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| Donna Warner, Tanner Warner, Jaden Ness, Les Brent, Alexis Guineon and Maddox Guineon at Warner Farms |
When the first few snow flakes fall from the sky this winter Donna Warner will be pulling out her Santa hat and getting her sleigh bells ready.
“As soon as the snow arrives we begin giving our horse drawn sleigh rides,” she says.
Warner, and her husband Bill, have been running Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm, in Niagara Falls, for twenty years.
She says they didn’t plan on opening their farm to the public, rather it “just sort of happened.”
“It started really simple,” Warner says. “We started growing a few pumpkins and our son’s school asked if they could come out for a trip. Then other schools asked if they could come out for a trip and it blossomed into this.”
A few pumpkins branched out to include corn mazes, pony rides, a petting zoo and more.
Warner says since the farm is open year round people are able to enjoy an authentic “country experience” during each season. And, because she believes in keeping it affordable for families, she has not increased prices since the farm first opened.
“Things can get expensive; especially when you have a large family,” she says. “We want to give families affordable memories and the whole country experience. We’re not just about pumpkins or apples or horses. It’s a combined experience.”
The addition of a horse-drawn sleigh ride about ten years ago has given people even more to look forward to each winter. Because the rides are extremely popular Warner says people must call in advance to make sure room is available.
“We have people booking rides now,” she says. “We’ve even had people from Florida call because having a sleigh ride is on their bucket list. They don‘t get snow down there so it‘s something they want to experience.”
Warner Ranch started out with one party sleigh that could hold up to 14 people, but because of frequent requests, they added a smaller sleigh a few years ago.
“People wanted to go on romantic rides,” she says. “So we bought a sleigh that seats two to four people because of the popular demand.”
Warner says it’s not only the sleigh rides people are interested in, but the horses pulling the sleighs are just as popular.
“We use two Belgian horses per sleigh,” she says. “They are the largest breed of horse. They weigh about 2000 pounds each. They are the strongest and the quietest breed.”
Belgian horses have a prestigious history as well.
“Belgian horses are what the knights in armour used. They are called the gentle giants.”
The sleigh rides last about an hour and people can book a ride during the day or night.
“The rides are available whenever people want,” she says. “It doesn’t get dark with the snow and the moon reflecting off each other in the winter. And we have solar powered Christmas lights set up so you can see the sleigh going through the trail.”
Warner says a sleigh ride is perfect for those looking to snuggle under some blankets, have some hot chocolate and share a romantic evening together. And the party sleigh rides are fun for the entire family.
“We have 170 acres here,” she says. “50 acres of trail goes through the bush. If there are kids coming out on the sleigh ride we tie tubes to the back of the sleigh and they can ride that way.”
Sleigh rides are one of Warner’s favourite things to do on the farm.
“It’s very pretty. With the sleigh bells and Christmas music playing it’s nice. I like sleigh rides.”
Warner says she loves “the freedom” of running the farm and meeting new people.
“I do it because of all the people I meet. There was a lady that wrote me a note recently and I was in tears after reading it. She told me her family comes every year to the farm and she thinks it’s wonderful that we let people experience all of this. Those are the moments that I love.”
Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm is located at 7705 Schisler Road in Niagara Falls.
Belgian horse sleigh rides are $125 per ride and must be booked in advance.
For more information visit www.warnerranchandpumpkinfarm.com or call (905) 384- 2684.
Published in Niagara Farmer's Monthly- November 2010
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