Make your dream of riding a horse with confidence and ease a reality at NIHI Sumba. Whether you’re new to riding or returning after years away, NIHI’s equestrian team at Sandalwood Stables will meet you where you are.
Private sessions begin on the ground — developing trust and feel before anything else. As the connection builds, lessons naturally move from the arena toward the shoreline and along Nihiwatu Beach.
At Sandalwood Stables, every lesson starts with understanding. Our team builds the foundation first — developing feel and confidence on the ground before you ever reach the saddle.
Helmets and boots are provided; leggings or long trousers recommended.
For younger guests, see Children’s Horse Riding Lesson and Kids’ Pony Club.
DURATION
1 hour
NOTES
Weight Limit: 85kg.
Additional fee required for photographer
Horses are integral to the soul of Sumba and NIHI®’s exceptional equestrian facility, Sandalwood Stables, offers a range of exceptional equine experiences for horse lovers, beginner through to advanced riders. Our team has handpicked our beautiful herd of local horses, ready to carry you off into the sunset and beyond. The original breed of the local Sumba pony comes from Mongolian and Arab bloodlines, brought to Sumba for trading in exchange for sandalwood and spices. Though a small breed, their genetic makeup makes for an extremely agile and highly spirited horse.
Perched above the wild beauty of Nihiwatu, @nihi’s Putri Hillrise Villa looks out across endless ocean views, rolling coastline, and glowing sunsets. This two-bedroom sanctuary was designed for slowing down, switching off, and disappearing into nature. Drift between quiet mornings by the pool and evenings where the sky melts into the sea.
When the day begins with breakfast overlooking the ocean as wild horses wander along Nihiwatu Beach, all while you sip your morning coffee. You can feel the world slow down. There’s no rush here, only time to listen to the soothing rhythm of the waves, to watch the horses wade into the water, and to wander barefoot down the path until you’re standing among the herd. It’s moments like this when you know you’re not somewhere ordinary. You’re at @nihi.
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#nihigram by @mathilde_capp
Experience the powerful blend of energy healing and nature with a reiki session at NIHI Spa. Surrounded by the gentle presence of our Sumba horses, you’ll be guided by our expert healer, Lina, through a deeply restorative equine reiki experience designed to bring balance, clarity, and connection.
As first light filters through the palm trees, catching the rising mist and hitting the rolling waves, magic stirs to life. At @nihi, the wonder of untamed nature is all around you, waiting to be discovered. Swim in your private pool overlooking the wild beauty of Sumba, where jungle, ocean, and sky exist in perfect harmony. Welcome to the Edge of Wildness.
Woven into the experience of staying at @nihi, the ancient traditions of the island remain deeply present.
In the fading light on Nihiwatu Beach, the silhouettes of Sumbanese warriors stand against the sunset glow, looking out across the land where generations have carried the spirit of Sumba.
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#nihigram by @alifeiimagined
Discover the magic of @nihi, where days are filled with inspiring light, beautiful horses, romantic sunsets, and tranquil moments. These are the experiences you’ll have out on the Edge of Wildness.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Nothing can quite explain @nihi’s Spa Safari - a wellness journey like no other.
Five kilometres from the resort, the experience begins long before the first treatment. Travel by trek, horseback, or safari vehicle through villages and rolling hills until the landscape opens to a spa hidden between rice fields and the ocean.
Set across 100 acres of Nihioka, this is wellness shaped by nature. Design your own experience with open-air treatments that unfold across hours, carried by ocean breezes and guided by skilled hands. Open-fire meals, hidden coves, equine connections, and even a private villa stay are all part of the magic awaiting at NIHI Spa.
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Embark from @nihi on a day cast away on Sumba’s untouched shores.
Set out by boat in the early morning to go fishing in the open waters where you’ll catch your own lunch before heading to the white sands of Konda Beach. Swim, snorkel, or paddle board in the peaceful turquoise waters before your catch is served at your own a private barefoot barbecue. The Robinson Crusoe Experience is a memorable day for those seeking an authentic island adventure.
Serene moments in tranquil surroundings. Here, the world beyond Sumba fades away. Palm trees sway in the breeze, waves roll gently onto shore, and horses wander freely along 2.5 kilometres of untouched beach. This is a place where the wildness of Sumba calms the mind, restores the soul, and invites you to slow down. Welcome to @nihi, your home at the Edge of Wildness.
A foot massage in paradise with a touch of equine magic.
Sit back and take in the tranquility and picturesque setting of NIHI Spa. A rejuvenating retreat set in the midst of palm trees with an ocean view.
To get to Nihioka from @nihi requires either a 90-minute scenic trek, a 10-minute drive by safari vehicle, or a journey by e-bike or horseback. However you choose to arrive, your reward is to arrive to a place surrounded by nature that is disconnected from everywhere else. Enjoy an ocean-view breakfast before beginning an immersive half-day NIHI Spa Safari experience, with three treatments chosen by you from the menu. Choices include a therapeutic horse massage as part of NIHI Sumba’s Equine Wellness offering.
NIHI Spa is an unforgettable experience where your mind, body, and nature move gently back into harmony.
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#nihigram by @catalinavonbonin @jonaways
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