Welcome to the Wallace River Haflingers and Equestrian Centre at Folly Farm!
The standing stones of Folly Farm
Breeding and training Haflinger horses for riding and driving is our passion!
We welcome guests from near and far to visit Follyfarm and enjoy riding and driving on our groomed trails and country roads. Join a clinic and learn to drive or take a holiday with your own favorite riding or driving horse.
Our small family farm is tucked in a bend of the Wallace River on the northern shore of Nova Scotia.
We have a growing herd of Haflingers, a handful of cats and dogs, and peacocks!
Please enjoy exploring this site and learning more about the Haflingers, the farm, and the beautiful experiences we have to offer! HUG A HAFFY DAY!
June 2016
On Saturday June 4th, Wallace River Haflingers and Equestrian Centre hosted a beginner and novice driving clinic. There were two young drivers who took the reins for the first time and ten more novice drivers with their horses, ponies and miniature horses. Members of the Nova Scotia Driving Society were on hand to make sure the harnessing and hitching was done safely and to drive with the novice and beginner drivers. We introduced the drivers to a cones course and gave them a challenge to trot the course with accuracy. At the end of the day I harnessed two miniatures and drove them in a tandem hitch through the cones course. My lead miniature was our own Shadow who has proven to be a fantastic school and show horse.
Northumberland WRH arrived late on June 6th 2016. His dam, Miss Arati was not convinced that having him in our new big foaling stall was the best place. She held off having her foal for two weeks while I waited patiently, sleeping in the tack room and watching the TV with a camera feed from the stall. I was rewarded by being present for the 10 minute delivery on a Sunday night. Miss Arati is an excellent mother and had him up and nursing in the hour.
Earlier in May we acquired a new Haflinger named Cici. She had her debut ride on Monday June 6th. She was excellent on the trail and then to the beach. I was impressed by her willingness and lack of spook.
Navy took his first trail ride with a group on the same weekend. Again, I was impressed by his willingness and lack of spook. He will be an excellent trail horse with more miles. Natrium had his opportunity in the arena in a trail practice. He pushed a giant ball, carried a large cardboard carton on his back and dragged objects behind him. He was awesome. Pictures to follow.
Northumberland WRH arrived late on June 6th 2016. His dam, Miss Arati was not convinced that having him in our new big foaling stall was the best place. She held off having her foal for two weeks while I waited patiently, sleeping in the tack room and watching the TV with a camera feed from the stall. I was rewarded by being present for the 10 minute delivery on a Sunday night. Miss Arati is an excellent mother and had him up and nursing in the hour.
Earlier in May we acquired a new Haflinger named Cici. She had her debut ride on Monday June 6th. She was excellent on the trail and then to the beach. I was impressed by her willingness and lack of spook.
Navy took his first trail ride with a group on the same weekend. Again, I was impressed by his willingness and lack of spook. He will be an excellent trail horse with more miles. Natrium had his opportunity in the arena in a trail practice. He pushed a giant ball, carried a large cardboard carton on his back and dragged objects behind him. He was awesome. Pictures to follow.
NEW for September 2015
This has been an exciting year at Wallace River Haflingers. Over the winter we had several boarding horse, some who were started in harness and others worked in dressage. The winter was cruel with snow banks beyond imagination. We survived the winter and welcomed spring in with the arrival of Fable, a beautiful filly out of Maritime Fancy (Flaxen) and sired by our herd stallion Nick M-J.
We hosted a spring driving event, an introduction to driving for new, green and novice drivers and horses. Fifteen new drivers got the chance to drive horses from miniatures to a pair of percheronX horses. We had lots of fun with seasoned drivers acting as mentors to novice drivers.
The Galloping Gourmets, a group of ladies from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia stayed at Folly Farm for a long weekend with their horses. By day they rode miles of trails and beaches and in the evening cooked fabulous meals and of course wine to match the meals. Other visitors to the farm included several young ladies who had great opportunities to ride the horses on a daily basis during their summer holidays. What a great way for a teenager to spend their holidays.
In July we took two horses to the Nova Scotia Driving Society show, Miss Arati and Shadow. Shadow was driven by a junior driver who only started driving in June. Both horses competed well and Shadow came home with reserve champion VSE. The Nova Scotia Exhibition and Fall Fun Driving Trials wrapped up the competitive season in September.
We were busy on the farm this year training various horses including a VSE, Fjord, and a Haflinger. All are now driving well and just need miles beneath their hoofs. Our two home bred Haflingers, Natrium and Navy have been started in riding and driving and their training will continue into this winter.
Our great news this summer was the successful breeding of Miss Arati (Aramon X Malti) to Nick M-J (Nabucco X ). Miss Arati is a grandaughter of Afghan II with lovely disposition and wonderful movement. We are expecting a magnificent foal next June. Twinview Marigold will also be foaling in the late spring. Her foals, Natrium and Mayflower have great personalities and good confirmation and excellent feet like their mother.
Maritime Fancy (Flaxen) has gone to her new loving home in River John. Her foal has gone with her until weaning time. We miss them both and look forward to having Fable return in November.
This has been an exciting year at Wallace River Haflingers. Over the winter we had several boarding horse, some who were started in harness and others worked in dressage. The winter was cruel with snow banks beyond imagination. We survived the winter and welcomed spring in with the arrival of Fable, a beautiful filly out of Maritime Fancy (Flaxen) and sired by our herd stallion Nick M-J.
We hosted a spring driving event, an introduction to driving for new, green and novice drivers and horses. Fifteen new drivers got the chance to drive horses from miniatures to a pair of percheronX horses. We had lots of fun with seasoned drivers acting as mentors to novice drivers.
The Galloping Gourmets, a group of ladies from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia stayed at Folly Farm for a long weekend with their horses. By day they rode miles of trails and beaches and in the evening cooked fabulous meals and of course wine to match the meals. Other visitors to the farm included several young ladies who had great opportunities to ride the horses on a daily basis during their summer holidays. What a great way for a teenager to spend their holidays.
In July we took two horses to the Nova Scotia Driving Society show, Miss Arati and Shadow. Shadow was driven by a junior driver who only started driving in June. Both horses competed well and Shadow came home with reserve champion VSE. The Nova Scotia Exhibition and Fall Fun Driving Trials wrapped up the competitive season in September.
We were busy on the farm this year training various horses including a VSE, Fjord, and a Haflinger. All are now driving well and just need miles beneath their hoofs. Our two home bred Haflingers, Natrium and Navy have been started in riding and driving and their training will continue into this winter.
Our great news this summer was the successful breeding of Miss Arati (Aramon X Malti) to Nick M-J (Nabucco X ). Miss Arati is a grandaughter of Afghan II with lovely disposition and wonderful movement. We are expecting a magnificent foal next June. Twinview Marigold will also be foaling in the late spring. Her foals, Natrium and Mayflower have great personalities and good confirmation and excellent feet like their mother.
Maritime Fancy (Flaxen) has gone to her new loving home in River John. Her foal has gone with her until weaning time. We miss them both and look forward to having Fable return in November.
NEW for September 2014
It has been a very busy summer. Gillian and the Haflingers attended 2 shows and 2 Exhibitions as well as hosted Bob Giles, an excellent trainer from Maine, here at the farm. Megan Lewis, a ultra-long distance rider has rested her horse here at the farm for 6 weeks. Megan has ridden her horse, Lady, from St. John's NL to Wallace and is now heading across North America with her. Look for Megan on highways and byways as she walks her horse Westwards. Follow her on Facebook on The Long Horse Ride or follow her blog. Recently, we added a new horse to our program. Little Johnny, pictured below is now a permanent resident. He is an excellent horse for children and he has been renamed Shadow by his little buddy.
Johnny, a horse in training at the Tune-Up.
New for May 2014
May has been a busy month. Every weekend was jam-packed with horse related activities. I can't tell you which event I liked best! On May 9th I instructed a Miniature Horse clinic in Antigonish. The following weekend we hosted a Tune-Up drive here at Wallace River Equestrian Centre with eight horse/driver combinations and 30 spectators, friends and family for the BBQ. The following day I instructed at a introduction to driving - horse and or driver- in Parrsboro. Six lessons and six very different horses at various stages of driving. The next weekend I was again instructing at a Miniature Horse clinic in Pictou. The Last weekend in May was a ride and drive weekend for Haflingers. Eight riders/drivers and their horses joined for a weekend of camping, riding, driving and visiting. The weather was glorious and no bugs. Between the weekend events I was continuing to give my regular lessons at the farm and working with a Miniature Horse in training. June doesn't look as busy as May but I am planning to host Bob Giles from Maine to give a week of lessons and clinics here at the farm in July. Call me for details.
May has been a busy month. Every weekend was jam-packed with horse related activities. I can't tell you which event I liked best! On May 9th I instructed a Miniature Horse clinic in Antigonish. The following weekend we hosted a Tune-Up drive here at Wallace River Equestrian Centre with eight horse/driver combinations and 30 spectators, friends and family for the BBQ. The following day I instructed at a introduction to driving - horse and or driver- in Parrsboro. Six lessons and six very different horses at various stages of driving. The next weekend I was again instructing at a Miniature Horse clinic in Pictou. The Last weekend in May was a ride and drive weekend for Haflingers. Eight riders/drivers and their horses joined for a weekend of camping, riding, driving and visiting. The weather was glorious and no bugs. Between the weekend events I was continuing to give my regular lessons at the farm and working with a Miniature Horse in training. June doesn't look as busy as May but I am planning to host Bob Giles from Maine to give a week of lessons and clinics here at the farm in July. Call me for details.
New for August 2013
A Sporting Day of Traditional Driving at Sherbrooke Village, NS.
Flaxen has outdone herself! In August we attended the Sporting Day of Traditional Driving Event at Sherbrooke Village, NS. There were 17 turnouts competing at this fun event where we get to dress-up in 1860's period costume, drive though the quiet streets of Historic Sherbrooke Village, a living museum, and compete in three phases of the competition: Turnout, Country Drive and Cones. With my groom, Abigail Bidwell, we prepared Flaxen with lots of practice in the weeks before this event and on the Sunday, Flaxen performed her role beautifully. She placed first in the Country Drive Phase and placed first overall! We were so surprised and pleased that our preparation and hard work paid off so well. Read more about this event in the August blog.
New for July 2013
In July, Flaxen prepared and attended her first show, the Nova Scotia Driving Society Show. She was wonderful. She stood quietly as she waited her turn to go into the ring and performed so well. She is pulling a Bennington carriage owned by Judith Scrimger. This is a lovely carriage with adjustable shafts, seat, balance mechanism, and very stylish. Her final class was the cross-country drive, up into the woods at the Salmon River show grounds. She was keen and kept up the pace for the entire route. Her time was the closest to the set time and she won this class. Her first Red Ribbon. Well done Flaxen.
What's New for May 2013
Brand new Mayflower! ~6 hours old
May is foal month for the Wallace River Haflingers! Fantasia is expecting her first foal by mid May and Marigold surprised us with Mayflower a week earlier than expected! At 5 days old Mayflower is a little spitfire! She has been racing around the paddock at top speed but slows down to say hello to all the visitors who come by to meet her! Check out the story of her arrival on our blog!
New for September 2013
Gillian successfully completed the final elements of the NCCP coaching certificate. The Instructor of Beginners (IOB) course was completed over the past year and the final evaluation occurred this September when Francois Bergeron came from Quebec for a driving clinic. I am very happy to have another First Time event. My niece helped me prepare for the test by learning to drive with Flaxen.
Gillian successfully completed the final elements of the NCCP coaching certificate. The Instructor of Beginners (IOB) course was completed over the past year and the final evaluation occurred this September when Francois Bergeron came from Quebec for a driving clinic. I am very happy to have another First Time event. My niece helped me prepare for the test by learning to drive with Flaxen.
