2009 brought some
huge changes at Conifer Ridge Farm. The conception of Hope Reins
Theapeutic Riding Association, the addition of a beautiful Welsh
stallion, Lianna Special Occassion, and the big one - Leslie is a
grandmother!
Conifer Ridge Farm sits
atop a treed spruce ridge, overlooking miles of rolling hills, with
a constant breeze, lush grass and fresh clean water. We are a
family run farm, located in central Nova Scotia, halfway between
Truro and Halifax.
Our
philosophy is to farm the land as naturally as possible without
applying man-made chemicals. This ensures the healthiest and safest
environment for us and our animals. Horses, cattle and sheep share
the pastures on a rotational schedule, keeping the grasses
hearty. The dogs have endless acres of land to run on, which
keeps them fit and in top condition.
We always have a breeze to keep the bugs away and lots of trees for
shade.
The land we own has
been farmed naturally for over two decades. Sheep are sheared, lambs
are born, fences are fixed and foals are born. Hay is made, manure is spread, gardens and fruit trees grow.
At the beginning our
farm was just beef, then came sheep, goats, and chickens. The goats
left (ate my rose bushes and fruit trees). The sheep stayed for
years,
giving us great pleasure and good laughs.
The horses have
increased and decreased over the years depending on the mares. Most
of our current equine stock is young and at the beginning of their
training. We do accept other horses to our farm for training
although this is limited. Generally, training of other people's
horses is done at their own facility.
2006 saw the launch of
our Comprehensive Horsemanship Program at Conifer Ridge Farm and
it's been working well ever since..
You'll learn to talk like a horse, move like a horse, even think
like a horse! Click here
to learn about the essential skills which will help you get more out
of your ride and give more to your own horse as well...
Meet
our School Horses...
Baracus (Bee)
Bee is a 9 year old quarter horse,
kind and gentle mannered. Bee is a great choice for
western riders.
Quarter
horse Zeus
Zeus is 10 yrs old now and
everything he does he does well. Big hearted, very patient and
a great teacher. Zeus can be ridden in both Western &
English.
..and
Timmy
Timmy the shaggy Shetland Pony is
our little babysitter. He loves children and is a great first
pony for the little tykes.
As a youngster Leslie
Guy could find a horse or dog anywhere she went. Not particularly
good at remembering peoples names, she could tell you anything about
animals.
Much happier tramping
through the woods or fields than conforming with the norm, Leslie
quickly found work anywhere with animals. Sometimes even convincing
people to let her work for free, just to be around their animals.
Her relationship with
horses started as a wee thing on the IGA Supermarket pony. Mom would
put in a dime and it would gallop for a few minutes. That didn't
last long enough. So on to the trail ride/ lessons at a local
establishment. Leslie soon grew out of that and went on to the
Halifax Junior Bengal Lancers for more structured training. After
the HJBL she started working with other peoples horses and showing
at local shows.
When Leslie's
education was finished she decided to travel to further her equine
interests, and since then has worked with horses throughout Canada
and the United States. She worked in Ontario at a number of jumping
stables, traveled to Alberta to work with parade draft horses and
down throughout the U.S.A. to various Quarter Horse ranches. The
highlight of her time in the U.S.A. was being part of the Quarter
Horse Congress in 1984. Leslie had the chance of a lifetime to
work with the stallions in "million dollar stallion
avenue".
Back in Nova Scotia,
Leslie continued working with horses along with a
"regular" job. Leslie says there was always
something nagging her about the way people were handling their
animals. She knew something wasn't right, but couldn't figure it
out.
As she continued to
ride and take clinics from various clinicians she saw more and more
unhappy horses. The thing that bugged her most was that very few
people seemed to be able to correct the problem. Leslie became very
frustrated, sold her horses and took a long, long horseless
vacation, ten years in all.
In 1999 she happened
to read an article about a Canadian man that was teaching people how
to "think like a horse". That man was Chris
Irwin. "The first time I saw Chris work, I knew I had
found my mentor." says Leslie. "I have learnt more
since I met Chris Irwin than in all my previous experience".
Leslie continues her
work with the Chris Irwin program, pursuing higher levels of
certification.
"Working with horses"
says Leslie, "you have to continue to evolve, continue to progress,
if you want your relationship with them to progress too. All
languages evolve, and horsemanship is a language."
2009 saw the
beginning of a great idea which grew into a huge amount of
effort, volunteer work and red tape. But it was all worth it in
the end because now we host the
Hope Reins
Therapeutic Riding Association here at the Farm. We are up
and running with a not-for-profit status, wonderful volunteers
and a fabulous board of directors. See shots by Danique of
Century
Classic Photo below...
After all that fun
was over Leslie decided that she better get herself off to the
USA for her NARHA Registered Instructors certification. So as of
2009 Leslie is officially an "instructor in training" from NARHA
and that's just the first part. Then she's off again in February
2010 to the USA to take the second half of the exam. Then it's
off to attend the NARHA Region 1 conference in Old Lyme,
Connecticut in April. Whew, too much flying!
Photo
Memories - Leslie as a young 'un...
Leslie
is a member in good standing of:
Equine Canada
Canadian
Kennel Club
Nova
Scotia Equestrian Federation
American
Quarter Horse Association
Canadian
Warmblood Breeders Association
North American
Riding for the Handicapped Association