Single Older Woman – Canadian Vacations – In the saddle – maybe: Part 1

July 2022

I’ve always had a fascination with horses, from a distance, and only from the standpoint of going on trail rides.

Two of my friends were horse owners and authentic equestrians in our early years. Some of my earliest memories being on vacation near Wasaga Beach was the trail rides at a local ranch near the cottage.

I’d never had any formal riding experience, but had enough courage and gumption to get into the saddle and go for a trot or a quick canter. During one such ride, I found myself hanging on for dear life, as the trail was only “one way” and another group of riders were coming toward us. So my horse, Ginger, nonchalantly made her way up on the side of the embankment, so I was literally riding “side saddle”…..

Many years later, I took my kids to a small family beach/ campground near Bracebridge, called “High Falls”. They boasted on their ad, trail rides in the water on one of their 2 Belgian work horses. These beasts were massive, standing over 16 hands high.

Belgian Work Horse – High Falls Bracebridge, Ontario

So I paid my $15 and was led to the horse. I would ride this beast, without a saddle or reins, with only his long mane to hold onto…Once in the water, it got deeper and deeper and we went lower and lower, until my chest almost crested the depth of the lake……this lake too did not boast of soft sandy lake bottoms, it was covered by rocks, stones, twigs, branches etc. Pair that with horse hooves, not a smooth ride, by any stretch of the imagination….

It was an exhilarating experience but I think next time, I’ll stay on land.

As my first beach vacation approached in July 2017, I decided it would be nice to get back in the saddle again, and visit a horse ranch in the other provinces.

First up – Miracle Ranch in Springfield, Manitoba. I booked the trail ride and marked the location on my map. Well, I got lost on the highway, did not have a phone with GPS or a map and ended up calling them to cancel the ride. I was so upset and disappointed. Ok – another province, next time.

Next up – Alberta,2019. Riverwood Ranch. The night before my scheduled ride, the owner called to say that their ranch had been flooded by the heavy rains that week and the trail was washed out….So instead of a walk through nature, on the back of a horse, I spent the afternoon inside West Edmonton Mall, followed by a swim at a local community centre pool. Not all was lost.

Stay tuned. In part 2, I will regale you with my adventure in Nova Scotia at Spirit Reins Ranch in Parrsboro.

Thank you for reading and for letting me share.

Joye