The 3 Sisters Horse Care Program
The 3 Three Sisters Ojibwe Spirit Horses have taught us the importance of keeping communities connected through storytelling and learning. Many communities could benefit from caring for horses, as it teaches valuable skills like cooperation, compassion, communication, accountability and leadership. However, as horses are no longer part of daily life for most people, the knowledge needed to care for them has often been lost across generations. This program will teach horse care, behavior, and welfare following the Canadian Equine Code of Practice. Participants will gain practical skills in horse care and barn management.
This program is ideal for anyone wanting to have horses on their property, to start a horse business, or to work in the equine industry. No prior horse experience or riding is required.
We would also like to give communities the opportunity to bring the 3 Sisters into their communities to teach others. Participants who complete the course will have the opportunity to help us bring the 3 Sisters to their home communities and share the story of the Three Sisters. This is to help participants to become leaders of horse care in their communities and develop more knowledge keepers of the Spirit Horse story. We can work with your community to bring the 3 Sisters into the community to teach a modified version of the 3 day course to other community members, along with meet and greets and pony rides for community members.
This program is ideal for anyone wanting to have horses on their property, to start a horse business, or to work in the equine industry. No prior horse experience or riding is required.
We would also like to give communities the opportunity to bring the 3 Sisters into their communities to teach others. Participants who complete the course will have the opportunity to help us bring the 3 Sisters to their home communities and share the story of the Three Sisters. This is to help participants to become leaders of horse care in their communities and develop more knowledge keepers of the Spirit Horse story. We can work with your community to bring the 3 Sisters into the community to teach a modified version of the 3 day course to other community members, along with meet and greets and pony rides for community members.
Is this program for you?
- 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
- Hoping to start a horse based business in the future
- 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
- This is a welcoming space for anyone interested in learning more about horse care
Program Curriculum
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Our Three Sisters Horse Care course was inspired by our three Ojibwe Spirit Horse sisters and is designed to teach the basics of horse handling and care to meet todays standards of horse health and welfare. This intensive 3-day course includes topics and experiences such as:
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Location & Details
This 3-day program is offered three times a year and runs for three full days, offering evening sessions for hands-on learning or riding lessons. It takes place at our Sagehill Stables location in Winnipeg, situated at 4180 Waverley Street, MB. The program costs $450 + GST.
2025 Course Dates (3-day program):
Participants are required to find their own accommodations, transportation to and from the location and to bring a lunch each day. Days are long and include in-class and hands on learning experiences. 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).
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 (3-day program):
- May 2nd, 3rd and 4th
- June 27th, 28th, 29th
- August 29th, 30th, 31st
Participants are required to find their own accommodations, transportation to and from the location and to bring a lunch each day. Days are long and include in-class and hands on learning experiences. 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).
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].
Bring the 3 Sisters to Your Community
We would like to give communities the opportunity to bring the Three Sisters into their communities to teach others and learn about the Ojibwe Spirit Horse. We can work with your community to bring the 3 Sisters into the community to teach a modified version of the course in person, along with meet and greets and pony rides 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].
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.
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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.
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FAQ
Cancellation & 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.
Program Cost
The full 3-day program costs $450 + GST.
Sagehill Stables location
Sagehill Stables is located at 4180 Waverley Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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.
