Horse Boarding in Cascais — Full Livery at Quinta da Marinha

Finding good horse livery when you move to a new country is one of the more stressful parts of relocating with a horse. Standards vary, communication can be difficult and you’re making a decision about an animal you care about based on limited information. Miguel Alves Horses at Quinta da Marinha in Cascais offers full livery for a small number of horses, with direct access to hacking within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and an established equestrian team on site seven days a week. This page covers what’s included, how admission works and what owners need to know before enquiring.

What’s included in full livery

Our boarding covers everything a horse needs day to day, without the owner having to manage any of the logistics:

• Individual stable — sized appropriately for the horse, cleaned and rebedded daily.
• Forage and feed — hay, bedding and hard feed adjusted to each horse’s workload, age and condition. Feed plans are agreed with the owner and updated as needed.
• Water — fresh water available at all times.
• Turnout — daily turnout in paddocks where the horse’s health and management allow. We discuss turnout arrangements with each owner individually.
• Daily health checks — yard staff check every horse morning and evening and contact the owner immediately if anything is out of the ordinary.
• Arena access — use of both the covered indoor arena and the outdoor arena for riding, included in the monthly livery fee.
• Routine coordination — we can coordinate farriery visits and routine veterinary appointments on the owner’s behalf.

Training sessions with our instructors are available separately for owners who want structured work for their horse beyond self-exercising.

Facilities at Quinta da Marinha

The quinta is a working equestrian property inside the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Facilities available to boarding owners include:

• Covered indoor arena for year-round schooling regardless of weather
• Outdoor arena with good footing
• Direct access to hacking routes through the natural park — pine forest, dune paths and coastal tracks
• Wash-down area with hot and cold water
• Tack storage for each horse
• On-site parking

How admission works — and what to prepare

We take in a small number of new horses each year. Before a horse arrives, we ask for:

• Equine passport — valid and up to date.
• Vaccinations — equine influenza and tetanus must be current. We will ask to see the vaccination record before confirming a place.
• Health history — any conditions, allergies, ongoing treatments or veterinary notes that are relevant to the horse’s daily management.
• Feed and management preferences — what the horse is currently eating, any known sensitivities, turnout preferences and routine.

For horses being brought to Portugal from another country, additional health certificates are required at the border. EU horses travelling within the Schengen area have a relatively straightforward process. Non-EU imports involve more paperwork. We’ve been through this with several owners and can point you in the right direction, though we recommend working with a specialist equine transport company for the logistics.

Once documentation is confirmed, we agree on a move-in date and arrange an integration period — typically a week or two — during which we introduce the horse gradually to the yard routine and other horses.

Location — Cascais, 35 minutes from Lisbon

Quinta da Marinha is in Cascais, on the edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. For owners based in Lisbon or along the Cascais line, it’s a practical distance for daily or regular visits. The A5 motorway makes the drive straightforward, with free parking on arrival.

The location also means the horse has access to varied terrain for hacking — something genuinely rare this close to a major city. Pine forest, open dunes and coastal paths are all within hacking distance of the yard.

Frequently asked questions

What does full livery include?

Individual stable, daily mucking out, hay and hard feed, fresh water, turnout, daily health checks, arena access and routine vet and farrier coordination. Training sessions are available separately.

Can I visit my horse whenever I want?

Yes. Owners have open access during operating hours. Many ride daily or come simply to spend time with their horse.

What documents does my horse need?

A valid equine passport and current vaccinations (influenza and tetanus). For horses imported from outside Portugal, additional health certificates apply — we can advise on the process.

Is training available for boarded horses?

Yes. Owners can arrange regular sessions with our instructors, from basic schooling through to competition preparation.

How far is the quinta from Lisbon?

About 35 minutes by car via the A5. The quinta is in Cascais, inside the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, with direct access to off-road hacking routes.