Little Oasis Equine Assisted Learning

05/31/2026

We were recently at Castleview Care Centre with our beloved Mohawk (aka “Mowy”). 🐴💛

The joy, wonder, and sparkle in residents’ faces as they invited a horse to breathe softly on them, or reached out to pet him, was incredibly touching. The presence of such a large animal is so different from everyday life in care facilities, and Mohawk is such a gentle professional… always careful about his body, his movement, and where he places his feet.

We also LOVED that we got photos of Mohawk with the staff this time! Thank you to all of you too... it's always such a great experience coming to visit. 🥰🌟

A huge thank you to Teck Resources for being a long-time supporter of this program. Because of support like this, we’re able to bring connection, comfort, and meaningful moments into our community.

✨ A little more about our Outreach Program:

Little Oasis EAL is dedicated to creating opportunities for people who may not be able to visit the farm by offering outreach visits within the community, including seniors’ facilities, libraries, and more.

We would sincerely love to do even more of these visits and bring this joy to elders more often. 💛

If you’d like to support our Outreach Program, donations can be sent via e-transfer to:
[email protected]

Please include “outreach” in the comment/message section so we know where you’d like your donation directed. 🙏
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05/28/2026

I (Leah Hope - far left second from bottom) was please to be asked to contribute to this wonderful magazine... stay tuned! When they add it to their website we'll share.

Meet the women who made this issue possible. ✨

This powerful group of women is responsible for the content you’ll find in our latest Spring 2026 Issue. They have poured their knowledge, creativity, and connection to the region into every page, with a special focus on celebrating the Women Farmers of the Kootenays.

Support local voices and learn more about our contributors when you get your copy of the Spring 2026 Issue. More details coming soon!

If you want to contribute to our next edition after this, the focus will be on Wellness in the Kootenays this time! Message us if you want to learn more. 💌

05/24/2026

We had a great day with the team from Kootenay Career Development Society out at the farm for some Leadership Development work with the horses 🐴✨

The group took part in a couple of different team challenges where they had to work together to guide the horses through obstacles and problem solve as a team.

Along the way there were lots of conversations about communication, active listening, leadership, body language, trust, and learning to slow down and really pay attention to both your teammates and the horse.

One of the things we love most about this work is watching people realize how much horses pick up on our energy and communication. The horses really do become part of the team!

Thanks KCDS for being willing to jump in, try new things, and learn alongside the herd 💛

Would your organization or business benefit from Leadership Development experiences like this? Visit our website to learn more about our Equine Assisted Learning programs ✨ .littleoasisequine.com/leadership-development

05/23/2026

Hey Kootenay Folks!

We have an abundance of last winters horse manure, we’d love to get into your gardens, yards, or flower beds. Come and get it, by donation! 🌸💐 we are located in casino just up the mountain from Trail 

Please share and get the word out. Give us a call or text 2503682002. Happy spring!

05/22/2026

The end of a really good session with the Spring EAL Youth Group yesterday... the horses were so ready for some r&r 🥰🐴

05/21/2026

This is true and one of the very powerful ways that horses teach us. 

A horse who walks away from you is not always rejecting you.

Sometimes they are checking whether you will follow the old pattern:
pressure,
insistence,
capture.

Many horses have learned that humans often respond to distance by closing it.
By advancing.
Correcting.
Convincing.
Escalating.

So when a horse leaves, it is not always defiance.

Sometimes it is a question.

“What will you do with my honesty?”

Will you allow the conversation to stay honest?
Or will the moment their answer becomes inconvenient, the pressure begin?

I think this is where so many relationships quietly change.

Because there is a moment horses seem to recognize something rare:
the moment they realize they are still safe even after expressing discomfort, uncertainty, or preference.

The moment they realize:
“Oh…
you heard me.”

Not just physically.
Emotionally.

You heard the hesitation in their body.
The uncertainty in their eyes.
The tension in their nervous system.
The quiet request underneath the movement away.

And instead of overpowering the communication, you listened.

I think humans often underestimate how profound that can feel to another being.

Especially to one who has spent much of their life learning that resistance leads to more pressure.

That is why some of the deepest trust I have ever witnessed did not begin with a horse moving toward someone.

It began with a horse discovering they were allowed to move away without punishment.

Because sometimes what looks like “disconnection” is actually the first fragile attempt at honesty.

And sometimes the greatest transformation is not teaching the horse to stay.

Sometimes it is teaching them they no longer need to flee to feel heard.

Not obedience.
Not submission.

Relief.

05/21/2026

A meaningful professional development day for our team at Little Oasis Equine Assisted Learning 🐴✨

A huge thank you to Adiva Murphy Horsemanship for guiding us through an incredible day focused on assessing the emotional and physical readiness of our equine team for the important work they do in our programs.

At Little Oasis EAL, the wellbeing of our horses is always at the heart of what we do. We continually ask ourselves:
✨ Are we offering consent, communication, and choice?
✨ What does that truly look like for each horse?
✨ How can we keep creating an environment where our equine partners feel safe, supported, and willing to participate?

These are such valuable concepts for anyone involved in Equine Assisted Services, horsemanship, or riding pursuits of any kind.

We’re also deeply grateful to the BC Therapeutic Riding Association (BCTRA) for their financial support in making opportunities like this possible. Ongoing education and learning are so important, and we truly appreciate their continued support. 💛

BC Therapeutic Riding Association Adiva Murphy Horsemanship

05/15/2026