Brantford Outdoor Activities

The indoor arena, outdoor arena, and winding trails on Five Star Ranch's grounds resound with pounding hooves as instructor Gail Haynes and her experienced staff guide visitors during lessons, clinics, and trail rides. In a well-lit 80'x130' indoor arena, teachers imbue horseback-riding students with safety tips for horse leading and expound on tacking techniques and grooming principles, such as which horse breeds look best with a pompadour. 

The Ranch's clinics cover the gamut of equine wherewithal, from basic horsemanship skills to learning how to properly conduct a horse using reins instead of a magic wand. Visitors to the ranch can also amble into the tack store for all of their equestrian needs, such as hand-picked grooming supplies from renowned brands Professionals' Choice and John Lyons.

With a focus on instruction and eco-friendly outdoor exploration, Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company readies adventurers to paddle the waters of the Grand and Nith Rivers aboard their canoes, kayaks, and rafts. The company is a member of the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association and guides are certified in first aid and CPR, rendering them able to diffuse even the largest of pool noodle fights. Most have worked on or around the river for most of their lives and also take their passion to the land as resource interpreters and nature teachers when not leading trips. On the water, they orchestrate guided river tours at various times of day, night, and season, allowing participants to witness rare sights such as the local fishes’ Boxing Day hauls. Throughout each trip, they further the company’s partnership with Grand River Conservation Authority to help preserve the ecosystem of the river and its watershed.

The rental shop staffers, located in Brant Conservation Area, can supply solo customers with rental vessels or equip them for self-guided tours with any needed boats, paddles, and star charts. Those who prefer a hand in expeditions can experience structured paddling trips through introductory lessons and day camps or board rafts to fish for small-mouth bass and other river denizens. As they drift along the river, groups may encounter the area's many bold and beautiful residents, such as red-tailed hawks, ospreys, and bald eagles, all soaring above the rare Carolinian forests to their treetop condos.

At Sosa Gliding Club, instructors and tow pilots don't receive paychecks; they teach others simply to share the joy of gliding. And since the club owns the Rockton Airport-which has two grass runways, a fleet of single- and two-seat gliders, and a clubhouse-they can pass on their knowledge through ground courses and in-air instruction. Through cross-country soaring classes, for instance, they teach potential pilots to soar in gliders, finding invisible rising air currents to carry them upward rather than simply gliding the aircraft to the ground. Once students achieve basic piloting prowess, club instructors can then give aerobatic instruction, showing students how to perform slow rolls, loops, and wingovers during adrenaline-pumping staring contests with eagles.

Infinite Paintball's 18,200-square-foot indoor field is filled with movable obstructions that the staff reconfigure each week to keep competitors on their toes. The well-lit, family-friendly environment lets paintballers move from field to private room, where dye-splattered revellers over the age of 10 can enjoy pizza and soft drinks before heading back out to sling the rest of their 135-round pod of paintballs. Infinite Paintball's safety-conscious team of enthusiasts referee all competitions as well as staff the on-site pro shop, where shooters can browse extra gear such as chest protectors, coveralls, and canvas tote bags to decorate while in the field.

At Puck’s Farm, visitors can bond with 180 acres of the natural environment by learning about harvest-time chores and activities or scheduling weddings and events year-round on the open grounds. Guests of the farm can meet its animal residents, including emus, llamas, and a farm cat, which is much friendlier than a farm puma. For an even more interactive experience with fauna, Puck’s offers pony rides and the opportunity to milk cows and churn butter. Wooded trails traverse the expanse and present one of the many places on the farm where guests can delight in the changing of the seasons. Fall, for example, offers a variety of seasonal activities: visitors can get lost in corn mazes, pick ripened pumpkins, ride in horse-drawn wagons, and stroll through trails speckled with changing leaves. Autumn months also see pigs and goats building their nests for the winter ahead. An onsite snack bar serving hot dogs, hamburgers, and french fries enables guests to refuel for full days of farm activities.

At Fieldgate Stables Ltd., mother-daughter team Susan Coxhead and Michelle Vaillancourt promote horsemanship for riders of various skill levels. Their quiet and well-schooled horses carry students during lessons in various riding disciplines including dressage, hunter, jumper, and cross-country. With detailed, one-on-one coaching, students are encouraged to progress at their own pace and riders are paired with horses based on careful consideration of their temperaments, skill levels, and the compatibility of their star signs. Lessons also teach participants to untack and cool out their four-hooved friends, which keeps them from sweating through the tuxedos they change into post-workout.