Welcome to Takapalo Pony Farm!
We are a small family farm located in Ruuhijärvi, Pello, in Finnish Lapland. Currently, we have four ponies and two horses, and we offer private pony experiences and riding tours all year round. You can visit us alone or with your family – we always operate privately and are open by appointment only.
The Farm Named Takapalo
Takapalo is a old farm located in Ruuhijärvi, with its main building dating back to the 1910s. The farm had been owned by a single family before we, the Liskojärvi family, moved here with our herd in October 2023. It was quite a move, as winter arrived in October that year and stayed, leaving us only to imagine for the first seven months what the surroundings would look like without snow.
We have been told that the farm has housed various animals in the past, including cows, and that the old brick barn was self-built. We deeply appreciate the history of this place and are grateful to continue its story in our own way. For us, Takapalo Farm has been a place we could only dream of before.
The Birth of the Pony Farm
When we moved to Takapalo, we had two ponies, Unski and Manu. I had already been thinking about using ponies to bring joy to others, but I didn’t have the right facilities at our previous home. In January 2024 I had a realization—now I had both the space and the opportunity to do something new in my life! The first step was to come up with a name, and Takapalo Pony Farm felt like the perfect choice. At that time, besides the farm itself, all we had were ponies, and I have always been a pony girl at heart!
Interest in our activities grew quickly, and since April 2024, I have been officially running my own business. The pony farm has provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with both local and visiting horse enthusiasts while allowing me to combine my profession with my beloved hobby. Another dream of mine as an adult was to offer ponies a small herd, which I have now been able to fulfill, making it possible to experience nature is alongside a sure-footed pony friend.
Owner of the pony farm
My name is Heini, and I am the owner of the pony farm. I am a native of Helsinki, and in 2016, I moved with my family to Rovaniemi in Lapland. We moved to Pello in the autumn of 2023. My journey with ponies started when I was a little girl. As an adult I studied to become a horse caretaker and a horse industry instructor many years ago, but it is only now that I am working in the field long-term for the first time.
I am an eternal pony girl who never gets tired of forest adventures, good company, or delicious snacks. Now that I have achieved my dream of having my own ponies and pony farm, I want to offer others the chance to experience ponies in a low-threshold way. In my opinion, the best way to experience the surrounding nature is together with a sure-footed pony friend.
Takapalon Ponitila 