The three hundred acres I rambled through the other day is known as Heritage Ranch.
In the early 1980's a very progressive government set up a plan to make large park areas in our cities. Trails and many facilities were developed. Cross country ski trails, picnic areas and playgrounds were established.
When I came here in 1969 the Heritage ranch area was farmed and much of it was taken for gravel. 20 km of trails were developed. Some of the gravel pits were made into ponds and stocked with fish.
But the main part of Heritage Ranch was to be set up for horses and at that time the emphasis was on equestrian training. Excellent corals and stables had been built. The equestrian training didn't pan out so they tried just horse riding. That didn't work well either.
When my daughter was about ten she was intensely interested in horse riding. She went to a 6 day equestrian camp. You could rent horses to ride at Heritage ranch so one day she took some allowance money and rented a horse to ride. I happened to be riding bike through the area when I saw a horse wildly galloping through gravel pits and around trees. There was a little kid on the horse hanging on to a half out of control horse and the little kid was my daughter.
Today the operator runs sleigh rides in the winter and an assortment of wagon rides in the summer.
So as I was getting back from my ramble I could overlook the horse facilities.
My sister in law has ridden horses for years. They've got a farm and she has a couple of them in the barn. She cautions me to keep a distance. They don't like males apparently. They associate all males with vets.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how horses see you.
DeleteGood heavens! That must have been a pretty frightening experience for your daughter. Did it put her off horses?
ReplyDeleteApparently she was a good enough rider to stick to this horse.
DeleteRed's daughter here. Nope! I still like horses and am jealous whenever I spot riders out. Don't get to do much at all anymore, but would love to pick it up again.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThe ranch sounds like a fun place. I remember my sister and I have riding lessons, the first ride was scary. The horses are pretty.
Take care, enjoy your day! Have a happy weekend!
I rode horse on the farm but I didn't like riding or horses for that matter.
DeleteI gather that your daughter was fine. You kind of dropped the story there. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree! What happened?
DeleteShe was fine and kept riding until she went to the States.
DeleteThat is quite a story about your daughter on that horse. What a scene that must have been. Does she still like to ride these days?
ReplyDeleteThis alarmed me but she was not worried. she could stay on the horse. She quit riding about 2008 when she went to the states.
DeleteI used to save up my allowance to ride horses, too. The Heritage Ranch looks like a nice place to ride, and I’m glad your daughter got to go. You must have felt very helpless though when you saw her from a distance hanging off her horse !
ReplyDeleteI guess she was a much better rider than I thought.
DeleteI wasn't used to cantering or galloping much at that point, so for once I was glad to have a Western saddle with a pommel up front to help me hold on and be stable. Just a lot more fun to get moving than plod along the whole time on a trail ride.
DeleteI love to see land preserved for nature related enjoyment by the public. It sounds like that is a wonderful place to spend outdoor time. I sure hope your daughter was able to get some help with the horse. It must have been a real surprise for you to see her like that!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised but I guess she was a much better rider than I thought.
DeleteSo was your daughter all right and continued to love horses?
ReplyDeleteShe was fine and came home with no worry. she had a good time.
DeleteI am glad your daughter was fine, otherwise you would have told us so. Right?
ReplyDeleteI didn't think she was that good a rider.
DeleteYou left us hanging. Details, please, about your daughter’s wild ride and your part, if any, in her rescue! Or did you even know it was she at the time?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think you meant corrals and not corals.
Good eye on picking out my spelling error. I have written with others and have been used to changes to my writing.
DeleteIt must have been a heart stopping moment to realize your daughter was on that horse!
ReplyDeleteIt was a scare but I continued riding and she was home by the time I got there.
DeleteIt's good to know that even though some early plans didn't work out, the ranch is still serving recreational purposes.
ReplyDeleteMany young girls have loved spending a summer week at horse camp, my daughter and granddaughter included.
From a little kid she wanted to ride horses.
DeleteNot so little anymore, and I still want to ride. Am tempted at times to go down the road from my house and see what's up at the nearby equestrian center. We have lovely wooded trails all over near us that people ride on. Am always jealous when I see people out on their horses.
DeleteThis would be a fun place to visit. I went to a camp one time and we got to take hoses off to have a campfire breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI've certainly enjoyed this park.
DeleteMy sister went to a horse riding camp here in Ohio. It was a nice place.
ReplyDeletethere are some very good horse camps for kids.
DeleteLooks like a follow-up is in order. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou got it. Watch for it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an experience that must have been for your daughter! That was one tough little girl hanging on like that!
ReplyDeleteHa! That's a great story. Must have been quite a shock for you, but it sounds like your daughter handled it just fine!
ReplyDeleteDid she go riding again after that?
ReplyDeleteokay she was only ten when she rode horse wow
ReplyDeleteyour daughter seems a very strong lady with astonishing will power as despite of that horse was not easy to ride she managed to finish ride without being hurt ,it was totally matter of her self confidence i must say :)
How wonderful that your daughter has such lovely memories of her days on a horse. And what fun to have her comment on your blog. But gosh! Seeing my daughter careening about on an energetic horse would have given me white hairs a lot sooner.
ReplyDelete