A well-known farm and museum in Nova Scotia has addressed recent social media concerns regarding the welfare of its animals, announcing that improvements have been implemented.
The Ross Farm Museum, located in New Ross, N.S., serves as a living heritage site, allowing visitors to experience what life was like in the 1800s.
According to the executive director, Marc Tassé, finding a balance between preserving history and integrating modern conveniences has been challenging.
“We need to depict how things were done in the past. How did life look 200 years ago? Striking that balance between historical authenticity and contemporary standards is something we’ve been working hard to address,” Tassé remarked.
Recently, the museum faced criticism regarding the state of its six horses. In November, an equestrian coach, upon evaluation, reported being deeply saddened by their condition.
In a conversation with Global News, Susan Fraser described the horses as frightened and in poor health, with some experiencing significant pain in their feet.
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She noted that the site lacked adequate water supply and space, leaving the horses confined to stalls with limited room to move.
The horses were relocated off-site in December to Fraser’s care, with two of them staying with her permanently.
“Some require rehabilitation due to age and other issues, but importantly, we need to upgrade the facilities,” Tassé added.
The planned upgrades include larger box stalls, mobile fencing, automatic watering systems, and cameras for continuous monitoring.
The horse program is also evolving, with the museum exploring the possibility of functioning as a demonstration farm, moving away from just offering wagon rides.
New pastures are being developed to give the horses space to run and play.
Despite these changes, Fraser remains concerned about the horses returning to the farm.
In response, Tassé reassured the public that the museum is dedicated to ensuring the horses receive proper care upon their return.
“There have been numerous inquiries and concerns, and we are addressing them as we navigate this situation, although it has taken us longer than expected to respond,” he stated. “Ultimately, the well-being of the animals is our top priority.”
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