Visit with Amore the Loving Horse

Come visit with Amore, the gentle and loving horse. Enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings with a serene pond and majestic ancient willow trees. Inhale the peace and exhale your stress away.

The experience focuses on finding calm, confidence and compassion through interactions with the horse.

“Being around horses can build confidence, communication skills, trust, social skills, impulse control, and also learn boundaries” [Fédération Equestre Internationale 2020].

You will learn through the experience. We engage in being fully present in the moment and creating an emotional connection with the horse. There is no riding or horse training involved, and no prior experience is necessary.

Horses have been used successfully to help reduce PTSD symptoms. They have a powerful, calming energy and provide a mirror for what one is feeling.

“Grooming a horse can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall health.” [Psychology Today, 2017]

We offer visits for Youths, Adults, Parent & Child, and Groups. Please select the appropriate ticket. At checkout, the order form asks you to indicate your preferred days and times for your visit. Once the visit date is confirmed, you will receive an email with preparation questions, the release of liability form and other necessary details.

From Amore (if he could speak)

I was born in Ontario, a purebred Gypsy Vanner. I was one year old when my sister and I were purchased by a farmer's wife and relocated to Quebec. Unfortunately, the lady fell ill and shortly after could no longer care for us. I spent the next 9 years neglected in a field with the cows. No love, no attention.

I endured physical abuse, and I prefer not to recall all the other hardships I've faced. My hooves were overgrown, and I cried out in pain with every step. My back and joints hurt too. I felt deeply uncomfortable and sad. Then, one day, my sister died of colic. I was heartbroken and now totally alone. What's my purpose? I kept asking myself. Why the suffering?

About a year later, a lady student came to work at the farm. She saw my condition and immediately asked the farmer to let her take me home. He agreed. She was my angel sent by God, kind and caring. As she worked in the veterinary field, she brought her colleagues to help me. They cared for my hooves and overall health, and more importantly, made me feel like I had a future again.

I started to feel safe and settled until my student saviour finished school and had to move to a faraway province. She couldn't take me with her and was talking about selling me. I was again worried for my life. What would become of me?

But I got lucky ... really, really lucky. Irina was seeking a horse like me. She had a lookalike picture on her vision board since 2010, as she dreamed of starting a program for youth interacting with horses, helping them overcome trauma, anxiety, or other emotional troubles.

We met on Zoom and knew we were meant to partner in this endeavour.

And now I'm here, enjoying life and eager to meet you. I truly love connecting with people and sharing love, both giving and receiving. I love being groomed. Can't wait to see you!

From Irina

I was afraid of horses. Six years ago, for my birthday, I booked a session with an equine facilitator to overcome this fear. I had to muster all my courage to join the horses in the paddock. I was afraid of things bigger than me because of the severe abuse I endured in my childhood.

Among other things, I grew up in a dysfunctional family where beating and yelling were regular occurrences. I often heard "You are good for nothing." I lost interest in school and ended up last in class. My grandmother, who didn't know about any of this, insisted I'd go to University. Gruelling work to catch up, but I eventually did. I finished my master's with 100% and gave the Valedictorian speech. Then I went on to build a successful career in Nuclear Engineering in two countries.

I thought the past was behind me, that it didn't matter, but despite the success and awards, I felt unworthy of love and not good enough. Emotionally, I was not OK. I decided to get certified as a Strategic Intervention Coach and Relationship Educator with Tony Robbins and Cloe Madanes, an eminent family therapist. I learned a lot about myself and felt called to help others.

As I started my life coaching career, I encountered people in their 60s who were still haunted by their childhood troubles.

Deep down, another yearning developed, to help youth recover from adverse childhood experiences, so they don't go through life like me or my adult clients, second-guessing their worth.

Amore is my first-ever horse. After he arrived in 2023, I felt like a new mom, spending most of my time with him at the barn and waking up in the middle of the night to see if he had food and was ok.

I fell in love with the Gypsy Vanner breed in 2010 at the Royal Winter Fair. I discovered they are very good with children: calm, fun, and small in stature.

Amore is 13 hands 3, and he looks magnificent. Everyone who meets him loves him. He is intelligent and senses what people need to learn. I interpret the interaction based on what I know about the participant, my life experience and my coaching skills.

We make a great team together, and we're looking forward to serving you.

Benefits of an Equine Experience with Amore & Irina

• Reducing stress from computers, devices, and city noise
• Enjoying a new experience that will expand your comfort level
• Processing emotions through the connection with Amore
• Feeling calm and at ease
• Increasing self-confidence and leadership skills

"I highly recommend the Child Innocence Equine Experiences. I brought my son for a visit, he described his experience with the horse Amore and Irina as calming and interesting. He found the trip to the barn a good use of his time to experience something different, something that's outside his comfort zone. I am grateful for this opportunity to have spent some quality time with my son and share an experience that we will both have for a long time.

Amore has given me a strong sense of confidence with a positive outlook! The preparation call helped understand the expectations, and the debrief call to discuss the observations and recommendations were very useful as a parent. They made the whole experience complete.” - Amy

Select you ticket

Youth or Youth-in-need Visit includes: an hour experience for the youth. The parent or guardian will wait nearby to be available in case their input is needed. Before coming, a 15-minute phone call will be made to learn about the youth, what they need, and how we can support them. A preparation email will be sent beforehand. We will review your answers to select exercises for the youth comfort level. Youth ages 14 to 24. For families experiencing financial hardship, please select the 'Youth in Need' ticket, and the visit is free of charge.

Adult Visit with Amore includes: an hour experience; a preparation email in advance, reviewing your answers and selecting exercises for your level of comfort and according to your reasons for coming. Adults age 25 and up.

Parent & Child Visit includes: a 75-minute experience; a preparation email in advance, reviewing your answers and selecting exercises for your comfort level and appropriate for the child's age. Children ages 4 to 24. You will have to hold small children.

Group Visits are available. Send a message to enquire. The group can be a mixture of adults, youths and children.

Donations: Your donations are very much appreciated, they support Amore's care, and allow us to offer free-of-charge visits for Youth-in-need. The paid visits are kept at a lower fee to make this experience affordable to all. Your donations enable us to grow the program, and have the resources to support more people in finding calm, confidence and compassion. You are making a difference, and we appreciate your kindness and support.

Thank you!