How We Prepare Horses for Treks

When people join us for a trek, they often see the magic — the horses, the whenua, the freedom of riding along the coast. What they don’t see is the careful preparation that happens behind the scenes to make sure both horse and rider are safe, confident, and ready to enjoy the journey.

Building a Trek Horse

Our trekking horses aren’t just thrown into the saddle and pointed down a track. Each one is patiently trained, from groundwork to riding out in pairs, then gradually into a herd. We focus on calmness, responsiveness, and trust — the qualities that make them reliable partners for riders of all levels.

Daily Conditioning

Whatever Like athletes, trek horses need regular exercise. They’re schooled, taken on conditioning rides, and rotated between light and steady work. This keeps them fit without wearing them down. Every horse has different strengths — some are steady and safe for beginners, others are sharper and suit experienced riders.

Care and Well-being

Before and after every trek, our horses are fed, checked, groomed, and their gear inspected. We make sure saddles fit, hooves are healthy, and the horses are mentally fresh. A happy, healthy horse makes for the best trekking companion.

Matching Horses to Riders

One of the most important parts of trek prep is pairing the right horse with the right rider. We take the time to ask about each rider’s experience and confidence, and we choose a horse that will give them the safest, most enjoyable ride.

More Than a Trek

At Standfast, trekking isn’t just about riding. It’s about connecting — with the horse under you, the whenua around you, and the whānau you ride alongside. The preparation behind the scenes is what makes that connection possible.