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.
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.
Netflix is great, but imagine playing a tennis match at NIHI Sumba.
Horses wandering nearby, the ocean breeze drifting across the court and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore.
Welcome to the Ride & Racquet Club, where even a game of tennis feels extraordinary.
AI could never replace this.
Quite literally one of the most beautiful sights on earth. A herd of horses running free, as nature intended, along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach.
The thunder of hooves against the sand, manes flying in the wind and the sheer beauty of watching them gallop together against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
Some moments are simply too beautiful to recreate. 🤎
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Introducing Raja Puncak, NIHI’s spectacular brand new three bedroom villa.
Our newest villa sits at the highest point of the resort, with sweeping views over Nihiwatu Beach and the wild landscapes of Sumba.
An endless infinity pool, private check-in and cocktails at sunset create an extraordinary setting to experience the raw, wild beauty of Sumba from above.
A new icon at NIHI. This is Raja Puncak.
From Nihiwatu Beach, set out on horseback beyond NIHI and into the Sumbanese landscape, riding through palm-shaded jungle, rice fields and local villages.
Along the way, you may find yourself caught in a very Sumbanese kind of traffic jam as a local farmer guides his water buffalo towards the beach.
It is these unscripted encounters that make riding at NIHI Sumba so special, a journey shaped by the landscape, the people and the everyday rhythm of island life.
The magic of Nihiwatu Beach reveals itself slowly, from the soft morning mist to the last light of sunset.
Mist hangs over the coastline, horses move across the sand, and scenes of Sumbanese culture unfold along the shore. As the sun slips lower, turtles make their way towards the ocean and the whole beach seems to slow for a moment.
Wild, beautiful and completely Sumba.
#nihigram @alifeiimagined
NIHI is a place that feels almost like a dream, surrounded by the raw beauty of the island, untouched nature, wild beaches and a culture that remains deeply rooted in tradition.
Days are spent watching horses along the shoreline, taking in dramatic landscapes and looking out across the Indian Ocean from the privacy of your own villa.
The kind of place that belongs on a bucket list. A journey worth travelling across the world for, and a dream you never quite want to wake up from.
Discover polo, the NIHI way. For a limited time, join Sebastian, a professional Argentinian polo player and coach, for an introduction to the game.
Whether you’re trying polo for the first time or looking to refine your swing, balance and horsemanship, Sebastian will guide you with the ocean as your backdrop.
Weight restrictions apply.
Some mornings feel as though they belong to another world.
Move with @nihi and @wearetpp to the sound of the ocean, looking out over Nihiwatu Beach as NIHI’s horses gallop along the shore.
Reformer Pilates, in a setting almost too beautiful to be real.
Today, we bid a heartfelt farewell to one of our original Sumba sea horses, Hanna.
Hanna was our very first healing horse, the one who showed us the way. She spent her days at Nihioka Spa Safari, living peacefully beneath the palm trees and grazing on the hillside.
Through her gentle nature and intuitive energy, she brought comfort, connection and healing to so many. She touched the lives of everyone who had the joy of meeting her. Today, her herd honoured her in the water with a final farewell.
Her spirit will forever run free along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach. Thank you, Hanna, for the healing, love and cherished memories. You will always be a treasured part of the NIHI herd.
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