HORSE ENCOUNTERS
Of THE BEST KIND
Let the horses be our teachers
Compassionate Human - Horse Interactions
Since 2007, I have been sharing my horses with other, horse-crazy urban dwellers. Me and the Boys provide an opportunity for folks to develop meaningful connections with horses and nature. It is my joy to provide individualized guidance, to help folks understand horses' language and behaviours, thereby reaching a deeper level of communication that leads to safe and mutually enjoyable experiences.
You are invited to come to our peaceful, private facility conveniently located 10 minutes south of Calgary. It is the perfect environment to learn and hone your horsemanship skills.
If you have a love for horses but have had limited opportunity to be around them; perhaps you've had a bad experience riding or handling a horse; or you've jumped in feet first and committed to horse ownership but do not feel 100% comfortable and safe, spending time with my well-behaved Boys will help you learn what to expect from a horse that is trusting and respectful around people.
Our goal is to teach folks how to safely and confidently interact with horses. Whether you were that horse-crazy kid who wants to learn about horses; or you are considering horse ownership and need a starting point; or you already have a horse - this program will help you communicate harmoniously with this magnificent animal.
Whatever the case, you will not be disappointed by your experience at Horse Encounters.
A Little About Tovie
As a native Calgarian, I was lucky to be born where I was meant to be. I love the friendly people and the proximity to the mountains. As a youngster, any opportunity to be around horses gave me butterflies. My first real experience with horses was volunteering with a therapeutic riding association in the 1980s. When the program lost its government funding, I adopted a beautiful, black and white paint horse named Apache. He was absolutely the perfect horse for someone who loved horses, but knew nothing about them. Apache kept me out of trouble on more than one occasion.
Along the journey of discovering what good horsemanship means, I have had wonderful mentors and advice. Without a doubt, my favourite teachers have been the many wonderful horses I have had the privilege of playing with over the past 30 years. There have also been several highly respected clinicians/instructors who significantly influenced my journey toward excellent horse stewardship: Linda Tellington-Jones, Jonathan Field, Karen Rohlf, Mark Langley, Alexandra Kurland, and Pete Ramey have been some of my favourite human teachers.
I now have my own little herd I call the "Boys". The sheer joy of seeing them every day far exceeds anything I could have imagined as a child. The Boys and I look forward to sharing that experience with others who were born horse crazy.
Hear about Tovie's work in an interview with Linda Tellington-Jones
Meet the Boys
Phoenix - April 12, 2012
Phoenix is our newest Boy. His calm sweet nature has earned the respect of the other Boys, making him the leader of the herd. He is small but mighty.
Skeeter - June 17, 1999
Gord had Skeeter delivered on my birthday in August of 2005. I fell in love with his colour, his lovely smooth gaits, and his impeccable manners. His unique personality consistently challenges your commitment to being a leader.
Memphis - May 12, 2013
I chose Memphis to be my retirement project in 2019. His previous owner said his introduction to saddling didn't go well. Even if he never accepts the saddle happily, he is a ton of fun to play with on the ground.
Navar - April 29, 2011
Navar is my dream horse. His unique grullo colouring reminded me of a beautiful mare I played with as a child. His sensitive, sweet personality makes him a joy to play with.
