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From dreaming about becoming a farmer as a child, to selling KRAV-certified vegetables using a horse and carriage, to establishing a landmark stable by the name of Häståkeriet on the royal grounds of Djurgården in Stockholm, Carina Westman’s story is one of courage, inspiration, and an endless amount of joy. 

Carina found herself unemployed after having been on maternity leave to raise her children. Having previously worked as a pre-school teacher she decided she wanted to try something different. “I have always been interested in horses, but I had never taken any riding lessons and I did not have any experience working with horses at all. Even so, I had this idea that I wanted to go around like an ice-cream van selling organic vegetables, only instead of a van I wanted to go by horse and carriage. I got a grant to start my own business from the local job seeker’s authority and went on to learn how to drive a horse-drawn carriage with the help of a horse trader who also lent me a North Swedish horse,” says Carina.

It was not long until Carina started offering walkouts, lessons teaching her customers how to drive a horse-drawn carriage, as well as hay rides and pony riding for children. Carina ran her business from a temporary marquee for approximately 8 years, whilst struggling to convince the men in charge at the Royal Djurgården Administration to allow her to build a stable. In 2006, the stable was built despite the planning restrictions in place at the Royal grounds. “Never give up! Nothing is impossible. The old men who ran the Administration are some of the hardest opponents there are and therefore I felt so proud when they said after a 4-year struggle to get my building permission ‘Carina, how in the world did you get us to agree to this?’. If you truly want something, and even though the journey to get there will continuously feel like you are taking one step forward and two steps backwards, you will get there in the end. You will succeed.”

From Idea To Beloved Establishment

Today, Häståkeriet is a well-known establishment in Stockholm, offering popular walkouts, riding lessons, and experiences for larger groups. Carina wanted to offer a chance for people to do other things with horses than merely learn how to ride through riding lessons. “Häståkeriet is a venture which offers various activities where the horse takes centre stage. What I love about working with horses is the communication, both with the horses but also with the people in and around the stable. There is a sense of community that is established when working with horses that is very important to me. That is what I value the most about my business, that anyone who comes to the stable will always feel welcome and joyful in meeting both the horses and the people they will interact with during a visit.”

World-Famous Walkouts

The stable houses 14 horses but yet its size does not match the impact of the business. People travel from all over Sweden, and the world, to participate in Häståkeriet’s dawn walkout. “I remember the first time we went for a dawn walkout, and how the sound of the hooves echoed off the buildings on the empty streets of Stockholm’s city centre. The city was totally quiet and seeing it from horseback made it look completely different.”

The dawn walkout is offered to riders who have got some riding experience due to safety considerations. Each rider is expected to have mastered the main horse gaits (walk, trot, canter & gallop) in order to be able to manage any situation that might occur riding through the city centre, should the horse be frightened for example. “It is a magical experience where we ride through the sleeping streets of Stockholm at dawn, and we finish with some coffee and a breakfast buffet back at the stable.”

For the beginner, Häståkeriet also offers walkouts on the Royal grounds of Djurgården themselves. The National City Park has traditionally been used as riding grounds for Swedish royalty since the 15th century, when the first monarch received the right of disposition of Royal Djurgården. “Being surrounded by 40 kilometres of riding paths, as well as being on grounds where riding has been a royal tradition for a long time, it came naturally that we should offer walkouts. The walkout on Djurgården passes through beautiful oak forests and along the gorgeous canal.” 

A Playful Pentathlon

For the playful, Carina started a pentathlon where participants can compete in two teams to win five different disciplines. From throwing a lasso over a wooden bull, to target shooting, to horse riding relay, no participant will complete this experience without enjoying a few good laughs. “It is so fun to watch the pentathlon, each participant really channels their inner child. I think that this experience is so appreciated since all inhibitions can be released and participants are allowed to just let go and laugh together for a while. Everyone needs to laugh in order to be well, and it is so amazing to see that even the most quiet person will use this experience as an opportunity to just enjoy themselves and play like they were kids again.”

Make Your Dreams Come True

It is safe to say that Carina has created a successful business which spreads laughter and joy to anyone who visits. With a great deal of courage, stubbornness, and a clear vision, Carina made her dreams come true. “I have gotten stronger over the years, despite the fact that I was quite meek before I embarked upon this journey. I did not know this is where I would end up. I am so grateful for all of the people I have met along the way who have supported me and cheered me on, that has made the journey more enjoyable than the destination itself.”