North Keppel Equine

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North Keppel Equine

Dedicated to the ethical preservation of Canada's National Horse. A family-run farm dedicated to the preservation of the Canadian Horse.

We believe in ethical breeding and training that puts the mental health and wellbeing of our horses above all else.

17/09/2025

A last snuggle before she (and Lottie) got on the trailer this morning.

Feels like the end of an era. Charlie has been here for a decade, since she was just a tiny foal. She and her mother were the first “horses” on our property (she would disagree with that being in quotations, but she doesn’t have social media and can’t read, so). She taught us all of the things we shouldn’t do, and then some. She made sure to test fences, gate latches, and pockets - regularly. She ensured we got our daily exercise by sneaking out of the paddock at the most inopportune times. She made messes every chance she got and tested the integrity of spray bottles, wound salve tubes, and anything else left within reach. She was the loudest horse in the herd and by far the sassiest - what she lacked in stature she made up for in personality. She was, in a word, a menace.

But she was also the horse my son learned to care for, never once threatening to bite him the way she loved to do to anyone taller than her. She was the horse that - without fail - would run, bucking, onto the lawn with such joy and abandon that you couldn’t help but laugh (and then fill in the holes she made…). She would walk down to Big Bay with Cooper and I and go for a swim at the boat launch, much to the amusement of the community. And she would march through the Kemble parade like it was all for her - stopping at any outstretched hand for a treat or a scratch. She was like a stuffed animal, a cartoon, a caricature of a “real pony”, and she would stand for hours if you would just give her some scratches. I made every mistake in the book with her, and yet she still would come to stand with me and share space.

In the last few years, she’s been battling laminitis. With the way that our farm and herd setup is here, I just couldn’t beat it. She would come sound, then go sore, then lose weight and then gain it right back. In an effort to get her back on track, my best friend Marina offered to take her. She has an incredible set-up there, perfect for laminitic ponies - and two wee boys who are just the right size to be Charlie’s besties. I’m so grateful to Marina for giving her a chance at healing, even though it’s so far away. She deserves it. 🤍

And, Marina? Don’t say I didn’t warn you… 🤣🤣

12/09/2025

Get excited… we have a foal expected for 2026!! 🤩

We had a bit of a late start this breeding season, but with the help of my amazing vet , she was scanned in foal yesterday for an August 2026 baby. 🥹 Feeling so grateful and relieved… and excited to meet this little one!

Sarrabelle Alias Jackpot x SharDean Wasco*Dekharma Gwen 🤍

Gwen’s last filly sold in under 24 hours… so if you might want a chance at this baby, make sure you get on the “first dibs” list!

03/09/2025

Bitless Riding Options: What Science Says

Research has shown that bits can cause a range of oral injuries, including lesions, bruising, bone damage, and long-term tissue trauma. Scientific studies consistently demonstrate that these risks are higher and more severe with bitted designs than with bitless options.

That said, not all bitless equipment is created equal. Some designs distribute pressure more broadly and, when fitted correctly, pose very low risk such as well-fitted sidepulls, smooth rope halters, or flat halters. Others concentrate pressure or magnify rein forces such as cross-unders or mechanical hackamores, which increases welfare concerns if not fitted or used carefully. Neck ropes and liberty create minimal mechanical pressure, with the main considerations being training reliability and context.

This chart gives a side-by-side look at some of the most common bitless designs. It shows how each works and what research says about their potential welfare impacts. The goal is not to promote one type bitless bridle over another, but to provide clear, science-based information so riders can make informed choices.

⸻

✨ Key takeaways from the research include:

• Bosals:

Rooted in vaquero tradition. Limited peer-reviewed research exists, but the rigid, non-padded nosepiece can create focal pressure. Classified by welfare groups as a higher risk if misused.

• Cross-unders:

Apply pressure to nose, poll, and jaw. Studies report altered movement compared to a snaffle and multi-point pressure distribution, raising welfare concerns.

• Halters (Flat):

Spread pressure broadly and are generally low risk when fitted correctly, though less precise than purpose-made bridles.

• Halters (Rope):

Knotted rope halters concentrate pressure on facial nerves and require caution. Smooth rope halters without knots distribute pressure more evenly and are considered a safer option.

• Liberty (No equipment):

Relies entirely on conditioned responses with no mechanical pressure applied. No risk of tissue harm, but reliability depends on training and context.

• Mechanical hackamores:

Leverage magnifies rein pressure dramatically and can exceed forces of severe bits if misused. This design creates high pressure and significant injury risk if applied strongly.

• Neck ropes:

Pose minimal mechanical risk since they do not act on sensitive tissues. The main consideration is training reliability, as they offer little backup control in high-pressure situations.

• Scawbrig:

Less researched, but applies pressure only to the nose and jaw with a simpler action than cross-unders.

• Sidepulls:

Research shows no loss of performance when compared with a snaffle during foundation training. Poor fit or lack of padding can risk nasal bone or nerve injury, but with correct fit and padding, sidepulls are considered a very safe option.

⸻

Conclusion:

Not all bitless bridles are created equally. Some such as well-fitted sidepulls, padded flat halters, and smooth rope designs are supported by research as safer choices, while others such as cross-unders and mechanical hackamores raise clear welfare concerns.

Bitless options pose a SIGNIFICANTLY lower risk of severe harm compared to many common bitted designs. The evidence is consistent. Properly fitted bitless designs eliminate many of the documented welfare risks of bits, offering horses a safer and more welfare-friendly option.

These findings reflect what recent science shows us about bit versus bitless designs. This is not about opinion or tradition, but about applying the best current evidence to support horse welfare. The goal is not to ban bits outright, but to recognize that the research clearly supports bitless as a safer option and, in terms of performance, an equivalent alternative, and to challenge existing competition rules so horses and riders can access those options fairly.

05/08/2025

-- SOLD --

Keppel Kelbeck Lotus - [CAN]15766 - Registered Canadian Horse - E/e, a/a, N/Cr, nD1/nD2
Born June 30th, 2024

Your dream horse is here! “Lottie” is exceptional in every way - genetics, conformation, temperament, height (16hh+) and even the added bonus of the cream gene, hidden under her smokey black coat with double mane. She’s friendly, first to the gate, and absolutely loves to be fussed over. She stands perfectly at liberty to have her hooves trimmed, leads well with a group or alone, and is quite brave and calm when presented with new experiences. She is an absolute sweetheart and it’s very challenging for me to let her go!
I’d love to see Lottie in an ethical show home (she was made for the ring) with plans to breed her in the future to contribute to the endangered population of our Canadian Horse. Expected to finish 16.1-16.2hh. More photos & video to come.
Priced in the high four figures.
Located near Owen Sound, Ontario

https://www.clrc.ca/search-registry/pedigree?_h=1&_lang=en&_breedcode=CI&_countrycode=CAN&_regnumberprefix=&_regnumber=15766&_regnumbersuffix=&_association=82ei

03/08/2025

First ride (at home) in the books! 🥹🥰
Marina has done such an amazing job getting her started. Her basics are flawless and she’s happy & eager. I couldn’t ask for a better horse (or friend 🤍) to start this next journey with as I sort through some longstanding riding anxiety. I’m so looking forward to our adventures to come and evolving Fantasia into an absolute trail master (and having her help guide Moose towards the same goal).
I didn’t dare take more pics or video as I really wanted to be fully present, but I wanted to get something to remember this.🤍

31/07/2025

Welcome home, Blain Eros Fantasia!!
So looking forward to our adventures to come. 🤍

25/07/2025

The mares listed were bred here - I'd love to keep in touch with new owners.

17/06/2025

Big day for little Léo yesterday! He went off to his new home (where he gets to join his mama, Rosie 🥹) and little Charlie went off to her lease (where she’s already making two little boys super happy).
Bittersweet day for sure.

06/06/2025

Saw a couple of old friends on my trip to PEI. 🤍🥹

Wasco (now Thor), who started this whole sisterhood thing so many years ago, is still looking just as regal as I remember. The BEST stallion.

And Hannah (now Gaveniah), who was such a hard goodbye, but was really more of a see-you-later. My heart felt a lot better after getting to see her again.

Our little bands of horses are forever stitched together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

02/06/2025

Blain Eros Fantasia. I can’t wait to bring you home. 🥹

This has really been ages in the making, and so many things needed to line up just perfectly. I’ve watched Fantasia’s progression with my friend and repeatedly told myself that no, she wasn’t for me… but anytime Marina Wright considered selling her, I’d internally panic just a little: she couldn’t sell her, but I didn’t know why.

It all came to the surface a few months ago when I started horse shopping for a riding horse for myself. I had strict criteria and went to see multiple geldings that - on paper - checked the boxes. Sound, experienced, “beginner safe.” One threw me off, one was so anxious he couldn’t handle himself, and one I just simply didn’t get on after he bucked the owner. Countless more I messaged about, and I’d always voice note Marina afterwards with what I was experiencing. It felt like I was looking for a needle in a haystack.

You see, finding like-minded horse people can be… a challenge. I wanted a horse that stood to mount, could ride out calmly on their own, wasn’t shut down (I don’t want a robot) and could help me work through some pretty deep riding anxiety. It was a tall order, and something that I wasn’t finding in general equine circles. So many horses on the market these days are massively anxious themselves - or downright dangerous - and I just wasn’t having any luck finding something that fit.

In the meantime, Marina kept sending me videos of her progress with Fantasia as she got her going under saddle, and I kept saying how much I wanted a horse like _that_. Marina starts horses with kindness, compassion, and science-backed learning theories. There’s no cowboy bu****it there. The more I saw her progress, the more I knew I needed to go out and - at the very least - have a visit with a horsey bestie and just ride a good, solid, well-trained horse.

And so I did. And I had the best time. And I found my horse. 🤍 Fantasia checks so many boxes for me and I am so excited to see where we go from here.

Huge love and appreciation to Marina for being not only the bestest of friends but for training some really great horses. The sisterhood of the travelling horses strikes again. 🤍

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