Important information for all riders

All riders must read the following instructions as YOUR safety is important to us The following have been written in order to be both informative and guide guests as to how they can enjoy their holidays safely and comfortably. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to approach one of our staff.

INTRODUCTION.. our ride program is designed to accommodate the experienced rider with occasional two day rides upon request. Our basic rides extend from a minimum of 3 to 7 day treks for the more adventurous. We rotate our horses so that they get regular lengthy rests. First time and novice riders are encouraged to attend an accredited instruction course before joining us. 

BOOKINGS.. can be made via telephone, internet or letter - we prefer you to complete the "registration" form on our website www.cochranhorsetreks.com.  A $250 deposit to confirm your booking can be made via EFT, Cheque or Credit Card (please note a 2% banking administration surcharge is applicable for credit card payments).  Due to increasing fees levied by National Parks and Wildlife, we can no longer absorb the NPWS daily park entry fees and ask that riders add the $5.00 per day (adults) & $2.50 per day (children) to their balance owing for trek.

ARRIVAL.. please plan to arrive at the Brumby Haven Motel in Dennison Street Adaminaby ( brumbyhavenmotel@gmail.com ) before dark on the day prior to your ride commencement. (any change to arrival point ie; Yaouk will be advised via email or telephone)   If you're unable to arrive before dark, please advise us of your late arrival.

TRANSPORT.. for a small fee ($140 return per person), we can pick you up at either Canberra Airport or Cooma Airport/ Canberra/Cooma  Bus Terminals and provide a return service.  Aeropelican operate a daily flight service to/from Cooma Airport with a special summer rate of $99 one way from Sydney.  ( www.aeropelican.com.au )

ACCOMMODATION.. evening accommodation whilst on trek is in a ”swag" in roomy tents (Brumby Haven Motel accommodation on evening prior to trek commencement and is also possible during inclement weather.) You are requested to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Double 'swags' may be available for couples on request. 

CLOTHING..  please wear elastic sided riding boots for safety. jeans, jodhpurs or other appropriate riding trousers. Shirts with long sleeves are desirable but not essential. Tracksuit, one heavy jumper, socks, practical underwear. Spare clothes may be carried in the support vehicle on rides in excess of 3 days. Gloves and beanie/scarf are recommended, night time in the mountains can be cool.

DAILY SCHEDULE.. most riders rise early with breakfast being served at 7.30 am..... each day includes riders involvement in camp routine , feeding the horses , gathering wood and water when necessary. Lunch is carried on a packhorse with personal saddle bags provided to carry personal gear such as cameras. Backpacks are NOT permitted on horses . Day rides extend from 4 to 7 hours per day with the average being around 5 1/2 hours. We include stops for photo opportunities, drinks at creeks, nature breaks and an hour for lunch to ensure that the body is not tested to the point of breaking!

Scenery....most days include a spectacular variety of mountain scenery , brumbies in the wild , limestone gorges, aboriginal sites, mountain stockmens' huts and historical heritage sites. Dinner is served around the campfire with comfortable seats and you may BYO eg; a bottle of red to provide an ideal setting for the evening relaxing around the campfire and swapping yarns & poetry.

WEATHER.. all rides proceed regardless of weather unless the safety of riders is threatened due to severe conditions such as snow or gale force winds. We do provide driazabone coats for hire at $5 per ride. Please bring your own if you have one.

PERSONAL ITEMS.. toiletries including insect repellent, minimum cosmetics, small torch and camera and film. (no walkmans or transistor radios please). Towel and your own sleeping bag and pillow.

FOOD (example).. breakfast - cereal/tea/coffee, bacon and eggs.  Lunch - Billy tea, sandwiches, fruit.  Dinner - Steak/roasts, pasta, baked/steamed vegetables, fruit/tea/coffee.

* All meals are prepared observing health & safety regulations. Vegetarians are catered for if prior warning is given on registration form. Vegans are requested to supplement the camp menu.

ALCOHOL..  guests may wish to carry flasks or small bottles of spirits.
Canned beer please in preference to bottles or stubbies.

HYGIENE.. shower facilities may be provided at base camps where possible. Toilets are available at most mountain huts. Guests will be provided with a NPWS Horse riders Code of Ethics for guidance.

FIRST-AID.. tour guides are First-Aid qualified. A basic first-aid kit is carried. Two way radio facilities are available for emergency evacuation.

SAFETY NOTE.. there are risks involved in adventure sports such as horse riding. CHT Horsetreks supply well trained and educated horses for your safety.  Guests should take note of the following:-

• Helmets must be worn by those under 18 years - recommended for all others.
• Any horse will kick in distressed circumstances or if mistreated.
• Equipment is regularly maintained but should be checked by guests or report to their tour guides where faults are found.
• Fires should only be lit under the supervision of a tour guide.
• Guests should adhere to advice given by tour guides in regard to safety.

ENTERTAINMENT.. if you have a good yarn, song or dance routine, or play a musical instrument, please bring them along.

GROUP RIDES.. We offer a 5% discount to a minimum group of 4 riders.  We welcome group bookings and often book rides of 10 or more riders who prefer to exclude outside riders. We have no problem with that however ask that those groups attempt to gather a minimum of 10 riders. Smaller groups may have to be integrated with other riders. Generous concessional rates apply to group bookings.

NPWS Fees...We regretfully advise that due to increasing fees levied by National Parks and Wildlife Department, we can no longer absorb the cost of daily National Park entry fees for our guests and ask that riders add the $5.00 per day (adults) & $2.50 per day (children under 16) to their balance owing for trek and Cochran Horsetreks will still administer and onforward these levies. Thankyou!