Chelmsford-Hooves & Hearts

08/05/2026

The team, the students and the minis make these nights so worth it ! Way to go Hooves and Hearts teams.

Tonight we beat the heat with water play and shade. We can adapt to anything 😍

08/05/2026

Another night of heart felt moments 💕

07/29/2026

07/29/2026

Every lesson at Hooves & Hearts is filled with meaningful moments. 💛

This week, our students learned how to safely halter a horse and lead with confidence. While those may seem like simple skills, each activity is carefully designed with a greater purpose.

For some of our participants, these moments are building communication, emotional regulation, body awareness, sensory processing, confidence, and independence. Every step forward—no matter how big or small—is something worth celebrating.

We are so proud of our incredible volunteers, our patient and trusting horses, and most importantly, our amazing students. Watching the connections grow between horse and human reminds us why this program matters.

Together, we’re creating a place where every participant is encouraged to learn, grow, and thrive—one hoofbeat at a time. ❤️🐴

07/24/2026

🌟 Another successful lesson night at Hooves & Hearts! 🌟

We couldn’t be more proud of our incredible volunteers, our amazing miniature horses, and, most importantly, our students. Every week we see confidence grow, smiles get bigger, and new skills emerge.

Together we’ve been learning the importance of basic horse care while building so much more than horsemanship. Our students have been working on:
🐴 Fine motor development
🧠 Body awareness
💬 Communication skills
🤝 Turn-taking and teamwork
💛 Emotional regulation
🎯 Following directions and completing multi-step tasks
🌱 Confidence and independence

What looks like “just brushing a horse” is actually an opportunity to strengthen hand muscles, improve coordination, practice sequencing, build trust, and create meaningful connections in a safe and supportive environment.

Watching our participants celebrate their successes—whether it’s confidently holding a lead rope, remembering the grooming order, or simply feeling brave enough to try something new—is exactly why Hooves & Hearts exists.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated volunteers who give their time and encouragement each week, and to our wonderful minis who continue to prove that the biggest lessons can come from the smallest horses. ❤️

We can’t wait to see what our students accomplish as they continue to grow throughout the rest of the season. Every small step truly leads to a big stride. 🐎✨

07/22/2026

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Thank you for helping us - sharing the therapeutic benefits of horses! 🥰🎉

07/16/2026

🍃 Tonight’s Hooves & Hearts Session Cancelled 🍃

The health and safety of our participants, families, volunteers, and horses will always come first. Due to the poor air quality caused by the ongoing forest fires, tonight’s Hooves & Hearts session has been cancelled.

Our hearts are with the families and communities who have been impacted by these devastating fires, and we are incredibly grateful to the firefighters, emergency responders, and everyone working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and communities.

This is especially close to home for our Hooves & Hearts family. This week, my husband is away providing asset protection for in areas affected by the fires, making tonight’s decision an emotional reminder of the challenges so many are facing across Northern Ontario.

Thank you for your understanding and support. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the farm as soon as conditions are safe.

Please stay safe, check in on your neighbours, and keep everyone on the fire lines and in affected communities in your thoughts. ❤️🐴

— Hooves & Hearts —

07/14/2026

🌞 Hooves & Hearts Weather Update 🌞

Due to the extreme heat forecast for tomorrow, all Hooves & Hearts sessions have been cancelled to ensure the safety and well-being of our participants, volunteers, and animals.

The health of our students and our four-legged therapy team will always come first. ❤️🐴

We appreciate your understanding and will be in touch shortly to arrange a make-up session.

Please stay cool, stay hydrated, and give your furry friends a little extra water and shade too! 💛

Thank you for your continued support,
The Hooves & Hearts Team

07/12/2026

🌾 Stable Stories Sunday 🌾
Meet Dandelion – Our Original Mini! 💛

Every farm has that one horse who started it all… and for us, that’s Miss Dandy.

At 28 years young, Dandelion has done just about everything imaginable—including being ridden around our kitchen table! If you’ve been around Rookie Ranch for a while, you’ve probably met her.

You may remember Dandy from:
🚒 Last year’s Chelmsford Fire Department Boot Drive
🎃 Trick-or-treating through the streets of Chelmsford over the past few years
🚌 school bus pick ups on Bathurst street.
❤️ Countless smiles she’s shared with everyone she’s met

There truly isn’t a sweeter pony. Dandy has a heart of gold and an endless supply of patience. She adores kids, warm snuggles, and a good back scratch, and she’s always the first to quietly steal your heart.

She’s taught us that the best therapy doesn’t always come in words. Sometimes, it comes with four little hooves, a soft nose, and a gentle nicker.

Thank you, Dandy, for nearly three decades of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. We couldn’t imagine Rookie Ranch or Hooves and Hearts without you.

💬 Now we want to hear from you!
Do you have a favorite Dandelion memory? Maybe you met her at the boot drive, while trick-or-treating, or here at the farm. Share your story in the comments—we’d love to hear it! 🥰🐴

07/08/2026

Our hearts are so full. ❤️

Tonight marked our very first evening with participants, and we truly couldn’t have asked for a better start.

Months of planning, preparing, training, and building relationships with our incredible horses came together in ways that reminded us exactly why we started Hooves and Hearts. Watching confidence grow, smiles appear, and meaningful connections form between our participants and the horses made every late night and every hour of hard work worth it.

And honestly… is it possible to love your horses even more? 🐴💕 They continue to amaze us with their patience, kindness, and ability to meet each person exactly where they are.

This is only the beginning, and we are so excited to watch our students grow in confidence, communication, independence, and joy throughout the season.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Hooves and Hearts and believed in our vision. You’re helping make moments like these possible.

Here’s to an unforgettable first season! ❤️🐴