Holidays

Holidays on Horseback: Saugeen Bluffs

Updated:

September 4, 2020

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Ontario’s Horse Campground - Saugeen Bluffs is located in the heart of Bruce County in Southern Ontario. This is the third horse campground in the province, and it includes an entire area designated for horse camping enthusiasts with 42 spacious sites tucked in amongst towering hardwoods. In addition, there are three bunkies and two RVs available to rent.

Horse Packing Adventures in the Backcountry

Updated:

May 15, 2020

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The horses were tired and hungry, and we needed to find them good feed. We had travelled all day in the alpine, over shale ridges and snow patches, through meadows that were just greening up, and finally over a pass between two rocky promontories. Route finding had gone well, but the last trail — dropping 1000 feet down into a pass — eluded us. We ended up in the bottom of a bowl above 400 foot cliffs, taking the brunt of a nasty wind.

A Women-Only Horseback Riding Vacation in New Zealand with Wild Women Expeditions

Updated:

May 14, 2020

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Disconnecting from the digital world and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature—this is the essence of The Land of the Long White Cloud Ride with Wild Women Expeditions. This 10-day horseback riding adventure, hosted by Adventure Horse Trekking New Zealand on the South Island, invites you to fully embrace your surroundings. As you navigate narrow trails that hug the mountainside, with crystal-clear Lake Hawea below, you quickly develop a deep trust in your horse. The rush of everyday life fades away, replaced by the serene companionship of fellow riders, whether you're enjoying lunch by a peaceful brook or singing around the fire in a herders' hut.

Destination: The World’s Largest Camel Fair

Updated:

May 7, 2020

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Never wear a backpack while horseback riding – especially in 35 degree heat when you’re going for a seven hour ride through the sand-blowing desert. I learned this the hard way on the first ride of my 10-day horse safari across the Rajasthan Desert in northern India (our destination: the world’s largest camel fair) and nursed rubbed-raw-by-sand-and-sweat shoulders for the rest of the journey. But in the end, my soreness became just another element of the experience of being pushed out of my comfort zone.

My Riding Vacation at Wild Deuce Women’s Retreat

Updated:

April 5, 2020

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Along with my travel mates Ali and Heather, I leave the Calgary airport in our rental car, stock up with snacks and refreshments, and head to The Grandview Stage Inn just outside of Rocky Mountain House, AB, where we bed in for the night. The next morning, we start off for the Cutoff Creek Staging area in the Bighorn Backcountry. The herd of wild horses grazing in a small clearing at the side of the road is so complacent with our presence that the foals remain lying down as we snap photos. Upon arrival, we spot a group of women gathered in the staging area, their gear laid out on the grass. Introductions reveal that our fellow riders are from Manitoba, Winnipeg, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia, and as far as Australia and New Zealand. Most are new to Wild Deuce Outfitters, and a few are repeat visitors like me, although it was eight years ago.

Crossing the Continental Divide on Horseback

Updated:

January 15, 2020

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“Whoa up,” I called. One of the pack horses had broken loose and was causing havoc in our seven horse string. It was the first day of a three-week pack trip and all the horses were antsy, particularly my Spanish Mustang, Chocolate. He wasn’t happy being tucked in behind horses he didn’t know, leading one he didn’t like. I hopped off Chocolate and foolishly left him loose, breaking one of the golden rules of backcountry travel: always hang on to your horses.

Horses in Africa

Updated:

January 9, 2020

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Several years ago I googled “Africa + Horses + Volunteer” and found myself travelling solo to Mozambique for two months. I volunteered with Mozambique Horse Safari on the shores of the Indian Ocean, billed as “the best beach riding in the world.” That first trip from my home on Vancouver Island was a big leap for someone who had taken up riding later in life. It was also the beginning of a relationship with horses and Africa that continues to this day.

Riding Above the Clouds

Updated:

September 12, 2019

My favourite aspects of a riding vacation anywhere in the world are experiencing the spectacular scenery of a new country from the back of a native horse, and glimpsing the true culture and everyday life of the local people. The Wild Andes Expedition Ride with host Gabriel Espinosa of Hacienda La Alegria, which I found through Unicorn Trails, offered a close-up view of life in the mountains at all elevations in the Ecuadorian Andes.

550 Kilometres on Horseback on the Trans Canada Trail

Updated:

July 4, 2019

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Click. Nothing. I pressed the button on top of my headlamp again. Click. Still nothing. Oh crap. My headlamp batteries had just died, and on the worst morning possible. Today was the day I would be riding Chocolate through 912-metre long Bulldog Tunnel as part of our 550 kilometre solo journey along the Trans Canada Trail (TCT).

Escape to... The Bar W Guest Ranch

Updated:

June 6, 2019

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Arriving at the ranch with my husband, Joe, in complete darkness, we were greeted at the gate by Dave Leishman, ranch owner and manager, and led to the cabin which would be our home for the coming week. After unloading the car I sat on the deck admiring the stars and taking in the sound of horses grazing in a nearby field. The log cabin was brand new, featuring wooden furniture and an extremely comfy bed. Drifting off to sleep, I wondered what the ranch would look like in daylight.