Short answer
The best horse riding farm stays in New Zealand are on high-country stations in Canterbury, Otago and Marlborough, where guests can ride working stock horses across the property. Expect NZ$200-$500 per night with riding included or offered as a guided add-on. Most properties cater to beginners; a few take experienced riders out on genuine musters. Always confirm rider weight limits and experience requirements before booking.
Riding on a working New Zealand farm is a different thing from a commercial trail ride: you are on stock country, often moving with a real muster, and the horses work for a living. These are the properties that offer riding as part of the stay rather than as a bolt-on.
Our selection criteria
- ✓Horse riding, trekking or mustering offered on the property
- ✓Riding on the working farm itself, not a separate trail operator
- ✓Suitable for guests staying overnight rather than day visitors
The list (10)
- 1
Quartz Hill Station
Canterbury · NZ$200–$380/night · sleeps 14
Third-generation high country sheep and deer station
- 2
Lake Hawea Station
Otago · NZ$400–$650/night · sleeps 6
Expansive sheep station with luxury suites
- 3
Omarama Station
Otago · NZ$180–$320/night · sleeps 8
Three-generation merino sheep station with heritage accommodation
- 4
Mohaka River Farm
Hawke's Bay · NZ$280–$550/night · sleeps 8
Riverside chalet retreat with craft workshops, fishing, and horse treks
- 5
Welcome Rock
Southland · NZ$180–$320/night · sleeps 4
High-country property in Southland
- 6
Shear-vue Farmstay
Canterbury · NZ$200–$380/night · sleeps 4
Sheep farm stay in the Mackenzie
- 7
Peter's Farm Lodge
Otago · NZ$200–$380/night · sleeps 6
Central Otago high-country farm lodge
- 8
Mahaanui Farmstay Experience
Gisborne · NZ$200–$350/night · sleeps 6
Working farm experience in the East Coast hill country
- 9
Totara Valley Farmstay
Northland · NZ$250–$400/night · sleeps 8
Bay of Islands sheep and beef farm with pool
- 10
Tangowahine Farmstay
Northland · NZ$180–$280/night · sleeps 6
Self-contained cottages on Dargaville sheep farm
Common questions
Do you need riding experience for a horse riding farm stay in NZ?
Most properties take complete beginners and match the horse and the ride to your experience. A small number of high-country stations offer genuine mustering rides that require confident riding at a canter over uneven ground — those state the requirement up front.
Is horse riding included in the nightly rate?
It varies. Some farms include a short ride or farm trek in the rate; others charge NZ$60-$150 per person for a guided ride. Confirm with the farm directly when you book.
Can you bring your own horse to a NZ farm stay?
Some equestrian properties have paddocks and yards for guest horses. This is uncommon and always needs arranging in advance — ask the owner before booking.