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.
Celebrate your wedding on the shores of Nihiwatu, with a beautifully set table on the beach, the sun setting and NIHI’s herd of Sumba Sea Horses wandering majestically by.
An extraordinary setting to gather with those you love, raise a glass and celebrate the beginning of your next chapter together.
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#nihigram by @tearosewedding
A land where the spirit of generations lives on, where the connection between people, nature and their ancestors runs deep, and where traditions are not simply remembered, but lived every day.
Children ride their ponies along wild beaches in traditional dress, villages are filled with life, and a deep sense of community is woven into the very soul of the island.
Nestled within this extraordinary landscape is NIHI Sumba, a paradise of beautiful private villas, unforgettable spa experiences and moments of pure tranquillity, surrounded by the raw, untamed beauty of the island. Beyond the resort, village life and centuries-old traditions are never far away, offering a meaningful connection to the people and culture that make Sumba so special.
It is this extraordinary connection between land, people and tradition that makes Sumba a place unlike anywhere else on earth.
And when you finally arrive, it’s even more beautiful than you imagined. 🧡
One of the programmes closest to our hearts is the Sumba Horse Project. 🧡
For more than two years, NIHI has been providing free veterinary care to horses in local villages across Sumba, holding weekly clinics and returning to each village approximately every three months to provide ongoing care and repeat essential treatments.
Facilitated by our dedicated NIHI Stables team alongside our veterinarian, Dr. Octa, these clinics provide essential medical treatment, health checks, deworming and advice on animal welfare. Many local horse owners walk for miles to attend, with care also extending to local dogs.
Horses are deeply woven into Sumba’s culture and heritage, and through this project, we hope to protect these beautiful animals and make a lasting difference to the communities who care for them.
Learn more about the Sumba Horse Project and how you can support this important work through the link in our bio.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
A wellness experience unlike any other awaits at Nihioka Spa.
Five kilometres from NIHI Sumba, beyond traditional villages and rolling green hills, lies a secluded sanctuary where rice fields meet the Indian Ocean.
Your Half Day Spa Safari begins with breakfast or lunch overlooking the ocean, before retreating to your private open air bale for 2.5 hours of treatments.
Between treatments, discover hidden beaches, unwind beside the freshwater infinity pool, or simply take in the beauty of Nihioka’s untouched coastline.
More than a spa experience, this is an invitation to reconnect with nature, embrace stillness and discover wellness at the edge of wildness.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Mornings at NIHI Sumba can feel almost unreal. Mist rolling over the mountains, horses grazing nearby, and the sound of the ocean crashing in the distance. The kind of moments that make you never want to leave. 🤍
Mornings at Nio Beach Club, where the first dip of the day comes with sweeping views of Nihiwatu Beach.
With the sound of the waves, the warmth of the Sumba sunshine and the beach just footsteps away, there’s no better place to begin your day at NIHI Sumba.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Raw, wild and beautifully untouched. Sunrise at NIHI Sumba, where local fishermen head out to sea as the first light of day breaks over the coastline.
As the sun sets, horses make their way along the beach, ridden by Sumbanese horsemen dressed in traditional ikat, a beautiful reflection of the island’s rich cultural heritage.
These are the scenes that make Sumba so extraordinary, where centuries of tradition remain part of everyday life and the connection between the people, their horses and the land runs deep. 🤍
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Wake up to uninterrupted oceanfront views at Marangga Villa, dive into your private plunge pool and spend sun soaked afternoons with a glass of wine in hand, accompanied by the soothing sound of the ocean.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
The beauty of NIHI Sumba is found in moments like these.
The gentle ocean breeze, the sound of waves washing against the shore, and our horses peacefully enjoying their daily swim in the turquoise waters of Nihiwatu Beach.
Enjoy your morning swim at Nio Beach Club, surrounded by untouched nature, where the serenity of the island invites you to slow down and appreciate the magic of simply being here.
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