary: stages, timing, breaks, bivouacs. Everything is designed so that participants enjoy themselves, discover an authentic side of Morocco, and improve their riding skills.
Although the route is planned in detail, there are always variations to manage. We are outdoors, many variables are beyond our control, and after all these years of experience we can say: true normality is not the ordinary, it is the extraordinary.
Unexpected events are part of the journey, and over time we have learned to handle them calmly, with experience and teamwork.
When a horse is unwell
One of the most delicate unexpected events concerns the horses. If during the trekking a horse shows a health problem, we have the necessary experience to understand whether it is a minor ailment we can resolve ourselves or if that horse needs to stop.
We never work with an animal that is not at one hundred percent. This means recognizing the problem immediately, contacting the base, and organizing a replacement.
First, we find a new horse-rider pairing and coordinate with those remaining at the Ranch to arrange transport. In the case of desert trekking, which takes place far from the Ranch, we always bring horses ready for replacement to a closer support base.
When a rider is unwell
Sometimes the rider may need a break. Sometimes resting during lunch or in the evening is enough, and the next day they return to the saddle without problems. If more time is needed, we call a support vehicle that allows skipping a stage and resuming from the next one. At that moment, the unexpected issue is the management of the horse left without a rider. Our horses cannot simply be left free; they are stallions and must be managed.
There are several solutions:
- if another staff member is available, they ride the horse
- a guide leads it on a longe line
- in some cases, someone comes from the base to collect it
The choice always depends on the route and the situation at the time.
“It never rains in Morocco”… really?
Many people arrive convinced that it never rains in Morocco, but this is not entirely true.
In the Essaouira region, where we organize many of our trekking tours, the climate has a peculiarity: there are no mountains to hold back the clouds, and the trade winds often blow. For this reason, it often happens to see the sky darken and think a storm is coming, but then the clouds disperse without a drop.
However, in recent years we have seen that rain can also occur here. When it happens, the simplest solution is also the most obvious: we cover ourselves with waterproof jackets, hoods, or hats and continue the day. Rain alone does not stop a trekking. The only thing we always assess is the safety of the route. If weather conditions become really difficult, we can change the itinerary or move to areas where the forecast is better.
And if the rain makes it impossible to sleep in a tent?
In that case, we have another option: along the routes, we know people, small hotels, houses, and accommodations where we can move the group to spend the night indoors.
Where do the horses sleep when it rains?
Horses can stay outdoors even if it rains; their coat is naturally waterproof. Even when they appear completely wet, if you run your hand against the hair under the coat, the skin is dry.
However, we pay close attention to where we keep them. It is necessary to find a safe place away from watercourses or landslide-prone areas. When the group moves to indoor accommodation, part of the staff always stays with the horses. With them, we leave everything needed: food, water, veterinary supplies, and equipment to spend the night. No one is left behind: neither clients, nor horses, nor staff.
The desert and sandstorms
In the desert, the most important variable is not rain but wind. Sandstorms are part of these landscapes and can quickly change landmarks.
Before each trekking, we conduct inspections to understand if the routes have changed and map water points for the horses.
During a storm, the most important thing is to stay together. The guides keep the group united, orient themselves on the terrain, and remain in contact with the mobile camp, the truck that follows the trekking and carries tents and equipment.
If necessary, we change the route or find an alternative path to reach the next stage.
The most difficult unexpected event: improvised riders
There is an unexpected event that does not depend on the weather, horses, or terrain but can be more dangerous than one might think. It is the client who does not tell the truth about their riding level.
Before each trip, we conduct phone interviews and clearly explain that our trekking tours are for experienced riders. Despite this, occasionally someone arrives underestimating the difficulty. It is easy to appear confident in words. But when we see a person in the saddle, we immediately understand if something is wrong, and at that moment we have two options.
The first is to send the client back to the base at their own expense. This is the most drastic solution and truly a last resort, when there is no cooperation.
The second, which we try to adopt almost always, is to take them under the wing of a guide, asking them to stay close to the staff and follow exactly the instructions they receive. It works, even if it means dedicating almost an entire guide to one person.
No plan is perfect
Organizing a trekking means preparing every detail, but it also means accepting that something, sooner or later, will change. There is no fixed rule to apply to every unexpected event; each situation must be managed according to the environment and the people present.
What really makes the difference is experience, the ability to stay clear-headed, and teamwork that allows us to find the right solution when reality decides to change the plans.