Saddle Up!
Nearby trail rides to Ottawa and Gatineau
By Sheila Ascroft
I
f you have ever dreamt of being a
cowboy/cowgirl or just wanted to
get out in the backcountry by horse,
it’s time to stop dreaming and saddle up.
Yes, there are places to trail ride in our
region. It won’t be quite like riding in the
Rockies or the wild west, but it will be a
lot cheaper. You can go for an hour to
see what trail riding is like, sign up for a
full day ride, or set out on a multi-day trip
with a guide where you bed down under
the stars. And if roughing it isn’t your
thing, there’s always the trail ride and
cottage option.
If you’re looking for something more
adventurous for your inner cowboy, here
a list of longer trail riding possibilities
within a three-hour drive. And there
are plenty more ranches with similar
horse camping in central Ontario.
Details at: www.ontario.worldweb.
com/ToursActivitiesAdventures/
TrailridesPackTrips/.
Keep in mind that none of them allow
shorts and sandals for riding (see Sidebar
1) and they all provide riding helmets for
safety. Captiva has 60 horses for everyone EASTERN COWBOY HORSEBACK
from novice to expert, from Western to ADVENTURES
CAPTIVA FARMS English-style, and experienced instructors Host: The Cronk Family
Gatineau, QC and trail guides. The year-round facility Parham, ON
Phone: 819-459-2769 or toll free has washrooms and change rooms, Phone: 613-375-6467
1-877-459-2769 family activities, a bed and breakfast. E-mail: cronk@frontenac.net
E-mail: info@captivafarms.com You’ll need reservations and cash – web: www.easterncowboy.com/index.htm
web: www.captivafarms.com Captiva isn’t set up for credit or debit Offering hundreds of hectares of
This is the closest place to Ottawa cards. beautiful riding territory north of
with multi-day trips. Located near rATeS: $30 which includes GST for Kingston, this places has riding from
Wakefield, it offers 40 kilometres of trails one-hour adult rides during the week lakeside to mountaintop across fields and
on 800 hectares in the Gatineau Hills. and $35 for weekends and holidays. streams. There are one-hour, two-hour,
Captiva features a two-day “light tenting Family discount for children under 17 is half-day and full-day guided rides.
adventure.” You can also just ride for $25 plus GST. The Cronk family prides itself on
the day and enjoy its bed and breakfast strong, well-mannered horses that will
or even stay for a week-long ranch safely carry both experienced riders and
vacation. novices along its trails.
26 OTTAWA magazine summer/fall 2009 www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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