I have always had a passion for horses, from the first time I sat on a pony at age three to drawing, dreaming, and devouring books about horses. I was part of a military family, so owning horses and riding were not possibilities as a child, but horses were always in my dreams.

The dream started to unfold for me at 14 when my Dad bought a hobby farm. The farm came with a resident Haflinger pony named Captain. There was no money for riding lessons or much of anything else, but my Dad bought me a pink and turquoise bareback pad, found an old bridle somewhere, and I taught myself to ride. It wasn’t pretty. I bounced on the ground a lot—Captain was very convincing in showing me gravity’s full effect—but it was fun and quickly became my happy place. Who needs lessons when you have determination…and a really soft pony to fall on?

After high school, I left the farm—and Captain and riding behind—to attend college. I loved science and wanted to be a veterinarian, but couldn’t afford university tuition then. So, I chose a practical route and enrolled at Algonquin College in the 3-year Medical Laboratory Technology program, planning to work for a while before pursuing university and vet school. Though I still love science (I’m a self-professed nerd), I quickly realized lab work was boring. Needing income to support my dreams, I took a job with a company supplying laboratory instruments, combining my passion for science with a newfound talent for sales. Who knew!

I did not look back after that, and the dream of vet school faded away.

Life flowed. My career was flourishing, so I did what most women my age did: I got married.

Jeff and I then began our lives together. In my early 30s, as we were trying to start a family, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, ending any possibility of having children. Did this stop us? No. We immediately researched adoption, and in 1995, we adopted our two boys, who were toddlers at the time. It was life with our children that motivated us to move back to our farm roots. Jeff came from a large farming family, and my time living on a hobby farm as a teen was firmly embedded.

We did some searching and decided on an old farm outside Merrickville, Ontario. The dream of raising our kids on a farm came to fruition. Very soon, we were raising all sorts of livestock, including cattle, chickens, pigs, ducks, and sheep. Then the horses came…………..

Dapper and Prince, a team of Canadian geldings, were the first. I quickly realized I needed more experience to truly ride well. My self-taught skills required significant improvement. I have always enjoyed being a student. I became a student of horses, riding, and horsemanship. Many lessons, clinics, shows, and horse adventures followed. One horse led to another. Over the years, I partnered with many horses, including Cricket, Cash, Nookie, Max, Zephyr, Jazz, and Rush. Later, I became a student of dressage, competing in local shows and fairs. I traveled extensively trail riding and discovered the joy of horse camping. My life has been full—corporate life, farm life, family life, and, of course, horses.

Then came a life-changing moment. After 25 years, I was downsized out of my corporate job. I felt lost, as if I was losing a part of myself—I had always identified as that executive. For a couple of years, I bounced around, taking contract work and other corporate gigs, but I realized my passion had faded.

Being in my mid-50s, the sting of ageism hit hard, and I struggled to find confidence in what the future might hold. With a significant loss of income, I decided to take on a few horse boarders to help cover my expenses. It was then that I discovered how deeply I loved running the stable. Surrounded by horses and wonderful horse people, I found a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

From this blossomed a warm, welcoming horse community—Rideau Breeze Stables was born.

During this time, my family was in crisis. Supporting my youngest son through addiction, crime, and homelessness became overwhelming. I found myself as his enabler, rescuer, and sometimes victim—a cycle of co-dependency and emotional abuse that was consuming me. I started self-medicating with alcohol, and I knew I had to stop.

The death of my heart horse, Nookie, shattered me. I instinctively turned to the horses—they listened without judgment, held space for my tears and pain. But I needed more. I sought a therapist who gently helped me climb out of the darkness. Bit by bit, I broke free from the co-dependency and set boundaries with love.

This created space inside me—a space once filled with fear and anxiety—and it began to guide me toward healing. I kept returning to the horses, learned to breathe deeply, discovered the peace of yoga, reconnected with nature, and found my way back to journaling. My relationship with my horses transformed, and I reconnected with myself.

Bringing yoga to the stable was a natural next step. My boarding family embraced this new harmony. Horses, yoga, and wellness fit together perfectly. The clouds lifted, and my true purpose finally emerged.

By chance—or perhaps the universe’s design—I reconnected with Liz, a woman I knew from the horse community. She was practicing Equine Assisted Learning with at-risk youth and invited me to her stable. Following my curiosity and an inner pull, I went. Watching her guide a session between a young man and an old chestnut mare was nothing short of profound. A flood of light and understanding washed over me. This is what I am meant to do. Afterwards, Liz said I was glowing green—a green aura signaling a healer. In that moment, I found my purpose.

IThen I discovered the Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL®) Program through Liz. She was enrolled in their fall program and encouraged me to join as well. So, I did—and together, we embarked on an incredible journey. FEEL® opened my heart to a genuine energetic connection with the horses, revealing how they help people heal emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I can personally attest to the profound healing power horses have brought into my life.

Reflecting back, I realize how naturally I was always drawn to horses, intuitively seeking their presence. Now, I truly understand the “why” behind that connection and how to share the gifts of these magnificent beings with others. For this, I am deeply and eternally grateful to the horses.