August 15, 2024

​

I decided it was time to rewrite this page. This page is “about us”, and that’s exactly what I’m going to write about.

 

Steeve and I have been together since 2016, and we were friends for a few years prior. We met when I started boarding at the same place he kept his horses at.

 

As time passed, it became clear that we had one thing in common that we didn’t share with the other boarders. We both loved to ride far, fast and as much as possible.

 

The rest is truly history. Our paths twisted and turned to bring us to this Dream Ranch that has been our home since 2017. When Steeve and I arrived, we had three horses. We now average around 25 horses at any given time.

 

We started taking any outside horse we could get to build up our client base. Pretty soon we were booking a year in advance, and then picking and choosing which horses we wanted to work with, and to now closing our training calendar almost entirely. Our focus has shifted to breeding the best gaited horses we can, growing them up, giving them a good start and then placing them into forever, loving homes.

 

Our formula begins with good breeding, also known as stacking the odds in our favour. Steeve and I prefer the old Canadian and Heritage lines of Tennessee Walking Horses. They are built and bred to work hard, work smooth and work smart.

 

The next step is to raise them right. I don’t smother my babies as soon as they hit the ground. I’ve learned over the years that they always come around to people, especially when they enter our herd. I want this time for the babies to be just that, babies. To grow and learn from their moms and pasture mates. As the young ones grow into yearlings, they are expected to be halter broke, to tie, and to pick up their feet so they can receive proper care as they grow up.

 

The third ingredient is laying down a strong foundation. This usually occurs at the end of their three-year-old year. This is when basic groundwork is installed, as well as an introduction to saddle, bridle and rider. The most important part of laying the foundation is giving these young horses time to think, to “soak” in all the information we’ve just shared with them.

 

At four the adventure is really starting to begin, although serious miles are not generally accumulated until the horse is five or six. Their fourth year is spent in the arena, gait training and initial introduction to trail riding.

 

Some final words to wrap this up:

 

Slow is fast and fast will almost always get you into trouble.

 

The foundation you lay is what you and your horse will fall back on when things go sideways (and they will!).

 

Our passion is long distance riding; be it in the mountains, long distance competition, or riding on local trails.

 

Our love is a smooth, easy gaiting horse.

 

Our goal is a happy horse who understands and enjoys their job.

 

Happy trails!

 

​