Abi's Natural Horsemanship and Riding School

Hi all,

Where is the year going we are already mid way through March which means it is nearly time for school holidays !!

We are running holiday programmes at our base on Waterholes Road on the 9th and 16th of April. Our holiday programmes are designed for those aged 5 years and older. Choose from a half day up to 2 days, enjoy being with others who love horses/ponies and gain knowledge about The Horse as well as caring for them in a supportive relaxed environment. Our groups are small with a maximum of 5 paticipants per group. Head to our website (https://www.abisnh.nz/school-holiday-horse-and-pony-riding-programmes) for more information or contact us directly. This can be by calling the mobile number/texting, emailing or message us via Facebook either using this page (if I have not responded within 48 hours then try the other options - I am having a little bit of trouble with getting messages through the business one) or my Abi Ricketts page. Book now places will fill quickly.

Some thoughts for the day:

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. George Bernard Shaw

Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply. Stephen Covey

The happiness of love is in action; its test is what one is willing to do for others. Lew Wallace

We're all reflections of the lives we lead. Jaimoe

A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms. Zenkei Shibayama

Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together. James Cash Penney

Beauty, without virtue, is like a flower without perfume. French proverb

We look forward to encouraging you in your journey with The Horse whether you are new or more experienced.

Abi and the team

A very happy new year to everyone. We hope you have had a good start to it and it continues that way. A huge thank you to all of our existing clients for their on going support.

We are also taking on new clients so if you would like to try Natural Horsemanship and find out how you can communicate with The Horse in a unique, special and fulfilling way to create a lasting positive partnership then contact us to book in a lesson, school holiday programme or lead ride. For booking in or to ask questions please contact us using the contact details on our website (www.abisnh.nz) or message me through my Abi Ricketts page.

Here is a bit of video to give you an idea of what you can achieve with The Horse.

Hi all,

A few light hearted Christmas cartoons to add a smile to your day.

Hi all,

We have some events coming up at Abi's Natural Horsemanship and Riding School over the summer as well as our usual services continuing to be available as normal, inclusive of lessons.

Tomorrow morning (13th December 2025) we are taking part in the Lincoln Christmas Parade. We will be offering lead rides to those who would like to try riding. We will be located behind the fire station. Bring some cash and enjoy travelling the natural way using The Horse as your transport !!

Over the summer holidays we are providing holiday programmes. Our programmes offer teaching in horse care, a lesson in Natural Horsemanship and much more. There is the opportunity to grow your life skills such as decision making, confidence in yourself as well as what you can do. Make new friends in the equine and human form also learn how to keep yourself safer around horses and ponies. The length can be half a day, full day, one and a half days or 2 days.

For more information take a look at our website (https://www.abisnh.nz/school-holiday-horse-and-pony-riding-programmes) or get in touch with us directly using the contact details on our website. If messaging us through Facebook please use the Abi Ricketts page, I am having difficulty receiving messages through the business page. Thanks.

We wish you and your families all the best for the tail end of this year and into the next.

Abi and the ABNH team

Hi all,

Still having a little bit of trouble receiving message from the page and have been trying to sort it for a while so please message me on my personal page (Abi Ricketts) or head to the website for my email and mobile number. Apologies for the inconvenience. Abi

Hi everyone.

Well Max is settled into the Rare Breeds area at the Christchurch A and P showgrounds. He is getting ready for 3 days of demonstrations at the Canterbury A and P show. He will be showing the general public what Natural Horsemanship is all about with Abi guiding him and explaining what she is doing through a headset microphone.

There are various breeds which are low in numbers in NZ and even in the world, a rare chance to see them up close and personal.

Abi may be doing demonstrations with these horses/ponies too dependent on the owners wishes.

Here are some photos and video from previous years.

We look forward to seeing you there,

Abi and Max

Hi all,

Today we were invited by the Rare Horse Society of New Zealand to be a part of their Rare Breeds display at the Rangiora A and P show in the main oval.

We took Max and Pebbles to do a bit of publicity for them and Abi's Natural Horsemanship and Riding school at this event. Both ponies did a great job of displaying Natural Horsemanship both on the ground as well as while being ridden. We took our obstacles out to the showgrounds for everyone who was a part of the display to use. Their other role there was to meet and greet the public at the fenceline so that people could actually have a chance to touch a real horse/pony. I think they have a couple more people to add to their fan club with adults and younger people enjoying their company !!

Here are some photos from the day.

Our next event is taking Max to be a part of the Rare Breeds display at the Canterbury A and P show in Christchurch. We will be doing a similar thing to Rangiora over the 3 days it is on. I will be giving a commentary on what I am doing through a headset microphone so the public can hear and gain an understanding of the techniques I use and why I use them. We would love to see you there.

Hi all,

The end of winter is near, hooray, and we will soon be in spring. Like lots of places we are a little muddy at the moment but with the next little while being dry we hope that the ground will be a little more like terra firma for horses and humans.

We are running school holiday programmes so look on our website events page (https://www.abisnh.nz/horse-riding-events-in-selwyn-christchurch) to see what dates are avalible or if you have a specific date in mind then let us know and we will see what we can do. Options include half day, full day, one and a half days or 2 days.

Information on the content of our holiday programmes can be found on the Options page (https://www.abisnh.nz/school-holiday-horse-and-pony-riding-programmes)

We look forward to celebrating Spring with you by increasing your horsey knowledge and horsemanship skills

Book now to secure your place.

Abi and the team

Welcome to our new and updated page.

We offer a variety of services such as:

30 minute lead rides - Get the feel of being higher off the ground and relax into the rhythmical movement of The Horse. Available for anyone of any age who ideally is able to sit up independently.

Lessons for those with or without their own horse/pony - We offer these for those who are totally new to horses and ponies as well as those who are more experienced around them. Learn how to create a partnership where they want to be with you without the need for any equipment on them. Be inspired to create a bond where you can do things that you never thought you could, should or would do with The Horse. Our lessons are suggested for those who are a minimum of 5 years old.

School holiday programmes - We run these every school holiday and sessions can be for a half, full, one a half or two days. These are aimed at those who are a minimum of 5 years old. In every session there will be teaching in horse care, ground games and a ridden element (for those who wish to ride). We welcome partipants with their own four legged equine friends or adopt one of ours for the duration of the session.

Sponsorship - Do you have a young rider who nags you to buy them a horse or pony all the time? Would you like to have one but don't have the time, grazing land or horse experience to do this? There is the opportuniy to sponsor one of our herd members for a weekly fee where all of this is taken care of for you. You can nominate one of ours to think of as you own with priorty use of that horse/pony when you book in for anything. Get a reduced fees on lessons as well as other events.

For more detailed information on these options and other services on offer please head to our website (https://www.abisnh.nz/) and get in touch with us using the contact details provided.

You are more than welcome to contact us through WhatsApp. Please head to our contact details and will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.