Hearing the stories and experiences of community members like you can have a powerful impact and help showcase how meaningful these programs can be. If you want to tell your story or provide a testimonial feel free to reach out! We encourage you to be creative in telling your story. This can be through writing, artwork, photos, song, video or any other form you prefer to share with!

Stories & Testimonials

"These programs have helped instill confidence and trust in our participating youth. The facilitator is patient, kind, creative and has a calm manner while encouraging participants. Red Horse Connection has created meaningful Indigenous infused lessons to begin each session as well as debriefing activities following work with horses. While Indigenously infused, these programs would benefit Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth alike. Our centre continues to participate in this program and would recommend to others".
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- L. Hart, Indigenous Cultural Coordinator, Knowles Center Inc.
"My family participated in “To the beat of our drum family program” that was facilitated by Tressa Beaulieu and her wonderful assistants, Allie and Sadie. Her welcoming energy and smile made us all feel at ease and encouraged us to share and contribute to our weekly discussions. Her diverse topics made us think deeper and not just assume each other’s feelings. Many things were shared/discussed over the four weeks. Some things we already knew about each other, while other topics made us realized how different we are and how unique we are as individuals and as a family. Tressa quoted once “There’s only one of you and only one family like yours”. It reminded us how important and special that is and how that should be embraced and celebrated! The horses aided in the non-judgmental environment that Tressa’s created in the barn – they truly are such majestic creatures that can reach your emotional and spiritual spirit without speaking. Their being is healing on levels most cannot comprehend!

As parents, you’re often wondering if what you’re providing your children and family core is enough to carry them/us through tough times or difficult situations we will encounter. You worry if they will be able to thrive and grow into polite, respectful, strong and responsible adults. The discussion were deeper than the regular daily ones we usually have and often continued for most of the long drive home. These discussions and Tressa’s positive comments reassured us that as a family, although we do struggle at times, really do have a strong core connection and see the importance in working towards keeping that strong.

In today’s world, life tends to be busy. Always running from one activity to the next all while trying to juggle jobs, school, yard work and maintain relationships with your extended family and friends. This helped us carve time for us. Time to spend quality time together without any distractions. This program comes highly recommended in our opinion".
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- N. Saurette, Mother 
"Our family participated in the To the Beat of the Drum programme with Tressa and her horses. The discussions and activities each week helped our family grow and deepen our bond. Working with the horses was so impactful. They were incredible teachers that encouraged us to slow down, communicate clearly and build trust with each other. The weekly sessions allowed us to work through obstacles calmly and to communicate more clearly when problem-solving. We have now transferred those skills into our everyday lives. As a family, we can say: “How would Sadie, Penny or Allie react in this situation?” or “Let’s be like the horses and not hold on to this. Let’s let it go.”.

Our children also loved watching the horses interact with each other and learning about equine behaviour and body language. This programme is unique and powerful. It is centred around the relational worldview that we are interconnected. As a Métis family, it was very special to participate in a programme based on respect, reciprocity, responsibility and relationships with a Métis facilitator. It was an experience that has created memories and lessons that our family will collectively cherish."
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Merci beaucoup/Thank you Tressa, Sadie, Penny and Allie.
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- Reynold's Family 
"Tressa's program included lessons in communication, inter/intrapersonal skill development, traditional teachings, and so much more. Working with the horses was invaluable experience that covered a range of skills and created a culturally relevant space for participants. As a facilitator, Tressa has a calm demeanor that allows participants to feel safe working with horses regardless of previous experience.

Tressa worked with me to develop a session that met our program's needs. Her adaptability makes her program a great fit for a variety of organizations including youth groups, cultural groups, or for team building events/opportunities to learn about reconciliation."
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- Emily Erickson (she/her), Instructor - Social Innovation and Community Development, Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.
"I still remember the first time our 1JustCity Organization had heard of Red Horse Connection , I thought we were going to be taking our guests riding horses on a farm. Not the case ! The more I explored what Red Horse Connection does, the more I became very interested to be a part of it. Our guests at 1JustCity are either homeless or low income. They have been through so many issues and traumas in their lives. With many of our guests that went through Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop survivors and many other situations in their lives that they need to deal with. I believed that this EAL would benefit many of our guests.

When we arrived at the farm, we were all informed and given some very important information regarding these beautiful and gentle horses. The facilitator, Tressa,  instructed all of us how horses are very sensitive and non judgmental and very gentle towards anyone especially human beings. We were asked by Tressa Beaulieu, 'who is afraid of horses?' and she explained how to behave around these horses. Tressa told us to walk slowly around the horses and let them see you before you walk behind them. She informed us that these horses are very gentle and intuitive to human touch and sensitivity. Tressa asked each one of us to touch and speak to the horses and she gave us their names. 

We had around twenty five guests and staff go through this process with Tressa. It was incredible how gentle and responsive the horses were to all of us. Some of our guests including myself were apprehensive at first to feed , touch or even lead this majestic animal around the barn. We all participated in this exercise and what a feeling of emotions that we had going through this process. Some of the guests said they felt very safe and aware that this beautiful animal let them feed them, groom them and lead them around a few obstacle courses. Some of our guests cried because they felt so happy they had this opportunity to be themselves and be allowed to be vulnerable in their life. Some guests said to me that it was one of the best days of their lives to have this opportunity to be one with a horse. Some guests told me  they thought they couldn't do what they had accomplished that day.

Many of our guests and staff took their pictures with their favorite horse . Everyone was so proud of their accomplishment ! While we took a break and had lunch together, I witnessed how our guests were so relaxed and content with their accomplishment of connecting with these wonderful horses. We also had the opportunity to make a few crafts that our guests created and put them on tree branches along the pasture. Many of these hand made crafts said 'Love , Wonderful Day, Reconciliation' and many other words of support , 'victory and accomplishment'! 

What I have witnessed is the positive interaction between a human being and an equine and how it transformed a person to think more positively, to forgive , to love again and to start moving forward in a good way!  I can't express enough how it changed our guest lives including my own with this Red Horse Connection experience! Many of our guests thanked our organization for taking them to this healing and very beneficial act of Love ! Some of our guests said it  was one of their greatest experiences in their life. This is an experience we will never forget to be one with this wonderful animal, the Horse to Heal and be Accepted! Yours in the Spirit of Reconciliation!"
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- John McKay (he/him), Indigenous Cultural Program Lead, 1JustCity
Tressa Beaulieu, RD
Owner of Red Horse Connection
Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator
  [email protected]
   1 204 228 8279
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