With two horsepower into the Roseg Valley
Quiet snorting and the dull sound of hooves on hard snow fill the winter air. A large sleigh, pulled by two sturdy horses, glides along almost silently. Werner "Wohli" Wohlwend - haulier, businessman and horse owner - sits on the box. He has over 50 horses on his farm and knows them all by name. The impressive herd offers guests in the valley many kinds of adventures and ensures that the horse-drawn omnibus travels to the Rosegtal on time, both in summer and winter.
Engadin is his home
Werner grew up in Pontresina, just a few hundred metres from the location of his equestrian centre. In the pastures, the horses can be seen galloping and kicking up the snow. Behind Piz Albris, the first rays of sunshine appear, bathing the scene in a magical light, created by the snow flurries and the animals' vapour. This is how winter days begin at Werner's farm. He is already up for a while, snuggled up warm.
His day starts and ends with a tour of the horses, where he makes sure everything is in order. Of course, a few pats are not to be missed. He has a very special connection with his animals: ‘I love the honesty of horses. I just have the feeling that we understand each other.’ Werner has always had a love of animals in his blood, but it was only through his wife Gina that it was really kindled. So much so that they now both work with horses – he as a haulier and she as a riding instructor.
Living traditions
There are hardly any pure horse-drawn sleighs left in the Engadin that have no wheels at all. ‘For me, it's a matter of tradition. And I definitely want to keep it that way,’ explains Werner. But: ‘I like to go sledding in winter, but I prefer to drive the six-horse team in summer.’ Driving a team like this uphill and around narrow lanes takes skill. It is precisely this challenge that appeals to the coachman. ‘I have done some research on how the old stagecoaches did it.’ Werner also enjoys the company of his guests and likes to have a joke.
Two horsepower down into the valley
The sleigh is ready. The coachman lays out the cosy furs and wool blankets. After all, the guests should be warm and comfortable on the ride. Werner Wohlwend ensures the horse-drawn omnibus timetable with his 50 horses. ‘We also offer punch on request.’ Because in winter the thermometer likes to drop to -20°C. However, this does not detract from the experience, and the atmosphere is all the more mystical for it. ‘That's why a sleigh ride is worth it even in the bitter cold,’ Werner confirms. Napoleon and Nero, two stately cold-blooded horses, are harnessed to the sledge. Today they are pulling the sledge into the Rosegtal valley. With its pine and larch forests, which are covered by a thick blanket of snow in winter, and its spectacular mountain backdrop, it is not without reason that it is one of the most beautiful Alpine valleys in Switzerland. The starting point for the trip is right next to Pontresina railway station, from where a small road winds up into the valley along the Ova da Roseg. From there, it's off at a brisk pace through the snow-covered landscape. If you have attentive eyes and a little luck, you can even spot chamois and red deer on the sledge run. And when Werner stops his sledge, his passengers first notice how quiet it is in the valley: ‘Winter here in Val Roseg is idyllic and peaceful.’