There is something that happens when you ride a horse onto a wild black sand beach and the Tasman opens up in front of you. It is difficult to explain to someone who hasn't done it. You feel very small, and completely alive. This is the only operator permitted by Auckland City Council to offer this. If you want to ride the unique black sand coastline, thread through natural tree tunnels, and follow your horse into a private pine forest the public cannot enter, this is the one place to book it. The trek runs for 2 hours with a maximum of 8 riders and 2 experienced guides who ride with you throughout. No riding experience needed as this is a walking-pace trek, depending on the group as a whole and their experience level some trotting may occur however this is at the discretion of the guides on the day. Your horse is chosen for you, matched to your size and skill level before you leave. The horses are purpose-bred for guiding or carefully selected, with custom-fitted saddles and a welfare programme that treats them as the reason the business exists, not a means to an end. Rated by The New Zealand Herald as one of New Zealand's Top 5 horse treks. In operation at Muriwai since 2013.