How to Measure
YOUR HORSE’S WEIGHT
2020
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Throw a Socially-Distanced:
BARN PARTY!
FALL/WINTER 2020
AN ALBERTA BARN
P U B L I C AT I O N S MA I L AG R E EME N T # 4 0 0 5 0 2 9 7
Reaches out to Seniors
R REMINDE
!!
r 31, 2020 Decembe hips Expire Members TODAY! BERSHIP OUR MEM RENEW Y
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY W E S H A R E Y O U R PA S S I O N
UNDERSTANDING
Winter Laminitis
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FALL/WINTER 2020; VOLUME 14, ISSUE 4 Alberta Bits is the Alberta Equestrian Federation’s official member magazine. It serves the equestrian community of horses and riders of all ages, interests and involvement as Alberta’s premier resource for education, information and support. THE ALBERTA EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION HAS BEEN INCORPORATED SINCE 1978
Alberta Bits magazine is mailed four times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) to all current AEF members and is made available at the office and special events attended by the AEF. Alberta Bits is distributed throughout Alberta with news and events on behalf of recreational, sport, breeds & industry and educational sectors of the Alberta horse industry. Alberta Bits is distributed to approximately 18,000 members; 9,000 households and businesses, an exclusive list of tack and equine establishments and at events and trade shows annually.
AEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lauren Parker 403.813.1055 lmparker@shaw.ca Sandy Bell 403.700.7880 windhorseretreat@gmail.com Tiara Chambers 780.897.7446 royaltequestrian@gmail.com Nicolas Brown 587.988.3590 bruchev@gmail.com Mazlie Cole 587.888.2363 statikequine@gmail.com Jason Edworthy 403.651.5678 jedworthy@spring-bank.ca Janine Leroux 403.968.3311 j_zuk@hotmail.com Brenda Spanier 403.932.2936 brendaspanier@gmail.com Becky Taylor 403.507.9935 beckyt.rvt.mapc@gmail.com Robert Simpson 780.628.2356 rms210@mail.usask.ca Alison Douglas 403.431.7799 thealicat@shaw.ca
AEF STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sonia Dantu execdir@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 5
MEMBERSHIP
Norma Cnudde membership@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 1 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Rebecca Isbister marketing@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 6
COACHING
Erin Rabeau coaching@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 3 COMPETITIONS
Hilary MacDonald competitions@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 2 FINANCE, GENERAL INQUIRIES
Rita Bernard info@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 7
OFFICE HOURS: 8:30AM TO 4:30PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, EXCEPT HOLIDAYS ALBERTA BITS IS PUBLISHED BY WESTERN PERFORMANCE PUBLISHING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AEF
FOR EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES CONTACT: ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Webster ART DIRECTOR Kendra Roberts PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
Sonia Dantu • Rebecca Isbister • Piper Whelan CONTRIBUTORS
Debbie Harold Photography Moore Equine Scott Phillips Twisted Tree Photography Keri Weir Piper Whelan ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Sally Bishop 403.815.1289 sallysuebishop@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DEADLINES Spring 2021: January 22, 2021 FOR A MEDIA KIT AND/OR RATE CARD PLEASE CONTACT ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM or marketing@albertaequestrian.com. All material is copyright 2020. Ideas and opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of the AEF. Alberta Bits reserves the right to accept, and/or edit material submitted for publication. The AEF makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained therein, but assumes no liability in cases of error or changing conditions. Any business relations or other activities undertaken as a result of the information contained in Alberta Bits, or arising therefrom, is the responsibility of the parties involved and not of the AEF. We welcome signed letters to the editor, but reserve the right to publish, edit for grammar, taste and length. For reprint information, please contact execdir@albertaequestrian.com
ALBERTA EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION
120, 251 Midpark Blvd SE Calgary, AB T2X 1S3 Toll Free: 1.877.463.6233 Phone: 403.253.4411 Fax: 403.252.5260
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ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
6 PRESI DENT ’S MESSAGE 6 EX ECUT I VE DI RECTOR’S MESSAGE 7 K I D’ S C O R N E R 8 BITS & PIECES Presenting the 2020 AEF Scholarship winners. I N T H E C OMMUNI T Y 10 Lasting Strides Equine Assisted Learning reaches out to senior homes during
the pandemic, to share the love of the horse with them.
I N T H E C OMMUNI T Y 11 Remembering Judy Williscroft, a cherished member of the
Alberta equestrian community.
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I N T H E C OMMUNI T Y
Industry partners team up to help Alberta’s equine herd this winter.
I N SEASON 13 Dr. Ashley Whitehead answers questions about infectious and reportable
equine diseases.
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HOW TO
16
HORSE K EEPI NG
Use our handy infogram to check your horse’s weight.
Navigate winter laminitis with help from veterinarian and farrier, Sammy Pittman.
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HORSE KEEPING Purina helps you choose the best feed for your horse’s needs.
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27 30
HORSE K EEPI NG
Some suggestions for keeping your equine comfortable and other common concerns of the winter season.
BREED PROFI LE
The hard-working, versatile Connemara pony.
CHRISTMAS IN THE BARN
Ideas for hosting a socially-distanced barn party.
TRAINER’S CORNER
Clinician and trainer Scott Phillips offers his advice for dealing with spooky horses.
How to Measure
YOUR HORSE’S WEIGHT
ASK ABOUT INSURANCE 32 With a new year on the horizon, it’s the
O N T H E C O V E R : Fall breezes and winter tidings. Sharing all the joys of the season.
Throw a Socially-Distanced:
BARN PARTY!
AN ALBERTA BARN
perfect time to remind members of the Alberta horse community about CapriCMW Insurance Services and AEF benefits.
CLUB & BUSI NESS 34 LI ST I NGS
2020
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
FALL/WINTER 2020
Reaches out to Seniors
P U B L I C AT I O N S MA I L AG R E EME N T # 4 0 0 5 0 2 9 7
PRESIDENT PRESIDENT ELECT SECRETARY TREASURER INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY W E S H A R E Y O U R PA S S I O N
UNDERSTANDING
Winter Laminitis
ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020 Untitled-1 1
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Message from President, Lauren Parker The leaves have changed in what has been the most surreal of transitions from summer to fall and soon, winter, that most of us have ever experienced. Normally at this point in the year, I would be submitting this report to you, our members, with everything we had accomplished throughout the summer and our plans from this point until the end of the year. Sadly, this President has had to shift from what we would have known as ordinary, into the unknown. Our board and staff have been tirelessly at work to keep members as up-to-date as possible with the changes in provincial legislation about return to sport and recreation practices, as they pertain to equine activities. It was with warm regard that Wild Rose shows picked up again in late July and other disciplines continued on, when safe, with scheduled activities. We have also begun the process of reviewing and evaluating our Strategic Plan for the Alberta Equestrian Federation as it pertains to the new normal we find ourselves in. We will
continue to make educated decisions with our member’s best interests in mind. Our primary goal is to preserve the love of horses and the overwhelming sense of community our shared interest brings us. Many board members were involved with Alberta Partners for the Herd fundraiser and we want to thank everyone who stepped up to donate to help those in need. Alberta Equine Partners for the Herd raised over $75,000, which will be a lifeline for our equine community members and their horses for this upcoming winter. It was truly heartwarming as the horse industry came together to look out for those in our community who have been in need of extra help during these uncertain times. My wish for you all is that you stay safe and hug your loved ones, both two and four-legged, as we navigate the remainder of 2020. All the best and happy trails. AB
Message from Executive Director, Sonia Dantu There’s no other way to describe it; this year has certainly been challenging for many. Everything we’ve experienced was sudden, hard to handle at times and required new approaches to move forward. With that said, “When you get thrown off, you get back on [that horse].” Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities. How can we better prepare for tomorrow, next week, next month or a year from now? The best advice someone recently shared: to take one day at a time, continue to think about your dreams and goals and how you are going to get there, know they are still possible…and, take time to breathe. Operationally, we have had to shift and change on a daily basis; we continue to do so. ‘Business as usual’ hasn’t been the same but the dynamic team energy to provide membership support hasn’t changed. Speaking with members on a daily basis and listening to your personal stories, liaising with various government departments on policies, sending community updates and resources including engagement sessions, and creating a short-term strategic plan for the next two years with goals at the forefront, have been the new normal which we are doing our best to accept. AEF embraced the unexpected standstill to evaluate where we are and how we can forge ahead. Part of this process saw a halt to budget spending of all non-essential operational costs in late March. Some may notice this Alberta Bits issue is a combined Fall/Winter magazine; it’s another cost saving
measure. Planning for 2021 is well under way, with a focus to ensure continuation of our growth and outreach. Next year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Stride With Us (celebrating our membership, volunteers and member-nominated award recipients) events are scheduled for March 18th and 20th, 2021. The AGM will take place via Zoom in the afternoon and Stride With Us will follow in the evening at the Blackfoot Trail Holiday Inn in Calgary. It is our hope that we can meet in person; look for updates in the months to come. We hope you’ve had the opportunity to enjoy some extra quiet time with your horses. These beautiful, graceful animals are a passion that we, as a community, hold dear. While uncertainty can linger, we will continue to put you – our community – first. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every member, our valued business partners and volunteers for your continued support. Your membership and participation in the equine community and industry allows us to support you as athletes, coaches, riders and drivers, but most of all, as passionate horse people. As the weather cools, I wish you and your loved ones all the best over these seasons. AB
* Please note, the AEF office will be closed December 21 to January 1 inclusive. We look forward to serving you again in the New Year!
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ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
S ’ D I K CORNER
STEP 1 Place your toy horse against your paper. Place the horse’s belly at one edge of the paper and measure the point where the horse’s back lands. Mark this point with your felt pen. Fold the paper at this point and cut out an insert for the horse’s neck as shown:
STEP 2 Position your paper pattern against your fabric and use it to cut out the shape of your toy blanket in the fabric.
Make a winter blanket and hay net for your toy horse! Would you like to make your toy horse a winter blanket and hay net? It’s so easy! Just follow our step-by-step instructions, get an adult to help you with the glue gun and enjoy the results!
STEP 3 Use the glue gun to fasten the trim for your blanket all around the edges, leaving a longer strip at the beginning as a way to tie the blanket at the horse’s chest. Leave a long strip on the opposite side as well.
STEP 4 Cut the labels and edges off of your netting.
Materials • Glue Gun • Fabric • Scissors • Felt Pen • Trim • Paper • Netting (from an onion or avocado bag)
STEP 5
Lay the netting out flat and place some real hay in the center. If you don’t have hay, you can use wood chips or raffia to get the same effect. Wrap the hay up in the middle and secure it with the same trim you used for the blanket. ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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BITS & PIECES
2020 Scholarship Recipients
The Board of Directors and the Scholarship Committee are pleased to announce the Educational and Bill desBarres Industry scholarship recipients. We wish everyone the very best in their future endeavors!
Educational Scholarship
RHEANN NAGEL
Educational Scholarship
JADA ARTOKIVI
Jada has been involved in the equestrian community for eight years, starting by volunteering with barn chores and assisting summer riding campers. As a young rider, she was a Pony Club member, gaining basic equine knowledge and currently participates in the Alberta Barrel Racing Association. Jada’s accomplishments include placing third in a 3D barrel race when it was only her second race; and her most proud accomplishment, gaining the courage to get back on the horse that had thrown her numerous times, making her more confident, patient and resilient as a rider. Her future plans are to obtain a certificate in equine dentistry, in hopes to start her own small business in floating horse’s teeth and to continue to be involved with animals on a daily basis. 8
ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
Since Rheann’s childhood, she has dreamed of becoming a large animal veterinarian. Currently accepted at Red Deer College in their pre-veterinarian program, she plans to continue her education at the University of Calgary in Veterinary Medicine. To further her development, she has spent six years show jumping, which has taught her valuable skills including the ability to work with her horse independently, use of safe bandage practices, and basic knowledge on the horse’s main systems. On top that, she has worked on a collaborative program between attending high school and Olds College called the Green Certificate in Equine Production Technician, completing both theoretical and practical testing with exceptional grades. Rheann volunteers at vet clinics around central Alberta to further her experience, and has volunteered at The Mane Event as a jump crew member during English jumping clinics. Her future plans involve purchasing her family farm, where she can build her own veterinary clinic practice.
BITS & PIECES
Bill desBarres Industry Scholarship Bill desBarres Industry Scholarship
JENNIFER SMART
Jennifer graduated in 2007 from the Olds College Equine Science Program. She has been involved exclusively and continuously in the Alberta equine industry for the past 10 years, working as a rider, a member of barn staff, and as an Equestrian Canada (EC) Certified Coach. She was awarded EC Coach of the Year in 2013, and recently attained the EC Coach Specialist Level, together with the Rider Level 10 Certificate. Volunteering has also been an integral part of her professional development, serving as a Board of Director on the student board for Olds College and as a board member for the Alberta Horse Trials Association. She also took great pleasure in volunteering for Pony Club, encouraging up-and-coming new riders. Jennifer had the opportunity to ride along for 50 hours with an equine veterinarian, and it became clear that a change in career to Animal Health Technology would satisfy her desire to understand and assist in equine sport medicine.
BRIGITTE DEMPSEY
Brigitte’s riding journey started in 2013 with riding lessons at Whitemud Equine Learning Centre Association (WELCA), then transitioned to an eventing barn where she began competitively eventing in 2018 and hasn’t looked back! Eventing has been one of her biggest accomplishments, enjoying the thrill of galloping in an open field and jumping solid jumps. She has completed level four of the Equestrian Canada (EC) English Learn to Ride program with plans to finish the remaining levels in the near future. Brigitte has demonstrated her passion for equines through her countless volunteer hours with WELCA, where she is now a part-time employee while studying full-time at NAIT in the Animal Health Technology program. In the future, she hopes to become a registered veterinary technician, involved with the Thoroughbred racing industry or in an equine veterinary clinic. She also hopes to become more involved in the eventing community within the province, as it has provided an outlet for her to grow her confidence and passion in the industry.
The Educational and Bill desBarres scholarships are available each year to current members who are enrolled in/pursuing equine-related post-secondary education. For more information, please visit albertaequestrian.com/scholarships ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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IN THE COMMUNITY
A LASTING IMPRESSION
Determined not to let the mental well-being of our elders fall through the cracks, Lasting Strides Equine Assisted Learning volunteers their time (and horses) to senior home visits – making sure our elderly know they are still valued members of society. B Y J E N N W E B ST E R
“Junior” is a crowd favourite among the Lasting Strides herd. At 36-yearsold and standing at only 11.3hh, Junior puts seniors at ease who are a little more timid about horses approaching them.
Lasting Strides Equine Assisted Learning, located east of Calgary, AB, is dedicated to offering a place for people of all ages and abilities to find peace and purpose. This small horse farm works with at-risk youth and young adults through equine-facilitated wellness programs. Using horses as teachers and partners, Lasting Strides offers a variety of sessions aimed at personal development and confidence building. They have helped people overcome grief or low self esteem, deal with anxiety and bullying and have assisted people living with mental illness. Lasting Strides also offers corporate team building courses and young rider development programs. Led by founder and owner, Jade Dykstra, the main focus of Lasting Strides is to “…help people cope with their struggles, find their purpose, and live their lives to the fullest.” So when it began to emerge that seniors were struggling with the isolation and other effects of COVID-19, Dykstra knew her horses could help in this situation as well. “This spring, we saw the need for joy in the senior’s homes as they were filled with fear and loneliness and fear of COVID outbreaks,” said Dykstra. In May, she reached out to a senior’s facility on the edge of Calgary and inquired about bringing horses to visit, once restrictions eased. Then along with two to three horses, Lasting Strides visited the Prince of Peace Manor on May 29th and the Prince of Peace Harbour on June 26th, and again on September 11. “There are so many ways to show the seniors we care, even at a distance,” she said. “It is so crucial that we don’t forget their mental health in this isolated world.” 10
ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
Trailering in two to three equines each time, Dykstra explained the reactions from some of the seniors they visited with were priceless. “The horses totally know their job, so they have a perfect blend of being entertaining (trying to play with walkers, sniffing around for cookies, flirting with their reflections in the window) and being snuggly and sweet,” she said. “They are so good at knowing which seniors need a soft nuzzle, and which ones will appreciate their more nosy antics. The seniors wear smiles the whole time and tell us endless stories of horses they had growing up. The memories light up their eyes while they stroke our horses’ noses and we absolutely love hearing every single one of their stories.” Each of the senior home staff, as well as Dykstra and her staff all wore masks, which allowed the seniors to come pet the horses. As all of the horses at Lasting Strides are trained to be sent towards people and objects on the lead line, it allowed the handlers to social distance from the seniors fairly well and let the horses do all the up-close visiting. Unfortunately, some seniors weren’t able to come outside to join the group for visits, but as the horses and their handlers passed by the buildings and looked up, they could see many smiling and waving faces from the windows. “There is just something about the majesty of the horse that strikes joy into everyone who lays eyes on them. There isn’t enough joy in their world right now and we are honoured to have the privilege of igniting something in their hearts again,” Dykstra stated.
“Gem” is a 12-year-old palomino Quarter Horse mare that Lasting Strides adopted from a local horse rescue 10 years ago. She is expressive and curious and is the barn’s “go-to” horse for offsite events.
IN THE COMMUNITY
In Loving Memory - Judy Williscroft (1960-2020)
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Judy Williscroft was a valued member of the equestrian community in Alberta. She was a skillful rider, a patient trainer, and was certified as an EC/NCCP Certified Western Riding Instructor, also receiving the 2017 Charlene Baker Western Rider Bursary for outstanding achievement in the National Learn to Ride Western program. Judy always had an uncanny ability to connect with horses; she was exceptional at reading and working with them. Her desire to learn and continuously improve led her to a variety of horse activities over the years. Judy LOVED colt starting, cutting, and good horsemanship of any kind. She strongly believed the EC Learn to Ride Program provided a safe and positive experience for riders, and was proud to be a Certified Instructor. Judy had an infectious smile and kind encouraging words no matter what the challenge. With “Boots On and Guns Drawn�, Judy departed from this earth to join her Creator on July 19, 2020. She will be missed more than words can possibly express by all those whose lives she touched.
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IN THE COMMUNITY
Helping Alberta’s Herd this Winter
AEF and industry partners teamed up to form “Alberta Equine Partners for the Herd,” a fundraising initiative to help Alberta equines in need. PH OT O S B Y DE B B I E HA R OL D PH OT O G R A PH Y.
As we know, 2020 and COVID-19 have brought many challenges – and those within Alberta’s equine community are not immune to these challenges. The potential impact on the welfare of Alberta equine herd, prompted the Federation to create and distribute a province-wide survey in June to get a sense of how the equestrian community was doing. The survey results highlighted that almost 1 in 5 respondents need short-term support over the winter of 2020-2021 to ensure the welfare of the equines under their care. As well, about one-half of survey respondents said that they only had three months of available reserves of finances or supplies for the equines under their care. In response, the AEF called together other Alberta industry partners to form Alberta Equine Partners for the Herd, with the goal to raise funds to help Alberta’s herd get through the winter. “We care wholeheartedly about Alberta’s horses and we are concerned about the risk to their well-being due to the financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic,” says Les Oakes, AEF Past President and chair of the fundraising initiative. “Without support, many in the community may be faced with difficult decisions. We want to do what we can to ensure the health, safety, welfare and care of equines in Alberta.” “We wanted to stand together and make a difference for horses, donkeys and mules in need in the province this winter,” says Sandy Bell, President Elect and committee member.
“With so much uncertainty, we wanted to provide relief to ensure the short-term financial effects of the pandemic does not cause strain on care for Alberta’s herd.” The goal of Alberta Partners for the Herd was to raise funds during the summer and early fall. An extremely generous financial contribution from John Anderson of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping kicked off the initiative. The United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) also helped to ensure that Gift Cards could be made available to assist with providing care. One hundred per cent of donations went towards helping those in the equine community by providing basic needs such as salt, minerals, shavings and pelleted feed. Generous community members also donated hay and straw, while others showed support by purchasing AEF merchandise. The Alberta Equine Partners for the Herd fundraiser managed to raise $78,653 to assist applicants with basic care for their equines over the 2020-2021 winter months. The AEF and everyone involved with Alberta Equine Partners for the Herd – fundraising committee members, Horse Racing Alberta, CapriCMW Insurance Services, RCMP Livestock Investigators and Veterinarians – are truly thankful and grateful to all those who generously donated to this fundraiser and helped make a difference in the equine community. “We couldn’t have done any of this without you, Alberta’s caring people, behind us,” says Bell. “We appreciate all the donations and efforts, especially as we know that so many of you are dealing with how COVID-19 has changed and affected your lives as well. Thank you very much.” AB
Financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic has threatened the wellbeing of some of the province’s equines.
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ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
Alberta Equine Partners for the Herd fundraiser managed to raise $78,653 to assist applicants with basic care for their equines over the 2020-2021 winter months.
INFECTIOUS EQUINE DISEASES A Question & Answer session with Dr. Ashley Whitehead about the prevention and minimization of infectious equine diseases. B Y J E N N W E B ST E R & AS H L EY W H I T E H E A D, DR M , B S C , DV S C .
Q. Can you please tell us about equine diseases in Alberta and/or the importance of reporting them. What kind of equine diseases would this include?
hard at improving the system for private veterinarians to report directly into this system, but things take time in government.
A. We had a great discussion at a recent AEF meeting
Q.What usually happens in these incidences? Can you provide any Alberta examples?
regarding infectious diseases in Alberta with Potomac Horse Fever being the starting point. We also discussed non-infectious diseases that are unique in Alberta such as congenital hypothyroidism in foals and Clostridial hepatitis. Diseases that are reportable to the US-based Equine Disease Communication Centre (EDDC) that would be important in Alberta horses are as follows: Coronavirus - It’s important to note, Equine Corona Virus (ECoV) is NOT the same virus as COVID-19. It is a viral disease caused by an RNA virus. The disease causes gastrointestinal disease in horses. Others include: Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Equine herpes virus (respiratory, abortion, neurological), Equine infectious anemia, Equine influenza, Pigeon fever, Potomac horse fever, Rabies, Rotavirus, Salmonella, Strangles, and West Nile Virus.
Q.Are there any specific diseases we should be worried about right now? Anything pertaining to winter?
A. Winter poses a risk to horses as they tend to reduce their
“social distancing” both out in the field and we are now working in arenas. This means that there are more contact points between horses. It remains important to keep your distance and keep common areas cleaned just as we are doing for people. Strangles – Streptococcus equi equi is always a concern in Alberta. Coronavirus (different strain completely from COVID-19) can cause fever, depression, off feed, plus or minus diarrhea in the winter months. It is highly contagious between horses. Lice becomes an issue in the winter when horses are huddling together to keep warm. Viral respiratory diseases (EHV, Influenza, Rhinovirus) horses are in close contact and barns have closed doors so there is not as much ventilation.
Alberta examples of Potomac Horse Fever occurrences this year.
A. Once disease positive case(s) are reported to the EDCC,
the EDCC has a veterinarian double check the data and contact the original veterinarian for any clarifications. The information that is put on the website and in the alerts is based on county or municipality, and does not identify individuals or barns so you don’t have to worry there – everything is anonymous. There is an alert signup that sends emails each day with the information on the disease status. There is an app and social media pages along with the website. It has lots of great information on other diseases.
Q. Does this protect the public? Is there any kind of assistance to the barn or horse owner in these cases?
A. The most important part of an infectious disease is the Q. If a disease occurs that should be reported, what is the prevention and timely treatment if one is identified. By having process of doing so?
A. Owners can remind their veterinarians to report any infectious disease to the Equine Disease Communication Centre www.equinediseasecc.org once there is a positive test result. This allows others to know that a disease is in the area. Currently, the Canadian system (Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System www.cahss.ca/surveillance/equine/) only has reporting of notifiable or reportable diseases (Provincial and Federal). But there is a fantastic dashboard where you can look at the disease history in Canada’s horses. We are working
the information on what is in the area, owners can adjust their routines (maybe I won’t travel to a show, etc.) It is also really important, as individuals will be more attentive to their animals, looking for early signs of disease, and veterinarians can diagnose cases quicker if they know a disease is in the area. These all mean that our horses are safer and healthier. If one of the diseases that is identified in a horse or horse population is a reportable disease (Provincial or Federal), then the government is involved with the disease response and quarantine. Most of our equine infectious diseases do not fall within this category. AB ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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HOW TO:
MEASURE YOUR HORSE’S WEIGHT
It is especially important to stay up on your horse’s well-being during the winter. Maintaining body condition throughout these cold, blustery months requires regular maintenance and a keen, educated eye on behalf of us as owners. Here’s a formula for determining your horse’s weight. B Y J E N N W E B ST E R
Heart Girth Body L ength
Knowing how much your horse weighs – or at least having a close estimate of its weight – is as important as knowing how to take its vital signs. Having an estimate of how much your horse weighs will help you in determining accurate dosages of medicine, dewormer and feeding requirements. It can also help 14
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you understand if your equine is experiencing fluctuations in body condition and weight gain or loss. The problem is, scales that can accurately measure the weight of a horse are few and far between. Therefore, it’s helpful to know this handy calculation trick for determining your equine’s weight.
FOUR STEPS:
Have your horse stand on level appear in a straight line. Record this measurement in inches. ground. Using your tape again, measure Using a soft measuring tape the horse’s body length in (those that are used for sewing are good for this), measure your inches, beginning at the point of its horse’s heart girth by wrapping shoulder all the way back to the point it completely around the horse’s of its buttocks.
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barrel. This means running it from the withers (slightly lower than the highest point), down to where your cinch or girth would normally sit, all the way around and back up to the withers. There should be no twists in the tape and the tape should
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There are several calculators available on the internet that use the heart girth and body length measurements to estimate a horse’s weight. Or, you can do the math yourself by plugging in the numbers into this formula:
HEART GIRTH X HEART GIRTH X BODY LENGTH / 300 = BODY WEIGHT IN POUNDS. It’s important to remember that this is an estimate of your horse’s body weight only. If your veterinarian has a scale, that is truly the only way to get an accurate weight measurement. OTHER ACTION PLANS However, some people have gotten creative and loaded their horses into a trailer and weighed their rigs at roadside weigh scales. Then, they return with the trailer empty to get another measurement. The first weight (with the horse), minus the second (empty trailer) is also a good way to determine how much your horse weighs. Additionally, there are weight tapes available specifically to help determine a horse’s weight but it is interesting to compare what a tape might measure, as compared to that of an actual scale. Weight tapes are also much less reliable when it comes to measuring the weight of Miniature Horses and ponies. AB
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HORSE KEEPING
WINTER LAMINITIS Dr. Sammy Pitman is a renowned farrier and veterinarian – and an expert in the field of equine podiatry. Here, he offers some of his best advice for navigating winter laminitis. B Y J E N N W E B ST E R
Laminitis is considered one of the emergencies of the equine world. In serious situations, the condition observes the inflammation or tearing of the sensitive and insensitive laminae away from one another in the horse’s foot. Worst-case scenarios involve the displacement or rotation of the coffin bone in the foot. If the horse can move when it occurs, the horse’s movement will be stiff and stilted, a higher digital pulse can be felt in its feet and the feet may be hot to the touch. The horse’s heart rate may also be elevated and the same with its respiratory rate. It’s an urgent situation that requires immediate attention and whatever care the horse receives in the beginning stages can determine how well the horse recovers from the condition. Laminitis can be caused by retained placentas, hoof concussion or too much grain or lush grass. Other factors may include colitis or colic, or long term weight-bearing on a single leg. Commonly, laminitis is observed in warmer months when the horse is at full use, however laminitis may also be seen in winter months when horses are turned 16
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out to pasture or are on a break from their regular schedule. “Laminitis can occur in the winter months for all the same reasons it does at other times of the year, but there may be additional risk factors contributing to it during colder weather,” says Sammy Pitman, DVM and owner of Innovative Equine Podiatry (IEPVS) in Collinsville, Texas. Dr. Pittman has been a farrier for 20 years and a veterinarian for 17 years. His passion is all about equine podiatry, with a large focus on laminitis, founder, thin soles, navicular, foal limb development, angular limb deformities and more. His business is concentrated 100 per cent on equine lower limb and hoof problems and he has proven to be an invaluable resource for horse owners, and other veterinarians and farriers across the globe. As Dr. Pittman is based in Texas, one might wonder how knowledgeable this vet/ farrier would be about equine podiatry in colder climates. Having lived near Anchorage, Alaska, for over two years, Dr. Pittman fully understands the effects an
extremely cold climate can have on horses. With his years of experience underneath the horse as a farrier and working as a veterinarian, Dr. Pittman gives us a better understanding of winter laminitis so we may be able to prevent this debilitating disease during cold weather. Read on for his thoughts and advice for keeping your horse comfortable this winter.
THE CHALLENGES OF WINTER
Winter laminitis is by definition, the same as regular laminitis – however, there may be other contributing factors leading to its occurrence in colder weather. “It shapes up the same ways it does during other times of the year,” says Dr. Pittman. “But, going into the fall and winter months, there is a natural rise in the cortisol levels of the horse that creates more insulin resistance. Add that to decreased activity and the fact that the horse is not engaging its muscles and glucose levels as well, there are more stressors that can lead to laminitic changes.” Dr. Pittman believes that the changes
HORSE KEEPING in cortisol levels are relative to seasonal and daylight changes. “In my mind, it’s something that changes the horse’s metabolism in the winter and helps them to grow hair and is a natural thing that happens to them. But, for horses that are already high in cortisol and when they get a little more stimulation – then it’s problematic. It all depends on how high that horse is in cortisol before the seasonal rise occurs.” Decreased activity, which usually happens when horses are turned out for the winter season, or if the owners are just not working their horses as often, means the horse’s muscles are not engaging glucose levels as well as they usually do. “Exercise is important, especially as the muscles are the organs that play the very important role in managing insulin and glucose levels,” says Dr. Pittman. “So if those levels tend to creep up a bit and the horse is overweight, then add in the stress of winter and the natural changes in cortisol levels – combined with owners not decreasing feed relative to the decreased exercise – and it’s a perfect storm.” With all these things going on, it’s easy to understand how laminitis can occur in the horse in wintertime. Although, Dr. Pittman explains that the condition is not specific to a time frame or season or the role the weather plays. “It’s more the fact that there are all these added stressors during the fall and winter. It would be hard to pinpoint laminitis on any one thing. If it happens, it’s likely a combination of all those factors involved,” he states. Moisture can be a problem for horses in the winter, Dr. Pittman explains. “In Alaska, it’s a big problem. The excessive moisture from snow in the winter can break down the sole of the horse’s foot and make the wall less durable. The wall and sole become ‘flexible’ and are not quite as supportive for the weight of the horse, as we would like.” In these cases, Dr. Pittman says the horses present as though they do have laminitis – but not entirely. “In Alaska, we saw a lot of horses where we weren’t sure if they were experiencing inflammation of the laminae or breakdown of the laminar bond. But the moisture was causing more of a weakening of the hoof
When laminitis strikes to the point of coffin bone rotation, the coffin bone is no longer securely anchored within the hoof. In this x-ray, you can see the angle of the coffin bone is no longer parallel to the angle of the hoof wall. CREDIT: Moore Equine.
capsule. So the hoof capsule became more bendable – not a rigid structure – and that would allow the weight of the horse to smash the sole of the foot,” he explains. “But the horse wouldn’t have any physical rotation of the bones of the hoof that would usually occur with laminitis. Once we got the feet dried out, the horse would return to normal without long-term complications.” Another consideration to keep in mind is the type of ground the horse is standing on when winter weather – specifically, snow and moisture – occurs. Moisture creates mud, which is not always a healthy environment for hooves, as it can cause painful abscesses in the horse’s foot. However, moisture on top of an abrasive paddock surface is not good either as it can lead to the degradation of the hoof wall. When it comes to the cold and snow, there is also another theory that involves the horse intermittently shunting its blood supply away from one foot to another, to regulate its body temperature. Some experts have wondered if this is another reason laminitis may occur in cold weather. “There have been some studies in regards to what happens to the blood supply of horses in colder environments. It’s true they do regulate their temperatures away from each foot – shunt it away from one foot and into another, when standing in snow. Then one leg begins to warm up again, while another starts to cool down,” says Dr. Pittman. “But, by the same token, we’re using ice to manage laminitis too… So I
don’t think there’s been enough research work to directly link standing in the cold and snow with causing laminitis.”
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Although laminitis can be a problem in the winter, Dr. Pittman says there are ways to avoid it – and prevention of this horrible equine disease is always best. “Keep your horse’s feet as dry as possible and if you can’t do that because of environmental factors, keep them dry with Keratex Hoof Hardener,” he advises. “Apply it once or more a week, (just follow the label instructions). On top of that, good farrier maintenance will help you maximize healthy foot care. Trimming and shoeing relative to the biomechanics of the horse’s foot will help maintain the integrity of the hoof.” He also says that managing weight and the horse’s diet is important, going into winter. “You don’t want your horse to go into the colder months obese – obesity at any time of the year is not good. With the fall increase of cortisol, plus stressors of cold weather and other things that are happening during this time, it all plays a major factor. My advice is that we should reduce the caloric intake of these animals, as compared to their exercise levels at this time. If their shoes get pulled and the horse goes on a reduced activity, then their caloric intake must be reduced as well.” Additionally, aged horses or those with Cushing’s disease or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) are more at risk for developing laminitis (at any time of the year). Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of these diseases and keep a close eye on your horses as they age. Make sure you’re checking on them closely throughout the winter. Things that may be subclinical in the early fall, might become clinical by winter due to being exacerbated by cold weather conditions. AB
Dr. Sammy Pittman Sammy L. Pittman, DVM is a veterinarian, farrier and horsemen with a great interest in the field of equine podiatry. Along with his wife, Kellee, Sammy owns and operates Innovative Equine Podiatry and Veterinary Services, a podiatry exclusive practice, in Collinsville, TX. ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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HORSE KEEPING
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HORSE FEED Choosing the correct horse feed can be difficult. Here is what you should consider when looking at a feed and why. SU B M I T T E D B Y K E R I W E I R , Equine Nutrition Consultant, Cargill Animal Nutrition
LOW NSC - What is NSC? NSC stands for ‘non-structural carbohydrates’ and is typically the combination of starch and sugar. Horses with metabolic concerns, such as Cushing’s disease, laminitis or Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) require reduced levels of NSC to support their activity level. LOW GLYCEMIC - What is low glycemic? It refers to a reduced sugar/starch and higher fat and fibre content. This delivers sensible calories (energy) needed for performance, helps to minimize excitability, ideal for horses that tie-up, helps prevent starch overload that minimize gut upset (colic). HIGH FAT - Why feed high fat? Fat is highly digestible and energy/calorie dense, helps regulate glycemic and insulin response, delays gastric emptying which aids in ulcer prevention, clean burning fuel that does not produce lactic acid and spares glycogen levels for enhanced athletic performance. HIGH FIBRE - Why feed high fibre? High levels of fibre help maintain a healthier hindgut pH and microbial population. 18
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Shredded beet pulp is high in pectins and is a highly fermentable fibre source that provides the calories needed for performance. BALANCED OMEGA RATIO - Omega 6-3 ratio is vital. Why? It improves hair coat and skin condition, supports immune functions, helps with anti-inflammatory properties and ulcer healing, promotes membrane integrity and cell (including red blood cells ) viability. Omega 3 fatty acids are also shown to help enhance insulin efficiency therefore reducing insulin resistance and helps support cognitive ability. NUTRIENT DENSE - Why add more? Added nutrients benefit peak performance and muscle recovery along with supporting a healthier digestive system and stronger natural microbiome. Purina adds Horse Plus, organic copper, zinc, manganese and selenium, elevated levels of vitamin E, prebiotics and probiotics, XPC Ultra, yeast and Athlete. HORSE PLUS - Purina’s exclusive B VITAMINS with added Vitamin C, E and K - Why feed added B-vitamins along with
HORSE KEEPING C, E, K? This blend of vitamins is essential for blood building nutrients, supports immune function, overall health, proper utilization of energy for exercise, vitamin K supports blood clotting and helps prevent against exercise-induced stress. ORGANIC COPPER, ZINC, MANGANESE, SELENIUM Why feed organic? Organic increases absorption, enhances trace mineral bioavailability to improve immune response, and supports immune function and overall health. YEAST, PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS - Advantages of adding yeast into the diet improves hindgut fermentation, which increases energy, protein and phosphorus utilization. Additional prebiotics and probiotics help promote good gut bacteria and protect against harmful bacteria for improved gut health.
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE PURINA HAS A NEW FEED! EQUILIBRIUM XCEL HD
• LOW NSC • HIGH FAT • HIGH FIBRE • NUTRIENT DENSE • BALANCED OMEGAS • MADE IN CANADA • MANUFACTURED IN A DRUG FREE FACILITY
VITAMIN E - Elevated levels of vitamin E (300 IU/Kg) and selenium (0.4 IU/kg) are two important antioxidants, which help support immune function and overall health. Selenium also plays a role in the control of thyroid hormones metabolism and helps protect against exercise-induced stress. ATHLETE - What is Athlete? Purina’s unique extruded high fat supplement with flaxseed (an excellent source of Omega-3) with a 5:1 balanced Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio. XPC ULTRA - What is XPC ULTRA? Diamond V XPC Ultra aids in the horses immunity, digestibility, performance and recuperation. Supports cognitive and behavioural functions in situations associated with travel, training and competition. Supports cartilage and joint health.
Equilibrium XCEL HD is a high calorie, low NSC (sugar and starch), nutrient dense multiparticle feed (containing extruded components as well as shredded beet pulp) designed for equine athletes and hard keepers. New and unique to Purina, the XCEL HD elicits a delicate sweet aroma making it extremely palatable. It has a supple texture in all weather conditions allowing for easy handling. It is formulated with certified quality ingredients and is manufactured exclusively in our specialized drug free facility in Strathroy, Ontario. XCEL HD meets the needs of multiple disciplines at different activity levels. The flexibility of this feed also allows you to effectively keep weight on horses that may be hard keepers, excitable, on stall rest or senior. All these factors contribute to this feed being a well-balanced option for your horse.
2021 HORSE SAVVY
DAY PLANNER & EQUINE HEALTH CARE RECORDS
Order this beautiful day planner with your membership or through the AEF online store. Makes a great gift! PROCEEDS FROM THIS FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE SUPPORTS YOUTH PROGRAMMING
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HORSE KEEPING
IS MY HORSE COLD? Shelter, blanketing and other common concerns of the season. Here are some suggestions for keeping your horses comfortable in winter. B Y J E N N W E B ST E R
Given the opportunity to adjust to changes in climate gradually, horses can usually adapt to winter conditions fairly well. That being said, the circumstances of every horse owner vary and every horse is different when it comes to how well they can endure the winter months. For instance, some breeds are hardier and do well outside year-round, while others have thinner skin and require stabling in colder weather. What makes winter difficult for everyone is when conditions change drastically and severe weather occurs, or extreme temperature changes happen overnight. In Alberta, these fluctuations are commonplace. As migrating south isn’t an option for many horse owners this year, it might be prudent to evaluate your winter plan for horse care. Winter in Canada presents challenges we don’t experience at any other time of year. Keeping water sources from freezing up or preventing deep, crusty snow from scraping our horse’s legs might become part of the daily, seasonal routine. Maintenance of body temperature is critical to a horse’s well-being, leading many owners to worry whether their equines are comfortable and healthy. 20
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While it is true that horses can become cold in the winter, there are many ways to keep them happy and in good physical shape during the most challenging season of the year. With proper shelter, nutrition and care, your horse will be able to handle dramatic drops in the mercury. Here are a few pieces of advice for best practices against Old Man Winter – and for keeping your worries at bay.
THE BASICS
If you’ve ever walked out to your horse in cold weather and found it shivering, it can be worrisome. But, if the horse is in good health, it’s not usually a cause for concern. Shivering is a natural response to cold. The horse is warming itself and trying to get some heat going in its body. If the horse has a body condition score of at least five or six (moderately fleshy) going into the winter, then it should have a decent layer of fat to protect against the elements. Obese horses are not the goal, but a nice layer of fat over the ribs works as insulation against the cold. A good diet throughout the winter is essential to provide energy for the animal’s body systems to work in the winter. Some
horses may require more hay, or even unlimited access to roughage during this time. Horses need at least one per cent of their body weight per day in roughage to maintain a healthy digestive system and this need might increase during colder temperatures. Of course, free-choice water should always be available – snow is not a sufficient source to meet the animal’s needs in winter. It is also advised to keep an eye on how much water the horse is consuming. When the weather turns cold, sometimes horses may drink less because they don’t like the water temperature, or the automatic waterer is frozen over, or they are reluctant to move around very much. Either way, decreased water intake increases a horse’s chances of impaction colic. Therefore, it’s always good to monitor the water source and have an idea of how much the horse is consuming.
GIMME SHELTER
Adequate shelter is an absolute necessity for horses in the winter. Horses living outside during the winter need access to a place that shelters them from wind and moisture. If a horse has been
HORSE KEEPING given the opportunity to grow a nice winter coat prior to cooler temperatures setting in, they can tolerate cold weather very well. However, a horse’s coat can only offer partial protection from the elements, which is why they need access to a windbreak shelter at the side and an overhead shelter from rain and snow. Groups of horses may also huddle together, to share body heat. Still, a proper shelter will pay dividends in terms of their health and comfort – and you will likely find them all grouped together inside the shelter on cold days. If you have an older horse, a hard keeper, or your horse is clipped, you may find that blanketing is an advantage. Normal healthy horses grow longer, coarser hair in the winter, especially in areas under the jaw and lower legs. However, if your horse has an underlying health issue such as internal parasites or poor teeth, or he has been under excessive amounts of light, he might not be able to produce the desired winter coat he needs for the outdoors. Sometimes, a well-fitted blanket is a necessity. Kathleen Iles owns and operates The Tack Collector in Calgary, AB. Since 2006, she has maintained an impressive inventory of second-hand equine tack and equipment available for sale in her storefront. The Tack Collector takes items in on consignment and offers the public an economical selection of name brand, gently-used tack. Over the years, she has learned a few things about the lifespan of equine blankets and best practices for rugging horses when the temperature dips below zero.
“Used blankets can still be so good for their next owner, when taken care of properly,” says Iles. The Tack Collector keeps several on-consignment blankets for every season in stock throughout the year, ranging in sizes, conditions, deniers and brands. “Whether you’re purchasing a blanket from here, or simply trying to maintain the ones you have at home, we recommend that people get them washed and re-waterproofed every year. It’s easy to do and it helps maintain the integrity of the blanket. Plus, this helps your horse stay warmer in the long run.” She suggests picking up a waterproof spray from a camping section/store, washing and repairing blankets as needed, and keeping them properly stored in a clean, dry space when not in use. “Don’t store your blankets longterm on the fence, because the fading effects of the sun will devalue them a lot,” Iles advises. “I wash my blankets every year, and get them re-waterproofed, as I don’t have time to worry about wet blankets,” she says. In Iles’ personal opinion, winter blankets are also typically better than rain sheets for our early spring, late fall and winter because the denier is better. “Especially for that wet, driving rain, winter blankets work better than rain sheets – hands down. I’ve had experience with several types of blankets with my horses and through the store over the years. The only thing about using the winter blankets is that you must also get them off when the weather changes so the horse doesn’t sweat or become overheated underneath. This helps keep your blankets cleaner on the inside and
reduces the potential for developing hair and skin conditions from the combination of moisture, heat, lack of air and general horse dirt. Especially living in a place like Calgary, the weather can change very suddenly,” she states. The Tack Collector carries a selection of hoods meant to compliment winter blankets, but second-hand hoods can be a little tricky. “Hoods can be complicated in how they attach to a blanket,” says Iles. “Every manufacturer has a special way of doing things. We do get quite the variety of full hoods and necks in the store. My advice is to find one that actually overlaps around the neck as much as possible. Some may leave a gaping hole at the bottom of the neck – and that’s typically a place where many people clip their horses, so it also tends to be where the hair grows back the quickest.” So, would Iles recommend layering, double-blanketing or using a Slinky underneath winter blankets? She says – yes and no. “If a blanket doesn’t properly fit your horse and you need a slinky to stop the rubbing, you really need to reassess the blanket’s fit,” Iles says. “We get a ton of blankets that have ripped chest and shoulder lining. You can tell the horse has been rubbing and a Slinky won’t make a difference – it’s just going to help the horse hurt a little less. You also need to know if a pinch point is occurring at the wither. I see a lot of blankets that are damaged here – so you have to wonder. I don’t think a Slinky can prevent that. Make sure all the blankets you put on your horse fit properly.” AB
NO REASON FOR ALARM
Horse urine can change colour after being voided due to the presence of plant metabolites (pyrocatechines) in the urine which turns a red or orange colour when mixed with oxygen. This can happen year-round, but it is especially noticeable in snow. Normal horse urine appears colourless, to yellow, to dark yellow when voided. If the urine appears red, brown, or orange as it is being voided, that can indicate a serious problem. Bottom line, if horse urine is an abnormal colour as it is being voided or you observe frequent urination or straining to urinate, call your veterinarian immediately. If your horse is passing normal coloured urine that turns red or orange in the snow, that is normal. - University of Minnesota Equine Extension Program ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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BREED PROFILE
CONNEMARA PONY Ireland’s native breed wins fans across Canada. B Y PI PE R W H E L A N
In the wild and wondrous west coast of Ireland, lives a special pony that embodies the heritage of this striking landscape. With a long history in the Connemara district of County Galway, the Connemara Pony has shaped this place and its people as much as the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Gaelic still spoken here, endearing itself to riders around the world with its gentle disposition and resilience. Standing between 13 and 14.2 hands high, the sure-footed Connemara is a strong and compact animal. This breed is known for its wide chest, deep girth and good bone. While they can be found in a variety of colours, grey and dun are the most common. The breed standard only permits some white on the face and legs. The mane and tail are thick and often wavy and the eyes are large, wide-set and kind. The Connemara generally reaches full maturity at the age of five or older. The breed is sturdy without being coarse, which makes it an easily kept animal. With its good disposition, intelligence and natural jumping ability, enough to rival tall horses, these ponies bring a lot of effort and heart to everything they do. The Connemara traces its roots back thousands of years to when ancient Celtic warriors brought the ponies to Ireland, beginning a tradition of horsemanship and love of all things equine found throughout the island today. The rugged character of Ireland’s west coast, windswept mountains, 22
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moors and rocky coastlines, has helped shape the ancestors of the modern Connemara into an agile, steady and athletic pony. Considered the country’s only native breed, the Connemara shows up in Irish mythology as the mount of choice for the tribes living in the ancient kingdoms of western Ireland. According to local legend, when the Spanish Armada ran into storms off Ireland’s west coast in the 16th century, Andalusians aboard many of the ships that ran aground successfully made it ashore. This introduction of outside bloodlines is believed by some to have, over time, help increase the Connemara in size, strength and endurance.
With a natural athleticism, the Connemara excels at jumping and is a show-ring favourite. The ponies’ hardiness and kind temperaments made them ideal for the hard-working farmers of this area, who relied on the Connemara as their mode of transportation and to work their fields. These ponies were also fitted with
baskets placed over their backs to carry items such as large stones for building fences, peat (used instead of wood in fires) and seaweed, which was used as fertilizer. Families could usually only afford to own one pony at a time, making their stamina and disposition all the more important to carry out everyday tasks, and good mares were bred to raise foals that thrived in the rugged area and looked after their owners. In more recent history, the Connemara has begun to attract attention for its jumping and racing abilities, a product of its upbringing in the marshes, hills and mountains.
PRESERVING A PART OF IRISH HERITAGE
An early effort to improve the Connemara pony came through Ireland’s Congested Districts Board in the 1890s. As part of the Board’s work to encourage the improvement of quality of life for people on the country’s overpopulate west coast, it introduced a range of stallions into the district for breed improvement. However, several of these stallions were poor choices for crossing with the Connemara and the resulting progeny were deemed disappointing. In 1923, the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society was established in Ireland to improve and preserve the breed. Early on, the Society referred to a 1901 report by a professor at the University of Edinburgh on how to best
BREED PROFILE
With its good disposition, intelligence and natural jumping ability, enough to rival tall horses, these ponies bring a lot of effort and heart to everything they do.
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BREED PROFILE
The good sense, intelligence and gentle disposition that endeared Connemara Ponies to farmers on Ireland’s West Coast for centuries, have won the breed many fans across the world.
develop the Connemara Pony. The report advised creating a stronger breeding plan of existing stock, rather than bringing in different bloodlines. “There was recognition of the need to have quality broodmares as well as quality sires, located at indigenous stud farms to perpetuate the best characteristics of the Connemara Pony,” the Society’s website states. “The primary objectives of these farms was to increase the bone and improve the makeup of the Connemara Pony without destroying the hardiness, vigour, stamina and temperament of the breed.”
Although most Connemara Ponies are dun or grey; they can be found in a range of colours. Using the report’s suggestions, the Society began selecting top-quality Connemara stallions and mares to build the foundation of its Stud Book, founding a rigorous inspection program. 24
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“It was felt that there was plenty of ‘old breed’ to be found in the heart of the pony districts of Connemara, and it was the opinion of the Society that the best results were likely to be obtained by breeding only from carefully selected native stock,” the Society’s website continues. In addition to “(establishing) the Connemara Pony as the world’s premier pony for sport and recreation,” the Society has hosted the annual Connemara Pony Show since 1924. Since 1947, it has been held at Clifden in County Galway and is the largest Connemara Pony exhibition in the world, showcasing the best of the breed. It is a primary mandate of the Society to raise awareness of the Connemara and celebrate its role in Ireland’s heritage. One major initiative in the 1990s was establishing a museum and heritage centre dedicated to the breed because the Society received much interest in the breed’s history and wanted to share its story more broadly.
THE CONNEMARA IN CANADA
Connemara ponies were first imported to North America in the 1950s and the breed’s popularity has
grown throughout Canada in the last few decades. Before the establishment of a Canadian association, Connemara ponies in Canada were previously registered with the American Connemara Pony Society. In 2006, the Canadian Connemara Pony Society (CCPS) was incorporated, bringing together the previous eastern and western Canadian groups of breeders into one national association. The Canadian Society is divided into three regions – Pacific, Prairie and Central – and will be able to recognize the Maritime region when there is a sufficient membership base. The CCPS is recognized by Ireland’s Society and is a part of the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies. Members can register purebred and half-bred ponies and the CCPS’s inspection program is adherent with international breed standards. Currently, there are 63 members and since its establishment, more than 1,200 ponies have been registered. Members also receive promotional items and an annual newsletter. Connemara enthusiasts speak highly of the breed’s excellent temperament, translating into ponies that are generally
easier to train. Their athleticism makes them a top choice in a wide range of disciplines. “The Connemara has a natural jumping ability that is out of proportion to their size,” said Susan MacDougall, CCPS president. “They have an ability to adapt to any situation, excelling in jumping, dressage, driving, eventing, endurance and a wonderful pleasure mount for the whole family.” The breed’s kind nature, willingness and good sense make it an ideal choice for the youngest of riders, which also appeals to adults looking for a smaller mount. “Good-natured individuals may be found in most breeds, but for the Connemara Pony, a gentle disposition is its most outstanding characteristic,” said MacDougall. “The fact that Connemara stallions are often shown by juniors in performance classes for Connemaras is further evidence of the reliable temperament of the breed.” For Jocelyn Davies, the Connemara has been her breed of choice for almost three decades. Davies runs Devon Ridge Farm at Devon, Alberta, breeding and raising purebred and part-bred Connemara Ponies since 1992. At the moment, her facility is home to more than 30 ponies and the family is involved in the disciplines of
eventing, jumping and dressage. “We have chosen bloodlines from all over the world that combine some of the best traits of this breed,” said Davies, who is currently the CCPS Prairie Region chair and active on the society’s committees. “The Connemara Pony is known for the generous disposition and temperament as well as their work ethic. They are natural jumpers and good true movers.” AB
The breed’s friendly nature makes it easy to train and an ideal choice for young riders. ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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SAVE THE DATES!
Thursday, March 18, 2021
AEF VIRTUAL AGM 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Saturday, March 20, 2021
STRIDE
WITH US Celebration of Annual Award Winners Holiday Inn, Blackfoot Trail, Calgary 4 - 11 pm
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ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
T S I M R A H S C
IN THE ARN B Plan socially-distanced activities and retain the “Christmas cheer” in your barn this season! B Y J E N N W E B ST E R
It’s been a year like no other. As the year wraps to a close, shoes are pulled from the horses and many of us settle into winter routines; it’s time to focus on the holidays. However, celebrating the Christmas season in 2020 will require extra forethought to prevent putting barn clients, students, boarders and your own families at risk during the pandemic. Crowded parties go against health regulations. Still, there are many creative ways to celebrate the season. Here are five great ideas for hosting a holiday celebration in your barn, while also preventing community transmission of COVID-19.
1
HOST AN ONLINE GATHERING
There’s no reason a group of people can’t gather in front of their computers
and make memories in a virtual holiday get-together this year! Host a Zoom, Facetime or Skype meeting and maintain your connection with your barn pals or clients via an online party. Everyone can dress up, or wear ugly Christmas sweaters, or lounge around in their pajamas – you can decide the theme. Spend the time together in an equestrian-focused trivia game, play charades, or enjoy an online class (like cooking or painting), or simply visit with one another. If you’re up for a little pre-preparation, a virtual Secret Santa gift exchange or White Elephant present swap will guarantee fun, without making anyone feel pressured to give gifts to every single person in the barn. Draw names out of a hat to determine whom each person gets for a “Secret Santa.” Then, have everyone drop a small gift off at the locker or stall belonging to their respective recipient of the gift. The Secret
Santa’s identity remains anonymous until everyone opens their present during the online party. Similarly, the White Elephant gift exchange works the same. Have each person bring an unwanted gift (Buns of Steel video tape? A Chia Pet? Funny socks?) to the barn. Then, the host will swap them amongst the stalls or lockers. Have your partygoers open their gift during your virtual gathering and hilarity will ensue! If none of the above appeals to your virtual tastes, send a gift box, decorations, props or a pre-made charcuterie board to each of your guests. As you visit, everyone can enjoy the same snacks (cheese and crackers, or cookies for example), drinks, balloons, party favours or photo-booth props, bringing all a sense of “togetherness” even when you can’t be in the same room. ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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2
DECK THE STALLS
A stall decorating contest might be a great way to get younger riders involved and excited for the holidays. Have each client embellish the stall front of their mount or favourite lesson horse with their creative ideas. Use ribbon or wrapping paper, or anything really, that can safely be used to adorn the front. Offer a prize to the winner. Place stockings on each of the stalls that owners can use to fill with Christmas treats for their equine counterparts. This may include horse cookies, apples, carrots or homemade peppermint treats.
3
SLEIGH RIDE
It would require some social distancing protocols in terms of seating, but an outdoor sleigh ride is as festive as it gets. Consider hiring an experienced team of horses and their teamster and set up a day at your barn when everyone can enjoy a winter wonderland adventure. Encourage guests to bring their own cups of hot cocoa with them and ensure people from different cohorts are spaced out when seated. Or, offer each group their own ride.
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4
BARN PHOTO BOOTH
Set up an area in your barn that can remain as is for a week or two prior to Christmas. Deck it out with balloons, or pine boughs, a tree, a white bench, straw bales or anything that sets the scene. Email each client or student in your barn a set of free, printable photo booth props and encourage them to create these props at home. Then, invite your barn guests to have a “photoshoot� at the barn at their convenience; share the festive snaps with your Facebook and Instagram communities!
5
DONATE TO AN ANIMAL CHARITY
There are many in need this year, including charitable organizations and equine rescue operations. If the above options are not practical for your barn to celebrate the season, consider encouraging your group to donate to an animal shelter, charity or rescue facility. Often these
organizations are in need of gently used items such as halters, blankets, dewormers or hay. Gift cards to hardware stores and credit card reward points might also benefit a rescue or shelter in many ways. And, cash donations are always welcomed. Do a drive in your barn to gather these much-needed items and donate to your charity or operation of choice as one big group.
Whatever you choose to do, it can be festive and fun! Nevertheless, ensure that you and everyone at your facility is aware of the COVID-19 protocols in place and is familiar with the current government recommendations. AB ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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TRAINER’S CORNER
SPOOKY HORSES: An Issue of Confidence
Riding or working with an anxious horse can be intimidating, especially if you have had a mishap or suffered an injury. It is important to recognize that when a horse spooks, they’re also struggling with a confidence issue. However, as a team, you can work through these struggles together and build strength in your relationship. B Y S C OT T PH I L L I P S
When a horse is nervous, they need to rely on our confidence and leadership. However, turning on confidence is not like flicking on a light switch; what we can do though is work through some exercises to mutually build confidence with your horse. Confidence comes when you believe you can change the outcome of a situation; when you know you can create success.
Proactive VS Reactive
To set the stage, consider learning to drive a car. We can be proactive: learning how to be attentive to the situation 30
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around us, intimately knowing our vehicle and having lots of practice in judging and negotiating situations that have the potential to become unsafe. By doing this we avoid accident scenarios. Reactive training would be teaching us only to manage our vehicle after it was out of control. When we classify a horse as spooky, we’re really referring to their anxiety. A horse that’s anxious can be a liability as we might feel our safety is jeopardized. Often we’re only taught how to respond after the fact, for example with a onerein stop. However, that is entirely
reactive and doesn’t address the obvious problems: 1) The horse has reached its pressure limit and is responding instinctively; 2) The horse does not know to follow us in pressure situations. A proactive alternative is to show the horse that they can follow our lead, and also, that they can do so under increasing levels of pressure. Thus, we’re doing our best to prevent spooks from happening in the first place, and have the added advantage that when our horse becomes anxious, they defer to following us.
TRAINER’S CORNER
Changing How We Respond
Each horse is a unique individual and can handle a certain level of pressure. When that pressure level is exceeded, the horse will resort to instinctive behaviours: flee, freeze or fight. Humans behave the same way. When riding a spooky horse, we’re typically our own worst enemy. When a horse spooks at something, they will likely focus on the thing (freeze) or run from it (flee). In both cases, however, our typical response is to focus on the horse, or the scary thing. We’ll look at the horse thinking, “What are you doing? What’s going on?” But it’s within that moment that our horse needs us to lead them. To lead them, we need to focus on the solution, not the problem. So what exactly is leading then? We have the opportunity to lead every time we’re with our horse, from leading on the ground to leading in the saddle. Leading simply means that we’re providing a focus and energy that the horse can follow. And, horses are already experts at following, which means the onus is on us to lead. What we desire is that our horse follows us under all circumstances. Consider horses in a herd; when pressure is presented, like something moving in the trees, they will follow the herd leader. If the herd leader sticks his head back down in the grass to eat, the rest of the herd will follow. Likewise, if he takes off at a gallop, they’ll do the same. What we take away from this is that we need to present ourselves like a leader, so our horse will want to follow. To accomplish this, our horse must first understand we’re above them in the herd. This will promote them to follow us instead of their own instincts when a pressure situation arises. Herd order is determined by ownership and clarity, in a space. To conceptualize space, think of your personal space. That is something that you own; it’s a part of you. Horses primarily communicate through space, so learning that language is fundamental. In our clinics and training, we use some simple exercises to accomplish this. When conducting these exercises, we remain positive; we want our horse to understand that moving with us or yielding to us is a good thing. Only then do we really begin to develop
trust. Trust is a journey. Our horse might understand we’re above them in the herd order, but not trust us. We can rapidly earn trust by presenting pressures to the horse and in each case, showing them that following us is the answer. Nevertheless, in order for them to follow us, we need to be good at leading and that starts with our own focus. Here’s a game you can play, both on your horse and in the groundwork, to train yourself to change your focus and energy when you need to. For this exercise, you’ll need a friend to help you out. You’ll start by riding or doing groundwork. While you do that, your focus should strongly be on where you are going – as it always should be. Your friend, at some random moment, will yell something out like “Sasquatch!” In that moment, relax and exhale, look up, focus on where you want to go and ride there with intent. Pick a spot such as a tree, a post in the arena or a spot on the horizon. What you’re doing is training an autonomic response in yourself: when something spooky pops up, you focus right away on a way out and lead. You don’t need to add pressures that will spook your horse for this game; this is simply about programming yourself on how to respond.
Changing How Your Horse Responds
A horse is a born follower that instinctively excels at following the focus and energy of the leader. This gives us a fantastic tool. Firstly, it’s imperative that we do not teach our horse to ignore pressure nor teach them to always stand still. That is similar to continuing to blow up a balloon after it’s full – eventually it won’t be able to hold any more air and it will explode. The response we train instead is that the horse acknowledges and manages pressure – under our leadership. I mentioned that a horse’s instinctive behaviour is to freeze, flee or fight. To accomplish our goal, we’ll introduce our horse to a new behaviour: releasing tension and following our focus. In our training style, we start by introducing a basic pressure to our horse, then ask them to release tension and focus on us (maintaining eye contact). We’ll do that by working through progressions of pressure, distance, position and gait.
What we’re looking for is that whenever, wherever and however a pressure is introduced, our horse does not become tense or anxious and looks to us for direction. This starts in the groundwork and progresses to the saddle. Pressures we can play with include things our horse can walk through or over, see, smell, hear and feel. Obstacle courses and games are excellent for introducing a wide variety of pressures, however, pressures can also: • be stationary, come forward or move away • be random or rhythmic • be close or at a distance • vary in intensity It’s important that when we conduct pressure exercises, we proceed in small increments and only institute one change at a time. That way, we can easily see when our horse struggles and if necessary, go back a step. When playing pressure games with horses, we need to see two very important things: 1) The horse releases tension: We see this through a lowering of the head, or a softening of the eye or jaw. This is something we need to teach the horse to do. We do this in part with a tiny rhythmic feel in the lead rope or rein, and in part by doing it ourselves; if we relax and breathe when introducing a pressure, our horse will also be more likely to do so. 2) The horse looks at or changes their focus to us: If our horse does not have a focus on us, they’re likely focusing on their escape route. We need them to stick with us, particularly when we’re on their back. As horse people and as leaders, we accept responsibility for our horse’s fears and anxieties; we open the door to help them through their struggles. In doing so, we establish a relationship based on trust that has been cultivated through positive training; a relationship where your horse understands they can always rely on you and follow you in any circumstance. AB For further information about Scott Philips, or if you’d like to dig into these concepts more, check out the “Following Under Pressure” and “Riding Spooky - Anxious Horses” video series on the Amazing Horse Country website at amazinghorsecountry.com. ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
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Twisted Tree Photography
ASK ABOUT INSURANCE
What a year it has been – nothing more to be said here! 2021 is just around the corner, so this is a perfect time to remind members of the Alberta horse community about the important partnership the AEF has with CapriCMW Insurance Services. Our service in Alberta and relationship with AEF goes back a long way, and over time the insurance program associated with membership has evolved as the needs of members have changed. Today, we offer a variety of risk management services and insurance products that are all designed around lifestyles that include horses. A quick refresher; insurance included in the membership fees paid to AEF: a) $5,000,000 Personal Liability insurance that covers the member for any number of owned, borrowed, or leased horses used for personal purposes. The coverage is worldwide. b) $30,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) that covers the Canadian member worldwide for serious injury (or death) arising from an interaction with horses. No coverage for fracture or dental injuries. As a member of the AEF, you also have access to some terrific optional insurance products that enhance the value of membership: a) $50,000 Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) that many members add, in order to increase and broaden the AD&D policy automatically included with membership. In addition to higher limits, this policy contains benefits for fracture and dental injuries. b) Members Named Perils provides coverage up to $10,000 in the death of an owned horse arising from fire, lightning, transport – and more. c) Emergency Life Saving Surgery insurance for emergency lifesaving incidents necessitated by accident or sickness, including colic surgery and fracture surgery, to a maximum 32
ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
limit of $2,500 for expenses incurred. d) Members Tack insurance - covers tack and equipment up to $10,000 from loss or damage anywhere in North America. Does not cover clothing or protective equipment worn by riders, wear and tear/abuse, mysterious disappearance or horse drawn vehicles. e) Weekly Accident Indemnity Insurance. This exclusive insurance policy provides income replacement in the event you are unable to work due to an accident. Coverage is in force 24 hours a day/ seven days a week and includes (but is not limited to), injuries arising from an equine related incident. The policy will provide up to $500/week in income replacement for up to 26 weeks (some restrictions apply). *Optional Insurance coverage available to Canadian residents only. For more details, go to albertaequestrian.com/individual-family/. You are encouraged to take full advantage of the exclusive benefits associated with this important membership. Like you and your horse, the partnership we have with the equine community in Alberta is very special. Give us a call with any questions at all. We will be happy to help! Sincerely, Michael A. (Mike) King, Partner
Michael (Mike) King, CAIB, R.I.B.
Mike King is a partner at CapriCMW Insurance and the program lead for the PTSO programs across Canada. For more information, please call
the Agri department at CapriCMW Insurance, 1-800-670-1877 or agri@capricmw.ca
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