Horse treks

John Fairbrother isn't a man for pointless words – for humans or horses. He doesn't need them – his horses don't need to be whispered to, gently coaxed or sternly addressed to follow instructions. No, all it takes is a gentle twitch of a finger on a rein – perhaps invisible to anyone but the horse John sits astride. He has a way with horses, does John, and it shows in his treks. In his own words, there are no stables here, no trekking in a neat line, “it's not on and on, on a boring path”.

John has been running Nikau Valley Horse Treks for 20 years, ever since a neighbour suggested it. He's a near lifelong horseman. When he was 10, he bought a 2-year-old, unridden horse from the local pound, and rode it 28km home along Stage Highway 1. That sums it up fairly well. His team of 27 horses are Morgan-Cross and they have free rein of this rugged property, apart from when they are leading riders over hills, across paddocks and up banks, with the reward of sweeping views to the ocean. Despite the adventurous terrain, riders of all abilities are welcome. “Some people are surprised when they see the trail, but riding is about the horse, not the rider. You have to trust the horse, and trust that the horse isn't going to fall off the side of a hill.”

There's no cellphone reception at Nikau Valley Horse Treks so don't get lost – look for the white flag opposite the gate. While tours are flexible on almost all aspects, it pays to give John at least 24 hours' notice. Book via Facebook, or call (07) 312 9008.

John Fairbrother