"I just want to thank you for the wonderful team building workshop you facilitated for our team of Community Developers from Ottawa Salus Community Mental Health Services. Being out at Davalon and working with you and your beautiful horses was an important experience for us all. You had an amazing way of tuning in to us as individuals and as a team. One of my coworkers commented that you 'nailed' many things and I absolutely agree! We all appreciated that you didn't put us through anything too intense, but rather that you gently and intuitively planted seeds that got us all thinking. Your workshop allowed us a wonderful opportunity for authentic connection- among ourselves as a team as well as individually with Spirit. Thank you so much for this unique and powerful team building experience".
 
Shannon Parsons
Ottawa Salus Community Mental Health Services
"My daughter Carley attended your March break camp and I can’t begin to describe what a beautiful experience it was for her.   She not only learned about horses in an extremely gentle manner, she also learned about life and about herself.   The camp wasn’t just about finding balance on a horse, she was also given opportunities to experience finding balance within herself. 

You (Dannielle), Grandmother Francine and your team of helpers, filled the children up with praise, confidence and gentle guidance. 

Carley’s time with you at Davalon will always be a cherished memory."

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"What I have discovered is it is easy to find someone to teach you how
to ride a horse. What is much harder to find is someone to teach you
about a horse….from as simple as how to properly muck out a stall
without mucking out most of the good bedding, to working with a horse
in the round ring without causing him too much confusion and
frustration, to making sure you have something tasty ready to make the
icky worm medicine go down easier. What is even harder to find is
someone who will teach you to open your mind and heart to the horse in
such a way that you are eager to take the time to embrace the spirit
and rhythms of the horse, to recognize the horse’s needs and wants, to
understand that all the experiences the horse has had in life has
shaped him and will affect when and how he will respond to you. I
found this and so much more with Dannielle and her wonderful and
welcoming family at Davalon Stables. Dannielle weaves a deep love of
and commitment to horses, the land, her family and friends, her heritage and spirituality into each lesson we have together. She has taken the time to understand what I am looking for in my relationship with horses and has shaped our lessons accordingly. And the patience Dannielle and Elise have had with me as I torture them with question after question about everything to do with horses!! That has definitely earned both a ticket to sainthood, to be sure! I come away from Davalon so very, very happy, always looking forward to my next visit, always eager to find out ‘what’s next’ in my education!"....Maureen Boisennault

I’m a believer.  Love at first sight does exist.  Well, maybe love at first visit in my case.  I fell in love with Davalon Stables the moment I drove up the long lane leading to the bend in the road where I was greeted on the left by a happy herd of relaxed beautiful horses in the shadow of a century old barn and on the right by an inspiring and inspirational tepee in a woodland clearing.   I really fell for the place from that very moment.   Davalon is a place where you develop a relationship with horses, the land and the people.   Dannielle cares deeply for her horses, her stables and her land and it shows.  The facilities are absolutely spotless.  The horses are so well cared for and most of all respected.   The atmosphere is calm and peaceful which is felt by both humans and animals alike. The trails are vast, varied and just a pleasure to experience.    I love every minute that I am there.   I found Davalon Stables and Dannielle while searching for a place where I could take riding lessons and hopefully just explore my love of horses after a 25+ year sabbatical.   Dannielle, on our first meeting, took me on a walk along one of the many beautiful trails while we talked about what I was looking for and her philosophies and approach to teaching and connecting with horses.   This is not a group-class, cookie-cutter impersonal business.   Dannielle personalizes her lessons and is so generous with her knowledge about horses, natural horsemanship and riding.    I often think I learn more from Dannielle on the ground than on a horse.    Dannielle is a natural teacher in that she does not preach, her ego is not involved in her teaching and she has infinite patience and a real sense of humour.  Thank goodness for the sense of humour!    If you are looking for a home for your horse, not just a stable, or if you are looking for a place to connect with horses and re-connect with yourself, then Davalon is for you.   Thank you Dannielle for giving me so much of your time, your patience, sharing your thoughts, expertise and experience so freely and for allowing me to be part of Davalon.   It is truly a special spiritual place. 

Christine Marghetis

"Davalon is truly nature at it's very best,  wonderful trails, incredible horses, amazing people all in harmony !!  The perfect place to find yourself and loose yourself at the same time." ......Christine Boisvert

Testimonials

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I was a first-time horse owner and inexperienced rider when I brought Gaily to Davalon. Dannielle, Elise and Tim share an approach to horses that is loving, caring and very forgiving. They treat the horses with great affection and love to spoil them with cuddles, fruit leathers and warm, soaked haycubes. They also keep a clean and friendly stable, which is great for both horses and owners. I have learned a lot about horse care, especially from Elise, who is often at the barn and always willing to spend the time to help or teach me. Davalon is a hidden oasis for people and their horses, where they can enjoy riding the trails and fields in a quiet place of natural beauty. 
                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Sheila Purdy

 

 I found Davalon 2 yrs ago this fall and really like them. They are not far from home and usually easy to ride to. I pay them to use their trails. Last spring to fall was very busy and wet so I didn't make it over much but hope to this year. Tim cuts a path for me up the side of the long hay field. They are very considerate of what would help you to enjoy your ride at Davalon and accept suggestions. They are more of a horse spirit type atmosphere and like all breeds of horses, not a competition barn. They also give rides to handicap children. They have anywhere from 10 to 15 boarders. It is pretty relaxing riding there and they are very helpful if you need anything. They have lots of open land for riding and a very long driveway for harder surface riding. They just added a great water hole to cross and I can't wait to get my horse back there after my first endurance training clinic and ride is over. They are surrounded by other horse farms on Goodstown Road and they rent their trails. It is very peaceful there with no big heads that think they are better than backyard riders. They have english, western, trail and yoga riders. They hold clinics from time to time and do bbq's and bonfires etc... fun place, upbeat no nonsense - they have big hearts and you won't find miserable stable groupies like at other barns. They are very nice people with lots of horse experience. They all ride and train their own horses. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Happy trails,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Pat Rice-Kuffner
In December of 2009, i rescued a malnourished and neglected little Appaloosa filly. She was badly in need of care and in a very nervous, almost panicked state. She was unsure and afraid; making catching her, even in the round pen, difficult. After a mere few weeks, with the great care and love she received at Davalon, my diamond in the rough began to shine through. From the well researched feeding program, the immaculate, spacious facilities and stunning natural environment to the dedicated, gentle, loving care she received, Matilda blossomed. She is now one of the first horses to greet you at the fence. She is growing into a beautiful, healthy filly. Dannielle, Elise, and Tim are some of the most knowledgeable and caring horse folks around. They eagerly share their knowledge and are always willing to address your concerns with informative, open-minded dialogue. It was a great pleasure to be a part of Davalon Stables. The natural beauty and well groomed trails bring a sense of comfort and tranquility. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a stunningly beautiful, relaxed and caring atmosphere for their beloved equine friend.
This is definetly the place to be!!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Tricia Besant

 

"Danielle,
I just wanted to send you a note thanking you for the tour of the riding trails at Davalon. It's nice to have access to such beautiful, safe groomed trails in the area. Davalon really has it all! Riders have the option of going for a nice leisurely hack or they can use the trails to condition their horses on the varied terrains and hills. My horse Cyd is recuperating from a back injury and is unable to do any ring work and I only had the option of riding on the road. It's really nice to be able to trailer to Davalon and be able to hack for hours!
Cyd and I really enjoyed ourselves and we'll see you again soon!
                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Thanks,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Cathy & Cyd"

 

I use to be terrified when it came down to riding horses, you wouldn’t even catch me near one unless there was a fence between us. That all changed when I met Dannielle, she showed me that there wasn’t a reason to be scared that horses are one of the best kind of companions you could have. She worked with me step by step and with every lesson I felt that much more confident and knowledgeable about riding horses. I can now proudly say that I have overcome my fear and I owe it all to dannielle for her many hours of patience and hard work on my behalf.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Ulfet Ramadan


Thank you Louise for a wonderful workshop -- I'm inspired to start my yoga practice again to work towards the added benefits of better connection, balance and harmony for my riding. No other yoga session will top the beautiful one today outside, under the shade of a giant tree and with the sounds of horses in the back...ground! Thank you Dannielle for welcoming Tilly and I to your amazing place and for hosting such an excellent event! Namaste!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Colleen Singbush