Connie Tabbert
Editor
FORESTERS FALLS — Welcome to HorseCountry Campground – a dream come true for Walter and Brenda Willett and their two children, Hannah and Tyler. This is a campground where horses are welcome.
Growing up in a rural area, Walter always knew some day he would return to a rural area – and he has. He began searching for property to operate a campground that allowed horses. He met Joe Kowalski, owner of Wilderness Tours, and the two began conversing about this type of campground.
“Joe thought it was a neat idea,” Walter recalled. “Joe was really excited about it.”
The two came to an agreement and in the spring of 2013, Walter signed a lease.
Campground sites were established, each with its own 20 x 20 corral, loafing shed, fire pit, picnic table and ample space for parking vehicles and trailers. A watering location is provided and a place to pile manure, which a farmer hauls away. A 26-point obstacle course was created with similarities to what can be found on the 30 kilometre of trails available for horse rides as well as a horse soccer field.
“The obstacle course provides a great tool for rider and horse to be acclimatized to each other,” he said.
He noted the campsites are rough, with no running water at the corral and there are two port-a-potties for use. However, in 2015, the plan is to have running water to each of the 23 corral sites, with hopes that number will grow to 40 sites.
With safety being a big concern, Walter said no stallions will be allowed at the campground.
The first campers were welcomed in July 2013, Walter said
“We had 50 people for the first season, which was really only half a season,” he recalled.
Throughout the winter months, Walter remained busy marketing the campground and so far, hundreds of horses and campers have enjoyed the campground. He expects by the end of the season, about 500 horses will have spent time at this campground.
“People who have horses are always looking for a place to trail ride and have fun,” he said. “This is the place for that.”
Four days into her first-time horse camping experience, Melissa Larocque of Greeley was giving Ransom, a thoroughbred Welsh Cob, a morning wash.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s fantastic. The trails are great, it’s quiet, and I love the amenities that come with it.”
While she and Ransom didn’t spend much time trying out the obstacle course, she admitted they did ride almost every trail.
“They’re adventurous,” Ms. Larocque said of the trails. “Some are flat land and some are narrow roads.”
Walter said for those who enjoy riding but don’t have a horse, or who want to try the experience of riding a horse, there are horses people can rent.
A recreational campground, Walter noted there’s a variety of horse disciplines, such as those who are interested in western or English riding or even dressage.
There are workshops provided as well, he said. Lance McLaren, who is president of the Ontario Extreme Cowboy Association, gave an Ultimate Cowboy Challenge workshop and Mark Bollander gave a workshop on mountain and extreme trail riding. There was also a ladies confidence clinic, which was for women who, for whatever reason, lost their confidence in riding a horse.
At the end of August, Ron Pine is giving a two-day Parelli Clinic on how to properly load and unload your horse from a trailer, Walter said.
He feels the workshops are successful because they are priced as a package — access to the campground, trail riding and Wilderness Tours.
“It’s a recreational and educational weekend,” he said.
As the campground grows, and it will, he said, there will be more events, possibly even an equine show, team penning or even an ultimate cowboy challenge.
“We don’t have plans yet, but we have the right spot for it,” he said.
There’s also hope of creating a tourism package of ride and raft, Walter said.
As for now, there are a variety of packages available for those who want to camp here, he said.
Walter noted there is opportunity for people to ride the trails on their own or have a guided tour. Detailed maps of the trails are provided.
The campground is operational from May 1 until the end of September, he said. However, if it’s a nice fall, and there’s interest, there could be opportunities for fall rides, he added.
Helene Gauvin of Doval, Quebec was riding Indy and friend Denyse Rousselek on Cimeron, were enjoying their time at the campground. Ms. Gauvin, who has been at previous horse campgrounds, said while most of the trails are nice, some are not really suited for horses without shoes. However, it’s been a great time, she added.
It’s a nice campground, it’s quiet and the people are really nice, she said.
Ms. Rousselek said she is thoroughly enjoying the experience. She said it’s great to wake up and have the horses right outside the doorstep. At home, the horses are boarded about 30 minutes away.
Colleen Aubin of Renfrew was riding her horse, who wouldn’t settle down as she took him through the obstacle course.
“Until he settles down, I’m not going to stop,” she said. “He wants to get to his buddy. If I take him back now, he’ll learn that if he acts up, he’ll get his own way.”
For more information on the campground, such as cost and workshops, check the web site, horsecountrycampground.com/wilderness-tours
