Ensō Equine Centre

04/22/2024

Happy Earth Day 🌎

12/03/2023

Please take a moment to sign.

Together, we can make history! Ask the Canadian Government to ban the export of live horses!

Since 2013, more than 40,000 of these sensitive animals have been forced to endure travel time often exceeding 28 hours, during which they are deprived of food, water and rest.

08/27/2023

This quote has helped me immensely throughout the years. It reminds me to create healthy boundaries instead of getting frustrated and it prevents me from putting myself in a position where I can hurt. It allows me to see clearly, to see people for who they really are. We often try to see the best in people, make excuses, and ignore. But actions speak louder than words and people are constantly telling you how they really feel about you. So listen to them! Of course it’s difficult to accept the reality of who they are but it hurts less to listen and create boundaries than to waste your time, energy and emotions trying to get them to be the person you wish them to be. Radical acceptance is often part of the same path.

One of the things I love most about horses is they have no hidden agenda. They are always showing you their true self and they expect you to show them your true self as well. They are always in the moment, genuine and honest allowing you the space to be you without any expectations or need to change who you are. Full acceptance of who you are in that moment, imperfect and all!

Thank you Maya 💜

07/01/2023

06/15/2023

Taichi / QiGong and Taoist Mediation Workshop with Gabriele Mendes and Intro to EAL with Melissa Mattei at the serene Ensō Equine Centre. Register for the next one quick!

https://facebook.com/events/s/atelier-de-taichiqigong-et-med/780345303753143/

05/30/2023

Come join us June 10th at the serene Ensō Equine Centre, surrounded by horses and nature while being guided by Gabriele Mendes acupunctrice
through the mindful movements of Taichi QiGong and Taoist Meditation.
An invitation to a moment of presence, calm and listening. A connection to oneself stimulated through conscious breathing, inner smiling and the transformation of negative vibrations into positive. A moment of sharing and well-being in the healing presence of horses.

PM me or sens an e-mail to register and save your spot!

[email protected]

Venez nous rejoindre le 10 juin au serein Centre Equine Ensō, entouré de chevaux et de nature tout en étant guidé par Gabriele Mendes à travers les mouvements conscients du Taichi QiGong et de la méditation Taoïste.
Une invitation à un moment de présence, de calme et d'écoute. Une connexion à soi stimulée par la respiration consciente, le sourire intérieur et la transformation des vibrations négatives en positives. Un moment de partage et de bien-être dans la présence bienfaisante des chevaux.

Envoyer moi un message ou un courriel pour réserver votre place!

[email protected]

05/21/2023

I took the stand all the time.

I would tirelessly pitch my case to friends, family, and even complete strangers. I’d explain every detail of why I couldn’t do something, why I needed something, or why I was doing something.

And endless word salad would flow out of my mouth.

It’s not surprising because I grew up around highly reactive adults. Saying, or thinking, feeling, or wanting certain things could easy upset, offend, put them into a spiral, or end up in the withdrawal of love (the silent treatment.)

I was still that small child, and it showed.

In my over explaining I thought I was being understanding, considerate, and nice. But really I was just anxious, seeking approval, and making other people literally need to comfort me.

Today I practice reminding myself I’m an adult who is safe. I don’t need to pitch my case for why I’m doing anything. I can gracefully explain and spare the other person from catering to my internal anxiety.

It takes practice and lots of awareness but it will make you feel so much much confident and clear

05/03/2023

Come join us and thousands of walkers and runners June 11 in the Run for Women, Love You Run program raising help for women’s mental health programs at Montreal General Hospital Foundation. It’s a super fun event, kids are welcome, and you receive a pretty amazing gift bag at the end! Join us or please consider donating to help the Enso Equine Centre reach our goal!

04/17/2023

“sometimes," said the horse.
"sometimes what?" asked the boy.
"Sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent.
- Charlie Mackesy

Absolutely everyone should have this book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.” Such a gift. Thank you for always bringing light and wisdom into my day 💛

04/11/2023

Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse

Please take a moment to stop scrolling to read and learn how to end Child Sexual Abuse and to read my own story of childhood sexual abuse in the comments.

There are no reliable estimates of the percentages of children and adolescents that experience some form of sexual violence. Only 12% of child sexual abuse is reported to authorities each year which is attributed in large part to the fact that the majority of child victims do not reveal their abuse until later in life, if at all.

About 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys experience child sexual abuse at some point in childhood and approximately 20% of the victims of sexual abuse are under age eight. 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the Internet and recent research has shown a troubling rise in online sexual offences and abuse against children, particularly during the pandemic.

91% of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child or child’s family knows. A typical pa******le will commit 117 sexual crimes in a lifetime.

Experiencing child sexual abuse is an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that can gravely affect how a person thinks, acts, and feels over a lifetime, resulting in short- and long-term physical, mental, and emotional health consequences, and an increased risk of re-victimization throughout a person’s life.

Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education, but 95% of abuse is preventable through education and awareness. Embracing the stories of survivors is a key component to ending child sexual abuse and dismantling the shame and silence that surround the experience.




Sources: National Sexual Violence Resource Center
https://laurenskids.org/awareness/about-faqs/facts-and-stats/

04/10/2023

Portrait Painting🤍
14”x18”
Oil on Canvas

03/27/2023

Welcome Spring!
For horse enthusiasts, there are few sights more exciting than the first signs of spring! Springtime means no more frozen hands and feet, no more layers and layers of clothing, and yes to longer, warmer days to spend at the stable, and of course all the many fun summer activities with our horses. Spring is also the ideal time to catch up on horse healthcare, ensuring horses are in great health to start the busy season.
One of the first things to manage is parasite control! As the weather warms, parasites in the pasture increase therefore a dewormer is imperative to horse health management, especially horses that spend most of their days outside. Cleaning out the pastures from the buildup of manure during the winter months is also essential to keeping parasites to a minimum which will determine how much dewormer to administer.

Another advisable springtime health care is having your horse’s teeth checked before the riding season is in full swing. Dental abnormalities and uneven teeth can greatly affect your horse’s comfort, performance, and ability to maintain a healthy weight. Horses have specialized teeth adapted to continuous grazing. Unlike human teeth, horse teeth erupt throughout their life and can become imbalanced if they are not worn down evenly. Domestic horses may have diets and eating patterns that prevent them from wearing down their teeth naturally. Dental floating is a procedure that files down their teeth to be even and smooth to keep them happy and healthy. Slide right to see a photo of a horse having their teeth floated!

And of course yearly vaccines and an overall checkup of your horse by your vet should be part of your springtime health care management. Springtime is an exciting time of year but starting off on the right hoof is crucial to your horse’s health and the enjoyment of your upcoming summer months!

03/09/2023

03/08/2023

She took me away to another land
Where there were no fences to rein my mind
She made me smile when she rumbled the ground
I could hear my heart - a galloping sound

I closed my eyes as she spread her wings
And all the happiness came soaring in
Away from all the troubled souls
Unlike her hooves, had many holes
Like grains of sand that let sadness through
But on her wings, this was not true

Like birds we flew to this magical land
Riding this beast who had no hands
No hands to hurt, no tears to cry
Only the eyes that would never lie

Between her ears the truth flows by
I knew this beauty would never die
All this purity would continue to grow
Into her mane, then into my soul

An eternal journey
For I am a dreamer and I fly with horses


-Melissa Mattei

03/05/2023

Contact me to book a live painting for your special event!🎨

Live Wedding Painting
30”x40”, oil on canvas 2022

One of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever seen. Thank you Kathy for supporting me and believing in me. 🤍

03/04/2023

Wild like the wind
In the tall pine trees
I got roots
And I got wings

-Miranda Lambert

02/21/2023

This is what Brene Brown had to say about Maya Angelou’s quote:
“Don't walk through the world looking for evidence that you don't belong because you will always find it. Don't walk through the word looking for evidence that you are not enough, because you will always find it. Our worth and our belonging are not negotiated with other people. We carry those inside of our hearts. True belonging is a spiritual practice, and it's about the ability to find sacredness in both being a part of something but also the courage to stand alone. And for those of us who struggle to stand alone, especially when we know that it risks, we’re risking that sense of being a part of something because we disagree, because we have a different opinion, because we love something different. That's the mark of true belonging; to be able to say yes, I am a part of something bigger but I also will stand alone when I need to. You belong everywhere and nowhere. That is liberation.”

What does this quote mean to you?

For me, I seem to find myself in situations, careers, lifestyles that are often not the common choice. Whether it's being vegan, an artist, an equestrian, EAL facilitator, farmer, or being the black sheep in my family, I often feel like I have had to walk alone. That the courage or the struggle for me is to feel part of something, to connect. But as I continue to put myself in uncomfortable situations, making myself vulnerable, speaking up and asking others to walk with me, I am starting to understand what it means to be everywhere and nowhere.

02/14/2023

How Do Horses Show Love?!

When they come to you by choice: If a horse is willing to approach you on their own, without being asked, it shows that they like your presence

Turning Their Heads and Ears Toward You:
A horse that respects you and pays attention to you will watch your every move.
Following you around. If a horse is willing to follow you around, then it considers you a buddy. It has bonded with you and is fond of your presence.

Following your lead: When they look to you as their leader, they will actually feel a closer bond with you. They won’t question your cues; instead, they’ll respond willingly.

Leaning on you: One example of horses coming to give you affection is by gently leaning on you. You can see them doing this with other horses as well, both in the wild and in domestic care. Sharing body contact is one of the main ways horses share affection.

Nuzzling you.:Another way horses give physical affection is by nuzzling you. It’s more intimate than leaning because compared to the majority of their body, their faces are much more sensitive and vulnerable.

Being relaxed around you: Horses are flight animals, so with any new person they meet, they’re going to determine whether or not you’re a threat that they need to flee from. If a horse is relaxed around you, then they’ve decided that you’re safe to be around.

Sticking together and “Kissing”: Horses show affection and relationship towards one another by hanging out with the horses they like. Horses touching noses or blowing into each other’s nostrils is basically like a handshake.

Whinnying at one another: Just as humans talk and communicate with each other, horses do too by whinnying. Horse may whinny in order to locate the rest of his herd. If another horse recognizes the call, they’ll respond.

I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine!: If a horse allows another horse to step into its personal space to be used as a scratching post, you better believe that those two horses are buddies. This is the ultimate sign of affection for horses.

02/09/2023

Always hanging out in the sun ☀️

02/02/2023

Do Horses get Cold?
I get asked this question often and I too am amazed that they enjoy being out in the snow all day! But horses are inherently well equipped to handle practically anything that winter can dish out as long as they have a way to get out of the wind. Their long winter hair coat traps air next to the skin, which helps insulate them against cold weather. In fact, horses in good body condition can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees without difficulty.

However, problems can occur when strong winds ruffle the horse’s hair and disturb the insulating layer of warm air trapped beneath it. Wet weather, especially cold driving rain or sleet, can also flatten the hair coat, chilling the horse. To prevent this, horses need access to a shelter such as a three-sided, southerly facing shed that can serve as a windbreak.

Many horse owners prefer to blanket their horses in cold weather, but placing a blanket on a horse with a heavy winter coat can compress the horse’s hair and reduce its natural insulating ability. The result is that the blanket actually decreases the horse’s ability to ward off the cold.

When the temperature plunges, the horse has to work harder to maintain its core body temperature. To avoid losing weight, horses must increase their caloric intake roughly 15-20 percent for every 10-degree drop in temperature below. It's key to provide plenty of good-quality hay during very cold weather, free choice, if possible.

Another crucial consideration during the winter months is the horse’s water intake. Unfortunately, during cold weather, many horses fail to drink enough because the water is too cold and it chills them. Recent research has demonstrated that horses will drink more water during cold weather if the water is warmed.

Lastly, having your horses be barefoot during the winter months allows their foot to expand which increases circulation improves the overall health of the foot. Also, a horse’s bare hoof provides better traction on ice and snow than an iron shoe.

Winter is a wonderful time to ride and watch our horses enjoy the snow but it’s important to be aware and help them stay warm!

01/03/2023

BENTLEY
30”x 62”
oil on canvas
2022

Thank you Tina Pennacchio for trusting me to create this important artwork of your beautiful Bentley. It has been such an incredible experience getting to know both you and Susan, and Bentley. He clearly was a special soul. 🤍

11/24/2022

A foal is an equine up to one year old; this term is used mainly for horses, but can be used for donkeys. More specific terms are c**t for a male foal and filly for a female foal, and are used until the horse is three or four. When the foal is nursing from its dam, it may also be called a "suckling".

It takes around 11 months for a foal to fully develop inside of the mare. Some foals can be a few weeks late or early. Occasionally, a foal can be up to four weeks late. Most breeders try to time foaling for early spring, so the foal can grow and exercise throughout the summer months. Foals are most often born at night, and birth often happens very quickly.

If you've ever seen a newborn horse or come across videos of mares with their brand-new offspring, you've likely already noticed their distinct ability to stand up and walk shortly after birth. Foals can stand, walk, and trot shortly after birth. Ideally, a foal should be up and nursing within two hours of birth.

Mares and foals bond very quickly. Much of their communication is almost imperceptible to the human eye.

**t

11/17/2022

Love this 😍

11/17/2022

11/16/2022

The Mastery of Self is a book by don Miguel Ruiz Jr., published by Hierophant Publishing. See link in our BIO for an excerpt from The Mastery of Self OR visit the link below! http://www.hierophantpublishing.com/mastery-self-don-miguel

11/15/2022

First Equine Facilitated Learning Workshop! Thank you to Diana Mattei Real Estate Broker Violetta Mattei Del Balso Bianca Adams for coming out and spending the afternoon with us at the stable!

11/11/2022

Meet MISS!

Miss arrived at the farm just a week or two after Jacynthe and Robert moved in and has been spreading happiness everywhere she goes. It is literally impossible not to fall in love with her whether you're a dog person or not. Miss is mostly calm, gentle, and always looking to get as many belly rubs as she can. She will stay on her back waiting for belly rubs for several minutes without moving. But she can also be a bomb and has lots of zoomies. You will often see her effortlessly and gracefully jump over the barn door, it's quite something to see. Miss is an integral part of the herd. I have completely fallen in love with this dog and she has given me the space in my heart to want a dog again since having to say goodbye to Axel and Mika over 4 years ago.. I hope to have a Miss myself one day again, but for now she fills that space plenty.