Therapeutic Farm & Horse Riding Kelowna

Rachel, we absolutely love the Happy Ruth Ranch and the inclusivity it offers! I feel like my daughter has the space to be her true self. Every time we’ve been at the farm, it’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience, from the craft days and riding days to the different autism-friendly events.

Natalie is truly the heart behind this farm and the way you run it.
We’re so lucky to be included in such a beautiful, welcoming space.

Brad has been an incredible mentor in my journey of learning about and riding horses. He’s been my coach for just over a year and has taught me so much with his passion for the sport. His deep understanding of equestrian skills combined with his patience and understanding teaching, has made every lesson a memorable one. Brad’s ability to break down complex ideas and techniques has helped me build my confidence while being around horses and while riding. The ability to help his students understand the why when explaining something has left a mark on my overall understanding. He starts from the bottom with every new student and goes through the basic steps of horsemanship which have helped me in many aspects.

Beyond the teachings, Brad taught me the importance of building an unbreakable bond with the horses. He emphasizes the value of trust and clear communication between rider and horse which has helped me improve my riding.

Brad is the coach who will push you to be your best and ensure that you get where you want when you have a dream. He has been a true guide in my riding journey. Thanks to Brad, I now feel an even deeper connection with horses and confidence in my abilities. His unwavering support, dedication, and genuine love for what he does have left a lasting mark on my heart and riding journey.

Brad Whittaker is an outstanding horse trainer and western riding coach. Brad‘s extensive experience, professionalism and way of communicating is by far the best coaching that I have experienced. I have been riding for a good part of my life and ridden with several coaches over the years. None have broken down the fundamentals of riding and training, and making sure you understand every step, every movement and why your horse is responding to you. Over the years, I have developed some bad habits and was lacking in confidence, I recently purchased a young horse that needed to be restarted. Brad helped me immensely restart my gelding and coached me through some difficult situations, without Brad’s guidance I wouldn’t have had the knowledge and confidence to be where I am today with my young horse. It just shows you can continue to always learn and improve your skills. I am so grateful for all his knowledge, commitment and help over the past 7 months. Brad is a top notch person, horse trainer and coach. Highly recommend Brad Whittiker training stables and coaching.

“I have been taking lessons with Brad for the past year, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made on my horsemanship journey. Brad’s expertise is evident in every lesson, but what truly sets him apart is his ability to connect with both horse and rider. His patient, encouraging approach has helped me grow not just as a rider, but as a horsewoman…

Brad’s lessons are always structured, yet flexible enough to address individual needs and goals. Whether we’re working on technical riding skills, groundwork, or building trust with my horse, Brad is always there with clear guidance and constructive feedback. His knowledge of horse behavior and communication has been invaluable, and I feel more confident and capable with each lesson.

Through Brad’s guidance, I’ve made significant progress in both my riding and my ability to connect with my horse. I feel more confident in my leadership and more attuned to my horse’s needs, which has made our partnership stronger than ever. Brad is an exceptional coach, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their horsemanship and riding skills or develop a deeper bond with their horse.”

“Brad has been my coach for about 5 years now and I am so grateful for all that he has done for me. He was my very first riding coach and the one who taught me all about the world of horses. The first thing he does with new students is teach them about proper horsemanship. This is something that not a lot of instructors do but was crucial for me to be able to progress throughout the sport. By learning proper horsemanship and how horses behave I was able to understand the importance of having a good relationship with the horses you work with. Brad takes the time to not only show you how to do something, but WHY we do it. For me personally, understanding why I am doing what I’m doing is a big part of how I learn and how I can comprehend concepts at a deeper level.”

Brad has spent countless hours with me teaching me everything I need to know to be a successful rider and a horsewoman. He will push you, but he also knows when you need some extra support. Brad is the type of coach who truly wants to see you succeed and he will strive to help you get to where you want to be. He has shown me the importance of having a good relationship with your horse, what it means to be a horsewoman, and how to be a great rider. I will forever be grateful for what Brad has done for me and my passion for this sport.

“The horseback riding lessons were perfectly tailored. My daughter has never been happier!”