Dawn had not yet broken when we began to hear the first horses approaching from the marshes.
Dust slowly rising from the tracks.
The deep voices of the yegüerizos breaking the silence of the early morning.
The sound of hooves blending with the wind and the first warmth of a June day.
Every June, this centuries-old tradition brings together yegüerizos, Marismeño horses, and local families for one of the most iconic journeys in Doñana and across Andalusia.
A Tradition That Remains Part of Life in Doñana
Every year, at the end of June, the yegüerizos ride across the marshes of Doñana to gather the mares and foals that have roamed freely for most of the year.
They then guide them to El Rocío and on to Almonte in a journey that brings together nature, endurance, tradition, and a strong sense of community.
Although many people come to witness it for the first time, here it is still lived as a natural part of everyday life.
It is not a performance.
It is not a staged spectacle.
It is part of the enduring relationship between local families, the horses, and this land.
And you sense it from the very first moment.
You can feel it in the way people move.
In the way the yegüerizos speak to their horses.
In the generations who return to follow the same path, year after year.
Some time ago, we also shared the story and origins of this centuries-old tradition, deeply rooted in the life of Almonte and the marshes of Doñana.
The Work of the Yegüerizos During the Saca de las Yeguas
One of the most remarkable aspects of experiencing the Saca de las Yeguas from within is witnessing the work of the yegüerizos.
The way they gather the animals in the heart of the marshes.
How they guide them across water, sand, and open tracks.
The calm confidence with which they manage hundreds of horses in constant motion.
Everything unfolds with a natural ease that is difficult to explain until you witness it firsthand.
There is no rush.
There are no grand gestures.
Only experience, a deep knowledge of the land, and an enduring bond with the horses.
The deep calls they use to communicate with one another and guide the movement of the herds become part of the day’s soundscape.
Often, they barely need to raise their voices.
The horses seem to recognise those voices, those rhythms, and that way of moving that has been passed down from one generation to the next.
After passing through El Rocío, where the mares and yegüerizos receive a blessing in front of the Sanctuary, the herds continue on to Almonte. There, the animals undergo veterinary health checks and receive the necessary vaccinations before the annual livestock fair begins.
This is also where traditional practices such as trimming the mares’ manes (tusa) and shoeing take place, while horsemen, breeders, and local families gather once again, keeping this centuries-old tradition alive year after year.
It is also the time when many of the traditional horse sales and purchases take place, bringing together breeders, owners, and buyers from across the region.
Yet even then, it still feels more human than commercial.
More closely tied to coming together and preserving a way of life than to spectacle.
For those who have never experienced the Saca de las Yeguas firsthand, we invite you to watch this short film and discover the atmosphere and journey that have shaped this living tradition for generations.
Experiencing the Saca de las Yeguas with Kukutana
This year, we chose to experience the Saca de las Yeguas from within, following the rhythm of the day and leaving space to observe everything that unfolds around the horses.
The early start.
The heat slowly building throughout the day.
Unplanned pauses.
Hats covered in dust.
The herds making their way across the sand.
More than an organised event, the Saca unfolds as a continuous journey that moves through the landscape, shaping the rhythm and atmosphere of the entire region.
At Kukutana, we approach the day at an unhurried pace, accompanying our guests as they discover the tradition through observation and respect, understanding not only the journey itself, but everything that unfolds around it.
Because much of this experience happens precisely there:
in the waiting,
in the conversations,
and in the way people come together along the route.
The Eyes of Those Who Return
This year, we also had the privilege of sharing the Saca de las Yeguas with a returning guest and friend of Kukutana.
Photography has always been one of her greatest passions, and for years she had dreamed of experiencing the Saca de las Yeguas from within. Sharing this experience with her allowed us to rediscover the tradition through the eyes of someone experiencing it for the very first time. Many of the photographs featured in this article are hers. They capture not only the strength of the horses, but also the quiet moments that make this tradition so meaningful. If you would like to experience the Saca de las Yeguas through her lens, you can explore her complete photo gallery.
One of the moments that surprised her most came after the procession through El Rocío, during the traditional midday rest beneath the pine trees, before the journey continued towards Almonte. Hundreds of horses stood quietly in the shade while entire families shared meals, long conversations, and moments of rest, seeking shelter from the heat before the journey began again.
As she told us afterwards, it was the part of the day she had found hardest to imagine before her trip, yet it became one of the moments that moved her most. Walking among the horses and witnessing this atmosphere of togetherness—with makeshift tables, families gathered, and a quiet, natural sense of hospitality—allowed her to discover a side of the Saca de las Yeguas that reaches far beyond the procession itself.
When we asked her which moment she would always remember, she didn’t hesitate for a second.
It was the horseback ride to El Rocío at dawn.
The soft morning light, the calm that comes before such an intense day, and the emotion of riding into the village as the yegüerizos guided the herds through its sand-covered streets filled with people made it a moment she will never forget.
As with many who experience the Saca de las Yeguas for the first time, it was not only the images that stayed with her, but the feeling of belonging—even if only for a day—to a tradition that remains alive and continues to be passed down from one generation to the next.
Far More Than the Horses
During the Saca de las Yeguas, it is not only the passing of the mares that draws your attention.
It is also the small details that define this land:
conversations in the shade,
children following the journey,
broad-brimmed hats,
and the dust settling on everyone’s clothes by the end of the day.
Everything unfolds slowly, following a rhythm that seems to belong to another time.
And perhaps that is why it continues to move so many people.
Because in a world where almost everything moves at speed, there are still places where traditions remain part of everyday life.
A Different Way to Experience Andalusia
The Saca de las Yeguas cannot be understood simply by watching it.
It is understood by walking alongside the dust, the heat, and the steady rhythm of the horses.
By sharing the day with those who continue to keep this connection between nature, heritage, and the land alive.
And perhaps that is what makes this experience so special.
By discovering an Andalusia that is still experienced from within.
Would you like to experience the Saca de las Yeguas with us?
Each edition is unique, yet they all share the same essence: the opportunity to experience one of Andalusia’s most authentic traditions through respect, observation, and a genuine connection with the land.
Explore upcoming dates and find everything you need to know about the experience here.
