A Children’s Paradise: the Ponselstall stable at Gerhardhof

It's finally here - spring! Sun, fresh air and special experiences - that's exactly how I like it. My favorite thing to do is to be out in nature with my family. My six-year-old daughter Miriam loves animals more than anything - big or small, but especially horses and ponies. She has long wanted to learn how to handle these special four-legged friends and gain her first riding experience.

While searching for suitable offers in the region, I finally came across the Ponselstall at the Gerhardhof in Mieming. We have often walked past the beautifully situated campsite and stopped off at the inn with its great playground. I knew that there were ponies there - but it was new to me how varied the offerings at Ponselstall actually are. So, without further ado, we signed up for an adventure morning with Miriam's friend.

As soon as you arrive, you can tell that this place is run with a lot of heart. Located right next to the campsite, the Ponselstall is a popular destination for locals and guests of the Gerhardhof - especially in the summer months.

Helena Scheiber-Hafele took the plunge into self-employment two years ago and devoted herself entirely to her passion for animals and children. With a great deal of commitment, she has created a special adventure area here in Mieming. Today, eight ponies, two donkeys and a mule belong to the farm - each animal with its own character, which Helena knows exactly.

I was particularly impressed by Helena's approach to working with children. As a trained primary school teacher with a Montessori background and mother of three children, she brings a lot of empathy and pedagogical flair to her programs.

The educational riding sessions are about much more than the riding itself. The children playfully learn how to interact with the animals, take on responsibility and build trust. At the same time, motor skills, sensory perception and balance are trained.

My daughter was there with great enthusiasm: together with the other children, she mucked out a horse box, cleaned the ponies Lauser, Sissy and Paco and helped prepare the feed. The absolute highlight was the walk through the forest together. The children were allowed to take turns riding and leading the ponies themselves - accompanied by Helena and her 15-year-old niece Mari. Along the way, we collected natural materials, which were later used creatively.

Before everyone could enjoy a tasty snack, the animals were of course fed. Afterwards, small works of art were created from stones, bark and pieces of wood.

Finally, a visit to the donkeys in the paddock was on the agenda. The two donkeys Benjamin and Maja and the mule Fiona greeted the children loudly. Incidentally, Benjamin the donkey has been part of the family for a long time - Helena took him over from her parents-in-law together with his former partner.

In addition to the educational riding sessions, Helena also offers adventure mornings like this one, guided hikes with ponies and donkeys, seasonal theme days - for example at carnival or Easter - as well as individually designed children's birthday parties. The offer is varied and appeals to families as well as teenagers and older visitors. For many camping guests, a visit to the Ponselstall has become an integral part of their vacation.

In conversation, Helena explains that she has been working full-time on her passion project since June 2024. With three small children, it's not always easy. Her husband Philipp, who works at the campsite, supports her wherever he can. Together, they manage everyday life between family life, the farm and the camping business, and you quickly realize how much work is involved - and at the same time how much joy this task gives them.

For us, our visit to the Ponselstall was an all-round successful experience. The combination of nature, animals and loving care makes this place something very special.

One thing is certain: we will be back.

Coming back and feeling at home is what the Gerhardhof is known for. Here's something else about camping and lifestyle from my fellow bloggers and the podcast crew.

• Lea introduces you to stylish camping at the Gerhardhof.
• You can read more about camping, glamping and vanlife in the Innsbruck region in Elisabeth's article
• This podcast episode shows what a successful vacation day on the Mieminger Plateau including camping, barbecuing and swimming can look like.