Road to Serenity Farm

08/17/2024

As I have been having some people contacting me looking for their first horse(s), this is what I recommend asking yourselves first (the answer to each question should be yes, in my opinion):

Do you have the setup and finances for a horse, including an emergency fund for incidental vet bills?
Do you know the signs of colic and pain in a horse?
Horses are accident prone: Can you do basic first aid for a horse, dress the different types of wounds, pick up a foot, and most of all, know when to call a vet?
Do you know when a horse is traveling sound vs. unsound?
Do you have a good farrier for a 6-10 week schedule (feet grow at different rates depending on the time of year and environmental conditions)?
Do you know about hoof angles and signs of a healthy hoof (the foot makes the horse)?
Can you check a horse's temperature and heart rate, and know what's normal?
Do you know that most horses need their teeth floated every few months to few years?
Do you know about diet, as well as the dangers of founder and laminitis from over feeding/overgrazing, which affects and inflicts great pain on so many horse every year?
Do you know that horses are social animals - its psychological and emotional needs absolutely require a companion equine (if not boarding, it's imperative to get 2 horses)?
Can you safely handle a horse that's acting up and can you anticipate their physical as well as emotional needs as a prey animal?
Can you handle a horse well enough to deworm it?
Can you problem solve training issues to some degree and do you have professional help lined up for when you need it?
Have you developed "horse sense"?
Do you know about conformation?
Are you familiar with the level of training and desensitizing your horse must have, before getting into a deal?
Can you do basic ground work to reestablish trust and respect when needed?
Do you know about saddle fit and the different kinds of bits and equipment that might best suit your horse's evolving needs over time?
Can you tack up with ease and properly snug up a girth or cinch?
Can you do a quick release knot and know that some horses shouldn't be tied at all if they have a pull-back vice?
Can you safely walk, trot and lope/canter, and stay in good control?
Do you have soft hands and an independent seat?
Can you spot safety hazards (knowing how horse can react) and behavioural issues early on?
Can you maintain a proper fence and water supply?
If you buy a high maintenance horse, are you well-educated on all their ongoing needs?
Do you know about vices, breeds, lameness issues, different temperaments and disciplines?
Are you aware that "green on green equals black and blue"?
Do you know when it is an appropriate time to put a horse down to minimize their suffering?
Can you handle the fact that the cheapest part of owning a horse is buying it? Their ongoing care and needs, ongoing training and lessons easily exceed the initial investment in a short time.

These are just some questions to honestly ask yourself if thinking you're ready for horse ownership. I've seen many people buy a horse before investing in the correct education. There are camps/clinics, equine first aid courses, riding lessons and many other many ways to gain the knowledge, experience and wisdom to eventually own a horse(s) that's truly right for you and your goals. At our barn, you can even lease a horse to get more experience before buying a horse. I have dozens of stories about the consequences of rushing out to buy a horse before the human/family is truly ready for all that it entails.

08/16/2024

Expresso's first ride with me. So far he seems like the smartest, quietest and most affectionate pony I think I have ever met. Currently 14hh, 3 y.o. - can't believe I need a stool 🤦

08/14/2024

We have some kids for daytime horse camp in the last 2 weeks of August. If interested in joining, please contact!
306-202-6737
Horse camps run Mon-Thurs the week of the 19th and 26th and go from 9am-4pm each day. As we have volunteer help, we can run different levels the same week. Learn more than just riding! Camps consist of riding lessons, groundwork, educational activities, goats and a mini-donkey, scavenger hunt, games and often a water fight to cool off. We have an indoor arena that stays pretty cool when the weather is hot, and lesson horses. We are right off hwy 16. Camps are $115+GST per day. Spots are secured with deposits of half the week.

08/11/2024

Kate and Zeus
5 y.o. Zeus's second show, started under saddle in the fall
Green horse division
He got a little frustrated with the back up, but he's pretty new to all this!
World's worst videographer, me 😭

08/11/2024

Big wins for our people and horses in The Grasswood Series that just finished up for 2024. Lots of great exposure for the green horses being out here..a great place to start learning to show.

Zeus, the 5 year old tall dun gelding that everyone seems to oooo at (too handsome), did 2 competition events here. He was confidently cruising around the Jackpot division with me the last day, doing every obstacle. Started only last year, most of his rides have been by Kate who helped me start him. This athletic, good-minded horse is the whole package, very sadly for SALE. I bought him as a project horse to sell once he has enough miles and training. He will go to his first jumping show in Sept; he can do anything!

If there was a prize for most improvement, Hauss & Gracie would have won by a long shot. Hauss was neither halter-broke nor handled until age 8 or 9. He is now approx. 12 and ridden/part-leased by Gracie who is also totally new to showing, but likes a challenge (I swear, I offered her a different horse). Hauss struggles with confidence big time when it comes to unfamiliar things and environments. He was disqualified at the first ridden event here (for refusing to carry on near the end of the course) but he was trying at every single obstacle by last competition day, even calmly going through the water! We're very happy for both of them - to overcome so much with so little experience.

Snuffs, the pinto horse, is only 4 years old, purchased by Hayley earlier this year after I put only a few months of training into him. I am super cautious about selling green horses to students before years and years of experience, but these 2 just work. The fact that Snuff's is such a good sport and can be ridden around a big open area so safety, trying at even difficult obstacles, is a huge thing. This pair is going to have many successful years to come as they are just getting started.

Voodoo, the mare who looks like a shiny copper penny, is 7 years old and part-leased by Anja. She was started under saddle in February. Both are doing well and won Reserve Champion in Youth! Anja's goal is jumping but the grasswood series was a great way for her to see what Voodoo is like off-property. Anja and Voodoo are going to have a lot of chances at success together! I suggested Voodoo for Anja because Voodoo really seems to love jumping and will be fast in the jumper ring. The obstacles are excellent cross-training for us jumper people!

7 year old Vivid, the dirty buckskin, has blown me away. Vivid is a sensitive soul and was harder to start under saddle, but now I practically trust her to save my life. Before this series, she had never been to an off-property show in her life, and here I was riding her in the most difficult Open-level class, with no expectations, just to get her miles and experience! Jordan, who sadly lost her older mare earlier this summer, rode Vivid in Youth at all 3 events and won the championship buckle - just amazing!

5 year old Zahara (half-sister to Zeus), who I started under saddle in only February, got Reserve Champion in Green Horse. Zahara was supposed to be a project horse like Zeus. I decided I couldn't possibly sell her once I start working with her enough. After a lifetime of only difficult, spooky and/or quirky horses, I felt I deserved an uncomplicated confidence builder. Even as a green horse, Zahara is a horse you get on to just to enjoy without worrying.

Serenity, the super troubled mare I got 4 years ago, did really well in the In-hand. I just wanted to get her out there and be exposed to a few more things so I can continue to build her confidence. Serenity has quite the past for those who know.

I took 7 year old Banner, the Welsh pony, on the last day just for fun and experience in Jackpot. He helped win me some money! He is now too fun to leave at home!

08/06/2024

More students are getting into competition. I grew up doing a lot of showing, with very strict coaches, so I made a horse show "checklist" to help get students up to date on what it can all entail.

Horse shows can be very fun but intense experiences. You learn to manage the ups and downs of the competition world while putting your partnership to the test!

To help create the best experience for everyone involved, here's a bit of checklist for shows.

First of all, we go to horse shows as a team of riders and horses from the same barn. Sportsmanship makes the experience SO much better. This means being helpful and supportive of other riders, giving words of encouragement to others, watching your barn mates runs, pointing out the good efforts of your barn mates and others in the ring, avoiding cliques, and being grateful and thankful for the experience to all involved. Please cheer for each other on the good and bad runs (we will all experience both).

It is expected that you take care of all aspects of horse husbandry at shows - from loading to unloading. If the offer is made to bring your horse home, that is a courtesy and not the expectation at an event. Do not take off from a show without checking in.

After all runs, we may do brushing, massaging, stretches, cold hosing, bran mashes or whatever is required to maintain a competition horse for the long term.

We should all be cleaning tack before the competition, have clean bits and make all the necessary preparations before shows. Read the rules of the competition. Know the attire allowed.

A yearly Coggins test is required for hunter/jumper shows. Make sure, if you plan on jumping at shows during the year, that you get a Coggins done on your horse or lease horse in the spring, when the vet is out.

Biosecurity is paramount at shows. Diseases like Strangles and colds can spread. Do not share water buckets and troughs with other horses. Do not let your horse sniff another horse's muzzle. If your horse is a red ribbon horse, make sure you have a red ribbon in its tail (to indicate the horse has kicked at other horses in the past). Use stalls and pens that appear less used. I bring a spray bottle to disinfect stalls as I've had my horses pick up fungal infection and warts from show stalls. Keep a good distance from horses you don't know.

Sign waivers immediately upon arrival. I often go to the show office before I unload.

Warm up your horse properly. A lot of your success in the show ring can come from how you warm up your horse that day. Listen intently to your coach's instructions.

Know arena etiquette. Slower horses off the outside track of a warm up arena. Do not stand in the way of others warming up their horses. Be aware at all times of other riders and situations. Do not lunge a horse in a warm up ring without asking the other riders.

If you get a chance to, approach organizers and volunteers and thank them for the opportunity to compete. Most horse events aren't even possible without volunteers and it's increasing hard to find volunteers. Thank your coach at the end of the day, make sure to pay for any coaching and trailer fees. We charge $1 per loaded km / the number of horses in the trailer. $25 coaching at obstacle events and $50 per day coaching at hunter/jumper shows.

Clean out all manure from the horse trailer. Pick up after your horse at the show - if there's a wheel barrow and forks are present, you can bet they want all manure picked up. Keep stalls clean. Make sure numbers are returned to the show office where applicable.

08/05/2024

Lessons + horse show a little complicated this week as I have to make it to Calgary for a funeral.. please be sure to check in if you can. I'm trying to reach out to everyone to make a plan. For Thursday/Friday lessons, I won't do makeups as there are 5 Thursday/Fridays this month already, and it makes my life I little easier. Thanks!

08/04/2024

Congrats to our students at the CCC.
Hayley & Snuffs second place Buckin' Crazies
Ella & Tuff first place Youth
Ella & Tuff second place Rookie
Colter & Magnum second place Youth
Breanna & Zahara first place Buckin' Crazies
Breanna & Banner first place Open
Highest Horsemanship for the day - Breanna
Not a ton of participants, but everyone was happy 😊 Thanks to the organizers and all involved!

08/01/2024

Notice: There will be no horse camps the next two weeks (cancelled). I can refund deposits or move to a different week. Reason: another family member passed away, this time my grandma.

We will have camps the last two weeks of August! We can accommodate different levels those weeks, as we have lots of help from advanced students wanting to volunteer! 😊

Feel free to message/email - I just may not respond until early next week.

07/28/2024

My super special horse, Serenity, at her second ever competition away from home. We didn't place in the In-hand class but she was willing to all the obstacles! It's all about building her confidence in new environments right now. We did some liberty in the park afterwards. This horse has come so far!

Congrats to all the riders today! The huge wind made it extra challenging for most people. It's important to just keep getting out there with your horse(s); you must weather the good days and bad days!

07/28/2024

Voodoo shaking off some tension after figuring out the skinny bridge at last! Lots of learning for these greenies.

07/24/2024

Just some reminders for summer lessons!

We haven't yet needed to cancel lessons due to the heat. The indoor is sitting at 18 degrees right now, even though it's much hotter outside. We are lucky to have an insulated arena that hasn't yet gotten above 22 degrees this summer ⛱️ If it gets especially hot out, and the horses show signs of stress, we will reach out to cancel any lessons/riding.

Please make sure all lessons/coaching/haul-ins are paid for in advance (my general policy). If we notice the service isn't paid for, it will not go ahead as there are a lot of bills with this place, especially now with trying to cut (fix equipment) and source hay for the year. I will have envelopes next to the mailbox for individual cash lessons so please write what date/service that it is for on it. Etransfers are once per month, at the beginning of the month to maintain a regular weekly spot, for board or part-lease.

Other than riders just starting out and trying some lessons to see if it's something they want to do, please make sure you're doing your best to maintain 4 lessons per month. I try to get riders using their cores for stability, soft hands and balanced seats, to protect my horses' backs, minds and mouths for years to come, as different riders progress on them. That requires a fair bit of consistency to build core stability. It's important for your safety too. Please ask for makeups, when needed, so you are riding enough for the sport. Usually it's up to 1 makeup per month per weekly spot, but we are often a little more accomodating in summer/winter.

If interested in lessons, please contact for a spot. We can do a few evaluation/starter lessons first, but then our program is for minimum weekly riders to progress onwards after that. 306-202-6737 (I have been away for a week so I'm just returning calls/messages).

Thanks!

07/18/2024

Camp weeks in August

Learn riding skills + other aspects of horse knowledge & care this August! Lessons + educational games and activities.

Use our stellar lesson horses (or bring your own). We have an indoor arena that is nicely much cooler and less bugs on the hot days! Kids age 7-16 are usually suitable.

Three-day camp dates for *specifically beginners horseback riders*:

Aug 5-7

and/or

Aug 12-14

For more advanced riders that can currently safely do walk/trot/canter on the back of a horse, and want to expand their knowledge and skills:

Aug 19-22

For a mixed level of riders (we can work with your current abilities):

Aug 26-29

Camps are 9am-4pm. $115+GST per day. Non-refundable deposit of half the cost of the camp week to reserve a spot for the week(s) you're wanting. We have a couple spots left each week! Please email [email protected] your child's age and experience level + please any health concerns that the coach + assistant may need to know.

Must a have boot with a bit of heel (rubber/synthetic/leather, preferably no laces), and preferably your own riding (ASTM/SEI) riding helmet (although we do have a supply here if you forget or cannot get your own). Bring your own lunch.

Please note, I may not answer until Monday, July 22, as I am hiking and traveling in remote areas.

07/15/2024

I'm away this week with family but Vince is taking care of things at home and lessons will still run. I will likely not be at my email for a week, and reception is hit and miss here. Vince is 306-221-1178 if you can't get a hold of me. Also, recently I've had a lot of failed text messages (at home), so please text again if I don't answer.

07/11/2024

Michael hiding in the tie stall. There was a roping lesson going on this afternoon on how to swing a lariat from on the back of a horse, and apparently he didn't like being the test dummy.

07/06/2024

Meet Expresso, a 3 year old, 14hh registered Pony of America.

He is quiet and has some fancy movement, but my hubby says I can't keep him too long! We bought him a few days ago to get some more training into him, so he will be for sale to a great home by the end of summer.

07/03/2024

Stretching with goats at horse camp! So fun!

07/01/2024

Spot or 2 for beginner horse camp this week for a boy (or girl - but the other 3 kids are boys), Tues-Thurs 9am-4pm! Please text if interested 306-202-6737.

06/28/2024

Competitive riders: I was mentioning yesterday to a couple people, there are some CCC obstacle challenges coming up near us. If interested, please look at the calendar on the website and let me know if/when you might want to attend any of those events. I'm trying to plan the rest of the summer 🌞 I will be hauling to the last 2 Grasswood events and a couple of jumping shows, but if interested in CCC too, please let me know.

The Canadian Cowboy Challenge - Horsemanship, Fun and Camaraderie

06/26/2024

Few spots in 3-day and 4-day horse camps:
Aug 5-7
Aug 12-14 (currently no spots - please inquire if needing this week)

9am-4pm

Learn about safety and how to be around quiet, beginner-friendly horses, how to get the horse ready and tacked up for riding, lunge lessons, independent riding and steering, horse care, trail ride in the trees, educational games that are also super fun, round pen communication with the horse, and body language around horses. Also play with baby goats! We are lucky the insulated indoor arena is cool on hot days and we can ride when it's raining.

If more advanced than beginner, we are working on camps for kids who have been riding longer and want to advance their skills + a mixed level week mid-end of Aug. 306-202-6737 or [email protected]

Other weeks available:

Aug 19-22 is a week for more advanced riders, seeking to progress their riding and horsemanship skills
Aug 26-29 is a mixed-level week, with extra helpers for beginners while we can help advance riders with more experience

Camps are $115+GST per day.