Hoofprints Ranch

01/24/2026

How do we keep everyone well on these fridgid days?
~ warm water frequently (hauled from the house)
~ all you can eat haylage and hay
~ salt licks in 4 different places
~ realizing there is a level of insanity involved with our "life choices" but also love for these animals who depend on us.

We've been out 4 times today to make sure they're all well- well watered, well bedded, and well fed. I'll be out again before bed.

At least there's no flies! Dreaming of warmer days ahead. 🌞

01/24/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Night with Chris “Knuckles” Nilan to Bring Community Together in Support of The Equality Project.
Charlottetown, PEI — Islanders are invited to come together for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, community, and connection at “A Night with Chris ‘Knuckles’ Nilan,” a first-time fundraising dinner in support of The Equality Project, taking place Friday, June 26, 2026, at the Eastlink Centre.

The event will feature a reception from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, a silent auction, and a special guest appearance by former NHL enforcer and Montreal Canadiens ambassador Chris Nilan.

Nilan, known for his fearless style of play during a 13-year NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers, will share stories from his time in professional hockey, as well as insights on resilience, perseverance, and giving back. Today, Nilan serves as an ambassador for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation for Mental Health.

“This event is about more than hockey—it’s about community,” said Michael Remond, Executive Director of The Equality Project Inc. “We are thrilled to welcome Chris Nilan to help us speak about the importance of mental health support and help us to expand our ability to respond with meaningful programs for those in our community who are struggling.”

The Equality Project Inc. is a community-based nonprofit organization providing advocacy, shelter, programming, and direct support initiatives for Islanders facing hardship. Proceeds from the event will support the organization’s ongoing efforts to develop and expand community outreach services.

Organizers expect approximately 350 attendees, making it one of the larger community fundraising dinners of the year. Opportunities are also available for businesses and individuals to support the event through sponsorships and silent auction donations.

Ticket Information:

Individual tickets: $65

Table of six: $350

Major sponsorships available

To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/Equalityproject. To inquire about sponsorship and donation opportunities, please email equalityprojectpei@gmail.com.

About The Equality Project

The Equality Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing barriers and strengthening communities through inclusive programming, housing initiatives, and support services. The organization works collaboratively with schools, community partners, and volunteers to ensure opportunities are accessible to those who need them most

Media Contact:

Michael Redmond
Executive Director
The Equality Project
902-326-1633
equalityprojectpei@gmail.com

Media Contact:

Michael Redmond
Executive Director
The Equality Project Inc.
Phone: (902) 326-1633
Email: equalityprojectpei@gmail.comTo

01/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100063601545230/posts/1488904689906235/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

How to Survive the In-Between

This is not the season of charging forward.
It’s the season of tending.

The in-between is that awkward stretch where winter hasn’t loosened its grip,
but spring hasn’t arrived to reassure us either.
Where old skins are shedding,
but the new ones haven’t formed yet.

1. Lower the bar (on purpose)

If all you did today was:

feed the horses

show up

keep going

2. Regulate before you motivate

Before asking “what should I be doing?”
ask “what does my nervous system need?”

Warmth?
Movement?
Stillness?
Connection?

There is no gold star for pushing through dysregulation.

3. Keep routines boring and kind

This is not the time for big reinventions.
It’s the time for:

familiar routes

repeat meals

steady yard rhythms

Predictability is safety right now

4. Expect weird feelings (and don’t panic)

Tired but wired.
Hopeful then flat.
Inspired then irritated.

This isn’t you going backwards.
It’s your system reorganising.

Shedding is itchy work.

5. Touch the ground - literally ground where and when you can.
Mud. Straw. Wood. Water.

Late winter asks us to stay embodied
not in our heads racing ahead to “what’s next.”

6. Save the gallop for later

The Horse energy is coming.
Forward motion. Courage. Momentum.

But right now belongs to the Snake:
slow wisdom
quiet endings
necessary pauses

7. Be kind to the part of you that wants “more”

That part isn’t wrong.
It’s just early.

Tell it: we will be there soon.

The in-between isn’t empty.
It’s the soil phase.
Dark. Unseen.But essential.

01/08/2026

01/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100049724904153/posts/1481677016833114/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

🌟Adult Riding Lessons Available 🌟

If you’ve been thinking about learning to ride, or you want to get back in the saddle, we have a few spaces available for adult lessons on Thursday evenings 🐴

📩 Email us for more information: pollock_livestock@hotmail.com

01/06/2026

Please Share it up!

01/06/2026

Winter horse ownership is a personality test no one asked to sit.

Everything takes longer.
Nothing stays clean.
Your fingers stop working somewhere around February 2nd.

Summer horse ownership is aesthetic.
Winter horse ownership is logistics , how do I fill up this bucket with 43 frozen hosepipes and taps.

Buckets freeze.
Gates seize. Mud gains sentience. Rugs weigh roughly the same as a small car when wet.

You start each visit asking, “What fresh nonsense awaits me today?” and end it smelling like damp hay and quiet resignation.

And yet.

This is the season where you really learn your horse.
Who stands patiently while you defrost a tap with your breath.
Who checks in when the wind cuts sideways.
Who copes with change without complaint because consistency matters more than comfort.

Winter strips it back. No shows. No shine. No pretending it’s glamorous. Just care, repetition, and turning up even when you’d rather be inside with soup and denial.

Horse ownership in winter isn’t about toughness.
It’s about commitment in small, unphotogenic moments.

And somehow, without making a fuss about it, horses meet us there every single day. 🐎❄️

01/06/2026

Source: Kent Equine Hospital

❄️ Cold Weather = Higher Risk of Impaction Colic ❄️

As temperatures drop, the risk of impaction colic in horses increases. Winter management plays a big role in keeping equine digestive systems healthy—here’s what every horse owner should know 👇

⸻

🐴 What is Impaction Colic?

Impaction colic occurs when dry, firm feed material becomes stuck in the horse’s intestine, usually in the large colon. This blockage slows or stops normal gut movement, causing pain and potentially serious complications if not treated promptly.

⸻

🚨 Signs of Impaction Colic

Signs can range from mild to severe and may include:
• Reduced or absent manure production
• Dry, hard f***s
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy or depression
• Pawing, stretching, or looking at the flank
• Lying down more than usual or difficulty getting comfortable

Always contact your veterinarian if colic is suspected.

⸻

🧊 Why Does Cold, Freezing Weather Increase the Risk?

Cold conditions contribute to impaction colic for several reasons:
• Reduced water intake: Horses often drink less when water is cold or frozen
• Drier diets: Increased reliance on hay with less moisture than pasture
• Decreased gut motility: Less movement and colder temperatures can slow digestion
• Frozen or limited water sources: Even short periods without adequate water can lead to dehydration

Dehydration + dry feed = higher risk of intestinal blockage.

⸻

✅ How to Help Prevent Impaction Colic
• Ensure constant access to fresh, unfrozen water (ideally lukewarm in winter)
• Monitor daily water intake and manure output
• Soak hay or feeds if recommended by your vet
• Encourage regular movement and turnout
• Make dietary changes gradually
• Schedule routine dental care and parasite management

Cold weather doesn’t have to mean colic risk—with good management and close observation, you can help keep your horse healthy all winter long 💙🐎

01/01/2026

I you're near summerside....

01/01/2026

Wishing everyone all things good as you put your best hoof forward this year! Love and hugs from Aleida and the herd