On a Horse With a Funny Name

Yes, I love adventures, and sure I love animals. As soon I saw a post in Instagram about horse trekking around Auckland country side, I had to suggest it to husband and friends. Horseback riding for sure was on my list of things to do and I could not let go of this opportunity. And experiencing that in New Zealand would surely be a dream come true.

We chose Tasman Horse rides at Helensville for our adventure. The place is about 50 km from Auckland and is blessed with lush green hills and fantastic views of them. A friend and I booked for the hour long horse trek. 

We reached the place fifteen minutes prior to the trek, and saw three gorgeous horses. The horses seemed to be getting fed, groomed, and accessorized (I do not know if there's a word for this :O) for the walk. I instantly fell in love with this light brown horse with a white mark on its forehead, and was hoping I could choose that one. We were also hoping they would provide us with those cool long boots these three women who were readying the horses had worn but were disappointed when a helmet was all we were handed. 

There they wait

As we were taken near the horses for the ride, I got to see how tall they really were. We obviously had a small ladder to help us reach its top, but I did hesitate a little to let go off that ladder at first. With some help (a light push I can say) from my guide, I did manage to get on. Great! from here it should be all good I thought. The next thing I knew was that my inner thighs ached on being stretched that way, and my legs were hanging weirdly, one long, one short. The horse didn't seem too enthused to have me on his back either. However, after a few adjustments and stretches, I tried the best I could to position myself comfortably there. So, the plan was that we ride the horses ourselves following our guide's path all along. Sounded doable then. The horses ideally had been trained to stick to their master's trail. We were given basic instructions on how to get the horse to turn to the right or left, stop, move, hold on to its mane for grip while on the slopes, stop it from galloping or running should that incident occur. This sounded like a lot of responsibility. Nevertheless, we were excited to get going. Also, kicking the horse (although gently) and holding its mane tight for grip was something I was worried about. But the instructor smiled and said, "he won't mind it at all." That's when I whispered to the horse "I will still try and avoid that, please cooperate."

Noting all the instructions

After posing for some pictures (Gee, of course!), and wishing each other luck, my friend and I nodded to our guide to proceed. The guide kind-of-like instructed the horses to follow her. At once the obedient bunch moved toward her. With all this excitement and tension, think I nearly forgot what I was exactly supposed to do for the horse to take a u-turn smoothly, and I must have grabbed the rope and hurt my horse. He didn't like the jerk and started moving away from the other two. He slipped off toward a nearby grass patch and began nibbling at the grass as if in protest. The lady who had helped me climb up and instructed came running and instructed me not to jerk the horses and I wasn't even sure how I was doing that. I asked if I had angered the guy and was ready with an apology. She smiled and said "Ah, no, he is just always hungry." Heaving a relief, I gently tugged the rope towards the left and the horse now seemed okay to continue the journey. Seeing that he was left a little behind the other two, he immediately started hopping towards them. And I immediately thought that I won't be liking this walk at all. 

I was literally hanging out of my seat but sat on tight until we caught up with our little group. And then all was okay. My horse took a detour from the mud road we were walking on and started walking on the swampy track nearby. The guide said it was totally okay as they always do that because it is easier on their hooves. "Smart guy" I said to him and allowed him to take control. Although he did not want to drift too far away from the group, he was okay to stay slightly away and take a route comfortable for him. His only goal was to stay second in this race, just behind the leader horse. He never let the other horse (which my friend was on) overtake us. I couldn't help but notice my horse's funny and ambitious personality and the way he behaved. Really intriguing! As we moved a little away from the stable and the road, we caught  a glimpse of the beautiful green surrounding us. We passed few grazing cows and clucking hens, some busy with self, some taking a quick look at the familiar horsie and a new face on it. A wonderful sight it indeed was.

Shades of green we passed through during our trek

After some distance, we reached a small hill. I was hoping we wouldn't be climbing that considering the not-so-comfortable position I was in. But I saw our guide heading straight at it. It was a bumpy scary ride going uphill on a horse. The whole time the only goal is to not slip off from the horse's back.

Half way up the hill

As we walked on, I learnt that my horse's name was "Nati," he was around 26 years old, and was born and brought to Auckland from Gisborne. Nati loves walking and eating apparently. He also seemed naughty as used to walk straight into the bushes and trees of heights he could easily pass through not bothering about my head getting stuck in them. A couple of times I was hit hard by those branches, trying not to look hurt or embarrassed. But I didn't complain at all :-) That's how lovable and cute Nati was. So, he climbed that small hill just fine. With as little jerks as possible and not minding me holding on to his mane for grip. As much as I avoided, that seemed the only way to hold on tight and fight the feeling of slipping off from its back. Almost twenty minutes into the trek I started wondering how people in the olden days lived and traveled like this. Also wondered how man has discovered, explored, and evolved over the ages. 

Slowly and lazily we reached a spot from where we could see the ocean. The light blue of the sea was a mesmerizing sight. Our guide took a small break here where she spoke to us about the ocean stretch, where it leads, about the gannets that frequent there, about how horses love climbing hills and prefer to wander far off unmindful of their surroundings and then ignore the dogs that are sent to look for them. 

The spot from where we could see the ocean

All along we chased a lot of lambs. The lambs apparently don't mind the horses but are not too keen to see us (I think I understand why :-)). We went a little further and came upon another hill. This time it didn't feel as uncomfortable as the first time. Nati also seemed to have gotten a little familiar with me and tried his best to avoid sudden jerks. At least that is what I would like to believe :D From this side we saw a bit of Shelly beach, and a part of the the nearby Helensville town. We were surrounded by so many views, each better than the other.

We gradually then returned to the same track we had taken while on the way up and were lucky to a bunch of peacocks and peahens. I for one thing was surprised to find peacocks in New Zealand , and seeing so many of them together was a first for me. After about an hour we reached the mud road track where we had started from and which Nati wasn't too fond of because I saw him quickly march towards the swampy area again.

We returned to the stables our faces lit up with an impish glee, feeling triumphant, but actually cramped on the insides yet smiling at the camera. Getting off from the horse's back wasn't as hard as climbing or probably by then my fear had vanished. I gave Nati a mighty hug and thanked him for his fabulous company and this unforgettable ride for life.

Although I am not really a trekker, I have managed to enjoy the small treks I have been able to do since I moved to New Zealand. They leave me refreshed and healed. This trek too had a similar effect on me and in addition taught me something more. They were to not to fear new people and new things you've never tried before, some information about horses, and that the world looks even better from on a horse's back.