The smallest horse in my barn continues to teach me the biggest lessons. It was early morning a week or so after my husband Aquila’s surgery. He was starting to regain mobility, but still far from being able to help with farm chores. I had taken time off to help him recover, but I was …
Surviving Beauty
My mother proves that the saying “people don’t change” is hooey. Over a decade ago, a diagnosis of breast cancer changed my mom’s life in every way. It also changed mine. It changed my life because I saw the strength that could emerge in a person when their physical body was down and out. I …
Atticus Runs Home
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 …
Seas of Manifestation
I could swim before I could walk. Some of my earliest memories are with my dad in a pool, showing me how to blow bubbles. A few years later, I would be moving fluidly and weightlessly, picturing myself with a whale's tail propelling me forward. My love for the water has always been deep, but …
Become A What?
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 …
Sense Knocked Into Me
Friday the 13th was the beginning of my new life. It was June of 2008 when my boyfriend Aquila and I left Montreal to go WWOOFing across Canada. Our first chosen farm destination captivated me with its description of horses, vegetable gardens, and maple syrup, but the promise of equines guided my soul. Nestled in …
Woke Up With a Bang
How did I change? How did I go from a city dwelling honor roll student to dropping out, moving to the country, and living a life enthralled with horses? My life’s alarm clock went off September 13th, 2006. I was studying Social Services at Dawson College in Montreal, listening to presentations that uncharacteristically went over …