Nihi Sumba in Indonesia has become the first hotel spa in the world to have horses located on site, full-time and year-round, for wellness purposes. Now the luxury resort has introduced a new, five-day equine wellness retreat.
Nihi’s newly refurbished spa now has some new residents: some of the now retired horses of its herd are now located permanently on-site for year-round, to provide holistic equine healing opportunities within the luxury spa environment.
The horse healing programs feature four key elements – Equi Seen, Equi Feel, Equi Essence and Equi Tune, through such activities as sunrise or sunset swimming with horses.
As part of Nihi’s overall equine connection offer, the resort has announced it will run a new, five day transformative program titled the Equine Intuitive Awareness Retreat hosted by renowned ‘horse whisperer’ Carol Sharpe. The program will be hosted twice – from 5-11 December, 2024 and again from 13-17 February, 2025.
It will feature horse wellness expert Carol Sharpe who rescued the first pony at Sumba more than 10 years ago. Today, the herd has grown to more than 29 with the retired members now looking to have an easier life at the newly renovated spa.
The retreat will offer participants a rare chance to engage with the horses in a setting that honours the ancient traditions of Sumba while addressing the modern need for emotional and spiritual renewal.
Assisting with the planning of the retreats is UK-based specialist equine events manager and publicist, Phoebe Oliver of Equine Collective.
“There is a maximum number of six guests on Carol’s retreats and the minimum age is 10,” says Oliver.
“There will be no riding or fitness restrictions – this is all about using ‘real horsepower’ – combining wild wellness with the sea horses of Sumba,” she says.
Guests do not need to have any previous experience or familiarity with horses, says Oliver, stating they are in fact ideal for anyone that is usually quite fearful of horses.
“Carol has known the herd since day one, and these are the retired horses that are now looking for a quieter, non riding way of life,” says Oliver.
The benefits of equine connection
Oliver says that people who spend time with horses can experience “the most incredible” benefits, because the horses can serve as an emotional ‘mirror’ for humans and respond to the feeling state we show.
“They are herd and prey animals which means that they have a strong emotional sense and use this sense as a survival tool,” says Oliver.
“They feed off and respond to other horses in the herd, so if one horse in a herd is scared, the others will become frightened. They respond similarly to humans. If a person approaches a horse with anger, the horse will respond by shying away – they teach us to regulate our emotions, resulting in a calmer way of being in everyday life,” explains Oliver.
The Equine Intuitive Awareness Retreat led by Carol Shapre will include energy awareness sessions, meditation with horses, Reiki healing, and equine yoga, alongside ‘Sunrise Awakening the Senses’ sessions with the main herd on the hills behind NIHI, and the opportunity to swim with horses or enjoy a sunset beach horseback ride.
Guests will also engage in a Fire Light Sound Meditation; and visit a local village to witness the impactful work of the Sumba Horse Charity, where they can contribute by offering Reiki healing to ailing ponies— ”an exchange of healing energy that fosters both emotional and spiritual growth,” says Oliver.
In Sumba, the people follow the Marapu religion in which horses play a central role in Sumbanese rituals and daily lives. Participants in the retreat will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in these traditions, gaining a deeper understanding of the island’s unique equine spiritual heritage.
A key element of the retreats will be the exploration of the Pasola, an ancient Sumbanese ritual that features traditional horseback riding, symbolising the balance between life and death.
Coming up
Nihi Sumba will be launching a retreat with Ashleigh Sanderson from May 26th 2025.
“Ashleigh is a British-trained instructor renowned for her innovative approach to rider and equine biomechanics. She has redefined traditional coaching methods by seamlessly integrating biomechanics, proprioception, and classical work in hand, creating a transformative experience for riders and their equine partners,” says Oliver.
Ashleigh will co-host the retreat with Sara Kimell, a seasoned rider and certified yoga instructor.
“More than a decade ago, their shared passion for biomechanics and yoga brought them together. Sara focuses on enhancing riders’ seats and abilities both on and off the horse. By seamlessly integrating biomechanics, yoga, Pilates, and mobility practices, Sara empowers guests to discover their movement patterns and equips them with invaluable tools for riding and everyday life,” says Oliver.
Rates for the Equine Intuitive Awareness Retreat start from USD$2,100 for the five-day/four-night retreat.
Last week, Nihi Sumba was ranked number 10 on the World’s 50 Best Hotels List
For more information visit nihi.com
