The Year of the Horse kicks off with experiences spanning wildlife conservation, indigenous culture, luxury ranch getaways and major cultural celebrations.
Rare ponies roam Okinawan beaches, Hong Kong hosts a glittering Chinese New Year parade with international performers, and working ranches invite guests to saddle up for cattle drives in Colorado. There's also the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota and a Paniolo-inspired cocktail bar in Portland.
Let's go on a virtual equine road-the-world tour!
Okinawa, Japan
Yonaguni Pony - the Okinawa indigenous horse
https://visitokinawajapan.com/travel-inspiration/okinawa-indigenous-horses/
The indigenous Yonaguni pony of Okinawa is a small, strong, and good‑natured horse breed historically used to transport rice and sugarcane across the rugged terrain of Yonaguni Island. Once essential to daily life, their numbers declined with the arrival of larger horses and modern vehicles, but conservation efforts led by the Yonaguni Pony Society are revitalising their role in Okinawan culture. Today, these semi‑wild rare ponies are featured in local tourism, education, wellness and agriculture, with opportunities for visitors to interact with them through beach rides, farm visits and children’s programs.
Kyushu, Japan
Cape Toi, Miyazaki Prefecture
https://www.visit-kyushu.com/en/see-and-do/spots/cape-toi/
Cape Toi, located at the southernmost point of Miyazaki Prefecture, is a scenic cape known for its free‑roaming Misaki‑uma wild horses, which are said to be descendants of samurai‑bred horses dating back over 300 years, and protected within the area’s natural habitat. Guided tours are available to help visitors enjoy a unique opportunity to observe a herd of wild horses up close under natural conditions. Additionally, the spot is popular for viewing the ocean sunset/sunrise, where visitors can enjoy expansive views of the Philippine Sea from the nearby Toi-Misaki Lighthouse and explore the surrounding landscape, which includes a rare forest of roughly 3,000 native cycad plants.
Portland
Fools and Horses is a sultry cocktail bar in Northwest Portland from industry veteran Collin Nicholas, designed to put food, drink, and hospitality front and centre. The concept draws inspiration from Hawaiian Paniolo culture, the original Hawaiian cowboys, with horses reflected in both the name and the menu. The bar serves meticulously crafted, produce-driven cocktails, including lychee-infused drinks and customizable martinis using Pacific Northwest apples, alongside elevated Paniolo cuisine from chef Alex Wong. Dishes highlight pipikaula beef, coconut-crusted mahi mahi, and lilikoi-forward flavours, all set in a dark, intimate space with subtle Art Deco details, creating a refined, immersive experience.
Hong Kong
Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade
Hong Kong is ready to welcome the Year of the Horse with one of the world’s most vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations. On 17 February, the first day of the Chinese New Year, the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade will transform the city into a glittering carnival of light, music, global cultures and festive spirit – complete with a touch of Aussie style with Manly Waringah Sea Eagles’ very own cheerleaders dancing their way into the festivities. The parade theme is “BEST FORTUNE. WORLD PARTY.”; the festivities celebrate the energetic spirit of the horse, a symbol of strength, vitality, progress and success in Chinese culture. Beyond the floats, a dynamic line-up of performances from around the world during the Parade will include France’s FierS à Cheval, an illuminated horse tableaux that captures the spirit of the Year of the Horse.
Year of the Horse Raceday
As we gallop into the Year of the Horse, visitors cannot miss the much-loved Year of the Horse Raceday on the third day of Chinese New Year (19 February), where Hong Kong’s Sha Tin Racecourse will be filled with thrilling horse racing, entertainment and festive excitement.
Colorado
Horsing around in Colorado
www.colorado.com
The Ranch at Emerald Valley is part of Colorado’s celebrated The Broadmoor resort, Colorado Springs, surrounded by 100,000 acres of the Pike National Forest. Here, guests can experience staying at a ranch in Colorado’s wilderness with luxury touches. Thirteen cabins, including the three-bedroom Hill House, each feature distinctly Rocky Mountain styling while daily experiences include horseback riding and guided hikes.
Award-winning C Lazy U Ranch is the perfect luxury ranch getaway for those with mini cowboys and cowgirls, benefitting from a Summer Kids and Teens Program. At the end of the day, families and other guests gather to share the memories they’ve made that day, swapping stories around a fire or participating in special events for all ages. Established in 1919, C Lazy U Ranch has been family owned since its inception with a legacy of superb horsemanship and conservation practices.
Family-owned Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch lets you channel your inner cowboy at this authentic dude ranch in the foothills west of Loveland. Horseback ride on the 3,200-acre property year-round (weather dependent). Other amenities include skeet shooting, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, horseshoes, ping-pong, billiards, shuffleboard, foursquare, fly-fishing, an outdoor heated pool (seasonal) and basketball.
Cherokee Park Ranch is a family-owned, all-inclusive Colorado dude ranch that has been welcoming guests to the Rocky Mountain wilderness in Livermore since 1886. With historic accommodations in the 120-year-old log lodge suites and six outlying cabins, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Explore the surrounding peaks and valleys on daily adventures ranging from rafting to roping to horseback rides, fly fishing, hiking and more.
South Dakota
Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial is a massive mountain sculpture in South Dakota's Black Hills honoring Lakota leader Crazy Horse and Indigenous North Americans. At 195 meters long by 172 meters high, it will be larger than Mount Rushmore. Visitors can explore a cultural center, museum, and the Laughing Water Restaurant while witnessing this monumental tribute to Native American heritage.
Idaho
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
Tucked into Idaho's Selkirk Mountains, Western Pleasure Guest Ranch is five generations deep in ranching tradition. This 2,000-acre working ranch offers horseback rides through alpine meadows, cattle drives, skeet shooting, and hot tub soaks under big skies—perfect for first-timers and experienced riders alike. Guests stay in timber-framed lodge rooms or private log cabins with gas fireplaces and deep bathtubs. Trail rides, wagon rides, evening bonfires, and locally sourced ranch meals are all included, plus seasonal activities like Nordic skiing and sleigh rides in winter.
New York State
Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, the largest equine sanctuary in the Northeast. Meet the horses on a 90-minute walking tour or a magical sunset tour. Guests can stay in the on-site Guest House, a three-bedroom ranch-style home overlooking the fields, off-grid country experience with no TV, phone line, or wifi. Stays of two nights or longer include a guided walking tour of the Sanctuary, a one-on-one horse interaction through a grooming session, and the opportunity to volunteer during morning chores alongside the team.
