We can hardly believe it, Urban Stable has been helping youth unbridle their potential for 20 years! 

Co-founded in 2001 by Wendy MacDonald, Urban Stable grew from a desire to provide much needed support and programming for middle years students. Working with Winnipeg youth in social services, Wendy witnessed a lack of programming available for the youth she worked with and came upon the opportunity to experience the incredible positive impact being around horses had on one of the clients she supported. 

Wendy was determined to help more youth make this connection with horses in order to help them build confidence, self-esteem, problem solving skills, leadership, communication, teamwork, and a sense of belonging that comes naturally from interacting with horses. 

Wendy’s dream became a reality in Urban Stable as it has grown and flourished. Twenty years later Urban Stable has impacted the lives of over 700 youth and their families in our School and Alumni Programs! In addition, Urban Stable has touched at least triple that number of youth through summer programs, year-end and annual activities, and celebrations. At these events participants’ friends and families, along with Urban Stable’s board members and staff, with their friends and families, have also been positively impacted. 

Urban Stable has gone through many periods of growth and change over the years, having begun with only two students and growing to serve over 70 students annually. Over the years Urban Stable has operated at a number of different facilities around Winnipeg; expanded its partnerships and supporters; grown to include more programs along with the staff to support these programs; and through it all we continue to learn, dream and build for the future as an organization. 

The need for supportive, creative programming to help youth unbridle their potential that initiated the start of Urban Stable has not diminished. Thank you all for your continued support in getting Urban Stable to where we are today and for helping us continue building to create better opportunities for youth now and in years to come.