With summer in full swing and life returning to a more normal pace, horse holidays are once again a possibility.
Whether your bucket list includes loading your horse into a trailer and heading off for a local day trip or travelling further afield to include exotic locations, there are many interesting adventures to consider when planning your next dream horse holiday getaway.
It could include a view from between two ears.
The Advertiser asked for suggestions from local horse people who shared their fun travel experiences including overnight horse camping, cattle drives, wild horse photography, learning to tolt on an Icelandic horse, training with Cavalia/Cirque du Soleil’s equine super star, and venturing to an off-grid “dude ranch” in the Rocky Mountains.
Ashley Tomaszewski
Local horse girl and former Canadian Cowgirl team member Ashley Tomaszewski:
“Wishing Stone Farm Bed and Bale was the perfect location for my horse girl bachelorette party. Located in beautiful Bailieboro, Ontario, the property backs right onto the Ganaraska Forest with miles and miles of beautiful sandy trails to ride on.
“If you want to rough it, you can bring your own accommodations for you and your horse or you can rent a round pen or a travel trailer there.
“The hosts Phyllis and Solstice Pecile are very welcoming and knowledgeable about horses and the area and are happy to provide suggestions on where to go and what to see.
“We rode into the town of Bewdley to have pizza by Rice Lake. It’s also the perfect spot for the non-horsey husbands to go boating or fishing while you ride! If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore this year, I highly recommend Wishing Stone!”
Wishing Stone Farm, Bailieboro, Ontario, 905-797-3411.
Karen Anderson
“I loved my visit to the Outpost for so many reasons. On the route in, there were wild horses, cows and calves in the middle of the road. They just looked at us and didn’t bother to get out of the way.
HOLI-”NEIGHS” – Dude ranch visitor Karen Andersen beside custom build stage coach at The Outpost. Photos by Bridget Ryan
“When we arrived at our meeting point, we got into a covered wagon, pulled by a team of mules who drove us 10 miles to get into the ranch.
“I was transported mentally back to the 1800s when settlers first arrived to the area by covered wagon. I loved the cabins that circled the cook house with mountains as the backdrop.
“We would light our wood burning stove in each cabin before the sun set; otherwise it was so dark at night it was hard to see.
“There is no electricity and no motorized vehicles are allowed into the ranch and it borders Banff National Park. During the day, the horses took us along beautiful mountain trails, across the Red Deer river and on some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen in Canada.”
The Outpost at Warden Rock. Located near Banff and Yaha-Tinda National Parks, Banff, Alberta, 403-762-2767, info@outpostatwardenrock.com.
Joanne Milton
“I had an incredible stay at the Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah. I was there for a clinic with world-renowned horse trainers Barbra Schulte and Sandy Collier.
“The horses at Red Cliffs were well-trained … the scenery was fantastic.
“This lodge is located along the Colorado River and this is the place where John Wayne filmed all his Western movies. The accommodations were exceptional and they also have their own on-site winery.”
Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab, Utah, USA, www.redcliffslodge.com, 435-259-2002.