Meet the Clydesdales of Tinwald Farm

There is something deeply calming about standing beside a Clydesdale. Before they move, before the harness is lifted into place, before the wagon rolls quietly along the farm tracks, there is simply a moment of connection. Their immense strength is matched by an extraordinary gentleness, and time seems to slow to the steady rhythm at which these remarkable horses have always lived and worked alongside people. Set beneath the Pisa Range in Central Otago between Cromwell and Wanaka, Tinwald Farm is home to a team of Clydesdales whose quiet presence has become part of the character of the farm itself. Here you'll leave behind busy itineraries and spend an unhurried morning getting to know the horses as individuals - learning their personalities, their history and the unique partnership they share with the people who care for them. Surrounded by vineyards, paddocks and wide Central Otago skies, you'll discover a place where tradition and regenerative farming sit comfortably alongside one another. The experience is relaxed, personal and completely private, giving you the freedom to simply enjoy being present with these gentle giants. Some memories come from what you do. Others come from how a place makes you feel. Time with the Clydesdales is very much the latter.

Your experience begins with a warm welcome before we introduce you to our team of Clydesdales. Every horse has its own personality, history and way of interacting with people, and we'll spend time getting to know them before showing you how they are groomed and prepared for the day. As the morning unfolds you'll spend time alongside the horses, learning about their care, the history of the breed and the quiet partnership that exists between horse and handler. Guests who would like to be more involved are invited to learn the basics of long reining under our guidance, often discovering just how gentle, responsive and intuitive these magnificent animals really are. At one stage during the morning you'll also enjoy a leisurely horse-drawn wagon journey through the farm, travelling at the natural walking pace of the Clydesdales while taking in the spectacular Central Otago landscape. Throughout the experience we'll share the story of Tinwald Farm and explain how our regenerative approach to farming has shaped the property you see today. Conversations naturally follow your interests, whether they centre on the horses, farming, local history or life in Central Otago. There is no set performance and no rigid timetable. Every experience is private, allowing the morning to unfold naturally around the horses and creating a relaxed, authentic experience that very few visitors to New Zealand have the opportunity to enjoy.