Some say there’s nothing more relaxing than traversing forested trails from a seat in the saddle atop your favorite horse.
If you can relate, register to join Geauga Park District for a naturalist-led Horseback Trail Ride on Saturday, May 31, at The West Woods in Russell Township.
This 6- to 8-mile ride on the Pioneer Bridle, Music Street and Affelder Trails promises to provide plenty of natural history lore so horse and rider may more fully enjoy future rides through these woodlands and fields. Hills, gravel, bridge and stream crossings should be anticipated, as well as spring wildflowers and migratory birds.
Ride times are 10 a.m. to noon for walking, trotting and cantering, then 1 to 1:30 p.m. for walking only; participants may register for one or both trail rides with a lunch break in-between.
Riders may also register this spring for a more diverse activity: the Trail Horse Nature Challenge on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation’s Woods Edge and Lakeside Shelter Parking Lots in Middlefield Township.
At this program, challenge yourself and your horse with a series of Nature questions and natural trail obstacles such as hills, gravel, mud, streams, bicycles, hikers and Amish buggies – an extension of our effort to Connect with Knowledge in May!
Assigned departure times will be in order of registration. Participants may ride out individually or in pairs at a leisurely pace, since time is not a factor. The course can be completed in an hour or two – then ride the trails on your own! Challenge awards will be presented in both youth and adult divisions.
Helmets are recommended for both programs, and registration is required at the park district website or 440-286-9516. Please call with any questions as well.
This article is brought to you by Geauga Park District
