Stonebridge Farm Information

The farm is located in Arva Ontario on a picturesque property cut into the rolling hills of southwestern Ontario on the site of a previous Egyptian-Arabian breeding farm. Winding through the property is Medway Creek, a branch of the Thames River, protected by large stands of historical forest. The farm utilizes small paddocks with frequent rotation and a 2/1 pasture rest-to-use ratio that optimizes parasite control while still giving the yearlings and foals adequate room to run and play. Water is derived from drilled wells that yield a mineral-rich water from the limestone bed sub-terrain streams, ideal for livestock. Paddocks are analysed regularly and re-energized twice yearly, with scheduled maintenance of cutting and harrowing. Fences consist of oak boards with electrical containment to assure containment and discourage "testing" the limits by the young and lively yearlings. We believe in outdoor living for our horses to the greatest degree possible with run-ins and fresh water always available. The natural rolling nature of the land is conducive to muscle building and cardiovascular conditioning as most paddocks have a slope to challenge the occupants. Nutrition and safety are preoccupations of the staff. Each foal and yearling are weighed monthly, their weight charted on a growth chart and the daily rations re-adjusted to meet their changing requirements. We follow the Master Feed protocols, adjusted to our own hay and pasture analysis and the particular growth pattern of the individual. As we reach the stage of yearling preparation individual attention becomes intense with daily programmed time on the Equicizer according to the needs of the individual. Time is also spent in the round pen to teach manners and to follow commands. Never but never are the animals allowed to be mistreated and mastery of the animal has to come through respect not physical means. First of all, physical means doesn't work, and secondly, it teaches the animal all the wrong things about the human-equine relationship. Our clients ...