Stillwater Stables
5219 Russell Road K0A 1K0 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Congratulations to Laura Jones for winning the photo contest (and prize toque)! Several of her photos made it into the calendar, and although this one didn't, we love it and wanted to share it! Thanks so much to all who participated!

Stillwater Photo Contest! We are looking for the perfect calendar cover shot! Submit your favourite Stillwater photos THIS week for a chance to win a Stillwater Toque and to have your photo featured in the 2021 Calendar! Please submit photo entries to: [email protected] . Please include your full name with the photo(s). ... High resolution photographs preferred but all will be considered. Deadline: Dec 18th!!!!

There are still some toques left! Get yours today! Contact Anet to order or bring $25 to an instructor. [email protected]

Well it was a rainy Monday but we sure had a lot of fun in the nice weather yesterday! Check out our creative horsemanship!

Still a few spots left! Email [email protected] to register or for more information.

A splash of colour goes a long way! How cool are these two!?

Oh Hay! Winter is here and Stillwater Stables has toques available for purchase. This toque fundraiser, run by one of our wonderful boarders , is to help offset some of the ongoing financial loses due to the COVID-19 program size restrictions & camp closures. To ensure everyone’s safety, we are still only running private and some very small independent rider group lessons. In addition to this challenge, the price of hay for feeding our herd has increased significantly. We a...re doing our best to keep the horses well cared for and to keep program costs low for our students. Thank you all for your support! If you would like to order a toque, please contact Anet directly (see contact below), or if you are a current student you can bring $25 to your instructor. $10 from each purchase will go directly towards hay, grain and horse care. If you have any questions, please contact the fundraiser organizer: [email protected]

Lots of hard work put into these costumes! Thanks for being so festive!

Despite a few technical difficulties, our costumes were a hit!

More spooky jumping!

Some special edition Halloween jumps!

This fine fellow dropped by the barn for a visit. So stylish! He must have spent all day getting ready in the field!

Happy Halloween from your barn buds at Stillwater Stables! There were lots of interesting characters out here today and some delicious goodies too!

Some pony playtime out in the field!

Wishing everyone a fantastic thanksgiving with their loves ones. What a gorgeous weekend we’ve had! We are so grateful for our wonderful Stillwater community. There’s beauty hiding everywhere if you choose to see it.

Another beautiful and quiet sunset at the barn tonight. Thanks to many generous supporters, the herd is doing well. We are only able to run lessons at about 25% capacity, as we follow pandemic safety protocols thus we are continuing to look for horse care sponsors to help us through this challenging time. A huge thanks to Melanie Page for kicking off October by sponsoring our sweet Sugar! Your support is greatly appreciated! Please see our website or contact Beth for more information on how you can help the herd!

These best buds Rainbow and Littlefoot love sharing meals together! #rainbowsandunicorns #horsesofinstagram #poniesofinstagram #naturalhorsemanship #ottawa #ottawahorses

https://www.willowtreeottawa.ca/

Super Special Stillwater Spotlight: Charlotte! Charlotte is a rescued pony and was the first equine to arrive at Stillwater 6 years ago. She is 14 years old. Charlotte comes trotting over when you call her name and loves people. She also loves to be spoiled with treats! She is a very curious pony and likes to play and nibble on the brushes while you’re grooming her. Sometimes, she even knocks over the grooming kit! She wears her white socks proudly and has quite a big person...ality! We can't believe how far she has come in her training since arriving at Stillwater. Our dear Charlotte has been quite sick for the past week, but with some vet care, lots of TLC from her family and IV fluids, she's finally looking like she's on the mend. 2 sponsorships (from Alison Perry, as well as an anonymous donor) came in at the perfect time - when they were so needed for Charlotte's care. Both asked to sponsor the greatest need and this was definitely it. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

It's draw time!! Congratulations to the winners of the June and July stuffed animal draws! Thank you so much for reaching out to help all our furry friends. Please contact Beth to claim your prizes! Below are some of our stuffies waiting for their forever homes. If you haven't already sponsored, please consider helping out for the month of August. Remember a full sponsorship gets you a personalized stuffie and a Stillwater Calendar! Full details are on our website. THANK YOU!...!! JUNE WINNERS Horse - Janet Gwilliam & Family Cat - Jolianne Demers Bunny - Ange Brown JULY WINNERS Horse - Jen Dewolfe & Family Cat - Jolianne Demers Bunny - A super lovely anonymous sponsor!

Stillwater Spotlight: Rainbow! The story of Rainbow has such a happy ending! Beth first knew him when he was a yearling and he’s now in his early 20s. She worked with him for a few years when she was first exploring natural horsemanship. Rainbow was Bethany’s original Parelli horse. As partners, they worked through the levels and expanded their training. She last worked with him when she was pregnant with her eldest daughter 14 years ago. Many years later, after a chance meet...ing in a field, Bethany learned where Rainbow was now living. Finally, this past winter, he came back into her life for good when his owner contacted her to say he was moving and could not keep Rainbow any longer. Reunited at last!! This fun chestnut gelding is easy to recognize with his bold white blaze. He moves gracefully and shows his playfulness when he chews on carrot sticks and brushes. He has been a great addition to the school horse crew and we are really looking forward to having more students meet this awesome guy! Thank you to Isla, Kim and Jemima for sponsoring Rainbow for June and July! The support we have received so far has been amazing and has allowed us to maintain our high standards of animal care during a very difficult time. Slowly but surely, we are getting back on our hooves!

We will be announcing the winners of the June and July stuffy draws tomorrow! There’s still time to get your name in the draws. Remember a $150 Horse Helper Sponsorship gets you a Stillwater calendar and a ballot into the stuffed horse draw. $25 gives you a ballot in the stuffed kitty draw and just $10 puts your name in the draw for a stuffed bunny!! Good luck everyone!

Stillwater Spotlight: Macho! Macho is a 14-year-old retired standardbred racehorse. He is all black and you can still see his racing numbers on the crest of his neck. He is very sweet and loving. His calm demeanor makes him great with kids. He is very eager to try new things, especially if he has built up a lot of trust with his rider. This loyal gelding is the perfect equine partner. Thanks to Macho's previous owner Alain, and a very sweet anonymous donor, Macho's sponsorship was taken care of for the months of June and July. We really appreciate everyone reaching out to help get this herd back on their hooves!

Stillwater Spotlight: Mira! Sweet and honest Mira loves to bond with her human partners. She is very soft and sensitive to her rider’s requests she makes it look seamless! She pays close attention to what is being asked of her and is kind with her riders. Mira’s more unique colour is called buckskin and she’s a beauty for sure! A huge HIGH 5 to Janet Gwilliam & family, plus an anonymous sponsor for covering Mira's care for June! Mira is still looking for sponsors for July and August. Please contact us if you would like to help. :)

Stillwater Spotlight: Honey! Honey is the newest Stillwater school horse, but he quickly became the most dominant horse in his field. He is a gorgeous and strong chestnut with a blond mane. He is smart, curious and a quick thinker so that means he keeps riders on their toes! Honey loves to jump and be at liberty (offline). He’s turning out to be a spectacular school horse and a great teacher. We were so happy to welcome him into the Stillwater family! 3 cheers for Leah and a very sweet anonymous sponsor for taking care of Honey's care expenses for June and July. Honey still needs a sponsor for August! Would you like to be a horse helper or pony pal? Check out our website for information or contact Beth. https://www.stillwaterstables.ca/helping-the-herd

Stillwater Spotlight: Felix This fun and playful extrovert keeps his riders on their toes! Students need to be imaginative to keep up with Felix’s curiosity and free spirit. He enjoys new challenges and games and loves to jump. He’s getting really good at jumping "at liberty" (free of tack, free to express himself!). Felix did very well when competing in the horsemanship trials last year and we are sure this smart boy will continue to impress! Thank you to Quinn Redekop for... your very kind donation!! We put it towards a June sponsorship for Felix! Felix is still looking for sponsors for July and August. Please check out our website or contact Beth for details.

Stillwater Spotlight: Run! Run is a handsome and tall (16 hands) bay. This sleek gelding is 14 years old. Being a retired standardbred racehorse, he is exceptionally athletic and has a very large stride to ride! Smart and strong, Run is the leader of his herd. He is a very playful extrovert and having a good imagination is key to keeping him interested and focused! This boy is motivated and loves his treats! Thank you so much to Lisa and Hailey for sponsoring Run all summer! Your support is appreciated so much!

A Super Special Stillwater Stables Shout-out to ANNA LORIMER for Sponsoring a School horse for all three summer months! Thank you so much Anna for your generosity! There's a very unique herd of horses galloping your way!

Stillwater Spotlight: Zara! Zara is a stunning black and white paint horse with a unique heart shape on her neck. Bethany rescued her a few years ago and provided her with the TLC she needed to heal physically and emotionally. Zara is believed to be only 5 years old and is coming along very nicely with her training. She has a lot to learn and a lot to teach us like patience! She is super curious, a star athlete and loves to move! Thank you to Margaret Lemay for sponsoring this beautiful paint, Zara for the month of June. You're a gem! Zara is still looking for sponsors for July and August! Please contact Bethany for more details.

Nature Connections may not be able to have their camp this year but Brittany is still creating her wonderful stories and now they can be listened to online. Children (and adults) can sit back and relax while listening to the new adventures of the Dordakdoos.

Stillwater Spotlight: Rolo! Just like the chocolaty treat, Rolo is also very sweet! This handsome bay gelding has been with us since we opened Stillwater. He loves to jump and has competed very well at the horsemanship trials. Four years ago, Rolo foundered (a painful condition affecting a horse’s hooves). Thanks to excellent farrier care and some extra loving from the students, he recovered fully! What a stellar little pony! Thanks so much to Jen Dewolfe & family, and an anonymous donor for sponsoring Rolo for the month of June! Stay tuned for draw prizes!

For the rest of July, we will highlight one Stillwater school horse each day. Enjoy! Stillwater Spotlight: Sugar! This super cute and tiny pony hides her age well! Sugar is in her 20s and still as speedy as ever! So many children have taken their first ride on Sugar. She’s very forgiving and teaches students how to be light and soft with their hands. This mare loves to stand tall on the pedestal and to sneak grass whenever you’re not paying attention! Sugar developed Cushing’s disease in 2018 and is now on regular medication to keep her in top shape. In that same year, she competed and won in the horsemanship trials! Way to go sweet Sugar! A HUGE thank you to Carole Kemp and an anonymous donor for sponsoring Sugar for the months of June and July!

Sending our biggest heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped out the herd so far! We are still looking for sponsors for July and August, as we slowly re-open programs. If you haven't yet seen our campaign video, please view it here: https://www.stillwaterstables.ca/helping-the-herd

Visit our website for information on how you can help our herd.

TIPS FOR EQUINE BUSINESSES DURING COVID-19 With the recommendations from the CDC, requirements put in place by some states, and the general fear in the United S...tates, horse businesses are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and facing some unique challenges. Some of the important things to remember are: Use common sense: horse folks are familiar with biosecurity and disease spread, we just need to apply this knowledge to humans. Think "strangles protocol"! Be prepared to enforce some restrictions and some changes to your barn policies until the pandemic has passed. Protecting your health and the health of your staff, family and clients is paramount during this time. Have a plan in place for the number of essential staff required to look after the horses’ minimum needs, and provide frequent updates to both clients and employees. Horse owners should have alternate plans in place for the care of their horses if they themselves become sick and self-isolate or become hospitalized. If you have no one to help look after your horses, then the CDC recommends that you wash your hands before and after caring for your animals, as well as wear a face mask while handling them until you are cleared by your health care professional. The AVMA has stated that infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people. However, out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. Our friends at Stable Management Magazine pulled together some tips and ideas that might help you manage this uncertain time; you can read the full article at https://stablemanagement.com//tips-for-equine-businesses-d. Please remember that this is a rapidly evolving situation and information may change. #aaep #equinevets #horsedoctors #veterinarymedicine #equestrianlife #covid19 #fridayreads #horselife #biosecurity #tips

March Break is just around the corner. We have spaces still available in our camp. Your child can come for individual days or the whole week. Register on our website. www.stillwaterstables.ca

March Break Camp Registration is now available through our website. March 16 - 20 Ages 6 - 11 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.... $360 + tax Visit www.stillwaterstables.ca

Winter Nature Connections classes begin soon! Don’t miss registering your son or daughter. www.natureconnections.ca

What is wrong with this picture? Answer: Nothing! Each winter we get many calls from people concerned after seeing horses with snow on their backs. If you see s...now building up on a horse’s back or rump, you are looking at proof that body heat is not escaping through the hair to melt the snow, and their coat is keeping them properly insulated. Also, the best way for a horse to stay warm is by eating! You can also see in this photo that the horse has access to a shelter, but is choosing to stay out in the snow and eat Photo credit: University of Minnesota

So y’all, I had the opportunity to do something really unique today! How many of you have heard of Harry DeLeyer and Snowman? He saved a horse from going to s...laughter and turned him into a national show jumper. Anyway Harry is about 90 yo now and lives in a nursing home close tom me. I heard through a friend that he wanted to see a horse one more time. I was able to take Joker to see him!! He has dementia but was able to give Joker some carrots and love on him a little. He spoke very little but boy did he give us some great smiles and several thumbs up. He was happy but I think I was happier being able to do it!! http://www.harryandsnowman.com

"Je rencontre tellement de cavaliers qui se désespèrent de leur cheval. Qui aimeraient tellement fort qu’il soit différent. Plus ceci, moins cela. Et qui ne réa...lisent pas que leur cheval est l’exact représentation, le symbole parfait, de ce qu’ils pourraient apprendre sur la vie et sur eux-mêmes s’ils arrêtaient de vouloir le changer et acceptaient de voir ce qu’il veut leur montrer. Alors les gens timides pourraient apprendre à être plus exubérants. Les grands stressés apprendraient le calme. Les angoissés le lâcher-prise. Les colériques le contrôle d’eux-mêmes. Les égoïstes la compassion. Les gens qui sont très sûrs d’eux-mêmes, qui s’accrochent à une méthode, ont souvent un cheval qui est un des rares à mal supporter leur méthode. Et ils apprendraient l’ouverture d’esprit." Pierre Beaupère www.projet-evolution.com

Fabulous last Horsemanship Trial of the season! We saw so much progression in these partnerships throughout the summer and it really showed yesterday at the competition! They picked up lots of ribbons but more importantly, it was obvious how much these horses enjoy being around their humans - the best compliment a horseperson can receive! These girls make us SO DARN PROUD!

Fun with ponies! #naturalhorsemanship #ottawa #ponies

Another week of VIHP (Very Important Horse Person) camp complete. These amazing horsewomen worked hard all week, learned a lot, and had so much fun! #naturalhorsemanship #ottawa #ottawaequestrian #ottawakids #parelli #ponies

Every morning in Frankfurt, Germany, you might catch a glimpse of Jenny, a horse who goes on a long walk every morning, all by herself. She has been taking the ...same route every morning for 14 years, ever since her owner, now 79 years old, became unable to ride. She enjoys greeting all of the familiar faces along the way, and she stops and gets treats and pettings from some of her favorite humans. The locals treat her like a celebrity and happily clean up after her. A piece of paper is attached to her halter that reads, "My name is Jenny. I didn’t run away, I’m just walking. Thank you." But the police get calls frequently from people who don't know about the arrangement. They are very familiar with the horse and the owner, and there have been no incidents in 14 years. A local veterinarian gives her routine checkups and continues to find her to be healthy and showing no anxiety about her unique lifestyle.

Were your socks blown off? Pat with Slider, Scout, and Pistol.

When the footing's bad you have to get creative with your horse time. I find it amazing that I can have a random thought like ''wouldn't it be cool if...'' and the next thing you know... Shoutout to my stunt double Allie Davidson! This horse is one smart cookie!

Well, when all else fails it's back to real horse power. Riata helping us get the hay out to the field for evening chores nothing makes me happier than getting a job done with my horse.

Our ATV cant do this snow so we used our horses to feed today!!! So much fun and Run loved following the hay!

Real Horse Power - Ellie pulling water.

Snowy days at Stillwater Stables #naturalhorsemanship #horsesofinstagram #snow #winterincanada #ottawa #winterfun #barndays

We're so excited to announce our new homeschool class for 12-14 year olds!

Happy new year! Willow Tree programs at Stillwater Stables are starting up next week with our winter homeschooling sessions. There are still a few spaces available in Friday morning's "Art and Nature" class for 5-7 year olds. Some parents of 11-14 year olds have asked me to offer a class for their age group. I am open to teaching a variety of subjects at a time that works best for families. Some subject ideas include: Conflict Resolution, writing, Canadian history, geography ...(world geography or Canadian geography). If you have a child in the age group of 11-14 and would be interested in one of these classes, please comment here or send me a message with the subject(s) you're interested in and the time slots you're free, and I will be happy to offer a class if there are enough students. I have indicated the time slots I have available with checkmarks on the schedule. Thanks! Katie LeMay Educator www.willowtreeottawa.ca

Today these cool homeschool students organized a holiday party and showcase to show their families what they’ve been doing. They did a great job of decorating, preparing food and hosting.

Deadline for calendar orders is tomorrow!

Stillwater calendars are for sale again this year! Order one by December 8th to have cute animals on your wall all year long.

Thanks Brit & Ogui (Nature Connections) for organizing a magical autumn evening - that turned into a magical winter evening! We look forward to next year’s Magic of Autumn Family Gathering. Thanks to the families who joined us!

Today is our Magic of Autumn Family Gathering! We'd love to see you there - bundle up and join us from 4-7.

Bisoux is the cat on the hat

Family Friend still looking for a donor.

Sending each other secret messages in our Budding Readers class #alternativelearning

Brittany and Ogui’s Wedding dance!!!!

There are still have 3 spots available in our Art and Nature class, and we've adjusted the age (now 5-7 years old).