About Us
ABOUT US
At Horses & Hieroglyphs, we have two main goals:
Provide one-of-a-kind, authentic horse riding experiences in Egypt
Give neglected and mistreated horses a second chance to thrive
The Beginning
We began in 2021 when we purchased two mares in dire condition from a local owner. They were unfit to ride, suffering from open wounds on their backs and showing every rib. Others found it strange that we wanted them, but we bought them solely to help. It took patience and dedication to nurse them back to health, but eventually, they did recover. When we saw that we were able to successfully help them and what wonderful riding horses they became, we were inspired to do more.
We started transforming our private stable into one that would welcome more rescues and offer rides on our rehabilitated horses. We continued to seek out horses that had great potential but were in the wrong hands and in need of a better life (the unfortunate reality for many horses in Egypt). It was a slow and difficult way to start, but it was worth every effort to see the horses transform in our care and eventually thrive as trail horses. Seeing our guests enjoy riding our recovered horses was equally rewarding. As our day rides grew more successful, we quickly expanded to offer the riding holidays we specialize in today.
Meet the Team
Ganun Ahmed
Ganun has loved and worked with horses since he was young, and his remarkable horsemanship is a testament to that. He now has over 16 years of experience guiding horse riding tours around Egypt, from Sharm El-Sheikh to Hurghada and Luxor. Far more than just a guide, he also trains, breeds, shows, and rehabilitates rescue horses. He has made quite a name for himself among the horse community in Egypt and is especially well-known around his hometown of Luxor, where he is a go-to guy for all things horse related!
Fun-loving and full of surprises, Ganun knows how to put a big “Egyptian smile” on your face!
Annmarie Wiehenstroer
Annmarie grew up in Syracuse, New York and caught the “bug” for horses at a young age. At 10 years old, she went on her first trail ride for a friend’s birthday party, after which she insisted on taking riding lessons and began learning everything she could about horses. Annmarie took lessons in western riding for about 6 years, learning reining and then venturing into training young horses before having to take a break from riding to prepare for college. Although a career with horses was a dream, she eventually decided to study engineering and keep horses a hobby, hoping to someday own one of her own. She was working as an engineer and riding infrequently when she took the trip to Egypt that changed the course of her life.
Ahmed Youssef
Ahmed joined the H&H team in 2024, when the time became right to transform his passion for horses from a hobby into his primary work. Previously, Ahmed worked in tourism & hospitality and was a longtime private horse owner. His dedication and care for horses is evident in his beautiful mare, Farida, who now resides alongside the rest of the horses at H&H. His diverse experience in tourism translated seamlessly into curating and operating our holidays. He knows no limits when it comes to bettering our guests’ experience and improving the lives of our rescue horses. His hard-working nature and attention to detail (a rarity in Egypt!) has been an incredible asset to the stable, and on the tough days he motivates us all with his favorite saying: “Never give up!”
The Stable
The Horses & Hieroglyphs stable is located by the Nile River on Luxor’s west bank in the village of Ramlah. Within riding distance of all the sights, the stable is in a picturesque area surrounded by lush farmland with views of the Theban mountain.
