Ride on down to the farm
Hamilton Sleigh and Wagon rides proves a huge Christmas hit
Tinkling bells and the gentle plodding of horses’ hooves means Christmas has arrived in Lower Onslow.
December is when about 20 people at a time pile into a horse-drawn wagon for a ride around the Hamilton Farm off Hwy 2, slowly rolling through a landscape of open fields, pine trees, barnyards with cattle and through a small tunnel under the Trans-canada Highway.
“We’re all horse people, and I give a 4-H riding clinic in Windsor every year, one week in July,” said Kevin Palmer, who enjoyed the ride. “These are all the kids and all the parents who attend the riding clinics, so we decided we would come for a wagon ride here and then come to our home in Wentworth for a party later on.”
Children and adults alike soon settled into the wagon rides and enjoyed a winter wonderland of sorts, down a snow-covered path lined with balsam firs, which are often used as Christmas trees.
Other passengers took in more typical farm scenes: cows and sheep in enclosures outside the barns, complete with piles of hay. On some outlying fields, manure was stacked up, ready to be used as fertilizer.
“It’s beautiful scenery and I’m a horse person, so it’s not unusual for me,” said passenger Stacy Pilgrim.
While she would have enjoyed a sleigh ride with Christmas music and perhaps a hot toddy at the end, she felt it was a good way to come and explore the nearby countryside.
Anyone wishing to join either a sleigh or horse and wagon tour can call the farm at 902-897-7480. People can also visit the Hamilton Sleigh and Wagon Rides Facebook page.