Experience Level

All 2 hr rides are suitable for all levels of riding experience.

On our longer rides, we cater for all level of riding experience and give tuition on the rides for those that require it however, riders need to be able to rise to the trot at a minimum. 

Riding in the High Country is quite physically demanding with up to 8.5 hours in the saddle on some days so we recommend that if you are a new rider who wishes to experience a longer ride, you try to do a shorter ride first where we teach you the basics in control and things such as rising to the trot; likewise, if it’s been a few years since you’ve been in the saddle, we recommend a short ride to get those old riding muscles stretched!  You will find by adequately preparing yourself you will enhance your enjoyment immensely.

Weight restrictions do apply

Customised Rides

If you have a particular interest, or a large group of friends coming, or a making a return trip and wish to experience something different, it may be possible to tailor a ride to your requirements.

What to Bring

We provide helmets, which are mandatory, and also have a number of oil skin coats, swags and chappettes (suede gators that cover the lower leg to prevent chaffing and are strongly recommend to ensure a more comfortable ride ) available for hire.

• Water proof coat and gloves.
• Wet weather over pants and light waterproof jacket to go over or under oilskin. (A light coat is helps keep your oilskin dry and is much easier to hang and dry after heavt rain)
  
• Boots suitable for riding, elastic sided, smooth soled and preferably with a heel. (We do have a selection of boots available for those that need them)
• Other footwear to change into at night.
• Pants suitable for riding such as jodhpurs or track suit pants or thick pants such as moleskins. Jeans with thick inside seams can cause serious chaffing problems, so we would advise not riding in jeans unless you are used to riding in them.
• A change of clothes (but not too much!)
• Sunscreen and hat Insect Repellant.
• A bandana if the weather has been dry as the tracks can get pretty dusty during summer!
• Warm sleeping bag or swag and a pillow - please note if you have hired a swag you still need to provide a sleeping bag and pillow to go in the swag
• Toiletries ( including personal medication if required)
• Towel, and bathers (swimming is not available on all rides but there is a pool back at the Lodge if you feel like a dip when you get back from your ride)
• Camera with extra batteries and plenty of room on the memory card.
• Alcohol to enjoy around the fire in the evenings (We request that glass be kept to a minimum and suggest that your alcohol or soft drinks be carried in aluminium cans or plastic bottles.) Communal ice boxes keep drinks cold - we rely on the honour system of who drinks what.

Please pack everything in a secure and preferably waterproof pack or bag, (not too big as space is limited.) and if you are bringing a swag, please roll it up very tight.

Bookings can be made by either phoning High Country Horses on 03 5777 5590
or by emailing us at info@highcountryhorses.com.au Once we receive your booking details, the paperwork will be sent out to you via email.

Sometimes we maybe away on rides when you email or phone us but we will get back to you as soon as we return.

Overnight Ride Deposits

Cancellations

High Country Horses (HCH) reserves the right to alter or cancel any ride, in which case no liability shall fall on HCH.  If HCH decides to cancel the trip for reasons other than Park closure due to weather conditions, all money paid will be refunded or transferred to another trip at the guest's preference.  If HCH is forced to cancel or delay a trip due to Parks Victoria closing the Park due to weather conditions, all monies paid for the trip will be transferred to an alternate ride.  Any personal expenses incurred by the participants as a result of any delay, alteration or curtailment of departures, no matter how caused, are their own responsibility.  HCH is unable to guarantee connections.

Responsibility

All riders should realise that adventure tours involve some physical risk. You will travel in remote and sometimes hazardous wilderness areas. We recommend that you consider travel insurance and ambulance cover.

Due to the unpredicatbility of seasonal weather, if travelling from interstate or overseas, it is also recommended that you have Travel Insurance.

If travelling by air from interstate you can catch a shuttle bus from the airport which takes you directly to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. From here V-Line runs a regular bus service between Melbourne and Mansfield leaving from Southern Cross the Station.

Generally there are 2 services daily from Monday to Saturday and 1 on Sundays. Schedules can change on public holidays so please check with V-Line. 

The phone number within Victoria is 136 196 or http://www.vline.com.au/timetables/timetables/bus.html#northern 

Pick up from Mansfield is available by arrangement but you need to arrive the day before the ride and we request that you take the morning bus rather than the evening bus.

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