Windfall Acres - Holistic Horse Boarding

01/24/2025

Training aids are simply a very clear indication that the rider / trainer / coach has zero concept of how to correctly train a horse OR doesn't care or have the patience to take the time to develop a horse correctly.

Training aids rely on applying painful pressure that the horse can only escape by tucking their nose in for relief. This is NOT working correctly this is NOT self carriage, this IS a horse trying to escape pain that is being forced on them.

Horses like this end up super upside down in terms of muscling and develop a very toxic association (rightfully so) with rein contact. The amount of physical and psychological damage that follows along side these aids is devestating. And unfortunately the average horse person doesn't notice because these horses have become so normalized.

Anyone who uses training aids is an immediate red flag. Immediate.

And that includes riders / trainers who ride with low bracing hands.

People get so caught up with the idea of a "frame" in the neck that they forget that a frame is supposed to be a frame of the WHOLE horse.

The back end comes first, the head will naturally follow (with self carriage) when the body is engaged and working correctly.

And this takes time. A lot of time. Picture strength training at the gym. You don't rush it, you build up gradually

Typically it takes 6months to YEARS to truly strength train and condition a horse to safely, soundly, and painlessly carry themselves. This is why training aids are so popular, everybody wants instant gratification. And trainers that pop horses out on a conveyor belt can't afford to take that time- and it doesn't matter to them since they aren't the ones who have to deal with the broken down horse in the future.

Focus on what's happening underneath you and behind you. Not what's in front of you.

The moment you start fixating on the front end, you've already failed

Training aids belong in the garbage. And anyone who approves of them can be tossed right in there with them.

I would really recommend finding yourself a *dressage coach that studies, understands, and teaches correctly Biomechanics. Even if dressage isn't your goal, this is crucial for ALL horses.

Feel free to PM me if you need any guidance. I am (clearly) Very passionate about this topic and it's what I promote at my place

*modern dressage doesn't count. Put that in the trash too.

(Here's a collection of all the things I consider training aids that belong in the garbage. If this list offends you, then you need to start doing some reflection.
This list is not conclusive.
Draw reins
Lunging systems
Side reins with contact
Bungees
Gag bits
Leverage bits
Curb bits (yes this includes western riders. You are not magically excluded from this just because it's traditional. Almost ALL western riders I have experienced ride in curb bits completely inappropriately. If you require contact/direct rein for steering you *do not ride in a Curb bit PERIOD!!* Both horse AND rider need to be properly trained and educated to ride with zero contact to use these bits.)
Any bit with a harsh mouth piece (including single joints)
Flash nosebands
Figure 8 nose bands
Drop nose bands
Normal nosebands that are tight/not used for just looks
Standing martingales
And martingale / thing that holds the head down
Training forks
Patience poles
Drilling
Low hands
Seesawing hands
Any rider/trainer that is constantly fixated on holding the head in)

Again. This list is not conclusive

Thank you for coming to my TEDtalk

01/23/2025

01/22/2025

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:

1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

*thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!

01/21/2025

The hybrid horses have been enjoying their stalls these last couple nights!

01/20/2025

😂🐉

01/18/2025

Outdoor board available! And 1x hybrid board spot left

Full care (blanket changes, feeding grain etc)

Starting at $400+ hst, with lesson packages, grooming, and exercising also available

We are not a state of the art facility, but we offer a very enriching and positive environment for both horse and rider! Come check us out :)

Near Dorchester ON

Please PM if you are interested in setting up a tour :)

More Details below-

🌟Large turnout 24/7 in a mixed herd
🌟High quality netted roundbales fed 24/7
🌟Multiple water troughs in each field, heated in the winter and scrubbed daily in the warmer months
🌟Grain/supplements fed daily (cost of feed additional)
🌟Fly masks on/off as needed
🌟Fly spraying
🌟Blanket changes as needed
🌟Owner lives on site + additonal camera surveillance for your security
🌟Deeply bedded stall when where is severe- Hybrid only

**🦄Quality coaching, specializing specifically in biomechanics, dressage, and ethical horsemanship. A perfect blend for ALL disciplines to benefit from! Also in jumping, eventing, working equitation, and several western deciplines

🦄Various package options available, including grooming, bathing, exercising etc. At this time training services are on hold.

🚜 Outdoor arena with jumps, barrels, and various obstacles available for use
🚜SMALL indoor arena, great in a pinch for poor weather
🚜Private boarder tack room
🚜Small private forest for trail riding + additional hacking on the crop fields when dry/frozen
🚜Hassle free- we coordinate annual vaccines, 2x Deworming, 6week Farrier rotation, pick up your grain for you before it runs out etc. Just come out and enjoy upur horse!!
🚜Attending various shows year round with affordable coaching and trailering- winter schooling jumper and dressage shows, in the summer SOCTA (combined training), and Working Equitation

**Riding lessons are typically mandatory for riders who ride seriously (most of the clients are here TO lesson with us!). Pleasure riders are not required to participate in lessons, so long as their actions/riding/handling is not endangering their horse or others.

01/11/2025

Snowy hops!

01/05/2025

👏LISTEN👏TO👏YOUR👏HORSES

12/28/2024

Sometimes mobility restrictions can make it hard to get on and off!
Owner Jasper M Robinson is a disabled rider with a spinal cord injury, and we have several other riders here that also benefit from some extra support during the mounting/discounting process.

Excited to showcase our newly commissioned mounting block to help make this process easier and allow for more independence! 🤩

12/28/2024

Not to be dramatic or anything, but Hugo is literally the bestest GoodBoy™️ in the world, and I cannot believe I'm still looking for a partboarder for him!!

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣+ hst/month for one lesson and one practice ride per week
4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣+ hst/month for one lesson and two practice rides per week

Hugo is a very versatile, willing, and FUN horse to ride! He is very safe, more whoa than go, but has a goofy silly personality to keep things interesting!

Would love to find someone wanting to show him, but that's NOT a requirement!

Hugo is located at Windfall Acres - Holistic Horse Boarding near Dorchester ON. Our focus here is ethical horsemanship and biomechanics, while pursuing dressage, eventing/CT, and working equitation

This is a very inviting, friendly, quiet barn, just come out and enjoy 😊

Lessons available for an additional cost with our coach's grand prix dressage coach (not included in price to lesson with her)

If you are interested in showing, we attend SOCTA and WECO during the summer, and partipate in various schooling shows over the winter (jumpers, dressage, W.E. , western)

Please PM if interested! A paid lesson is required to try this awesome guy out :)

12/22/2024

Love horses but not sure where to get started?
This is the place for you!!

EXCITING NEWS! We will be starting beginner english lessons available to the public in the near year! No experience necessary!! It is NEVER too late to start; adults welcome 😁

Advanced lessons also available with our head coach! Specializing in foundational dressage using correct biomechanics, and jumping. Starting to dabble into W.E too!

We have a couple horses available for partboard if you want to ride more often 🤩

Love horses but not interested in riding? We would love to pair you up with one of our lovely retirees to enjoy some equine companionship on the ground!

Located just outside of Dorchester ON. Come join our barn family ❤ all ages and levels of experience are welcomed!

Outdoor and Hybrid board also available for those with their own horses looking to move.

Please PM if interested!

12/15/2024

Saturday mornings are a bit of a whirlwind! 9 lessons before 1pm 😵‍💫 but boy do we have fun!!

Unfortunately our outdoor arena is frozen (I wish the snow would come back!!) So we are riding inside right now. As much as we love to be outside, it's great to have an indoor option!

It may be a small arena, but as we all know- size isn't everything! ;)

12/08/2024

Do you enjoy riding in the snow? 🤩❄️

It's so much fun- and a great workout for the horses!

Some riders chose to lesson outside this weekend in the snow instead of inside, it was tons of fun!

12/05/2024

Drop your snow pony photos from this week!

12/04/2024

2 lovely horses looking for partboarders! LESSONS INCLUDED!
Located near Dorchester ON
Check out our page and see what we are all about here :)

Showing opportunities available but not mandatory

Aspen
14hh
Canadian sport pony
VERY fun to ride! Safe and sporty with a fun personality. Smoooooth comfy mover
Suitability: Suitable for all levels of rider, however please note that I will not partboard to beginners (feel free to inquire about lessons though :) )
Dressage and working equitation focused. Can do some low low-level jumping/eventing but jumping is not my focus for her.

Causeway
16.2hh
Thoroughbred (unraced)
A very good boy! Causeway is young but has an incredible brain unlike any I have seen! He is forward but level headed about it (zero sillies), big springy trot with a floaty smooth canter. This horse will turn heads in the dressage or eventing ring!
Suitability: Not suitable for beginners simply due to being forward moving and springy in his trot. His personality and disposition will be enjoyable for any rider in all walks of their riding career!
Dressage / low level eventing focused with him. Open to possibilities though!

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣/month for 1 lesson and 1 practice ride per week
4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣/month for 1 lesson and 2 practice rides per week.
+hst

Wanting 2 lessons per week? Let's chat!

Please PM Jasper M Robinson directly for faster response