Do you ever wander away from the mounting block, still adjusting your stirrups, pondering what to work on in today’s schooling session? Does your coach ever ask (I always do) what you’ve been working on since your last lesson, and you admit mostly logging miles on your horse’s odometer? Is time with your horse squeezed between life’s many daily responsibilities, and sometimes squeezed out altogether? If so, you need an effective, efficient and creative game plan for your training sessions....
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If there’s one word that strikes fear in the hearts and minds of horse owners, it’s “colic.” Used to describe any form of abdominal pain, colic can affect horses for many reasons and in any season, although cold weather months are a particularly challenging time with increased risk of impaction-related colic.
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Increasing the horse’s comfort is always a good idea — and now it’s easier than ever to go bitless. The Dr. Cook Bitless Bridle is designed to allow gentle, effective control with pressure that is distributed evenly around the horse’s head....
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N.L. McAlmond and Barney Two Pony were part of the cowboy gang at the C Bar N ranch near White Owl Creek, Colorado. They had discovered a large grizzly bear track in the snow and decided to ride into a canyon in search of some mares and foals, get them back to headquarters, and, hopefully, get some idea of the location of the grizzly. When they entered the canyon they found fresh tracks of the mares and foals. They had packed in some feed and McAlmond scattered hay for the mares that they knew were nearby. Barney continued on ahead up the canyon expecting to find the horses very soon. He rode on a few yards then yelled, “Silvertip...!”
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I have long held the belief that problem behaviour is only an expression or symptom of a deeper-rooted problem. The challenge for us is to correctly diagnose what is actually going on so we can truly help the horse overcome their seemingly problem expression. I believe that too many horses are unfairly labeled as problems when really they are just misunderstood and mishandled....
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The terms “natural” and “organic” are widely used in today’s horse world. The use of the term “organic” in the manufacturing and marketing of products aimed at horse owners is regulated by government agencies. The use of the term “natural” is not, and so a great deal more caution must be exercised by horse owners when sourcing these kinds of products for their horses....
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As an equine fitness enthusiast, I occasionally end up helping students develop rehabilitation programs for their horses after injury or prolonged layup. This is never a bright time. Faced with wasted muscles or lower legs mottled with inflammation or hooves with sections missing, owners look at their steeds warily. How will they ever perform normally again...?
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Helping horses build their confidence in unique ways can prepare them for the unexpected. At any age or with any discipline, I encourage riders to find ways to challenge themselves and their horses by trying new things and teaching them that they can trust you when they feel worried. I see so many horses that are incredibly sheltered by their owners and, as a result, become so fragile that any little thing causes them too much anxiety....
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With the current COVID-19 pandemic and Canadians’ alarm over how quickly a virus can spread across countries and continents, there is an understandable reaction to protect against infection from any and all viruses and pathogens. By extension, it is also essential that there is a level of biosecurity on your farm or acreage to protect horses against agents of disease....
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More veterinary students from British Columbia will be attending the Western College of Veterinary Medicine on the University of Saskatchewan campus this August, following an investment from the Province of BC to double the number of subsidized seats for the first time in more than a decade....
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Brooke USA Foundation recently announced the establishment of its Ukraine Emergency Fund and asks its generous supporters to help equestrians and their horses as it joins the many organizations supporting relief efforts in that nation....
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Ukrainian equestrians and more than 100,000 horses caught up in the war in Ukraine need help to survive under desperate conditions because of the tragic conflict. The horses have no ability to seek safety or flee without help. The need is urgent....
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An Ontario Veterinary College research study would like to interview equestrian competition organizers (within the past five years) about their experiences and perspectives towards biosecurity at equestrian events in Ontario, Canada.
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Researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Canada would like your help. They are investigating how umbilical cord variations relate to foal health — in particular, the length of the cord, and the number and type of twists present in it.
Researchers are looking for owners of pregnant mares to take part in the research. To participate in the study, or for more details, click here.
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Check out the new 2022 rules for rider attire in Dressage competition this season.
The traditional sport of Dressage is evolving this year with a pop of colour! Riders are now able to step away from the typical white and black attire and choose from an assortment of colourful and lightly textured styles…
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Many domestic events across the country are ramping up for a busy 2022 season. Maria-Christina Lepore, EC’s Manager, Competition Services, explains how important it is for the events to be sanctioned and safe for competitors to attend…
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Canada’s Dana Cooke won the CCI4*-S division at the Chattahoochee Hills International Horse Trials held from April 6 to 9, 2022, at the 8,000-acre Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, GA.
The CCI4*-S division, the highest level of competition offered at the event, attracted a large starting field of 34 entries including 13 Canadians, all of whom successfully completed the three phases of competition....
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