UNDERSTANDING Equine Dietary Supplements
You’re committed to providing the best care for your horse. This guide will help you determine which supplements to choose, and how and when to add them to your horse’s care routine.
By Madeline Boast, MSc. Equine Nutrition
Every time you enter a feed store, you’re welcomed by a wide variety of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. With all the appealing options, it’s easy to feel tempted to try something new each visit. Supplements are products that are meant to provide a health benefit but are not required to meet an established nutritional requirement. These products should support the normal function of tissues and organs as well as elicit a health benefit when fed. Navigating these products and the science behind them can be difficult, but taking a critical look prior to adding them to your horse’s ration can save you money and ensure you’re purchasing a well researched product.
The equine industry is filled with people who genuinely care for horses, and are always striving to do what’s best for them. Supplements are added to feeding programs with the goal of improving outcomes. In fact, research has estimated that about 80 percent of horse owners feed at least one supplement to their horse. So, how do you know when to add supplements, which ones are worth it, and which aren’t?
Creating A Solid Foundation
When problems with our horses arise, many of us are tempted to run to the store and grab a supplement that we think is going to help. Often, these nutritional issues could be resolved or improved by first addressing the horse’s basic nutrient requirements and ensuring that there are no deficiencies. For example, when a horse has poor hoof quality, a supplement that incorporates amino acids, key minerals, and biotin may be purchased. However, a base diet with quality protein and a good
ration balancer to eliminate mineral deficiencies could do the trick just as well.
The National Research Council (NRC) published the most recent Nutrient Requirements of Horses text in 2007. This text compiles the established nutrient requirements for horses and includes a requirement for energy (calories), crude protein, lysine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, selenium, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, sulfur, zinc, and vitamins A, D, E, B1, B2. Prior to adding any supplements, your horse’s nutrition program should be providing the recommended amounts of the listed nutrients.
As a horse owner, it’s unnecessary to stress over calculating each required nutrient intake individually. Equine nutritionists have already done that for you with fortified commercial feeds. Your role is to understand the various types and choose the one that matches your horse’s needs and compliments your forage. Commercial feeds can generally be grouped into three broad categories: ration balancers, performance/lifestyle feeds, and complete feeds.
RATION BALANCERS: Ration balancers are designed to be fed in smaller quantities as they are concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Within this category there are also vitamin and mineral premixes. Although these products may come in a container similar to that of supplements, they are in fact part of the foundational diet as they are designed to meet the horse’s base nutrient requirements. Horses that are easy keepers and maintain their weight well or are overweight are candidates for a ration balancer.
We’re always striving to do what’s best for our horses. But how do we know when to add supplements, and which ones will benefit our horse?
LIFESTYLE & PERFORMANCE FEEDS: If your horse needs some supplemental calories, you may choose a lifestyle or performance feed instead of a ration balancer. These products are fortified with vitamins, minerals, and protein, but will also include supplemental carbohydrates and fats. Due to these products containing a greater amount of nutrients and calories, they are designed to be fed in larger quantities to meet your horse’s vitamin and mineral requirements. Adding to the nutrients a product is providing will dilute the vitamin and mineral concentration, hence more needs to be fed.
COMPLETE FEEDS: The third category is complete feeds. These products provide supplemental vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fibre. Generally, they are used for horses with dentition issues or those recovering from
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Pedal Osteitis
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An UnderDiagnosed and Misunderstood Condition
By Russell J. Floyd, CJF, AWCF, ASF
Over the past few years of shoeing rodeo horses with heavy competition and training schedules, I have noticed patterns emerge. Commonly, roping and barrel horses spend a decent amount of time barefoot during the off-season, and are put back to work for several weeks before being shod. These generally small and flat-footed horses can end up lame. That is when pedal osteitis rears its sneaky, ugly little head. I believe pedal osteitis is very difficult to diagnose, and because of this it is under-diagnosed, or passed off as another type of lameness.
What is Pedal Osteitis?
Let’s break down the word and get to the root meanings. “Pedal” refers to the coffin bone; “osteo” refers to bone; and “itis” refers to inflammation. When these are combined we have inflammation of the coffin bone.
As you read this you’re probably thinking: But, bones can’t swell… can they? Remember that the coffin bone is unlike other bones — it is highly porous and surrounded by soft tissue. This tissue is what swells in response to trauma or injury, resulting in pedal osteitis. The reason a surprisingly small amount of swelling in these structures can result in extreme pain and lameness is due to the rigidity of the hoof capsule. This rigidity prevents swelling from going anywhere, thus causing pressure and pain. If you’ve ever had a limb in a cast and swelling within that limb, you’re experiencing the same process that causes the pain of pedal osteitis. Causes of swelling of the pedal bone can range from chronic to acute. Examples of an acute cause of pedal osteitis are trauma (such as a bad stone bruise), sole
In a horse that is typically calm during shoeing, signs of discomfort, such as reacting to nail tapping, may indicate increased pressure within the hoof capsule.
pressure, puncture, infection, and as a condition secondary to other ailments. Chronic causes could be conformation (flat feet), shoeing imbalance, heavy repetitive work in deep/rough footing, or laminitis. This is not an exhaustive list, and any combination of several different factors can cause pedal osteitis.
Several common texts show old horses with demineralized coffin bones; yes, that is pedal osteitis, but the extreme form. Those texts haven’t taken into account the young working horse whose bones have not yet demineralized. Just because the pedal bone is still intact does not mean that a horse does not have pedal osteitis. This is where the difficulty of diagnosis comes in.
The texts describe pedal osteitis as roughened edges on the coffin bone. However, in a sound horse the edges of the coffin bone can vary from smooth to rough. Therefore, roughened edges are
not a definitive method for diagnosing the condition. A radiograph is going to be inconclusive in nonextreme forms of pedal osteitis because the soft tissue is affected, which wouldn’t be detected on a radiograph. The location of the lameness makes the use of diagnostics difficult, and advanced imaging isn’t available or affordable for many people.
Watching for specific clinical signs of pedal osteitis can greatly aid in determining if a horse has this condition. Look for bruising on the sole, a general pain response to hoof testers, and a shuffling gait (similar to that seen in horses with navicular disease). Also, watch for a horse that prefers softer footing when ridden, reacts to being nailed up, or appears “off” — not lame but not sound either.
Once you suspect that a horse has pedal osteitis, there are several things you can do to try to relieve some of the pain.
The horse doing highimpact work on hard surfaces or heavy, repetitive work in deep footing may develop pedal osteitis.
EQUINE Studies
Horses provide endless opportunities for learning. Here’s a selection of equine educational programs available in Canada.
By Tania Millen, BSc, MJ
Are you keen to learn more about horses, riding, and their management?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a teenager, young adult, or knocking on retirement’s door, there’s an equine program for you. Across Canada, there are high schools, colleges and universities that offer horserelated programs and courses, plus there are online courses, too. Some equine programs provide general horsemanship knowledge while other program graduates learn specific skills such as how to care for horse’s feet as farriers, or their health as veterinary technicians. Although education can be costly, many
programs are offered by governmentrecognized educational institutions hence students may be eligible for government loans and grants.
So don’t think you’re too young, too old or too inexperienced to pursue your equestrian goals. One of the programs listed below can undoubtedly help you achieve your dreams. They’re listed from west to east across the country and alphabetically within each province.
British Columbia
Douglas College in New Westminster offers a two-year Diploma in Veterinary
Technology which leads to certification as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and is accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey provides a two-semester Certificate in Farrier Science. Many students who complete the program become full-time farriers running their own businesses.
Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan offers equine courses and a competitive riding program for children and youth in kindergarten to grade 12. The school
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Anything Is Possible
By Li Robbins
Some watch the Super Bowl for football; some for the commercials. The big game is famous for its creative, cinematic ads, the kind that might make you laugh — or cry. Super Bowl ads “tap into our deepest psychology when it comes to entertainment,” says Psychology Today. Naturally, advertisers hope their commercials will also tap into consumers’ bank accounts, given that the broadcast has a massive reach — in 2024 over 123 million people tuned in.
It’s no small potatoes that the animal most associated with Super Bowl commercials might just be the horse. More specifically, the Clydesdale horse. Since Clydes began appearing in Super Bowl spots for Budweiser beer in 1986 they’ve become so famous that company publicity materials refer to them as “iconic” and “celebrities.” Whether heartwarming (e.g., 2002’s “Respect,” a tribute to victims of 9-11), or goofy (e.g., “Replay,” featuring the Clydes as
football teams) ads featuring the horses have linked Budweiser to values like patriotism, friendship, strength, and community.
Not that Super Bowl ads were the first time the Clydes doubled as a marketing device. Back in 1933 a sixhorse hitch belonging to brewery Anheuser-Busch pulled a beer wagon through the streets of New York to mark the end of prohibition, gathering crowds wherever they went. The sound and sight of those
PHOTO: ALAMY-UPI
By Sarah Mellings, EC Licensed Competition Coach
Buying or selling a horse is a multifaceted process that goes far beyond simply posting an advertisement. From capturing the ideal photos to finalizing the sale contract, each step requires thorough attention and thoughtful planning. In this article, we’ll cover essential aspects of horse sales, offering valuable tips and insights to help both buyers and sellers achieve a smooth and successful transaction.
Photography
The saying You only get one chance to make a good first impression certainly holds true when selling a horse. Presenting it in the best possible light is essential to attract serious buyers. Capturing high-quality photographs can make a big difference in generating interest and conveying the
horse’s true value.
Ensure the horse is well-groomed, positioned correctly, and photographed in optimal lighting. Hiring a professional photographer can enhance the quality of the visuals, making them more appealing to potential buyers. Focus on images that highlight the horse’s conformation, movement, character, and athletic abilities to showcase its potential and captivate prospective buyers.
Video
Alongside high-quality photos, videos play a crucial role in giving prospective buyers a clearer view of a horse’s movement, temperament, and abilities. In today’s market, having a video available is often expected before a buyer decides to see the horse in
A Guide to Buying & Selling a Horse
person. Few things are more frustrating for buyers than watching a poorly filmed video where the horse is barely visible at the far end of the arena. Capture clear, steady footage that showcases the horse under saddle — demonstrating walk, trot, and canter in both directions, and jumping if applicable — or at liberty, to give buyers a comprehensive sense of the horse’s abilities. Smoothly zoom in as the horse moves away and zoom out as it comes closer. Upload the final video to YouTube or Vimeo for easy sharing with potential buyers.
What to Include in the Horse Sale Listing Ad
Craft a detailed and informative listing that accurately represents the horse.
Include essential details such as age, breed, height, colour, training level, temperament, health history, and any notable achievements or experiences. Be transparent about any limitations or issues the horse may have. The more information you can provide potential buyers, the better.
Horse Sale Ad Checklist
Text Description Information
The text listing should include the following:
q Horse’s registered or show name;
q Horse’s stable name;
q A clear and attention-grabbing title;
q Basic information, including breed, age or year foaled, height, gender;
q A description of the horse’s training background, training level, experience, and the disciplines it has been trained in;
q A description of the horse’s temperament, rider level suitability, and any notable achievements or abilities;
q Details of the horse’s lineage, including dam and sire;
q Relevant health information, if current x-rays are available, and if horse is up-to-date on vaccinations, deworming, dental care, etc.;
q The horse’s personality traits;
q The reason for selling the horse;
q Price and any specific terms or conditions of the sale;
q The seller’s or trainer’s contact information and preferred method of contact;
Finalize the transaction with a written contract. Gone are the days of sealing the deal with a simple handshake.
During the pre-purchase exam, the veterinarian will perform a thorough lameness evaluation to assess the horse’s gait and soundness. This may include observing different gaits on varied surfaces, using flexion tests (shown), hoof testers, and palpating joints and soft tissues to detect any signs of discomfort or lameness.
q Horse’s current location and whether shipping arrangements are available;
q Any additional considerations, such as the horse’s preferences, quirks, or notable experiences that may be of interest to potential buyers.
Photos and Video
Photos and video should show the following:
q High quality conformation photos (both sides of horse if possible);
q Competition/show photos;
q Head and neck closeup;
q A photo of the horse’s registration certificate(s);
q High quality video — either upload directly or provided via a YouTube or Vimeo link to sales video(s).
Posting the Sale Horse on Social Media and Websites
Utilize social media platforms and specialized horse sale websites to reach a broader audience. Actively participate in
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Horse Auctions
Balancing Risk & Reward
By Tania Millen, BSc, MJ
Horses sold at Canadian auctions range from high-end racehorses to weanlings of unknown origins. There are auctions for specific breeds or levels of performance, and those that are open to anyone who has a horse to sell. There are online auctions, in-person auctions, and a combination of both. Canadian horse auctions cater to every budget, too. The top selling yearling at the 2024 Canadian
Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) Sale was an unnamed colt that was purchased for $250,000. In contrast, at another auction this fall a yearling may have sold for just a few hundred dollars. That huge range of values reflects the potential advantages and disadvantages of auctions for buyers and sellers. For buyers with robust budgets, high quality sales can be great places to find horses unavailable
elsewhere. Meanwhile, auctions that typically sell lower quality horses can be a good place to find a deal. However, not all horse auctions require veterinary certificates or x-rays for horses to be entered in the sale. There is often no drug testing and soundness guarantees are rare. Plus, in the heat of the moment, it’s easy for buyers to pay more than they’ve budgeted for, or more than the horse
would be worth in a private sale. Knowing this price advantage, sellers often choose to sell their top horses at auction, hoping for a higher price. It’s this potential to sell for top dollar, or find a bargain, that draws buyers and sellers to the auction ring.
Quality Sells
The Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association (CWHBA) Fall
It’s easy to get carried away and bid beyond your limit at an auction sale. Determine your budget, set a firm maximum, and commit to it.
Classic Breeders’ Sale, Alberta Chapter, is the longest running Warmblood auction in North America. The 2024 auction held October 18 – 21, 2024 was its 30th year, and surpassed previous sales with averages up in every category and a gross dollar value of over $730,000 CAD. The auction sold broodmares, weanlings, yearlings, two-year-olds, prospects aged three to six-years-old, plus performance
Horse auctions have a long and storied history dating back centuries, with roots in ancient civilizations. Societies like the Greeks and Romans held auctions to trade horses, which were essential at the time for transportation, agriculture, and warfare. This illustration of a man examining the knees of an apprehensive-looking horse at a livestock auction is from The Family Friend published by S.W. Partridge & Co., London, 1874.
PHOTO: ALAMY/ AGENCJA FOTOGRAFICZNA CARO
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Creative Techniques for Productive Lunging
By Jec A. Ballou
To lunge or not to lunge? Numerous riders grapple with this question, weighing the potential deleterious physical impacts with the exercise value for non-ridden horses. Whether lunging is good or bad turns out to have a nuanced answer. A more practical inquiry might not be whether to lunge, but how and when to lunge.
Lunging, after all, can take numerous different forms, some of which are inarguably harmful. Beyond mishaps caused by speed or wild antics at the end of a lunge line, horses suffer the consequences of repetitive movement, which is a leading source of sports injuries. Compounding the shear forces on lower limb joints when traveling around an arc with the strain on muscles being in static contraction for long periods, repetitive circling takes a toll. This does not mean, however, that it needs to be entirely avoided. It is a useful tool, but it is a tool that requires a plan and specific execution. The main factors to keep in mind include ground reaction forces, speed, total duration per week, and footing surface.
Ground Forces
Let’s start with ground reaction forces and speed. Many years ago, equine researcher Hilary Clayton performed numerous studies involving horses moving across measurement plates at different speeds. Her team determined that each forelimb experiences forces up to half of the horse’s bodyweight in walk, 100 percent of bodyweight in regular trot, and up to twice its bodyweight in canter.
In recent years, biomechanics experts have been able to further interpret these findings. In particular, trotting with higher levels of suspension and extension increases peak vertical forces on each forelimb, especially when the horse lacks ideal body carriage. This means the load on each forelimb in many cases exceeds the horse’s bodyweight. That is a lot of force to repeat stride after stride, especially considering that curved lines further increase these forces. In other words, if your horse has a big bouncy trot or canter and he is performing numerous circles, you could be in risky territory.
Speed
For this reason, when riders may need to rely on lunging to exercise their horse due to poor weather or other circumstances, it becomes crucial to minimize impact and utilize slower gaits. A calm jog-trot lessens the impact to lower joints, spinal stabilizers, and hooves while still activating muscles and delivering aerobic stimulus. This is sometimes called the “rehab trot” as it enables exercise to proceed but without the negative impact of full-force gaits. While it might be tempting to maximize time spent lunging by surging the horse around to burn off energy and work up a sweat, this is when strain happens. It is far more productive, and less harmful, for the horse to perform a rhythmic and calm gait.
Duration
Now let’s talk about duration, or how much or little to lunge. Ideally, a horse in a balanced training program receives plenty of cross-training with only one day per week of lunging that does not exceed
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20 minutes. Realistically, there are periods when horses are not able to be ridden and end up lunged much more often. These are times to employ creativity. With careful planning, riders can avoid endless — and harmful — circling in these sessions.
During a lunging session, it is critical to intersperse lots of straight lines, even if this means lunging a few circles and then leading — or jogging beside — your horse on a straightaway before performing more circles. I refer to this as “controlled wandering,” the basic idea being to blend as many straight lines as possible in with all those circles. When successful, you will find yourself putting down tracks all over your arena. Think of this as a time to guide your horse’s body on various lines of travel instead of being stuck going round the same circle.
Another tactic I use is to pony the nonridden horse alongside one of my riding horses for an initial 20 minutes, during which we travel mostly straight lines or wander around the field. Then, I immediately lunge the horse but only for 10 minutes. This delivers the horse 30
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NIGHT’S WATCH is an exciting, fully-approved Canadian Warmblood stallion. His pedigree is filled with top level show jumpers like Voltaire, Furioso, Nimmerdor, Gotthard, Farn, and Le Mexico, who are all great progenitors of modern jumper breeding. Sire Kannan was noted for his style, balance, temperament and good mouth. On his dam’s side is Cantos, a reknowned Contender son, and Indorado, well-known for producing big, long lined horses with an unlimited amount of scope.
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A calm jog-trot in straight lines will reduce the amount of time spent circling on the lunge line.
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If you’re looking for a beneficial off-season activity to share with your horse, showmanship skills can be introduced while wearing your winter boots and even in the barn aisle. Just 15 minutes of in-hand training per day will, like planting fall tulip bulbs, bear results in show season.
Horses mindful of their handler and light to the lead pressure are a pleasure to be around. They lead attentively and load on a trailer reliably.
In showmanship classes, horse and handler execute a prescribed pattern — walking, trotting, backing, and pivoting on the haunches “with precision and smoothness, while exhibiting poise and confidence.” (AQHA Rulebook.) Horse and handler perform the movements together, with barely visible signs of cueing from the lead shank. In the best presentations, the horse keeps in step with the handler and appears content to do so, displaying soft ears and a calm but bright expression.
5 Benefits of Showmanship Training for Every Horse
Whether or not a horse will be shown in a class, I teach showmanship fundamentals to all the horses I work with.
It’s fun to move in sync with your horse and satisfying to share a common language of body movements. After all, horses are not vocal communicators like humans. They read body language. When we teach showmanship skills we’re speaking their language. More benefits include:
1 Safety Is it annoying to hold your horse at a show or outing? Do you look for opportunities between classes to hand him to your “groom” (code for
If your horse has “lots of personality” — pushes into pressure, crowds your space or chews on everything — it may be time to instill some showmanship skills.
mom, dad, or significant other)? Ahorse with “lots of personality” (you know — the busy, mouthy kind that plays with your jacket, chews on the cross-ties, and invades your social distance) is particularly irksome to hang around with.
Imagine your horse walking calmly beside you as you tour around the show grounds. Picture him standing in his own space as you enjoy a conversation with a friend — not rubbing on you, diving down for grass, or tether-balling around you.
When your Western hat’s been knocked sideways again and you’ve determined it’s the last time you’re having your toe stepped on, it may be time to instill some showmanship skills.
2 The habit of communicating clearly The secret to doing showmanship with a happy horse is being readable — your horse follows your initiative and responds to your body language. The onus is on the handler to communicate clearly and fairly. Those clear body positions, as with all distinct signals delivered from the saddle, translate from home turf to unfamiliar environments: “Horse, I know you’re experiencing sensory overload right now, so let’s review here those familiar skills you learned at home.”
3 The habit of being decisive Groundwork is a beneficial component of every schooling session and a reflection of your whole training system. The precise geometry and movements of showmanship call for you to train
Is Your Horse READY To Be Ridden? READY
By Alexa Linton, Equine Sports Therapist
Recently, I officially retired my mare Diva from riding at age 25. She had started showing signs that riding was no longer a comfortable or enjoyable experience. I noticed her topline dropping and her hind end becoming stiffer (which was confirmed as the early stages of hock arthritis in her left hind). In general, Diva’s body was no longer receiving a benefit from being ridden. I decided I am not comfortable medicating my horse so that I can ride her. To ride is a privilege and not a right. If a horse requires medication to be “comfortable” while ridden, but is sound and comfortable when unridden, why should she be ridden?
I believe that riding should be “for the horse.” The intention should be to benefit the horse by developing their body toward greater health and strength, focusing on longevity of their tissues in addition to the mutual enjoyment of both horse and rider. Supportive practices around riding should ensure that the horse’s joints, ligaments, and tendons are cared for by the type of training being done, and that the horse generally feels at ease, connected, and happy under saddle. If riding our horses is our priority, it is important to assess our motivations, desires, and conscious and unconscious agreements around this.
Are we willing to take a horse-centred approach to starting and riding our horses, allowing for the unique timeline of each horse, considering the maturity of their body and mind when
making decisions, and prioritizing the horse’s needs during their transition to being ridden (or, in Diva’s case, to being retired)? If you are unable or unwilling to put your horse’s needs for longevity, maturation, and health ahead of your own need to ride, examine the reasons behind your decisions and how your choices might impact your horse and your relationship with them.
On that note, let’s look more closely at the question: Is your horse ready to be ridden? I am firmly in the “wait a good while until you ride them” camp, which probably won’t come as a surprise! As an equine bodyworker I have seen many prematurely retired horses with career-ending and preventable arthritis, kissing spine, and joint or tendon injuries. Knowing what I know now, I would wait to back a youngster until they are five or six years old. If I was buying a young horse, I would steer clear of any horse started under saddle, even gently, before four years of age, to reduce the chances of them developing joint issues, kissing spine, or other debilitating issues. I have read the research on bony development and have put my hands on hundreds of horses all telling me the same thing — in this industry, the norm is to start horses too young and before they are ready physically and mentally. Given what I know about the impact of the environment, I would also look for a young horse that had been given the “three Fs” — friends, forage, and freedom — to allow
their body to mature in the most species-specific way possible. Though it is still very common practice, I will share some of the research on why starting youngsters under saddle too early is not a good idea and how you can support your horse to have a long and healthy life all while having a good riding career.
We humans are inherently impatient and waiting for a horse to grow up can be both challenging and expensive. Even so, is it as challenging and expensive as having to retire your horse early, medicate, or face a more permanent choice because of joint or tendon issues, kissing spine, or dangerous behaviour rooted in pain? Sometimes it comes down to money and not thinking long-term. Most horses stay in a home less than four years on average; hence, many horse trainers and owners will never have to reap the issues they sow by starting a horse under saddle before they are ready.
In the research I found on skeletal maturity, the results were varied. I believe this is likely because parts of the horse industry benefit financially from starting and riding very young horses and recognizing potential concerns could be challenging to address. There are several research papers stating that exercise is important for young horses to develop bone density, citing a lower percentage of limb lameness in the short term of the studies, compared to control groups given no exercise and no turnout.
Not included are statistics on kissing spine, which show over 30 percent of ridden horses affected, and long-term outcomes such as arthritis. I definitely agree that exercise is helpful for young horses. There are many great ways for young horses to develop joint and tendon strength, good bone density, balance, connection, and capacity that do not place horizontal forces on the developing spine, or detrimental vertical loading on a developing pelvis or limbs. Countless groundwork practices do just this, as well as species-specific horse-keeping practices that ensure young horses develop strong bones and tendons to meet the demands for riding and more — when they are ready. Access to the “three Fs” goes a long way toward ensuring your young horse will be a strong and healthy partner for many years to come.
Studies examining overall health show that most horses reach skeletal maturity between five and eight years old, depending on factors like the individual horse, breed, nutrition, and movement.
In studies that look at the full health picture, the consensus is that skeletal maturity in most horses occurs between five and eight years old, depending on the individual horse, the breed, and environmental factors like nutrition and movement. The research is mainly looking at the ossification and closure of growth plates, the transition of soft susceptible cartilage into strong sturdy bone.
What Does The Future Hold? Social Licence to Operate in Equestrian Sport
By Li Robbins
Once upon a time animal acts were the big draw beneath the big top. Bears danced, elephants balanced on balls, and tigers leapt through flaming hoops — all in the name of human entertainment. Nowadays though, animal acts are no longer synonymous with “circus.” In Canada, according to the international wildlife protection charity Zoocheck, “wild animal circus acts are largely gone.” The reason for their demise is in part because they lost their “social licence to operate,” or SLO. SLO is the unwritten law that exists between the public and any industry — the term itself coined by Canadian mining executive Jim Cooney in 1997.
Decades of advocacy for circus animals drew the public’s attention to inhumane practices — elephants prodded by bullhooks, big cats being whipped, animals kept in tiny cages — and the public’s appetite for such “entertainment” began to erode. In 2017, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus went on hiatus. When it returned, in 2023, it was without the animals.
Some might dispute any parallel
A social license to operate is an informal agreement where public approval allows an industry to operate with fewer restrictions. In horse sports, an SLO reflects the public’s acceptance of the sport and its practices. Maintaining societal approval is essential for the future of equestrian sports.
between the treatment of circus animals and horses in sport. However, incidents of inhumane practices in horse sport seem to be emerging on a regular basis of late. Case in point, a video that surfaced in July, just before the Paris 2024 Olympics. In it, Charlotte Dujardin, three-time Olympic gold medallist in dressage, repeatedly whips a horse’s legs with a lunge whip.
The video sparked a firestorm, not just in equestrian press but in the mainstream. The Reuters story that ran in the Globe and Mail, for example, inspired comments like, “Frankly, isn’t the whole idea of riding around on a horse doing ballet a bit cruel?” and “We should let them [horses] live their lives and stop abusing them through forced performances and whippings.” Opinions came thick and fast and spread nearly instantaneously, pointing to one of the reasons for the growing focus on SLO, as Pippa Cuckson, who has written extensively about equine welfare in horse sport, points out.
“I am sure that in past times, people had misgivings about equestrian practices, training methods, and traditions but felt isolated and too scared to speak out,” says Cuckson. “Social media has put hundreds of thousands of like-minded folk in touch with each other, and collectively they have found their voice.”
The impact of that collective voice is as yet unknown, although the focus on SLO has surely contributed to increased talk about the ethics of riding horses at all. Cuckson says that it’s also drawn attention to “the random enforcement of
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SERHIL
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Welcome to our 33rd Annual Celebration of Horses Photo Contest, Canada’s longest-running equine photography competition! This year, participation soared with an impressive increase in both the quantity and quality of entries, making it a tough but rewarding challenge for our judges. We were thrilled to see many familiar contestants return and to welcome hundreds of new participants. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared their unique images and stories.
Stable Stork
Beautiful Babies of 2024 WINNER
The Unfolding Begins
“This big girl needed a little help, and I made it home from work just in time,” recounts Brenda Parsons of Hotchkiss, AB. “Her right leg was locked in the first-time mom’s pelvis, but with a little pull she was in position. I caught her and lowered her to the ground.”
1st RUNNER-UP
Peek-A-Boo, I See You
“I was filming the mare along with other broodmares in the paddock, and this little guy was so shy. He would watch me from under his mom’s belly, then come out, then go back like it was a game of peek-a-boo,” says Ronald Legere of Peterborough, ON.
2nd RUNNER-UP
Afternoon Nap
Jenna Lawrence of Hamiota, MB, shares this photo of a gorgeous 2024 AQHA colt having an afternoon nap in the sun at Crocus Pine Ranch in Crandall, MB.
We extend our deepest gratitude to ThinLine Canada for their generous grand prize contributions across the six main categories. Our sincere thanks also go to the Canadian Quarter Horse Association for sponsoring the Quarter Horse Division. In addition, Horse Community Journals Inc., publishers of this magazine, sponsored the runners-up across all categories.
We hope you enjoy this year’s stunning Winners and Runners-Up as much as we did!
