Nature and animals play a powerful role in a child’s development. Time outdoors helps children regulate their nervous system, reduce stress, and build resilience, while interaction with animals supports empathy, confidence, and emotional awareness.

Barn Buddies is a year round farm based early learning program designed to support children’s early development and provide a calm, safe space for families to gather. Children and caregivers are invited to slow down, explore and engage with the animals and nature based play for weekly one hour sessions. These experiences help children build emotional awareness, resilience, empathy and social confidence in a way that feels natural and pressure-free. Sessions are led by a licensed Early Childhood Educator and a Certified Horsemanship Association instructor.

Each child will get to participate in a 10-15 minute private riding lesson, however, this is not a performance-based program - it is a place for children to grow through relationship , movement and real connection with the world around them. All riding is done on a lead line with a certified riding instructor, helmets are required. Riding is recommended for 2yrs+ however a short pony ride is available for younger ages providing head control and core stability are sufficient to participate at the discretion of the instructor, parent will be required to side walk and physically assist the child at all times.

Barn Buddies is intended for 0-5yrs. Older siblings will be permitted to register with the knowledge that the program is primarily designed for the littles. Parent Participation is required.

Families are welcome to come early or stay longer to enjoy free play on the farm while staff are present on property.

$50+gst per session for Riding Child Participants

$15+gst per session for Non-Riding Child Participants

Infants (not walking) are welcome to join for free, no riding.

Commit to a weekly spot and receive 20% discount on every session. 30 days notice required to withdraw.

In a world where mental health concerns are on the rise and we are disconnected from the land that grows our food and fuels our world - we aim to be proactive in the early years to build resiliency, confidence, trust and compassion for not only animals but also oneself and each other. We strive to educate adults and children alike on the hard work it takes to run a farm with hands on experiences. Our goal is to support childhood development and family connections; intentionally creating spaces where children can slow down, connect and thrive - through nature, farming, horses and safe, supportive relationships.