Heartland: How a Wholesome Horse Drama Sent Me Galloping Towards a New Life

Remember The Saddle Club? If you were anywhere near a TV in the late 90s or early 00s, especially in Australia, you probably do. That show, with its oddly Australian backdrop, pretty much cemented my childhood obsession with horses. Fast forward a decade or so, and another horsey series galloped back into my life, reigniting that spark: Heartland.

Now, Heartland isn’t just your average TV show. It’s a 17-season (and counting!) hug of a series from Canada, based on Lauren Brooke’s books. It’s all about Amy Fleming, a young woman in Alberta with a gift for horse whispering. She takes on the horses nobody else can handle, using intuition and a whole lot of heart. Sure, there’s the occasional soap opera-style drama – plane crashes, you know, the usual – but mostly, it’s just good, old-fashioned, feel-good family fun.

And yeah, it's undeniably wholesome. Maybe even a little hokey. But here’s the thing: it’s soothing. It’s the kind of show you curl up with after a long day, and suddenly, you’re dreaming of wide-open spaces and the quiet understanding between a person and a horse.

"Watching Amy 'join up' in the round pen with a troubled horse, her cowboy hat in place, spoke to my own latent desire to escape the hustle and bustle of full-time city office work and immerse myself in nature."

Honestly, I blame Heartland for my life today. I went from taking casual riding lessons in 2016 (thanks, Netflix!) to owning three horses, spending my days in the stables, and occasionally trying my hand at eventing, showjumping, and dressage (with varying degrees of success). Let’s just say my bank account isn’t exactly thriving, but my soul? It’s galloping.

What was it about this show that made me trade financial security for hay bales and hoof picks? Maybe it was the stunning Alberta scenery. The Heartland ranch is practically a character itself, with its rolling hills and whispering streams. Or perhaps it was the way Amy and Spartan, her rescue horse, just understood each other. Their bond, forged in grief and healing, was something I desperately craved. Sure, the show’s portrayal of horse rehab might be a bit… optimistic, but it spoke to something deep inside me.

When I bought my first horse, a real handful, I found myself channeling Amy. “What would Amy do?” I’d ask myself, as I navigated the falls, the bruises, and the moments when my confidence faltered. Then came my second horse, a skittish filly who wouldn’t let anyone near her face. It took three months, and a whole lot of natural horsemanship, but eventually, she was nuzzling my cheek.

And when my third horse fell seriously ill, I found myself re-watching those Heartland episodes where Amy faces the impossible choice of surgery or saying goodbye to Spartan. Those episodes, those relatable struggles, helped me through the stress and uncertainty. Thankfully, my horse pulled through.

Even if you’ve never sat on a horse in your life, there’s something magical about Heartland. It’s a gentle, heartwarming story with characters you can’t help but love, set against a backdrop that makes you want to pack your bags and move to the mountains. So, do yourself a favor: give it a watch. But don’t say I didn’t warn you if you suddenly find yourself Googling "horse riding lessons for beginners." You might just end up living my crazy, wonderful life.