Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
11 Jul 2025
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11
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Details
Description
I am a retired public servant with a common-law spouse who is semi-retired. Our 25-acre farm needs work to re-claim gardens which have become over-grown, and to maintain the yard to bring it back to a more orderly appearance (i.e. overgrown weeds in the yard, tree branches that need trimming, and young trees that need to be pulled up. Flower gardens need to be re-worked/replanted.
We have had some large trees come down in an ice storm in the spring of 2023 and these will need to be cleared away, so there will be some chainsaw work (we will handle the chainsaw). The house also needs some de-cluttering which I find easier with another person to motivate me to get the job done.
There is also a horse paddock which needs to be refenced: taking down the original wire fence and wooden fence posts and putting up new fence posts (digging holes) and rehanging either wire or boards.
June/July is hay season and we may be baling hay in small squares. Help to load 2 - 3 wagons would be appreciated. It is hard work, but fun when done with a group. We also bale second cut hay in August.
The house needs to be repainted which we may attempt in August, depending on the weather.
I train horses now that I'm retired. I change behaviours in horses that may be unsafe. Sometimes this is due to pain or discomfort from ill-fitting tack; sometimes it is due to training gaps. I educate the owner to help them better understand their horse. A large part of my horse training is trailer training, teaching a horse to load into a trailer and working through issues of fear and trust. I have ample opportunity to ride with other local horse people and would welcome company from experienced riders on these outings.
I manage a charity poker ride in September to raise funds for a local food bank. Help organizing the ride is needed as well as on the event day.
We are non-smokers.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have an organic farm, so organic practices would be learned. No herbicides or pesticides are used in the gardens. I am also a trainer and would welcome company on horse training sessions (no help required with training) and if interested to learn how to change behaviour, watching the session could provide some insight to natural horsemanship. Accompanying on trail rides would offer exposure to other local riders and some potlucks.
Help
We are a small organic 25-acre horse farm. Help is needed to re-claim gardens, repair the barn by reconstructing a new barn door and hanging it, and yard tasks. Some help with house tasks is also needed (de-clutter). Trail riding may be available depending on the riding skill of the traveller. We have 4 horses and travel off-property to locals trails in the area. The day would be spit with help and riding.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
English, French, German (limited), others (interested to learn)
Accommodation
We have a 1 1/2 story house on a 25-acre farm, and would provide a bedroom (queen-sized bed) and meals. No vegans please as I do not know how to make vegan meals. The bathroom is shared. Access to Wifi is provided.
What else ...
Our farm is located 1 hour south of Ottawa. It is quiet and in the country with lots of green space. Occasional trips to the city may be arranged depending on the work schedule and completion of projects. We have music get-togethers on Sundays, so if you can play an instrument, feel free to join in.
I am retired, but train horses part-time. There are 4 horses on the property, all rideable. However, any rides would be accompanied by the owner for safety. We have a horse trailer and are about 1/2 hour from local trails. I fix behavioural issues such as trailer loading, bucking, bolting, and ground manners. You would be welcome to accompany me on training sessions.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We are retired, so available during the week with projects. I have clients with horse problems and I travel to them to resolve issues. If you are interested in the horse training aspect, you are welcome to join me. However, liability insurance limits your involvement.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
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Feedback (7)
It was really fun joining Monica on her trailer training/horse training days and assisting her with filming. An amazing experience with lots of opportunities, great cultural exchange. Her… read more
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It was really fun joining Monica on her trailer training/horse training days and assisting her with filming. An amazing experience with lots of opportunities, great cultural exchange. Her… read more
When you go there in July or August, you probably will have to do… read more
I helped downsizing in the house, cleaning the outside desk, sanding jumping poles, … I also helped a bit taking videos for Monica while she was working with horses (and with an… read more
It should have been a red flag when he mentioned that he had been fired from several other jobs and… read more
