Willow Grove Stable Inc.

07/11/2025

Why Kids and Horses?
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“Lessons learned on the back of a horse are just more engaging and powerful to youth, yet they’re the same fundamentals we aspire to teach all youngsters.” - Trish Mrakawa
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The difference is that, with horses, the kids are excited to see and learn these lessons—as opposed to receiving them as a command from parents or authority figures.
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If your child likes animals and you’re concerned about that child’s problem-solving, goal-setting, or decision-making skills, definitely get him or her involved with horses.
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As to developing kindness and empathy, Trish notes that having a horse counteracts a child’s natural self-centeredness.
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“When youth are responsible for the care of a horse, they learn how to put others’ needs before their own and grasp the bigger picture of life,” she says.
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And what a magical way to learn.

Are you interested in trying out some riding lessons for you and any members of your family drop a horse 🐴 in the comments or message us today.

07/09/2025

The Power of People Who Show Up

Behind every confident rider is a team that cheers louder, laughs harder, and always shows up.

From ring-side support to barn aisle pep talks, this crew proves that friendship, mentorship, and horse show vibes go hand in hand.

Together, we rise, ride, and occasionally share snacks in our show jackets. 💫

Huge thanks to Delyth, Holly, Cali and Ava for all the wisdom, heart, humour, and fun you bring to the team—on show day and every day.

07/05/2025

🎉 Maple Leaf Camp – Our Grand Finale! 🇨🇦🐴

The barn was bursting with red and white today as we wrapped up Maple Leaf Camp with a full-on Canadian celebration!

Our campers got creative decorating horse shoes and their horses (glittery hooves included ✨), and showed off their skills in a fun showcase for proud family members.

From obstacle courses to horse trivia, grooming to group games, these riders displayed teamwork, bravery, and barnyard joy in every moment. Our mini horses and goats made a few celebrity appearances too, offering nose boops and photo ops to anyone with snacks.

The horses looked fabulous. The kids looked confident. And the parents? Beaming.

We’re so proud of all the growth we saw this week—on and off the saddle. Thank you to our coaches, volunteers, barn team, and of course, our incredible horses for making the magic happen.

🌞 Ready to join the fun? We’ve got more camps coming up this summer, and we’d love to welcome you to the Willow Grove family!

📩 Message us for camp dates & details!

07/03/2025

“Horse Camp Magic: Day One Done Right!”

🌟 First day of Maple Leaf Camp? A ten out of ten — with extra carrots on top! 🐴🍁

Some of our campers had never even met a horse before. Others had done the odd pony ride. A few are already regular lesson pros. But all of them? Left with big smiles, new friends, and some serious horse magic in their hearts 💖

We rode, we laughed, we learned… and yes, we had a few “which way does the bridle go again?” moments (don’t worry, the horses were very patient 😂).

A huge shoutout to our incredible team — who pivoted, stayed flexible, and shared their horsey wisdom all day long. And to our many fabulous volunteers: thank you. You are the village, and we love you for it 💪❤️

Whether your child is brand new to horses or already dreaming of blue ribbons, there’s a place for them here. 🐎✨

📸 Here’s a peek at just a few of the awesome moments from Day 1. (More to come!)

Join us this summer — the horses are waiting. 💕

CTA:
📅 Ready to saddle up? Join us for a summer your kids will never forget! Message us to grab your spot in an upcoming camp. 🌟

07/02/2025

🇨🇦🍁 Happy Canada Day from all of us at Willow Grove! 🍁🇨🇦

Whether you have hooves or paws, two legs or four, we’re all proudly repping the red and white today!

From stylish leg wraps and sparkly bows to flag-waving terriers and patriotic ponies, our barn family came dressed to impress. 🐴🐶❤️

This land gives us space to breathe, trails to ride, and friends to share it all with.

Today, we celebrate community, connection, and the country that brings us all together.

Here’s to wide open fields, happy hearts, and a little maple leaf magic. 🍁💫

Happy Canada Day from our herd to yours!

06/26/2025

Happy Anniversary Sarah and Dillon ❤️ 💍 🎉

And to add to the wonderful weekend was Team Willow Grove attending the wedding of our amazing, talented, beautiful and wacky Sarah and her very lucky guy Dillon. All the best to you both. Love you ♥️

06/26/2025

What a weird weather night!
We had not one, but two dramatic sets of clouds roll through—because apparently one stormy sky wasn’t enough. Only one lightning warning (thank you, weather gods 🫣), so we played it smart.

Start outside ☀️ → run inside ⛈️ → finish outside again 🌤️

Then the final lesson of the night?
Starts with sunshine, rolls into “everyone’s a little damp,” and wraps up with a sunset. Classic Alberta mood swings. 🤷‍♀️

Grateful for flexible riders, patient horses, and that one indoor arena we all love a little more when thunder threatens.

06/24/2025

When Art makes you double take!! How many things are wrong in this picture? 😳🤓🐴

06/21/2025

✨Whorls & Whispers: What Your Horse’s Forehead Is Trying to Tell You✨

Ever stared into your horse’s eyes and wondered what’s going on under the hood? 🔍 Turns out, that little swirl of hair on their forehead might be telling you more than you think!

Whorls (aka swirls or cowlicks) have been used for centuries to get insight into temperament — and there’s actually a bit of science behind it! Since hair and the brain develop from the same fetal layer, how the hair grows might mirror how the brain is wired. 🤯🧠

🟦 High swirl? Hello, smarty pants — energetic, outgoing, and quick thinkers.
🟦 Low swirl? More introverted, clever, can be cautious or slow to trust.
🟦 Right side (your left)? Right-brain: emotional, reactive, sensitive.
🟦 Left side (your right)? Left-brain: confident, willful, analytical.
🟦 Centre swirl? Pretty neutral — you’ll need to look at ears, eyes, and overall vibe.

Double swirls? Oh boy — things just got interesting. Especially if they’re side-by-side (hello Grand Prix potential: gritty, focused, wickedly fast thinkers).

📸 Check the whorl map and see where your horse fits! Let me know what you discover — I’d love to hear what your horse’s swirl says about them. 💬🐴

06/20/2025

Everyone wants to jump the big fences. Few want to do the boring stuff that gets you there. 🙃

Here’s the truth: If you skip steps, the horse pays the price. And so does your progress.

Confidence is built one solid step at a time — not by rushing, pushing, or hoping for a miracle.

Want the 4’9 oxer? Cool. Can you ride a balanced 20m circle first? Can your horse? Start there.

Master the basics. Respect the process. Or get comfy being stuck. Your call.

06/20/2025

🎉 Happy 13th Birthday, Gabby! 🎈

You ride with grit, grace, and a quiet strength beyond your years. Whether you’re jumping fences or cheering on your barn family, your loyalty and determination shine through.

You’re a fierce rider, a true friend, and someone we’re all proud to know. We can’t wait to see what this next trip around the sun brings!

Wishing you a year full of big goals, good rides, and lots of laughs 💫🐴