Our story
Forever Free Equine was born from a simple but powerful dream: to create a place where horses are cared for with respect, people are lifted up with kindness, and everyone feels like they belong.
We’re a young married couple who grew up with a deep love for horses and the peace that farm life brings. What started as long days at the barn, quiet moments spent grooming, and big conversations about the future slowly turned into a shared vision—one we couldn’t ignore. We wanted more than just a barn. We wanted to build a safe, welcoming equine facility that puts heart before ego and care before competition.
At Forever Free Equine, we believe horses have an incredible way of teaching people patience, confidence, responsibility, and compassion. They’ve taught us these lessons firsthand, and it became our goal to pass that experience on to others—especially in an environment free from drama, bullying, and pressure.
As a new boarding, training, and lesson facility, we pride ourselves on top-quality horse care, personalized programs, and a true family-feel atmosphere.
Every horse is treated as an individual, and every rider—no matter their age or experience—is supported, encouraged, and respected. We focus on building trust, both in the saddle and on the ground, because we believe that’s where real growth happens.
Forever Free Equine isn’t just about riding—it’s about learning proper horse care, understanding farm life, connecting with nature, and finding confidence through partnership with these incredible animals. It’s about creating a place where people can slow down, breathe, and rediscover the joy that horses bring.
This journey started with a dream, grew into a goal, and became a calling. We’re building Forever Free Equine with love, hard work, and a commitment to doing things the right way—for the horses, for our community, and for the future we’re creating together.
While devastating, this experience deepened Shailah’s respect for horse welfare and reinforced her belief that doing what’s right for the horse must always come first.
Her reputation for patience and skill continued to grow. While working on a private farm, Shailah was asked to train a mare off the track who had never been backed. This marked another milestone in her development as a trainer and horsewoman.
In 2017, she purchased a 10-year-old Thoroughbred named Potato. Together, they competed successfully, earning Champion two years in a row in the 2’6” Hunter division and Hack classes—a partnership built on trust, consistency, and heart.
Forever Free Equine exists because of these experiences—the victories, the losses, the learning moments, and the unwavering love for horses. Every lesson, training program, and care decision we make is shaped by real-life experience, empathy, and the belief that horses deserve kindness, patience, and respect above all else.
This isn’t just our history—it’s the foundation of our future.
Our history
Forever Free Equine was built on a lifelong love for horses—one that began over 24 years ago with Shailah’s first experiences in the equine world and has grown into the heart and soul of everything we do today.
Shailah’s journey started at fall fair pony shows, where the excitement of the ring first took hold. One Christmas, that spark turned into something more when she received riding lessons—a gift that would shape her entire future. From there came riding camps, countless hours at the barn, and the opportunity to lease many ponies, competing on them for seven years and proudly coming home almost always with ribbons.
By the age of 13, horses were no longer just a hobby—they were a responsibility and a passion. Shailah began working at farms, mucking stalls and doing general barn chores, learning the value of hard work, dedication, and proper horse care from the ground up. That same year, she received her first horse for Christmas. Together, they competed successfully until a tendon injury ended his show career. Through this difficult time, Shailah gained hands-on experience in injury management, first aid, rehabilitation, and long-term care, lessons that would later become foundational to her approach with every horse she works with. When the time came, he was lovingly sold to a companion home, where he could live comfortably and safely.
Not long after, Shailah purchased a four-year-old Thoroughbred and trained him herself. They grew together until, heartbreakingly, he suffered a severe back injury at age seven and had to be put down.
Meet our team
At Forever Free Equine, our team is built on passion, dedication, and a deep respect for both horses and people. We are a small, hands-on operation led by a husband-and-wife team who live and breathe the equine lifestyle every day.
Shailah Adams-Deroy-Lamothe
Founder, Head Coach, Lead Trainer
Joshawa Deroy-Lamothe
Co-founder
Our Team Leader
Shailah Adams-Deroy-Lamothe
Shailah Adams-Deroy-Lamothe is the heart and hands behind Forever Free Equine. With over 24 years of equine experience, her journey with horses began as a child in fall-fair pony shows and quickly grew into a lifelong passion built on dedication, grit, and genuine love for the animal.
Shailah Adams-Deroy-Lamothe
Contact Info
Our Co Founder & Head Volunteer
Joshawa Deroy-Lamothe’s journey with horses began the moment he met Shailah. Although he had always admired and loved horses from afar, it was through their relationship that he truly stepped into the equine world—and he did so wholeheartedly. Within just one week of getting to know Shailah, Joshawa bought his very first pony, diving headfirst into the responsibility, care, and commitment that comes with horse ownership.
Our Teams Story
Shailah and Joshawa’s story began in January 2024 at the hospital in Barrie, during one of the hardest moments of Shailah’s life when she was very ill. From the moment they met, Joshawa never left her side—staying with her so faithfully and protectively that the hospital nearly had to call security. In that fragile, intense space, it was clear they were meant for each other. Just one week after meeting, they bought a horse together so they could ride side by side, already building a life rooted in shared passion and trust.
