Amber's Animals

Animals have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Today, my farm is home to a wonderful mix of critters — horses, cows, dogs, cats, and a variety of birds. Some of them have even made special appearances on Heartland! Below, you can meet each of my animals and learn more about their unique roles and significance on the farm.

at 16 hands high, meet

Cruz

Sex: Gelding
DOB: June 2nd 2014
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home: June 2019
About: My husband and I went to a horse sale to help a friend, but the moment I spotted this big, handsome Palomino, I fell in love — especially when I learned we share the same birthday. Cruz is always ready for an adventure and is my go-to mount thanks to his unmatched stamina and power. On IG #AmbersHorseCruz

At 15 hands high, meet

Hawk

Sex: Gelding
DOB: June 2nd 2007
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home: March 2011
About: Hawk is a gentle loving horse who’s been with me for over 15 years. In recent seasons of Heartland, Hawk stepped in to play Spartan as Stormy retired — and, by pure coincidence, Hawk and I even share a birthday.

On IG #AmbersHorseHawk 

TV Roles: Find Hawk in Season 16 (Ep. 9) as Amy’s client horse, then again in Season 17-present as Spartan.

at 15 hands high, meet

Slider

Sex: Gelding
DOB: May 31st 2018
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home: June 2020
About: Shawn took a liking to this little bay roan and is teaching him the “ropes” both in the field doctoring cattle or in the area team roping. When we aren’t doing anything in the arena, Slider is the perfect horse to take on the trail or to go help move cows at the neighbours! On IG #ShawnsHorseSlider

At 14.3 hands high, meet

Hippy

Sex: Gelding
DOB: February 23rd 2008
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home: June 2021
About:  Shawn was good friends with Hippy’s previous owner and roped off him a fair bit. When Shawn heard that Hippy was for sale, he decided to scoop up this little sorrel! Hippy is the boss in our herd, and has mega speed in the arena, but is also very good with new riders.

On IG #ShawnsHorseHippy

at 14.3 hands high, meet

Nitro

Sex: Gelding
DOB: May 5th 2009
Breed: Quarter Horse
Brought Home: October 2015
About: Nitro is the most versatile horse I’ve ever been around. My husband bought him as a heel horse for Team Roping, and I have since taken cutting, working cowhorse and jumping lessons on him.

On IG #ShawnsHorseNitro

at 34" tall, meet

Talon

Sex: Gelding
DOB: July 5th 2009
Breed: Miniature Horse
Brought Home: July 2012
About: Despite his small size, Talon is the boss. He loves to play with my larger horses, but his very best friend is Hawk. Talon knows that Hawk will always look out for him, and he uses that to his full advantage. At feeding time, he will stand right under Hawk as he knows no other horse in our herd will try and steal out of their hay pile. On IG #AmbersHorseTalon

TV Roles: Talon plays the role of ‘Monty’ on Heartland.

At 36" tall, meet

Screech

Sex: Gelding
DOB: July 15th 2010
Breed: Miniature Horse
Brought Home: August 2015
About: I brought Screech home because I felt like Talon needed a friend of his own size! Talon and Screech are great friends and are constantly seen grooming each other. Although he looks like “Sugarfoot” he has never appeared on the show.

On IG #AmbersHorseScreech

Meet

Autumn

Sex: Female
DOB: March 18th 2023
Breed: Great Pyrenees Mix
Brought Home: September 2023
About: I was up in northern British Columbia, Canada when I met Autumn. She was dropped off as a stray at a Spay/neuter clinic I was volunteering at, and as soon as she walked in the door there was something inside me that just felt she needed to come home with me. I can’t believe how quickly she settled into our family and her smiling, gentle demeanour makes everyone fall in love as soon as they meet her.

On IG #AmbersDogAutumn

meet

Rein

Sex: Female
DOB: June 16th 2019
Breed: Border Collie
Brought Home: August 2021
About: Rein was originally brought home by a big ranch to be a working cattle dog, however, her stubbornness proved to be too much for daily ranch work. At two years old, they decided she needed to find a good home where she could be a “pet” and not a working dog.  Rein is a good girl, especially when she is not around livestock where her impulsive & stubborn nature sneaks through. She loves car rides, and hanging out with me on set.

On IG #AmbersDogRein

Meet

MAC

Sex: Male
DOB: June 28th 2023
Breed: Long Haired Polydactyl
Brought Home: Sept 2023
About: How handsome can one cat be? Mac's easy going nature and his lion-like looks have made him a farm favourite around here! This is one chill dude who spends his days watching over the farm from his fence post look out, or following along with whom ever is completing tasks. We just love this giant cuddle bug!

On IG #AmbersCatMac

Meet

Turner

Sex: Female
DOB: April 10th 2010
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Brought Home: June 2010
About: I found Turner as a tiny kitten while we were filming in the town of Turner Valley. A malnourished and very scared little stray, I scooped her up and decided she needed a good home. Now the wise old matriarch, she mostly keeps to her heated bed, and watches the younger cat’s play.

On IG #AmbersCatTurner

Meet

Paisley

Sex: Female
DOB: May 2nd 2022
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Brought Home: Summer 2022
About: Paisley has become the CEO in the mouse control cat’egory. She is the sweetest cat with her people, but loves her independence exploring the farmyard with her best friend Mac.

On IG #AmbersCatPaisley

Meet

Belle

Sex: Cow
DOB: April 19th 2019
Breed: Miniature Jersey
About: In 2011 a friend of mine bought a herd of Mini Jerseys and I put my name down for the first heifer calf born. That was Ella, who I had many years. Unfortunately, Ella has since passed on, but she left me with her beautiful daughter Belle. 

On IG #AmbersJerseyBelle

Meet

Heather

Sex: Cow
DOB: May 20th 2022
Breed: Charolais/Angus
About: This beautiful big girl lost her real moma at birth and was adopted by a friend of mine who bottle fed her. When she grew too large to keep in the small pen with her pony she knew that Heather would have a great life with my herd out in the big pasture.

On IG #AmbersCowHeather

Meet

Lily

Sex: Cow
DOB:  April 9th 2021
Breed: Black Angus Mix
About:  Lily was born to an older cow who just couldn’t produce enough milk for her. One day I saw an ad online for a bottle calf and decided to bring her home for my Jersey to raise. From day one Lily made herself at home.

On IG #AmbersCowLily

Meet

Rosie

Sex: Cow
DOB:  April 13th 2021
Breed: Hereford Mix
About:  Rosie was born on my friend’s ranch and for some reason her real mom just didn’t want to have anything to do with her. My friend knew I had a Jersey cow that produced more than enough milk to support an extra calf, so she offered me the little one. Rosie is a very gentle natured girl who enjoys a good back scratch!

On IG #AmbersCowRosie

Meet

Phoenix

Sex: Rooster
DOB: Spring 2020
Breed: Phoenix Rooster
About: Phoenix is a staple on the farm. When we are out in the yard, he freely roams where he pleases and is always there to greet anyone pulling in the laneway. He mostly spends his time sitting on a leather armchair on our covered porch or hanging out with his hens in the coop.

On IG #AmbersRoosterPhoenix

Meet

Peter

Sex: Peacock
DOB: Spring 2023
Breed: India Blue Peacock
About: Who doesn't want a peacock strutting around their farmyard? Peter was raised by a family and was already very tame when he came to live with me. Peter and my rooster Phoenix do not get along, so unfortunately I need to alternate their "yard time." This handsome man sure does turn heads...

On IG #AmbersPeacockPeter

In Loving memory

"What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us" — Helen Keller.

Remembering

Betty

Betty was the protector of the young animals on the farm. We fondly called her Nanny Betty, and she always took the best care of our calves on the farm. She knew who belonged, and who did not – and was always the first to let us know to run over and check things out. I still feel her presence when I’m out with our cows, as she was never far, watching, and aware of all that was going on.

On IG #BettyTheAlpaca

Remembering

Remi

Remi left us just before her 13th birthday. This was a dog who brought so much joy to everyone she met. She was Shawn’s best friend from the day we brought her home and never took her eyes off him. A best friend who wanted nothing more than to be a good girl. She never tested, never took a wrong step. From the first day we met her to the day we said goodbye she was perfect. Many will remember Remi through the role she played as Heartland’s beloved farm dog.

On IG #AmbersDogRemi

Remembering

Mouzer

Mouzer was by far the best cat I have ever known. He was the whole reason my husband went from not liking cats at all, to sleeping with Mouzer curled up in our bed. This is a cat I think about often and miss him with my whole heart! As just a youngster, Mouzer played the role on Heartland of the kitten that Amy brought home in her coat.

On IG  #AmbersCatMouzer

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