Hi and welcome to the Northstar Livestock website. Northstar is owned and managed by the Irwins, Bill, Brenda, Jason and Adam. We are situated in Bruce Country, Ontario, Canada. Bruce County is Ontario's foremost beef producing county. Good livestock has always been a priority at Northstar. We specialize in raising foundation quarter horses. Our roots in the horse business run deep - back several generations to an ancestor who brought the first horses ever to Bruce County. He started out from Montreal a distance of roughly 450 miles. Two days out of Montreal his mare foaled. He walked the rest of the way leading the mare and stopping to rest every time the foal got tired. Family history does not tell how long the trip took. When using horses were in their hay day Grandpa, Bob Irwin and his brothers Hank, Tom and Ack operated Irwin Brothers Horse Dealers - the largest horse business in this part of Ontario. They operated a large scale horse business that dealt in horses throughout Canada and into the United States.  Their motto was "One horse or a Car Load." We have followed suit and sell horses throughout Canada and the United States, from one coast to the other.. We ourselves have had horses for the last 50 years. Our brand is the running NS for Northstar and signifies traditional quality and integrity.

     We feel that the very best the Quarter horse breed has to offer still comes through the foundation bloodlines. We feel that a good mind and gentle disposition are essential if a horse is going to be of any use. Foundation horses have above average intelligence and when it comes to cow sense these horses have no equal.

     In an effort to breed the cream of the crop we've selected the most versatile line of quarter horses that has ever been in the breed - the Driftwood line. The Driftwoods are known world wide for their extra size, heavy muscling, soundness, longevity, endurance, disposition, speed, intelligence and above all versatility. All these traits have allowed these horses to become champions in events ranging from roping, barrel racing, cutting. team penning, halter, reining, working cow horse as well as the best trail, ranch and all around family horses. 

     Raising an animal that anyone would be proud to own is our goal. It's a pleasure to be well mounted and our horses are bred to do what is asked of them. We find that soundness and ability make for many repeat buyers and recommendations from former customers. We are proud to be part of the livestock business.

     We enjoy meeting people and look forward to visiting with you and showing you our stock. Thank you for visiting our web site.

Grandfather Bob Irwin in front of one of Irwin Brothers horse barns around the turn of the century.

One of the projects we worked on at Northstar.