All for the love of horses
Our day begins and ends with the horses, everything we do is for the love of the horses in our purpose bred herd.
“When you have been blessed by the companionship and loyalty of a horse, life’s most treasured gift has been bestowed upon you”
Unknown
Hector
Adventure Horse
Hector is 1/2 Standard bred/Shire
Whanau: Hank the Tank and Walter are his brothers
Favorite Trail: Musterers Mountain Pack Trail
Hector is a horse who notices everything on the trail, he keeps his ears pricked high in the air and John loves riding him. Just like his brothers he is an honest hardworking horse that digs in when the going gets tough.
Hector loves a cuddle and if he is your team mate, cuddles at every opportunity are required.
Clever Wee Man: Hector is an invaluable member of our string as he works as a riding horse and a pack horse just like his big brothers Hank the Tank and Walter
Chinook
Adventure Horse
Chinook is 1/2 Standard bred/Shire
Whanau: Breeze is her Mumma
Favorite Trail: Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride
How do you prepare to fall in love?
Just like her Mumma before her Chinook is a definite heart stealer.
She moved into the riding string this season and has made her mark on the riders hearts. Strong, honest and deeply kind she has worked on just about every trail we have. She loves the river crossings on the Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride with its cooling waters on a hot summers day.
Whiskey
Adventure Horse
Whiskey is 1/2 Standard bred/Shire
Whanau: Thistle is his Mumma
Favorite Trail: Birchwood Station Boutique Trail
How do you describe someone keeps you safe when the going gets tough?
It is so hard to explain what they do because, they just go for it and leave you feeling so loved?
Whiskey is my (Angie) horse and we are always found at the back of the trail. We stop to take photos, he never bats an eye no matter how far ahead the others are. I sing my heart out and he never bothers a jot, in fact (I think he likes the songs!)
He is a lower ranking horse and in our horse hierarchy that means, he is happy to be at the back with me.
That doesn’t mean we don’t interact with the rest of the riders we have so much fun.
There is no need to rush through life when you are enjoying the views as much as we do together.
He is Character: Whiskey always makes me laugh. When the mist settles in the valleys over night and the wranglers are gathering the horses for the day, Whiskey can somehow disappear in to the mist, (like Harry Potter with his cloak of invisibility) Making sure he always gets the last wee mouthful of tucker before the day begins.
Clever Wee Man: Whiskey is an invaluable member of our string as he works as a riding horse and a pack horse just like his Mumma Thistle
Wishbone
Adventure Horse
Wishbone is 1/2 Thoroughbred/ 1/2 Shire
Whanau: Hannah is his big Sister
Favorite Trail: Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride
How do you describe someone that is always faithful and kind?
It is so hard to explain what they do because, they just do it without any fuss or ticket parade hey?
They are the most wonderful team members with their steady unselfish giving.
Wishbones character:
As a partner you would be so blessed because they would always be thinking of your needs and giving unconditionally.
For our team, this is Wishbone a handsome safe and steady pair of hands quietly making dreams come true.
Usually found at the back of the trail as there is no need to rush through life when you are enjoying the views.
Micky
Adventure Horse
Mikki Is bred in the North Island, has wonderful jumping lines
Whanau: our whole team adopted him
Favorite Trail: Bespoke Ben Lomond Luxury Trail
Mikki is a complete character who wins your heart at the blink of his sparkly eyes.
He loves apples so watch your lunchbox
Always playing the clown in the paddock with other horses, nipping bottoms to get them to chase him.
As a team mate, Mick is everything you could as for as he strides it out making mountains look like molehills.
If you team up with Mick be prepared to lead the trail as he loves to be out front searching out the trails.
Tussock
Adventure Horse
Tussock: At 17 hands high Tussock is one of our tallest horses in the string. 1/2 Appaloosa 1/2 Shire who is forward moving.
Whanau: His best mate is Mikki and they make an impressive site together.
Mum is Spice Johns ex hunter.
Favorite Trail: Lakes 2 Mountains
As a team mate Tussock is a big gentle giant who takes good care of his rider.
Suitable for athletic taller riders he has feet like dinner plates.
Loves crossing big deep rivers, you can certainly see the Shire and Percheron in this big horse.
Total heart stealer
Gypsy
Adventure Horse
Gypsy: is 17 1/2 hands high and the tallest of our mares
Whanau: Breeze’s granddaughter
Favorite Trail: Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride
As a team mate, Gypsy will follow you around the paddock.
Everything looks tiny when you rider her
She is a soft and gentle mare who loves to get the job done.
Suited to established riders who love a forward going horse.
Kōwhai
Adventure Horse
Kowhai is 1/2 Shire 1/2 standard bred
Whanau: Son Kauri
Favorite Trail: Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride
Kowhai is named after a beautiful New Zealand native tree.
She is a kind and gentle mare who takes wonderful care of her rider.
Her quiet demeanor and can do attitude gives her rider so much confidence to just be and let Kowhai take the lead..
Walter
Adventure Horse
Walter is 1/2 Shire 1/2 standard bred
Whanau: Hank the Tank and Hector
Favorite Trail: Musterers’ Mountain Pack Trail
How would you best describe sharing time with your best friend?
Walter works so hard, he is honest, kind and although not as tall as his Brother Hank the Tank he still munches into those mountains.
Set your heart on lets go mode, dreams are waiting.
Clever Wee Man: Walter is an invaluable member of our team as he works as a pack horse and in the riding string, what a champion.
Hannah
Adventure Horse
Hannah is 1/2 Thoroughbred 1/2 Shire
Whanau: Wishbone is her little Brother
Favorite Trail: Lake Ohau Luxury Trail
Movie Star
Hannah is our lead mare,
An absolute guest favorite.
She is dedicated to her riders and takes care of ably challenged riders.
Soft gentle energy but very determined to get the job done.
Breeze
Adventure Horse
Breeze is 1/2 shire 1/2 standardbred and looks very like her Daddy Supreme
Whanau: Daughter, Chinook Niece, Gypsy
Favourite Trail: Musterers Mountain Pack Trail
A movie star
Breeze makes you feel so safe when you rider her.
She is strong, determined and the other horses totally respect her authority within the herd.
As a rider you can be anywhere in the lineup and Breeze is happy but don’t let those young horses try to pass her.
A wonderful surefooted, forward moving mare.
Ringo Star
Adventure Horse
Ringo Star is 1/2 Shire 1/2 standard bred
Whanau: Little brother Dude
Favorite Trail: Iconic Glen Lyon pack Trail
Movie Star
This big hansom horse takes care of all types of riders.
He is especially wonderful with novices or guests who may not be as agile getting on and off as he is extremely patient and kind.
Named after Angies’ favorite Beatle Ringo Star
Thistle
Adventure Horse
Thistle is: 1/2 Shire 1/2 standardbred
Whanau: Brother: The late Thunder Son: Whiskey
Favorite Trail: Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride
A movie star
Thistle is very beautiful inside and out. Her flowing shire mane and tail makes this little horse stand out in a crowd.
She has the ability to weave a spell of love over her riders with her honest way and gentle kindness. A guest favorite.
She works so hard to make her riders dreams come true.
Dude
Adventure Horse
Dude is 1/2 shire 1/2 Standardbred
Whanau: Ringo Star
Favorite Trail: Lakes 2 Mountains
Movie Star
Dude is one of those horses that only come along once in a lifetime.
He is kind, gentle and so loving.
His job is to take care of our ably challenged and those returning to riding or novices.
That’s not to say Dude isn’t a heck of a horse to ride even if you are an expert.
As a team mate he is totally committed to keeping you safe and ensure that every step you both take, makes your dreams come true.
Panda
Adventure Horse
Panda is a 1/2 Clydie
Whanau: We have adopted Panda into our whanau
Favorite trail: Birchwood Station Boutique Trail
Movie Star
Panda is a we got this kinda guy
He heads out front with the pack horses and stays there all day long.
Kind and gentle he loves baby sitting foals while Mums are away working for the day
As a team mate, you can expect to arrive at the huts before the rest of us.
Panda is strong, forward moving and surefooted on the mountains
Bella
Adventure Horse
Bella is a wee power horse 1/2 Clydie 1/2 Kiamanawa “New Zealand’s wild horse
Whanau: Daughter, Rata Grandson, Manuka
Favorite Trail: Lake Ohau Luxury Trail
Bella came to our herd from the North Island with a foal at foot. Her owners where moving house and had no land to keep her, they wanted to know she and the foal would be loved.
She is a wee pocket rocket and carries the smaller riders on our trails. Great if you want to bring the kids along to share time with you on these trails.
Bella has become a matriarch within our herd and an invaluable member of the riding string, we adore her.
Don’t think Bell is going to be at the back. no way, she is in love with Mikki and they both head out front to lead the trail.
Last season she shared the trail with 10 y/o Ella whose dream it was to ride high in the saddle on an amazing adventure. Ella and her Mum Aimee rode the Birchwood Station Boutique Trail together. What an amazing bond there was between the two of them as they conquered the mountains, rivers and tussock laden valleys.
Cloudy
Adventure Horse
Cloudy 1/2 Shire 1/2 Percheron
Whanau: Sister to the Late Smokie, Daughter: Sky
Favorite Trail: Prospectors Dream Trail
Movie Star
Cloudy was an orphaned at 3 days old.
She absolutely loves the high mountain peaks and the views staring openly at the mountain tops.
If you team up with Cloud you have an adventure horse who takes amazing care of you. She has a personality of her own.
She adores people doing yoga and has been known to join her rider doing stretches before a trail.
Hank the Tank
Adventure Horse
Hank the Tank is 1/2 Shire, 1/2 Standard bred
Whanau: Brothers, Walter and Hector
Sister, Clamity Jane
Favorite Trail: Lakes 2 Mountains
Movie Star
Hank the Tank is the kinda horse, if he were a man you would marry him.
He is so loyal, kind, generous with his kisses and ever and always, out front leading the way.
You can go on a trail with Hank once and he will show you the way home without hesitation he is always right.
Suited to riders who have experience and a quiet gentle nature, Hank is a beautiful soul.
Hi Angie,
Have been want to join you on your Lakes2mountains pack trip but cannot do January. Do you have dates later in year after winter at all? I can’t see any trips that you do after April. If not, how do we go about booking for 2024 , I presume would be January again ?
Kind regards,
Rhonda
Kia Ora Rhonda, I am sorry to say that we dont do trails after the beginning of May as the weather is too difficult to manage in the Autumn and Winter with snow frequently hampering the trails.
the next time we will be doing this trail is January the following season. I am sorry about that, it is such a special trail that we only do it once a season although we may increase that now that the overseas travelers are returning.
this is exciting as you are the very first person to contact me through our new web site.
Thank you and take care, love to see you on a trail.
Nga Mihi Nui
Angie
Kia Ora Rhonda,
I am just beginning to catchup on my emails I do so apologies for the delays.
Lakes 2 mountains will be at the end of January each season as this suits the farming practices in this location.
Sorry we do not do trails after April as the mountains become too dangerous with snow and wild weather.
I am busy working on trail dates now they should hopefully be ready by the end of May (farmers willing)
Would you like me to drop you an email once they are ready?
Kindest regards
Nga Mihi
Angie