| By
CURNS ZIMMERMANN
Bedford Now
In
1902, it might have been tough to imagine Bedford Township without
horses.
A century later, horses are no longer the prime mode
of transportation, and they probably wouldn't be conducive to life
in subdivisions. But in some of the vast open pastures of the township,
horse farms still are big business.
And they still dictate a way of life for the owners.
In the five years Steve and Debbi Sattler of Samaria
have owned Bedford Woods on Samaria Rd., formerly Douglas Meadows,
the two have not taken a vacation.
Debbi Sattler grew up riding at Fox Meadow Farm Inc.
on Secor Rd. and worked in various pet shops in Toledo. Steve Sattler
managed numerous restaurants. The two decided to start the business
after they were given a horse as a wedding present in 1996.
The facility is the only
Bedford Township stable that offers public trail-riding, where people
with little or no experience can have supervised rides on the 20
acres of trails. "Most of our trail riders are pretty much
beginners," Debbi Sattler said.
The Sattlers cited a few reasons
that make it advantageous to operate the facility within the township.
Michigan's no-fault insurance reduces the operating costs for trail-riding,
when compared to Ohio, by 50 percent.
Also, they said the proximity of Bedford to Toledo as
well as U.S.-23 and 1-75 makes it an easy location for people to
get to.
In
addition to trail rides, the stables also are used for lessons.
The two built an indoor riding ring last year to expand the operation
so that they can offer lessons year-round. |
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"This
is not an inexpensive sport."
-Judy
Howard
owner of Fox Meadows Farms Inc
While
Bedford Woods has its own niche with public riding, Fox Meadow Farm
Inc. is a different sort of business, appealing to people who want
to ride competitive hunter and jumper class horses.
The stables have been owned and operated by the Howard
family for four generations.
"There's always something to do; there's never
a dull
moment," said owner Judy Howard, who started the business
with her late husband, John W, in the 1970s.
John W. came from a long line of riders. His father,
Chuck Howard, started Howard's Stables in the 1940s. "We're
in fourth generation, so we're very knowledgeable," Judy said.
The stable trains numerous riders of all ages for all
levels of competition. The names of past champions line the walls
in the massive indoor riding rings.
"It takes a lot of time and a lot of money"
to become a top-level rider, Judy Howard said. "This is not
an inexpensive sport."
A few hundred yards down the road from Fox Meadows is
Hunters Run.
Owned by Arlene Bates, the facility also trains riders
for various levels of competition. Throughout the year, it holds
numerous riding contests on the premises, with the next one scheduled
for Sept. 14-15.
"It's a fun family-oriented activity," said
manager Deb Shinkle. "We try to have professional training
in a relaxed atmosphere."
One of the major changes in the business in the 22 years
she has been working, according to Shinkle, has been the new focus
on safety. |
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BEDFORD
WOODS STABLES INC.
2755 W. Samaria
Road
Temperance, Ml 48182
Horse
Back Riding
Open 7 days a week
1 hour guided trail rides
starting at 10 a.m.
Rides leaving every 1-1/2 hours
Last rides at 5:30 p.m.
Prices: $30 per person
Private Trail Rides: $40 per person (1-2) riders
All riders must be 8 years or older
50 inches or taller Under 240 pounds
Call 734-854-6140 for reservations
Lessons available
Call for information
www.bedfordwoods.com
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