I went for a horse trek back in December with my cousin and his friend who were visiting. Having been a trekking guide myself in the past (in the States and in NZ) and having gone on horse treks around the world, I was expecting tired horses that would simply follow each other. I couldn't have been more wrong!!! The horses were wonderful and very well looked after (not something you always see with working horses). And the most amazing part is that being an advanced rider, Fi set me up with an able and willing horse with good spirit, and yet my cousin who was a beginner rider got a calmer horse that definitely looked after him. Yet we could all ride together and not always in a line, which was a dream. And then, if the ride couldn't be amazing enough with the incredible scenery, we got to take the horses for a swim. It was a fantastic day!
We went on a 2 day horse trek with Fiona and another lady who was there for a 5 day horse trek. Everything was perfect! The horses were good fun on the trail and very reliable. Fiona is very experienced and helpful. We always felt comfortable. The surroundings are just incredible. We would definately recommend it to everyone who loves horses and nature. Besides that the provided food was beautiful and the cabin we stayed at very cosy and a real experience.
Baton Run and Fiona gave our family a two day treat on horseback. (2 adults and 2 teenagers)We had long canters on the meadows, overlooking the valleys, a swim in the stream with the horses and some quite steep climbings. The horses are well behaved, surefooted and in excellent condition. With the fantastic nature, the warm hospitality and fine horses - our visit to Baton Run was one of the highlights on our New Zealand visit. We can recommend to stay over night in the cabin. Take a bath in the outdoor tub and watch the stars! This is a place to come back to, again and again.
For a start, I booked this ride very naively, as they don't generally run in winter. Fiona emailed me to tell me that even though they weren't officially open, she would love to go for a ride with me. Even though the weather had been a bit on and off with rain, we decided to go ahead and chance it while I was staying in Nelson. Fiona picked me up from the Baton Bridge and drove me back to the property where we saddled up two beautiful mounts. I was privileged enough to ride Ruby, who was the most honest, beautifully behaved and careful horse I've ever ridden - and I'm an experienced rider who has ridden for 12 years. The ride itself was absolutely breathtaking - the scenery is monumental and the bursts of trot and canter we managed to fit in on the dry spots was such fun! I would absolutely recommend Baton Run to anyone who wants to have a beautiful and enjoyable ride on lovely horses. A huge thank you to Fiona for having me!
I had a great one day ride with Fiona. The scenery was some of the best NZ has to offer, there were stretches to ride faster and a lovely place to take the horses for a swim. Fiona is good company and makes sure "your" horse is suited to your ability and confidence. The lunch was also very tasty and the day ended with a drink and conversation. Actually, the day ended with shearing a sheep under Richard's instruction, which was fun!Hopefully I can return again, with the rest of the family, and get to enjoy the lovely cottage and the rest of the trekking!
If you go on a trek with Fiona you will be taken care of and know that the horses you are riding are also very well taken care of. Fiona runs an amazing business in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Our time with Fiona and her horses was nothing short of one of the best days of our lives; beautiful, relaxing, fun, inspiring, and rewarding. Thank you Fiona, you are truly a wonderful person and a competent and knowledgeable equestrian.
I've been to Baton Run many times and always have a fabulous, fun, exciting ride through Baton Valley's gorgeous terrain. Fiona cares for her horses and her clients and makes sure everyone has a great time. The horses always seem to be having as much fun as the riders! This riding experience is well worth the trip to this exquisite part of New Zealand. Oh, and lunch is topped off with a sip of Bailey's....how civilized is that?
wonderful place, and if you stay overnight, you get to sleep in a very cozy cottage, to see such an incredible natural on horseback, then that you get to feel like home, many thanks to the wonderful Fiona for an incredible experience!
I loved: the horses and ponies, Fiona, swimming in the river, the views and everything else so much that I have just booked flights back to nelson to spend Easter there and do it all again!
An excellent all round experience for anyone who wants a bit of fun and excitement, but also gain access to excellent scenery with the horse doing most of the work. Horses well kept and in excellent condition. Caters for all levels of rider, but particularly good if you know how to ride. Horse owner/guide is a great character. Not cheap, but you will certainly get what you pay for.