Horse riding adventures in New Zealand

By: Pablo Imberti Posted: 22/05/2020

Today, let´s discover a country with some of the most impressive natural wonders – incomparable New Zealand.

Its landscapes encompass a dramatic mix of mountains, glaciers, fjords and fast-flowing rivers, but they also offer trails on idyllic grasslands, tranquil lakes and evergreen forests for your next horseback adventures.

Another popular tradition is the Haka, a ceremonial Maori dance that was commonly associated with the traditional battle preparations of male warriors and, at the same time, it was done to scare their opponents. The New Zealand national rugby team performs the Haka before each match.

Horseback riding in New Zealand

If you want to see the farming areas, you should visit Nelson and Tasmania, and Kahurangi National Park, of course. This is where Baton Run Adventures offers a very interesting experience.

Another region where it’s possible to combine beach, forest and mountain trails is South Kaipara Head, one of the most beautiful and untouched regions in New Zealand. During your horseback riding vacations in this place, you will have the opportunity to explore vast deserted beaches, green grasslands, cool forests, huge dunes and picturesque lakes thoroughly. In this region in particular, you can see what kind of services South Kaipara Horse Treks offers.

In the south of the country, there is Lake Tekapo. This is a popular tourist destination, with gorgeous shores, which you can explore on horseback – an unforgettable experience! Alpine Horse Safaris is an expert in Equestrian Tourism in this particular New Zealand paradise.

We will now give you more specifics about these professional outfitters and their equestrian routes.

Baton Run Adventures

They are located near Kahurangi National Park, and with them you also have the option of exploring five valleys bordering the park and over 2,000 hectares of land for horse riding.

The Baton Run Farm has 1,011 hectares and has been in the Lublow family for three generations. Gustav Johan Frederick Lublow, a tailor by trade, bought the farm in 1906 believing there was gold to be found. He never found it and the mystery of whether there is gold on the property continues today, and Fiona and Richard can share some of the stories associated with this local legend.

What to expect from their treks and trails?

Landscapes vary and riders will wind through native Bush and canter across green fields in this wild area of New Zealand, surrounded by majestic mountains, including Mount Arthur.

You will enjoy mountain vistas on a quality horse that is willing and well-schooled.

Trek up high on winding tracks through the native bush and down steep tracks crossing gushing rivers.

Their rides are guided by the owner, Fiona, and range from one to three day treks through this beautiful pristine area of New Zealand.

Baton Run Adventures offers an experience that is out of the ordinary. A great option in this corner of the world that should be taken into consideration.

They take small groups of five people or less, and customize their rides according to their riders’ requirements.

Each day on the trail on some of their beautiful and well-trained horses ends at their exclusive accommodation, Honeywell Hut Accommodation.

The horseback trekking season is during the summer months (November to April) but outside this season, they take bookings from people who want accommodation for trekking, fishing or just relaxing.

What are their equestrian programs like?

• They specialize in routes for experienced riders, who can ride unassisted and are confident at a canter or a trot.

• The age limits are 12 and 65, and the weight limit is 85 kg.

• Their programs are all-included with half-day, full-day and two-day rides including 2 lunches, 2 teas in the afternoon, breakfast x 1 and dinner x 1; the three-day ride includes 2 night accommodation with full board.

• No matter how much riding experience you have, they provide a choice of horses, rides and landscapes to ensure a horse trek adventure that you’ll enjoy.

• This coupled with their personal service and the extensive experience of their horseback trekking guides.

Their three-day program

They take up to five riders per group to ensure personal attention. Since every single detail has been taken into consideration, you can relax and experience a true horseback trek.

There will be lots of canter and trot opportunities if your experience allows.

You will spend six hours in the saddle each day with a picnic break at midday.

Since these programs are developed in different trails, they can be combined and you can stay here as long as you desire, exploring a new place each day.

Where will you stay?

You are based here for all treks up to three days and you will stay in different huts that have all the style of a back country musterers’ hut and have been lovingly restored with creative interiors and rustic charm.

Where possible, recycled timber from the farm has been used, including bridge timbers and old cattle yards. The hut is lined with locally milled macrocarpa timber, infusing it with a cosy atmosphere.

A pot belly stove keeps you warm and an outdoor wood stove heats all your water for showers and baths. All bedding is provided.

When you book a two-day ride or longer, you will share the hut with other riders. If you want to book the hut exclusively for you, you will have to pay the price of three people at least.

What about their meals?

They serve rustic meals using the meat from their own farm, including honey-cured bacon. They also grow their own vegetables and can prepare vegetarian dishes. All their meals are traditional New Zealand style.

Let’s talk about their horses

Fiona, owner and activity manager, has chosen horses she loves to ride. Her select and trained herd has Arabs, Clydesdale Cross, Stationbred and Irish Hunters.

She takes the time to get to know each horse and often takes them out to local competitions. For that reason, these are not only trekking horses but also lovable horses that Equestrian Tourism enthusiasts will enjoy.

For further information about Nelson Horse Treks and their offers, please visit their web site: https://www.batonvalley.co.nz/

South Kaipara Horse Trecks

Who are the hosts?

Bev and Rod Hedley are both in their 50s and have been hosting tourists on their sheep and cattle farm for the past 20 years.

Rod will be your guide. A descendant of the first white settlers in Helensville, he has extensive knowledge of local history, flora and fauna.

Their 97 hectare homestead farm "Innisfree" has been in the family for three generations. The farm carries 200 breeding cows and 800 sheep. Stockwork is an interesting alternative that they offer and it will allow you to join in some activities like livestock breeding, movement of livestock to new pastures and vaccination, depending on the time of the year you visit them.

Working with your horse in these rural activities you’ll understand why they say that when a rider and a horse work together they are not a team – they become one. Connected at all levels, performing the same things, taking care of each other and having a good time despite the roughness of what they are doing.

What are their horse riding holidays like?

The homestead is situated on a promontory on the northern side of the South Head peninsula, with spectacular 180 degree views of the Kaipara Harbour.

Rod and Bev also graze two other farm blocks, located on the southern side of the peninsula. Covering a total of 291hectares and dotted with lakes.

These are the areas where you will be riding in all their equestrian programs.

These treks are normally 3 to 5 days in length, but they can customise the itinerary to suit the needs of riders that want to visit them. They are ideal for adventurous and passionate riders who want something more than just another trail ride.

Normal riding times is 5 to 7 hours per day, but perhaps you would prefer to ride for shorter periods spread over a couple more days. You just have to tell them what you want and they will arrange a tailored ride for each group.

They also cater for non-riding partners. If a rider has a partner who doesn’t ride, they are welcome to come on the picnic lunches and share in the overnight accommodation. Or there are plenty of nearby activities for their enjoyment such as golf, natural hot pools, fishing, harbour cruising and hikes.

Suggested itinerary

The following are suggestions for how they can organise your riding holiday. They will endeavour to meet your requirements.

Day One: Met by your hosts at Auckland airport or your hotel. You are then taken to South Kaipara Head, which is one hour by road north-west of Auckland City. The drive will take you through vineyards, market garden and farm areas, and if you want to visit something along the way - say a vineyard for wine tasting - we're happy to oblige. After arrival at the farm you can spend some time familiarising yourself with your horse and tack before having dinner with your hosts.

Day Two: First riding over farmland, then through Woodhill Forest and onto Muriwai Beach. You will spend an enjoyable day cantering south along this expansive beach before heading inland into the forest and farm. Back to their homestead for your evening meal.

Day Three: Forest ride to Lake Otatoa where both horses and riders can swim if desired. Lunch will be served on the shores of the lake before an afternoon of forest tracks opening to a historic 100ha (250 acre) farm. Here you will spend the night in their converted shearers’ quarters, sharing your magnificent experiences with your hosts as you enjoy a barbeque dinner.

Day Four: This completes the northern leg of the trek as you come to the end of the peninsula, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere. Crossing the wilderness flats you will pass by - and ride on if you want to - towering 20m high (60 foot) sand dunes, then it's out onto the beach and you can ride as fast as you wish. You will cover 16km (10 miles) of beach before re-entering the forest on the homeward trail.

Day Five: This depends on your itinerary - carry on riding south, head back to Auckland, or take in one of the many other attractions available in the South Head-Helensville area such as sky diving, fishing, swimming in natural thermal pools, golf, tennis - or just simply lazing!

The horses of South Kaipara Horse Treks

Their well-trained horses are matched to the rider's ability, and range from steady, relaxed mounts to speedsters that love to gallop on the sands.

Their herd is a mix of breeds: appaloosa, standard breeds and thoroughbred cross, all familiar with sand, sea, bush and lakes.

Tack is English, and saddles are Kiwi-made stock saddles. Their maximum is eight riders per group and their minimum is one. If your group is four or more you have the guide to yourselves.

Learn more about them, their farm and their treks on their web site: http://www.horserides.co.nz/

Alpine Horse Safaris

They are located near Lake Tekapo, one of the most famous picture postcards of New Zealand, a region of many natural wonders.

About them

Lawrie and Jenny O’Carroll are the owners of Waitohi Downs, home of Alpine Horse Safaris. They have lived here now since 1981, and have been running the horse safari business since 1992.

They offer the largest number of horseback tours in New Zealand for Equestrian Tourism enthusiasts.

In 1992, they launched Alpine Horse Safaris, taking guests away for rides ranging from 2 hours to 12 days. As you can see, they cater for all tastes.

What are their horse riding holiday programs like?

Of all their tours, we will now describe one of them as an example of the services that this experienced outfitter provides. But don’t hesitate to visit their web site and discover all they have to offer, because all their programs are worth seeing and doing, of course.

The Tekapo Main Divide Expedition

The longest, most challenging and complete trip in New Zealand. This safari travels through some famous high country stations and crosses some of the largest rivers in the South Island of New Zealand. This horse riding trip is very popular with guests wanting to ride the longest, most adventurous alpine horse trip available in New Zealand.

12 days on horseback, departing from base at Waitohi Downs, riding through hill country, up the banks of the Hurunui River to emerge onto the Lake Sumner Road passing through scenic Maori Gully.

You camp in the comfortable shearer’s quarters equipped with electricity and hot showers to ease those weary bones at the end of each day in this challenging horseback trip.

Deep Creek Hut will be one of your stops, going from hut to hut to spend the night and climbing higher and higher each day.

You’ll ride up several fast-flowing rivers, like the Porter River and over Coleridge Pass on the end of Craigieburn Range, viewing the headwaters of the Rakaia River, Mt Arrowsmith, Mt Algidus, Mt Hutt and the turquoise coloured waters of Lake Coleridge. The vistas will be more and more incredible each day.

The seventh day is your rest day where we can catch up with washing, relax in the sun and enjoy the time off.

In those places with no huts to sleep in – three in all throughout the expedition – you stay in camps, but don’t worry because their gear is new-generation and they will do their best to make your overnight stay comfortable and safe. You will sleep cosily.

You will cross the mighty Rakaia River, approximately 5 Km of braided riverbed. Riding round Lake Heron, you view trout leaping in the lake as you head for the Ashburton River. On the way, you pass Lake Clearwater and view the snow-capped peaks of the Two Thumb Range.

On the 11th day, the going gets tougher. You ride up Scour Creek and follow the old pack-track past the Felt Hut, up over Bullock Bow Saddle on the Sinclair Range and descend down into Bush Stream. One of the most difficult trails in this region of southern New Zealand.

Finally, you go back to where you started, Lake Tekapo, Lake Benmore, Lake Pukaki, the best views, hundreds of time photographed by tourists visiting this lake paradise.

Important information

The maximum number of riders per group is 12 and the minimum is 5 for this expedition. An intermediate riding level is required and riders must be in excellent physical condition.

The saddles they use are all of the Australian Stock Saddle design, (all are made in New Zealand) some being Sid Hill saddles, but have all been made to order to their own specifications.

Since their routes are inaccessible for vehicles, they usually take 8 or 10 pack horses away with them, and each of them. They use the traditional method of packing the horses, always ensuring that the weights on either side are even and well spread out between the horses.

Their rides are true logistic challenges, but everything is run by professionals with many years of experience.

You can find more information about this challenging trek on the web site of this outfitter in the South Island of New Zealand: https://www.alpinehorse.co.nz/

/ Photos from: www.horserides.co.nz, www.nelsonhorsetreks.co.nz y www.alpinehorse.co.nz /

Thinking about a horse riding holiday but don't know where to start?

Download our free eBook "How to plan your next horseback trip" which will help you organize your next horse riding holidays in a simple and clear way. We will give you all the necessary guidelines throughout the whole booking process, and tell you what you should take into account once your holidays have started.

~

THIS COULD ALSO BE INTERESTING

~

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION? LEAVE A COMMENT