Find Your Next Adventure By Searching Below
Follow River Valley Online @
Sign up Now!
Join our mailing list to be kept informed about our Rafting and Horse Trekking Adventures
Trail Riding Camp
Are you looking to improve the relationship you have with your horse?
If you are, then a Trail Riding Camp being held at River Valley Lodge in February 2013 may be for you.
This camp will be tutored by Russell Higgins, a 4 Star Parelli Instructor.
Further information here
|
|
River Valley Stables, Horse Treks in the Rangitikei Hill Country, North Island NZ
A core part of the River Valley experience is interaction with our natural landscape. This involves the river, and the land.
River Valley Lodge is situated on the North Island of NZ, in the northern Rangitikei District. This is an area that is defined as Hill Country. And Hill Country it is!
The distinctive landform has been created through the uplifting of old sea bed, and then subjected to the effects of wind and rain.
Visually this has resulted in a dramatic landscape.
So, how to go about exploring?
River Valley Stables
Located just 3 km from River Valley Lodge, the Stables has developed as a niche provider of hill country horse riding trail rides and horse treks, exploring the countryside of the northern Rangitikei District, New Zealand.
|
|
Choosing the Right Horse Riding Experience for You
Are you considering a Horseback Riding Break, Holiday or Vacation and are not sure about what sort of adventure would be best for your ability level or riding experience?
You may also be considering what sort of terrain are you going to ride over and will you get the opportunity to extend yourself?
Below is a guide that will help you decide on the horse riding experience that is best for you and will most definitely give you the most rewarding time on horseback.
Novice and Beginner Riders
Contrary to the picture you may have in your own mind about riding off into the sunset on a magnificent steed, two hours to a half day is as long as you want to be in a saddle if you only have limited riding experience.
Why?
Mostly because no matter how good the saddle is, you will get a sore butt.
In saying that, do look for a New Zealand horse trek that will give you the opportunity to go faster than a walk, if you so wish. There is nothing quite like the feel of a horse cantering under you.
River Valley Stables offers a Two hour Trek that is specifically for beginner and novice riders.
Intermediate Riders
We would classify an Intermediate Rider as someone who can rise to the trot, and confidently sit a saddle with a horse at the canter.
To be an intermediate you will have a firm grasp of how to control a horse.
While you could do a shorter ride, we think that to get the most out of your experience, you really need to look at a Half Day Trek.
River Valley Stables offer a Half Day Trek which has been specifically designed with the Intermediate Rider in mind.
Advanced and Experienced Riders
We would classify an experienced rider as someone who is totally confident on horseback, through years of experience. You may have owned your own horse at some stage, and still ride regularly. You enjoy a challenge, and love to explore new country by horseback.
Unfortunately for you, it is hard to find treks or trail rides that are geared around your needs. Too often you will be limited by beginners also being on a trek, and the pace being discouragingly slow.
River Valley Stables has recognised this, and created a Full Day Trekking Adventure that takes in some magnificent countryside, spectacular views, and is also some quite challenging riding over hill country terrain.
River Valley Stables does not take beginners on this ride.
Multi Day Treks
There are only a small handful of New Zealand operators who offer this type of experience. Some rides overnight at musterer’s huts, beach cabins, or even country pubs. An even smaller number take pack horses and camp.
To really enjoy this type of experience, you need to be at least an Intermediate Rider. River Valley Stables offer one ride of this type, a two day Lodge to Lodge Horse Trekking Experience.
This really is a great trek, incorporating river crossings, comfy accommodation, and fantastic scenery. Follow this link for details of Lodge to Lodge Treks.
Lodge or Ranch based Horse Riding Holidays
As an alternative to a multi day trek, a Lodge or Ranch (farm) based horse riding break can be just what you are looking for.
This type of experience caters to all riding abilities. You get to know your horse, you can get some tuition on your riding skills, while the actual rides each day are worked around your ability level.
Good meals and comfy accommodation each night is part of the deal, while saunas, spas and even massage therapists are a bonus.
A great advantage with this type of experience is that you can book with a group of friends, have a lot of fun together, but also take part in rides that are tailored to each individuals riding ability.
River Valley Stables “Two Day Home on the Range” is this type of horse riding holiday.
Family Horse Riding Holidays
To be totally honest, in New Zealand these are few and far between. We do not have “Dude Ranch” type holidays as found in North America.
If this is the experience that you are really after, you would be best to find an operator that offered a Lodge or Farm based experience as detailed above.
To view what River Valley Stables Horse Riding experiences are available, please click here.
|
Jo was so pleased to have a horse that actually did what it was supposed to do when it was supposed to.
"Dear Janey
Thank you again for such an amazing ride on my birthday. Jo and I had such a great couple of days out on the horses with you and the other workers from River Valley.
Good old Turk was great to me once more, although I now realize that hes really far more interested in where and what Pedro is doing than anything else. I'm sure sometimes he forgets he even has a rider on him!
Jo was so pleased to have a horse that actually did what it was supposed to do when it was supposed to. Not to mention the fact that under your tuition she was trotting happily and I think there may have been a canter in there at some point.
Needless to say we have warm affection for River Valley and in particular the Stables.
Thanks again Janey, take care."
Dave and Jo, Island Bay, Wellington
-------------------------------------------
River Valley was definitely one of the biggest highlights of our trip!
Hi Brian & Nicola!
We just wanted to thank you for our great stay at River Valley a couple of weeks ago! Now we are back in Sweden, where it's raining a lot and getting cold. But the colors of fall are fantastic! We also have a very fat horse after 3 weeks of doing nothing, while we had the time of our lives in NZ!
River Valley was definately one of the biggest highlights of our trip! Great hospitality and friendly staff in really beautiful surroundings. Starting out with rafting in the morning, horse trekking at sunset, and finally a great dinner! We had a great and exciting time! Thank you so much!
Veronica & Michael
|
|
|
|
