Footnote Farm

10/23/2026

***I refuse to engage in political discourse - I am an undecided voter but wanted to share this with my neighbours for your own insight and interest***
PLEASE do not comment with pros/cons of ANY candidate or party - this is purely for information sharing and pertinent to our little hamlet called Langley BC.

Have you seen these signs? There are dozens and dozens around little parks near you.
They appeared this summer leaving me wondering why since in 2017 I received a letter from the TOL that such trails would not be "decommissioned".
What I didn't know was this: Metro Van purchased 44 hectares of parkland in the TOL in 2024.
https://metrovancouver.org/media-room/media-release/879
I have written to all of our MLA candidates in the Langley/Abbotsford riding and heard back from only one.
I asked if I could share her response and she agreed. This is a cut and paste from my personal email.

Hi Jenny,

Thank you for explaining this and for the effort you have already made to obtain the Township’s earlier decision. I understand why losing a short trail connection would be frustrating, especially if the alternative means riding several kilometres along busy 224 Street.

I would support a review aimed at restoring a safe, environmentally appropriate equestrian connection. Metro Vancouver’s parks bylaw allows horses on designated routes, so I would ask whether this connector could be formally designated, improved, or replaced with a nearby route that protects sensitive habitat while keeping riders away from traffic.

The Township’s Official Community Plan also supports connected recreational greenways and cooperation with Metro Vancouver on the South Langley Regional Trail. That provides a practical basis for bringing the two governments together.

If elected, I would ask to review your 2017 letter and a map showing the access, then seek a written explanation from the Township and Metro Vancouver about the closure, the applicable rules, and any safety or environmental assessment behind it. I would press for that assessment to consider the risks riders now face on 224 Street, alongside conditions on the connector itself.

I would also ask the Township to identify the public notice and council decisions associated with the land transfer, and work with its Metro Vancouver representatives to bring your concern forward.

As an MLA, I could advocate, bring the responsible parties together, and pursue provincial assistance where appropriate. Reopening or designating the route would require action by the authorities responsible for it. My commitment would be to pursue a clear answer and a workable solution that respects both conservation and safe recreational access.

I believe that it is important, especially in a township like ours, that Equestrians have safe and easy access to trails for recreation and enjoyment.

Thanks so much,

Melissa Snazell
BC Greens
Langley-Abbotsford

10/08/2026

Thanks to Jodie Moore for this lovely post - could not find the author - love this - please comment if you know the author to credit:
There’s a shift that happens at the barn every fall.
The arena lights come on earlier. Hoodies start appearing on fences. Horses start growing fuzz.
And my lesson schedule becomes a work of fiction.
Because teenage horse girls are still, in fact, teenage girls.
They have volleyball, cheer, theatre, marching band, FFA, 4-H, football games, homecoming, harvest and homework.
Chemistry tests. Algebra.
Spanish class has apparently declared war.
There are friend groups, group chats, crushes, boyfriends, breakups, makeup, Instagram, fresh nails and the daily emotional roulette wheel that is simply being a teenage girl.
And now some of them are driving.
Kids who used to get dropped off at my barn are pulling into my driveway BY THEMSELVES.
Dear Lawrd have mercy.
Which is mildly terrifying considering how many years I’ve spent yelling “LOOK WHERE YOU’RE GOING!” at them from the middle of an arena.
And yes, there are boyfriends now.
Boyfriends are allowed.
We just have some unofficial expectations.
Treat our girls right. Support them. Understand that the horse was here first. Be prepared to hold something, carry something, video something and stand beside an arena for an unreasonable amount of time. And day dates may consist of dropping your paycheck at Pretty Polos in Rockville.
So far, one keeps voluntarily coming back.
We actually kinda like him. 😅
Back to my point…
When the girls walk into the barn…
And this is the part I wish more people outside the horse world understood.
The girl who worried about how she looked at school 20 minutes ago will shove her hair under a helmet and spend the next hour covered in horse slobber… or horse sweat.
The fresh manicure might temporarily render her incapable of tightening a cinch.
Fine.
I’ll help.
Fresh nails are fresh nails. We have a talented nail artist on my roster. I get it.
But five minutes later she’ll be hauling buckets, throwing hay, dragging poles and casually handling an animal that outweighs her by about a thousand pounds.
Because the barn is different.
The horses don’t know who made varsity. Or who played at Huff Hall- served three times then had to sit because “she dives too much”… oh ok coach 😒
They don’t know who got invited to homecoming. Or who didn’t get asked by a guy.
They don’t know what somebody said in the group chat.
Or who had to help drive the auger cart instead of hang out with her friends because harvest needs done. It’s that time of year. Not to mention staying busy with animal chores on her own farm too.
They don’t care if she drove herself here in her first car or if Mom is still waiting in the driveway.
They don’t care if she has a boyfriend, just got dumped, bombed her chemistry test, felt left out at lunch or spent the entire day wondering if she was too much, not enough, too loud, too quiet or somehow doing teenage girlhood wrong.
They just know her.
And around here, she can show up exactly like that.
Hair done and makeup perfect.
Or bonnet on, yesterday’s hoodie, looking like seventh period personally tried to kill her.
Loud. Quiet. Pi**ed off. Heartbroken. Hilarious. Confident. Awkward.
Nobody needs her to be cool here.
We need her to latch the gate.
And there’s something wonderfully grounding about that.
Because outside these doors, their worlds are getting bigger and louder by the minute.
They’re driving.
Dating.
Going to dances.
Making plans without their parents.
Figuring out friendships.
Planning for college.
Figuring out who they are.
Growing up right in front of us.
But inside?
There’s a horse waiting.
There’s work to do.
There’s somebody who will probably make them laugh.
And for an hour, all the noise gets turned down.
They don’t have to perform teenage girlhood here.
They just get to be kids who love horses.
Maybe that’s why, even when fall schedules become absolute chaos, they keep finding their way back.
Sometimes it’s only an hour squeezed between practice and homework.
But they come.
They put the rest of the world down for a while.
They ride.
They laugh.
They breathe.
Sometimes they get head rubbed so hard it knocks them over with a giggle.
Then they pick their lives back up and head home.
A little dirtier.
Usually smelling like a horse.
And maybe a little more themselves than when they walked in.
The older these girls get, the more I realize we aren’t just giving them a place to ride horses.
We’re giving them a place where they don’t have to be anything else.
And I think teenage girls need more places like that.
We love all of ours.

05/07/2026

Do you drive a horse trailer? Ummm Yes, most of us with horses do! But did you know that most of us are driving under the wrong license?
A Class 5 is limited to 4600 kg or about 10,000 pounds - that’s the total weight of your trailer and cargo that includes the horses.
Typically if you haul even a two horse LQ or more than three horses or sometimes just three big horses and a steel trailer you will be over this limit. If you’re in an accident with the wrong license, your insurance may be in jeopardy.
Yesterday I completed my Class 3 with endorsement 20 meaning now I am licensed to drive heavy trailer. The endorsement 20 means I have not certified to use air brakes.
Check your regulations don’t get caught with your hand in the cookie jar when you’re having a bad day.

03/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CF7RaWixP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Discover step-by-step horse training, better communication, and real support inside Linda Parelli’s Happy Horse Happy Life.

03/05/2026

I had the privilege of meeting these two at an event in OR. They did things together that had to be seen to be believed. An absolute testament to a trusting bond that could only be built by time and kindness.
RIP Endo. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JZMr1grH2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/16/2026

Nyell Kysershoff - here with Kylie - imported in 2024 with 2 other special horses. Aragon K is now in an eventing program and Morgan aka Candy Man is a pony hunter in FL.
Nyell was the one I had to bring home just because he jumps a 12 every time. He is sweet as pie and loves his humans. This year we play with what will be his forte?!

11/01/2025

Thank you Lisa Schultz for hosting a great working equitation clinic this weekend conducted by André Ganc Classical Riding

Whether or not you are interested in Working Equitation competition the Ease of Handling Obstacles serve as a fantastic way to create purpose to your ride.
Riding with purpose is not only provides immediate feedback for rhythm, straightness, balance, impulsion BUT most importantly reduces stress for both rider and horse AND allows for FUN and opportunities to reinforce your horse for the behaviours you are striving to achieve.

10/25/2025

Just a bit of farm humour 😉

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17KUUszkQv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/20/2025

Proud to be a sponsor of a great event that shows the homework put in by these young riders.

Welcome to Friday at the BCHJA Fall Finale! We’re looking forward to kicking off our CET Regional Finals, as well as more FEI competition from the Thunderbird Arena. ✨🧡