Horse Riding at Poronui Lodge: Discovery and connection

Horse Riding at Poronui Lodge: Discovery and connection

Wherever the wilderness and the domesticated meet, you’ll find horses. Humans and horses have a shared history that stretches back thousands of years, built on trust and an understanding that goes beyond language.

We’ve worked together in fields and along roads; they carry us across rugged landscapes and manicured tracks, in sport and in art. Wild yet familiar, powerful yet vulnerable, horses have a special place in our hearts.

At Poronui, we celebrate our horses with a range of experiences tailored to our guests’ needs. Celebrated for its unique blend of adventure, connection, and tradition, horse riding at Poronui offers an unforgettable journey for riders of almost all ages and all skill levels. Whether you’d like to add horse experiences to a hunting or fishing trip, or have them feature as the central part of your stay with us, here’s how we make it special.

Caring for Poronui’s horses year-round

Mackenzie oversees the care and training of our horses, ensuring they are fit and ready for the riding season, while also nurturing their individual personalities and making sure that guests are well-matched to each horse.

As she explains, her role is most hands-on from late September to early May, during Aotearoa New Zealand’s spring and summer months (the opposite to the Northern Hemisphere). In winter (around May to August) the horses are turned out and given plenty of grazing space, but as the weather warms, the horses are getting back into routines and getting their fitness back up.

Across the summer months, Mackenzie will be working with guests to support their riding goals – whether that’s to experience the various parts of the estate, take horses to the fly-fishing locations, or simply to learn how to ride.

What’s on offer at Poronui

A horse riding or trek experience at Poronui is always catered to a guest’s needs, but typically begins after breakfast.

As Mackenzie explains, “In a commercial equestrian or horse riding setting, you might have 20-30 horses in the stables, and their treatment is highly regimented. It’s all nose-to-tail riding on a well-worn track.”

“We take pride at Poronui in selecting sport horses and riding alongside our guests. These horses are not just animals; they are intelligent, curious beings who love the variety and excitement of the Lodge. We take pride in matching each rider’s experience level with the right horse, ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride for all.”

After meeting at the stables, Mackenzie will work with the guests to establish their confidence and level of skill, as well as their capabilities and goals for the ride. We provide all the gear required; guests simply have to bring suitable clothing.

Whether it’s a gentle trail ride for a less experienced rider, longer treks for the confident, or jumping and equestrian style work, Mackenzie matches the experience and horse to the individual. Right now, we have three horses and one full-sized pony, and each have their own unique personalities and style.

Throughout the day, riders will come across the diverse wildlife at the Estate, including pheasants, deer, sheep, and more, adding extra excitement to the ride. We often incorporate picnic lunches at stunning locations throughout the Estate.

Memorable experiences every day

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of creating memorable experiences for our guests, and while each guest has a special place at Poronui, a few moments have really stood out for the team.

A young girl from Auckland joined us one summer. She was partially blind and deaf on one side due to an illness she’d had, and that had knocked her confidence. She came here and wanted to canter on a horse, but wasn’t sure that she would be able to. Within her time with former horse guide Tracy, this young girl was cantering, and loving it. Her parents saw, and were so proud they cried.

One woman joined us with a goal of riding for five days of her week-long stay. Each day, she got to see a different part of the property, picnicking at lookouts and seeing a huge range of wildlife. And because we work closely with the different teams at Poronui, we were sure that she could explore different parts of the Estate without surprising any hunters.

Another time, a couple joined us for their honeymoon. She was an experienced rider, and he was a complete novice. By the end of their stay, he was super competent and keen to get into it more when they returned home.

Horse riding at Poronui is more than just an activity; it’s a chance to connect with nature, test your skills, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a novice, we invite you to incorporate horse riding into your Lodge booking.