About Us
It all started with a girl and her horse...
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Michelle was in a horse barn within the first 5 years of her life. Her mother, who became an avid rider and therapeutic riding instructor, introduced her to the love of horses. Soon life got busy and Michelle found she had grown apart from the horse world. When at 16, she had a near death experience, she had spent a few years seeking what she felt was missing from her life. She found her missing piece when she met Gully. After close to a year working with horses again, Michelle decided to take the plunge and purchase a horse of her own. Gully, a 17-year-old Appaloosa, was Michelle’s “heart” horse. They worked at a therapeutic riding school together for almost 4 years. When the therapeutic riding school started an Equine Assisted Learning program, Michelle knew that horses had so much more to give than just riding lessons and was incredibly intrigued. However, Gully was ready to retire and Michelle knew it was time to put him to pasture and discover what else the horse world had to offer. Michelle went on to work at show barns, active racing Standardbred barns, and eventually began her own boarding stable (Willow Lane Stables) with her now husband, Wayne Mulholland.
January 2017 hit hard. Gully colicked and had to be put to sleep. Michelle was lost. She had lost her best friend and greatest teacher. Her world had crumbled. She did what she knew Gully would expect of her, and brushed herself off to continue on working with horses. When in 2018, Michelle had an opportunity to get a certification as an equine facilitator, she jumped at the chance. She had experienced first hand, how the nature of the horse brings out the best in people - and she had a strong desire to help others. Gully, himself, had saved Michelle, both mentally and physically, and he had taught her just as much about herself as about horses. Michelle knew she would enjoy being a facilitator, but found she absolutely fell in love with it. Willow Lane Stables decided to switch gears and become Gully’s Learning Ranch.
Our Team
Michelle Mulholland
Certified EAL Facilitator, BA in Anthropology, Diploma in Equine Studies, Certificate in Equine Business Management
Michelle and her husband, Wayne, started a small boarding business in 2016 which became quite successful. She learned much about horses, equine business management, and what direction she wanted to take their business. Although they enjoyed their work with Willow Lane Stables, Michelle felt that she had a passion for more. In 2018, they began building their new business, Gully's Learning Ranch (GLR), where they would be able to work with horses to help people. Michelle became a certified EAL Facilitator with The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning, which complimented her array of Diplomas and certificates from both McMaster University and the University of Guelph. Although Michelle has experience throughout the equine industry, she has truly found her purpose in life by combining all of her passions into one dream career.
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Michelle lives in Ridgetown, Ontario with her husband and all their fur, feathered, and scaled loved ones.
Wayne Mulholland
Property Maintainence and Development Manager
Wayne grew up in a small town outside of Hamilton, Ontario. When he his family moved to the city, he felt like a country boy out of place. Longing to make the trek back home, he always hoped he would some day live out his days on a ranch. Although he had never worked with horses before, meeting Michelle gave him a calling. Horses became a huge part of Wayne's life, as he knew Michelle's passion for horses would soon have her in a career with them. Working with the horses came naturally to Wayne and soon he was working along side Michelle at her various barn jobs. Wayne helped Michelle build her confidence, and together they set out to create Willow Lane Stables. Shifting into Gully's Learning Ranch, provided Wayne with, not only the opportunity to move back to the country, but also to use contractor skills that he had developed while working in the city.
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Wayne is proud to call Ridgetown, Ontario home with his wife and all their amazing animals.
Sierra
Teacher, Alpha Mare
Breed: Belgian Draft Horse
Age: 21-years-old
Height: 17hh
Colour: Bay with white star and snip
Sierra is a big lady with an even bigger heart. Standing in at 17 hands tall (almost 6 feet at the top of her back) and 2,000 pounds, Sierra is a Belgian Draft Horse/Quarter Horse cross. Sierra came to us from a teenage boy who would ride her in 2-day, discipline events. She was given to us when she developed Laminitis (a condition of the hoof) and could no longer be ridden.
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Sierra is our alpha mare. This means that she is the fair and dedicated leader to our herd. You will see her herding and protecting her family. Sierra teaches strong leadership and self-esteem development. Although her size may be intimidating, she has a heart that truly matches her size. She is confident, bold, and strong, and she loves to teach that to her students.
Dreamer
Teacher
Breed: American Paint Horse
Age: 13-years-old
Height: 14hh
Colour: Bay with white spots
Dreamer is a Paint - that means she has beautiful spots on her! She is the youngest member of our team. Although only 11-years-old, Dreamer has had quite the life. When she was a foal, a baby, she was in a horrible accident. She got caught in a hay feeder and hurt herself badly. She ended up breaking her back right leg and almost lost her left eye. With the love and care from her old owner and family, Dreamer healed but cannot be ridden. When her old family could no longer care for her, GLR took her in and she has been a fantastic teacher
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Dreamer loves people. She is very sweet and sensitive – which makes her a gentle and patient teacher. She has so much to teach us about perseverance and bravery– she broke her leg as a baby but fought hard to heal and live. Her ability to carry on after such tragedy, gives her the opportunity to help her students through difficulties.
Lilly
Teacher
Breed: Shetland Pony
Age: 28-years-old
Height: 7.2hh (30")
Colour: Grey
Lilly is tiny girl with a HUGE heart. This little Shetland Pony stands at only 32" tall at the top of her back, But don’t let her size fool you – she has plenty of big lessons to teach! Lilly was adopted from a rescue organization who rescued her from an auction house. She was very skinny and malnourished. She had been passed around from a couple of different auction houses, and at her age (23-years-old), she was looking a little worse for wear. However, the rescue saved her and got her all healthy.
Lilly is the smallest, and oldest, member of our herd. Lilly has had a hard life before she came to be a teacher in our program. She never had a proper place to call home. She was a mother to many babies, but not many properly cared for her. She has so much to teach us about strength, perseverance, and trust. Lilly is able to teach people that just because someone is small, doesn't mean they don't have an opinion!
Lady
Teacher
Breed: Shetland Pony
Age: 8-years-old
Height: 8.1hh
Colour: Cremello
Lady is a pony who is full of life. She is our youngest herd member. She is a unique colour - she has very light coloured hair with pink skin underneath! Her pink skin can get burned easily, so we always have to protect her skin from the sun, the best we can. She also has 2 blue-eyes. Only certain colours of horses can actually have blue eyes! She lives with her best friend, Sam, and they have lived together for many years. You may see them groom and cuddling each other and this helps them relax and bond. Now, she has joined our mini herd and goes outside with P.J., Sadie, Lilly, and Sam!
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Lady teaches her students that it is fun to be unique! She loves to cuddle, play and have lots of fun. She has tons of energy and she brings the best out of her students! She is sweet and loves to connect with her students in the arena.
Sam
Teacher
Breed: Miniature Horse
Age: 10-years-old
Height: 9.1hh
Colour: Buckskin with a white blaze and 2 white socks
Sam is a sweet and sensitive horse, who loves people. Sam is unique because he has two different coloured eyes. One is brown, and one is blue! Only certain colours of horses can have blue eyes. He lives with his best friend, Lady, and they have lived together for many years. You may seem them groom and cuddle each other and this helps them relax and bond. Now, he has joined our mini herd and goes outside with P.J., Sadie, Lilly, and Lady!
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Sam teaches his students how important it is to be a supportive friend. He loves to cuddle and have fun with his students. He is quiet and calm and enjoys teaching his students in the arena. He will cuddle for as long as his student would like to!
Wayne "Wayner" Jr.
Teacher
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age: 18-years-old
Height: 16hh
Colour: Bay
We are lucky enough have 2 Wayne's on our ranch! Wayne Mulholland (our property manager) and our wonderful teacher, Wayne "Wayner" Jr. Originally bought as Michelle's personal riding horse, they knew it was destined to be when they heard the name of this special boy. Wayne is a Thoroughbred with high pedigree breeding (registered with a race name of "Way Of The Wild" - by the prominent stud, "Smart Strike"). However, Wayne is a perfect example of how temperament wins over breeding. Wayne was track trained, but never raced. He was too slow to even qualify, although related to the majority of the Triple Crown Winners of history (and other successful racehorses - including his full-blooded brother).
Wayne has a fun-loving personality. He loves to cuddle, play, and snooze - not exactly the personality needed for a racehorse.
Moose
Teacher-In-Traning
Breed: Standardbred
Age: 11-years-old
Height: 17hh
Colour: Bay with small white star
We have known Play Like A Pro, known as Moose in the barn, since he was a young racehorse on the track. When we moved on from working at the track and into working on our own boarding barn business, we had to say our good-byes to Moose and the rest of our racing friends in the Spring of 2016. We never dreamed to be seeing a familiar face in the barn once again.
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When Moose came up for adoption, we knew we could not pass up the chance to bring him home. We knew Moose would be a thoughtful, caring, and sensitive teacher and he continues to mature each and every day. He is still young, but he is loving his retirement lifestyle and career. He is wise beyond his age and has a level head on his shoulders, making him the ideal teacher for our program. And does not pass up a chance for a cuddle or a giggle.
P.J.
Mascot, Professor
Breed: Miniature Mediterranean Donkey
Age: 24-years-old
Height: 8hh
Colour: Grey with black dorsal strip
Michelle's family purchased P.J. when he was still inside his mom and was named after Michelle's Great Grandpa, who had a donkey as a child in Italy and always admired the animal. P.J. (Primo Junior) has been with Michelle for most of her life. He was going to be the stallion for a breeding facility, but the life of a breeding stallion is very lonely and isolated. He has gotten the opportunity to work with youth to gain confidence and develop life skills. He now is one of the mascots at Gully's Learning Ranch and is recognized for his on-going service and love of children.
P.J. has had a couple donkey companions over the years. His last companion before Sadie was a potbelly pig! P.J. is a bit of a quirky donkey - he's a big mamma's boy and suck for his best friend, Sadie.
Sadie
Mascot, Professor
Breed: Miniature American Spotted Donkey
Age: 14-years-old
Height: 9hh
Colour: Bay with white spots
Sadie is our resident spotted miniature donkey and she's a girl with a BIG voice and lots to say! Sadie was a broodmare (well, broodjenny) in a couple different miniature donkey breeding programs. However, a few months prior to us, she miscarried her last foal. Her last breeding program that she was a part of before us, decided that they wanted to breed smaller donkeys than what Sadie could produce. Our other miniature donkey, P.J., needed a companion, and Sadie needed to heal her aching heart. So, as a lovely Holiday present for P.J., Sadie came to us on December 17th, 2015. Sadie instantly fell into the care taking role for P.J. and they live happily together.
She now lives in luxury, with her best friend by her side, as our Ranch mascots, with a large double stall with attached paddock and pasture. She is very gentle, sensitive, and kind.
Muffin
Greeter
Muffin is our other barn cat at GLR. He's very sweet and likes to hang out in his cat tower in the barn office. He came from the same racing barn as our horse teacher, Player. We were able to re-home Muffin from the barn before we left in 2016.
If you pop your head into the office when you visit, you are sure to be met with this sweet face!
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Muffin is 8-years-old!
Cookie
Greeter
Cookie was the barn cat for the previous owners of the ranch. So she's been here awhile. When we heard that her name was Cookie, we knew that we had to keep her - as our other barn cat is named Muffin!
She will be one of the first Ranch resident to meet you. She's very friendly and enjoys being scratched. She's vocal, so when you come to visit make sure to say 'hello!'... she may just say it back!
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Cookie is 13-years-old!