Growing up, Susan Schlossman always had a passion for horses. She didn't get her first one, though, until age 30, and now her collection of horses has "mushroomed" and she's sharing her passion for those horses with others.
"I always loved horses as a child. Of course my parents wouldn't buy me a horse," she said from the front porch of her house, which sits on a 600-acre ranch east of Detroit Lakes called Toad Mountain Ranch and Resort.
"It's a vacation in your own backyard," she said.
Schlossman and her husband, Jeff, purchased the Toad Mountain land years ago, but they just opened up their arena and land to others in 2005. She offers weeklong camps for kids, weekend retreats, day camps and horse riding lessons for any age rider.
"It's a quality camp and individualized," she said. "I want people to discover horses."
ADVERTISEMENT
And there is no shortage of animals at this ranch. She owns 10 horses, two mules and eight cats and dogs.
Schlossman teaches both English and western styles of horse handling. She teaches riders to better communicate with their horse.
"I'm always trying to grow as a rider and a teacher. I do teach show riding as well, but I'm more about enjoying horses."
Toad Mountain Camp offers indoor and outdoor riding arenas. A large, heated indoor arena is slated to be finished yet this fall.
For campers, there is also crafts, sailing, hiking, swimming, drama and canoeing.
On the other side of the mountain from the main house, there are two cabins located on Big Toad Lake for guests of the camp to stay in and an outdoor arena. Newly built, the log cabins bring a rustic, country feel to the experience, although there is nothing rustic about the modern facilities.
Toad Mountain Ranch offers miles of trails around the property and up the mountain.
Schlossman said the mountain was once purchased in the 1970s with the intentions of being a ski facility, but the owners ran out of money before it was built.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now the Schlossmans use it for their horses and sharing them with the public.
"We have older, seasoned horses to learn on," she said.
During weeklong camps, kids not only learn to ride horse, they also learn to sail. The camps are set up with counselors, a chef and instructors. Schlossman said she also teaches 4-H guidelines with the horses, though she doesn't do any rodeo training.
She also plays host to day camps for kids, usually when school isn't in session. It's a chance for kids to come try out horses while parents are away at work for the day.
Regardless of if she's riding one of her horses through the meandering trails, entertaining a group of campers or relaxing on the porch, Schlossman said this is exactly what she's been working for in the past.
"This is my idea of a Disney World."
Schlossman is offering a cowgirl weekend for women Oct. 10-12. All women of all riding abilities are welcome. It begins Friday at 6 p.m. and goes to Sunday at 4 p.m. Cost is $300 and includes everything -- horse, meals, beverages and lodging.
Horsey Play Day is also being offered for kids up to ages 16 years old. The dates include Oct. 15-16 an Oct. 23-24. It is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and cost is $100.
ADVERTISEMENT
She also offers private lessons by appointment.
For more information or to register for one of the upcoming events, visit www.toadmountain.com or call 846-1020.
