Horseback Riding, Canoeing and
Ranch Work

An excellent group of horses love to work for different riders. Hans and Kathy's goals are to make every guest comfortable with their mounts. They know how important it is for riders to spend some time with their riding horse and get a feeling of the horses nature in order to have the most pleasant ride and be able to improve their riding abilities.

Experienced riders as well as beginners love the solid, dependable and calm ranch horses. Most of the horses have been raised on the ranch or bought as young horses and Hans and Kathy trained them with patience and love.

The rides are guided by either Hans or Kathy and lead through forested public land. Some trails in the bush are narrow game trails, watch out for branches and enjoy the untouched forest sight. Some trails are wider and suitable for a trot or for confident riders there are possibilities to let your horse lope (canter).

Ride the Wind Ranch's small herd of quiet, registered Texas Longhorn cattle is of historic value to every "Wild West" enthusiast. Guests love to ride along with the herd or every couple of weeks participate in moving the cattle to another pasture.

Do guests need riding experience? The Trail rides are set up for experienced riders or riders with some trail riding experience and feel very comfortable around horses and have a love for adventure. On narrow trails through beautiful Canadian forest the group rides the horses in single file; over meadows riders can ride side by side. During a ride, it is usual to put your horse into a trot a couple of times, so every rider needs to be comfortable enough to participate. For confident riders there are possibilities during each ride to allow your horse to lope.

What is the recommended age limit for horseback riding at Ride the Wind Ranch? 10 with good experience or 12 with some experience up to 65.

What about the weight of the riders? We do have Paint, Quarter, and Appaloosa horses which can carry up to 100 kg ( 220 lbs).

Does one of your family feel too uncomfortable to ride ? Book Package B or D (Lodge stay only) and spend the time the riders are out on the trail reading your favourite book, going on a hike, relax on the cabin's porch. In summer the riders will be back at lunch time.

Besides the horseback riding, Hans and Kathy take their guests on great canoe trips on tranquil Crimson Lake and Twin Lakes or on the scenic Clearwater River (river canoeing during weekly stays).

Canoes and lifejackets get loaded up on the pick up truck and off to a great experience on the water. The lakes are wonderful to spend an afternoon, paddle a bit, take a break on a dock and enjoy the sun.

The day canoe trip on Clearwater River is so much fun. Paddle along the beautiful scenery for about two hours, than it's time to stop on a little island for a campfire - lunch and a swim in the water. Another good hour on the river after the lunch stop, keep an eye out for white tale deer sunbathing on islands, blue herons fishing and trout swim in the water.

Ranch Work ...

Are you interested in becoming totally emerged in the Ranch environment? You are always welcome to grab a hammer and nails and go off to fix fences, help build a gate, make some firewood. We also always have time to tell you more about ranching, horsing around and texas longhorn cattle. Come along on the pick up truck to a pasture to bring out water troughs or some salt blocks and check, if the cattle need to be moved to greener pastures.