top of page

MEET THE TEAM

Meet the People

MEET THE PEOPLE

joyce gardner horseshoe connection

JOYCE GARDNER

Owner, Senior EAL Facilitator & CHA Instructor
Joyce’s vision started with a love of horses, and a burning passion to help youth, and that’s all it took. Her lifelong desire to help people overcome obstacles allowed her to start up Horseshoe Connection. Her background is in non-profit financial management, and she strives to help youth through non-institutional options. Not only has Joyce been around horses her whole life, she has also coached figure skating, has played fastball avidly, is a proud hockey mom, rodeo mom, and now hockey and rodeo grandma to her beautiful grandchildren. Through all of her adventures, her dream to help youth has expanded into helping women and corporate teams develop life skills through equine assisted learning and riding lessons.
maegan garden horseshoe connection

MAEGAN GARDNER

EAL Facilitator
Maegan is an avid hockey and rodeo mother to 4 wonderful children, and is an involved member in the Anishinabe-qwe community, constantly promoting the traditional way of life including powwow dancing, beading, and the Ojibway language. She has dedicated her life to loving and working with horses since she was a child, competing in barrel racing and penning. Her active role in the local horse world has allowed her to see the power of the horse, and has brought her passion for people and horses together into an extremely rewarding career.
Teachers

MEET THE HORSES

youth education ontario

GOOFY

Birthday: 2010
Palomino/Paint Gelding
Goofy is originally from Montana. He came to use from Alberta when he was 3.  Like his name, Goofy has a unique and playful personality and loves to play soccer. He has a very quiet soul and loves chasing cows in his spare time.
youth leadership programs ontario

SHE'S GOT LEGGS

Birthday: 2002
Bay Quarter Horse Mare
Leggs was the first of two horses that started with us on our equine journey.  Upon her arrival from Manitoba at 2 years old, she has taught our family that each horse is unique and for that we love her. She recently returned from Alberta where she was taking care of the youngest Gardner gal running barrels and poles. She is very responsive and quick on her hooves and knows all her jobs!!
rebuilding with life skills

KAHLUA

Birthday: 2009
Grey Quarter Horse Mare
Kahlua comes from Manitoba and unfortunately had a rough start as a youngster. Her scars show the resilience she has had to survive. My daughter bought her as a project horse, trained her and sold her to go to University. In 2014, Kahlua came back to us and she is now our #1 ground teacher and EAL teacher. 
bullying prevention dryden

MAGGIE

Birthday: 2002
Miniature Mare
Our little star, Maggie, has brightened the faces of many young people and especially her owners, my grandchildren. Maggie comes from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba and teaches riding lessons, participates in gymkhana shows and EAL.  
13096164_10153465367171174_7030511222110

RAINMAKER

Birthday: 2000
Solid Paint
Rainmaker was a gift to us from a family friend many moons ago. He has done many events throughout his life such as trail riding, gymkhanas, western pleasure, you name it! He may be big but is the definition of a gentle giant. He is waiting to meet his next jockey!
bottom of page