Sprout Meadows

10/17/2026

10/16/2026

HORSEMANSHIP DOESN'T END WHEN YOU DISMOUNT!

A little reminder to all our riders about the importance of respecting our horses, caring for our equipment, and taking pride in the little things.

TACK CARE IS NOT OPTIONAL!

Cleaning your tack and bits after every ride isn't just about keeping things looking nice. It's about safety, responsibility, and respect.

Leather that isn't properly cared for can dry out, become brittle, crack, and eventually break.

Regular cleaning also gives you the opportunity to inspect stitching, buckles, reins, girths, and other equipment for wear or damage before something fails.

Our horses are equipped with tack valued at well over $1,000 per horse on average, with some of our horses wearing custom saddles worth $8,500 alone!

This equipment represents a significant investment, and we expect every rider to treat it with the same care and respect they would if they had purchased it themselves.

That means:

Cleaning bits thoroughly after every ride, removing saliva and feed residue.

Wiping down tack and properly caring for leather.

Checking for damage, cracking, loose stitching, or excessive wear.

Putting everything away neatly and in its proper place.

Never leaving dirty or damaged equipment for the next rider

So please, take pride in your tack, your horse, and the way you leave things for the next person.

10/14/2026

🎃👻 SPROUT RIDERS HALLOWEEN PARTY! 🐴🕸️

Calling all little ghosts, goblins, witches, and horse lovers! 🧙‍♀️🐎

It's time for some spooky fun at the barn! We're inviting all our current Sprout Riders and their family members to join us for a fun-filled Halloween celebration!

📅 Saturday, October 31st
⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

🎃 Dress up in your favourite Halloween costume!
👻 Spooky games and barnyard fun!
🍬 Halloween treats and goodies!
🐴 Fun with our favourite four-legged friends!
🧡 Laughter, memories, and a little Halloween mischief!

We love seeing our Sprout Riders grow in confidence, build friendships, and make memories at the barn. What better way to celebrate than with a little Halloween magic! ✨

This event is exclusively for our current Sprout Riders and their family members.

🎃 Please let us know if you'll be joining us so we can plan for all our little ghosts and goblins!

We can't wait to see everyone's costumes! 👻🐴🧡

10/14/2026

Lou — 15.3hh | 14-Year-Old Thoroughbred Gelding

$5,500 — Motivated for a quick, uncomplicated sale to the right home.

Lou is looking for his next person! As our lesson program has shifted to focus primarily on beginner to intermediate riders, Lou is no longer getting the consistent work he needs.

Lou is an intermediate to advanced ride who would suit a confident rider looking for a Pony Club type mount, a fun all-around partner, or a horse to enjoy out on the trails. Lou absolutely loves trail riding! He prefers having his own person and thrives with consistency.

A little about Lou:

15.3hh, 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

Intermediate to advanced ride

Loves trail riding

Currently shod on all four

Teeth and vaccines completed Spring 2026

Prefers a live-out situation rather than being stalled

Can get excited and playful after time off, so benefits from consistent work and a confident rider

Has some arthritis in his hocks

Currently not on any maintenance, but would benefit from Previcox when jumping consistently

Has some current farrier needs to address before returning to regular work; happy to fully disclose to serious buyers

Lou is priced to reflect his current needs and our desire to find him a suitable home without a lengthy sales process.

We would love to see Lou find his own person who can give him the attention, consistency and adventures he deserves.

Serious inquiries welcome. Happy to discuss his history and current needs openly.

10/07/2026

Building the Fundamentals

You may have noticed a LOT of pole work, circles, two-point and accuracy exercises in lessons over the past few weeks. There’s a reason behind it!

Focusing on development of fundamentals, builds a strong foundation before progressing to more advanced skills.

Recently our riders have been working on:

• Rider strength, balance and an independent position
• Straightness and accuracy of lines and circles
• Rhythm, pace and control
• Correct timing of canter transitions, including picking up the canter over a pole
• Maintaining a secure and balanced two-point
• Correct jumping position and releases appropriate to the rider’s level

Our two-point and release work is progressive. Riders may begin by holding mane or using a neck strap while learning to maintain their position without interfering with the horse.

As strength, balance and independence improve, we progress to maintaining two-point without relying on the mane, followed by learning short, medium and long crest releases and understanding when each is appropriate.

For our experienced riders, these fundamentals continue to develop toward an automatic release, where the rider has the balance, strength and independent hand needed to follow the horse correctly.

The same progression applies to our flatwork. Accurate circles, straight lines, transitions and pole exercises aren't simply about getting from one point to another — they teach riders to plan their track, use their aids correctly, maintain rhythm and influence the horse while staying balanced themselves.

As coaches, we are continually looking at both the short- and long-term goals for every rider and building the skills needed to get there safely and correctly.

Sometimes progressing means going back to the basics — because strong fundamentals are what allow us to move forward.

10/07/2026

FIELD TRIPS AT SPROUT MEADOWS

Looking for a fun, hands-on outing for your class or group?

Come experience life at Sprout Meadows and Cowland Homestead!

🐴 Meet the horses & tour our equestrian facility
🌱 Explore the homestead & meet the animals
🎠 Finish the visit with a pony ride!

Perfect for ages 4+ and open to schools, preschools, homeschool groups and more.

Send us a message to book your group!

Tag a teacher or school that would love this!

By donation — suggested $10 per child
Courtenay, BC

[email protected]

www.SproutMeadows.com

10/05/2026

Grassroots. Fundamentals. Confidence.

At Sprout Meadows, we believe the best riders aren’t rushed, they’re built.

We focus on:

Strong basics

Safe, steady progression

Confidence in and out of the saddle

Real horsemanship (not just how high we jump)

Because when the foundation is solid… everything else comes easier.

This is where great riders begin.

09/30/2026

This is what community is all about❤️

Each year, we’re so grateful to partner with the John Howard KidStart Mentoring Program and welcome their kids to Sprout Meadows as part of our summer riding camps.

This year, we were happy to donate 16 camp spots and once again share our horses, our barn, and a little piece of what we love with kids in our community.

Watching the kids ride, learn about caring for their horses, build confidence, and just enjoy being at the barn is something we look forward to every year.

We’re proud to continue supporting this wonderful program year after year, and we’re already looking forward to welcoming the KidStart kids back next season!

One of our favourite ways to give back to our community. ❤️

Thank you to Sprout Meadows for donating 16 spots in your one and three-day horse riding camps to John Howard KidStart Mentoring Program this summer! One participant said, "I have seen horses before and got to pet a horse once, but I have never had the opportunity to ride, clean, and care for a horse as if it were my pet. Thank you for letting me have this experience!"

09/29/2026

EVER WANTED TO LEARN TO RIDE?

www.SproutMeadows.com

Horseback riding isn't just for kids — it's never too late to start.

Sprout Meadows is welcoming adult riders who want to learn, whether you've never sat on a horse before, rode as a child and would love to return, or simply want to build your confidence around horses.

Our adult lessons focus on building a strong foundation at your own pace, including:

• Horse handling, grooming & tacking up
• Balance, position & confidence in the saddle
• Walk, trot and progression toward canter
• Understanding how and why your aids work
• Horsemanship, safety & horse care
• Progressing toward poles, jumping or other riding goals if that's where you'd like to go

There is no expectation to compete, jump or own a horse. You can ride because you want to learn, spend time with horses, challenge yourself, or finally do something you've always wanted to try.

Grassroots first. Fundamentals always.

Sprout Meadows | Courtenay, BC

Message us to learn more about our adult riding lessons and current availability.

Your first riding lesson doesn't have to happen when you're 10. It can happen at 30, 40, 50, 60 or beyond.

09/29/2026

LIMITED BOARD SPACE AVAILABLE

Courtenay, BC
www.SproutMeadows.com

We currently have a limited number of boarding spaces available for new horses and owners looking for a welcoming, established equestrian facility with flexible care options.

Boarding Options

Full Board — $1,250/month

Semi-Self Board — $650/month
Cleaning and feeding twice daily; owner provides feed.

Semi-Self Board — $425/month
Feeding twice daily; owner provides feed and cleans paddock daily.

Self Board — $350/month
Owner feeds and cleans paddock daily.

Our facility includes indoor arenas, two outdoor all-weather arenas, individual paddocks with shelters, and covered cross-tie areas.

Our horses live out, encouraging movement, social interaction and a relaxed, low-stress lifestyle. Outside coaches are welcome, and we also offer an established lesson program for riders wanting ongoing coaching.

Whether you're looking for full care or prefer to be more hands-on, we have options to suit different needs.

Message us for availability, more information, or to arrange a visit.

www.SproutMeadows.com