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ThornHill Farm, Old Government Road, Emsdale, ON (2025)

08/31/2025

🍂🐴 Horseback Riding at ThornHill Farm – September Spots Available! 🐴🍂

September is here, and it’s the perfect time to get out and RIDE! The weather is absolutely beautiful—crisp, fresh air, sunshine, and best of all… no bugs. ✨

Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or on your own, our horseback riding experiences are all about creating memories, building confidence, and connecting with these amazing animals. From brushing and tacking up to time in the saddle and peaceful trail rides, it’s an experience that leaves you smiling long after you dismount. 💕

We still have a few spots available this September—don’t miss out on the chance to soak up the best riding weather of the year!

📍 ThornHill Farm – Emsdale
📞 705-644-3398 to book your ride

08/30/2025

Look at this picture for a moment. What do you see?

A young rider in pink, smiling with courage. A horse steady and patient beneath her. But what you’re really seeing is growth in action.

Riding isn’t just about reins, saddles, or stirrups—it’s about stepping into something bigger than yourself. It’s about trust, balance, and the quiet courage to keep going even when the ground feels unsteady.

This little rider reminds us all: confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It is built one step, one ride, one brave moment at a time.

And here’s the truth—success, whether in the saddle or in life, isn’t about never being afraid. It’s about learning to move forward with a smile, even when the challenge is new.

So let this be your reminder today:
✅ Take the reins of your own journey.
✅ Sit tall, even when you’re unsure.
✅ Trust the process, and trust yourself.

Because confidence, like horsemanship, is not a destination—it’s a practice. And every practice makes you stronger. 💪🐴✨

08/29/2025

Building Foundations Through Stillness

Teaching a foal to stand quietly is one of the most valuable lessons you can give them early on. It’s not just about obedience—it develops patience, self-control, and confidence, while keeping both horse and handler safe.

At ThornHill Farm, Zeraphinia is now learning to stand quietly with a towel draped across her back. This simple exercise might look small, but it’s a powerful step in her education. The towel mimics the feel of tack or equipment and teaches her to accept new sensations calmly, without fuss. When she stands still under this pressure, she’s practicing trust and relaxation—two qualities that will serve her for life

Why It Works
• Short, Frequent Sessions: Foals learn best in very small doses repeated often. By introducing the towel for just a minute or two, several times a day or week, we’re reinforcing calm behavior without overloading her.
• Homework Before Tying: A young horse should never be tied before learning the basics. First, they must understand how to give to pressure and how to relax when asked. These “homework” lessons—standing with a towel, yielding to pressure on the halter, or learning to step forward when asked—lay the groundwork for tying safely later on.
• Physical & Mental Training: Standing still develops balance and coordination, while also training her nervous system to settle rather than react.
• Future Readiness: What starts as a towel today becomes a saddle pad tomorrow, then a saddle, then a rider. These small, consistent lessons build her ability to handle bigger challenges later on.

Long-Term Benefits

A foal that learns to accept stillness and sensation will:
• Stand safely for farriers, vets, and grooming.
• Wait patiently at the mounting block or in the show ring lineup.
• Become a calmer, more professional partner in both training and competition.

The takeaway: Quiet standing isn’t just a cute foal trick—it’s the foundation of a safe, respectful, and confident horse. With daily, consistent practice—and the right “homework” before tying—Zeraphinia is already showing how small steps create big results.

08/27/2025

🎉 First off-property show with her first horse — and she shone in both English & Western! 🌟 Hard work, groundwork, and trust paying off. Here’s to many more adventures! 🐴

08/27/2025

🌟 Congratulations to one of our amazing ThornHill riders at the Emsdale Fall Fair! 🌟

She shone bright in both English and Western events, proving just how far she and her horse have come as a team. Even more special — this was her very first off-property event with her very first horse! She has worked so hard, from countless hours of groundwork to careful mounting work, building a partnership based on patience, trust, and consistency.

It’s no small feat to ride across disciplines — it challenges both rider and horse to be adaptable, well-rounded, and tuned into each other’s strengths.

Did you know? Studies in equine science show that horses build stronger bonds and deeper trust with their riders through positive, varied experiences. Going from groundwork to the show ring, and switching between disciplines, stimulates different muscle groups, keeps the horse’s mind engaged, and strengthens the rider’s ability to communicate clearly — all of which deepen the human-horse relationship. 🐴💫

At the end of the day, showing isn’t just about ribbons or results. It’s about celebrating the journey, the connection, and the joy of working together. Watching this pair step into the ring for the first time with confidence and heart reminds us why we do what we do — for the love of horses, the lessons they teach us, and the fun along the way.

💜 We couldn’t be prouder of you both! Here’s to many more moments like this.

08/24/2025

🔬🐴 The Science of Hoof Abscesses 🐴🔬

Abscesses are one of the most common — and dramatic — causes of sudden lameness in horses. But what’s actually happening inside the hoof?

🧬 The Cause:
• Bacteria sneak in through a crack, puncture, bruise, or weakened white line.
• Inside the hoof capsule, which is oxygen-poor, anaerobic bacteria thrive.
• The immune system sends neutrophils (white blood cells) to attack. Their enzymes break down tissue → forming pus (dead bacteria + white blood cells + tissue debris).

⚡ Why It Hurts:
The hoof capsule is rigid and cannot expand. As pus builds, pressure increases on the sensitive laminae and nerves, causing sudden, severe lameness.

💥 Relief Comes With Drainage:
The abscess finds the “path of least resistance” — breaking through the sole, white line, or coronary band. Once it ruptures, pressure is released and the horse often improves almost instantly.

🩺 The Healing:
• The drained cavity fills with granulation tissue (new connective tissue + blood vessels).
• Hoof growth slowly seals the weak spot over weeks to months.

🤲 Helping the Process:
• Poultice: A medicated clay or dressing (often Animalintex or drawing clay) that uses moisture + osmosis to pull infection, pus, and toxins toward the surface.
• Plastic Wrap Layer: Placed over the poultice to keep it moist and active, creating a “drawing effect” that encourages the abscess to localize and burst.
• Hoof Boot or Duct Tape Wrap: Holds the poultice in place and protects it from contamination.
• Standing Wraps (on the leg): Improve circulation, reduce swelling from inflammation, and prevent fluid from pooling in the lower limb. This increased blood flow can help the body fight the infection and speed healing.

✨ Fun Fact: The hoof wall is ~95% keratin, a nearly impenetrable protein — great protection most of the time, but once bacteria get sealed inside, the immune system is fighting in a closed, high-pressure chamber

08/17/2025

What an unforgettable day at the King’s Plate! 🏇 It was truly amazing to experience the energy, hear the crowd, and celebrate how incredible these majestic animals are. Watching them in action was nothing short of breathtaking.

For those who don’t know, this race is steeped in history—it was first run in 1860, after Queen Victoria authorized a “Plate” to be awarded to the best horse bred in Canada. For more than 150 years, it was known as the Queen’s Plate, but with the ascension of King Charles III, it has now returned to its original title: the King’s Plate. 🇨🇦👑

A huge congratulations to Mansetti, the surprise hero of the 166th King’s Plate! Under the masterful guidance of jockey Pietro Moran, this horse—who hails from American owners Al and Bill Ulwelling—proved his mettle in spectacular fashion. From the moment the gates opened, Mansetti took the lead and never looked back, winning by 2½ lengths with a final time of 2:03.68.

This was Moran’s first Plate win, and what a moment it was—especially in just his second attempt and riding against his own father, David Moran, who also competed in the race. The victory was also a testament to the brilliance of champion trainer Kevin Attard, earning him his third Plate title.

Here’s to Mansetti’s continued success as he edges toward the next leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. Truly a day to remember—cheers to these incredible athletes, both equine and human!

08/14/2025

When you slow down enough to truly meet a horse, you begin to see them the way they see you — not for what you can do, but for how you make them feel.
You notice how they test the waters, searching for a sign: Can I trust you? Will you listen? Are you safe?

And in that moment, you realize this is not just about horses.
It’s about every relationship in your life.
Trust is never demanded — it’s earned, one quiet interaction at a time.

A foal doesn’t care about your plans, your titles, or your timeline.
They care about your presence.
They remember how you show up when no one is watching — whether your hands are gentle, whether your voice is calm, whether your energy feels like home.

Some people think the real work happens in the arena under bright lights and loud applause.
But the truth?
The work begins here, in the stillness, knee-deep in shavings, where two beings learn to speak a language without words.

And just like the trees in a forest, each horse — each soul — grows differently.
Some are bold and straight, others cautious and curved by life’s winds.
Your job isn’t to force them into your shape, but to nurture what’s already there, so they can grow into the best version of themselves.

Because in the end, you’re not just raising a horse.
You’re shaping a life.
And in the process, they are shaping yours too.

08/05/2025

🐾 BREAKING NEWS:
The letter K is now under 24/7 paw-tection.
These two highly trained professionals have sniffed out a serious security breach:
🕵️‍♂️ Unauthorized trotting.
🕵️‍♀️ Suspicious circling at the canter.
And worst of all…
🐶 Someone left a treat on C and didn’t share. 😤

No worries though.
K9 Patrol has it covered.
Please pet responsibly. Snacks may be confiscated for “inspection.”

08/04/2025

🏇 The Foundation Beneath the Stride: Why Arena Footing Matters More Than You Think 🌱

In the boarding barn industry, one of the most critical yet most overlooked aspects of horse care is arena footing.

It’s easy to focus on stalls, feed programs, and turnout—but the ground your horse works on every day? That’s where soundness starts… or ends.

🔬 Here’s the science behind it:

➡️ Impact forces: Each time a horse’s hoof contacts the ground, it experiences 1.5 to 2.5 times its body weight in concussion force. Without proper footing, that force travels up the limb and into the joints, tendons, and ligaments. Over time, this contributes to cumulative microtrauma, leading to issues like suspensory injuries, arthritis, and navicular disease.

➡️ Surface consistency matters: Research from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences shows that inconsistent footing increases limb loading asymmetries, forcing the horse to compensate and placing uneven strain on their musculoskeletal system.

➡️ Depth regulation: Properly maintained footing should be monitored for even depth and compaction. Deep, dry, or overly compacted footing increases fatigue and alters stride mechanics, especially in young or developing horses.

➡️ Neuromuscular response: Studies have shown that horses adjust their stride length, loading patterns, and posture based on footing quality, which can either improve their proprioception or compromise it—putting them at higher risk for injury.

So why is this often missed in the boarding barn world?

Because footing is invisible until it’s a problem. It’s not something most riders are trained to assess—and it doesn’t photograph well for the ‘gram. But what’s underfoot is just as important as what’s on your horse’s back.

💬 At ThornHill Farm, our arena is more than just a space to ride—it’s a carefully managed environment. We regularly drag and test our footing to ensure safe impact, proper traction, and long-term joint protection for every horse, from foals to seasoned athletes.

Before you ask a horse to give you their all—make sure the ground you’re asking them to move on supports them.

08/03/2025

This isn’t just a photo — it’s a reflection of everything we believe in.

A young girl. A growing filly named Zeraphinia. A moment of trust, quiet communication, and mutual respect. These are the kinds of interactions that shape not just good horses, but good humans.

Science tells us that young horses are in a critical phase of learning — their brains are developing new neural pathways every day, influenced by every interaction. Gentle, consistent handling teaches them to seek connection instead of reacting in fear. It lays the foundation for a willing, confident partner for life.

And just as Zeraphinia is learning, so is the child.

She’s learning how to listen without words. How to lead with calm energy. How to be aware of her body, her breath, and her intentions. These lessons create more than capable riders — they build strong, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent individuals.

At ThornHill Farm, we believe in raising both horses and humans with intention. This is where confidence is earned, leadership is nurtured, and powerful partnerships begin.

This is horsemanship. This is growth. This is everything.

08/02/2025

🌞 Saddle up this long weekend for an unforgettable horseback riding adventure! 🐴✨

Looking for something fun, unique, and totally different to do? We still have a few spots left for our Horseback Riding Experience—and yes, we’ve got flexible time slots to fit your weekend plans!

🌿 Ride through beautiful Muskoka spruce and maple trails
🐎 Perfect for first-timers, couples, friends, and families
🎉 Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or just the joy of being outdoors
📸 Snap-worthy moments and plenty of horse hugs included!

No experience needed—just bring your sense of adventure. 🥰

🎟️ Spots are limited and filling fast! DM us to book your ride now before they’re gone!

ThornHill Farm

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