Manage Emotions
for a Better Ride
HEALTH
Vaccination Guidelines FOR HEALTHIER
The immune system is the body’s defense against infection. Vaccines help the body to develop immunity by imitating an infection and are intended to create and maintain immunity against specific diseases for a period of time. Together with good management and biosecurity practices aimed at preventing and controlling infection, a vaccination program can minimize the horse’s risk of getting sick, as well as lessen the severity 14
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HORSES
of sickness and reduce the risk of spread to other animals if sickness does occur. There is no standard once-size-fits-all vaccination program for horses. Each situation should be evaluated based on several factors which include the risk of infection, consequences of the disease, potential for serious adverse reactions, and anticipated effectiveness of the product. The costs involved in vaccination in terms of time, labour, and vaccine expense should be
Equine Guelph weighed against the potential costs of contending with the disease including lost competition time, treatment and control of an outbreak, or even loss of life. Every horse owner should understand vaccine basics, and all the horses in a herd should be vaccinated at intervals based on manufacturer recommendations and the professional judgment of the attending veterinarian. Let’s take a closer look.
PHOTO: CANSTOCK/DRAGONIKA
<
The red fox is one of Canada’s most widespread mammals. Foxes are among the most common wild animals to transmit rabies to humans and domestic animals.
< Tetanus is caused by the anaerobic
bacteria Clostridium tetani, which can contaminate wounds such as this puncture wound. The stick was successfully removed from behind this horse’s eye.
Core or basic vaccines provide protection against diseases that have a significant health impact (including death) for the horse and/or for humans. The agents causing disease are often present in either wildlife, insects, or the environment and are therefore not easily controlled. These are the “no-brainer” vaccines and should be administered to all horses. They include rabies, tetanus, eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.
RABIES
Rabies is a well-known cause of fatal disease affecting the nervous system in mammals. The virus is found in saliva and transmitted to other animals and people by a bite, saliva exposure to open
PHOTOS: CLIX PHOTOGRAPHY
CORE VACCINES
Fortunately, rabies is not often diagnosed in Canadian horses; yet its importance cannot be understated. To find out the number of confirmed rabies cases in Canada, the number involving horses, and the province they were from, go to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website (https://inspection.canada.ca) and search Rabies cases in Canada.
TETANUS
cuts or wounds, and/or saliva entering the eye, nose, or mouth. In Canada, the most common wild animals to transmit rabies to domestic animals or humans are foxes, skunks, racoons, and bats. Rabies is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurologic disease that can be prevented by vaccination. Following an initial booster series, rabies vaccines are administered to horses annually and they must be administered by a licensed veterinarian.
Tetanus or lockjaw is a lifethreatening disease caused by the anaerobic bacteria (grows in low oxygen conditions), Clostridium tetani. The spores of C. tetani are commonly present in the soil where they can remain for years, and can contaminate wounds such as puncture wounds, crushing wounds, open lacerations, surgical incisions, and the umbilici of foals. Upon gaining entrance to the body, EARLY SUMMER 2022
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PHOTO: DREAMSTIME/JAMIE HOOPER
HEALTH
Should You Breed Your Mare? Every spring, mare owners get excited about choosing a stallion for their mare, but many decisions need to be made before selecting the stud and breeding the mare. By Tania Millen “Breeding is not for the faint of heart,” says Lisa Longtin. She owns Merrington Warmbloods in Kindersley, Saskatchewan and has been breeding warmblood horses for the dressage and hunter rings for 25 years. “When things go well, it’s great. But there are so many things that can go wrong.” Before deciding to breed a mare, it’s important to acknowledge why you’re breeding, what you’re trying to 26
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produce, and what the plan is for the foal. Once that’s clear, consider the rationale for breeding a specific mare, the mare’s ability to become pregnant and carry a foal, your budget, the actual breeding process and logistics, plus the risks.
Why breed?
Determining why you want to produce a foal is an important first step.
“With the current economic situation and drastic increase in the unwanted horse population, creating a new equine life needs to be carefully considered,” writes Dr. Megan Williams, DVM, of Brandon Equine Medical Centre, Florida, in her article Considerations When Breeding Your Mare. Canada’s National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) concurs, stating that many welfare problems can be prevented
through responsible breeding, which is defined at noted below in their 2013 Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines. Responsible breeding:
SESTA ELEMENTO MW
• is purposeful rather than accidental or indiscriminate; • is managed by owners and handlers that are trained and knowledgeable; • involves careful selection of a mare and sire that are proven in their field, have good conformation and temperament, are healthy and free from known hereditary conditions that will impact on the welfare of the offspring;
• produces offspring that has a known market or purpose. Everyone has different reasons for breeding. Commercial breeders are producing quality foals and young stock for sale. Heritage breeders are committed to developing or maintaining specific genetics and lines. Owners with exceptionally talented mares may want to pass along their athletic genes. Some riders believe it’s less expensive to breed a top-quality foal than purchase a high-performance youngster. Other riders get immense satisfaction in producing and showing a homebred foal. Regardless, acknowledging your rationale for breeding in the first place will help determine which mare is suitable and what stallions to consider.
What are your breeding goals?
Knowing the ideal traits that you’re trying to produce will help determine the best dam and sire plus ensure your expectations and breeding budget are appropriate. The NFACC provides useful guidance, stating “Established breeders generally follow a specific breeding program producing quality offspring for a specific market.” That means breeders hoping to produce foals for a specific sport choose dams and sires that were competitive in that sport, had long careers, and remained sound. For example, Longtin is producing horses for amateur riders, so her foals need to have a temperament suitable for those buyers. “I really value a horse that is a willing work partner and has a great work ethic,” Longtin says. “You’re able to progress and they meet you at the gate and they’re happy.”
What are your plans for the foal?
Producing and raising a foal is a multiyear commitment so it’s worth envisioning
Lisa Longtin of Merrington Warmbloods produces horses to be willing partners for amateur riders. Two of the foals she’s bred are the filly DandelionMW (by Dauphin out of Confidante), sold as a dressage prospect; and Sesta Elemento MW (by Schwarzenegger out of Confidante) sold through the CWHBA Fall Classic Sale in 2021 and being developed as a hunter. DandelionMW
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA LONGTIN
PHOTO: DREAMSTIME/JAMIE HOOPER
• is based on comprehensive criteria for breeding, including past reproductive performance, age, size of the sire and mare;
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HEALTH
PHOTO: ANDREA PRATT
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Close Call 32
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Close Call By Betty Baxter
PHOTO: ANDREA PRATT
I staggered up to the house at 5:30 in the morning, kicking myself for being stupid. How could I have been so cocky as to breed horses for 20 years and not learn how to milk a mare properly? If the newborn colt didn’t get colostrum soon, I’d be rushing for the first ferry to get him and his mother to a vet clinic in the valley. But how was I going to load him into a trailer with Lucky, when she was terrified of him? My eyelids kept closing as I set the alarm for 7am and fell onto the bed, nursing the slim hope that when I woke I could find some local help. Ninety-five percent of foals are born safely, standing and nursing from their dams within an hour. But when things go wrong, complications get serious very quickly, and often either the mare or foal can perish. Last evening, everything had looked good. Talia, a university student keen to become a vet, had been sleeping in the aisle of my barn most nights for the last two weeks. She had seen one colt born safely just four nights earlier. Now with this second mare ready we laughed about how little sleep she was getting, and I marveled at her dedication to be present for this next birth. I watched as she pulled her blankets from the loft and unrolled them on a tarp beside the stall, so she’d be close enough to hear sounds of the mare’s early labour. I was leaving to go to bed myself when she called out “Lucky’s down — it might be starting.” I ran back, feeling anxious as this was Lucky’s first foal and at 15 she could experience some trouble. Once a horse’s water breaks, the birth can be over within minutes. By the time I stepped back into the barn, two little hooves and a nose were already making their entrance into the world. Moments later the foal was out, lying quietly as his coat dried and his elastic limbs began to firm up. Beside him the mare lay resting, then she groaned, got up, and passed a heavy mass of afterbirth. Everything was going well. As is normal, the little colt struggled to get up and find his balance several times until
he was finally on his feet. He wobbled across the stall to search for his dam’s udder. But Lucky was clearly frightened and trembled in the corner, wild-eyed and kicking when he came near. What was this dark, living thing suddenly in the stall with her? Knowing it might take a couple of hours for the foal to find his way and successfully nurse, we waited. To be healthy, all foals need to nurse within the first six to twelve hours of life to receive quality colostrum, the first milk loaded with the mare’s antibodies which provide protection from viruses and bacteria. After 12 hours colostrum absorption begins to decline, and after 24 hours the foal’s small intestine can no longer absorb antibodies. I held the mare and stroked her while Talia guided the colt to the udder, but when he got close he struggled to find the nipple. Hour after hour we tried, but the mare was afraid, trembling and moving away, and the colt couldn’t latch on. Lucky’s milk bag became harder and more painful as the hours passed. Our stress and increasing exhaustion sucked the air out of the quiet barn. The other horses were absolutely silent. The window of time for the foal to get antibodies from the colostrum was closing rapidly. I managed to milk half a cup of the lifesaving liquid from her bag
and syringe it into his mouth, but knew it was nowhere near enough. By dawn we were out of ideas, discouraged and exhausted. That’s when Talia headed home, promising to return in the afternoon, and I trudged to the house. Although early to disturb other horse owners, I sent texts for help: Does anyone have frozen colostrum? I’ve got a baby who hasn’t been able to drink for ten hours — need colostrum and support. In a rural setting, hours from veterinary help, there is no joy like the sight of three pickups roaring into the driveway in quick succession within an hour of a call for help. Five people spilled out, having changed their plans in a heartbeat to help an animal in distress. Even before the doors slammed, we began calling to each other: Anyone bring a sedative injection? Yup, and a spare halter in case we break one. I’ve got a whole kit of first aid supplies. Here’s a bag of colostrum from my freezer but it’s five years old. Did you milk her? I’ve tried several times but only got half a cup. Oh, we’ll get more than that. I’ve had 40 foals at my farm and five of my mares have rejected like this. Human activity filled the quiet barn. Randy, a stocky man with a quiet manner, came into the stall with me. We put a halter on Lucky, gave her an injection of sedative, and Randy stood at her head with a good grip on the lead rope. I held the jug while Pam got under the mare and began punching the udder and pulling vigorously on each teat in turn. Soon we had a litre of milk. Someone filled a bottle and attached a nipple. The little colt was happily slurping from the bottle 11 hours after he was born. A cautious hope lifted me. The colostrum was in him, but he would need to be fed at least every four hours if he couldn’t drink from his mother. EARLY SUMMER 2022
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Satisfying the horse-specific needs of stallions is imperative for their mental and physical health. However, it can be challenging to provide living arrangements where stallions aren’t just surviving — but thriving. 38
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PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/KARENGESWEIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Stallion Housing Affects Welfare
By Tania Millen
Kelly Brook Allen is one stallion owner who is adamant about her horse’s welfare. “He gets to live a normal life,” she says. Allen owns Canoa Farms in Merritt, British Columbia with her husband, Ron Stolp. Allen’s stallion, The Huntsman (Hunter), is her regular riding horse and he’s turned out with her husband’s gelding and some unstarted geldings. “Right now, they’re on about 10 acres,” she says. “They wander around and they interact and they face-wrestle and they play. And the funny thing is, none of my horses have any bite marks on them. They play but they’re not mean to each other. There’s never any real attitude.”
“They’re not in a small area and I think that makes a difference with a stallion,” Allen continues. “There’s enough room that they can get away from each other. I wouldn’t put them together if they had a small area because [in that situation] they’re more likely to hurt each other.” Allen didn’t plan for Hunter to live with other horses, but when she and Stolp moved to their farm there weren’t any pens. “The place was not set up for horses,” Allen says. “We didn’t have any mares; we just had the boys. So we put them in a big hot-wire fence on about 10 acres until we got all the fencing done. They all got along so well we just continued to keep [Hunter] with other horses. It’s never been a problem since, and it’s been nine years now.” Allen isn’t the only horse owner keeping her stallion in a herd. Researchers around the world are assessing how to safely keep stallions in groups, plus determine whether herd living increases their mental and physical well-being. A May 2021 article titled Keeping Stallions in Groups — SpeciesAppropriate or Relevant to Animal Welfare? published in the peerreviewed online journal Animals, found that housing stallions together is a growing trend.
PHOTO: CASSANDRA JESSOP
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/SERGEI TELENKOV
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/KARENGESWEIN PHOTOGRAPHY
The stress of isolation from the practice of individually housing stallions can be seen in aggression and behavioural problems. A recent study shows that keeping stallions in groups has a positive effect on their physical and mental health, and represents the most species-appropriate form of husbandry for them when the size and design of the exercise area, the makeup of the group, and the characters of the stallions are considered.
One barn aisle at CJ Sport Horses is dedicated to stallions, with stalls right next to each other.
The researchers analyzed 50 different studies and observed a Swiss National Stud experiment whereby individually-kept, active breeding stallions were successfully integrated into group living outside the breeding season. They wrote: “6 percent of stallions in 2003, more than 11 percent in 2012, and nearly 23 percent of the stallions in 2015 were kept in groups.” The researchers also determined that living alone has “a negative impact on psyche and body health” of stallions. Furthermore, “almost half of all stallions studied showed undesirable patterns of behaviour, mostly stallions in individual housing.” Many of the stallions housed individually also had EARLY SUMMER 2022
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Get Your Horse
By Alexa Linton, Equine Sports Therapist
About 15 years ago, I was boarding my mare, Diva, at a
At the time, a friend needed a house- and horse-
private barn in Victoria, BC. The paddocks were very
sitter for her farm in the Cowichan Valley with turnout,
small and flat, with electric fence covering all the boards
grazing, and horse friends. I decided to see if this would
to prevent chewing, and Diva was on the end of the
help Diva. As you might guess, given that we still live in
paddock row beside a forest. It was close to home, which
the Cowichan Valley all these years later, it did.
worked for me, but Diva was deeply stressed, making it almost impossible to safely work with her or ride her. It’s a scenario I see all too often: a horse living alone in a space too small to move freely, on sterile, flat ground surrounded by electric fence to prevent chewing and contact with neighbours, often with the goal of preventing injury. Ironically, lack of free movement and varied terrain can often predispose a horse to injury. 44
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The change seemed like a miracle. One day, Diva was dangerously anxious and carrying obvious fear and tension, and the next she was hanging with her new herd, relaxed, content, and grounded. But now, as I look back with more knowledge, I understand more fully what created this transformation. The new property was located at the end of a no-thru road with no electric fence to speak of, and the herd had free range of about 12 acres with no separation between horses. There was a water crossing and a forested area to access a larger field, which meant different footing with mud and rocks, obstacles such as
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXA LINTON
Create a Paddock Paradise
PHOTO, ABOVE: SHUTTERSTOCK/CHANTAL RINGUETTE
On Track
Multiple feeding stations keep horses moving to more closely resemble natural grazing.
Multiple feeding stations keep horses moving to more closely resemble natural grazing.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXA LINTON
PHOTO, ABOVE: SHUTTERSTOCK/CHANTAL RINGUETTE
PHOTO: ALEXA LINTON
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Horse Transport
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PHOTO: IMAGERY BY MANEFRAME
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly By Kevan Garecki
Of the various forms of commercial transport, one of the most demanding is arguably that of horse transport. Strangely, it also attracts the least qualified, the most poorly equipped, and the most fraudulent
one wade through the ethical minefield created by illegitimate wannabes and scammers? I will offer a handful of tips to keep you and your horses safe... To properly equip, license, and insure a commercial rig takes far more than just money, although plenty of that does evaporate quickly. Rigs are seldom “off the shelf” ready, so trucks need to be properly spec’d (upgraded to required specifications) with components to make towing their principal function. Rather than consumer grade, trailers must be either custom or commercial specialty units, both of which will have the design and accessories built in that genuine commercial transporters insist upon. These include onboard cameras, provisions for horses to have free access to water and hay (for longer runs), plenty of headroom, good ventilation, and easy reconfiguration via movable dividers, to name a few. A properly spec’d out Class 3 (a one- to three-ton truck towing a fourto six-horse trailer combination) will typically cost upwards of $200,000. And
PHOTO: IMAGERY BY MANEFRAME
and dishonest operators. How does
that’s not a typo: it’s $120,000 for a properly equipped truck, and at least another $75,000-80,000 for a commercial grade trailer. Step up to a Class 8 rig (semi-trailer) and that figure almost triples by the time it’s on the road and actually producing revenue. These figures may offer a bit of insight into rates — it’s not easy paying those rigs off!
Equipment Tips Clean and shiny means proud. It’s not always possible to keep a rig clean, especially in the winter, but responsible carriers are proud of their equipment and show it. Trailer configuration should say “professional.” The pros know what works and why, and they also know what horses need to travel in the least stressful environment. By far the least stressful accommodation for the horse is to be transported loose in a full box stall, which allows free movement.
The next best option is what’s referred to as a stall-and-a-half or “California stall,” essentially a standing stall that provides ample room for the horse to shift weight without coming into contact with a wall or divider. The smallest space is a single standing stall, which as its name implies, provides the horse with only enough room to stand in one spot. Stall size becomes critical when longer distances are involved. The longer the trip, the more space that horse should have. Standing stalls may be acceptable for trips that can be completed in a single day, or when the horse will be unloaded every night for layover in a barn. But considering that horses are claustrophobic by nature, the smaller the space we cram them into, the more stress they’re going to experience. Stress is cumulative and produces genuine health issues. I don’t have standing stalls in my trailers; EARLY SUMMER 2022
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Riding the Rail
No jumps. No pylons. No letter markers. Unlike classes assessing the accuracy of patterns, the quality of movements in tests, or how the competitor meets each jump on course, flat or rail classes appraise the picture of you and your horse in profile. Flat classes are the most subjectively judged of horse show events. Without the numerical scoring systems of other disciplines, the judge has more latitude for their preferences. Still, there’s more to the sorting process than The judge just didn’t like my horse. Most judges employ a hierarchy of attributes to sort entries: Enter the ring with confidence and make a good first impression.
• Correctness — Is the competitor functionally sound and conforming to the rules? The judge will consider correct leads, diagonals, and gait rhythms. • Quality — Is the entry pleasing to the eye, with self-carriage and well turned out?
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What’s the Judge Looking For?
PHOTOGRAPH PHOTO: CLIX
PHOTO: RINGSIDE MEDIA
• Degree of difficulty — Is there an eye-catching specialness separating an entry from the pack, an element of risk or creativity?
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When I entered my first show, I didn’t know the difference between Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle. I paid the entry, followed the announcer’s instructions, but failed to read the rule book. Now, I encourage the riders I coach to mine the rule book for ::
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WINNING TIPS FOR FLAT CLASSES
more than the rules. In it you’ll find treasures such as the purpose of each class, as well as words and phrases describing poor, correct, and exceptional movement. As a professional trainer, Hunter Under Saddle became my favourite class. What I’ve learned in the show ring I pass on to my students in terms of navigating the arena and the artistry of presenting a horse well. I learned to uncover and accentuate a horse’s best qualities while minimizing their lesser attributes. What’s the point of this class? When judging, I survey the group of horses moving around the ring and visualize the ideal — the entry illustrating the original intent of the class. Could that Hunter Under Saddle effortlessly jump a course? Would that Road Hack fit the hunt field? Is that Horsemanship rider not only elegant but effective? Is that Pleasure Hack truly a pleasure to ride?
Clues in the Descriptions Let the adjectives and adverbs from your rule book guide you. Matching your horse to the description is one part training and one part aptitude. • The Hunter Under Saddle takes long, sweeping, deliberate strides extending from his shoulder. His hocks swing forward to step into his front footprints. His self-carriage is evidenced by light, relaxed contact. In contrast, the animated “on-themuscle” horse, moving in up-and-down motion, may suit other classes but not Hunter Under Saddle. • The Western Pleasure winner lopes slow-legged with a steady relaxed topline. Each stride has lift — a moment of suspension — flowing consistently into the next stride. Yet, Western Pleasure is not a contest of slow. Trying too hard not to pass
By Lindsay Grice, Equestrian Canada coach and judge
typically manufactures a head-bobbing, laboured stride, or scuttling along in a four-beat lope. • The Hack division consists of three classes, the ideals of which vary somewhat. Show Hacks display vitality and animation, adjusting between extended and collected gaits. Road Hacks have the strength and substance of a field hunter. Pleasure Hacks are a smooth and sensible ride. • Equitation on the Flat assesses the rider’s position, poise, and effectiveness at all gaits in both directions. Though the horse itself isn’t being judged, how it performs will influence how the rider looks. Savvy “equitators” discern the balance between poise and pose. Poise is to be secure, yet supple. Trying too hard looks stiff and starchy. • Western Horsemanship evaluates the exhibitor’s balanced, functional, and correct position, regardless of the gait being performed. The Western position is foundationally the same as for English equitation — long leg, deep heel, flat and supple back. The subtle cueing of winning Horsemanship calls for more rein connection than the Western Pleasure drape, guiding the horse with no more than slight hand movement.
Play by the Rules As they enter the gate, judges scan each competitor for permitted equipment. What’s allowed and what’s not depends on the class and governing association. In general, no martingales are permitted on the flat. No boots for classes in which your horse’s movement is assessed. No crops in the Hack division. Judging smaller shows, I often alert Western competitors to EARLY SUMMER 2022
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PHOTO: ISTOCK/ANNAELIZABETHPHOTOGRAPHY
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
Practice Emotional Resilience for a Better Ride By Annika McGivern If you could choose the way you feel every time you sit on horse, what emotions would you choose? When I ask this question of my clients, their responses usually include the words calm, present, happy, relaxed, and confident. If you agree, it begs the question: Why don’t we feel this way more often in the saddle? Most equestrians start riding because they love being on a 64
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horse. Yet, as they progress in the sport, they experience far more frustration, stress, shame, and sadness than calmness, happiness, relaxation, and confidence. Let’s take a closer look at our emotional experience in the saddle and discuss the steps we can take to develop emotional resilience, which will allow for greater control over thoughts, emotions, and performance in difficult moments.
Imagine the following scenario: You’re riding in a clinic at a new barn with a new clinician. You deeply admire this clinician and really want to make a good impression. Unfortunately, your horse has other ideas. Tense and distracted by the busy and unfamiliar surroundings, he is doing his best giraffe impression and resisting all your attempts at connection and contact. You’re trying to stay calm but you feel everyone’s eyes on you. A flood of embarrassment washes over you. As stress and tension fill your mind and body, you struggle to think clearly. In my work, I have yet to meet a rider with whom this scenario doesn’t resonate, and in many equestrians it triggers deep, difficult reactions. It makes us feel as if we aren’t good enough and that people are forming negative opinions about our ability. With all the time, energy, money, and passion we throw into our sport, many of us are terrified of not living up to our own expectations of what it means to be a good rider.
To manage our emotions, we must first take responsibility for them. Get in touch with yourself and reflect on your frame of mind. Choose the feelings, thoughts, and actions that will help you be your best with your horse.
I work so hard at this and I’m still not good enough. I’m wasting everyone’s time. I want this so badly, but I can’t do it. It’s too hard. When we have a deep fear of not being good enough, any experience of struggle can trigger a mental storm of fear, frustration, self-criticism, and overwhelm. In the face of this whirlwind of negative emotion, we just want to escape. We mentally check out, drastically reducing our capacity to connect with our horses and solve the problem. As you can imagine, this is not an ideal mental state for performance. Riding at our best requires a calm mind and a relaxed body. How do we stay calm and relaxed in the face of difficult situations? One answer is to develop and practice emotional resilience.
Geetu Bharwaney, founder and CEO of Ei World Limited, a company at the forefront of innovative emotional intelligencebased development programs globally, describes emotional resilience as “the ability to continually choose the feelings, thoughts, and actions that help you achieve results and perform at your best.” The question is: Do we really choose our emotions? For many of us, this seems wrong. Surely, we aren’t choosing to feel embarrassed, guilty, sad, angry, or any other negative emotion. We resist this way of understanding emotions because it puts an uncomfortable amount of responsibility squarely on our shoulders. The problem is, if we continue to see emotions in this way — as an experience that happens to us — instead of an experience we choose — we will never learn how to better manage them. Unmanaged emotions run riot over our experience as riders, negatively impacting our performance and well-being in the saddle. To manage our emotions, we must first take responsibility for them. “Sometimes we are responsible for something not because we are to blame… but because we are the only ones who can change it,” explains Lisa Feldman Barrett, Professor of When your horse presents Psychology at Northeastern you with a difficult situation, University and a director of the remain calm and view this as Interdisciplinary Affective an opportunity to learn how Science Laboratory. As Barrett to connect with your horse when he is stressed. shares in her viral TedTalk You
PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK/ROLF DANNENBERG
PHOTO: ISTOCK/ANNAELIZABETHPHOTOGRAPHY
What is Emotional Resilience?
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Riding Canada’s
BEACHES
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By Tania Millen
Galloping along a beach and swimming with horses are high on most riders’ bucket lists. But it’s challenging to find horsefriendly beaches and swimming holes to indulge those dreams. Access restrictions, potential environmental damage, and concern by other recreationalists can limit opportunities, and rules frequently change. Also, many coastal beaches are only accessible during low tides, while inland beaches and lakes depend on snowmelt, river flow, or dam releases. Fortunately, equine organizations across Canada work hard to maintain horse access to recreational areas so there are places to go.
PHOTO: KATJA FORSTER
PHOTO: TANIA MILLEN
This cross-Canada list will help riders live their dreams.
F
irst, let’s prepare. When planning your trip, consider whether your horse is mentally and physically fit for the experience. Beaches are wide open, windy places that may have loose dogs, flying kites, motorized watercraft, bathers, seagulls, and crashing waves. Footing can vary from mud to soft sand and cobbles, hence hoof-wear needs vary, too. Appropriate tack will depend on the horse’s training and rider comfort. Horses use their full head and neck when swimming, so do not use any sort of martingale or tie-down that limits head movement. Non-loop (split) reins are also a safer option. Be prepared for cool weather and wind as many beaches are only open to horses in the fall-winterspring months. Wear warm layers and take a cooler for your horse. Seawater and salty sand rots tack, so plan a thorough cleaning after coastal rides. Be prepared to clean up after your horse, too, so that future riders will be welcome. Finally, here’s a sampling of beach riding and swimming locations across Canada. There are undoubtedly more spots, so gather information from other riders, equine organizations, and governing bodies to find out where to go. When planning your trip, ask the city, town, park, or provincial government of your chosen location whether horses are
Boundary Bay, BC EARLY SUMMER 2022
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If horses are your passion,
PHOTO: CASSANDRA JESSOP
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