Healing Journeys
with NIHI’s Horse Whisperers
For generations, horses have been at the heart of life in Sumba. At NIHI, our relationship with the island’s iconic Sandalwood horses has evolved over more than a decade, shaped by respect for their spirit, local traditions, and the extraordinary connection they create between people and nature.
Alongside signature collaborations, including the Candice Webster Equine Retreat, returning in 2027 with dates to be announced shortly, NIHI’s equine wellness experiences invite guests to reconnect through the intuitive guidance of our horse whisperers. Rooted in presence rather than performance, each journey blends equine connection, holistic wellness and the spirit of Sumba.
Retreats are offered in two formats: our Group Retreat (18–22 October 2026) or Private Equine Retreats, available year-round with flexibility around travel dates and personal intention.
Through equine-guided experiences, time in nature and meaningful cultural connection, each journey unfolds naturally, allowing space for healing, reflection and transformation. Retreat packages exclude accommodation, allowing guests to choose their preferred NIHI Sumba villa and stay experience.
Overview
The Sandalwood horse is one of Sumba’s greatest cultural treasures, revered for centuries as a symbol of strength, freedom and spiritual connection.
For more than a decade, NIHI has nurtured a unique relationship with these remarkable horses through ethical horsemanship, conservation and a philosophy built on trust rather than control. Working alongside experienced horse whisperers and the local community, we have witnessed the profound ability of horses to mirror emotion, cultivate presence and guide meaningful personal growth.
Today, our equine wellness experiences honour this enduring connection, offering guests the opportunity to slow down, reconnect with themselves and discover the quiet wisdom found through the horse-human bond.
Every equine retreat is inspired by the island’s living traditions and the philosophy of Marapu, where harmony exists between humanity, nature and the unseen world.
Each journey is thoughtfully curated around the individual, combining equine connection with holistic wellness, cultural discovery and time immersed in Sumba’s extraordinary landscapes. Rather than following a fixed itinerary, every retreat unfolds in its own way, guided by intention, intuition and the rhythm of the island.
While every retreat is unique, experiences may include:
- Guided equine healing sessions with NIHI’s horse whisperers and the Sandalwood horses.
- Sunrise rituals, yoga, breathwork and meditation immersed in nature.
- NIHI’s signature Spa Safari and holistic wellness experiences.
- Cultural encounters, village visits and meaningful connections with the local community.
- Island experiences, including riding and swimming with horses, subject to conditions.
- Curated dining experiences, evenings beneath the stars and time to embrace the rhythm of Sumba.
No two retreats are ever the same. Each journey is shaped by your intentions, the wisdom of the horses and the spirit of Sumba.
Group Retreat (18–22 October 2026)
An intimate four-night retreat designed for those wishing to share a transformative journey alongside a small circle of like-minded guests. Blending equine healing, holistic wellness, cultural immersion and the spirit of Sumba, the retreat offers a thoughtfully curated programme while allowing space for personal reflection, discovery and deep connection with the horses, the island and yourself.
Retreat Price: USD 3,000++ per person (4-night programme, accommodation excluded).
Private Equine Retreats
Designed entirely around your own intentions, our private retreats offer complete flexibility in both travel dates and programme design. Suitable for guests of all ages and experience levels, each retreat is centred on healing, personal growth and meaningful connection with both horses and self.
Retreat Price: From USD 3,000++ per person for a minimum three-night programme, with additional retreat days available at USD 1,000++ per person, per day.
Accommodation is not included, allowing guests to choose their preferred villa category and length of stay at NIHI Sumba.
All prices are in USD and subject to a 21% government tax and service charge.
“I was looking to connect with animals, and specifically horses, as they had always held intrigue for me. When I discovered NIHI’s equine therapy retreat I was both curious and a little apprehensive as I’ve always been slightly scared of horses, but Carol made me feel instantly safe. We were invited to simply be with the herd, to observe, to listen, and to understand. I learned how horses mirror us, how they honour boundaries, and how powerful it is to build a connection before asking anything of them. It was deeply moving. What made this even more special was working with Carol, who knows each horse by name, by story, by spirit – many from birth. You don’t return from NIHI the same. You return with a deeper understanding of yourself, of nature, and of the quiet strength in just being. This is not something I have found in any other place in the world.”
– Baroness Rebecca Wedellsborg –
MAY 2025
Nihigram
Enjoy the quiet life at NIHI Sumba.
Peaceful mornings, the sounds of nature, space to slow down and disconnect.
This is the magic of NIHI, the soul of the island felt in every breeze, every wave and every still moment. A place where the wild beauty of Sumba seems to soften time itself.
Reformer Pilates with @wearetpp comes to NIHI Sumba until 20 October.
Known for expert coaching and a highly personalised approach to Pilates, The Pilates Project brings private Reformer sessions to The Edge of Wildness™️.
Combining strength, stability, mobility and control, each session is tailored to the individual, overlooking the Indian Ocean as Sumba’s horses wander along the shoreline below.
Expert-led Reformer Pilates in a setting unlike any other.
Our 2027 Healing with Horses Retreats with Candice Webster are now open for bookings, and places are filling quickly.
Following the extraordinary energy of our retreat in June, we return with two intimate five-day experiences, bringing together the wild beauty of Sumba, our Sandalwood horses and Candice’s intuitive approach to equine healing.
1–6 June 2027
8–13 June 2027
Each retreat is an invitation to slow down, reconnect and experience the profound relationship between horses, nature and self.
Spaces are limited, with availability already filling fast.
Full details and enquiries are available via the retreat page, linked in our bio.
Reformer Pilates has arrived at @nihi, as part of a very special new partnership.
Move to the sound of the ocean, right on the beach, as NIHI’s horses wander past.
Possibly the best view you’ll ever have from a reformer.
Set on the remote Indonesian island of Sumba, just one hour flight from Bali, @nihi is where the simple, raw, unfiltered beauty of island life unfolds.
Rooted in tradition, rich in culture, and surrounded by untamed natural beauty, this is the essence of NIHI.
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#nihigram by @lina_jyoga
Raja Mandaka, the crown jewel of NIHI Sumba.
Perched above the Indian Ocean, with uninterrupted views stretching along the Sumbanese coastline, it feels like a world of its own. Mornings unfold slowly, golden light spills across the horizon, and the sound of the ocean follows you from sunrise to sunset.
Welcome to NIHI Sumba.
There’s nowhere quite like it. Sitting on the Edge of Wildness on the remote island of Sumba, just an hour from Bali, it’s a place where wild beauty, adventure and a little bit of magic come together.
#NIHIGram by @teoguarini @yunfancyf
Merdeka! 🇮🇩
Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
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#nihigram by @childsphotos
Merdeka! 🇮🇩
@nihi bangga menyebut Indonesia sebagai rumah kami. Dari Sumba, kami berdiri bersama untuk merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia yang ke-81.
Mari kibarkan Sang Merah Putih dengan bangga dan rayakan semangat, kehangatan, serta kebersamaan yang menjadikan Indonesia begitu istimewa. Rakyat Indonesia memiliki hati yang besar dan semangat yang tak tergoyahkan.
Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
Merdeka! @nihi are proud to call Indonesia home. From Sumba, we stand together to celebrate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.
Today, we fly the red and white flag high and celebrate the warmth, spirit and togetherness that make this country so extraordinary. The people of Indonesia have huge hearts and an unbreakable spirit.
Happy Independence Day, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
#HariMerdeka #Indonesia #NIHISumba
Some places live up to the dream. NIHI Sumba is the kind of dream you don’t want to wake up from.
Come and see what everyone’s dreaming about.
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