Vanwell Stables

08/11/2024

❤️

08/11/2024

Always a great feeling when the hay goes in the barn, and an even better feeling when you get to unload it with some of your most favorite people in the whole entire world! ❤️❤️❤️ Such a fun night! The horses thank you very much, Dad and Ryan!

06/17/2024

Ontario will be experiencing a HEAT WAVE this week!

HEAT STRESS can affect any horse but particularly affects equine athletes.

The BEST way to COOL a horse with HEAT STRESS is with the continuous application of COLD water by hose or bucket.

Don't stop to SCRAPE.

COLD water will NOT cause a horse to tie-up!

Signs of HEAT STRESS in horses include:

• High re**al temperature (>40⁰C or 104⁰F)
• Rapid, shallow breathing with flared nostrils
• Unpredictable (sometimes aggressive) behaviour
• High heart rate
• Dark or “muddy” mucous membranes
• Colic due to ileus (intestines stop moving)
• Poor performance / slow recovery from exercise
• Sudden weakness / collapse
• Dark urine / reduced amounts of urine

If you suspect HEAT STRESS, immediately cool your horse and and contact your veterinarian.

06/06/2024

It’s all about how you frame (or reframe) your thoughts 🤔
Happy Thursday! 💗

Morning Mantra: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.”

My idea of success has really changed over the years. When I was young, I used to buy into the definition of success as being popular, making straight A’s, having a lot of cool stuff.

Then I was influenced by our societal definition and thought I needed a big career, lots of money and fancier things. If I didn’t have those, I wasn’t successful.

But then I realized I was just being influenced by other peoples opinions of me, not by how I truly felt.

Now, to me success is feeling safe in my home, comfortable in my skin, and present enough to enjoy the little things in life.

Success is not a place to reach, but a feeling to achieve. It’s not measured by the clock, or by your bank account, but by moments of your life.

06/02/2024

Enhancing Equine Wellness: The Power of Balance Pads 🐴

Hey everyone! 👋 Today, I want to share a snapshot of a moment that's is becoming a staple in my equine wellness routine – my horse balancing on a pad. 🐎

Balance pads might seem like a small addition to your horse's training regimen, but did you know they can make a world of difference!? Here's why:

🤩 Core Strength & Stability: Just like us, horses benefit from a strong core. Balancing on a pad engages those core muscles, helping your horse develop better stability and balance. This not only improves their performance but also reduces the risk of injury.

🤩 Proprioception: Ever heard the phrase "mind-body connection"? Well, balance pads help horses develop proprioception – an awareness of their body in space. This heightened sense of self-awareness translates to better coordination and responsiveness under saddle.

🤩 Joint Health: By challenging your horse's balance, you're also promoting joint health. As they shift their weight to maintain stability, their joints get a gentle workout, improving flexibility and reducing the likelihood of stiffness.

🤩 Mental Stimulation: Training isn't just physical – it's mental too! Balancing on a pad requires concentration and focus from your horse, keeping their mind engaged and preventing boredom. Plus, it's a great way to mix up their routine and keep things interesting.

🤩 Injury Prevention: Strong, stable muscles and joints are your horse's best defense against injury. By incorporating balance pads into their training, you're proactively supporting their overall wellness and reducing the risk of common equine ailments.

Let's keep our four-legged friends happy, healthy, and balanced – both on and off the pad!

05/25/2024

I love this ❤️

"Horses don’t think the same as humans.
Something that’s most unique about the horse, that I love, is not what he possesses but what he doesn’t possess..........and that is greed, spite, hate, jealousy, envy or prejudice.
The horse doesn’t possess any of those things.
If you think about people, the least desirable people to be around usually possess some or all of those things.
And the way God made the horse, he left that out." - Buck Brannaman.

Image of Buck is by Heather Kessler - https://www.facebook.com/kesslerphoto

05/13/2024

Beautiful, peaceful night at the farm.
Happy Mother’s Day 🌺💗💐

04/26/2024

Spring is the perfect time to consider clipping your horse for various reasons.

💜 As the weather warms up, horses tend to sweat more during exercise. A clipped coat helps prevent overheating and promotes quicker drying.

💜 Clipping enhances the efficiency of cooling down after workouts, reducing the risk of heat-related issues.

💜 A clipped coat can improve grooming and hygiene, making it easier to maintain cleanliness and monitor the horse's skin condition.

When it comes to clipping, there are several options to consider, each serving different purposes.

🐴 A full clip involves removing all of the horse's hair, ideal for horses in intense work or competition during the spring and summer months.

🐴 A trace clip leaves some hair along the topline and is suitable for horses in moderate work, providing warmth while allowing efficient cooling.

🐴 A blanket clip removes hair from areas prone to sweating, such as the neck, chest, and belly, while leaving the rest of the coat intact for warmth.

🐴 A bib clip targets only the underside of the neck and chest, offering sweat management without affecting overall warmth.

Choosing the right clip depends on factors like the horse's workload, living conditions, and individual preferences.

Whatever the choice, clipping can contribute to your horse's comfort, performance, and overall well-being this spring.

💜 Pictured: Touchè, clipped by Jess 💜

04/25/2024

💜 Love this! 👇

04/24/2024

When you or you're horse are not up for riding, another way to keep your horse active and engaged is with long lining (also called long reining)! 🐴 It's a fantastic alternative that provides exercise and mental stimulation while keeping both you and your equine partner connected. Stay in sync with your horse's needs and enjoy quality time together while exploring new ground!
Let the adventures begin!!🐎

04/22/2024

Happy Earth Day! 🌍
Let's celebrate by enjoying the
beauty of nature 🦅

04/22/2024

Too beautiful not to share!! 😍
Elizabeth Taylor on the set of National Velvet, 1944

04/22/2024

🤩 Experience the joy of hand walking your horse 🐴 outdoors on a beautiful day! 🌤 Not only does it provide valuable bonding time with your equine companion, but it also offers numerous health benefits. 🌳🦋

Walking on varied terrain helps
🐎 strengthen their muscles
🐎 improves balance
🐎 promotes joint flexibility

🌷 Plus, being outside in nature 🐿 is refreshing for both you and your horse, reducing stress and boosting mood. 😃

So next time the sun ☀️ is shining, grab your horse's lead and head outside for a leisurely stroll.🚶‍♀️🐎

🌻 It's a simple yet rewarding activity that enhances both physical and mental well-being for you and your four-legged friend! ⭐️

04/22/2024

Fun fact! I just discovered that Star Trek actor William Shatner is also an accomplished reiner and western rider! Wow who knew!?

04/22/2024

💯 ☀️ 👣 😆

Yes!! 😊😊😊

04/21/2024

Sunny skies, and an afternoon nap! ☀️
🐎

04/12/2024

When the temps drop significantly and it’s raining for days, it’s finally time to pull the shiny new rainsheet out you bought last year for just such an occasion! ☔️

04/09/2024

☀️🌙 What an amazing experience today!! Did you get to see the solar Eclipse and feel how cold it got?? Feel free to share your pics in the comments! I’d love to see it again!!

04/08/2024

Morning Mantra: “Gentle reminder: You are not selfish for wanting the same energy and love that you give.”

Some people expect to have a place of priority in your life, but then they treat you as a non-factor in theirs. Prioritization needs to be reciprocal. Real relationships should be reciprocal.

If you are always giving, giving, and giving, then more situations will be created where people take, take, and take. Don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of.

Stop trying to people please and value yourself enough to speak up for what you deserve. You are worthy to receive everything you give.

04/08/2024

Don’t forget your eye protection today!!!

04/02/2024

❤️ WHO’S IN ⁉️🙋‍♀️

The RCMP Musical Ride are returning to the Paris Fair in 2024! They will be performing at our opening ceremonies Thursday, August 29th at 7pm and again Friday, August 30th at 2pm.

The Musical Ride performs in up to 50 communities across Canada each year between the months of May and October. It travels to each province once every 4 years to ensure as many Canadians as possible can experience this spectacle.

Where possible, the stables are open to the public from 9 am to 9 pm daily at each tour stop. We encourage you to visit the Musical Ride members and horses before and after the performances. There, riders can answer any questions and introduce their horses.

Tickets for the Paris Fair will go on sale Wednesday, June 26th at 8am.

03/30/2024

Good morning on this frosty Saturday morning!
Wishing all of our friends and their families a very Happy Holiday Weekend!! 💕🐣

06/19/2023

Thanks for everything, dad 💗
Wishing a Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there!

06/12/2023

Good food is all the sweeter when shared with good friends ♥️

06/11/2023

Sleep until you’re hungry, then eat until you’re sleepy 💛

06/09/2023

🔥 ‼️ With the growing concerns about the air quality and health of your horses we wanted to share some helpful resources for you. Below is a chart provided by Starwood Equine in California that outlines what activity is reasonable for your horse based on the current air quality index.

🔸 At present time based on the current index we fall in the yellow to light orange category.🔸

In any case, horses with known respiratory disease, such as asthma, should take extra precautions.

This is a great link with lots of helpful resources with regards to the wildfires and your horses health:
https://www.oahn.ca/resources/wildfires-and-horse-health/

We recommend checking the Air Quality Index on the weather network daily to stay up to date with the daily status as things are quickly changing!‼️💨

05/31/2023

This one took me a minute!
(Hate it when this happens! Lol)

05/31/2023

😂