Valley Lodge
Burn the breeze
Taihape, New Zealand – Great location - show map
Duration: Half Day (3 Hours)
$215
per person
9.00 am Departure Daily
1.00 pm Departure Daily
Conditions:
- Minimum Age 13 Years
- Weight limit 100kg
- Minimum of 2 riders on a public holiday
- This ride is only suitable for advanced riders
Season: 5th November-June
Riding Ability: Advanced riders only
At last a ride for experienced riders! Now you can get out and have some real horse time fun. This is a half day ride that moves along, exploring longer trails, with lots of opportunity to canter your horse. Experienced riders only.
Before booking a ride we recommend you check your riding ability using our guide below:
Beginner – reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.
Intermediate – confident and in control on a moving horse at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly.
Strong intermediate – an intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly (outside an arena) and is comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day.
Advanced – a frequent rider who is very fit, has an independent seat and soft hands, and is confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain.
Having trouble finding a riding experience that delivers more than the standard Two Hour Horse ride?
Ridden before, and feel you are up to more?
You are an experienced rider who would love to get out and explore some new country on a horse that is going to move along and you won’t feel restricted by others.
Time to mount up for a Half Day Horse Trek.
This horse trek entails approximately 3 hours on horse back. You take on more demanding trails than our shorter rides. While riding you explore the foothills of a major local landmark known as Pukeokahu (Hill of the Hawk).
This trail ride also gives you the opportunity to experience views of Mt Ruapehu and the northern Ruahine ranges, and incorporates stopping at some spectacular viewing points overlooking the Rangitikei River canyon.
The Trouble is, the whole idea of an organised horse trek
However the problems are, the whole idea of an organised horse trek with quite likely people who cannot sit a saddle, and maybe too many of them, and the whole time at a walk, does absolutely nothing for you.
You want to travel reasonably quickly, get a few chances to move faster than a trot, and check out some great scenery. Add to that you learnt to ride in a certain riding style, and don’t want to have to put up with a Western saddle if you ride English, and vice versa.
And will the horses have more life than a old nag? (nothing against old nags which are a great animal in their place).
Reasonable Requests are they Not?
Reasonable request is it not – move quickly, great scenery, no beginners, good horse, and the right saddle? Not asking too much are you?
Absolutely Not!
Group size will be small, with a maximum of 8. Everyone on the trek must be competent riders, and this does not mean a pony ride at the beach, consequently the ride moves quickly.
River Valley Stables guides will take special care to ensure that we match the right horse, (and we do have a good range in the herd), with the right saddle, for you. We predominately ride in Australian stock saddles which are comfortable trail saddles and suit the terrain we ride over. However, we also have Western and English saddles if this is your preference.
And the scenery…….., goes without saying doesn’t it?
The only real question you need to ask yourself now, is whether this ride will really be enough, or maybe you should instead look at a Full Day!
What about the Weather?
If you are worried about the weather on the day, don’t be. We will fully refund your payment if we deem the weather to be unsafe, or simply too atrocious to undertake this horse ride.
All riding equipment is supplied, including boots, helmets, chaps, and long oil skin riding coats.
Click on the Booking Link on this page to check availability and to Book your trip.
Alternatively Search for other suitable horse riding adventures here
Gallery
What we provide:
- Riding Boots
- Helmet
- Leather chaps
- Long oilskin riding coats for changeable weather
What to bring:
- Long pants
- Camera
- Warm top on cooler days
- Sunscreen
- Thirst for discovery
Alex talking about a Half Day Horse Trek
Have any questions?
Speak to one of our friendly adventure consultants who would love to help you out.
thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz / 0800 248666 / +64 6 38 81444