Is this program for you?
Horse Care for Rural Communities is designed to give participants the knowledge, experience and connections they need to become caretakers of horses and provide skills needed to continue working the equine industry or to start their own equine business.
The story of the Three Sisters of Agriculture reminds us how important it is to keep traditions and knowledge continued through through story telling and teaching. Since the industrial revolution, horses are no longer a part of most people's everyday lives, and the stories and knowledge passed down through families and experiences is lost for many. There are many communities who could benefit from experiencing and caring for horses day to day in order to teach cooperation, compassion, communication and leadership. However, the knowledge and skills required to keep horses according to our current standards of horse health and welfare is something that may not have been passed down and rural communities in particular have limited opportunities for hands on learning experiences. We hope to help bridge this gap in knowledge and provide a safe place for people to learn and grow.
This program is for those:
This program will allow participants to gain hand on experience in a working equestrian facility, something not always possible in smaller communities. In-class sessions will go over theory of horse care, horse behavior and welfare, following the Canadian Equine Code of Practice, and practical sessions will help you gain skills in horse handling and barn management. Students will get the opportunity to view lessons, meet our farriers and vets and connect with coaches who will also help in delivering the course.
The story of the Three Sisters of Agriculture reminds us how important it is to keep traditions and knowledge continued through through story telling and teaching. Since the industrial revolution, horses are no longer a part of most people's everyday lives, and the stories and knowledge passed down through families and experiences is lost for many. There are many communities who could benefit from experiencing and caring for horses day to day in order to teach cooperation, compassion, communication and leadership. However, the knowledge and skills required to keep horses according to our current standards of horse health and welfare is something that may not have been passed down and rural communities in particular have limited opportunities for hands on learning experiences. We hope to help bridge this gap in knowledge and provide a safe place for people to learn and grow.
This program is for those:
- Ages 16 and up
- Looking to purchase a horse in the future or work with horses in the equine industry
- Already own horses and looking for more info on training, care and/or business management
- Hoping to become a caretaker of horses and/or house horses on your property
- Looking to start your own boarding business, riding lesson program, therapy program or similar equine business in your community
- Already running your dream business but looking for more resources, connections and information
- Looking to gain experience for your resume
- Not sure what direction to head with post-secondary education but know you want to work with horses
- You don't have to be from a rural community to take this course, this is a welcoming space for anyone interested in learning more about horses
This program will allow participants to gain hand on experience in a working equestrian facility, something not always possible in smaller communities. In-class sessions will go over theory of horse care, horse behavior and welfare, following the Canadian Equine Code of Practice, and practical sessions will help you gain skills in horse handling and barn management. Students will get the opportunity to view lessons, meet our farriers and vets and connect with coaches who will also help in delivering the course.
Curriculum
Our Three Sisters Horse Care course was inspired by our three ojibwe pony sisters and is designed to teach the basics of horse handling and care to meet todays standards of horse health and welfare. This intensive 5-day course includes topics and experiences such as:
- hands on daily training in horse handling and care
- horse feeds and feeding
- understanding the basics of farrier and vet care
- horse first aid basics
- horse behavior and training with welfare in mind
- identifying pain and dealing with problem horses
- housing, property and pasture management
- manure and deadstock management
- introduction to riding and driving
- trailering safety
- basics of barn management
- how to teach others and design your programs with safety in mind
This 5 day course is held 3 times a year and the 5-day program is $500 + GST. The program is full-days including opportunities in the evenings for hands on learning or riding lessons when held at our location at Sagehill Stables in Winnipeg.
- hands on daily training in horse handling and care
- horse feeds and feeding
- understanding the basics of farrier and vet care
- horse first aid basics
- horse behavior and training with welfare in mind
- identifying pain and dealing with problem horses
- housing, property and pasture management
- manure and deadstock management
- introduction to riding and driving
- trailering safety
- basics of barn management
- how to teach others and design your programs with safety in mind
This 5 day course is held 3 times a year and the 5-day program is $500 + GST. The program is full-days including opportunities in the evenings for hands on learning or riding lessons when held at our location at Sagehill Stables in Winnipeg.
Locations and Details
Sagehill Stables is located at 4180 Waverley Street in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
2025 Course Dates (Sagehill Location):
Participants are required to find their own accommodations, transportation to and from the location and to bring a lunch each day. Participants will require suitable footwear for working with horses and clothing for the weather. Riding lessons can be available at additional cost (please inquire to set up your lessons).
Bring the 3 Sisters to Your Community
We would also like to give communities the opportunity to bring the Three Sisters into their communities to teach others and learn about the Ojibwe Pony. We can work with your community to bring the 3 Sisters into the community to teach a modified version of the 1-week course in person, along with meet and greets for community members.
All participants will be required to sign a liability release before working with horses at any location (for those under 18, needs to be signed by a parent or guardian).
If participants have a disability that may limit participation in some of the activities, activities may be modified to ensure that all participants can participate. Please notify the instructor upon registration for the course and feel free to ask us any questions.
For more info on the course, please send your questions to [email protected]
2025 Course Dates (Sagehill Location):
- April 28th to May 2nd
- June 23rd to 27th
- August 25th to 29th
Participants are required to find their own accommodations, transportation to and from the location and to bring a lunch each day. Participants will require suitable footwear for working with horses and clothing for the weather. Riding lessons can be available at additional cost (please inquire to set up your lessons).
Bring the 3 Sisters to Your Community
We would also like to give communities the opportunity to bring the Three Sisters into their communities to teach others and learn about the Ojibwe Pony. We can work with your community to bring the 3 Sisters into the community to teach a modified version of the 1-week course in person, along with meet and greets for community members.
All participants will be required to sign a liability release before working with horses at any location (for those under 18, needs to be signed by a parent or guardian).
If participants have a disability that may limit participation in some of the activities, activities may be modified to ensure that all participants can participate. Please notify the instructor upon registration for the course and feel free to ask us any questions.
For more info on the course, please send your questions to [email protected]
Meet the Instructor
The Three Sisters Horse Care Course for Rural Communities is taught by a current professional in the equine industry, Dr. Gwendolyn Donohoe. Her goal for this course is to work with other equine enthusiasts to create a strong, professional and knowledgeable equine industry and community. We can create a stronger industry by working together instead of against each other.
Dr. Donohoe is the owner and manager at Sagehill Stables and also teaches at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Donohoe holds a PhD in Agriculture and also has multiple degrees and certificates including being a certified manure management planner and is a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator. Gwen has sat on multiple boards including the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association, Manitoba Rural Adaption Council and the Manitoba Horse Council. The experience gained from her education, running a business, teaching University level classes, along with handling multiple business challenges including COVID-19, fire, drought and floods, has given her a unique perspective and much to offer to participants.
Dr. Donohoe is the owner and manager at Sagehill Stables and also teaches at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Donohoe holds a PhD in Agriculture and also has multiple degrees and certificates including being a certified manure management planner and is a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator. Gwen has sat on multiple boards including the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association, Manitoba Rural Adaption Council and the Manitoba Horse Council. The experience gained from her education, running a business, teaching University level classes, along with handling multiple business challenges including COVID-19, fire, drought and floods, has given her a unique perspective and much to offer to participants.
FAQ
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Once registered deposits are non-refundable. Remaining fees are due by the first day of the course. If participants can no longer attend the course, fees can be transferred to another class at a later date OR any other program offered by Sagehill Stables. Participants may also choose to donate unused fees to Connecting Through Horses to help fund a riding program for a youth in need.
Waivers and Copy Right of Materials
All participants will also be required to sign an official document before starting the program stating that participants will not use materials received in the course to teach others or reproduce any of the materials given to them during the course, as they are property of Gwen Donohoe and Sagehill Stables.
