Tasman Horse Rides
Come horseback riding with us at Tasman Horse Treks and enjoy trekking over our 120ha (300 acre) working farmland. We offer safe horse riding experiences for all levels of riding ability over land that offers you spectacular scenery, for the relaxed quiet trekker to the more advanced or keen rider. You can trail ride over gentle rolling hills, you can trot, canter or gallop the hills.
On arrival you will be greeted by our friendly team and matched with a horse to suit your riding ability and confidence level.
Safety helmets are provided and basic riding instruction given as required.
All Tasman Horse Ride's treks are led by knowledgeable, friendly guides who will show you some great riding places and take care of you on your trek.
It is important you wear suitable clothing for riding such as jeans or track pants, closed footwear such as gumboots, trainers or ankle boots.
NO jandals, sandals or high heels.
Bookings are essential for all rides; departure times are arranged to suit. We will phone you on the morning of your booking if the weather is not suitable for riding.
ONE HOUR TREK $45.00
You will ride over the farm's open pastures, through grassy glades and along winding trails to reach great places to enjoy great views and soak up the country atmosphere. You will ride at your level so if you do want to trot, canter and gallop we take you to riding spots to have a great paced run.
TWO HOUR TREK $80.00
After riding over the farmland, grassy glades and winding trails you will then climb up adventurous hills to reach some high points which provide spectacular views over the Kaipara Harbour, West Coast beaches and the Tasman Sea. Suitable for all ranges of experience and those who want to get the full rewards of horse back riding.
PICNIC TREK $160.00
The picnic trek is approximately 3.5 hours in the saddle, which allows you to reach some very beautiful, quiet, remote areas of the farm with a fabulous mix of fast and slow riding. You then have a chance to rest at a beautiful location and enjoy a simple, tasty picnic before returning on horseback to the corrals.
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School Holiday Day and/or Overnight Camps
Tasman Horse Rides runs school holiday programmes and camps for children from 6-16 years.
Kids and teenagers learn riding skills in the morning, adventure out to enjoy trail riding over the farm in the afternoon, play team games on horseback, learn to trot, canter and gallop (if they want) all on a horse assigned to them for the camp. They will ride in groups to match their riding skill and confidence. At times, we take separate treks out in the afternoon ride to cater for different riding abilities.
Children on the overnight camps stay in our comfortable bunkrooms and enjoy tasty home-cooked meals. At the end of the equestrian part of the day the children are part of daily farming activity - sometimes feeding out to small animals, chooks and all our pets. They enjoy playing outdoor games, creating fun and making new friends. In bad weather we have plenty of room in our indoor arena for setting up games and activities, and we also have a cupboard full of board games. Children are fully supervised by our caring, experienced staff at all times at camp.
Your child is very well looked after at all times, our staff are trained in basic first aid practice and every precaution is taken to keep everyone well and happy.
We offer great flexibility in our programme so kids can come for one day, two days or the full week - whatever suits you and your budget. Our Flexiplan is only available within the publicised dates. We provide a convenient morning pick-up and end of day drop-off for your child at four convenient locations in Auckland (see below).
Healthy, homemade morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea is provided daily.
Kids & Teens - What You Can Expect
On your first day you will be matched with your very own horse to ride and care for during your time on the holiday programme. You will learn horse and pony skills including grooming, feeding, riding skills and pony games. You will be grouped with other children according to your previous riding experience for the morning lessons; this includes games on horseback to practise riding skills. You will have a lot of fun with new friends! In the afternoon you will trek across our farmland or into Woodhill Forest.
Rain or poor weather is never a problem as we use our indoor arena for riding lessons and some great games on horseback, such as egg and spoon relays, horseback dancing, the marching game, obstacle courses, fancy dress competitions ... and plenty more, like our gymkhana day, ribbon day and games day competitions.
Camp Prices
1 Day: $135
2 Days: $220 ... Overnight option: $280
3 Days: $330 ... Overnight option: $420
4 Days: $430 ... Overnight option: $560
5 Days: $550 ... Overnight option: $680
Flexi Plan - if the above days do not suit your holiday arrangements, choose your own days.
Loyalty Reward Scheme
For all passionate horsy campers we have a NEW loyalty scheme. To qualify for this scheme you must join us for a minimum of three days in at least two seperate holiday periods (total of 6 days) during a school year.
To receive the discounted rate both holidays need to be booked at the same time. They can however be swapped if your family circumstances change. Contact us for information on the discount available.
Pick-up / Drop-off:
We offer convenient transport and will pick up and drop off to the following locations every day:
Albany - Pick-up 8.30am; Drop-off 5.30pm. In front of Burger King outside seating area, Don McKinnon Drive, Albany Megacentre.
Cox's Bay - Pick-up 8.10am; Drop-off 4.10pm. Cox's Bay Reserve, Westend Road, Westmere.
Greenlane - Pick-up 7.45am; Drop-off 4.45pm. McDonalds carpark, Greenlane.
Westgate - Pick-up 7.20am; Drop-off 3.45pm. Front entrance, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Westgate.
Pick up times at Albany and Westgate may change on a daily basis. Tasman Horse Rides will notify you of these as required
Contact us about other options, including weekends
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Corporate Team Building at Tasman Horse Rides
Tasman Horse Rides can offer a variety of corporate and small business team-building or event programmes.
We will work closely with your business to provide team-building activities to suit your team and your business.
Horses are matched to suit an individual's ability; both beginner and advanced riders are catered for.
Activities to engage all of your team are selected to best suit your people and your business.
Teams and individuals are challenged to complete a variety of farm-related activities.
We offer team building and communication skills, creating camaraderie, improving strategic thinking and problem solving, or just getting out and having a great time together with laughs and adventures along the way, Tasman Horse Rides is a worthwhile and valuable partner for your business.
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Horse Lease Programme - Tasman Horse Rides
Our unique horse lease programme for adult riders or adults returning to riding is available now at Tasman Horse Rides.
The horse lease program is a practical and easy option to consider if you are currently not in a position to own your own horse, or you are not quite ready for the full responsibility of horse ownership.
How it Works?
A select number of our horses are available for the 12-month Horse Lease Programme. Under the lease programme your horse would be available to ride, have lessons on, pamper or just hang with on a nominated day of the week and weekends between 9am and 8.30pm.
All riding gear will be provided for your horse including a fitted saddle, saddle blankets, bridle, halter, grooming equipment. We can also provide a riding helmet which is safety approved.
Tasman Horse Rides ensures the responsibility to provide your lease horse all care including grazing, winter feeding, hoof care and drenching. We retain all rights to hire your lease horse to appropriate riders for supervised treks at times when you are not with your horse.
On application to the Lease Program you will meet with the Tasman Horse Rides lease coordinator to discuss the terms and conditions of the Horse Lease agreement. If you are interested we would introduce you to our horses, our hosts and our property before you make a final decision. The Horse Lease Agreement is then signed by both parties and payment in full is required.
Contact us if want to find out more about the application process.
Areas For & Access To Horse Riding
Our property offers incredible open spaces andadventure trails on with over 300 acres of farmland and access to Woodhill Forest and Muriwai Beach (forest access requires AWEC membership at an affordable annual fee). We also offer an outdoor arena for riding and lessons, and our indoor riding facilities offers a wet weather alternative.
Our Horses
After a trial period of six weeks to get to know your lease horse and an orientation to our property, you will be able to ride unsupervised over the farm - and if you are an AWEC member, through Woodhill forest and to the beach. It is recommended for safety that you ride in pairs or small groups. You are required to carry a cell phone with you at all times.
What If ?
We want this to be a great horse riding experience for everyone, including our horses, so we will work closely with you to support you in building a relationship with your horse and to develop your riding skills in the early weeks. If the horse you have leased is not suited after trial rides we will select another horse and again support you to build a relationship with that horse.
Termination of Lease
If after the six week trial period, you want to terminate the lease, a 60% refund of the full payment will be made. No refund for termination will be offered after then.
