Mystic Meadows Equine Centre

08/09/2024

Tuesday and Thursday openings for group lessons. 8, 12 and 16 week packages, can be paid in 2 payments. Ages 6 and up, beginners and riders with some experience welcome. Our focus is fun, safety, horsemanship skills, and learning to ride, or improving your skills flat work only.

Leasing is offered to riders who have been in consistent lessons and can safely catch, tack, and ride all 3 gaits. Leases can be 1, 2 or 3 rides a week on our lesson horses with times/days booked in advance. These are to give riders an opportunity to practise their skills between lessons, but must continue in weekly lessons.

Private, prepaid troubleshooting lessons available for haul ins please inquire.

08/06/2024

Make Them Carry Their Saddle

A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.

Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)

When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.

When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.

Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.

When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.

After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.

Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.

Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.

So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.

I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.

Hannah Campbell Zapletal

08/01/2024

August has a few spots open for lesson,
Tuesdays at 730 x 2 spots
Thursdays at 700 pm x 2 -3 spots
Lessons run consecutive weeks as riders progress better riding weekly.

September booking with prepayment. First come first serve,

Booked privates or small group/ birthdays etc one time rides can also be arranged with prepayment, please inquire for availability of times and information.

Additional ride lease rides available on specific days/time for riders in our lesson program that meet the basic criteria. These are practise rides designed to improve your skills, generally walk trot work only.

07/30/2024

Congrats Raynee! We are super excited for you and Tic Tac and she will be missed by her buddy Sox, and myself. We wish you nothing but great success with this cutie.

05/31/2024

Open spots for lessons, Tuesdays at 545, semi privates.
Availability on Thursdays at 6.
Summer packages of 4 and 8 weeks continuous, 262.50 plus gst or 525 plus GST.
Private lessons packages of 4 $315 suitable for riders who can catch and tack.

Summer Day camp Mondays July 8 and July 22, 9-330, 157.50 per participant, extra hour before or after 15$. Min 4 to run, ages 6-12. Horse themed with games, crafts, in hand with miniature horses and short intro to horses mounted. Can register in one or both.

03/15/2024

Spring and summer sessions ready to book!
8 -12 week classes Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings available. Book 8 or 12 week sessions. Ages 5 and up and beginners to advanced beginner space. Certified coaches, indoor facilities. We teach horsemanship and riding from the ground up.

02/11/2024

For the year of 2024, while we are no longer running a full program facility; we are taking a different avenue!

We are offering in barn clinics, with the arena rentable for the weekend. Access to 8-10 stalls for overnight and 5 outdoor pens with shelters.
All horses must be negative Coggins and vaccinated for overnight clinics.

We offer haul in lessons, beginner lessons Tuesday/Thursday/Saturdays with a few open spaces for ongoing- Celine or Renee.

We will offer overnight board for local events and shows, with 60x60 outdoor pens available. Access to indoor, outdoor and our lovely 60’ round pen.

As well as indoor stabling for overnight haulers passing on highway 2 as we are 3 miles east.

Come visit us in 2024 😊

01/23/2024

Beautiful Hugo, his buddy Brazil and Spirit are still at Mystic Meadows and would love a few students. Celine will continue teaching Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 and Renee is available Saturdays as well as potentially a week day. Renee has space for 2-3 students, Celine has space for 2 on Thursday nights however Spirit is unavailable Thursdays. As always, clinics, birthday parties and haul in lessons will remain welcomed at Mystic Meadows 😊

01/09/2024

An update on what we offer for 2024!

Celine and Renee will remain coaching on Thursdays and Saturdays.

08/14/2023

Exciting news! Beginner lessons are now booking for September 1st start! 50% deposit required at booking.
All classes over the fall/winter will be indoors, a Teaching Assistant will catch all horses for students as well as turn out (so your kids can stay warm and safe!).

Students will be required to learn the following;
Haltering.
All tack up and grooming from start to finish.
Blanketing horses.
Walk/trot/canter in progressive sessions under saddle.
Minimum one groundwork/handling session per 8 week period.
Ages 6-14.

Adult beginner sessions are available.

All session run 1 hour and 15 mins. Parents will be allowed to drop off student and leave once student is with TA.

No parents, friends or siblings allowed in the tack up area with horses. A designated viewing area will be set up.

Sessions currently available sold in packages of 9-17 weeks, ending mid December. Discounts for 17 week commitments.

All riders must have own ATSM certified riding helmet, boots with a 1 inch heel (no zippers on the inside) and soft pants.

We do not offer make up lessons for missed sessions, riders are paying to hold an allotted time spot on their designated horses and that space is held whether rider attends or not. There is however the option- but not guaranteed- to trade amongst yourselves for a different lesson time if another rider is missing on an appropriate horse. We run a whatsapp group for this. 😊

Mystic Meadows Equine Centre
Tuesday and Thursday nights
5:30-7, 7-8:30

Class size of 3-4 riders max. Ages 6-14.

07/21/2023

2 last minute spaces available, ages 6-11 years for July 24-26!! This is a small group camp, lots of hands on time with the ponies and learning. I’m shocked it hasn’t filled- I don’t think we’ve ever had open spaces. Location: Leduc. Required to bring own lunch. Helmets can be provided.

07/09/2023

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!

06/28/2023

You want your kid to move up in horses ?
BUY OR LEASE and here is why !

Our lesson horses are here for you to learn the basics and get confidence.

The skills your kid learns when they only ride two days a week is similar to just being a passenger on a super well trained horse.

If a child is learning to jump on lesson horses there is a small window only for this .
They get the confidence and need to move onto their own horses as we cant have our lesson (older) horses jumping hard and a lot- they are the stepping stone to riding - they can’t be jumped and ridden harder .

When you first learn to ride you are just learning to hold onto the saintly lesson horses we provide.
Once you know the basics well it’s time to purchase or lease your own.

They need hours in the saddle -
Hours to practice
Hours to make mistakes and learn to ride on their own in between lessons.

When kids don’t have their own horse, they are competing with the other lesson students over their favourite lesson horse. They have a hard time sharing the love they feel for that animal as they don’t get personal time with it.
Let them be proud and let them have one of their own horses that they call their own, and they learn to be confident in themselves with their own horse that no one else rides

My daughter is six years old and she has her own pony that no one else can ride. Why because it makes her feel confident and proud that she takes care of her horse and he neighs for her every single time she comes to see him. He knows who she is and he Pines for her only every single day.

The horse to buy -

They NEED a horse picked specifically picked out by the trainer to match their personality and ability.
Your trainer knows your child or yourself as a new rider .Yes, there are many cheap horses out there. But it takes YEARS of everyday riding to create a safe horse, and not every horse has the personality or will to want to do the job you want them to do … so pay the commission and ask a trainer to match you .

Why do we have to buy so many different horses ?

If you are learning to ride, you need a horse that basically sleeps and they are a kick ride, which means something that you have to push to go. Once you become more confident,stable and athletic, you learn the cues and the stability to become a confident rider that could ride different abilities.
I say to my clients it’s like buying shoes that fit.
This sport will have to continue to buy or lease different horses as the children or clients move up the Levels just as if you were buying shoes that fit….
If you choose to be the parent the tries to buy the pair of shoes that are three sizes too big the child can’t compete in those shoes at that time and they will begin to get frustrated,hurt, and likely quit .

Why do we have to pay commission to buy a horse ?

The trainer that you hire has spent countless hours, training, horses and clients their entire life . For example myself I can walk into a field of horses, watch them run around and just in moments, I could tell you who is hurt who has the best movement who has the kindest eye who is the most curious and who wants to have a job.
The trainer that you hire will help you with the vet checks and will be the middle person with the other trainer. They will know if your horse, the horse that you were looking at is lame, hurt, or athletic, or kind enough to do the job that you were looking for.
Pay a commission to Horse Trainer

It may be an expensive sport, but boy am I so grateful that this is what I love to do. I am outside and physical. I am with animals❤️

06/11/2023

Current 2023 services offered-

Did you know we offer birthday parties for ages 4-9? Prebooked, prepaid. Pony rides and painting included.

Adult only lessons- beginner to intermediate! We’d love to get you back in the tack- or the show ring.

Youth lessons- ages 6 to 18. Groups according to skill level. Recreational program.

Competitive team- we actively enjoy going to a variety of A and B circuit shows! Leasing or owning is required to jump.

On-site boarding- for training, lessons and our show crew. Outdoor board only until October.

Come on out and join the fun 🦄 contact Celine for inquiries and bookings. (780) 819 0975

06/11/2023

Summer riding spaces! 8-9 weeks of summer sessions in July and August now available. Lessons run Monday through Thursdays. Saturdays and Sundays. Options for up to 2 lessons a week. Half leases available. Summer camp- new date added! July 24-26 for ages 6 to 10. Registrations are open. 8-3 everyday.

06/10/2023

Ya know what’s really sad?

So many of those of us who are burnt out are professionals who work with animals in some aspect - veterinarians, vet techs, farriers, trainers, coaches, etc.

Do you know why we work with animals?

Because we love them.

Do you know who makes things difficult for those animal loving professionals?

I’ll give you a hint, it’s not the animals.

Just be kind.

Just be respectful.

Just be appreciative.

They are not trying to make a quick buck off of you.

Running a business is expensive.

The overhead is expensive.

Supplies, materials and bills are expensive.

They understand that your pet is your baby and they are doing their best to help you.

Let’s end burn out.

We’re all here to help each other and the animals.

We’re on the same team, just in case you forgot.

🌻 Cara

05/25/2023

05/14/2023

Lesson spaces available;
Monthly long term sessions weeknights 5:30-9

Weekend beginner sessions 11:30-1 pm
8-16 week sessions starting next week, June 1st and August 1st. Saturdays and Sundays.

Adults Saturday 9 am starting July 1st

Haul in lessons available for jumping, colts and flatwork.

05/05/2023

Barn clients, there is a missing dog south of us can you please keep an eye open for him? Name is Maverick, he escaped from a kennel and may try to head home. Contact info is in second picture. Family is away.

05/02/2023

For those wondering this is a map of
Where I believe the fire is. Look for the little red dot, it’s about 50 kms from here.

03/10/2023

Good info here.

03/01/2023

Is anyone available Friday morning and /or Monday morning to help with the farrier? Please message!

02/15/2023

Prohibited Substances, Feed, and the Performance Horse (Repost)

Due to the recent social media discussions calling for associations to revisit thresholds on testing and substances, we conducted some outreach to see what we should and shouldn't feed as treats, and we were referred to an article from Kentucky Equine Research by a large animal veterinarian.

Interestingly (and surprisingly,) M&M's were used as an example of the source of the regulated substances Theobromine and Caffeine in the 2011 article.

Read on (with specific interest to the numbered lists): http://www.equinechronicle.com/prohibited-substances-feed-and-the-performance-horse/ PC: AdobeStock Editorial Use Only photo.

02/15/2023

Jacket left behind on Monday In case you are missing it

02/14/2023

Tonight I had someone call about lessons...
We talked some and then I told her my prices and then we talked some more. Then the dreaded question... “do you do a multiple lesson discount?” As I replied “No Ma’am” the tone tone changed. She proceeded to mention “shopping around”. Which I totally believe in, not every program is for every kid. However, in this industry YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Your best deal isn’t necessarily the safest for your child. That $25 lesson is most likely from someone who doesn’t know much more than your child on a horse they just picked up from the sale last weekend.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Safe horses aren’t cheap, well trained horses aren’t cheap, maintenance on that old school horse isn’t cheap, the insurance so your child can ride isn’t cheap, the list can go on and on. Let alone the countless hours your trainer has been gaining and acquiring the knowledge that they’re passing on to your child. When you start adding all that up and multiply it by a few horses that $40-$50 lesson isn’t so bad.
So next time you’re looking for a farm for your precious child, don’t look at the prices look at the community at the barn, and the effort the trainers put into the kids. Because that extra $20 will be 100% worth it in the long run. Your kid will remember having fun instead of a trip to the ER because “sparkles and glitter” broke their arm.
A good lesson horse is worth its weight in gold.

by Julia Beaty

01/25/2023

1/3 leases available - dressage, or jumping xrails to 2’ (max eligibility to show xrails).

1/2 leases- Includes;
1 dressage lesson
1 jump lesson
1 schooling ride
1 cuddle/spoil the pony session per week.
Eligible to show to 2’3”.

Full leases- free/care leases to 2’3”. Paid leases to 2’9”.

Recreational lessons;
Adults 7:30 Wednesday, February/March, 8 weeks available to start. $420
Adults 7:30 Tuesday, February/March 8 weeks available to start, $420

Kids 6-9 years old, Saturdays 11 am, $420, 8 weeks. Feb/March
Kids 6-9 years old, Tuesday’s 5 30 pm, $420, 8 weeks. Feb/March

Youth 10-14, Thursdays 5 30 pm, $420, 8 weeks. Feb/March

Haul In or boarder jumping lessons;
Monday 6:30
Thursday 6:30
Thursday 7:30
Sunday option will be available if enough interest.

01/17/2023

They don’t care.

That’s how I explain horses to potential new owners who inquire with me for advice. I don’t ever want to discourage someone from the adventure of owning horses. But I feel it is my responsibility as a horse woman to look out for their future horses by giving them the harsh reality.

They don’t care if you’re sick.
They don’t care if it’s 0 degrees
They don’t care if you don’t have the money this month.
They don’t care if you’re tired.
They don’t care if you had other plans.
They don’t care if it’s the holidays.
They don’t care if you’re at work.
They don’t care if it’s the middle of the night.

They depend on you. They need fed, every day multiple times a day. They need their stalls cleaned / turned out, every day. They need you to bust ice on freezing days, and bring extra water on hot ones. They need you to care for them when they’re sick, and they are FRAGILE. Seriously, they spend 75% of their life trying to die and vet bills are expensive.

But, it will be your greatest adventure. The right horse will care about you. They will care for you on days you need it most.

So, take lessons, come over and hang out with your horse friends for a day, volunteer to help them out. Make sure it’s something you want to commit to because they didn’t ask to be in your care.

Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

- Deahanna Raynes

01/06/2023

01/04/2023

Tank headed to his new home today, we had an early morning discussion about how much he will be missed, and we hope he loves his new home and back to enjoying the trails. He’s such a good boy❤️.