West Ridge Ranch

West Ridge Ranch Brookside Range Ranch offers a variety of Equine related services within the Alberta Peace Region.

West Ridge Ranch, formerly Fairhaven Equine, is dedicated to the ethical development of quality horses and the stewardship of land and livestock through practical, research-based conservation and management practices.

Jeez, y’all really know how to make a girl feel special. 😂 Within 24 hours of posting about potentially opening up a sma...
09/30/2026

Jeez, y’all really know how to make a girl feel special. 😂 Within 24 hours of posting about potentially opening up a small number of breeding services in Spring 2027, I was already over-full with tentative bookings. The overwhelming number of “THANK GOODNESS YOU’RE BACK!” messages I received definitely had my head tripling in size, and I can’t tell you how much it means to know that people still value what I do and want to have me involved in their breeding plans.

That said, I want to reiterate that this is still very much tentative. I have a fair bit of infrastructure to get into place before I can confidently say this is happening, and knowing me, most of that will probably come together at the absolute last possible minute. 😂

So, what exactly is this infrastructure I speak of? Well, for starters, I need somewhere to safely and appropriately contain mares, which means building or purchasing a stock. I need to figure out paddock space and all of the other little details that go along with bringing outside horses onto our property, too.

Biosecurity is also something I’m taking much more seriously this time around. After losing my last c**t in 2025, the importance of protecting the health of my own horses - and any horses that come through my program - has really been driven home. This acreage is our forever home, and I don’t want to introduce something onto this property that could linger and potentially affect my own horses or future breeding plans. Just as importantly, I would never want to put a client’s horse at unnecessary risk by bringing them here.

And then there’s the small matter of the shop/barn combo we’re planning to break ground on next year. That project is going to take a pretty significant amount of space, time and money, which means I have to be realistic about how much I can take on elsewhere.

Most importantly, though, I have to keep an eye on myself.

Over the past year, I’ve been pretty open about rediscovering my love for horses. For a long time, horses became my job, and when something you love becomes your job, it can be surprisingly easy to lose the joy that brought you there in the first place. I don’t want to end up back in that place.

West Ridge Ranch has shifted quite a bit from what Fairhaven Equine once was. It’s become a place where I share horses, agriculture, family, projects, lessons learned, and the things that make life on this acreage meaningful to me. I want to keep it that way. That means making sure there is still room for my family, my own horses, my own projects, and the hobbies that exist completely outside of the barn.

So, while I keep using the term 'tentative', I’m excited about the possibility of getting back at it next spring - but it will be on an intentional scale, and with the right systems in place, and firm boundaries to protect myself. That said, I don't take for granted my ability to help peoples dreams come true; I truly love this facet of my life, even when it burnt me out. I'm so grateful for the skills I have honed, and the road it's lead me down. It's truly an honor to be able to help friends achieve their goals.

Thank you for reminding me that there are people out there who missed this part of what I do as much as I did. It means more than you know!

🍂 Fall grazing, frost & nitrates - a little reminder for my horse and cattle friends.Frost does not automatically mean y...
09/29/2026

🍂 Fall grazing, frost & nitrates - a little reminder for my horse and cattle friends.

Frost does not automatically mean your forage is unsafe... But when fall frost follows drought, cool/cloudy weather, high soil nitrogen, recent manure or fertilizer applications, or other crop stress, nitrate levels can become a concern - particularly in annual forages and some weeds.

This isn't just a cattle issue. Horses can be affected by high-nitrate forage too.

For cattle, most current guidance puts forage at:
• Less than 0.5% NO3 | generally considered safe
• 0.5% - 1% NO3 | caution
• Above 1% NO3 | feeding management is typically required

For horses, research and extension guidance indicates that forage above approximately 2% NO3 should not be fed.

⚠️ The numbers aren't directly comparable because they're different ways of reporting nitrate, so always look at whether your feed test reports nitrate, nitrate-N, or another form before interpreting the result.

The big takeaway? Don't guess - test.

If you're turning cattle onto a frosted crop, don't turn hungry animals straight onto it. Give them some low-nitrate forage first, introduce the new forage gradually, and avoid forcing them to graze right down to the ground where nitrate concentrations can be higher.

And for my horse people: don't forget that pasture isn't automatically "safe" just because it's pasture, or because horses have a slightly higher tolerance. Frost, drought, weeds and certain annual forages can all change the equation.

Thankfully, this is one of those situations where a feed test can give you a whole lot more confidence than guessing from how the field looks... And, conveniently, at my day job we recently put together a pretty practical guide on exactly this topic. 😂

👉 Nitrate Risk in Forage After Frost - PCBFA:
Read the full article here:
https://www.peacecountrybeef.ca/post/nitrate-risk-in-forage-after-frost

Test, don't guess - and enjoy that beautiful fall grazing while you've got it! 🍂🐴🐄

Let’s talk about the cost of the horse world, and what actually makes the competition side of it "worth it".Reflecting o...
09/28/2026

Let’s talk about the cost of the horse world, and what actually makes the competition side of it "worth it".

Reflecting on a really fun personal season, my bank balance that followed it, and on the heels of a recently canceled long-time standing horse show in our region, it's got me deep in thought.

Everyone’s definition of “worth it” is going to be different. For some people, it’s bringing home a championship. For others, it’s finally getting a clean round, checking off a goal they’ve been working toward for months, challenging themselves, or simply getting on the trailer and having a really good weekend with their horse... But if you have any notion of going to competitions, even if you wouldn’t consider yourself particularly “competitive,” there has to be some sort of incentive to keep showing up.

Along with a great crew of people, I used to run some of the largest all-English horse shows north of Edmonton, and I took a LOT of pride in the prizes we offered. I wanted people to feel like their entry fee gave them a chance to take home more than just memories, and I wanted to give EVERYONE a fair shake. Because of this, in addition to Junior, Senior and Open divisions, we also had a Green Horse and Green Rider division at all of our shows. At one show in particular, someone once had the audacity to say, “Jeez, they have prizes for everything,” complete with a sassy little eye roll, and all I could think was… you’re damn right I do! I came up with some wild awards.. Furthest Distance Traveled, Naughtiest Nag, Dusty Bottoms, Tough Luck, Best Turnout, Most Sportsmanlike.. heck, we even had a "Best Show Dad" and "Best Show Mom" award! Heck, we even did goodie-bags and bags of free cookies for all the competitors, incase they weren't lucky enough to win a prize at the end of the show, at least I know they went home with SOMETHING. If you were at a particular Jackpot this summer, you may have went home with a bag of horse cookies just for showing up because old habits die hard, I guess.

The reality is the non-competitive competitor is often paying exactly the same price to be there as the person taking home High Point. They’re paying the same membership fees, the same fuel prices and the same entry fees. They’re spending the same hours packing the trailer, prepping their horse, hauling down the road, leaving a laundry list of to-do's at home and standing around at the show or rodeo all weekend. Maybe their rig isn’t as fancy, maybe their horse isn’t worth as much, and maybe their vet bills aren’t quite as terrifying, but beyond that, the dividing line gets pretty blurry.

It makes me wonder whether competition is pricing a huge demographic of riders out of the sport. The people who aren’t chasing a championship, but are chasing their personal best... the adult amateur who has a full-time job and a family who is thrilled just to be living out a childhood dream; the person who has spent six months working toward one particular event and their only goal is to get around in one piece; the rider who knows they don't even stand a chance at contending with the top horses in their respective division, but still wants to test themselves, improve and have a reason to get out there. They're paying the same money as everyone else; are they less worthy of taking something home because they're newer to the sport, despite doing their best just like the top riders, but at a different level?

At some point, you have to ask yourself: if I’m spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to participate, and I already know I’m probably going home without a prize, what exactly is making this experience worth the expense? What price are you willing to put on your goals if they surround competition?

Now, before anyone thinks I’m suggesting competitions shouldn’t be competitive, that’s obviously not what I mean. It’s called a competition for a reason. There should be winners, there should be recognition for exceptional performances, and there should absolutely be something to strive for. I don’t think everyone needs a participation trophy just for showing up... But should competitions also find ways to make the experience rewarding for the people who aren’t necessarily there to win?

I think they can, and I think there’s value in doing so.

Horses are often referred to as the rich mans sport, and with the increased costs of owning them, that's never been more true. The health of our sport depends on more than the handful of horses and riders at the top of the standings... Much like a mountain, the pyramid the top riders stand on is balancing on the base made up of hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions, of riders who will never know what it feels like to stand on top. It depends on all the people filling the show grounds, paying the entry fees, buying the memberships, taking lessons, setting goals and bringing their friends and families along for the weekend. If those people eventually decide that the cost of competing simply isn’t worth what they get out of it, we lose a pretty important part of our sport.

“Worth it” is going to look different for everyone. Maybe it’s a championship blanket or buckle. Maybe it's a saddle. Maybe it’s a sixth-place ribbon that someone is absolutely thrilled about. Maybe it’s a prize that you can take home and actually use. Maybe it’s a personal best, a breakthrough with your horse, or simply the feeling of accomplishing something you’ve been working toward for months.

Whatever it is, I think people need a reason to leave a competition thinking, "yep. That was worth it. I’ll do that again." because money isn't endless, memories aren't always enough, and all demographics of competitors are crucial to the success and future of the horse industry.

It's International Daughters Day, and I'm so beyond grateful for my best friend, my rainbow baby, my cheerleader, my mai...
09/27/2026

It's International Daughters Day, and I'm so beyond grateful for my best friend, my rainbow baby, my cheerleader, my main source of stress, and the best gift I've ever recieved.

Before someone says "it was two days ago", it actually wasn't... Google it, lol.

Alright, horse friends… we need to have a little chat. 😂If you know me, you know that even though I’m not actively worki...
09/25/2026

Alright, horse friends… we need to have a little chat. 😂

If you know me, you know that even though I’m not actively working in the breeding industry right now, I’m still available 24/7 to bounce ideas off of, troubleshoot a breeding plan, talk through a mare, or just be a sounding board. It fills my cup to be involved, to know people see a little bit of value in my experience and expertise, and to be able to help when someone needs it.

I shut down my breeding operations this year because I was burnt out and moving, which meant I was no longer set up in a convenient location to provide the services I had previously offered. I had SO many wonderful friends offer to let me work out of their barns, which was incredibly appreciated, but packing up and hauling all of my equipment around is a daunting task - and not exactly kind to expensive reproductive equipment.

So, I stepped back, helped others garner the tools to DIY, and shifted my focus to other parts of my life this past year... But then came the questions, the conversations, and the stories about mares struggling to get in foal or people simply not knowing where to turn. After a while, my heartstrings were fully tugged and my guilt-o-meter started redlining. 😂

So… I’m coming back.

Maybe. 😂

If I can get my s**t together and get the necessary infrastructure in place in time, I am tentatively planning to offer a limited breeding service for the 2027 breeding season, with a temporary setup to accommodate clients from approximately May 1 – June 30, 2027.

That said, it will come with some caveats due to my current limitations. Availability will be extremely limited, everything will need to be arranged well in advance, and there will be an application/approval process. As a result, this will not necessarily be a first-come, first-served situation. Most importantly, this is still dependent on me getting the necessary infrastructure and logistics sorted out, so consider this a very tentative announcement for now.

If you have a mare that you are seriously considering breeding in 2027, I’d encourage you to reach out now to get on the prospective client list. This will give me an idea of the demand and allow me to determine what I can realistically accommodate.

In addition to this, I’ll be increasingly available for haul-in reproductive services throughout 2027, which will hopefully provide some additional flexibility for those who don’t require multi-day services.

This isn’t a total return to doing things exactly the way I was before... It’s going to be smaller, more intentional, and with some pretty firm boundaries around what I can realistically take on... But after stepping away for a year, I think I’ve realized just how much I actually miss this part of my life.

So apparently… we’re doing this again. 😂❤️

09/25/2026

🌾 Frost on your forage? Don’t panic - but beware!

A frost doesn’t automatically mean your forage is unsafe for cattle, but it is a good reason to take a closer look at nitrate risk.

Our new article breaks down:
🔹 When frost can increase the risk of nitrates
🔹 What to ask for when testing your feed
🔹 What to consider before feeding or grazing a suspect crop

Before you turn cattle onto that frosted field or start feeding that roughage, know what’s in it. A feed test can help you make a more informed decision.

👉 Read the full article to learn more.

Read it here: https://www.peacecountrybeef.ca/post/nitrate-risk-in-forage-after-frost

09/24/2026

The 3 four-legged boys on this farm don't let much get past them. 🐶🐴

I went outside this evening to do chores, and moments before I was headed out the door, I heard our younger GSP, R***r, barking. He's definitely the more vocal of the two, so I didn't give it much thought, but as soon as I stepped out onto the deck, he came barreling around the house with his hackles up before taking off back around the house...
Red flag 🚩

I followed him and immediately noticed my gelding, Gunner, standing on high alert, staring into the bush behind their pasture. His head was high, he was snorting and stomping his foot, and Boone, our other GSP, was standing nearby, pointing in the exact same direction.

I pulled out my phone to take a video for my fiancé, and apparently the sight of me was enough for my gelding to decide that the threat was now in good hands, because he promptly lost interest and retreated to the gate to await supper.

Moments later however, Boone launched toward the bush line in a flash, and that's when I caught sight of a streak of brown retreating back into the trees.
Given the height, I immediately assumed it was a deer. It wasn't until I watched the video back that I realized it was actually a coyote standing on the berm along the tree line.

My turkeys prefer to roost on top of the chicken coop, because why not, and they've taught several of the young laying hens they were raised with to do the same, so I'm always a little leery about predators making their way into the yard. I don't necessarily expect the dogs or horses to keep everything away, but the prey around here aren't exactly known for making intelligent decisions...

On top of that, two of my Jakes are getting too heavy to do much in the way of acrobatics and have decided that roosting somewhere lower and more convenient is much more their style, which unfortunately, also makes them a pretty easy meal.

I've always had a pretty simple rule when it comes to predators: if they don't bother me, I don't bother them. There's a balance to nature, and I respect the role predators play, so I do what I can to mitigate the risk and avoid making our yard an easy or tempting place to hunt. That said, I'm also not particularly interested in spending an hour every evening wrangling feral prehistoric birds into safer chambers when they've already decided that the top of the chicken coop is the penthouse.

GSPs may not be your traditional farm or livestock guardian dogs, and Lord knows they're the biggest sucky-babies on the farm, but watching these two work together is pretty remarkable. Until tonight, we'd really only seen them do it with squirrels and game birds, but apparently the same system works just fine when there's a coyote lurking in the bush.

R***r is all gas, no brakes in typical GSP fashion. He's got the nose of a bloodhound and so much natural instinct he struggles to contain it, while Boone is more methodical with eyes like a Hawk.. Together, they've apparently developed their own little farm security team, and tonight, I'm very grateful for that!

Interestingly, they hunt squirrels and game birds on their own in the exact same fashion... One locates them and holds the spot on point, while the other comes to find an adult, then leads them back to the other dog.

Less interestingly, that Coyote seemed quite bold given all the commotion, so I will be sleeping lightly, I'm sure!

🍂 The season has caught up with me.Fall has always felt like a natural time to slow down and take stock, and this year I...
09/21/2026

🍂 The season has caught up with me.

Fall has always felt like a natural time to slow down and take stock, and this year I feel that more than ever. The competitive riding season is behind me now, the big projects for 2026 are mostly completed, and things are winding down. The horses are starting to get fuzzy, the neighboring crops show evidence of frost, and the pastures are no longer growing.

This summer was full... Really full. We moved, settled into a new home, started turning a piece of land into the farm we envision, and tackled the seemingly endless list of projects that comes with building a life from the ground up. There was always a Jackpot to go to, and me and my horses put a lot of miles on this summer. We were fortunate to have lots of family visiting, work was busy, the days were long, and there was always something else that needed doing. It has been a wonderful season, and I didn't take single second for granted. I never once reflected on my day with a shred of disappointment. My cup was overflowing daily.

Now harvest is in full swing, both at my day-job and here at home. There are still animals to care for, things to put away, projects to finish and a winter to prepare for, on a property we are still learning. Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I’ve realized that I’m tired - not just physically, but mentally. On top of this, I've taken up a new hobby, Pottery, which is all-consuming and brutally humbling.

Maybe all of this is why I’ve been looking at riding a little differently this fall. With the competitive season behind me, there is nothing marked on the calendar. There is no need for every ride to lead up to something on the horizon.. After so many years of setting goals, improving, competing and trying to become better, there is something incredibly freeing about getting on a horse simply because I want to. I accomplished the goals I set for myself in 2026, and that's enough for me.

This past year, I've really been learning to appreciate the horses for what they give me outside of the goals. The quiet.. The connection.. The opportunity to step away from everything else for a little while and be completely present. There is something grounding about sitting on a horse while the seasons change around you, especially when so much of life feels like it is moving at mach-chicken.

I don’t know what next year’s riding will look like, and for once, I don’t feel like I need to figure that out yet. There will be time for goals and plans and whatever comes next. Right now, I’m content to ride when I can, enjoy the horses in front of me, and let this season be what it is. Heck, I get just as much enjoyment out of looking out my window and seeing them grazing, as I do on their backs.

The work will still be there tomorrow. The farm will always have another project. Harvest will eventually be finished, winter will come, and eventually another spring will arrive.

For now, I think I just need to breathe a little and be grateful for the life I’m tired from building. ❤️🍂🐴

PC: Captured By Kaylee

I'm picky about how my meat is handled and processed, which is one of the many reasons I like doing it myself.Not much g...
09/11/2026

I'm picky about how my meat is handled and processed, which is one of the many reasons I like doing it myself.

Not much goes to waste around here; I even grind all the stuff that most would toss in the trash... Trim, silver skin, tendons, fascia, fat, etc all gets ground up for dog food!

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about food sovereignty..In the wake of some significant changes affecting agriculture i...
09/08/2026

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about food sovereignty..

In the wake of some significant changes affecting agriculture in the United States, I’ve found myself thinking more deeply about what food sovereignty means for us here in Canada, and what it means to me personally. We hear the terms "food security" and "food sovereignty" more often these days, but I think there is something deeper at the heart of both: our relationship with the land that feeds us.

The term food security refers to having reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food... Food sovereignty takes that conversation a step further. Summarized, food sovereignty is about having the ability to shape our own food systems - to grow, raise, harvest, process and share food within our communities, while supporting the people, land and systems that make that possible.

For me, though, a vital component to this conversation surrounds knowing where your food came from, and seeing value in that connection from farm or field-to-table. In a world where farmers are often looked down upon despite the entire world relying on them, men in suits saw an opportunity to take quality products tended to by farmers, stretched it thinner until there was almost nothing left, and added fillers, preservatives and chemicals to feed the masses, and turn a profit. Heck, some of it's even grown in a lab now, but we won't go down that rabbit hole.

There is something profoundly meaningful about sitting down to a meal and knowing the land and/or hands that helped produce it. Maybe that means walking out to your garden and picking vegetables you grew yourself. Maybe it means raising livestock, buying meat from a rancher down the road, harvesting wild berries, foraging responsibly, or putting food on the table through hunting. It might simply mean knowing the farmer who grew your grain or the family who raised the animal you're eating. Whatever form it takes, there is a connection created when we know where our food comes from - and I think that connection matters.

I am passionate about food sovereignty and food security because I believe we have lost a lot of that connection in a world where food can travel thousands of miles before it ever reaches our plates. It is easy to forget that food doesn't actually come from a grocery store, that's just the middle man. Food comes from soil, water, sunlight, animals, plants and people. It comes from landscapes that someone has to care for, and from knowledge that has to be passed from one generation to the next.

Being back on an acreage has made that connection particularly meaningful to me. I feel incredibly fortunate to call this piece of land home, and I believe that being a good steward of the land means more than simply protecting it from being over-used. Stewardship means caring for the land, but it also means being willing to reap its bounties.

I don't believe we have to choose between conservation and production. In fact, I believe the two should be inseparable. We should be able to grow food, raise livestock, harvest crops, garden, forage and hunt, while simultaneously caring for the soil, protecting our water, maintaining biodiversity and making decisions that preserve the productivity and health of the land for the people who will come after us. That is the balance I strive for... I want to leave this land in better shape than I found it, but I also want to participate in it. I want to grow things here. I want to raise animals here. I want to eat food that came from this land. I want to learn from it and work with it rather than simply treating it as something that exists for our use or something that must be kept untouched to be considered valuable.

I also want my friends, family and neighbours to have that same connection to the land around them - to know that the fields surrounding their communities aren't simply scenery, but productive landscapes capable of nourishing people. I want us to value the farmers and ranchers who keep that land productive, the gardeners who grow food in their backyards, the people who responsibly harvest from the wild, and the knowledge that allows all of us to be more connected to where our food comes from.

This is why agriculture and environmental stewardship matters so much to me. It isn't simply an industry or an economic sector... It is part of the foundation of our communities and our ability to feed ourselves. Supporting agriculture and the environment means supporting the people who produce our food, protecting the land they depend on, investing in research and knowledge, and finding better ways to keep our soils, water and ecosystems healthy while continuing to produce.

Food sovereignty doesn't mean that Canada needs to produce every single thing we consume, nor does it mean turning our backs on the global food system. To me, it means making sure we never lose the ability - or the knowledge - to feed ourselves. It means maintaining productive land, supporting the people who work it, and keeping a meaningful connection between the food on our tables and the land beneath our feet. I often hear women tell me "I could never do that... I could never hunt/eat something I raised/etc" but when you do it from a place of gratitude and appreciation, the narrative changes in your mind. Not to mention; it's incredibly empowering.

Ultimately, food sovereignty is about more than food... It is about relationships. A relationship with the land and every aspect of it. A relationship with the people who produce our food. A relationship with our communities... and a responsibility to ensure that the land that nourishes us today is still capable of nourishing someone decades, or even centuries, from now.

That, to me, is true stewardship... and that is something worth caring deeply about.

Address

Calgary, AB

Telephone

+17808347256

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when West Ridge Ranch posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to West Ridge Ranch:

Shortcuts

Share

Category