Natural Boarding Ontario

Natural Boarding Ontario: we do far more than just keep horses outside 24/7. Our setup encompasses their whole well being including physical, emotional and spiritual necessities that come natural to their species.

Here at Horses by Nature we strive to create a natural environment as close to a horse's natural lifestyle as possible. Since we regard horses like caring for a family member we constantly research and development new innovative ways to help our domesticated horses live a more natural life.

Some examples of what we implement in our Natural Boarding Ontario facility are:

• 24/7 turnout within a herd environment. Since we know that horses are highly social creatures being alone can create unbalances such as depression from loneliness or anxiety.

• Natural hoof care trimming methods - we do not advocate nailing iron to our horse’s hooves since research has proven shoes inhibit proper hoof function as well as negatively affect the whole circulatory system, thus effecting overall health. We highly recommend reading Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You by Pete Ramey.

• Paddock Paradise - at our natural boarding ontario facility we provide an environment where the horses can participate in natural movement through what is called “tracking”. This constitutes a way to encourage our horses to have a reason to move rather than just being in a paddock with no place to go and no reason to get there. Further information can be found in the book Paddock Paradise by Jaime Jackson - see box below.

• Natural Nutrition - we strive to keep nutrition natural while satisfying all vitamin & mineral requirements. Rather than store-bought sweet feed & extruded feeds we supply whole oats, black oil sunflower seeds, flax seeds, carrots and apples (and any other fruit or veggie they like). Free choice horse mineral, sea kelp, and white salt are always available.

Click here to read more about Our Band of Horses Living a Natural Lifestyle

With a thorough knowledge of the horse’s thermoregulatory system we will not interrupt the horse’s heating system and function by using blankets. We support a non-competitive environment and do not mind when our horses grow a nice thick coat, in fact we encourage it. Often, a horse that cannot grow a winter coat indicates they may have a poor immune system. A great book on this subject is called A Lifetime of Soundness by Hiltrud Strasser.



Our environment is filled with positive relationship building energy rather than human egos needing confirmation in a sporting arena. We do not use our horses to achieve our own personal happiness. We strive to achieve the ultimate in bonding with these creatures through honesty, trust, respect and love. It is when we can truly place the wellbeing of the animal before our own personal goals that we will know we have achieved greatness.

All training methods are based on humane, positive reinforcing exchanges. The use of bits, spurs, tie-downs etc are simply not allowed or used ever. The first to finish is not the priority in training - communication and attaining ultimate trust is - so we always take the necessary time needed to establish this. We have proven that once trust is earned, training comes quickly as a result of a bilateral understanding. Bribing or coercing is not a form of training, but instead we look upon mutual cooperation as successes.

A horse in our care is not looked upon as an animal that needs to be taught our way of living but a sentient being that deserves the same respect that all life forms long for: acceptance and belonging.

Natural Boarding Ontario is where we take our horses welfare to the next level of doing what is best for them not easiest for us.

Currently we have one opening for a boarder but if you do not have a horse of your own and would like to experience a natural way with horses check out our Horses for Lease opportunity.

If you have any questions or would like to set up and appointment for a private tour click here to Contact Us.