15 Acres
Our
Facility
Facility
Shining Horizons is an Equine Assisted Wellness Center.
A custom-built barn
A custom-built barn
for Equine-Assisted Wellness Programming
Our 15-acre facility includes a large indoor arena, barn, therapy room, offices, meadows, pastures, woodlands, and approximately one kilometer of trails that lead to the beach.
Due to the unique needs of our participants, we adhere to stringent cleaning procedures that differ from those of recreational barn facilities. This ensures our environment remains safe, and as clean and odor-free as possible.
All areas at our facility are wheel chair accessible.
Experience the calm of our
Experience the calm of our
woodlands, trails, and beach
Our scenic woodland trails leading to the Bay of Fundy are an integral part of our programming, utilized for walks, horseback riding session, and a variety of mental health related activities for participants.
from a regular riding barn
How we stand apart
How we stand apart
...and horse care
Horses are the foundation of equine-assisted wellness programming. These remarkable animals are not just participants—they are the heart of the program. Well-cared for and respected, our horses support individuals on their healing journeys, offering a unique connection that can’t be replicated by any other means.
We also prioritize their well-being, ensuring they receive the care, rest, and respect they deserve, because without them, the program simply wouldn’t exist.
Our Team
The Herd
At Shining Horizons, our horses are more than just animals—they are cherished team members who play a crucial role in our therapy programs. Their compassionate and intuitive nature helps guide and support our participants, fostering healing and growth. We are deeply grateful for the unique services our horses provide, offering comfort, trust, and emotional connection. We also recognize that horses, as sensitive beings, often pick up on the stresses and emotions of those around them. Their ability to empathize and provide a therapeutic presence is an invaluable part of the healing journey at Shining Horizons.
Management
Shining Horizons is a volunteer-based registered charity managed by a team of 3 full-time staff members, a team of part-time weekend staff and a pool of around 50 dedicated volunteers.
Richard DeLange Executive Director
Paula Bernard Program Director
Katie Fewster-Yan Assistant Barn Manager
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors at Shining Horizons is comprised of forward-thinking professionals who bring strategic insights and a commitment to shaping a brighter, more dynamic future for Shining Horizons.
Kent Grass (Co-Chair)
Ann Bone (Co -Chair)
Patrick Horsman (Treasurer)
Stacey Howe (Board member)
Gregor Hope (Board member)
At Shining Horizons, we understand that many of our visitors and supporters may have experience working with horses in traditional barn settings. However, our barn environment is intentionally designed to accommodate the unique needs of our participants, who are navigating physical and mental health challenges.
Unlike the typical barn you may be familiar with, we’ve adapted our space to ensure comfort and safety for both our participants and our herd. Many of our participants have sensory sensitivities, such as heightened reactions to sound, light, smells, or dust. To help create a calming and supportive atmosphere, we use pellets as bedding. This method reduces wet spots and helps maintain a cleaner, drier environment, which is especially important for our participants' comfort
In addition, we clean our aisles by vacuuming rather than sweeping. This approach reduces dust and allergens in the air, improving the overall air quality and creating a more comfortable space for our participants. It also plays a key role in maintaining the health of our horses by minimizing respiratory risks. By keeping the air cleaner, we help lower veterinary costs and ensure the well-being of our animals over the long term.
It’s important to note that Shining Horizons is not a public-facing barn, and we do not offer services to the general public. All of our programs are specifically designed to support individuals facing health challenges. We believe that by creating an environment that prioritizes sensory sensitivity and overall health, we can offer a truly unique and supportive experience for both our participants and the horses in our care.
Steve and Midnight, our beloved barn cats, are more than just guardians of our facility—they are a heartwarming source of endless smiles, laughter, and joy.
While they expertly keep our space mouse and rodent-free, their true magic lies in the way they bring comfort and cheer all of us.
And our barn cats...
Designed with participants
in mind...
When designing the Shining Horizons facility, we prioritized wheelchair accessibility throughout.
Key features include:
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Extra-wide aisles in the barn
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Climate-controlled simulator room with wheelchair lift
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Accessible feed room and tack room
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Outdoor wheelchair elevator for access to the family/therapy room
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Arena lift to assist participants in wheelchairs mounting horses
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Climate-controlled family room for families to comfortably watch activities in the barn
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Abe
Abe is a calm and dependable therapy horse who brings a lot of laughter to our participants, staff and volunteers. He is adored for his character and his beautiful mane. His favorite part of the day is being in the paddock to eat his hay.
Alec
Alec is one of participants' favourite therapy horses. He enjoys bossing his paddock friends around and making noise in the stall to encourage breakfast to come earlier. Alec has a big personality that creates a lot of laughter in the barn.
Jude
Jude is a handsome guy! He loves being inside in his stall, getting groomed and pampered. Jude is easy to handle and enjoys spending his daytime having fun with his friends outside in the paddock or the barn.
Bentley
Bentley is a wonderful therapy horse who is gentle and understanding. He is always ready to greet you at the paddock. He loves being around participants and his friendly personality brings joy to everyone he meets.
Ben
Ben is a social and friendly horse with a great interest in people. He is curious to meet you and is interested in everything you do when being around him. Ben has a great character and brings a lot of joy to all of us.