Gładyszów Hucul Horse Stud, Regietów

The "Gładyszów" Hucul Horse Stud (Stadnina Koni Huculskich „Gładyszów”) in the Lemko village of Regietów is one of the largest places in the world where Hucul ponies are bred. The Małopolska regional tourism portal calls it the biggest stud of its kind not only in Europe but in the world; according to the regional portal Beskidzjankiem, it keeps around 300 horses on average. The stud lies in the Low Beskids at the foot of Mount Rotunda, far from main roads, so people come here for the quiet, the green pastures and the calm mountain horses.

The Hucul is an old Carpathian breed: small, hardy and intelligent horses once used on farms, in the forest and as pack animals. For Ukrainian travellers the story is especially close: the breed is named after the Hutsuls, and the horses are a living link between the Polish and Ukrainian Carpathians. According to the Małopolska portal, the decision to build the stud was taken in 1984, and the first horses were moved here a year later. The name comes from the neighbouring village of Gładyszów, where the farm began. Today the stud is part of Kombinat Rolny Kietrz and focuses on conserving the breed and on riding holidays.

What to see and do

• Meet the herds. In summer the horses graze on the slopes around the village, and by the stables you can see mares and youngsters behind the fence — Huculs are very curious and readily come up to people.
• Learn to ride. The stud has an outdoor arena and an indoor riding hall, so lessons run all year. Huculs are considered family horses: calm enough for children and lively enough for adults.
• Take a carriage or sleigh ride. In summer by carriage, in winter by sleigh, around the stud and the village.
• Go on a riding trek. The stud organises riding treks of several days through the Low Beskids, as well as hippotherapy sessions.
• Catch the Hucul Days. Every September the stud hosts the Dni Huculskie together with the Polish Hucul Horse Championship: in 2025 the 31st Hucul Days took place on 19–21 September, with the "Hucul path" obstacle trial, show jumping and driving.

On site there is the Jaśmin hotel with 52 beds and the Huculanka inn serving regional food, so the visit is easy to combine with an overnight stay.

Practical information

Address: Regietów 28, 38-315 Uście Gorlickie (Gorlice county). Regietów lies at the end of a valley, about 7 km in a straight line from the wooden church in Kwiatoń; according to the Małopolska portal, Krynica-Zdrój is about 40 km away. A car is the easiest option; public transport to these villages is infrequent, so check timetables in advance.

The stud's own website (huculy.com.pl) is under construction and points to its Facebook page, so check riding prices and lesson times by phone. Rides can be booked at the hotel reception or on +48 18 351 00 18; another number is +48 18 351 00 97, e-mail [email protected]. Arrive early for riding (at least half an hour before a trail ride), in shoes with a heel and comfortable clothes. In summer 2026 the stud was taking children for a beginners' riding camp, so it can be busy in the holidays.

The best time is May to October, when the herds are out on the pastures, and September for the Hucul Days. In winter the indoor hall and sleigh rides are available.

Nearby

Close by are Lemko wooden churches: the church in Kwiatoń, the church in Owczary and the church in Powroźnik on the way to Krynica. A little further are the wooden church in Sękowa and the historic town of Biecz. Honey lovers should stop at the Sądecki Bartnik apiary in Stróże.

Official website: huculy.com.pl

Photos: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.