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Spirit Reins Ranch is a small farm located near the picturesque coastal town of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia.  We offer personalized service for both the first time rider and more experienced riders. Take advantage of our scenic trail rides where the view is breathtaking in every direction! We also have trail riding packages including tidal floor fossil tours, wooded trail rides and Bay of Fundy beach tours. Summer Horse camps are available for children, and the Ranch hosts a variety of shows and competitions throughout the year. Sign up for western private lessons, lease one of our horses or board your own horse, you can also book our facilities for your wedding or private events such as birthday parties. You and your whole family will enjoy taking part in our leisurely trail riding experience. Amazing horseback riding tours and adventures are just minutes away. Trail riding at it best, here in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia!

Spirit Reins Ranch is located just outside the charming town of Parrsboro which has many amenities available. While you’re here you may want to check out the downtown shopping district, local restaurants, museums, hiking trails, live theatre, golf club and of course the highest tides in the world at the local beaches!

*Due to the nature of our business we cannot accept drop-ins.

Email for reservations: spiritreinsranch@gmail.com

or call 902 254 4268 / 902 254 4262


 About Us

Spirit Reins Ranch is situated on what was originally a family farm. The Gilbert family acquired the farm in New Prospect, Parrsboro around 1964, and it became a cattle and pig farm for the next 20 years. Today Bill, Karen Gilbert and family continue the legacy with their horse ranch.

Top: Gilbert family on their farm with calves (Billy on the right). Bottom: Billy on his pony King riding in a parade.

Top: Gilbert family on their farm with calves (Billy on the right).
Bottom: Billy on his pony King riding in a parade.

Bill with his buckskin Jasper on a beach ride.

Bill with his buckskin Jasper on a beach ride.

Bill Gilbert grew up on his family farm riding horses and wrangling cows, his first horse King was a paint trick pony. Bill and King had a great partnership from the start! He even took King in the town parade when he was only 7 years old. Bill has the farm way of life in his blood and still works and develops the land that was his childhood home. Bill renewed his love of horses in adulthood and rides his quarter horse Jasper.  He has done clinics on cattle penning, western riding and develops his riding skills through lessons and training. Bill is currently the head guide for our trails and he has been called a real cowboy character who is sure to bend your ear with a few tails or a local yarn or two.

Karen Yorke-Gilbert’s first experience around horses was at a young age riding the work horses at her aunt’s farm in the Annapolis Valley. In her youth Karen spent many hours attending races at the Truro Raceway where her uncle raced standardbreds. It wasn’t until she had a family of her own that she became fully involved with and renewed her childhood love of horses. Karen has remained committed to a vision that horses are a learning and growing opportunity for the human spirit. She firmly believes that horses are teachers and healers for people, and are therapy for the soul.

Karen and her Canadian horse Willow.

Karen and her Canadian horse Willow.

Over the past 15 years Karen has devoted her time to the development of her own horse ranch in her hometown of Parrsboro. The year 2000 marked the beginning’s of the ranch as it is today. A humble 4 stall barn housed two very special horses, a gentle thoroughbred named Chief (belonging to her daughter) and Karen’s quarter horse Ginger. Today Spirit Reins Ranch has grown to a family of 8+ horses, a large barn with 13 stalls, heated tack room and a large outdoor riding arena.

In order to provide the best quality services and optimal care for the horses Karen has devoted herself to equine education, spending years under the tutelage of top instructors in Western Reining and equitation. She has completed her Level 4 in the Western Rider Equine Canada program. Karen has certificates in Equine Canada Coaching Theory as well as First Aid training, and has recently completed the Equine Canada Trail Guide and Tourism Program. Karen holds an Bachelors Degree with Honours in Psychology from Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick.

Karen is a current member of the Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation, Equine Canada. She enjoys riding and showing her Canadian mare Willow. She has participated in many shows and competitions in western classes, trail class, reining and cattle sorting and penning.

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