2377 East Wellington Rd     Nanaimo, BC     Canada V9R 6V7     info@generationfarms.ca     Philosophy On horses At Generation Farms, we believe that the relationship with the horse is extremely important. The horses' well-being and health, physical and emotional, is at the top of the list. Understanding your horse is key to a positive experience, regardless of what you wish to accomplish. We believe that horses are intelligent, sensitive and caring creatures that desire relationships with people. They deserve respect, and they get it here. Riders are taught to be sensitive to the horses' experience, emotions and personality. No two horses are alike and they should not be treated as such. Horses try very hard to please the rider/handler, and we must respect that and avoid punishment, which horses do not understand. As horse people, we need to interpret undesirable behaviour in the horse as a communication, and ensure we find a way for the horse to understand our intention. At Generation Farms, horses and riders work together and learn from each other. Atmosphere Generation Farms is a place for people and horses to share space together. It is a peaceful, pressure-free, friendly environment in which to explore your relationship with horses and yourself. Generation Farms is first and foremost a center for learning and wellness. We expect our members to be courteous and conscientious, supportive of each other, and motivated by a strong love for horses. People of all ages can find common ground and shared experiences here. Why choose a non-competitive barn? For some people, competition is simply not a driving force. Others may have had bad experiences in the show ring. And for some of us, the learning process and development of relationship with the horse is the main focus. We enjoy the quiet, spacious barn atmosphere that exists outside of these pressures. It is easy to step back and re-assess our progression when our goals are focused on the learning journey rather than something with a time limit. As they say, “Education is a journey, not a destination.” You may also choose this type of setting for your child if your hope is to retain the deep level of caring for animals that children can possess. Some of our students do choose to compete. We are not against showing. Some students attend a few shows each year in dressage or jumping or both. We have a great time and as always, we focus on the learning involved. We keep the show experience as relaxed and pressure-free as possible. We believe that competition should be a pleasurable experience and we strive to make it that way for everyone, including the horse! With only a few students attending, these riders have the advantage of personalized attention from the instructor. “Horsemanship” vs. “Natural Horsemanship” Natural Horsemanship is a phrase that has become very common over the last few years. Awareness of a different way of working with horses is sweeping thorough pleasure riders and competitive riders alike. Natural Horsemanship is loosely defined as a way of working with horses that uses the body language of the horse, so the human relates to the horse in a way that the horse understands. That said, there are many different “methods” out there. Some methods, such as Parelli Natural HorseManShip are very systematic and concrete. Some are more flexible and philosophical than a “program”. I prefer to simply use the term “horsemanship” to describe the work I do with horses. Yes, I am relating to the horses using body language. However I have taken from various methods as well as my own ideas rather than following a specific model. I encourage my students to do the same. My focus is on the horse maintaining his sense of self worth and confidence, while at the same time respecting me and partnering with me so that we may work together. It is not about dominance, it is about mutual understanding, respect, and trust. I do not desire a horse who goes through the motions of his life like a machine, but rather one who has a twinkle in his eye, a free spirit and an open heart. I do not teach a system of horsemanship that can be used on every horse in the same way, I encourage people to look at the horses as individuals and treat them accordingly. I also encourage my students to try different things and discover what works best for them. I strive to keep my ego in check and allow my students and horses to also be experts. We all have special gifts. Sometimes openness to experiment and share insights is what help us realize our gifts and unique ways of relating to horses. Doing horsemanship can be extremely humbling, as it brings out our “true selves” and quickly shows us both our strengths and weaknesses. Becoming proficient at horsemanship can be a journey of personal growth and increased self-awareness. Some people are not ready for this experience, but when you are, a whole new realm of connection and sensitivity is made available to you. It can be a leap of faith, but the rewards are endless. You will find more information about the mental fitness benefits of horsemanship in the HorseEmPower section of this website (under HorseWisdom for Humans). Lessons and leases are available on school horses. You may also trailer in with your own horse. Home || About Us || Events & News || Photo Gallery Copyright © 2005 Generation Farms - All rights reserved - Version 1.0 Minimum screen resolution of 800x600 and browsers 4.0 and above are required