The night air was thin and sharp, a deep winter cold making the trees pop. It had been a long day working under horses, barely keeping enough circulation to feel my fingers as I clutched my metal farrier tools. Finally home, I sat by the woodstove, slowly thawing; I had no desire to go back …
Continue reading "A Call For Generosity"
When I first rescued my miniature horse, Spring, she had a near death experience that left us both in a panic. It was a Friday late afternoon when I went to pick her up and bring her to her new home. When we arrived at my farm, Spring walked cautiously into the barn and immediately …
Continue reading "Saved by a Friend"
The feistiest horse in my barn stands level to my knees. Last week, I was preparing the horses’ dinner, allowing my mind to settle into the tranquil state of being around my wonderful equine family. I carefully measured out grains and supplements, each meal individually tailored to the needs of our varied herd. I …
Continue reading "Great Things Come in Small Packages"
Sometimes a tragedy can blossom into a beautiful next chapter. Several years ago, my horse Grace suffered a terrible loss. Before I became her human, she was sold in foal from the RCMP Musical Ride to one of my clients. This would have been her third baby, which she would have mothered beautifully like the others. She would …
Continue reading "Fall is Here, and so is Spring"
As I built a barn to bring home my horse Grace, I prepared to bring home another horse, Atticus. This feisty, athletic gelding, with a curiosity that would put cats to shame, daunted and thrilled me to become his caretaker. Horses, like people, are social creatures. As herd animals, they need company, preferably one of …
Continue reading "Atticus Runs Home"
There are many near-legendary stories of barn-raising parties from the past. People would get together and work incredibly hard, not for money or recognition, but for the community and a good meal or two. These days that can sound like folklore, but somehow, I had the good fortune to experience it. Moving onto our farm, …
Continue reading "An Old Fashioned Barn Build"
A massive mare rears onto her hind legs and strikes out with power and precision. Ears pinned back and a fiery fury in her eye, she bites at anyone who comes near and sends her abusers flying up against the walls. This is the scene my client walked into when he went to claim the …
Continue reading "A Noble Horse"
Since I became a farrier, every week someone offers me a free horse. Every week, I say no. There are always horses looking for homes for a plethora of reasons, and I am honoured people feel that I would be a good owner. That being said, horses are incredibly costly in time and money. Declining …
Continue reading "Riding My Way To Grace"
The first time I heard the word farrier, I thought it had something to do with taxidermy. No, I was told, it is the person who cares for the horses hooves. The horses need regular trimming and sometimes shoeing, and the farrier travels around to different barns to provide this service. My highly opinionated project …
Continue reading "Become A What?"
What is in a name? A LOT! Contessa was proof of that. A two year old dark bay filly with attitude coming out of every pore - she was a handful. Contessa was born on the farm a couple of years before Aquila and I arrived as WWOOFers. From the moment she entered the world, …
Continue reading "A Diva Named Contessa"
My Horse Heart 