Story and Values

Born from the peace of the wilderness

Mahlakaarro's Korpiratsu started in October 2024, when life took us from the city to the country.
The move wasn't just a change of address, it was a complete change of direction.

My journey with horses began long before Korpiratsut became what it is today. Horses have always held a special place in my heart, and over the years, my passion for photography, nature and these incredible animals has grown into something truly meaningful.

Today, Korpiratsut is more than just a horse farm. It is my home, my passion and a place where I want to share the beauty of Finnish nature and the special connection between humans and horses with people from all over the world.

I believe that the most unforgettable experiences are often the simplest ones: the peaceful silence of a snowy forest, the warmth of a horse beside you and the feeling of being completely present in nature.

As a professional photographer, I also love capturing these precious moments and turning them into memories that last a lifetime.
My greatest wish is that every guest leaves Korpiratsut with more than just beautiful photographs or memories of an adventure. I hope they leave with a genuine connection to our horses, a little piece of Finnish wilderness in their hearts and a story they will remember forever.

Above all, the happiness and wellbeing of my horses will always come first. They are not just part of my business — they are my family, and everything we do is built around respecting their individual needs.

Horses

OUR HORSES, OUR HEART

Animal Welfare Comes First

Happy horses are the heart of every beautiful experience.

At Korpiratsut, our horses are not simply animals that take visitors on adventures.

They are our companions, our personalities, our everyday joy and the heart of our little farm.

Each of them is unique, with its own character, preferences and needs.

We believe that horses deserve a life where they can be horses.

A life with freedom to move, opportunities to socialise with other horses, appropriate care and the time they need to rest and simply enjoy being themselves.

Their wellbeing always comes before our schedule.

We carefully plan our experiences around the individual needs of our horses, the weather and the conditions of the trails.

We do not believe in rushing animals, overcrowding experiences or treating horses as tourist attractions.

Instead, we want our guests to discover something more meaningful: the quiet beauty of spending time with horses who are respected and understood.

During your visit, you are welcome to learn about our horses, their personalities and the everyday life of our farm.

We hope you leave not only with wonderful memories, but also with a deeper appreciation for these incredible animals.

When you choose Korpiratsut, you are choosing an experience where respect for animals, nature and people is at the centre of everything we do.

Our value

Safety
Calm and proactive action with both horses and people.

Respect
A horse is a living creature with its own feelings and needs. At the same time, we respect each customer as an individual.
Individuality

Every rider, visitor and horse is encountered as their own person.

Closeness to nature
Our activities take place in a peaceful enviroment rounded by northern forests, listening to the rhythm of nature.

Small-scale
We do not aim for masses, but for meaningful encounters.

GOOD TO KNOW

Are the experiences private?

Yes, always. Every booking is exclusively for you and your chosen companions. We never combine different groups. A maximum of four guests can participate in one experience.

Can children join?

Families with children are welcome to contact us. We are happy to discuss suitable arrangements based on the children's ages, the chosen activity and safety considerations.

Can we see the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are one of nature's most beautiful wonders, but their appearance depends on solar activity, weather and cloud cover. We cannot guarantee aurora sightings. Our experiences are designed to be memorable even when the Northern Lights do not appear.

What is included in the duration?

The total experience time includes meeting the horses, preparations, the outdoor activity and refreshments. The full duration is not spent continuously riding or travelling in the sleigh.

What refreshments are included?

Every experience includes your choice of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, served with a traditional Finnish sweet bun.

Do I need horseback riding experience?

Please tell us about your riding experience when making an enquiry. We will discuss whether the activity is suitable for you and select an appropriate arrangement. Safety, weather conditions and the wellbeing of our horses always come first.

What happens in very bad weather?

Your safety and our horses' wellbeing are our priorities. If conditions are unsuitable, we may need to adjust, postpone or cancel an experience. Any applicable refund or rescheduling arrangements will be communicated according to our booking terms.

How do we book?

Contact us with your preferred date, number of guests and the experience you would like to enjoy. We will personally help you plan your visit.

Additional Information

Our stable is a member of the Finnish Equestrian Association and we follow its recommendations in all our activities.

The stable has helmets to borrow, but we recommend bringing your own safety vest. Please dress according to the weather and choose shoes with heels suitable for riding and non-slip trousers.

The stable is the home of horses. We hope for calm behavior and consideration for others. You are not allowed to enter the stable area without a separate agreement.

All bookings must be paid in advance by invoice, no later than 14 days before the scheduled experience. If payment is not received by the due date, the reservation will be automatically cancelled.

Cancellations must be made at least 14 days before the scheduled experience. Cancellations made less than 14 days before the booking, as well as no-shows, will be charged the full price of the service.

If Korpiratsut needs to cancel an experience due to unsuitable weather conditions, safety concerns or other unforeseen circumstances, all payments made for the cancelled service will be fully refunded.

The company has valid liability insurance for all horse activities. However, we recommend that every rider has personal leisure or accident insurance.

Behind Korpiratsut is me, Viivi Mahlakaarto, a 30-year-old horse enthusiast and entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for horses.

My passion for horses began when I was 6 years old in Oulu. During my childhood, I actively visited different stables and gained extensive experience in different operating methods and environments. When I was in middle school, I started working in the horse industry, working at camps as an adult and helping with daily work at the stables.

Later, rental horses came along, through which I was able to deepen my skills in addition to riding lessons. Working with different stables and horses helped me to understand what kind of operating environment and working method suited me and how important it is to find a unique, functional whole for each horse and person.

I graduated as a riding instructor in 2016. I worked for a while at riding schools, giving group lessons, but I soon realized that I wanted to focus on more individual work. In large groups, teaching easily became superficial and did not correspond to my own vision of high-quality coaching.

With this, I moved on to giving private coaching, riding horses, and helping with their training, also from the ground up.

Training and continuous learning

I have deepened my knowledge by studying social pedagogical equine activities in 2025. At the beginning of 2026, I also started farrier studies.
I have also participated in several courses related to, among other things:
horse health
saddles and equipment
training
massage
I consider continuous learning and an open mind important so that I can offer horses the best and most comprehensive well-being possible.