Silver Willow Farm
40 Irvine Road N0A 1R0 Hamilton, ON, Canada

Hot damn! My man sure knows how to tarp hay (or tarpei as everyone nonfarming thought we were saying lol). Thanks for being so handy Don!!

Awesome article with some real food for thought. Are you actually ok if your horse says it doesn’t want to be ridden today? If you don’t try different tack and different training methods, have you given your horse a chance to express preference? I am continually refining my efforts to give my horse choice. Of course, there will always be the non-negotiables - you will get your feet trimmed regularly. You will respect my personal space. If medical care is required, you will a...llow me to administer it. But with the other areas of our interactions, the more I refine my listening skills, the more choices my horses get, the more cooperative they become. Rose and Raven like being ridden in a halter. Dana is preferring the Nurtual and I will be trying her in a bit as well to see what her preference is. If a horse refuses supplements that it has previously accepted, I trust it means they no longer need them. If a horse doesn’t enjoy being brushed, I don’t do it. And if a horse hates being ridden, I don’t ride them (I will try to make it something fun that they can enjoy, but some of them just don’t). I can’t justify to myself hurting my horse and forcing my horse to do things that are only for my pleasure. Getting their feet done is for their health and well-being. Being a riding horse is only for my fun and entertainment - we no longer rely on horses to survive. Luckily, more people are seeing things this way. I know many people now that own horses with no intention to ride them. When someone asks why would you own a horse if you don’t ride it, I reply why do you own a lab if you don’t hunt with it? Or a Heeler if you aren’t on a ranch? Because companionship and love are truly enough reasons to own them. I challenge you to continue to refine your skills as a horseman or woman. Start offering your horse more options and more choice and see what they enjoy. Like all friendships, there will be negotiation and disagreement. But just like you wouldn’t punch your friend for not wanting to go to the movies, don’t punish your horse if their idea of a good way to spend time is different than your idea of a good way to spend time. Better yet, try to find a way to make sure it’s fun for everyone.

Are you looking for a unique gift for the animal lover in your life? Check out this 2021 calendar - each picture can also be framed once the month has passed so you can continue to enjoy it!

These bars have become a big hit for Christmas, house warming and shower gifts and some have already sold out (see post below). If you are interested in buying some, don’t delay. If they are for gifts, let me know and I can wrap them up pretty for you.

Thank you Jaime for you purchase! The soaps smell sooooo good! #handmade #vegansoap #allnatural #essentialoils #supportlocal

One of Dreamer’s babies enjoying cuddles at his new home! It’s always hard watching your babies move out, but I have been very blessed to have amazing people purchase my foals and continue to give them amazing love and care!