Animals have been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. 

 

I currently have a variety of critters on my farm, including horses, dogs, cats, cows, rabbits, alpaca and chickens. Did you know that some of my animals have even had appearances on Heartland?

Hawk

Sex: Gelding
DOB: June 2, 2007
Height: 15 hands high
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home: March 2011
Fun Facts: Hawk is a very quiet and loving horse. My mom has formed quite the bond with him and he often spends time with her going on trail rides and getting some extra TLC. Although he looks similar to “Spartan” he has never played a role on Heartland.
Check him out on Instagram: #AmbersHorseHawk

Nitro

Sex: Gelding
DOB: May 5, 2009
Height: 14.3 hands high
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home: October 2015
Fun Facts: Nitro is the most versatile horse I’ve ever been around. Extremely athletic, my husband bought him as a heel horse for Team Roping. I have since taken cutting, working equitation and jumping lessons on him. We just love this little red roan.
Check him out on Instagram: #ShawnsHorseNitro

Talon

Sex: Gelding
DOB: July 5, 2009
Height: 34″ tall
Breed: Miniature Horse
Brought Home: July 2012
Fun Facts: Despite his small size, Talon is the boss of the herd. He loves to play and pick on my larger horses, usually pulling on their tails or grabbing their neck and hanging from it.
TV Roles: Talon plays the role of ‘Monty’ on Heartland.
To see more photos check him out on Instagram: #AmbersHorseTalon

Screech

Sex: Gelding
DOB: July 15, 2010
Height: 36″ Tall
Breed: Miniature Horse
Brought Home: August 2015
Fun Facts: I brought Screech home because I felt like Talon needed a friend of his own size! Talon and Screech are now the best of friends and are constantly seen grooming each other. Although he looks like “Sugarfoot” he has never appeared on the show.
Check him out on Instagram: #AmbersHorseScreech

  

Slider

 

Sex: Gelding
DOB: May 31, 2018
Height: 15hh
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home: June 2021
Fun Facts: Slider and several other colts that were raised by good friends of ours boarded on our farm during the summer months. Shawn and I both took a liking to this little roan and Shawn decided he wanted to see how this little guy would come along. So far, he’s been great on the trails and adventures we have taken him on… and as he grows up Shawn will hopefully start to rope off him.
Check him out on Instagram: #ShawnsHorseSlider

 

 

Rein

Sex: Female
DOB: June 16 2019
Breed: Border Collie
Brought Home: August 2021
Fun Facts: Rein was originally trained to be a working cattle dog, however, her temperament is much better suited as my sidekick. She reminds me so much of China; impulsive & stubborn, but also very sweet & loyal. 
Check her out on Instagram: #AmbersDogRein

 

Mouzer

DOB: September 25, 2010
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic Medium Hair
Brought Home: November 2010
Fun Facts: Mouzer is the most spoiled cat on the ranch. My husband took a liking to him early on and sneaks him into the house for what he calls “Cat Saturday.” This unlikely pair usually fall asleep on the couch watching old movies.
TV Roles: Mouzer played the role on Heartland of the kitten that Amy brought home in her coat!
Check out Mouzer on Instagram:  #AmbersCatMouzer

Miss Turner Valley

Sex: Female
DOB: April 10, 2010
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Brought Home: June 2010
Fun Facts: I found ‘Turner’ as a tiny kitten while we were filming in the town of Turner Valley. A malnourished and very scared little stray, I scooped her up and decided she needed a good home.
Check her out on Instagram: #AmbersCatTurner

Ella

Sex: Cow (Female)
DOB: May 14, 2013
Breed: Miniature Jersey
Brought Home: July 2013
Fun Facts: When a friend bought a herd of Mini Jerseys, I put my name down for the first heifer calf born. Ella was first to come that spring and I couldn’t be happier with this loving and playful milk cow.
Check Ella out on Instagram: #AmbersCowElla

Belle

Sex: Cow (Female)
DOB: April 19, 2019
Breed: Miniature Jersey
Fun Facts: Daughter of Ella, this sweet little Jersey was born on our farm. She is the best Mama, and I love watching her and her mom Ella hang out and groom one another. When a friend bought a herd of Mini Jerseys, I put my name down for the first heifer calf born. Ella was first to come that spring and I couldn’t be happier with this loving and playful milk cow.
Check Belle out on Instagram: #AmbersJerseyBelle

Mimsy

Sex: Doe
DOB: May 27, 2015
Breed: Flemish Giant Mix
Fun Facts: Mimsy was born in our Hen House! His mother was a beautiful grey Flemish Giant named Mya who lived with us for many years. Mimsy is getting older now and not as active as he used to be, but he still gets very excited when I come out with fresh greens. He will hop up to the edge of his pen and stand up on his back legs as if to say “yes please mom!!”

See Mimsy on Instagram here: #AmbersRabbitMimsy

Betty

Sex: Female
DOB: Unknown
Breed: Alpaca
Brought Home: September 2013
Fun Facts: Betty is very protective of the young animals on the farm. Pastured with the cattle she always keeps a close eye on the young calves and is constantly on the look out for predators. She knows who belongs on the farm, and who does not – so anytime a new animal arrives (dogs, horse, cow or other) she is always the first to run over and check it out.
Check Betty out on Instagram: #BettyTheAlpaca

Phoenix

Sex: Rooster
DOB: October 15, 2019
Breed: Phoenix Rooster
Fun Facts: Phoenix is a staple on the farm. He is free to roam where he pleases and is always there to greet anyone pulling in the laneway. He mostly spends his time sitting on a leather armchair on our covered porch or hanging out with his two duck friends Sweet and Salty.
Check Phoenix out on Instagram: #AmbersRoosterPhoenix

 

Sweet & Salty

Sex: Drakes
DOB: March 29, 2021
Breed: White Call Duck
Fun Facts: These two are quite the bachelor pair. They spend their days roaming the yard looking for grubs and the best swimming hole. If you feel a tug on your pant legs it is most likely Salty… he likes to sneak up and grab your pant legs with his beak!
Check Sweet & Salty out on Instagram: #AmbersDucks #AmbersDuckSweet #AmbersDuckSalty

 

 

In Loving Memory

 

Remi

Remi left just us before Christmas '22, right before her 13th birthday. Remi brought so much joy to everyone she met. She was Shawn’s best friend from the day we brought her home and never took her eyes off him. This was a dog who wanted nothing more than to be a good girl. She never tested, never took a wrong step. From the first day we met her to the day we said goodbye she was perfect.

TV Roles: Remi played Georgie’s dog on Heartland.
Remi can be remembered through photos and stories on Instagram: #AmbersDogRemi

 

China

China was my little shadow. Found as stray on a reserve in Alberta, I adopted her in 2008. This fearful Border Collie mix was already into her adult years when she came to live with me and through love, patience and stability she slowly emerged from her dark past and became the most loyal friend that anyone could ask for. China taught me so much through the decade we had together, and I still think of her every day.

China can be remembered through photos and stories on Instagram: #AmbersDogChina

 

Butter & Popcorn

Life on the farm is not always fair. These two special ducks were taken by a predator one night on our farm. They were loved more than most in their one year with us and Butter the duck even appeared as a celebrity model for a butter sculpting contest. They brought many smiles to anyone who witnessed their fun loving personality. These two made me a big fan of ducks!

Butter & Popcorn can be remembered through photos and stories on Instagram: #AmbersDuckPopcorn #AmbersDuckButter

 

 

 

Gilman

Gilman was always the adventurer. Going on many unplanned trips in trailers or hay floats we can only imagine what became of this orange tabby. We always did a “Gilman check” every time a trailer left the property, but somehow he managed to always get the best spot out of dodge. He definitely lived his 9 lives to the fullest and was right there helping with chores on the farm from 2011-2020. Miss your antics little buddy.

Explore memories of Gilman on Instagram: #AmbersCatGilman

 

Strawberry

Sex: Doe
DOB: May 27, 2015
Breed: Flemish Giant Mix
Fun Facts: Strawberry was born on our farm and lived many happy years here with her brother Mimsy. She was not the most social rabbit with humans, but she loved spending her days close to her brother Mimsy, keeping the vegetation mowed down around our hen house.

Remember her on Instagram here: #AmbersRabbitStrawberry

 

Honourable Mentions

Cash

Sex: Gelding
DOB: April 18^th, 2009
Breed: Quarter Horse
Height: 15 hands high
Brought Home: June 2009
I first got to know this gentle Buckskin at only 2-months old as his mom was pastured in one of my grassy fields for the summer. When it was time for him to be weaned, I asked if I could purchase this friendly little guy. Cash and I went on many trail riding adventures together but anytime I asked him to work in an arena he would fight and fight. I sent him to a few different experts, but I believe some horses (just like some people) excel in different areas and it’s best not to force them to do something they don’t want to do. Since I did not trail ride very often, poor Cash didn’t get ridden very often. When a good friend of mine called one day to say she was looking for a trail horse, I knew these two would be the perfect fit. I gave Cash to her in request that if she could not care for him in the future that he be returned to me. Cash has lived with her for a few years now and is happier than ever! He gets the attention he deserves, a perfect trail companion – plus I still get to visit him!

See him grow through the years on Instagram: #AmbersHorseCash

 

Cinch

Sex: Gelding
DOB: May 19^th, 2004
Height: 16 hands high
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home:  2015
When I first got into Team Roping, it was hard to get everything lined up! Learning to swing a rope, watch a moving cow and keep your horse in position is a lot to focus on – especially for someone as un-coordinated as myself! Since my horse (I was using Hawk) was also new to the sport we were both trying to figure this out together, which proved even more difficult. A friend of mine showed me a very seasoned rope horse who was looking for a new home. I knew that this would make things much easier when at least one of us knew what we were doing. Cinch taught me so much! With my busy schedule I was just not roping as often as I wanted and so Shawn’s best friend asked if he could lease Cinch from me. The two clicked instantly and after this winning team shared a season together that was that! Cinch is a prime example of a horse who loves his job, and I am happy to see him paired with someone who is equally as passionate.

See him on Instagram: #AmbersHorseCinch

Tuff

Sex: Steer
 (Castrated Bull)
DOB: March 15, 2011
Breed: Jersey
Brought Home: July 2013
Fun Facts: Tuff is the father to many Jerseys we’ve had on the farm and is now retired to an easy life. He has always been so gentle and loving towards kids, so he was my go-to for “bull rides” when friends brought their children out to the farm. When my friend Kelsey wanted a quiet old jersey to have on their farm for their kids and to keep their other pet steer company, I knew this would be a great place for Tuff. He is very much loved in his new family and I still visit him often.  Every once in a while we saddle him up and go for a ride around the pasture on this gentle Jersey.
Check Tuff out on Instagram: #AmbersJerseyTuff

Toro

Sex: Bull
DOB: April 7^th, 2014
Breed: Miniature Jersey
Brought Home: June 2014
Since my Jersey Tuff was related to Ella, I needed to find her a boyfriend. I bought this adorable little bull out of the US to pair with my sweet Jersey Ella. It didn’t really make sense for me to have a bull for only one cow, and since Toro was such a sweet boy, I didn’t want his fatherly duties to be under appreciated. He now lives in a large herd of Miniature Jerseys, where he continues to pass on his beautiful, gentle personality.

See him and his offspring on Instagram: #AmbersBullToro

 

Pepsi

Sex: Gelding
DOB: Spring 2005
Height: 14.3 hands high
Breed: Welsh/APHA mix
Brought Home: Winter 2006
My mom brought this cute little Welsh cross home when he was just a weanling. At 5 years old we found his true passion was to jump. Since my mom just rides on occasion, she boarded him at an English barn where he could be ridden often by the kids that took lessons there. He was such an honest and kind jumper he soon became a barn favourite! Leila, a writer on Heartland completely fell in love with Pepsi and his cute pony personality. This pony’s talents far exceeded what my mom had imagined so when Leila offered to buy Pepsi, we were all for it. A decade later, she still has this power pony and he has been such a gem to the kids and adults that have known him over the years.

See him on Instagram: #AmbersHorsePepsi

 

 

 

Blue

Sex: Gelding
DOB:  March 16^th 2003
Breed: APHA
Height: 15.2 hands high
Although Blue belongs to my husband’s parents,  he is often referred to as my “Ontario horse”. Hosting several events on horseback means I need a trusty steed I can rely on. Since my own horses live a 40 hour drive from Ontario, I am so fortunate to have Blue ready and waiting. I can jump on a plane after filming in Alberta for the week, and meet up with Blue for a weekend of hosting horse events in the province I grew up in. My in-laws have a farm north of Toronto with horses, dogs and cats. I’m lucky to be able to share their beautiful Blue.

See photos of Blue and Amber at events on Instagram: #AmbersHorseBlue 

Breezy

Sex: Female
DOB: August 3, 2018
Breed: Idaho Shag
Brought Home: October, 2018
Fun Facts: Breezy is a very lovable and easy-going dog. In fact, nothing really phases her as long as she is able to be your co-pilot! My friend Kyra took a liking to Breezy the day a brought her home and would puppy sit for me from time to time. When the lockdowns first hit Kyra wanted a hiking buddy. I told her Breezy would love to go and it didn’t take long for these two to become inseparable. After a short time, I realized that Kyra was a much better match for this shaggy pup. Breezy still hangs out on our farm from time to time, but it’s rare that Kyra goes anywhere without her shaggy co-pilot! Check her out on Instagram: #AmbersDogBreezy!