Who we are

A woman with dark hair in a ponytail, wearing a black polo shirt, green pants, and brown boots, kneeling on one knee outdoors with a yellow Labrador Retriever sitting beside her. She is smiling at the camera, and the dog is looking slightly to the side. The background shows trees and a dirt ground.

Horses have always been at the centre of Peta’s life.

Growing up in Whakatāne, she was fortunate to have endless space to ride and learn—though those early days came with their fair share of challenges. From green horses to long rides just to tack up, it was a hands-on education in patience, resilience, and understanding the horse in front of you.

Those experiences shaped the foundation of Meraki Equine Ltd: a commitment to doing things properly, listening to the horse, and creating training that lasts.

Today, that same passion drives a professional, thoughtful approach to developing horses and supporting their riders.

Meraki—meaning to put a piece of yourself into what you do—is at the heart of everything here. Each horse is given the time, care, and attention they need, with the goal of producing a confident, capable partner who reflects the work that’s gone into them.

In an industry that can often feel critical or overwhelming, Meraki Equine Ltd aims to create an environment where both horses and riders feel supported. Whether working with competitive partnerships or pleasure riders, the focus remains the same: if the horse’s wellbeing comes first, you’re in the right place.

Because success doesn’t come from working with the horse alone.

Understanding people is just as important as understanding the horse. With a background in sociology, Peta brings a strong awareness of communication, expectations, and the human side of every partnership—helping create clarity and alignment between horse, rider, and trainer.

The result is a collaborative approach, where goals are clearly defined and every step forward is understood by all involved.

And of course, no introduction would be complete without Lou—the resident Golden Lab, official welcoming committee, and a constant presence around the yard. You’ll likely meet her first.

Our Process

Tailored Plan

No two horses—or partnerships—are the same.

Before any training begins, we take the time to have a detailed conversation with you to understand your horse’s history, your goals, and any challenges you may have experienced. This allows us to develop a realistic, tailored plan that supports both the horse and rider, setting the foundation for positive, long-term results.

Education

With clear goals in place, we move into the education phase.

Whether starting, schooling, producing for sale, or further development, each program is guided by the desired outcome. Horses are developed on-site using our varied environment, including rolling hills, local arenas, and round pen where appropriate. Everyday exposure to farm activity also plays a valuable role in building confident, well-rounded horses.

Off-site experiences—such as trips to the beach, local facilities, or events—can also be incorporated where beneficial.

Ongoing support

Our support doesn’t end when your horse leaves.

We encourage all clients to stay connected, offering lessons, ongoing training, and guidance as you continue your journey together. We’re always available to answer questions and provide support where needed.

For those stepping into new environments, we’re also happy to assist—whether that’s accompanying you with a seasoned horse or helping build confidence in unfamiliar settings.

 FAQs

  • Absolutely!

    We encourage horse owners to be actively involved in their horses progression. Alongside regular communication and updates, we are happy to organise for you to visit your horse. As this is an operational livery facility, we require appointments to do so.

  • When assessing best outcomes for your horse, should we feel it’s in the horses best interest, we are happy to provide services off-site. Your horses behavioural patterns is sometimes better represented in the environment and surroundings they are familiar with.

    Note that this is limited to those local to us and pricing begins at $75 + mileage and GST.

  • No problem, depending on specific needs we are able to provide transport and float training services to Meraki Equine.

    Further information on float training can be found here.

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out the form below and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!