Welcome to Takapalo Pony Farm! We are a small 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. Can’t find the right service for you? Don’t hesitate to ask and tell us what you’re looking for!
A Visit to the Pony Farm
Visit the pony farm at a time arranged just for you. You’ll get to explore a traditional Finnish farmyard, where some of the buildings are over 100 years old, and even the bricks of the stable have been made using traditional methods. The owner of the estate, Heini, can also tell you more about Finnish lifestyle and culture.
You will get to meet our ponies, who live together as a herd in a large enclosure all year round. You can feed them and, if you wish, groom them. A short lead-rein ride, for example, for the youngest family members, can be arranged in advance.
The visit lasts one (1) hour. Price 60 € / 2 – 4 person.
Peaceful horseback ride
Would you like to experience a peaceful horseback ride through the nature of Lapland alone or together with a friend or family member? The ride lasts about one hour and is suitable even for beginners. The time of the ride can be arranged according to your wishes. In winter, evening rides may offer a chance to see the Northern Lights in the surrounding darkness, while in summer, the Midnight Sun lights the way instead of the moon. Lapland’s nature is beautiful in all four seasons.
The horseback riding tour includes a guide and a helmet. We do not lend winter clothing, but we can offer advice on where to get the necessary gear.
The weight limit depends on the pony and ranges from 60 to 95 kilograms. We are happy to advise you on this.
Accident/medical and personal liability insurance: Should medical treatment be required, participants accident/medical/travel insurance company shall pay for all such incurred expenses. Should participants actions or that of participants horse cause injury or damage of any kind, participants own personal liability shall pay for such damages.
The visit lasts about two (2) hours and includes one (1) hour of riding. Before the ride, we’ll get to know the ponies, and I’ll teach you the basic skills you’ll need when riding. Price: 150 € if one (1) person, 2 – 4 person 100 € / person. If you’d like to help with grooming and taking care of the ponies, please mention this when booking.
A longer trail ride in the beautiful village area of Ruuhijärvi (Ask about availability)
We offer extended trail rides for experienced riders all year round. You can come alone or with a friend or family – our services are always private.
Depending on the season we ride through the snowy forest or on summer we get to see the Midnight Sun when we climb to the hill with a pony. Here, it’s always possible to experience the peace of nature. On a clear day, we can see far, and in the evening, we might see the Northern Lights and stars as we walk in the light of headlamps.
We only organize private horseback riding tours, meaning you always book the tour for yourself or up to 5 people, depending on the service.
Our longer trail rides are not suitable for beginners, so please be honest about your previous experience. Our ponies are kind, but as prey animals, they may sometimes make sudden movements or get a little startled by quietly moving forest animals.
The horseback riding tour includes a guide and a helmet. We do not lend winter clothing, but we can offer advice on where to get the necessary gear. Ponies are waiting for you, ready. However, please reserve about half an hour of extra time in addition to the ride.
The weight limit depends on the pony and ranges from 60 to 95 kilograms. We are happy to advise you on this.
Accident/medical and personal liability insurance: Should medical treatment be required, participants accident/medical/travel insurance company shall pay for all such incurred expenses. Should participants actions or that of participants horse cause injury or damage of any kind, participants own personal liability shall pay for such damages.
The price depends on the service you choose, how long it lasts, and how many people are joining. For example, a private 1.5-hour ride for one person is €190. Our riding tours change with the seasons, so get in touch to see what we can offer for your chosen date.
Arrival and Payment
We are located 30 kilometers from Pello, so you will need a car to reach us.
Do you need transportation? We collaborate with a local taxi service and can help arrange a ride.
You can pay with cash (exact amount €), card, paypal or mobile; applepay, samsungpay or googlepay.
About Us – The Farm Named Takapalo
Takapalo is a farm located in Ruuhijärvi, Pello, 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.
Our ponies and horses
Contact Information & Bookings
Kallontie 2
97335 Ruuhivaara (Pello)
The best way to reach me is by message or whatsapp from the number +358 50 3646292.
e-mail: takapalonponitila@gmail.com
We are open by appointment only.
Spending your holiday in the Pello area?
Would you like to visit a reindeer farm, create your own Lapland souvenir, or try ice fishing in addition to our pony farm? Nearby, you’ll find high-quality, private service providers. Click the image for more details!
Takapalon Ponitila 