The Equine Team

(the teachers)

Spirit

June 10th 2003 - is a block horse gelding. He's the property greeter and loves to say hi to everyone. Spirit doesn't participate in the social program but loves to give feedback!

Mohawk

May 1996 gelding. Mohawk loves water and then loves to roll in the dirt! He is proficient at scratching his belly on the ground - real treat to watch!! He really loves the attention from the kids.

Betty

1993 3/4 Morgan 1/4 Tennessee Walker mare. Betty is loving, sweet, very sensitive and loves rolling in the mud!

Stiletto

Stiletto is a big beautiful percheron/quarter horse. She is a kind sensitive mare and loves working with people. Her loving nature makess her a great teacher.

Sage

Sage is a loving and gentle addition to the Little Oasis herd. She is a 2002 registered Appendix, who is super athletic, energetic and so excited to be working in the EAL program. She learnt the program in 3 weeks, observing over the fence - a quick study! Sage has a soft approach - she is kind and fair.

Thunder

Meet our 1994 Shetland pony gelding Thunder. A small statured horse, Thunder fits in amazingly with the Little Oasis herd! He's kind and gentle but sassy and loves to teach leadership. His small presence lends itself to comfort those who are new to horses.

Frekals

Frekals is a 2010 Mini gelding who has brought a new, fun energy to our herd of horses. Frekals loves working with the kids and took to EAL like a duck to water. He is a great teacher of appropriate assertiveness and is always ready to give hugs
to those who need it.

Retired Teachers

Bunny

Bunny is a 2002 quarter horse/percheron mare – a gentle and loving soul; ready and willing to receive as many hugs, kisses and love as you can give! She is a firm and fair teacher, who loves to see you succeed. Bunny left us early Oct 2020 to join her owner at Olds College in Alberta. We miss you Bunny!

Indy

Indy 2001-Oct 4, 2019 was our beloved quarter horse mare. Indy was particularly fond of little humans. She loved attention and was happy to receive all the pets and brushing that anyone would give her.

Spy

Spy April 15, 2000 - Oct, 11 2017 Peruvian gelding. Spy was our flashy pretty boy who thought he was 'ALL THAT'.

Sirocco

Sirocco May 31, 1994 Arab mare. She is very sensitive yet stoic, loving and very sweet. She retired fall 2017.

Mingo

Mingo March 30 1988 - July 8, 2017 quarter horse gelding. He was a very sweet kind old soul who really enjoyed his work and all the kids.

Pickles

Pickles 1993 - July 8, 2017 was our welsh/cobb cross mare darling. She was very kind and everybody's favourite
here at Little Oasis.

Why Horses?

In a horses world, the rules are clear, easy to understand and consequences are dealt with swiftly. Nature provides them with astute senses and instincts. Horses can discern the difference between a calm non-threatening approach and anxious, nervous energy or a threatening body posture.
Their survival depends upon it!

Horses require strong leadership and are willing to follow, but only after they find respect and trust. If we provide contradictory behaviour, they will question and challenge our authority to lead.
Horses respect the stringent outline of the hierarchy.

In a horse's world, team work is respected and expected. Horses respond favourable to positive stimulus and respect FAIR consequences. They are tough and steadfast dance partners; they don't judge, but they don't forget. They don't let you cheat and their feedback is honest.

Horses are in the present moment; they do not judge.

“I believe that horses bring out the best in us. They judge us not by how we look, what we’re wearing or how powerful or rich we are, they judge us in terms of sensitivity, consistency, and patience. They demand standards of behavior and levels of kindness that we, as humans, then strive to maintain.”
~ Clare Balding