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.
Morning begins with palm tree shadows stretching across the sand. Day-old turtles make their first journey to the ocean while the surf rolls in. As the sun sets, locals wash their horses in the sea, and life moves to the rhythm it always has.
These are the moments that make NIHI more than a destination, they’re the memories you’ll carry long after you’ve left. 🤍
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#nihigram by @scottybauer_
Mornings begin with horses running freely along the shoreline, mist drifting over the hills, and the gentle rhythm of the ocean in the distance.
A refreshing swim, breakfast by the sea, and nowhere else to be but here.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and soak up the beauty around you.
Perched above the Indian Ocean, Raja Mandaka is the owner’s private villa and the crown jewel of NIHI. Designed for complete privacy, it overlooks Nihiwatu Beach, where horses gallop free on the white sand and sunsets melt into the horizon.
From sunrise swims to evenings spent listening to the waves below, every moment here feels worlds away.
@nihi’s padel game just went up a level as professional padel player @denise.hoefer.3005 takes to the court. Surrounded by lush tropical beauty, and with our herd of horses as her audience, Denise shows us how to have fun on the Edge of Wildness.
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#nihigram by @hafido_hk
Wake to horses wandering the shores of Nihiwatu Beach, spend your afternoons by your own private pool in your villa retreat, rally beneath the golden glow at the Ride & Racquet Club, and watch the sun catch the magic of @nihi as it melt into the horizon.
@nihi takes you beyond the resort and connects you with the soul of the island. By exploring the traditional villages and experiencing a rich and unique culture that harks back to a forgotten time, you’ll find a forever place in your heart for Sumba.
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#nihigram by @tarashupe
An evening rally at @nihi’s brand new Ride & Racquet Club, where tennis meets equestrian life. Passing horses become your audience as you play surrounded by Sumba’s wild beauty while listening to the sound of the ocean nearby in between serves.
Some mornings, the horses leave more than footprints. They leave silhouettes that stretch across the sand, fleeting works of art shaped by the morning light. Another unforgettable day at the Edge of Wildness.
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#nihigram by @childsphotos
Your day at NIHI begins with a little bit of magic. A refreshing morning swim, the sound of waves rolling in, and the sight of NIHI’s horses galloping freely along the shoreline below.
On some mornings, a local farmer’s herd of water buffalo wanders across Nihiwatu Beach, while newly hatched sea turtles make their first journey to the ocean. These are the moments that make life on the Edge of Wildness so extraordinary, where nature quietly sets the rhythm of the day and no two mornings are ever quite the same.
The sheer magic of @nihi. Watch as a herd of horses wanders past the main pool and into the ocean, creating one of those beautiful NIHI Sumba moments you can completely lose yourself in. Be immersed in days like no other, and spellbound as the evening sun begins to descend.
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#nihigram by @catalinavonbonin @jonaways
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