Field Guides/Kawartha Lakes/R&J Stables
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Featured inKawartha Lakes
CategoryHorseback Riding
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R&J Stables.

Therapeutic horseback riding, summer camp, and private trail rides on a 60-acre Kawartha Lakes farm

R&J Stables
01 — About

The brief.

R&J Stables is a 60-acre horseback riding farm in the City of Kawartha Lakes, near Woodville, Ontario, operating Sami's Place Therapeutic Riding Centre and Camp Kanata under owner-director Heather Matile, a retired classroom and outdoor education teacher with 30 years of teaching experience. The operation pairs 1:1 therapeutic riding for riders dealing with anxiety, ADHD, autism, PTSD, depression, and behaviour challenges with a broader program mix: a summer horseback-riding camp for ages 5–12 established in 2017, private group trail rides through the property's woods, school team-building days for grades 4 and up, and adult Community Living programs run with four partner agencies. Pricing is not published on the site; all programs are booked by phone or email.

02 — Programs

9. ways in.

  1. 01

    Camp Kanata

    For: Ages 5–12When: Summer (specific session dates not published)

    Week-long, half-day summer horseback-riding camp for ages 5–12 established in 2017, with a maximum of 12 children per day and at least 6 staff. Activities include riding, outdoor games, arts and crafts, theme days, scavenger hunts, and a Friday horse show with campfire lunch. Specific session dates and pricing are not published — contact the operator.

  2. 02

    Specialist Arts Camps (Drama, Art, Music)

    For: Camp Kanata participants (ages 5–12)When: Summer (three specialist weeks within Camp Kanata; specific dates not published)

    Three Camp Kanata weeks that pair morning horseback riding with an arts specialty — Drama, Art, or Music — each ending in a performance or Gallery Walk. Contact for session dates and pricing.

  3. 03

    Adult Camp

    For: AdultsWhen: Summer; registration opens in March

    One-day summer camp for adults with riding, a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, and a campfire lunch. Registration opens in March; price not published.

  4. 04

    Private/Semi-Private Therapeutic Riding

    For: Riders dealing with anxiety, PTSD, depression, focus, memory, behaviour challenges, autism, ADHD, ODD; all ages

    1:1 therapeutic riding tailored to each rider's goals — anxiety, PTSD, depression, focus, memory, behaviour challenges, autism, ADHD, ODD — using skill-building, games, and trail riding rather than only arena circles. Contact for details.

  5. 05

    Sunday Morning Social Ride

    For: Riders with Autism Spectrum Disorder and others looking to meet people and learn to rideWhen: Sunday mornings (year/season not specified)

    A long-running Sunday-morning ride that integrates riders with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other riders looking to meet people and learn to ride. Inquire for schedule and pricing.

  6. 06

    Private Guided Trail Rides

    For: All skill levels — beginner to experienced equestrian; groupsWhen: Late August to early June (per operator)

    Private group trail rides through the property's woods for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced equestrians. Per the operator's site, trail rides run "late August to early June" — i.e. outside the peak summer camp season. Advance booking required; price not published.

  7. 07

    Birthday Parties & Special Occasions

    For: Groups celebrating birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, bachelorettes; Girls'/Guys' Nights; corporate team-building

    Birthday packages for a maximum of 8 riders, plus Girls'/Guys' Nights (riding, crafts, campfire meals), engagements, anniversaries, bachelorettes, and corporate or non-corporate team-building events. Contact for details and pricing.

  8. 08

    Community Living Programs

    For: Adults living with a disabilityWhen: Spring and fall (six-week program)

    Six-week therapeutic riding program for adults living with a disability, run in spring and fall in partnership with Community Living Trent Highlands, Empower Simcoe, Georgina Community Living, and Durham Community Living. Typically routed through the partner agency; contact R&J Stables directly to inquire.

  9. 09

    Outdoor Education & School Team-Building

    For: School groups grades 4 and up

    Full- or half-day outdoor education program for school groups grades 4 and up, with rotating stations across the 60-acre property focused on collaboration and teamwork. Inquire for group rates.

03 — Notable

Worth knowing.

  1. 0160-acre farm in the Kawartha Lakes (Woodville, Ontario)Source ↗
  2. 02Owner-director Heather Matile is a retired classroom and outdoor education teacher with 30 years of teaching experienceSource ↗
  3. 03Sami's Place Therapeutic Riding Centre programming is named in memory of Samantha BenskySource ↗
  4. 04Camp Kanata established 2017; maximum 12 children per day with at least 6 staff per daySource ↗
  5. 05Three Camp Kanata specialist weeks: Drama, Arts, and Music — each ending with a performance or Gallery WalkSource ↗
  6. 06Therapeutic riding partnerships with Community Living Trent Highlands, Empower Simcoe, Georgina Community Living, and Durham Community LivingSource ↗
  7. 07Six-week Community Living adult programs run in spring and fallSource ↗
  8. 08Birthday party packages for a maximum of 8 ridersSource ↗
  9. 09Operator also keeps miniature horses, chickens, ducks, dogs, and cats on siteSource ↗
04 — Visit

Get in
touch.

Visit R&J Stablesarrow_outward
Address
565 Kirkfield Rd., Kawartha Lakes, Ontario K0M 2T0
AER’s guide to R&J Stables · Compiled from randjstables.comLast verified 2026-05-27