Ride through wilderness on the back of a wild Mustang in Lapland: Travel North

Travelling to the Arctic isn’t just another pin on your travel board or a chance to flood your social media feed with cool pictures. Heading North is a chance to escape – if only briefly – from the frenzy of today’s world and to reconnect with your true wild. Nature is the essence of that experience. But not all ways of discovering the wild bring that sense of reconnection, you have to immerse yourself in it. Riding through untouched wilderness on the back of a wild Mustang in Finnish Lapland is about as immersive as it gets.

I met Tinja and Alex, owners of Wilderness Mushing & Mustangs, while searching for a dog sledding experience away from mass tourism, where animal well-being would be core to the business. They live off-grid near a frozen river, surrounded by forest, animals and silence. The dog sledding was perfect, but the mustangs were the cherry on the top.

While Mustangs aren’t native to the Arctic, in their own way they belong here as wild, free spirits, fully present in the landscape. Most of the Mustangs at Wilderness Mushing & Mustangs came straight from the wild plains of the United States. Unlike traditional horseback riding, these horses do not obey commands. Instead, they invite something deeper: a relationship. There are no shortcuts. The first step is to connect. To slow down. To show up fully. And then to figure out how to jump onto the animal’s back without a stirrup. I was lucky enough to be paired with a patient companion.

Our first ride took place at night, deep in a forest, a single torch guiding our path, with no other sound but the crunch of snow and the horses’ breath. One word describes that moment: magical.

Later, during summer, I attended a two-day Mustang Clinic where I learned what it takes to build that connection. It’s not about mastering technique, but about presence, patience, and honesty. These massive, sensitive animals will not respond to control, but they will respond to sincerity. If you show up they will meet you there.

“Peace and the beauty of nature and animals are always magnificent and good,” says Tinja Myllykangas.

In today’s world, trust has become a buzzword, in politics, in business, even between individuals. It can feel like an abstract concept. But Mustangs remind us that trust can also be physical, grounded in the moment. To earn it, you have to be fully present, willing to listen, and committed to care.

Located near Muotkatunturi in Finnish Lapland, one of the most remote places in Europe, Tinja Myllykangas and Alexander Schwarz live off-grid with their 61 huskies and 10 horses. They offer Dog sledding in winter, horse riding all year round, and Mustangs clinic in the summer. These aren’t just activities, but immersive ways to discover the place you’re visiting, rather than simply passing through. Staying in one of their cosy log cabins completes the adventure. There’s no electricity, no running water, just the essentials… and the wild.

A winter trip prompted Soraya Lahlou to leave France and relocate to the remote area of Lake Inari in Northern Finland. With a background in corporate strategy, marketing and communications, she is contributing to the Arctic’s sustainable development and showcasing its potential on the global stage.