Discovering the Horse

This is our amazing rescue “Pony Patrol “

We are so blessed to be a part of this group…if you have an event or occasion that could be supported by Pony Patrol. Reach out to us!!

Getting ready for our Mothers Day event this weekend. Kelly Taylor always does an amazing job. We are having pony_patrol_ab with us and we are so honoured to be with them.

TRUST…the theme of teen class today. We played blind man’s bluff, equine taboo, blind tacking and the 5 minute rule. These riders are learning to mesh well before we work on their year end. Trusting the team when you’re doing drill work is vital.

I think we nailed it!!!

We kicked off 2026 Pony Patrol today in the best way! In the heart of Cochrane we helped our wonderful friend Debbie Leah and her team at their garage sale in support of Big Hill Haven. DH is blessed with the best horses, the best volunteers and the most amazing opportunities to bring rescue horses into the community

Making brochures using AI…I admit when I think of AI I see Sarah Conner and a Terminator. But I have to admit it’s pretty darn cool.

I keep catching myself talking to it like it’s human. I guess I hope that when it does become self aware it will remember that DH was nice to it 😜😜😜

Something tells me I shouldn’t have left the DH cell unattended…
We have the BEST team ever and Hannah, our lesson supervisor, is the most amazing human ever! She’s also the leader of our therapeutic riding program here at DH. Be sure to contact her if you are looking for mental health support with horses. She is outstanding!!!

Shrek…you can’t ride…you have no thumbs and too many claws. BUT your child sure can in the BEST horse camps around. We’re almost 50% full. Don’t wait. Book your camp today!!!

It was time for the door to open. Not to anything that we could have been prepared for but a door none the less.

Banjo was the EXAMPLE of how we learned what NOT to be with horses. I liked to refer to him as the Sergeant, the most trusted horse that hated his job. I can hear you now saying then WHY?!?

Let us explain. We keep our horses on a health regime. Most hours spent allowed to graze and eat without competition for food. He was the one that would rotate the oldies making sure they had hay. When the weather was too cold, he was the one putting the oldies in the shelter to stay warm. When the footing was icy and typical to our area he was the one that accompanied the oldies to the water.

So when it came to lesson time, he got to take time off duty. He was steadfast to his riders, he could read a nervous leg, a brave leg and a bold leg. He would step into roles that he knew he had to be. So when I say he hated his job, I could see that it was because the weight he carried, the responsibility he had and just like the Sergeant he kept everyone in line. He was so much more to DH than just a horse. He was a friend, a protector and a guide to whatever was coming next.

So we learned to NOT underestimate the power of connection to horses. We learned NOT to take a moment for granted. We learned NOT hold back on muzzle kisses. We learned NOT to hide the last treat. We learned NOT to give up our ground. We learned NOT to get small. We learned that hula hoops are NOT friends and to stay away from the obstacles. We learned NOT to hold back love and NOT to underestimate ourselves. Who taught us this? Banjo

So big guy…close the door on this part of your journey and open to the next. Close the door to all the parts that weighed you down. Open the door to the Rainbow pasture a d run free with the waiting DH herd. We all thank you for the tough lessons, the lessons we needed to hear and the lessons that made us find a little more of who we are whilst on your back.