Willow & Withers Stables

12/06/2024

As the snow blankets the fields, we reflect on the joy this year brought Willow & Withers Stables. From the cheers heard all summer long in the outdoor ring to serene trail rides under golden autumn leaves, we want to thank you for being part of our journey. May your days be filled with warmth and your hearts with happiness!
Happy Holidays from all of us at Willow & Withers Stables—hooves, tails, and all!

Picture: This was our barn Christmas Eve trail ride last year, it was CHILLY, but the hot chocolate, cookies and company after had us warmed up in no time. Let’s hope we have a bit of snow for this year’s Christmas Eve trail ride.

12/04/2024

Charming 2-Bedroom Apartment for Rent at Willow and Withers Stables. One-year lease.
Located in Sheffield Mills, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Enjoy peace and quiet on a picturesque horse farm, yet only 10minutes from Wolfville, Kentville, New Minus or Port Williams.

This bright and spacious 2-bedroom apartment was recently renovated and offers the perfect blend of serenity and accessibility.

Apartment Highlights:
- Open Concept Layout: Enjoy an airy living space filled with natural light
- Features: 800 sq. ft. including 2 bedrooms with large closets, a full bathroom, and a convenient mudroom entrance.
- Comfort & Convenience: Equipped with modern amenities including a heat pump and baseboard heating, washer and dryer, refrigerator, stove, microwave, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
- Monthly Rent: $1,675 (includes heat, hot water, parking and WiFi).

This apartment is ideal for a working professional couple who appreciates the beauty of rural life. As a part of our working horse facility, you will be surrounded by the calming presence of nature and horses while enjoying the comforts of home.

Application Process:
We will meticulously screen applicants to ensure the right fit for our property and lifestyle. We seek individuals who share our passion for horses and commitment to maintaining a respectful, caring environment. Here’s how to apply:
- Please tell us about yourself — this helps us get to know you better as we live and work on the property.
- References and a security deposit will be required.
- All applicants must complete an application form.
- Rental and employment references are mandatory.
- Initial showings will follow preliminary introductions.

Availability: The apartment is available beginning January 2025.

10/16/2024

Found my pot of gold. Gibbs is 2 1/2 months old today!

10/07/2024

Did you catch the Northern Lights this evening? There was a great showing around 9pm. I do love the new arena lights, but wondered how bright the show would have been without all the barn and arena lights!!

09/28/2024

Did you catch the rainbow this morning?

09/11/2024

An excellent read. Hoping this fall brings lots of trail riding opportunities!

I think humans get arena sour, too.

They just don’t always realize it.

The frustration that builds with the perpetual need to produce a result with horses.

The pressure of that upcoming show.

Drilling the horse on “boring” behaviours repeatedly in the arena.

Seeing unwanted behaviour because of it. Throwing fuel on the fire by being impatient, stressing the horse and creating “arguments.”

Exiting the arena, removing the walls and barriers and giving yourself some different scenery can be healing.

Putting yourself out in nature where there’s lots to look at, much to be appreciative of and far more novelty.

It’s good for the human AND the horse.

Build the horse’s confidence through slowly exposing them to new things, helping them become more resilient as they learn to navigate new environments and self regulate while doing so.

Build fitness and ability on different terrain, with longer and slower distances. Lots of sweeping turns and bends. Not just drilling the horse in a small area on small circles.

Watch how the novelty and more relaxed approach makes it easier for both yourself and your horse to self regulate.

Preserve their joints by backing away from the exercises that are heavy in circles or fast turns.

When you eventually return to the arena, you may find that you AND the horse are both refreshed and ready to go.

The last few horses I’ve started under saddle, I’ve started without access to an arena.

This meant that first rides took place in an open field or on trails.

There’s nothing more humbling than the knowledge that you need to get it right or risk being on an out of control horse in a huge space.

The smaller margin for error makes you work harder to prep for prevention.

And you get a better horse because of it.

A horse who isn’t soured by the redundancy of the arena AND who has adjusted to working in novel environments.

Add some novelty to your training sessions by changing things up.

Step out of the arena, expand your comfort zone.

08/25/2024

Help us to spread the word on this exciting event happening this fall! https://www.facebook.com/events/3733187146950059

08/18/2024

Thanks for your visit, Sandra Symonds and Julia Foote Young. It's win/win when friends visit for the off-property experience and we use the trailer to practice loading. These greys were superstars so were rewarded with some grazing and a lovely chill trail ride!

08/16/2024

We have had the privilege of welcoming several new boarders to Willow & Withers Stables this summer. Thank you for choosing to board with us. Jodi Bennett Jodi Banks James Martell Taylor Bennett Kelly Walsh Reach out if you want to see your horse's name on that empty spot.

08/15/2024

I am Gibbs (and I am not for sale) I am just living my best life here at Willow & Withers Stables. Well, it’s only been a week, but so far it’s been great.

Willow & Withers Stables has everything a little c**t or filly could want – huge stalls, bright airy barn, a round pen, safe turnout, an indoor arena, unlimited hay, grain twice a day, heated water inside and out in the winter… and so much more! I am looking for a little buddy to play and learn with. We also have all the things your human would want… like Owners and a manager that live on-site, Video Surveillance (they watch me non-stop), a supportive community and more.

So, I am looking for a little filly or c**t who may want to come board here so we can grow up together and learn all the horsey things together! My human says you must be the right fit (not sure what she means, cause the stalls are HUGE and we are little) but talk to her about it I guess!!

08/06/2024

Finally, today, we are 100% STRANGLES free. Technically we have been strangles-free for about a month or so, as today's negative test result was the third consecutive, so only today did we really breathe a full long sigh of immense relief. Strangles is only supposed to last 4-6 weeks. Our first sign of illness was more than 7 months ago and the same poor horse has been struggling to shake off the full extent of strangles the entire time.

What a ride. I am so thankful we had the facilities to implement proper bio-security measures and minimize the spread. And grateful for the amazing and supportive boarders and community who saw us through this. We also are Incredibly thankful for the best vet ever, Damita White who was often here on days off, weekends, crazy hours, always a phone call away (even if she was away).

We learned so much throughout this CRAZY experience about biosecurity, identifying signs of illness, strangles, fevers and pain management, how to take any horse's temperature in pretty much any condition, the ins and outs of vaccines, the many testing options and so so much more. While I wouldn’t wish it upon anybody, I know we are much better horse people and facility owners after living through this. While we dealt with strangles, we pretty much shut down our facility, but now we are BACK and better than before.

08/06/2024

Yesterday morning at 2 am, we welcomed Gibbs into the world. Jules is the proud Mama of this much anticipated little c**t. We had the privilege of being with Jules for the birth and all fell in love with her little guy. In fact, we couldn’t take our eyes off him. He is perfect. Hard to choose just a few pictures of this very well-photographed newborn.

07/18/2024

Jules is at Day 323 in her pregnancy and will gladly accept a cold bath or belly rub any time. This is Oscar -- Pat Kidston's Stallion, AKA Whiz N Yankee. I can't wait to see what she'll produce.

07/18/2024

Fresh Tracks, let's hope the humidity breaks soon so we can enjoy the outdoor arena (the indoor has been a saving grace this summer though).

07/11/2024

Summer in Nova Scotia – heavy rainfall, heat advisories, & thunderstorms! Our riders and horses love this insulated indoor arena; it is so cool and quiet all summer long. Board with us at Willow & Withers Stables and never miss another ride due to weather!

07/07/2024

Welcome to Willow & Withers Stables, quality horse care, all the facilities and no drama!
Starting this fall, enjoy complete peace of mind by checking in on your horse from your phone, as we will be offering Video Surveillance for all premium boarders.
We are a small private boarding facility with a dedicated barn manager and owners living on-site. With just a handful of boarders, your horse will get amazing care and you’ll have easy access to the arenas without having to dance around busy lesson schedules. Boarders are our first priority!
Our horses enjoy large paddocks/pastures with 24/7 access to hay/grass, shelter, and water, and horses are brought in once or twice a day for grain as needed. We offer various boarding packages. Facilities include an insulated indoor riding area, a large outdoor riding area with jumps and barrels, a round pen, a washroom, a warming room, a dedicated wash stall and a tack locker for all boarders. We are situated on a wonderful trail system for endless kilometers of trail rides.
Located in Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia. Check out our page or website for more details https://willowandwithers.ca/

06/17/2024

At Willow & Withers Stables, horses and boarders come first! You won’t find training being compromised by a lesson program, camps, or other activities. Our facilities are dedicated to our boarders! As an adult-focused barn, you will be a part of a great community of like-minded riders and no drama!
Our horses enjoy large paddocks/pastures with 24/7 access to hay/grass, shelter, and water. Horses are brought in once or twice a day for grain as needed. We offer various boarding packages. Facilities include an insulated indoor riding area, a large outdoor riding area with jumps and barrels, a round pen, a washroom, warming room, a dedicated wash stall and a tack locker for all boarders. We are situated on a wonderful trail system for endless kilometers of trail rides.
Come and see if we might be a right fit for you. We have a limited number of stalls available at Willow & Withers Stables. We are a small private adult-oriented facility welcoming riders of any discipline. Owners and managers live on site.
Located in Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia. Check out our page or website for more details https://willowandwithers.ca/