CanadianHorseLink.com - connecting buyers and sellers of Canadian Horses

Dear Jody,

I had been hoping to get some new photos of Magic Lady but we have had dark rainy weekends ever since she arrived. But I just want you to know that I am thrilled with my Lady. I must admit I was a little hesitant about buying a horse that I had not seen in person as I had never done that before, but everyone I've talked to that has purchased a horse through you had only good things to say about how you tried to match people with just the right horse for them. I also knew that you knew what I liked in a horse and I had so fallen in love with Lady's photos and couldn't get her off my mind.

Magic Lady turned out to be exactly the mare I was looking for to compliment our small herd, and her seller, Heidi Fortin, was just wonderful. She sent me photos and videos and told me honestly everything I wanted to know despite our struggling with language differences. Lady arrived here after her long 3,000 mile journey in excellent condition, sleek and trimmed - she could have walked right out of the trailer and into the show ring. I was very impressed. Heidi sent along all her health care records and it was plain to see that this was a mare who had been very well cared for and loved with everything such as vaccines, dental work and worming schedules up to date. I have All Points Transport and driver Ed to thank for that too, they were wonderful, treated my Lady like a queen and kept me updated right through that long cross-Canada winter journey.

I feel so lucky to have such a lovely mare, so intelligent, trusting, exceptionally well-mannered and eager to please, and so beautiful and trained to ride and drive too. And wow - can she ever move. It's easy to see why she won ribbons in the shows in Quebec. Not only that, but my hubby loves her too so I couldn't ask for more. Our stallion, Kelbeck, can't take his eyes off her and Lady seems to feel the same. I can't wait for spring and for the rains to stop so we can get ready for show season here in BC, and for later on down the road when our special foal will be born.

Thanks again,
Roxanne in Mission, BC.

Hi Jody,

Finally I have photos of my husband's "new woman"!! Patsy has been with us for just over a month now, and the bond my husband has formed with her is amazing! It is as if she has been with us for years. Patsy has proven to be a very trustworthy and spunky mount. She loves to take Brad for a lap or two around our conditioning track and out in the hayfield and around the trails. She has taught my younger horses the proper way to be a horse, and will tell them so if they are behaving too goofy for her liking. She has already taught 2 students to trot and is steadily building confidence in nervous riders. She is even teaching my barn cats to ride as they love to jump on her back and snuggle onto her nice warm rump!

She is an absolutely wonderful horse and we adore her! I cannot thank you enough for pointing us in her direction and for introducing us to Jess and Dave at Providence Farm. Patsy is a horse I would have had to search for years to find if not for you! Horses like her do not come up everyday!

Thanks so much,

Beth and Brad
Lakeside Stables
Brockville, Ontario

Abitibi Watson Elaine and her 2005 palomino colt sired by Schmucki Pharraud Lambert. Elaine is owned by Isabelle Charron and Luc Groulx.

Update! 2005 palomino colt sired by Schmucki Pharraud Lambert coming 2 y.o.
Lambert-2 Lambert Ramses owned by Isabelle Charron and Luc Groulx.

Dear Jody,

Here are some current pictures of Macdam, finally. He’s maturing into such an awesome Canadian Horse. I can’t say enough about his temperament, personality and intelligence. I’ve been into horses for over 40 years and I’ve never met a breed of horse that has such wonderful qualities all rolled into one. Everyone at the stable loves him and always wants to know more about this fantastic breed.

He has such superb movement and ability for any venue, I’ll be doing dressage, which is my love, however, he loves to jump and is very adept at it. A friend of mine who is the Assistant Head Trainer at Hilltop Farms was highly impressed with him. There’s something about him that makes you automatically treat him like a member of the family, yet he retains his respect for humans and is always willing to work.

I’m so happy with Macdam that I’m purchasing another Canadian. I do want to thank you so much for all your help, and want you to know how much Macdam has enriched my life and the lives of my family.

Michele Ruell
Pennsylvania

Dear Jody,

I have finally have some pictures I think are worthy of your happy new owners page, (which I am)!!! Mare and filly are settling in very well, halter training and leading have begun for my Reve. What a handful she is too!! Every day I go out to my stable and clean Cassy, and Reve wants to be included in the grooming session now. Then we go out to their field and I walk around with them or just sit on a stool and watch them.

I am so happy, I love my guys so much, it was the best move I ever made. Thank you so very very much, (I can't believe all that you went through on my behalf!). Thanks for sticking with me when things seemed bleak. Thanks to you and my family I am the happiest horse owner ever!!

I just can't thank you enough, you are the best! I hope to some day have more Canadians, which I will definitely come back to you to help me find the best ones for me.

Sincerely,

Kelly Joyce
Gananoque, Ontario

Luc Groulx and his wife, Isabelle Charron are the proud new owners of Makivik Watson Capitaine and Abitibi Watson Elaine.

Jody, Here are a couple of shots taken of both Capitaine and Elaine over the weekend. You would not believe the quality and overall calmness of these 2 horses. Once I have shots of Capitaine saddled up I would forward them on to you. Thanks again for your help. Luc Groulx, Montreal, QC

La Lievre Zeus Celine arrives from New Brunswick to her new home in Ontario with new owner Trista Rowe - they have renamed her 'Luna' and refer to her as their 'Goddess'.

Owner Sue Byford and her gelding HÉMI GAROU MOHICAN

Dear Jody,

I've had Mohican for almost a year now & I cannot put into words how happy I am to have him. He is a gorgeous young man, goes superbly on trails and he is an absolute character -- I just love him to bits! To quote you, he is my "golden boy".

We are the PERFECT MATCH. You've done it again!

Thanks again!!

~Sue Byford

Toronto, Ontario

RANCH L ROBY LOGAN

Dearest Jody,

With every month that passes that I have had Logan in my life, I start a new letter to you but a mere 'thank you' does not even begin to express how I feel. My sentiments about you steering me in Logan's direction (and it did take many twists and turns with you always saying, "What about Logan?!") and me always having an excuse ('I want a mare', he's too young', 'he's too tall' and on and on) are exactly the same as everyone else who has a testimonial under 'Happy New Owners' but my sentiments are also so much more. You not only found a new Canadian for me - you helped me with my grieving over my unexpected loss of my Canadian mare, April, who after 30 years of my not riding brought me back full tilt, into the world of owning my own horse again. For that Jody, I can never say 'thank you' enough. You listened, let me cry and shared some of your own experiences with me. You were my eyes, my ears and my heart during this search that you willingly embarked on for me because it wasn't an option for me to travel to see any of the available Canadians in Quebec or Ontario. It truly became your search. You were totally honest with your thoughts and assessments of all the Canadians that we considered. When I heard your glowing, 'Ten thumbs up, you've found your boy!', after you had traveled to Ferme Tremcel to meet and ride Logan for me, the search was finally over and you were just as thrilled and excited as I was. Because of your excellent advice, the vet check and the sale of Logan went smoothly. The only thing I had to do was wait for my transporter to arrive with him! However, then the reality of what I had done set in - I had bought a horse on the internet - me!! But when I saw my beautiful 3 year old Canadian gelding standing in his new stall I was blown away!! So Jody, for all that you have done for me to help turn a devastating situation into something positive - a never ending 'thank you'.....

Sincerely,

Jane McKiel

Saint John, NB

Hi Jody:

My Dad was the buyer of Mon Repos Elite Yvette through your site and after having her finally arrive from Danny Waldman's last Saturday, we decided to try her out in the saddle today (Dec. 22). I've attached a few photos. We are so happy that Dad has finally found a horse that he loves everything about and we just adore her. Our own two horses are sweet and kind and we are so pleased that Dad has found a mare that is just as kind hearted as our other two. He just adores her and is riding her around today; he becomes more and more fond of her. She tacks up quietly without objection and both me and my younger sister rode her. We found her to be willing in all gaits and not a horse that would just take off on you. She has a beautiful trot and lope, very easy to sit to, very smooth. She's not intimidating in saddle at all which is good because we hope to teach Mom to ride. She's a beautiful mare and looks absolutely stunning under saddle. We know that she had probably not been ridden for at least a month, but we had no problems just hoping on and riding without having to lunge her. Thanks so much Jody for helping us find Dad the perfect horse for him. She's a wonderful addition to our paddock - everyone loves her!

Ronda Ross
Cape Sable Island, NS

Although we searched high and low for the right Canadian for Gerry and Vi, they fell in love with a local gelding named Dexter who is not a Canadian but nonetheless, looks and behaves like one. Dexter is a Trakkener/QH cross - but doesn't he resemble one of our beloved?

Dear Jody,

Just a note to express our gratitude to you for all your help in our search for our dream horse. Although we finally found our horse apart from your site, your knowledge, advice and support to us through these months of searching were invaluable. You have a wonderful talent for matching horse and new owner. It is not hard to see you have a genuine caring for the animal you promote, and that it is important to you that the right "matches" are made. The service you offer through your CanadianHorseLink site is excellent! Your site makes it so easy to view the pics and descriptions of the horses you list, and from my own personal experience I can say I am particularly impressed by the integrity of your site and the personal interest you take in your clients, their concerns, and individual situations. You are certainly educating all of us who hit your site on this wonderful breed - the Canadian. We had such a positive experience with CanadianHorseLink. If in the future we decide to add to our equine family, we will be in contact with you again. We highly recommend you and your site to anyone!

Gerry & Viola Julien
Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia

Hi Jody, Molly and Herc are great - better than you described! We instantly fell in love with them. My husband, a non horse person, informed me this morning that he wants his own saddle for Herc. I just about fell off my chair and had to ask him to say it again. Anneke and Gaetan are also such great people. Molly and Herc have been so well cared for and trained. I learned so much about carts, harnesses, driving, etc. just by being with them yesterday. Thank-you so much for recommending we contact Anneke about the team, you were right that they are perfect for us! I will send pictures as soon as I get some. Thanks again, Diana Fayle Ontario

Dear Jody,

By the time you receive this, Kanion should be safe and sound in his new home. Thank you for all of your help in connecting me with my new Cheval Canadien - I'm the envy of everyone at my barn with my flashy new horse!

Your time spent meeting me at Michel Berthiaume's and all of your translation assistance has been invaluable. I feel so 'cosmopolitan' - driving to Canada, working with a breeder who speaks only French and dealing with the exchange rate for Canadian vs. US dollars - and finally, bringing back my new horse. It's been a "blast" as we say here.

And thank you for putting me in touch with Sue Creamer and Leonor Rodriguez - we continue to stay in touch - and they're almost as excited about Kanion as I am.

Feel free to share my name with others in the US who are interested in the Canadian horse - I'd be happy to share my experience.

Thank you again. Keep in touch and if you ever get to Massachusetts (or New England), please give me a call, I'd love to see you again.

Sincerely,

Joyce Sandvik
Franklin, MA

October 2005

Hi Jody,

In looking over your “Happy New Owners” page I noticed that I hadn’t sent you an update on my relationship with Medallion. I couldn’t be happier with him; he is my dream horse come true. It has been over a year now and he is 3 ½ and doing very well under saddle. You may remember that Dressage is my passion. Well last week I had a lesson with a very respected instructor. She rides and trained her own horse to Grand Prix and studies dressage with very reputable European trainers. Her world is that of the Warmblood. She was so very impressed with Medallion but had never heard of the breed. She was very impressed with his personality, gaits, soft mouth and work ethic. She looks forward to seeing him in a couple of years when he really matures and muscles up. I was on cloud nine. In addition to his talent for dressage he is just a great horse. After a week of rain and no riding I can tack him up and just head out to the trail and he is a perfect gentlemen. Then of course when I dismount he waits for me to hug and kiss his head for a minute before we head back to the barn. What a horse! I will never be able to thank you enough for bringing this breed to my attention.

Best regards

Lucia

I want to thank you for all of your help in helping me find the perfect horse. Kadabra is just what I was hoping for! It was a pleasure doing business with you, Pierre Rivard and Orphee Guy. Kadabra was very impressive on the video I received but when he came off the hauler, you really saw his wonderful personality from the first moment! I encourage anyone looking for a really sound, intelligent horse to look at the Canadian breed; you won't be sorry!! This is my first horse purchase and I couldn't be happier! Thank you again for all of your kindness and compassion for Kadabra. I didn't see him until he stepped off the hauler but I think we'll be a good match! The transportation company, Bodi Transportation was great, they kept in touch with me and was right on schedule. They took great care of Kadabra, I highly recommend their service.

Dear Jody,

I wanted to thank you again for your help in finding the perfect match for me. L'Harmonie Baba Herki (Herki for short) is fabulous!!!! He is a sweet, loving horse with tons of personality. It was definitely worth the drive to see him because I ended up bringing him home. He has recently started pulling a sleigh - something I didn't know if he had done before. He took to it like a pro and within minutes was prancing across the field with me and the sleigh in tow. !!! He is very accepting of anything I ask of him and does his very best. I think we will make a great pair.

I have referred other folks to this website because I had such luck with it and with your help. Good luck to you! Thanks again!!

Bonnie Ash
Littleton, NH