Our Horses
Our horses love affection and are hand picked for their temperament. They go through a rigorous trial period of work with our guides before they are ridden by our guests. They have a range of breeding behind them from Australian Stock Horses, Heritage Stock Horses, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds to our heavies who are Clydie crosses and a very special 17.1 h Shire cross.
Peter and Bucky
Our Trail Boss
Peter Cochran has been running Cochran Horse Treks for over 25 years. He is fifth generation Mountain cattleman and has been riding the Snowy Mountains his entire life. He is well versed in Australian history and Mountain culture and great for a yarn around the campfire.
Our covid note to riders
Cochran Horse Treks will abide by all NSW Government Health Directives at the time of your ride.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Ride Types and Camps
Old Snowy Horse Camp
Our camp is located in the northern end of the Kosciuszko National Park and is comfortable and authentic. As an outfit we pride ourselves on offering great horses and great food. We have regular visits from wallabies, possums and brumbies. We are situated near Currango Homestead and ride out among the brumbies on Currango Plain to visit Mountain huts or the tops of Mountains for views or special swimming places. Our camp has NPWS toilets and we have a shower.
Tom Groggin/Geehi Horse Camps
On the south western fall of the Main Range of the Kosciuszko National Park is an area of great natural beauty that is best explored on horseback. We have access to several NPWS horse camps and will operate in this area for a few selected rides in October 2023 and April/May 2024. There are Mountain Huts to visit and stunning views of the Alpine tops of the Mountains, beautiful wide and shallow rivers and large trees. It is a special place we look forward to sharing with our riders.
The Murray River at Tom Groggin Horse Camp
Crossing the Murrumbidgee River at Yaouk
Yaouk Camp
Yaouk (pronounced YIACK) is a stunning setting on the Murrumbidgee River 22km north of Adaminaby and our home base. The Cochran Family were original settlers on this land. Our Camp has grown and evolved over 25 years to accommodate basic comforts and includes shower, toilets and of course a camp fire. It is not five star but comfortably blended into a unique Australian environment.
Horses at Yaouk
Image by Mountain Shack
The Pines Lodge at Currango Homestead
In December 2023 and February/March 2024 we have booked the The Pines Stockman's Quarters at Currango Homestead for 3 day rides. If you would prefer to not camp this may be an attractive option. We will ride out each day to visit Mountain Huts or to a River for lunch and see Brumbies out on Currango Plain. At The Pines there is an outdoor fire pit or you can enjoy the warmth of the fire in the huge country kitchen.
The Man from Snowy River Festival Rides
There are two 7 day Man from Snowy River Festival Rides. They are our premier rides of the season. The first leaves from our home base at Yaouk (North of Adaminaby) and travels 150kms across the mountains to attend the Man from Snowy River Festival in Corryong www.bushfestival.com.au. We move camp almost every day and travel through some beautiful and remote areas with wide views across the tops of the mountains.
The second ride leaves after the Festival and travels from Khancoban to Tom Groggin. We saddle up and ride through the Autumn leaves of Khancoban and down the face of the Geehi Walls where the view of the main range is spectacular. Geehi and Tom Groggin area have some of the most spectacular country in the Koscuiszko National Park and the Murray River offers some spectacular river views and crossings.
These rides allow you to attend the Man from Snowy River Festival in Corryong and enjoy an authentic 7 day horse trek either before or after the Festival. You are welcome to camp with us at the Festival and party on with the group of riders and staff.
Our Riders
Our minimum age is 10.
Cochran Horse Treks riding competency levels.
Beginner - gaining confidence rising to the trot and learning to canter.
Intermediate - a confident rider who is regularly riding outside an arena rising to the trot and demonstrating a controlled canter.
Advanced - a frequent rider who is saddle fit with independent seat and soft hands who is confident on a forward moving horse in open country.
Horse trekking over multiple days requires a minimum level of riding competence and fitness. We don't offer riding lessons and our shortest ride is 3 days. Each day we cover more than 20kms so the ability and balance of the rider is critical to the well being of the horse and to the enjoyment for all other riders in the group.
To be suitable for one of our treks your riding ability needs to be at Intermediate level or above. This is in agreement with our insurance provider and is built in to our Risk Management Policy. All riders must be able to get on and off a horse without assistance (logs or rocks are not counted as assistance).
This is for your safety and enjoyment of the ride.
Licensed to Operate in Kosciuszko National Park.
We are featured on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website.
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/snowy-mountains-adventures-cochran-horse-treks
Our staff are all first aid qualified and we carry an EPIRB.
The Australian Horse Riding Centres (AHRC) is a national organisation representing approximately 100 horse riding centres across Australia. The objective of the Australian Horse Riding Centres is to support high standards for facilities, instruction, horse welfare, supervision and safety.