Willow & Withers Stables

02/06/2025

Congratulations to Trista Nichole Keddy on completing her Equine First Aid today.
We appreciate your dedication to learning and to being the best caretaker of our horses and being ready for whatever comes your way!

13/05/2025

🌟 Big congratulations to our very own Laura Kelland-May on successfully completing her FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) Steward certification! 🌍🐎
Laura recently spent several days at the renowned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, participating in an intensive international stewarding course. With a challenging written exam, oral test, and one-on-one interview, this rigorous process ensures only the best are certified. We're thrilled to share that Laura passed with flying colours and is now one of just 20 Jumping FEI Stewards in all of Canada! 🇨🇦👏
This international recognition allows Laura to officiate at horse shows around the world — an incredible accomplishment on top of her role as a Senior Steward with Equestrian Canada.
We’re so proud to have such a highly accomplished equestrian professional right here at Willow & Withers Stables. Laura also shares her expertise by offering lessons on-site — giving our riders the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business!
🎉 Please join us in celebrating this major milestone in Laura’s equestrian journey!

13/05/2025

Oh, that sunshine sure feels good! As equestrians, sunshine is always a welcome element to the day! With our new solar install, a sunny day makes us feel so good, as we enjoy the weather and generating green energy!!
Last month, we installed a 47.84 kW solar system with 92 520W German Engineered Panels ✅🇩🇪 paired up with cutting edge Enphase Energy IQ8H microinverters. Thanks, Wattsapp Solar we love it! https://www.facebook.com/WattsUpSolarLTD/

We're anticipating close to 50,000 kWh per year of clean, green energy.

12/02/2025

Weening time for this little guy, Gibbs was 6 months old on February 4th. Our Fjord Zen is always the one we call on to welcome a new horse or be the calm steady one for an introduction. But today he had a big ask, to be the buddy for Gibbs. Zen didn’t disappoint and is being a wonderful babysitter. And a few paddocks away, Mama Jules seemed to be enjoying her newfound freedom and has been reunited with her old pasture mates.

24/12/2024

We had dreamy conditions for our annual Christmas Eve Trail Ride this year (oh except the part about getting here)!! Thank you to everyone who could join and the photographers who helped capture the day. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

06/12/2024

As the snow blankets the fields, we reflect on the joy this year brought Willow & Withers Stables. From the cheers heard all summer long in the outdoor ring to serene trail rides under golden autumn leaves, we want to thank you for being part of our journey. May your days be filled with warmth and your hearts with happiness!
Happy Holidays from all of us at Willow & Withers Stables—hooves, tails, and all!

Picture: This was our barn Christmas Eve trail ride last year, it was CHILLY, but the hot chocolate, cookies and company after had us warmed up in no time. Let’s hope we have a bit of snow for this year’s Christmas Eve trail ride.

04/12/2024

NOW RENTED!!

Charming 2-Bedroom Apartment for Rent at Willow and Withers Stables. One-year lease.
Located in Sheffield Mills, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Enjoy peace and quiet on a picturesque horse farm, yet only 10minutes from Wolfville, Kentville, New Minus or Port Williams.

This bright and spacious 2-bedroom apartment was recently renovated and offers the perfect blend of serenity and accessibility.

Apartment Highlights:
- Open Concept Layout: Enjoy an airy living space filled with natural light
- Features: 800 sq. ft. including 2 bedrooms with large closets, a full bathroom, and a convenient mudroom entrance.
- Comfort & Convenience: Equipped with modern amenities including a heat pump and baseboard heating, washer and dryer, refrigerator, stove, microwave, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
- Monthly Rent: $1,675 (includes heat, hot water, parking and WiFi).

This apartment is ideal for a working professional couple who appreciates the beauty of rural life. As a part of our working horse facility, you will be surrounded by the calming presence of nature and horses while enjoying the comforts of home.

Application Process:
We will meticulously screen applicants to ensure the right fit for our property and lifestyle. We seek individuals who share our passion for horses and commitment to maintaining a respectful, caring environment. Here’s how to apply:
- Please tell us about yourself — this helps us get to know you better as we live and work on the property.
- References and a security deposit will be required.
- All applicants must complete an application form.
- Rental and employment references are mandatory.
- Initial showings will follow preliminary introductions.

Availability: The apartment is available beginning January 2025.

16/10/2024

Found my pot of gold. Gibbs is 2 1/2 months old today!

07/10/2024

Did you catch the Northern Lights this evening? There was a great showing around 9pm. I do love the new arena lights, but wondered how bright the show would have been without all the barn and arena lights!!

28/09/2024

Did you catch the rainbow this morning?

11/09/2024

An excellent read. Hoping this fall brings lots of trail riding opportunities!

I think humans get arena sour, too.

They just don’t always realize it.

The frustration that builds with the perpetual need to produce a result with horses.

The pressure of that upcoming show.

Drilling the horse on “boring” behaviours repeatedly in the arena.

Seeing unwanted behaviour because of it. Throwing fuel on the fire by being impatient, stressing the horse and creating “arguments.”

Exiting the arena, removing the walls and barriers and giving yourself some different scenery can be healing.

Putting yourself out in nature where there’s lots to look at, much to be appreciative of and far more novelty.

It’s good for the human AND the horse.

Build the horse’s confidence through slowly exposing them to new things, helping them become more resilient as they learn to navigate new environments and self regulate while doing so.

Build fitness and ability on different terrain, with longer and slower distances. Lots of sweeping turns and bends. Not just drilling the horse in a small area on small circles.

Watch how the novelty and more relaxed approach makes it easier for both yourself and your horse to self regulate.

Preserve their joints by backing away from the exercises that are heavy in circles or fast turns.

When you eventually return to the arena, you may find that you AND the horse are both refreshed and ready to go.

The last few horses I’ve started under saddle, I’ve started without access to an arena.

This meant that first rides took place in an open field or on trails.

There’s nothing more humbling than the knowledge that you need to get it right or risk being on an out of control horse in a huge space.

The smaller margin for error makes you work harder to prep for prevention.

And you get a better horse because of it.

A horse who isn’t soured by the redundancy of the arena AND who has adjusted to working in novel environments.

Add some novelty to your training sessions by changing things up.

Step out of the arena, expand your comfort zone.

11/07/2024

Summer in Nova Scotia – heavy rainfall, heat advisories, & thunderstorms! Our riders and horses love this insulated indoor arena; it is so cool and quiet all summer long. Board with us at Willow & Withers Stables and never miss another ride due to weather!