Healing Minis Farm School painted symbol on colourful fence.

Things to do Around Ottawa - Healing Minis


We used to homeschool. Honestly if money weren't an issue we'd still be doing it. It was a lovely pace of life that suited us all, but I couldn't manage to find a balance that allowed me to maintain my own mental health while trying to work enough to pay those pesky bills. So for now the kids are at school during the days. I try to supplement their schooling with 'field trips' or as I call them 'adventures'. On this particular adventure we headed to a little spot in North Augusta about an hour from Ottawa called Healing Minis Farm School.


I don't know how I found Laurie's website, what it was exactly that I was looking for, but it likely had to do with horses and things to do with my kids around Ottawa. When I read about her background and what she does with her minis, I knew it would make a great adventure for my kids and 2 of our good pals. I set up a time with Laurie over email and we made our way down on Friday with some PB & J Sammies and granola bars for the drive.


When we arrived we were met by Laurie, who shared the story and meaning of her beautiful fence, the work she does with the minis and a bit about her fundraising efforts. Laurie has an incredible background with a combination of being a former social worker, a Registered Teacher, Creative Art Therapist, Montessori Methods Trainer and Equine Assisted Learning Specialist; she was more than ready and equipped to handle the kids and share some lessons with them.

3 miniature ponies at Healing Minis Farm School all stand in a line in their paddock.
Laurie of Healing Minis Farm School looks at her painted fence as she explains what her charity does.
Beautiful painted fence with flowers and flags.
A young boy points at the Canadian Flag at Healing Minis Farm School
A white and brown mini horse walks toward the camera.
A white mini horse with blue eyes looks at the camera.
A young girl stands beside a brown mini horse.
A mini horse with white hair and brown spots.
A white and brown mini horse looks down.
A boy in a red sweater can be seen standing beside a mini horse, both facing away from the camera.
A brown mini horse puts its head overtop of and onto the back of a white mini horse.
Laurie from Healing Minis Farm School shows a young boy the lead for one of the mini horses.

Laurie took us to the three mini sisters and told us how they came to be in her life. The children were able to brush them and put on their halters as Laurie talked about the special magic of horses and how they are great mirrors of ourselves.


After we'd spent some time with our new friends, Laurie took us on a tour of some of the land. She showed us a trail through the bush and down to the river where the children played with sticks and enjoyed the simple pleasure of being outside in nature. Something we just don't get enough of.


We returned to the horses and the children got the opportunity to help feed and water them before we said goodbye and headed off for our drive home. The kids all had a wonderful time and loved the time they got to spend with Ruby, Oppie and Emmie. If it were closer I'm sure we'd be there regularly to learn more and experience time just being outside with the horses.

Laurie offers a variety of experiences with the minis in exchange for donations to help her support Friends of the Congo. This organization aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced in the Congo and to support Congolese institutions to bring about peaceful and lasting change.


One of the things we learned from Laurie was that over 70% of the world's production of cobalt (mineral used in laptops, batteries, phones, etc) comes from mines in the Congo. At least 40 000 children between the ages of 6-17 are estimated to be working in these mines for long hours, with no protection and minimal pay (we're talking a dollar a day). We talk at home about local and global inequality, but I think it really brought home how different other children's lives are, through no fault of their own.

Brown mini horse with white mane.
A hand points toward a beaver lodge in a river.
A white and brown mini horse looks toward the camera.
Brown dappled fur of a brown mini horse.
A woman walks out of a stable as a mini horse follows her out.
Back end of a brown mini horse with a white tail.
A young girl's back is toward the camera as she looks in a shed.
3 kids walk toward a shed.
A young teen in a hoodie carries hay to a barn for some mini horses to eat.
Sun shines through fall bare trees as a group of children play in the leaves.
Laurie Lynne of Healing Mini Farm School and a group of children with 2 of her mini horses in the paddock.
A white mini horse with brown dapples on her head and back end stands sideways to the camera.

If you'd like to schedule a visit at Healing Minis Farm School you can find out more information and contact Laurie through her website .