Beaver Dam Creek Horse Boarding

09/25/2025

The best response to someone who wants to own horses:

The best way to see if horses are a good choice for you is to start by planning your entire life around being home to feed them. If that feels ok, go outside in the rain when you’re very sick and fling mud around with a rake for about 10 minutes. If you’re still into it, take 90% of your money and just give it away. If these things don’t bring you to your knees, then horses are right for you.🤣😭

Love this.... Credit to ILonka Margis for original post

09/16/2025

Some people don’t choose to love horses —
it’s already within them, even before the first touch, before their first step into a stable.
It’s not a hobby. Not a passion. It’s a part of their soul.

They are born with horses in their heart.
With eyes that light up at the sight of a mane in the wind.
With hands that seek the warmth of a coat.
With a heartbeat that echoes the rhythm of hooves.

These are the ones who find comfort in a silent gaze,
who understand without words,
who cannot imagine themselves without that deep, quiet connection.

Because it’s not just love for horses.
It’s when a horse lives inside you.
In your blood. In your breath. In your very heart.

09/09/2025

I DID NOT KNOW...

I did not know a horse could bring people into your life that end up meaning the most to you.
I did not know a horse could make the hardest days of your life bearable.
I did not know a horse could teach you to put others first.
I did not know a horse could remind you time and time again that your gut is always right.
I did not know a horse could break your heart.
I did not know a horse could pick you up when you have fallen apart.
I did not know a horse could teach you to dream again, after you thought it was not possible.
I did not know a horse could make you believe in yourself.
I did not know a horse could teach responsibility, work ethic, and dedication.
I did not know a horse could make you believe in something when no one else does.
I did not know a horse could make you learn to forgive and forget.
I did not know a horse could humble you faster than you can say humble.
I did not know a horse could make you a winner.
I did not know a horse could also teach you how to lose gracefully.
I did not know a horse could instill patience in you.
I did not know a horse could make you listen better.
I did not know a horse could give you their heart.
I did not know a horse could change your life.
I did not know a horse could do all these things...
but now I know.

by Alissa Kelly

https://www.facebook.com/alissa.burson?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image - Charlie Mackesy

09/09/2025

09/05/2025

09/05/2025

09/02/2025

Limited pasture board spots available. West of Carstairs. 1/2 hour to Airdrie, Olds, Cochrane and Sundre. Calm friendly atmosphere. Nice combination western and English riders - all just want to enjoy their horses. Massage therapist, farrier and saddle fitter on site. Indoor and outdoor arenas. Round pen. Obstacles. Some seasonal field trails. On demand heated viewing area. Well maintained. Horses have access to feed 24/7 on netted round bales in the winter and grazing on grass in the summer. Please call or text 403-370-6325 for more info.

$300summer. $400 winter.

09/01/2025

Most definitely.

08/11/2025

A Paddock Is Not Turnout

This one really gets to me.

“I give my horse turnout every day,” they say—then show me a paddock about the same size as the stall.

I get it. Space can be limited. I live in one of those areas too. That’s exactly why I tracked my own small rental property—to create real turnout.

But here’s the hard truth: a paddock does not meet the physical or psychological needs of a 1,000+ lb prey animal. So how did this become normal?

Most people would never dream of keeping a dog in a kennel for 22–23 hours a day. Yet somehow, it’s acceptable for a horse?

So what can you do if you can’t change your horse’s boarding situation?

First: acknowledge that your horse’s needs aren’t being met. And that means adjusting your expectations. You can’t blame them for expressing discomfort, frustration, or unwanted behaviours in this environment.

Instead, focus on doing what is possible.

That might mean committing to getting your horse out every day—not to lunge them or chase them around a pen, but simply to allow them to move. Freely. Naturally. Like a normal animal going for a walk.

If true turnout or pasture time is available—great. If not, get creative. Every bit of movement matters.

Ensure they have access to 24/7 forage. Use small-hole hay nets if you’re managing weight, but don’t let them go hours without food. Long gaps between feedings create stress, and stress leads to dysfunction.

Offer enrichment. Provide novelty. Give them something to interact with—something that mimics natural exploration and problem-solving.

And if you can modify the paddock, even just a little? Do it. Move the water to the opposite side. Add visual barriers or structures to encourage more movement. Small changes add up.

But if none of this is possible—if the environment truly can’t meet your horse’s basic needs—then it’s time to re-evaluate. It may be inconvenient to move. But their welfare has to come first.

And finally: please don’t get another horse if you can’t meet these fundamental needs. This isn’t just about ownership, it is about ethical stewardship of a sentient being.

Yes, even if they’re a show horse.

08/11/2025

A tough pill to swallow:

Many horses do not have their needs adequately met even when under the care of humans.

No amount of custom saddles, massage and other therapy treatments or “best of the best care” will make up for a lifestyle where the horse, a social herd animal, lives in isolation and extreme confinement.

“These horses are treated like royalty” is a common term thrown around to dismiss discussions about what a species appropriate environment looks like for horses.

But, horses don’t want to be treated like royalty.

They want to be treated like horses.

Not a high end vehicle to be shined up and then put back into the garage alone, never to get scratched up.

They want to be able to develop bonds with other horses, have constant access to forage (hay or grass), the space to move and stretch their legs and exercise.

This is a hard truth.

Riding horses and having them as companions is fun.

But no amount of riding will make up for the mental and physical toll it takes on the horse to spend the other 23 hours of the day in confinement.

Horses are social herd animals.

When getting them as companions, we should be signing up for the responsibility that is adequately meeting those needs.