Road to Serenity Farm

01/15/2025

I've trained a lot more slightly older horse than younger horses. I really like this gelding, Storm. I first had to get him easier to catch and then his teeth floated because his month was a bit scary for hooks and ramps. Going to make some videos of Storm's training. He doesn't appear to have any trauma or issues that I can see. He's actually smart and catches on rather quickly. Training these horses gives them a chance at a better life. A broke and rideable horse typically gets more attention, care, maintenance and TLC than a pasture ornament.

01/15/2025

Update for current/new clients - waiver, 2025 prices on lessons and training

We do have a couple amazing part lease horses for this year's show season! Ask early to claim a horse, more details below.

Please maintain a yearly Saskatchewan Horse Ferderation (SHF) membership if leasing/boarding (required by insurance). Go to their website. Actually, recommend for all who ride, super affordable and some coverage...

I am in the process of renewing my insurance so I will have a new 2025 waiver hopefully next week for participants to fully acknowledge the risks of equine activity before handling/riding horses here. Pls have a parent or guardian available to sign a new waiver by the end of January if under 18 (I likely won't have the updated waiver until next week, just got my insurance quote today).

MARCH 2025 prices

My insurance and costs keep going up, sadly. Vet bills, tractor repairs, even dewormer is up in price. March 1st I am changing prices just slightly (a few dollar a week) as follows. Recently added clients are already paying new prices, but I wanted to give 1.5 months notice for my existing students. Compared to some places closer to Saskatoon, with indoor riding facilities + temperature control, we are still extremely affordable, but I do need to adequately care for these horses + make a living. I really do strive to stay affordable for more people to enjoy the benefits of riding, so these are the most affordable prices I can offer in current times.

Up to 4-5 lessons per month, one makeup per month guaranteed if you need to miss your regular time (and ask for it), all monthly prices here include the GST for etransfers:

210 per month for a weekly spot; 189 per month with your own horse, (includes GST)

294 a month for a private weekly spot; 273 per month with your own horse, (includes GST)

462 (includes GST) for a part lease - 2 lessons per week + time to practice on the lease horse either before/after lessons, and/or on a 3rd day of the week
🐎 part-board situation - "Your horse" up to 3 out of the 5 possible weekly exercise days, spent with you, more time bonding, riding and advancing to the next level with a consistent horse - one that you get along with and is appropriate for your goals
🐎allows for average 3 hours per week of active riding/working the horse - adequate time to develop essential core stabilizer muscles, a decent seat, timing and feel to advance to the next level, such as regular jumping and/or showing and riding off property; no one can advance beyond recreational riding without enough time in the saddle as it is a sport like any other with a great deal of development needed to more safely get better at it!
🐎must pay for 1 negative Coggins per year if intending on showing off property at Hunter/Jumper shows, we do this in the spring
🐎 you are the only one who will show the horse off property other than the coach (If show miles needed by coach); we also do trail rides and other events off property sometimes for those who part-lease
🐎no other expenses in the part-lease - no regular or unexpected vet bills to you, no farrier fee, flat price per month includes lessons (but not show/hauling fees)...really good deal and a great step to have the fitness and skills to advance without the full cost and risk of owning a horse...

A few people like to pay cash per lesson - must maintain 4 lessons per month and do makeups when needed:
50 per lesson group / 40 with own horse
70 per lesson private / 60 with own horse
440 part-lease

Board remains
340+GST pasture (big group setting, salt/mineral block, free choice hay or grass, wind fence and natural wind break)
440+GST paddock (small group setting, salt/mineral block, shelter, forked hay)

-add $100+GST per month for us to seperate and feed daily supplements that you provide (most feed their own supplements when out)

Training
Full time training - minimum 20 trainer sessions a month, includes board and feed - $1000+GST per month
Professional training ride/tune up ride - $35
+GST
Part time training can be discussed, e.g., 1 weekly tune up ride on your horse to prepare for show season

01/13/2025

Just a clarification that there will for sure be no event this weekend. It's getting too cold again for hauling and being in the arena all day. We will try for the afternoon of Sunday, Jan 26.

01/13/2025

Best chance of horse still being in its prime in its 20s, not full of arthritis and pain.
(Just what I do)
Never ride a 2 year old.
Lightly ride a 3-4 year old. Focus on straight lines, mostly big circles.
A bit more structured program at age 5.
Never push a horse to its max until age 6, sometimes later.
When you've had horses until the end of their lives, you'll understand. Clint was still sound at age 26 (had to be put down due to cancer spreading). He wasn't seriously ridden/jumped until he was fully mature. My family bought him at age 7 when he had minimal jumping experience. My other horse was ridden, jumped hard at age 4 (shown over 4'). She was semi-retired by age 16, although she got all the joint injections to continue her show career but her body was definitely breaking down. Tazza I carefully rode as a young horse, and when I had her hocks xrayed 3 years ago, they said she had the hocks of a young horse at age 14.5.

https://www.facebook.com/100028871935097/posts/1333233324315719/

Why so much, so young?

The horse industries, particularly racing, have operated the same way for centuries, pushing 2- and 3-year-olds hard. But that doesn’t mean other disciplines should follow the same path.

I take a conservative stance when it comes to a horse's age.

A yearling is still a baby—let them run and play in a field.

A 2-year-old is also a baby—still best left running in a field.

At 3, a horse is still a baby, though now big enough for some handling. Forget about "futurities" or "young horse programs." If you can’t resist doing something, put a saddle on, maybe work on long-lining, and get on occasionally to make sure they don’t buck you off. But then—send them back to the field.

If all you’re doing with a 3-year-old is the basics—shots, feet, teeth, leading, just like a yearling or 2-year-old—I don’t think you’re falling behind.

At 4, they are a young adolescent. Like most adolescents, they need a job, but not a demanding one. No speed, no tight spins, no pounding work. Focus on slow, steady physical development—lots of walking, building muscle, and gaining body mass. You're still in a foundational stage.

By 5, they’re either still a baby or starting to mature, depending on the horse. Train carefully, and above all, avoid injury and stress. Don’t rush them into some performance-driven "young horse" program unless they’re an early maturing type—and even then, be cautious. Definitely avoid this at 4.

By 6, they’re ready to start becoming a "normal" horse.

I know my timeline is unconventional. Many horses are worn out or injured by age 6, 7, or 8—some even younger. They're mentally exhausted and physically broken by trainers and riders who pushed them too hard, too soon.

But if you can be patient, allowing them to grow and strengthen, those same horses can still be in their prime into their late teens or even early 20s and retire at 30.

What’s the rush? Seriously.

Written by Tamarack Hill Farm

Farmleigh Storm Connemara Pony, a late maturing breed. Aged 6 year,

01/13/2025

Voodoo would make one stellar liberty horse! She focuses in like none other.

01/08/2025

Our high-five.

01/06/2025

My phone finally turned on again late last night. Took a quick video of Serenity learning the piaffe. She is excited to learn new things now. The piaffe was originally used in battle to keep the horse focused, warm, and moving, ready to move forward into battle. It's now used in dressage to help achieve balance, plus collection and impulsion.

01/06/2025

We worked on relational horsemanship on this cold day today and Unicorn got so relaxed and trusting, she fully rested next to Amy! Unicorn is also being taught to lie down on cue, so this is a great step in that direction and will help. She is close to the lie down on cue, a trick that is fun but super challenging to train your horse to do.

01/05/2025

I'm having phone troubles again - interm phone not working well and may be done. Please contact Vince
306-221-1178
if you need to get a hold of me in a hurry otherwise will check messageson here too. Sorry I'm not overly responsive lately but it's phone issues and farm life isn't easy on anything!

01/04/2025

It was so peaceful and pretty this morning. Yes, the horses do fine outside. They have billions of hairs that stand up on end (piloerection) to trap pockets of heat next to their bodies. They look extra fluffy in these tempratures. The digestion of grass hay helps a lot to generate heat inside their guts and they go through plenty of hay. Most horses survive outside all winter, but it was so cold. I still lay awake at night sometimes, wondering how they do it, but actually extreme heat is way more dangerous to horse health than the extreme cold.

01/02/2025

I'm going to have to cancel lessons tonight but lack contacts in this phone. I felt a little off last night, was perfectly fine this morning, then some kind of stomach bug come on very suddenly. Seems to be passing through me very quickly, I am rarely sick long. For the time being, I should probably cancel at least tonight. I can make it up later if you ask or there is also an extra Thurs this month. Hopefully those affected will see this! Sorry for the short notice.

01/01/2025

Achieving goals at any age - all about dedication, wisdom and enough time spent in the saddle!

A 72-Year-Old Man Triumphs in the World's Toughest Horse Race – 100 Miles in a Single Day!

This achievement is truly remarkable. The Tevis Cup stands as the most challenging 100-mile endurance event globally, where many participants struggle to complete the course in a single day. At the age of 72, Potato Richardson, alongside his 14-year-old Arabian mare, SMR Filouette (Gandhy Dancer x Fille de Cailana), emerged victorious, surpassing five previous champions and two former winning horses.

Many might have assumed that this individual had already experienced the peak of his equestrian pursuits; however, he has demonstrated that age is no barrier to exceptional horsemanship. He has a deep connection to his mare, having owned both her mother and grandmother. His meticulous planning over several years culminated in this momentous competition. When the day arrived, he approached it with a vigor and determination that seemed innate. His extensive experience and insight should not be overlooked.

"I simply rode with greater intelligence," remarked Potato Richardson at the age of 72.

In many sports, aging often leads to a decline in performance. However, in the realm of equestrianism, experience tends to enhance our abilities as we grow older. My utmost respect goes to him.

12/31/2024

Laughed so hard! Definitely some truth here on how tough the sport is!

12/30/2024

Back teaching lessons all this week, at usual times. If not coming and want a different day/time(s) due to New Years, just ask. Very flexible for this week...can do some daytime lessons!

After my phone kicked the bucket, I have an old 2018 phone I'm using but no contacts. This phone screen keeps freezing on me so replying is sometimes hard dependingon the moment. My Facebook messenger is working again if you need to get a hold of me, but text is normally best.
306-202-6737

12/28/2024

The weather caused all my lessons to be cancelled or moved so I made a video about liberty. So many goals this coming year, and these exercises will help us get there! I can never get bored with this stuff. Relational horsemanship, timing, feel, awareness...just endlessly in love with improving it all and building the best relationship with my horse.

Send a message to learn more