Hidden Cedar Stables

09/29/2025

Jasper decided to let himself out and go for a stroll Friday afternoon...I think he was practicing his mindful walking!

We are happy to be back at things, enjoying the fall weather and accepting new clients.

Text Dana at 613 848 4163 to make a referral

09/17/2025

Really important information about horses and their possible grieving processes...alot of similarities as to how humans might also be impacted by losses

DO HORSES GRIEVE WHEN THEY LOSE A COMPANION?

Many horse people sense it. Now, recent research provides more evidence that yes — when a companion horse dies, many horses exhibit grief-like responses that can last for months.

This study examined behavioural changes in horses following the death of a companion. Of 325 owners who responded to the study survey, many reported noticeable changes in their surviving horse’s behaviour after the loss.

What the study found:

• Within the first 24 hours after the death of a companion, most horses showed changes in behaviour: heightened arousal (≈ 89 %), altered interaction with other horses (~78 %), changed behaviour toward humans (~78 %), increased alertness to environmental stimuli (~73 %), and more vocalisation (~69 %).

• Many horses continued to show shifts in behaviour, mood, or social engagement up to six months after the loss.

• The strength of the bond matters: horses in close “affectionate” relationships showed more pronounced changes — especially around feeding, interacting, or being around others.

• Whether a horse could stay near the body of the deceased companion also influenced how certain behaviours (like vocalisation, excitement about feeding, or interaction) evolved over time. Those unable to access or witness what happened showed more persistent distress, especially heightened vigilance and arousal over time.

Grieving the loss of a companion has real welfare implications. Grief isn’t just a nice sentiment or a human emotion we project onto horses — for survivor horses, loss can cause real, lasting effects that have long-term impact. Mood, appetite, energy, social behaviour, and interest in human interactions can all be disrupted.

The way death is handled on a yard makes a difference. Allowing time and presence with the deceased, recognising behaviour changes early, and offering extra care can help reduce the impact:

• Watch for changes in the first 24 hours and beyond: look for changes in feeding, sleeping, social behaviour, mood, vigilance and interaction with people.

• Be aware that healing takes time: six months or more is not uncommon.

• If possible, allow surviving horses to be near the body or to witness (if safe and feasible). This seems to reduce some prolonged stress.

• Give the surviving horses an opportunity to acknowledge the loss: presence near the body, opportunity to witness or experience what happened (safely and appropriately) seems to help.

• Provide extra care, enrichment, predictable routine, and gentle handling — especially for horses with strong bonds.

Remember that grief is individual. Some horses bounce back quickly, others need more time. Both deserve care and compassion.

Study: Ricci-Bonot et al (2025). Grief-like distress responses in horses after the death of a conspecific. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

08/20/2025

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/355790

We are expanding come September!!! Now taking on new clients.

Dana Glass - True Connection Equine Assisted Therapy Services, Registered Social Worker, Plainfield, ON, K0K, (343) 341-0998, I have a BSW, MSW and a degree in psychology with over a decade of experience in the human service field. I'm well suited to providing services to youth struggling with menta...

07/16/2025

It is hard to believe we are already well into July and I haven't had a chance to do a summer update.

June was a very busy month of transitioning schedules. As a reminder - our hours are slightly different for the summer...Tuesday's and Wednesday's 9-430pm.

The heat of the summer has the horses mostly hanging inside under the fans all day, but they did venture out today for a little nibble of grass.

It is the first summer in 11 years without Archie. The grief is still pretty constant for myself and of course Jasper and Parker. The horses remind me that life is always in the present moment and quiet observation of their bodies, their non verbal body language, their energy and existence is incredibly grounding. I liked this quote of just focusing on today - even one breathe or minute at a time.... Remember whatever you are going through - You CAN do today.

04/21/2025

Public Service Announcement from a Children's Mental Health Therapist...

If your child plays competitive sports please make their mental health a priority.

Please stop making their self-worth about sport performance and how "good" they are. Stop calling them names when they are within ear shot because they didn't make a team, were tired or made a mistake. When YOU think they haven't performed to their best - stop lecturing them about the time, the money, the commitment in an effort to shame them into doing better.

No child, teen or adult learns or performs better by being made to feel bad about who they are. Instead they internalize the belief that they as a person are fundamentally flawed or unworthy. They feel this so deeply and the voice in their head begins to tell them they are not good enough no matter what they do. It's paralyzing and invites anxiety, depression and lots of other struggles - that can be life long.

Take a giant step back and put this into perspective - your 4 year old and 8 year old aren't going to the PWHL or NHL, they are not going to be pro rugby players horseback riders or dancers. It is for fun, learning and the love of the sport.

As a parent - Ask your self WHY this matters to YOU so much? How and why are you basing your self-worth on your children's performance? Why is YOUR self-esteem and identity wrapped up in this? Reflect this messaging back and ask yourself if you would perform or do better being shamed or treated poorly.
From experience, the best coaches I've had are ones who believed in me, my horse and did not care what level I rode at - being a better rider for my horse is and always was the ultimate goal.

Every child and athlete develops at a different pace. Playing a variety of sports and doing different activities actually makes a more well rounded athlete - not hyper focusing on one thing. Focus on your child having fun and not their performance. Provide them an emotionally healthy experience and set an example.
This is about your kid - not you. Teach them about self-compassion, how to listen and connect with themselves.
ENJOY watching them play and spending time with them.

My girls are 4 and 8 play hockey, dance, ride and going to try rugby...all for fun. That is why I chose the ages and sports.

Please share.

04/09/2025

I'm so thrilled to have had Kate from Parkwood Media help me with my website rebuild!!

Take a peek and see what you think!

Hidden Cedar Stables is home to True Connection Equine Assisted Therapy Services. True Connection offers trauma-informed equine facilitated mental health psychotherapy. This alternative form of...

03/14/2025

Happy Social Work Week!!!!

Wherever you are, 🐎

Meet Dana, a Mental Health & Equine Assisted Psychotherapist who runs a program to offer equine assisted psychotherapy at Hidden Cedar Stables -- an approach that has shown great promise in helping veterans and others deal with post-traumatic stress symptoms.

As Dana notes, horses tend to provide real-time feedback about boundaries and ways of relating, along with unconditional acceptance -- things that can change the trajectory of therapy.

Learn more about how Dana and across the province are supporting Ontarians in unexpected and uplifting ways at oasw.org/SWVoices.

03/10/2025

03/10/2025

I can see and feel Spring peeking out through the corners of the snowbanks and the ice puddles. The sun is shining providing me a hint of motivation and feelings of renewal.
The horses are unblanketed feeling the warmth of sun on their coats and the freedom of unrestricted movement.

To say it has been a difficult 10 weeks without Archie is an understatement. I shared a very unique bond with him, that I fear and wonder if I will ever have that again with another horse. A good honest friend told me - "there will never be another Archie". And the reality of that has been a lot to take in.

Early after his death, I was thrust into reflection and processing the last 5 years and the incredible amounts of loss I had endured. My childhood horse that I had for 22 years (he made me into who I am today), my sweet cat, my 2 dogs and my gentleman - Gee. One word kept coming to me - REBUILD.

REBUILD, the process of reconstructing something, growing, healing from the inside out. Rebuilding is the theme for this year. I'm attempting to slow it down, breath and rebuild one step and moment at a time. We are investing in some neat things, a new website, office updates, maybe even a new herd member. I'm hoping to do more equine assisted psychotherapy training this year as well. In the fall of 2025, my hours will be increased and I will be able to serve more people. Some of my plans and ideas might happen and some of them won't. And - that is okay. I remind myself that the work I do and who I am is enough and that rebuilding means growing and healing. It isn't hustling to do all the things, to avoid my feelings or prove my worth.

Jasper, Parker and I sincerely hope that your 2025 started a bit better then ours did. We hope that you find strength, healing and solace as the seasons transition. We are happy to be here for you and provide psycotherapy and equine assisted therapy to our community. Please enjoy this little video I made for Social Work Week - celebrating how horses help us in equine assisted psychotherapy.

03/08/2025

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/walking-in-wisdom/202310/distinguishing-pressure-from-pain?fbclid=IwY2xjawI5ppFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRmZODjtoxBtLNSzRyNs_h3HiMUYrfQYnVT4LFfyH2lfrhvBxFJEfdUiwQ_aem_Q_fgEEsepxCFsbNjAkgA-A

A Personal Perspective: As prey animals, horses can teach us the difference between pressure and pain, teaching us to move away from pressure and confront pain.

03/04/2025

Happy Social Work Week!!

Please check me us out under the "in unexpected and uplifting ways" section...

Social Workers are here for Ontarians in everyday places, on their toughest days, in small towns, big cities, and everywhere in between. This Social Work Week and Month, hear directly from social workers across the province about the many ways they're supporting Ontarians, where and when it’s need...

01/01/2025

Archie was brave, kind and could usually put a smile on someone's face with his friendly greetings. He loved his routine and would often be found standing in the run-in - peeking his head out to say Hi. He was sure of himself and led the herd with pride.

On December 30th he suffered a fatal heart attack or stroke. He was not alone in his final moments.

We are staying closed until the second week in January too give us space and time to process his unexpected and sudden loss.

Here he is with his head out of the run-in and hanging with his friendly Bud many years ago. I'm sure they have now reconnected. ❤️❤️❤️