NoRush Farm

Horseplay for Healthy Hearts & Minds

The Farm

When, in the late 1800s, Josiah Aulenback moved his farmhouse 10 miles along a dirt road to its present location - on logs, pulled by a team of oxen - he set out to make good use of the 13 acres he was given.

He built a beautiful barn, created pastures for his animals, planted apple trees and cleared a pond in the middle of a large stand of impressive old-growth hemlock down by the brook.

In 2004, after the death of its last resident, the farm was, for the first time, sold. By that time, a large portion of the land had been clear-cut and a once rich and healthy woodland was left crippled and ravaged. And the pond was overgrown again.

When the first PMU foals arrived at the farm shortly after our move here, the parallels between de-spirited land and de-spirited horses were evident. A mutual healing process was set in motion with the goal of a healthy symbiosis.

"Hand-in-hoof-in-paw-in-branch," Sibylle says, "we are actively and gently engaged in the regeneration of spirits - honouring what is and the time it takes to become."

The Humans Sibylle Bechtold, M.A., C. Trans, has 20 years of horse-related experience. She has received extensive training from a great number of horses (and a few people) and is well-grounded in equine assisted therapy. Sibylle is an enthusiast for continued learning. Horses, mules and donkeys will remain her lifelong partners and teachers. An extensive background in teaching, plus being a certified German - English translator (member of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia) give Sibylle an appreciation of nonverbal communication and listening skills. NoRush Farm provides her the opportunity to bring together profession and passion.

The Herd and main therapists

NoRush horses and their donkey manager live in a herd on 13 acres of mixed terrain. During extreme weather and at night, they have access to their condos. Outside of working hours, they do what equines naturally do: they graze, groom each other, run, play, or rest.

Sox, Quarter Horse, is the quintessential ALPHA mare and mother of Minnie. She definitely functions with the moon cycles, her will be done!!

Minnie, alias Midnight Song is the result of the other "alpha mare's" menopausal memory lapse: one night in August, one gate was left open . . . only one night and one gate - but we love Minnie dearly!

Dali, Appaloosa with strong foundation Appaloosa lines, father of Minnie. He came to us as a PMU-foal and, due to his dismal early youth, was very distrustful of humans. Today, after two years of learning how to trust, he is the coolest guy you ever want to meet. But, make no mistake, there is plenty of intelligence behind that laid back facade!!

Billy, our donkey, Tino's "brother" and farm director - go figure this one out - you may want to ask! He's 10 hh which makes him standard size! Don't call him cute - he may have a cute exterior, but definitely has a tough and well developed ego!






Stella, our mule, a five-year-old girl with the most velvety coat imaginable,joined the herd in July of 2007. Other than being first in line at feeding times, she has not a worry in the world. In fact, she'd be quite happy to follow us around like a curious puppy, play and be the center of attention.

Her human partner Paul (for whom Stella has a particular soft spot) has started to work her in long reins and under saddle. She is definitely a quick learner and we look forward to take her out on the trail in the near future.

"Every living creature on the farm contributes to the whole."

Tino, French Canadian/Clydesdale gelding, "rescue-by-association" - his mother came to us pregnant as we discovered two weeks before foaling! A tough exterior but a very fragile ego - with the strength of a Sherman tank (we have developed quite a reputation with hardware stores).

Administrative staff

Nelson, a Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendal), came to us as a rescue. After evaluation and training, we were so happy to have confirmed what we intuitively knew right away: the boy is a sweetheart.

He had never really been introduced to "acceptable" behavior towards humans and treated them like he would another dog (or sheep). Being the smart dog that he is, he was so easy to train - it took simply a little of our time and effort - plus, we learned a great deal in the process about ourselves (the old adage of the student becoming the teacher)!!

Today, Nelson could not be a more devoted and willing-to-please dog! And it is the rare person who does not fall in love with him.

Ruby, a seven year old Bloodhound lady, is the newest NoRush Farm member. She has spent her life reminiscent of that of many foster children: family after family, shelter after shelter. In her seven years, we are her 5th home - and her last home!

While she has a number of residual issues from this lifestyle of insecurity, she is still an amazingly trusting and loving animal - and, really, who can resist that face!??!

The NoRush cats keep us (and the rodents) in line - there is nothing like waking up at night in a room together with a frightened mouse which has been generously dropped next to the bed for company! Coco Chanel, is the Farm's feline model with lovely feathered hind legs and a gorgeous long haired coat. Her sleek walk has been known to make the strongest (mouse) guy weak.

Sgt. Pepper, white/gray short haired He's serious and goal oriented - a real guy!

Rainbow Bridge - friends who passed over but remain connected by our heart strings

Jimmy Dean August 2008

Morris the original NoRush dog 1993 - 2006

Eloise - April, 2008

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