‘Horses of Halifax’ lift people’s spirits

While the horses have always been there for people’s enjoyment, the Halifax Lancers team wants people to know that the Horses of Halifax will be out and about to spread joy and cheer this holiday season during what’s been a particularly challenging year.

Halifax Lancers executive director Angie Holt said the non-profit riding school in downtown Halifax wants to bring attention to the fact that its 27 horses will be out and about to offer “great companionship” and “stress relief” to visitors during this “high stress” time of year.

“Anybody is welcome to come by and say hello to them,” she said.

People can visit the Horses of Halifax at the fence while they’re outside at designated times on fair weather days. They will be “turned out” in rotating groups throughout each day.

From 7:30 a.m. to

3:15 p.m. Monday to Friday, the horses will be in the large paddock next to the Museum of Natural History and a back paddock on Bell Road, closer to the Halifax Wanderers stadium.

“Anybody is welcome to come by and say hello to them.”

Angie Holt Halifax Lancers executive director

The horses will only be out in the back paddock on Tuesday afternoons due to manure removal.

On weekends and holidays, the horses will be in both paddocks from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If the weather is bad, the horses will be in an indoor arena and will not be visible to visitors, according to Holt.

The Halifax Lancers team is encouraging those who come out to visit the horses to maintain physical distancing and follow other public health guidelines in place.

“We're not encouraging any types of gatherings or anything like that,” said Holt.

People are also reminded to not feed the horses, as they are routinely fed inside their stalls, where it's safe for them to eat.

The hope, Holt noted, is that people who are alone or unable to carry out their holiday plans this year due

to the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to feel uplifted from hanging out with the horses.

“We're very lucky, those of us who ride here and work here, to experience the therapeutic effects of horses all the time and it's something we'd very much like to share and have other people experience, too,” she said.

NOUSHIN ZIAFATI • THE CHRONICLE HERALD Halifax Lancers executive director Angie Holt is seen on Wednesday with Sadie, one of the 27 horses that will be out and about at designated times to spread joy this holiday season.

NOUSHIN ZIAFATI • THE CHRONICLE HERALD Halifax Lancers executive director Angie Holt says she's encouraging those who need a pick-me-up to come by their stables and give the horses a pet. She believes this activity is a great stress reliever.