Most kids love horses. It’s plain and simple. I can’t recall a time in my childhood when I wasn’t begging my parents to let me get a horse (without any idea of where to put it, how to feed it, or otherwise … but you know how being a little kid goes). Though I was never able to make that dream a reality, I can live vicariously through riding horses once in awhile at some of the best local spots here, touring some of the best of the Florida forestry and woodlands.

This month, we stopped in to Cactus Jack Trail Rides, located in Ocala. Cactus Jack has a variety of different trails for horseback riders of all skill levels, ages six and older, from beginner to advanced. Not only do they have trails for every level, but they also have a large selection of different horses to accommodate even the youngest and most apprehensive of riders. Cactus Jack offers trail rides to singles, couples or groups.

Debbie Zito, owner of Cactus Jack, has owned and loved horses for more than 48 years. She and her husband, Jamie, are both riders and own quite a few rescued or retired horses, as well as the trail horses used for the trail rides. Many of the horses on the farm were rescued or retired from sport, and they are all incredibly gentle and very sweet.  

Our tour began by driving into the beautiful Rock Springs State Park, following the sign that said “Horseback Riding.” After you park, get your registration set up and get helmets for all those under 18, your guide sets you up with a horse that correlates with your height, weight and ability level.

My horse was named Isabella, and Andrew’s was named Pawnee. Both of them were absolute sweethearts, even if you have to steer them away from eating grass once in awhile. Though it can be a bit uncomfortable at first, after you sit on the horse for a few minutes and get used to the way that the animal moves, it becomes a lot easier to relax and focus on the trail rather than a possible fear of the horse.

Our tour guide was Fred Bohler, and he was absolutely the best combination of hilarious and helpful. Bohler’s own journey and love of horses began when he was just eight years old riding horses where he lived in the Virgin Islands (bareback and using the horse’s mane to steer), and he’s had a passion for taking care of these animals, among many others, for the entirety of his life. He was able to point out coyote tracks, bear feces, and a variety of different plant species on our ride and gave us a ton of interesting information about each.

As we rode, we made sure to take in the beautiful scenery. Even in the thick of the Florida summer, the trails had a cool breeze as we shuffled between thick underbrush and beautiful trees. We took note of the spiderwebs and different kinds of plants around us. We also took a moment to stop and enjoy the quiet of the trail. There is something so overwhelmingly peaceful about being able to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and take a ride on a beautiful animal through some spectacular scenery.

“That’s what we get a lot of people coming out here for,” said Bohler, discussing people from the urban areas around Orlando who come out to the trails. “They talk a lot about wanting to get away from it all, but when they first come out here, they can be scared of their own shadow, just because they haven’t experienced it before.”

A word to the wise … be sure to wear bug spray, long pants, sunscreen and sneakers. I neglected to wear long pants and ended up getting bitten by a horsefly, which I can tell you is not a great experience. Bug spray is also an absolute must, as well as sunscreen and maybe sunglasses to help protect your face and eyes.

Most important, though, is to bring a good attitude and ears to listen to what your guide has to say. A majority of issues happen during horseback riding when people don’t listen to their instructors or don’t take control of their horses. Be patient, firm and ready to have a really great time getting to see some of the best of what Florida wildlife has to offer.

For more information on Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides, visit their website www.cactusjackstrailrides.com or call 352-266-9326 to schedule a ride.