Canadian Horse Journal - Central & Atlantic - November 2013 by Horse Community Journals Inc.

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In This Issue The extra factors and challenges to consider when fitting a saddle for the horse with a heavier rider

42 Deck the Stalls! Holiday Gift Guide Great gift ideas for the horse lovers on your list

HORSE HEALTH 14 Feeding Young Horses for Sound Growth How to feed young horses to maintain a steady growth rate and reduce the risk of developmental orthopedic disease

52 Euthanasia: When is it Time to Say Goodbye? Knowing when to say farewell to your beloved friend is the greatest challenge you’ll face as a horse owner

RIDING & TRAINING 22 Analyzing Reining Horse Conformation Top Canadian reiner Lisa Coulter discusses the key conformation points that indicate potential in a reining prospect

34 Horsemanship with Jonathan Field A solid start sets young horses up for success in the future

Departments 1

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Editorial

6-7 Hoofbeat 8

Letters

10 HorseWise Treating & Preventing Mud Fever 32 Tough Question Should the federal government support Canada’s bid to host WEG 2018? 57 Contests 60-61 Country Homes & Acreages 62 Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association News

EquiNetwork 64 Hitchin’ Post 65-66 Horses for Sale 67 Classifieds 68 Roundup Top 10 Tips for Helping the Senior Horse Weather Winter

page

PHOTO: SINI MERIKALLIO/FLICKR

26 Saddle Fit for the Heavier Rider

PHOTO: TUDOR COSTACHE/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

CONTENTS â&#x20AC;˘

November 2013

Senior horses should be encouraged to stay as active as possible during the winter when continuous movement will help to minimize discomfort and stiffness from arthritic joints. Full-time turnout is an excellent way to encourage movement, provided that adequate shelter and blanketing are provided for protection.

page

PHOTO: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: KKGIVENS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

EDITOR’S DESK

ON THE COVER “To understand the soul of a horse is the closest we humans can come to knowing perfection.” – AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Photo: Robin Duncan Photography

wn horses long enough, and sooner or later you will face the inescapable reality of the death of a horse you love. Whether prompted suddenly and unexpectedly due to a tragic accident or acute illness, or after watching your older horse’s health slowly deteriorate over time, deciding to euthanize or “put your horse down” is never easy. But agonizing and gut-wrenching though the decision may be, I can’t think of a better way to thank these beautiful animals for all the wonderful ways in which they enrich our lives than to give them an easy, painless, dignified end of life. I believe that owning horses comes with an invisible contract: they gift us with their love and trust, and in return we care and provide for them for as long as they are with us. Holding up our end of the bargain is not just a responsibility, it’s a privilege. Two staff members at Canadian Horse Journal have lost their horses this month (you can read about Elaine and her beloved Kydan in “When is it Time to Say Goodbye?” on page 52). And while I know nothing but time can ease their grief, I also know just as surely that their horses would thank them for fulfilling their side of the ownership contract, but more, for ensuring that they led full, wonderful lives.

b Your Horse b Your Passion b Your Magazine Published by Horse Community Journals Inc.

Volume 14 • Number 3 EDITOR / PUBLISHER Kathy Smith ASSISTANT EDITOR Jess Hallas-Kilcoyne ACCOUNT Chrissy Whetung ADVERTISING Ronnie Olsen • Elaine Little • Emily Penn April Dawn Ray • Shantelle Roberts SUBSCRIPTIONS/DISTRIBUTION Mark Smith • Nathan Reimer PRODUCTION Elisa Crees CONTRIBUTORS Robin Duncan Photography • Clix Photography Karen Robinson • Christina Handley • Will Clinging • Jonathan Field HCBC • OEF • Lindsay Grice • Cealy Tetley • Stan Walchuk Jr. CanTRA • Lindsay Day • Margaret Evans

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above: Farewell to our horses, Janna Reimer’s sweet Khanquest (left), and Elaine Little’s beloved Kydan (right), with heartfelt gratitude for the joy they brought to their owners’ lives.

Somewhere Somewhere...somewhere in time’s own space there must be some sweet pastured place. Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow some Paradise where horses go. For by the love that guides my pen I know great horses live again. — STANLEY HARRISON 4

www.HORSEJournals.com • October 2013

TQ TOUGH

QUESTION

Should the federal government support Canada’s bid to host the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Bromont, Quebec? Please turn to page 32 for more information…

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Manuscripts and photographs will be returned only if SASE is provided. The return of unsolicited material is not guaranteed. Contributors and advertisers warrant all materials supplied are free of copyright and they have the legal right to use the same. All material accepted for publication is subject to such revisions as are deemed appropriate by The Canadian Horse Journal (CHJ). The opinions expressed in CHJ are not necessarily those of the publisher. CHJ reserves the right to refuse any advertising or submission. Contributors consent to have their submissions published in CHJ and on www.HORSE Journals.com and elsewhere as determined by the publisher. Printed in Canada. Please recycle.

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THE HOOFBEAT Central & Atlantic Regional News

Time is Running Out to Apply for an OEF Youth Bursary BY MELISSA KOSOWAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF OEF

Isabelle Gauthier of New Liskeard, Ontario, was a 2013 OEF Youth Bursary recipient. Her goals include advancing through the levels of the Equine Canada Learn to Ride program and furthering her knowledge of natural horsemanship.

Committee Established on PEI to Examine Farm Animal Welfare A new committee has been established on PEI, with representatives from the PEI Federation of Agriculture, the government, livestock, horse, and fur organizations, and veterinary medicine, for the purpose of examining farm animal welfare issues. The functions of the committee will be to assist farmers in providing optimal care to their animals and to educate the public about local farming practices. The belief is that, while animal welfare complaints will still be handled by provincial officials, the committee may serve to reduce the number of complaints. “We’ll have some information back on the types of complaints that are out there and if there are things that our industry can do to help with that,” said John Jamieson, executive director of the PEI Federation of Agriculture. The committee is aiming to meet for the first time in November.

If you’re a junior Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) member between the ages of 14 and 17, don’t miss your opportunity to apply for an OEF Youth Bursary. The deadline closes on Friday, December 6, 2013, at 4 pm. The Ontario Equestrian Federation is a strong supporter of young equestrians and proudly offers a minimum of five $1000 youth bursaries each year to help the next generation of equestrians reach their goals. “This is such a rewarding program to be involved with,” says Dianne Graham, executive director of the OEF. “We know that it can be challenging to find the funds to get to where you want to be as a rider or driver, which is where the OEF Youth Bursary program comes in.” The OEF Youth Bursary is aimed at supporting young horse people of all disciplines who are OEF members and full-time high school students. The bursary program is intended to assist young equestrians who may have difficulty reaching their equestrian goals due to financial constraints or personal hardship. The bursary funds can be used for riding lessons, training or competition fees, continuing education, and any other activities that assist the recipient with achieving their equestrian objectives. “This program is inclusive of all equestrian disciplines,” says Graham. “No matter what type of activities you enjoy doing with horses, we want to help you be your best.” For more information about, or to download an application form, visit www.horse.on.ca.

WITH FILES FROM CBC.CA.

Community Calendar November 15 EQUINE REACH AHEAD DAY Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, Ontario Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) is excited to host the first Equine Reach Ahead event. High school students in grades 10, 11, and 12 are invited to attend two hands-on activities and learn about studying and working in the equine industry. An optional campus tour is available at the end of the day. www.uoguelph.ca/oac/futurestudents/reach-ahead-days

November 16 CARING FOR YOUR HORSE AND FARM WORKSHOP & FARM TOUR Caledon Community Complex, Caledon, Ontario At this free environmental stewardship workshop, horse farm owners will learn to manage horse manure, improve pasture quality, and protect ponds, wetlands, and streams on their property. After the workshop will be a tour of several local equine farms to see environmental improvement projects first hand. www.equineguelph.ca/news/ events.php

November 16 NOVA SCOTIA EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION HORSE SUMMIT Holiday Inn Halifax Harbourview Hotel, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia The Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation Horse Summit will include information sessions on a variety of equine health and welfare topics, followed by the competition manager’s forum and club forum in the afternoon. Contact: Sheila, nsefmembership@ sportnovascotia.ca, 902-425-5450 ext. 337 www.horsenovascotia.ca

November 17 2013 NATIONAL DRESSAGE SYMPOSIUM Pine Ridge Farm, King City, Ontario The focus of the 2013 symposium will be “Improving your Test Scores” (FEI 5 Year Old to Grand Prix). Ashley Holzer will warm up the riders for their tests, which Lorraine MacDonald will judge over the microphone. Then Ashley will work with the riders to make improvements based on Lorraine’s comments. Register at: www.equinecanada.ca/ dressage

November 23 ISLAND HORSE COUNCIL ANNUAL BANQUET Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, Charlottetown, PEI The Island Horse Council Annual Banquet begins at 6pm with a social event, followed by a buffet dinner at 7pm, awards, a silent auction, and other activities. Contact: Pat, pat.uptegrove01@bellaliant.net www.islandhorsecouncil.ca

For more events in your area, visit www.HORSEJournals.com/calendar-events. 6

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

THE HOOFBEAT National News

Victoria Winter Appointed Chef d’Equipe for Canada’s Dressage Team at 2014 World Equestrian Games

PHOTO: JEAN/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PHOTO: TUDOR COSTACHE/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Ontario Horse Racing Industry to Receive $400 Million over Five Years from Province

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced a strategic plan for sustainable horse racing in the province that includes injecting $400 million over five years into the Ontario horse racing industry.

On October 11, 2013, Ontario Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food Kathleen Wynne announced that the provincial government would inject up to $400 million over five years into Ontario’s struggling horse racing industry. The five-year plan was developed by a three-member panel appointed by the Liberals after they cancelled the Slots at Racetracks Program (SARP), a revenue-sharing agreement which generated approximately $345 million a year for racetracks. The report released by the panel on October 11 recommended that starting next April the government provide up to $80 million a year which will be used to help cover purses and other costs associated with live racing. The plan also includes a “world class racing circuit” operated by a Standardbred racing alliance with eight tracks – Hanover, Clinton, Grand River, Western Fair, Flamboro, Georgian, Mohawk, and Woodbine. It also supports the current 30-day calendar at Ajax Downs, but does not endorse a full race calendar at Fort Erie Race Track. Sue Leslie, president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) stressed that while there are many positives to come out of the report, much more work remains to be done. “Great progress has been made,” Leslie said. “However, there are still many aspects of the report which need further dialogue and clarification, especially in relation to grassroots racing, the survival of racing at Fort Erie Race Track, and securing the necessary investment to ensure the breeding industry survives its severe decline.” Even with the five-year plan, the amount of money for purses next year will total about $130 million – approximately half what it used to be. Wynne also stated that horse racing would be integrated into the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) modernization plan to source new revenue streams. Racetracks will be required to submit business cases in order to receive funding – a measure mandated with the objective of ensuring transparency and accountability. WITH FILES FROM CTVNEWS.CA

Victoria Winter has been appointed as the Chef d’Equipe for the Canadian Dressage Team at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

BY EQUINE CANADA Dressage Canada is delighted to announce the appointment of Victoria Winter as the Chef d’Equipe to lead the Canadian Dressage Team heading for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. “Victoria is well respected, popular with the riders, and has the perfect background to fill this role,” said Desi Dillingham, Special Advisor for Dressage Canada. Winter won individual and team bronze medals at the 1995 Pan American Games in Argentina and represented Canada as a member of the Canadian Dressage Team at the World Equestrian Games in Rome (1998) and Kentucky (2010). She was also Chef d’Equipe for Canada’s dressage team at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where Canadian dressage riders won individual gold and team silver. “I am honoured to take on the role of Chef d’Equipe for the Canadian Dressage Team for the 2014 WEG and look forward to working with our athletes to help them achieve their best ever performances and success for Canada,” said Winter.

IN MEMORIAM: William (Bill) Koyle (1940-2013) BY EQUINE CANADA It is with regret that we recognize the passing of William (Bill) Koyle, a passionate volunteer and respected horseman, who passed away on October 2, 2013. Koyle sat on numerous Equine Canada committees and served as an Equine Canada and FEI Technical Delegate at many prestigious events, including Tempel Farms Young Riders Championships (USA), Punchestown CCI (Ireland), and the Boekelo CCI (Netherlands). He played an integral role in the development of Canada’s Quadrennial Plan, developed with the objective of putting eventers on the podium internationally. As the organizer of Ridgewood Farms CCI, he hosted the Young Riders Championships and the first two-star CCI in Canada. Koyle also served as President of the Ontario Horse Trials Association and was a Chair of Horse Trials Canada. “Bill had a huge impact on eventing in Canada,” stated Equine Canada President Michael Gallagher. “He was truly one of the founding builders of the modern day eventing that we have in Canada today.” We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

LETTERS to the EDITOR

TQ ? Response to our

TOUGH QUESTION from October 2013:

In your opinion, what horse training practices or techniques constitute animal abuse? “Rapping...any kind of electric shock...persistent use of spurs or whip...persistent abuse of the mouth through the bit...riding or driving an exhausted horse...excessive pressing of a tired horse...hypersensitizing any part of a horse...using shackles or chains...exhibiting a horse with raw or bleeding sores...using any explosive (e.g. firecracker, fire extinguisher except in the case of fire) or using fire such as lighters, matches, etc. – all this is abuse. Domestic horses should be cherished and cared for by human hand from the moment they are born. As a breeder, I have raised six foals, and they are local attractions for their disposition and love for people. I care for them as I would for my kids. Horses are just big kids. Are we doing to our kids what we do to horses? No. So why can’t we be better to our horses? Why do we have to give them pain for the pleasure they give us? Vicky

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Bring Back the Slots at Racetracks Program It has been over six months since my open letter to Garfield Dunlop (MPP Simcoe North) to reinstate the Slots at Racetracks Program (SARP). On Friday, October 11, 2013, Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal Government announced their newest initiative to give the horse racing industry $80 million a year for five years. This is a small fraction of what the horse industry initially agreed upon back in the 1990s with the cash-strapped Harris Progressive Conservative (PC) Government. The original plan gave the horse industry 25 percent of all slot revenue at the racetracks, with 10 percent to the horsemen for purses, 10 percent to the track, and five percent to the Municipality for tax relief. Remember, before 1990, the only forums of gambling were lotteries and horse wagering. The horse industry cooperated with Harris, agreed to the SARP program, and watched a surmountable drop in wagering. Slot revenue increased steadily and now wagering has bottomed out to two percent of all gambling in Ontario. This deal considerably changed the horse racing industry’s popularity and future. The SARP program has meant enormous financial wealth for Ontario. Each year, the Ontario Government has raked in over $1.4 billion thanks to the horse industry. Over the last ten years, $14 billion has assisted healthcare, education, and infrastructure like highways, parks, and roads, in addition to many other programs. Ontario’s estimated debt according to the Ontario Financing Authority as of March 31, 2013, is $267.5 billion. Where would we be now without the open minded understanding of the entire horse racing industry in the 1990s? The economic contribution to rural Ontario has also been astronomical. Horse racing has meant a steady income for numerous businesses, from the horse feed industry to the farmers supplying oats, barley, wheat, and corn. Other related small rural components such as hay, straw, shavings, and veterinarians have also greatly benefited Ontario’s economy by having a constant rotation of revenue throughout our province. As horsemen are forced to

/stampedetack /stampedetack Like & Follow

abandon this currently dying industry and head south of our border, the overwhelming impact of just how greatly the horse racing industry has influenced rural Ontario is being felt by many people scattered well beyond racing. In March 2012, the current Liberal government, heavily influenced by long term card carrying members of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, decided to scrap the SARP program, resulting in the euthanasia of an estimated 13,000 horses. The fact that these young racing horses were discarded in a pile in Montreal to rot is nothing short of despicable. Each one of those horses had an economic value. Each Standardbred brought in an estimated $50 per day to Ontario’s economy. That is $650,000 per day in lost economic dollars. Each Thoroughbred brought in an average of $80 per day. Ontario has failed every one of these beautiful animals. Let’s be clear about one fact that is the government’s current buzzword. The SARP program was never a government subsidy. It was a partnership in good faith. The horsemen, women, and connected industries deserved much more from their provincial government. The present display of neglect and disregard on this file is embarrassing. Even the Opposition currently has no solution worth considering. Tim Hudak and the PC Party suggest support while promising to sell the OLG just after the horse industry has been merged under their umbrella. This is no future plan either. My question to Garfield Dunlop is: If your party intends to sell the OLG to a private American company, how will your party ensure there will be a viable racing industry for the future? We all know very well that no corporation will support an industry that does not make money. Horse racing creates an economy that allows other business such as veterinarian clinics, rehabilitation centres, breeding, etc. to thrive and prosper. Therefore, we cannot trust the PC Party to save the future of horse racing either. My next step in a quest for a clearer answer is to meet Taras Natyshak, the NDP Labour Critic, at Swanmore Hall on November 13. I believe we all need to get another view. I need to determine if there is a future for the Ontario horse industry and my equine rehabilitation company. Join the fight. Darin Kennedy, CEO of Darden Equine Sport Rehabilitation Centre, Coldwater, Ontario

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. Letters may be edited for grammar and length. Please provide your name and contact information. November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

HorseWise Mud fever is a skin condition that affects the lower legs and causes crusty sores to form in the areas around the horse’s pasterns, heels, and fetlocks.

Treating & Preventing

Mud Fever BY SHANTELLE ROBERTS

What is the best treatment plan for mud fever, and is there a way to prevent it from recurring annually in certain horses?

Mud fever, also known as scratches, pastern dermatitis, and greasy heel, is a common equine skin disease affecting the lower limbs, particularly the back of the pasterns and the bulbs of the heels. The ailment is most prevalent during the fall, winter, and early spring months, when horses are more likely to spend prolonged periods of time standing in wet, muddy conditions where the bacteria and fungi that cause mud fever thrive. Normally, the skin acts as a protective barrier against such harmful micro-organisms, but increased exposure to moisture can compromise the skin’s integrity until a point of entry becomes available by means of an abrasion or other skin damage. Horses with white legs or pink skin may be more prone to developing mud fever, as are those with particularly hairy feathers that trap moisture and dirt against the skin.

Symptoms Skin lesions, exuding fluids which dry to form scabs, are the most characteristic symptom of mud fever. These painful, crusty sores can be accompanied by mild inflammation. Severe cases of mud fever may present with the additional symptoms of extreme swelling and heat in the affected leg, severe skin sloughing, and lameness. In severe cases, it is important to consult with your veterinarian.

Treatment Successful treatment for mud fever begins with moving the horse to a clean, dry environment, even if this requires temporary confinement to a stall. Once this has been achieved, the following steps should be taken: 1. Carefully clip the hair away from the affected area to make cleaning easier and to render the area less hospitable to bacteria. 10

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

PHOTO: PAM MACKENZIE PHOTOS

PHOTO: EDWARD STOJAKOVIC/FLICKR

right: Wet, muddy conditions can weaken the integrity of the horse’s skin and make it more susceptible to abrasions through which harmful micro-organisms can enter the horse’s body and cause the infection known as mud fever.

2. Wash the area thoroughly but gently with warm water and an antibacterial cleanser. Avoid cold water and vigorous scrubbing, both of which will further irritate the skin. If the crusts are dried and hard, try to soak them off rather than picking at them. Tough scabs can also be softened prior to washing with a generous layer of antibacterial ointment or cream. 3. Thoroughly dry the area with a clean towel, blotting as opposed to rubbing so as to avoid causing the horse discomfort and damaging the skin further. 4. Apply liberal amounts of an antibacterial ointment or cream at least once daily. This process may need to be repeated several times during the recovery period, which can take many weeks, but try to refrain from washing the area too often as the additional moisture will only perpetuate the problem. Instead, allow any accumulated mud to dry and then gently brush away. The above treatment plan may be adequate for mild to moderate cases of mud fever, but severe cases will almost certainly require treatment with topical and/or oral antibiotics from a veterinarian.

Prevention The best way to prevent mud fever is to minimize exposure to wet, muddy conditions, which can be achieved through good paddock management or stabling the horse at night on clean, dry bedding so skin has a chance to dry out. All horses should have their legs checked during routine grooming for abrasions and early signs of mud fever. Horses that are prone to mud fever may benefit from having their legs pre-emptively clipped and from application of a barrier cream, such as zinc, petroleum jelly, or castor oil, prior to turnout or exercise so long as the legs are clean and dry. b This article is for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. No liability will accrue to the publisher or author of the article in the event that a user suffers loss as a result of reliance upon this information.

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Team BC at CIEC

Two Golds, One Bronze and a Fourth Place Finish Overall The 2013 Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships (CIEC) took place on September 13 to 15 at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in Calgary, Alberta. The event was attended by competitors from a total of nine provinces and their respective Horse Councils. This was the first year Team BC was able to bring and compete on their own horses and all riders did an excellent job, contributing to a fourth place finish in the overall provincial standings! The BC team was comprised of eight riders, two coaches, one chef d’équipe, and quite the entourage of parents! Everyone had a great time in Calgary and our BC athletes really enjoyed competing against the equestrians from other provinces. Several riders from Team BC also came home from the 2013 CIEC with medals. Sarah Sewell and her horse Brazil brought home the individual gold medal for dressage, and Ayla Martinoff with Elton, owned by Copperstone Ventures Ltd, won the individual gold medal for jumping. Team BC also received the team bronze medal in dressage thanks to the combined talent of Sewell, Linda Poel, Tegan Payne, and Karyssa Church.

1 1

T 2013 Canadian The Interprovincial Equestrian Championships, held from September 13 to 15, brought together riders from nine Canadian provinces. Team BC comprised eight riders, two coaches, and one chef d’equipe, and was supported by quite the entourage of parents!

BC riders Ayla Martinoff and Sarah Sewell show off their first place ribbons as the top individual competitors in jumping and dressage respectively.

Sarah Sewell and her horse Brazil put in consistently wonderful performances for which they received the individual gold medal in dressage.

Ayla Martinoff of Langley celebrates her individual gold medal in jumping with the Team BC jumping coach, Brian Morton, and her mount, Elton.

How to Reach Us

HCBC office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Office Address: 27336 Fraser Highway, Aldergrove, BC, V4W 3N5 Phone: 604-856-4304 • Toll-free: 1-800-345-8055 • Fax: 604-856-4302 • Website: www.hcbc.ca

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Executive Director: administration@hcbc.ca Agriculture & Industry: industry@hcbc.ca Membership: membership@hcbc.ca Coaching & Education: coaching@hcbc.ca Marketing & Communications: communication@hcbc.ca Recreation & Trails: recreation@hcbc.ca Competition: competition@hcbc.ca HCBC Forums: forums@hcbc.ca HCBC Bookstore: bookstore@hcbc.ca Finance & Grant Funding: finance@hcbc.ca Harassment Policy: harassment@hcbc.ca

Congratulations to everyone who was a part of Team BC! DRESSAGE TEAM SENIOR: Sarah Sewell riding Brazil – Qualified Zone 3, Langley SENIOR: Linda Poel riding Wylie – Qualified Zone 8, Lone Butte JUNIOR: Tegan Payne riding Spike - Qualified Zone 8, 150 Mile House JUNIOR: Karyssa Church riding Ebendago - Qualified Zone 8, Prince George JUMPING TEAM SENIOR: Ayla Martinoff riding Elton - Qualified Zone 3, Langley SENIOR: Lauren Crandlemire riding Free Advise - Qualified Zone 2, Salmon Arm JUNIOR: Natasha Sukorokoff riding Union S - Qualified Zone 3, New Westminster JUNIOR: Emma Bosma riding Divine Intervention - Qualified Zone 2, Kelowna DRESSAGE COACH: Eleonore Elstone JUMPING COACH: Brian Morton CHEF D’ÉQUIPE: Ali Buchanan A big THANK YOU to the 2013 Team BC Sponsors! • Capri Insurance • Asmar Equestrian • Greenhawk Langley • The Dog and Pony Shop • Equestrian Factory Outlet Langley The 2014 CIEC competition has not yet been announced, but Horse Council BC will report as soon as possible. Stay tuned!

Do you want to be a part of Team BC in 2014? Qualify at your local horse shows today! To learn about the shows in your area, visit www.hcbc.ca/competition-dates.html.

HORSE HEALTH

Feeding Young Horses FOR SOUND GROWTH

aising a young horse can be both rewarding and challenging. You spent a great deal of time researching stallion prospects for breeding, invested money in stallion fees, and patiently cared for your mare during her eleven month pregnancy. When the product of your efforts finally hits the ground in the spring, you hope the foal will grow up to be a strong, sound, and athletic horse. Nutrition plays a significant role in producing a strong, sound horse. Your foal must receive a diet adequate in energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals in order to grow properly and achieve its full genetic potential. When you plan a feeding program for your young horses, it is very important to recognize the following factors:

BY DR. LORI K. WARREN

• The nutrient requirements of young horses are high. • The young horse’s anatomically small digestive system prevents it from being able to utilize large amounts of bulky, low quality feeds. • High quality forages, grains, and feeds should be used to provide more concentrated sources of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals (the younger the horse, the more nutrient-dense the diet needs to be).

PHOTO: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Young horses have high nutrient requirements and must receive a diet adequate in energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals in order to grow properly.

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

• Protein quality is just as important as the quantity of protein included in a young horse’s diet. High quality protein sources, including soybean meal, canola meal, alfalfa meal, and dried milk products, provide more of the amino acid lysine, which is essential for growth.

Sound Growth A major concern for the growth of young horses is the occurrence of bone and joint disorders, commonly called developmental orthopedic disease (DOD). The DOD complex

includes epiphysitis, osteochondrosis, angular limb deformities, contracted tendons, and wobbler’s syndrome. Common symptoms of DOD include enlargements and deformities of the ankles, knees, and hocks, as well as “pulling up” in the pasterns (contracted tendons). If left unattended, severe cases of DOD may ultimately affect the future soundness and serviceability of the horse. Many factors are thought to contribute to the development of DOD, including the foal’s genetic predisposition, rapid growth, trauma, overly excessive or restrictive exercise, and poor nutrition. More often than not, several of these factors are involved simultaneously. Nutritional causes of DOD include excess dietary energy (excess calories), unsteady growth rate (periods of slow, restricted growth followed by rapid, compensatory growth), and inadequate or imbalanced mineral supplementation. A common misconception is that high protein diets also contribute to DOD; however, this is not the case. To reduce the risk of DOD, care should be taken to ensure that the foal receives a balanced diet throughout the first two years of its life. In addition, there is less risk of DOD if young horses are fed for a moderate rate of growth and kept in moderate body condition (ideally a score of 5 according to the Henneke body condition scoring system). Overweight foals experience more stress on their bones and joints. Encourage a steady rate of growth by using high quality feeds to provide the nutrients your young horse needs. Avoid causing undue stress, which decreases feed intake resulting in growth slumps (which are usually followed by unwanted growth spurts).

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Reaching Mature Size Growth is a combination of skeletal development and weight gain. The first1 year blundstone_hj_F12.indd of the young horse’s life is the most critical for growth, since they achieve 90 percent of their mature height and 65 percent of their mature weight during that time. Although the rate of growth will slow over time, young horses will continue to grow until they are approximately three to four years old. At a moderate rate of growth, mature height will not be reached until they are two years old, whereas filling out to their mature weight may take an additional one to two years.

Nursing Foals Foals will meet their nutritional requirements in their first two to three months with mare’s milk. However, in the third month of lactation, the mare’s milk production drops while the foal’s nutritional November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

PHOTO: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

above: Foals will meet their nutritional requirements in their first two to three months with mare’s milk. However, decrease in the mare’s milk production that occurs around the third month of lactation means that the foal’s increasing nutritional needs can no longer be satisfied through nursing only.

TABLE 1 Recommended Composition of Creep Feed for Foals Nutrient Crude Protein Calcium Phosphorus Copper Zinc

Recommended Level 16 to 18 percent* 0.8 to 1.0 percent* 0.6 to 0.8 percent 10 to 30 mg/kg 40 to 120 mg/kg

*Use the higher levels of protein and calcium with grass forage, and the lower levels with alfalfa forage. PHOTO: SINI MERIKALLIO/FLICKR

right: Young horses should be allowed to have all the exercise they desire as it has been demonstrated to contribute to stronger bones.

needs keep increasing. This creates a gap between nutrients supplied in milk and those demanded by the growing foal. Although foals may also be nibbling on pasture, late summer pastures may have insufficient protein and mineral levels. Therefore, the foal is trying to satisfy its nutrient requirements from two rapidly ebbing feed sources: the dam’s milk and the pasture supply.

Creep Feeding Creep feeding can provide the foal with extra nutrients to fill this gap. In simplest terms, creep feeding is the practice of supplying feed to the foal in such a way that the mare cannot get to the feed. Besides supplementing the declining quality of the dam’s milk, creep feeding can help supplement foals nursing mares that are poor milk producers. Creep feeding can also reduce the strain of lactation on mares in poor body condition. In addition, creep feeding will teach the 16

foal to eat grain before weaning, helping to reduce stress and prevent post-weaning slumps in growth. Creep feeding should begin when foals are two to three months of age, or at least one month before weaning. Feed can be provided in a creep feeder placed in the pasture or in special foal feeders placed in a stall. Alternatively, you can tie the mare in her stall while the foal is eating. Regardless of the feeding system you choose, it should allow free access to foals, but not to mares. A pasture creep feeder can be built to accommodate several foals at the same time. Allow 40 to 50 square feet per foal. This type of creep feeder pen should have several entrances at least two feet in width and high enough for the foals to go under, but too low for the mares (usually around four feet high). Nutrient concentrations needed in a creep feed are shown in Table 1. You can purchase a commercial feed designed to be fed to young foals, or you can create a mix of seven parts oats to three parts 30 percent protein supplement.

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Fresh creep feed should be provided every day. Feed the creep feed at a rate of 0.5 to 1.0 percent of the foal’s body weight per day (1 pound per 100 pounds of body weight or 1 kilogram per 100 kilograms of body weight) up to a maximum of four to five pounds (1.8 to 2.2 kilograms). For most foals of light horse breeding, this amount of feed is approximately 1 pound (0.5 kilograms) of feed per month of age. The purpose of creep feeding is to compensate for nutritional deficiencies in the mare’s milk. Maximum growth and overly fat foals are not goals of a creep feeding program because of the associated risk of DOD.

Weanlings Weaning can be a stressful time for the foal. It is not uncommon to see a decrease in their growth performance in the two to three weeks following separation from the dam. Because this post-weaning slump may contribute to DOD, you should take steps to make the weaning transition as stress-free as possible. Creep feeding before weaning helps the foal learn to eat solid feeds, thereby helping to reduce stress. Research has shown that the method you choose to wean foals from their dams may also contribute to stress. The following considerations can help minimize stress to the foal during the weaning transition.

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• Allowing visual contact with mares for a short time after weaning is actually less stressful to foals than complete, abrupt separation. Consider placing weaned foals in a pasture next to their dams for the first week after weaning. • Stall weaning has been shown to be more stressful than pasture weaning; try to avoid using stalls as part of your weaning process. • Relocate your mares, rather than relocating your foals. Foals are less likely to be stressed if they remain in a familiar environment. • If weaning only one or two foals, consider placing a gentle old gelding or dry mare with them as a foal-sitter. The foal-sitter should be introduced to the foals before they are weaned, and should be calm and patient, which will serve as an example for the traumatized foal. Nutrient concentrations needed by weanlings in the total diet are presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2 – Nutrient Concentrations Needed by Weanlings in the Total Diet Age Weanling Yearling Two-year-old

Protein (%) 15 13 11

Lysine (%) 0.6 0.5 0.4

Calcium (%) 0.65 0.45 0.35

Phosphorus (%) 0.35 0.25 0.20

Note: Nutrient concentrations needed in the total diet are lower than those suggested for a grain mix. Producing a grain mix higher in nutrients allows us to meet the requirements of the young horse when the grain is paired with hay (which usually has a lower nutrient content than the grain mix). The grain mix plus the hay averages out the nutrient content of the total ration. Weanlings should be fed a high quality forage, and they should have access to all the hay they will consume. Alfalfa/grass mix hay works best. Good quality grass hays can also be fed successfully, but weanlings will likely need to be supplemented with more grain. The higher the quality of the forage, the less grain is needed. Weanlings will also need to be supplemented with a well-balanced grain mixture containing adequate protein and minerals. The formulation used for creep feeding can be used after weaning. Continue the feeding level of 1.0 percent of body weight per day, or one pound (0.5 kilograms) per month of age, up to five to six pounds (2.2 to 2.7 kilograms) per day. See Table 3 for example weanling diets.

Table 3 – Example Rations for Weanlings Feed Mixed alfalfa/grass hay Grass hay Oats 30% Protein supplement TM salt

Diet A* 10 lbs (4.5 kg) — 4 - 5 lbs (1.8 - 2.2 kg) 1.25 lbs (0.6 kg) Free choice

Diet B** — 8 lbs (3.6 kg) 5 lbs (2.2 kg) 2 lbs (1.0 kg) Free choice

*Oats and 30% protein supplement can be replaced by 5 pounds (2.2 kg) of a 16% protein commercial grain mix designed for foals. **Oats and 30% protein supplement can be replaced by 7 pounds (3.2 kg) of a 16% protein commercial grain mix designed for foals. 18

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Plain oats and hay do NOT provide an adequate ration for weanlings. A diet of plain oats and hay provides lots of energy, but not enough protein, lysine, or minerals needed for growth. An imbalanced diet of plain oats and hay may lead to skeletal problems. Instead, oats should be combined with a protein/vitamin/mineral supplement. Weanlings should be maintained in moderate body condition (ideally a body condition score of 5). Excessive weight gain may put the growing horse at risk for developing bone abnormalities and longlasting skeletal problems. Weanlings should be allowed to have all the free exercise they want. Research has shown that exercise strengthens bone and makes for a more durable athlete. Foals should only be stalled for long periods if recommended by a veterinarian.

Yearlings Because their growth rate slows considerably by 12 months, yearlings need lower nutrient concentrations in their ration than weanlings. Essentially, the percentage of protein, calcium, and phosphorus required by the yearling is less than that required by the weanling. Their digestive system has also grown, so yearlings can consume more pounds of feed. If a high quality alfalfa/grass mix hay is fed, or good quality spring and summer pasture is available, yearlings may not need grain supplementation. However, they will still need mineral supplementation. If the quality of the hay or pasture is questionable, or grass hay is fed, some grain will also be needed (see Table 4).

TABLE 4 – Example Rations for Yearlings & Two-year-olds Not in Training Feed

Diet A

Diet B*

Diet C**

Mixed alfalfa/grass 20 lbs (10 kg) 12 lbs (5.5 kg) — hay 15 lbs (6.8 kg)

Grass hay

—

Oats

—

5 lbs (2.2 kg) 5 lbs (2.2 kg)

30% protein — supplement

—

1 lbs (0.5 kg)

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1 oz (28 g)

—

TM salt

Free choice

*Oats and 18:18 mineral can be replaced by 5 lbs (2.2 kg) of a 12% protein commercial grain mix. **Oats and 30% protein supplement can be replaced by 6 lbs (2.75 kg) of a 14% protein commercial grain mix. ***18:18 mineral is a livestock mineral containing 18% calcium, 18% phosphorus, trace minerals, and vitamins A, D, and E.

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PHOTO: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

above: Two-year-olds can receive rations similar to yearlings unless they are in training, in which case they will usually require grain supplementation.

Conclusion Keys to sound growth: • Feed a balanced ration. • Keep foals in moderate body condition. • Maintain a steady, moderate growth rate. • Prevent undue stress and illness. • Avoid excessive stall confinement; allow plenty of free exercise. • Be able to recognize developmental problems early.

right: The purpose of a creep feeder is to supply feed to the foal while denying the mare access to the feed by means of a rail set approximately four feet off the ground – high enough for the foal to pass underneath but too low for the mare to follow.

Two-year-olds By the time the young horse is two years old, it has reached its full height and approximately 90 percent of its full body weight. While growth has slowed considerably at this time, the nutrient requirements of a two-year-old are still higher than those of a mature, adult horse at maintenance. In addition, many two-year-olds may enter training, thereby requiring added nutrients for work on top of the nutrients still needed for growth. Two-year-olds not in training can receive rations similar to yearlings (Table 4). If high quality hays or pasture are available, they will not necessarily need grain supplementation. Meeting the requirements of twoyear-olds in training will usually require grain supplementation. Depending on the level of training, an additional four to ten pounds (1.8 to 4.5 kg) of grain will need to be fed to cover the increased energy, protein, and mineral needs of work. Use a 12 percent protein commercial grain mix if two-year-olds are consuming an alfalfa or alfalfa/grass mix hay. If feeding grass hay, use a 14 percent protein commercial grain mix. 20

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

When signs of DOD appear: • Temporarily decrease amount of grain fed. • Evaluate diet for imbalances, excesses, and deficiencies. • Ensure protein, vitamins, and minerals are in proportion to the energy content of the diet. • Adjust foal slowly to a rebalanced diet. Do NOT put foals on a starvation diet of poor quality hay. Minimum protein, vitamin, and mineral needs must always be met. While reducing the energy content (calories) of the ration, starvation diets do not provide enough protein, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, the foal will overcompensate for growth when the full balanced ration is resumed, resulting in the return of DOD. This article provides guidelines for feeding young horses. Because horses have highly individual natures, feed consumption must be adjusted to account for changes in individual condition. Some horses are easier to maintain than others; therefore, you must combine your knowledge of nutrition, your eye for condition, and your common sense to tailor your feeding program to fit your horse’s needs. b

About the Author Dr. Lori K. Warren completed her PhD in equine nutrition and equine exercise physiology at the University of Kentucky before serving as Alberta’s Provincial Horse Specialist from 2000 to 2002 and Extension Equine Specialist at Colorado State University from 2002 to 2004. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida’s Department of Animal Sciences specializing in equine nutrition.

This article was reprinted with kind permission from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (www.agric.gov.ab.ca).

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ANALYZING REINING HORSE

conformation

Finding the Keys to Performance WITH LISA COULTER and stopping these horses endure makes strong bones and joints important. This horse has great joint size also, and he is slightly cow-hocked, which is desirable in reining horses. With a slight angle to the leg and hock tipping in, these horses are essentially born in the stopping position. Hocks turned slightly in also allow for clearance with their hooves in the sliding stops. We don’t want them so cowhocked that the joints splay out, but you will commonly see cow-hocked reining horses and it is something I find acceptable. This horse also has a strong hind leg (gaskin muscle), which is a good start to sliding. I don’t like that his withers are below his hip. This tends to set horses on their front end. Reining horses need to carry themselves with as little weight on their front end as possible. All the power needs to come from behind. If they naturally sit on their front ends, then they have to work that much harder to adjust the power back. This horse is also a bit long in the back for me. Power is critical, and a longer back makes a horse weaker behind. This horse has a pretty head, but perhaps his ears are a little long.

The perspective expressed in this article is based on what I look for in a reining horse. There are many conformation points to consider, but I am focusing on a few key points that truly make a difference in the form to function of our reining horses. I cannot discuss some points as the views of the horses do not show angles that may be important in assessing leg structure. But straight legs are important for a reining horse, and on a front view I would like to see them coming true and straight out of the joints.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA COULTER

Horse #1

Horse #1, a high level reining show horse, is a nicely balanced horse. For me, balance comes from looking at the horse in three sections: the front end (including the head and neck), the midsection, and the hind end. There should be a balance between the slope of the shoulder, the slope of the hip, and the slope of the pasterns. If the neck is long then I like to see the hip have a long slope. This creates balance and a balanced horse travels more correctly, generally stays sounder, and handles maneuvers more easily as he is not fighting a balance issue. This horse has a long, good-sloping hip that is proportional to his neck. His good hip allows for natural stopping ability. His neck ties in well to his chest and allows for a low head carriage which is desirable in reining horses. This horse will naturally carry his head level to or below his withers. He is strong-boned with short, well-sloped pasterns. Reining horses should not have long bone length in their legs, as they need to be compact and strong. The spinning

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA COULTER

Horse #2

The second horse does not have exceptional balance, mostly because his neck is short and ties into his chest quite high. Because of this, he may carry his head high when ridden. In today’s top level reining competition, a horse running with his neck level is more desirable than a horse that carries his neck higher in the air. This horse’s hip is set higher than his withers, which is November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

Horse #3

Horse #4

Horse #3 is long and lanky, especially when compared to the first two horses. I like that his withers are set even with his hip. At first glance he appears to have a long back, but notice that his withers ties in deeply to his back, indicating that his back is really not that long and he should

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA COULTER

have strength to his topline. This horse’s hip is steep, which does allow for deep stops, but I prefer that the hip not be this steep. A steep hip usually coincides with a short hip, and though a short hip might allow for strong stops, a longer and more sloping hip sets a horse up for hard stops of longer distances. Our third horse has a good set to his hocks; however, he has some excessive length to his cannon bones which I don’t like to see. His pasterns are also too long, which makes them more vulnerable to stress-related unsoundness. This horse is also small-boned. He has an unusually long head; a shorter distance from eye to muzzle would make him prettier, in my opinion. He won’t steal any points for being fancy, but that would never stop me from riding or purchasing this horse. Reining riders may like pretty, but we have to remember that pretty is as pretty does, especially when looking at reining prospects.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA COULTER

one of my top conformation pet peeves. By comparison, a horse with a high-set withers is already in a natural position to stop, spin, and run with ease. Such a horse is built to be light on his front end and naturally collected with his hind end, which this horse is not. On the positive side, this horse is shortcoupled with a strong back. This strength carries on to his long, sloping hip. His front cannon bones are short, which contributes to strength and soundness, but he does not appear to have much set to his hock as his hind cannon bones appear nearly perpendicular to the ground. I like to see some angle to the bone because straight back legs are harder to put in a stopping position. Straight hind legs also do not usually stand up to hard stopping and soundness may become an issue. This horse is very pretty, with flashy colouring and markings, and he has a pretty head. Reiners like “pretty” as much as riders in other disciplines do, as it adds to the overall appeal of the horse in the show pen.

This horse has the best topline of any of the horses evaluated thus far. He is higher in the withers than the hip and looks agile. The topline is the first thing my eye goes to on a horse because a strong topline is the foundation for strength and ability, but you must consider that most stock-type reining horses will not fully

develop a topline until they are past the age of three. Horses younger than three years will continue to go up and down in their withers and hip as they grow. You may not see their true topline until they are mature, so I can never fully evaluate a horse’s topline as a young prospect. Our fourth horse has a beautiful long, graceful neck that ties in well. He also has massive joints and big bones, though his pasterns are long. His hocks appear to set out but this could be due to the angle of the picture. He also has a short, steep hip. This horse is not as muscled in his gaskin and shoulder as the previous three horses. All degrees of muscling are found in reining horses and I really have little preference between well- or slight-muscled horses. Sometimes a thick, well-muscled horse can be cumbersome, having the necessary strength but lacking the grace. Slight-muscled horses generally are lankier and therefore lack some strength because of being long-coupled. If a horse is so muscle-bound in his chest and shoulders that he has trouble turning, I consider that. If he is so slight in his hip, gaskin, and/or loin muscling that he lacks the strength to stop, I consider that as well. Generally speaking, I like a horse to be medium-muscled with balance being the most important characteristic. This horse’s head is pretty and his colouring gives him a flashy look. b Lisa Coulter of Princeton, BC, is one of the leading reiners in Canada and the world with a list of achievements that include an individual silver medal at the 2009 FEI Kentucky Reining Cup, multiple NRHA championships, and the prestigious title of 2010 FEI World Ranking Rider. Currently based in Pilot Point, Texas, Lisa continues to represent Canada in international competition and is dedicated to developing the sport of reining within Canada. This article was reprinted with kind permission from Kentucky Equine Research.

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Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving both the horse producer and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry’s knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. For more equine nutrition and health information visit KER’s online library at www.Equinews.com

November 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ Canadian Horse Journal

Saddle Fit and the Heavier Rider All riders and horses will benefit from a correctly fitted saddle. However, heavier riders (I am referring here to women weighing 180-plus pounds and men weighing 250-plus pounds) often face a different set of challenges in finding a saddle that fits themselves as well as their horses.

BY SABINE SCHLEESE

Fitting Saddle to Rider It is important that the saddle fits the rider first. No matter how well the saddle fits the horse, if the rider is not comfortable, their discomfort will always translate to the horse. This limits both the horse and rider in attaining optimum performance. Obviously, a balanced rider has a better chance of not impacting the horse negatively. To determine

PHOTO: STEVEN LILLEY/FLICKR

While important for all horses and riders, regular saddle fit checks are especially critical for the heavier rider because the saddle padding will compress more quickly, compromising the rider’s balance and the horse’s back health.

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Ideally, the saddle should sit in what is called the saddle support area, with the tree points behind the shoulder and no further back than the 18th lumbar vertebra.

whether you’re balanced in your saddle, sit in the saddle on a saddle stand with the saddle facing backward. Have a friend take a picture and then ask yourself these four questions: • Is there the same amount of saddle flap and seat in front of and behind your leg? • Does the flap length end four to seven inches below your kneecap? • When viewed at a three-quarter angle, does your leg hang flush with the flap, or do your knee and toe turn out to the side?

The rider’s gender, leg length, leg position (hip articulation), hip circumference, and weight are all variables that need to be considered when fitting a saddle to the rider. Here is a brief outline of some general rider-saddle fit points to look at: • Seat size to accommodate the rider’s buttocks. • Seat width (the width of the saddle beneath the seat bones) to accommodate the width of the seat bones. • Seat waist (the seaming in the crotch area), which generally needs to be wider for women than for men.

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Typically, the heavier rider will be most comfortable in an 18.5 to 19-inch saddle

• Stirrup bar placement, which must allow the rider’s leg to hang down so that the ear, shoulder, hip, and heel are in alignment. Many women typically need extended stirrup bars to accommodate the fact that their upper leg is usually longer than their lower leg. • Twist (the area of the saddle between the upper inner thighs), which may need to be narrower to accommodate the hip articulation and angle of the hip socket in heavier riders with thicker thighs. • Seat foam, which should improve comfort and help support the rider’s seat.

PHOTO: STEVEN LILLEY/FLICKR

Too Small for the Rider...

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Too Long for the Horse...

PHOTO: MARCEL JANCOVIC/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

above: Ideally, the heavier rider should look for a horse that has a large enough saddle support area to accommodate the bigger saddle required by the rider’s conformation. A saddle that is too long for the horse will extend past the saddle support area and impinge on the horse’s kidneys and, in mares, the ovaries.

If a heavier rider sits in a saddle that is too small, she has no chance for a pliable seat and will not be able to swing through her back in harmony with the swinging of the horse’s back; this effectively doubles her natural weight. Riding in a saddle that is too small can also cause rider health problems, including slipped discs, constant back pain, recurring bladder infections, impotence, and hip damage even to the point of requiring hip replacement. Damage to the horse can include lameness, sacroiliac sublaxation, vertebral damage, and pinched nerves along the spinal column – all painful conditions that can result in behavioural issues such as bucking, stumbling, and refusal to work.

Ideally, the heavier rider should look for a horse that has a large enough saddle support area (the weight bearing surface on which the saddle sits) to accommodate the bigger saddle required by the rider’s conformation. A saddle that is too long for the horse’s back and extends past the saddle support area (which ends at the 18th lumbar vertebra) will impinge on the horse’s kidneys or, in mares, the ovaries, causing significant discomfort and pain for the horse. The left: The damage done to a horse’s back by an improperly fitting saddle will only be compounded by carrying a rider whose weight or size is not appropriate to the horse’s weight bearing capacity, which is dependent on the horse’s size and conformation.

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November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

The heavier the rider, the more of an issue it will be if the saddle bridges. Saddle Fit for the Horse It is critically important that the saddle also be adjusted to the horse and that his needs are taken into consideration. The gullet must leave enough room all around the withers that when the horse is in motion and the muscles begin to “grow” (contract and expand), the saddle doesn’t pinch. The tree points need to have the same angle as the shoulder to allow freedom of movement here as well (think of “sliding doors”) and not injure the horse by chipping off the sensitive shoulder cartilage. In addition to saddle length, tree width (not to be confused with tree angle) is critical when considering saddle fit for the horse. Heavier riders will need softer padding in their saddle panels and sometimes even additional saddle pads (as long as the tree is wide enough to accommodate this extra padding). Seat size and full panel contact are also important. The heavier the rider, the more of an issue it will be if the saddle bridges. There needs to be accommodation for some ability of the saddle to “rock” with bananashaped stuffed panels to compensate for the extra weight of the rider. If the panels are too straight, the weight of the rider and saddle will dig into the horse’s loins or shoulder.

PHOTO: STEVEN LILLEY/FLICKR

The Importance of Regular Saddle Fit Checks

above: The discomfort felt by a heavier rider who is riding in a too-small saddle will be translated to the horse. Additionally, the rider’s inability to ride with a pliable seat and a swing through her back will effectively double her natural weight for the horse to bear. 30

horse will be understandably reluctant to move forward and round his back, and may react by bucking, stumbling, or rearing – instinctive reactions to pain rather than a conscious effort to misbehave. On more stoic horses, the back may sink into a swayback. This effectively doubles the rider’s weight as the rider becomes unable to swing with the movement of the horse using the natural four curves of her spinal column. Typically, the heavier rider will be most comfortable in an 18.5 to 19-inch saddle, while the average horse has a saddle support area that can accommodate a 17.5-inch panel. This problem can be accommodated; in these cases we say the top of the saddle is for the rider, while the bottom of the saddle is for the horse.

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Saddle fit should be checked regularly, regardless of whether you are a heavier rider, because the horse’s conformation will change over time. However, the heavier the rider, the more often the saddle will need to be refitted to accommodate the constant change in the shape of the horse’s back. This is in large part due to the fact that with a heavier rider, the saddle padding will compress faster, and once the balance is compromised, the rider will start to “clench,” losing the softness of the seat and sitting harder and heavier into the horse’s back. Let’s remember that horses were not meant to be ridden – we have forced this on them – and the unnatural weight this activity places on the horse’s back will cause the horse’s conformation to change. Proper saddle fit is critical to maintaining the horse’s back health, and the best way to ensure proper fit is to understand that saddles will need to be fitted on a regular basis. b For further information and detailed instructions on how to determine for yourself whether your horse fits your horse, visit www.saddlesforwomen.com.

November 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ Canadian Horse Journal

PHOTOS: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Canadians would welcome the opportunity to have the “home team advantage” in the World Equestrian Games in 2018. Canadian contenders at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky included Jeanine van der Sluijs of Olds, Alberta, who had the best result of the Canadian vaulters; Deb Laderoute of Calgary, Alberta, the first Canadian female to compete in a four-in-hand driving championship at the WEG; and Ruth Sturley of Owen Sound, Ontario, who helped the Canadian endurance team earn a best ever finish of seventh place.

TQ ?

TOUGH QUESTION

Should the federal government support Canada’s bid to host the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Bromont? On October 3, 2013, the FEI announced that after re-opening the bidding process, Great Britain and the U.S. had joined Canada in the running to host the World Equestrian Games in 2018. The U.S. proposed two

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

potential host cities – Wellington (Florida) and Lexington (Kentucky) – while Great Britain must confirm its proposed host city before November 15. Canada, meanwhile, confirmed its initial bid to host the 2018 Games in Bromont/Montreal. One of the original five countries that reached the status of Official Candidate, as of January of this year Canada remained the last bid in the running to host the 2018 WEG following the withdrawal of the four bids, and seemed poised to win by default the right to host the event. But on July 1, the FEI announced that,

rather than accept the Bromont bid, it was opting to re-open the bidding process because “the Canadian delegation was unable to provide the full public sector financial support required.” The Bromont bid team responded by confirming it would be re-bidding for the chance to host the 2018 WEG, and redoubling its efforts to secure the necessary funding. According to Esther Chouinard, a spokesperson for the Quebec Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sports, the Quebec government is prepared to provide $4 million

About the World Equestrian Games The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years, in the middle of the Olympic cycle. The seven FEI disciplines – Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining – are all included on the competition schedule. The inaugural FEI World Equestrian Games™ were hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990. Since then the Games have been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be staged outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 will be held in Normandy (FRA). to support the event, but substantial financial backing from the federal government would still be necessary. However, a statement from Pierre Manoni, spokesperson for the Department of Canadian Heritage, explained: “Due to the current fiscal environment, the Government of Canada is not in a position to support the hosting of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.” Bromont Mayor Pauline Quinlan responded by pointing out that the event would bring about half a million visitors to the local area and generate $80 million in tax revenue. “The governments are looking at the deficit situation, and we can understand that,” Quinlan said. “But I think we have to look at this not as an expense, but as an investment.” TQ: Would hosting the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Bromont represent a senseless expenditure of government funding that could be put to better use elsewhere? Would the economic benefit to Bromont, the province of Quebec, and Canada’s horse industry as a whole make it a worthwhile investment? Do you think the federal government should support the Canadian bid to host the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Bromont? Please email your comments to news@horsejournals. com or share them in our online forum at www. HORSEJournals.com/Bromont-2018-WEG. We look forward to hearing from you! WITH FILES FROM CBC.CA.

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A Bright Future for Young Horses BY JONATHAN FIELD

PHOTO: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

his past April, I participated in an event called the Horsemen’s Re-Union, in which 20 horsemen and horsewomen from around the world came together for six days in Paso Robles, California, to start 40 young horses. At the end of the event, the colts are auctioned off. Although at the time I was not necessarily shopping for horses, I ended up returning from the Horsemen’s Re-Union with two new additions to my herd! I’m really excited about these two colts and I want to share with you how I prepare young horses for a bright future using one of them as an example. This is Marty, a Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred. He was started at the Horsemen’s Re-Union by Martin Black – hence his name! My wife, Angie, and I noticed Marty during the event; we really liked his mind and thought he would be a great addition to our herd. I love getting my hands on these young horses. They are so fresh, open, and ready to learn. My mentor, Ronnie Willis, once said to me, “Jonathan, sometimes you don’t know if you are working on the start or the finish,” and I think about those words often, especially when I am working with a young horse. Everything I am doing with Marty is for the future. Although Marty was ridden during the Horsemen’s Re-Union, after letting him spend some time growing in the pasture, I am going through the training process again right from the beginning to build a solid foundation. Many people are in a big rush to start riding their young horses, and see work under saddle as the point at which the training starts. In fact, the relationship begins long before you ever put your leg over the horse’s back. So much can be done on the ground to prepare young horses for things you will ask of them in the future. I am a strong proponent of an extensive pre-riding training program to set a horse up for success. During this program, I like to get creative and go looking for things that will help him build his confidence. I approach training a young horse with the aim that

PHOTOS: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

In this short session with Marty, I used a 45 foot lariat rope. Initially, I wanted him to see the rope just dragging along beside him and behind him. The rope was somewhat coiled up, and the coil was big enough that he could really see it following him.

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The relationship begins long before you ever put your leg over the horse’s back. his development will happen over the course of the next couple of years. I want him to be ready for shows, kids, being tied, clipped, bathed, and all sorts of other things. One of the things I want him to be confident with is having ropes all around his legs and dragging around his feet. Over the years, I have seen so many wrecks occur when something fell off the side of a horse, whether it was a lead rope dragging alongside, a saddle that slipped, or any number of different possibilities. One day, I was on a trail ride up in the mountains with a group of riders, one of whom had a rain slicker tied off to her saddle strings. As we rode along, the slicker came loose and slipped off one side of the saddle. Since it was still tied on the other side, it was being dragged along touching the horse’s hind legs. The horse reacted as if he was under full attack – he took off! As he ran, the slicker slapped against his hind legs, and so he just kept running, trying to get away from his attacker. As the horse continued to gallop in a big circle, looking back at the slicker and paying no attention to where he was going, he was edging closer and closer to a cliff. I was riding my grey horse, Quincy, at the time, and by galloping alongside the runaway we were able to turn him back to safer ground where the rider managed to get him stopped. Before this incident, many would see this horse as a really solid riding mount. Clearly there was a hole in his training foundation that caused him to be fearful of things touching his hind legs. As illogical as it may seem, the horse really believed he was being chased. It is not uncommon for a horse to have this type of fear, which revolves around the hind legs. Because horses are flight animals, their legs are their means of survival. They must be able to run away if under attack, which means they can be particularly sensitive and protective of their legs.

In these photos, I am also using a flag as Marty and I practice with the rope. A flag has a lot of movement and I can use it to direct as well as desensitize. Throughout this session with Marty, I moved the flag around him, letting him see it flash about in his air space and around his legs, and from one eye to the other. Horses react first and think later, so it is not uncommon, when something suddenly appears out of nowhere behind or under or above them, for them to kick first and then look to see what that something was. This is how many people get kicked – not because of any malicious intent in the horse, but simply an unconscious self-preservation reaction. It is kind of like the cough that would come if you inhaled a mosquito. Of course, a horse can also think about kicking someone when they line up to take aim. That is a different issue that should be addressed through the respect system which is about leadership. A horse is still a horse, and the preparation that I am doing will not guarantee that Marty never kicks, but it will definitely help him to be a smarter, braver horse.

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Next, I wanted Marty to see the rope out of both eyes, so I put the rope over his back and let it drag around as I made some turns. This allowed him to see the rope pass behind him, from one eye to the other. Additionally, as he made the turn he would feel the rope sliding up over his back and across the back of his hind legs, an unfamiliar sensation that would make the exercise a bit more challenging for him. At first, Marty was a bit apprehensive when his view of the rope passed from one eye to the other, but after walking back and forth along the road and giving him time to see it pass again and again, he became more confident. It was not long before he was having no reaction at all to the rope passing behind him.

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Another great way to help desensitize the hindquarters to ropes is to develop a system of communication using the ropes. Rather than having the young horse simply pack the rope around, I will start to use the rope to ask for some transitions or yields. Here you will see that the rope is looped over Martyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back and around his hindquarters. By holding on to the rest of the rope, I am able to use a rhythmical driving pressure to tap him forward in the walk or up to the trot. When he moves forward, I will release the driving pressure. Once he learns that the rope is just another form of communication, he will become even more accepting. It is my responsibility to prepare Marty as much as possible for as many situations as I can think of. This exercise with the rope will get him ready for dragging calves at a branding, and prepare him to stay calm in the event he ever gets hung up in a fence or his riderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rain slicker slips off the saddle. I firmly believe there is great opportunity to prepare young horses for the future before we ever put a b leg over them.

www.HORSEJournals.com â&#x20AC;˘ November 2013

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www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

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www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

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November 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ Canadian Horse Journal

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farm@buildingsupplies.ca • Mon-Fri 6am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Red and Black Blundstone with Two Tone Sole Blundstone Footwear Dashing through the snow is much more fun when you wear the ultra-comfortable Red and Black Blundstone with Two Tone Sole. • Newly designed to be lighter, softer, and even more durable in the sole • Slip resistant with shock protection technology • A longer-wearing boot that offers more comfort on every surface www.blundstone.ca

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Tom Balding Shank Bottle Opener Tom Balding Bits & Spurs It’s the most wonderful time of the year… when under the tree you discover this very cool small scale shank bit designed as a bottle opener. • The full detail, craftsmanship, and signature shape of a Tom Balding shank bit in miniaturized form • Lightweight and available in four choice finishes • Add a little flare to your key ring or give as a unique stocking stuffer www.tombalding.com

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

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www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

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When is it Time to Say Goodbye? BY MARGARET EVANS

he stood quietly, gazing beyond her band to the line of trees. A moving shadow caught her attention as a coyote froze and then pounced on the unsuspecting mouse. Maisie watched the simple cycle of predator and prey, life and death. She shook her head, then moved to a grazing patch. Her characteristic limp, the result of a broken knee during her racing days, defined the awkwardness of her walk. Since her knee injury as a three-yearold, Maisie had never been ridden but she had proved to be a wonderful broodmare. She had passed on her motherly skills when her daughter Daisy had given birth to a colt, Sham. Having raised six foals in her life, Maisieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mothering and babysitting instincts were strong and she would happily stand over her grandson as he dozed in the sun while Daisy grazed. But now, at 23 years of age, her limp was more pronounced. She had come through a cellulitis infection in her hind leg that had put greater strain on her forelegs, and it was getting harder to put weight on her. It was early winter. Could she cope with the cold, more storms, and ice on the

www.HORSEJournals.com â&#x20AC;˘ November 2013

PHOTO: KKGIVENS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

ground? I faced an agonizing decision, one that I had been putting off. Was it time to say goodbye to our dear Maisie? “One of the hardest decisions of owning a horse is when and how to say goodbye to an old friend,” says Dr. John Twidale, a veterinarian in Langley, BC. “While veterinary medicine has made great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of lameness and colic, we do not have the elixir of youth to cure old age and the chronic conditions that come with it.” Sadly, many older horses and ponies are sold when chronic health problems related to their advanced years prohibit their continued use as riding horses. “Giving [an older horse] away ‘to a good home’ is really passing off your problem to someone else,” cautions Twidale. “Some well-schooled older horses do find a second home as school teacher to a novice rider in dressage, barrel/poles, Pony Club, therapeutic riding. But many do not.” Dedicated owners who loyally refuse to part with their senior equines should be prepared to face, at some point, one or more of the chronic conditions that commonly affect older horses. These include arthritis and other chronic lamenesses; metabolic disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and Cushing’s disease; laminitis and/or founder; and certain respiratory diseases, including recurrent airway obstruction (also known as heaves). Many of these health issues are exacerbated by the changing seasonal conditions that occur within the final few months of each calendar year. Winter, with its cold, rain, wind, and snow, is an especially stressful time for older horses. Awareness of this fact is likely responsible for the increased number of requests for euthanasia Twidale reports receiving during the fall and early winter. If, as winter approaches, issues concerning the health of the senior horse become more acute, it may also become apparent that the time for a frank and honest discussion with a veterinarian has come. But when caring for an older horse with chronic health problems, it is in the horse’s best interest that you remain mindful of the factors that affect his quality of life year-round. Routine veterinary care for the older horse consists of regular vaccinations, teeth floating, and deworming, and careful attention to any special dietary requirements. There may also be a need for palliative care. But as the horse gets older and chronic health conditions become harder to manage, eventually questions will

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www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

surface that demand practical and humane answers. Will he ever be rideable again? Can his condition be cured, or is treatment only a palliative care designed to keep him comfortable? How much discomfort is he currently experiencing? Will his condition get worse, especially going into winter? How much worse? Will the treatment continue to adequately manage the symptoms that cause him the most discomfort? How long can you afford this treatment on top of the regular expenses of owning a horse (e.g. board, feed, routine veterinary and farrier care, etc.)? Your veterinarian can and should be able to help you answer many of these questions. “Chronic incurable diseases should begin a discussion between the owner and veterinarian as to what is best for the future of the horse,” says Twidale. “Age is certainly one factor, but usually there are other factors which advance the decision to consider euthanasia. Sometimes the decision is easy, (such as) a broken leg, lacerated tendon, or severe colic with ruptured bowel which calls for immediate euthanasia on humane grounds.” But in cases where the implications of a health issue are less clear-cut, facing the dilemma of whether to euthanize a beloved horse can be agonizing. Elaine Little, a customer service advisor at Canadian Horse Journal, recently found herself in the midst of this very dilemma. She purchased her thoroughbred gelding, Kydan, for use as a hunter when he was five years old. He developed into a talented, intelligent, and challenging horse with a distinctive personality that required patient understanding and a certain way of handling. Now 18, Kydan still needs and wants to work; he grows bored easily when he’s not ridden and entertains himself with rambunctious play in the paddock that sometimes yields self-inflicted injuries. But his ability to be ridden is complicated by a hoof condition. “Two years ago, Kydan got his first abscess in the front right foot,” says Little. “No big deal, I thought, lots of horses get abscesses at some point. But it was a very big deal. The farrier showed me the cause of the abscess. It was not environmentally caused. It was conformation. Both front feet are flat but that foot is the worst. Over the years it has become flatter despite the continuous efforts of a very good farrier. Fibres inside the sole were tearing, causing a pocket. The pocket got infected and there was his first abscess. Fibres continued to tear. Bruising and blood at the white line were showing up on his sole every time he was being shod. Each shoeing we hoped for a better outcome but were disappointed to find no change or that the sole was worse.” In addition, two veterinarians found that Kydan was suffering from a rapidly progressing case of arthritis of the navicular bone. “Neither supplements nor cortisone helped,” says Little. “Kydan was on bute (phenylbutazone) for over a left, top & bottom: An exceptionally intelligent horse, Kydan easily becomes bored when not in work. Unfortunately, his enthusiastic attempts to entertain himself in the paddock can result in self-inflicted injuries that compound his soundness issues.

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PHOTO: ROBIN DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY

above: Ownership of a horse is a privilege, and with it comes the responsibility of ensuring the best possible quality of life for these beautiful animals.

year, daily. He is now on Previcox daily. He has arthritis in his hocks also.” Unfortunately, when it comes to managing Kydan’s growing level of discomfort, Little is out of viable options. There comes a time when, if there is no hope of improving the older horse’s quality of life, professional advice must include the option of euthanasia. The absoluteness of the word spoken aloud is always a shock, a truth Little can attest to. “When I have trauma in my life I survive by boxing it up, sealing the lid, putting it on the shelf, and trying not to have to deal with it,” she says candidly. “My coach asked, ‘What options have you considered for Kydan?’ She was the first to actually put into words what others were likely thinking. Her question started my reality check. I had to get the box off the shelf, deal with the contents, and start the process of finding out what options best suit Kydan.” To cope with the prospect of euthanizing a beloved horse, an owner should spend time preplanning with their vet so they understand what to expect and have a plan for the animal’s disposal. Knowing how the day will 56

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELAINE LITTLE

right: “I’ve loved this horse more than I can express,” says Elaine Little about Kydan, the 18-year-old gelding who has been her companion for the past 13 years. “Warts and all, he’s mine. I want what is best for him.”

progress and having a structure for closure can help them to deal with the stress. “I have been there for rider friends when they have had to put their horses down,” says Little. “Thank goodness for people who understand how much courage it takes, how much grief is suffered, and how much support and understanding we need to make this horrible decision.” The one blessing of euthanasia is that it is quick and it is painless. “Anesthesia occurs within a minute of the intravenous lethal dose and the horse falls

unconscious,” Twidale explains. However, owners should be prepared for the fact that it takes several minutes before the horse can be declared dead and its body removed. “During this time there may be involuntary muscle tremors, paddling movements, and irregular breathing as the horse passes from deep unconsciousness to death,” says Twidale. “I like to cover the horse with a blanket or tarpaulin until it can be removed.” For most horse owners, backyard burial is not an option because of environmental regulations. Occasionally, and on the recommendation of my vet, I have sent my animals to the BC Animal Health Laboratory for autopsy in an attempt to gain clarification when the health complications that led to their death have been unclear. Horses and other animals that are sent to the lab for autopsy are disposed of through cremation. No ashes are returned. But the value of the autopsy report is in the confirmation of the condition that precipitated the need for euthanasia, bringing with it the peace of mind and closure that the decision was the right one. The torment of struggling to decide when to make that final commitment is something many understand. The cloud hangs like a heavy veil and there seems to be nowhere to turn but to face the crushing emotions of the inevitable. “Kydan turned 18 in June,” says Little. “I’ve loved this horse more than I can express. Warts and all, he’s mine. He’s wonderful, handsome, loving, clever, challenging, rewarding and the best communication teacher I’ve ever had. I’ve had to listen with my body and my mind to learn how to speak to him very respectfully with every aid, natural or otherwise, in order to gain his trust and cooperation. He has been worth every bit of the challenge; he has given me life skills, riding skills, and horsemanship skills, and he’s a very dear animal friend.” And it’s the final act of that friendship that will help Little in the time ahead. Understandably, euthanizing her horse is repugnant to her. But, she says, “I have the power to stop him from suffering in the wrong hands. I have the power to stop him from the daily pain he is suffering now. I have the power to stop the future pain that he would suffer as his condition progresses.” It’s that power embraced in the purest of love and compassion that will sustain Little as she helps Kydan move forward to another place. “I want what is best for him. Suffering daily pain, not being able to work, rough-house play

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www.HORSEJournals.com/e-newsletter November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

PHOTO: MARGARET EVANS

above: The author’s horse, Maisie (left), stands quietly in the snow on Christmas Day of 2008, the pronounced scar tissue on her right knee clearly visible. Over the years, she developed her own measures of self-protection by moving with caution and an awareness of her limits. right: Ultimately, when it frees him from suffering pain or other discomfort caused by a chronic health condition, the decision to euthanize a beloved horse is the greatest act of love and compassion an owner can express.

possibly causing a break inside his disintegrating bones are not in his best interest. Giving him away is not an option. Retiring him to a field is not an option. Healing him is not an option. What other option is there?” With the passing of each of our horses and ponies, I remember how I agonized and clung to the belief that freeing them of pain and disability was the most compassionate thing I could do. “Euthanasia is the last and kindest thing you can do for your old friend,” says Twidale. “Personally, I have had to put down three of my own horses over the last 30 years and I have no doubt that I made the best decision for the horses. Dolly (chronic founder), Impi (broken leg), and Sylvester (chronic navicular) were all great rides and I have good memories from all of them. We planted a tree in the garden for each of them and shed a tear as we watered it, then moved on with no regrets. So should it be for you all.” The silence was profound. Maisie was sedated as the final needle slid in. I rested her head in my lap and placed my hand over her eye. Seconds passed. The restlessness eased. Moving his stethoscope into position, my vet listened. He nodded. Maisie was gone. I turned away. Tears welled. Time hung in a space bridging a wondrous divide. A breath feathered across my shoulder. Maisie’s spirit soared in a caress of goodbye. Farewell dearest friend. Love you forever. b

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

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Blue Creek Outfitting 250-569-3423 • www.bcoutfitter.com November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

PICTURESQUE GENTLEMAN’S HORSE FARM IN PETERBOROUGH COUNTY ESTATE FARM • 1313 Asphodel 4th Line • $699,000

Handsome 3000 sq ft Century 2.5 storey brick farmhouse sited on 90 gently rolling acres east of Peterborough, just west of Hastings village amenities & Rice Lake (Trent Severn Waterway). Good sandy loam soil. Four low-maintenance steel outbuildings, all with metal roofs, including new triple bay garage, barn with loft & 22 large stalls, loafing shed & workshop. Top of line 1/4 mile race track. 9 paddocks. Two large spring-fed ponds, previously stocked. 2 road frontages. Large generator. Tractor. North of Cobourg, ON, on the 401 — a leisurely 2 hour drive east of Toronto.

Fran Allen • franallen@royallepage.ca DIRECT: 705-927-2770 • 1-888-223-9831 www.franallen.com

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

Frank Real Estate Brokerage Peterborough, Ontario

Price d ce Redu

INCREDIBLE EXECUTIVE FARM Reaboro, Ontario

Impressive, custom-built, brick executive home on picturesque 27 acres. Gorgeous custom kitchen, main floor family room, large great room, open concept dining room. Master suite with tons of windows and ensuite. Three additional bedrooms and full bath. Fully insulated and heated 8 stall barn, includes wash stall with hot water, office and hay storage upstairs. Excellent outdoor sand ring and four fenced paddocks with shelter. Drywalled, insulated and heated 30’ x 60’ shop.

$874,900 • www.207SlantedRd.com

TEAM AVERY, CENTURY 21 PINNACLE REALTY LTD.

Phone 705.324.2552 • kate@chooseteamavery.com

Ali Landucci 778.288.7459 landucci.ca

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Lac La Hache Ranch Properties are now being offered for sale as individual parcels. Please inquire for more information.

Advertising that WORKS! “Thank you Canadian Horse Journal for helping make it possible; we would never have found our new home except for finding it in your magazine!” – Phyllis Nachtigal, CHJ Reader

www.HORSEJournals.com sales@horsejournals.com 1-800-299-3799

Property 1

$740,000

Property 2

$650,000

This privately positioned property is situated on 180 acres and includes a private kilometre long lake. A charming updated 1,500 sq. ft., 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cabin is positioned at waters edge, near the centre of the Lake. The property has two wells, one servicing the home and the second well is situated close to the livestock corrals.

This 2 bedroom one bathroom (approx. 1,000 sq. ft.) home is situated in 160 acres. The gentle slope of this property provides for unobstructed views of Lac La Hache Lake. The majority of this is property is cleared and X fenced for horses. There are two wells, one servicing the home and one of the three pastures. The second well services the large pasture. There is a natural spring on the property, however it has not been maintained.

Property 3

Property 4

$589,000

This unique 150 acre property is designed to host equine events or competitions. This property has a great potential as a boarding barn business. Beautiful fully insulated red roof 20 Stall horse barn, a second building (approximately 3,000 sq. ft.) is fully finished and designated Agricultural. All structures where built to code and conversion to residential may be possible. This property is adjoining to Property 4.

$375,000

This beautiful 150 acres of bare land is located only minutes south of Lac La Hache.The gentle rolling hills and scattered pockets of aspen trees makes this lot a perfect place to build your dream home. Services connections at lot line and access is off Lovett Rd. This property is adjoining to Property 3.

Canadian Owned and Operated. E.&O.E.: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective Purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.

November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

CANADIAN THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION NEWS

Mighty Miniatures In the last issue of Canadian Horse Journal, readers learned about the Miniature horses that live, work, and play at Half-Pint Hooves Equine Facilitated Wellness Association, a Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) accredited centre near Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario. At Half-Pint Hooves, the Miniature horses (minis) are partnered with humans in need of therapy, especially children and adults with special needs, and many others

BY DAPHNE DAVEY

who have discovered that sharing time with these charming tiny horses is therapeutic in every sense of the word. This month, in “Mighty Miniatures, Part 2,” we look at one HalfPint Hooves experiment that deserves an article all to itself. This program is run in collaboration with the White Cane Society, whose clients (and their guide dogs) paid a visit to Half-Pint Hooves to try a new experience – using a mini as a “guide horse.” The minis trained for this work are teamed up with both visually impaired clients and sighted clients simulating visual impairment. Trust, self-confidence, and leadership skills are developed through this unusual partnership. Clients are always accompanied by a leader and side-walker, and child clients are required to wear a helmet. Here are a few observations made by the visually impaired visitors:

right:

Dorothy, who is legally blind, enjoys a stroll with Faline, accompanied by Sasha and a side-walker (out of view). Faline will always adjust her stride to her partner’s.

• The horses offered more physical support. • By instinct, the horses would not walk under an overhanging object (where predators might lurk). As den animals, dogs will crawl under objects so their human partners may sometimes get hit on the head.

below:

PHOTO: DEB BURT

Ruby, simulating visual impairment by wearing a blindfold, learns to trust Sundance with support from Jane, who leads the Miniature Horse. Ruby had already bonded with Sundance through grooming and decorating him.

PART 2

• Horses are able to pull carts (a bonus), even in the heat. Dogs cannot tolerate working in hot conditions. • Dogs follow their noses (usually in a zig-zag fashion) after a scent. Horses follow boundaries (sidewalks, buildings, tree lines), which is better for someone wanting to stick to a pattern or route. • As predators, dogs do not always give alert to potential danger. As prey animals, horses are more likely to. • The working life of a guide dog is about six years, so training replacement dogs is very costly and time consuming. Miniature horses can work well into their thirties.

PHOTO: DEB BURT

Despite a heavy score on the side of the minis, dogs were appreciated for being able to live physically close to their owners (although minis can also be trained as household pets). The clincher in this debate? Horses do not get fleas! Deb Burt, the Executive Director at Half-Pint Hooves, points out that simply doing a walkabout with the minis in guide harness suits some of her clients the best. “One sighted but deaf and non-verbal client has been coming to the program for three years,” says Burt. “This lady likes to groom, harness, and walk with the minis. According to her caregiver, this is the only activity that she is interested in.” The mighty minis have clearly proved their worth. b

www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

For more information on CanTRA and its member centres, visit www.cantra.ca, or email ctra@golden.net. Please make a difference to a child or adult with a disability by donating to CanTRA at www.cantra.ca or www.CanadaHelps.org

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2010 Queen’s Plate Champion Big Red Mike has been retired and made available for adoption via our program by his most generous owners. This quality performance horse is looking to move on to a home where he will be given the chance to be as successful as he was in his first career — a home close to his racing connections is a must as they wish to be a part of his life and new career!

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PUBLICATIONS THE DRAFT HORSE CONNECTION - CANADA’S QUARTERLY MAGAZINE SINCE 1995 is dedicated to giving voice to the living tradition of Canadian horse farming and logging. Enjoy teamster interviews, equipment, and health care, find workshops and mentors, share your stories and join our family. Special Subscription: 1 year $32 - receive 5 issues for the price of 4, or 2 years for $55. 32 DVDs available; website: www.drafthorseconnection.ca 613-803-9600. Ruth Freeman, PO Box 471, Athens, ON, K0E 1B0.

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Deadline to place Photo Ads or Classified Ads in the December issue is November 12th. Index to Advertisers 5 Star Equine Products . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Aaron Martin Harness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Abby Saddle Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Allan Dale Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Allen, Fran - Royal LePage. . . . . . . . . . 60 Andis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Apple Saddlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Arnold, Andra - Coldwell Banker Neumann REB Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 B&W Trailer Hitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Bates Tack Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Big Bale Buddy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Blue Creek Outfitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Blundstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Bucas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Butler Professional Farrier School . . 49 Canadian Bio-Cube Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Canadian Horse Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,Inisde B/Cover Cariboo Outback Saddles & Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Cavalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Chevy Silverado . . . . .Outside B/Cover Cloverdale Pharmasave. . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Cornerstone Insurance Brokers Ltd. . . 53 Country Homes & Acreages . . .60-61 Danamay Supplement Company . . . 19 Dubarry of Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Dufferin Bedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Dufferin.Biz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Ecolicious. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 EcoNets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Equiade Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Equine Consumers’ Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside F/Cover,55 Ferris Fencing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Foothills Sharpening Service . . . . . . 55 Fraser Valley Building Supplies . . . 47 GiftHorse Gallery Canada . . . . . . . . . . 49 Happy Horseback Saddles . . . . . . . . . 49 Headwaters Horse Country . . . . . . . . 36 Henry Equestrian Insurance Brokers Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 HiQual West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Hoofjack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Horse Council BC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Horses in High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

HORSEJournals.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Intercity Insurance Services . . . . . . . . 39 Jonathan Field Horsemanship. . . . . . 59 Just Add Horses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Keepsake Gypsy Vanners . . . . . . . . . . 32 Kentucky Equine Research . . . . . . . . . 56 Kix’N’Bux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Kubota Canada Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Kwantlen Polytechnic University . . . 24 Lakeshore Sand Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Landucci, Ali - Sotheby’s Realty . . . . 61 Leather Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Life Data Labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Mack, Jennifer A - Fine Art. . . . . . . . . . 47 Muck Boots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Neogen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 OnceUponA Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Ontario Equestrian Federation . . . . . 63 Paddock, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Purica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Queen Margarets School . . . . . . . . . . 37 Red Leaf Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Redmond Equine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Ride N Drive Horse Supplies . . . . . . . 55 Robin Duncan Photography. . . . . . . . 59 Rocky Creek Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Schleese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Slow Feeder - N.A.G. Bags . . . . . . . . . . 53 Solo-Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Stable Comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Stampede Tack & Western Wear . . . . 9 Stillwater Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Team Avery - Century 21 Pinnacle Realty Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Tom Balding Bits and Spurs. . . . . . . . 43 University of Guelph Kemptville Campus. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Vanderveen Hay Sales Ltd. . . . . . . . . . 19 Victoria Saddlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 We Cover Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Willson Lewis LLP Barristers & Solicitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Woodguard Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Wrayton Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

November 2013 • Canadian Horse Journal

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Helping Your Senior Horse Successfully Weather Winter BY JESS HALLAS-KILCOYNE

Increasing your senior horse’s fibre intake by providing free choice hay will help him stay warm in winter because fibre digestion generates body heat. If your older horse has dental issues that make it difficult for him to chew long-stemmed hay properly, try adding chopped forage or soaked hay cubes.

Senior horses in particular should always be fed good quality hay, because the higher nutrient content helps to offset the declining efficiency of their 68 www.HORSEJournals.com • November 2013

• Ask a question? From time to time, Canadian Horse Journal makes its names and addresses available to carefully screened organizations who want to let you know about a product or service that might interest you. If you do not want your name, address, or email address made available, please let us know.

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freezing. Soaking your horse’s feed in warm water can also increase his water intake.

Winter care for older horses should begin in the fall with a visit from your veterinarian to make sure your senior’s vaccination, deworming, and dental care schedules are up-to-date, and to address any health conditions that may be aggravated by winter weather.

Senior horses, like people, have a harder time staying warm in cold weather due in part to a reduced ability to regulate body temperature. To compensate, energy from the food consumed is increasingly used by the body as fuel for warmth, with the result that many older horses lose weight in wintertime. Without an adequate layer of fat to provide insulation against the cold, even more energy is needed to stay warm. The best way to avoid this adverse cycle is to make sure your horse is a good weight (a body condition score between 5 and 6 is considered optimal) heading into winter.

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digestive systems so they are better able to maintain a healthy weight.

Increasing caloric intake is another means of providing older horses with the energy their bodies need to stay warm and maintain weight. Additional calories should be provided as fat rather than carbohydrates or sugars, which can cause or exacerbate metabolic disorders. There are a number of commercial feeds formulated to meet the increased energy requirements of senior horses.

Horses tend to drink less water in cold weather, and older horses are especially prone to dehydration and impaction in wintertime. Many horses will drink more if warm water is provided. Most feed and supply stores carry a variety of devices designed to heat drinking water and prevent water buckets and troughs from

Aged horses in colder climates may require blanketing, but should be checked at least twice a day to make sure they are not overheated and sweating, which in winter can lead to dangerous chills. Remove the blanket daily so that potential rubs, skin infections, and fluctuations in weight do not go unnoticed.

Many older horses suffer from arthritis, which is exacerbated by cold, damp conditions. Arthritic horses should be encouraged to stay as active as possible. Continuous turnout is ideal as long as adequate shelter from the elements is available.

Stiff, arthritic horses may have more difficulty negotiating snowy or icy footing, and are more likely to sustain a serious injury if they slip and fall. Try to lead, ride, and turn your aged horse out in areas with footing that provides the best possible traction.

If your senior horse is stabled at night, a generous amount of bedding in his stall will offer extra cushioning for his stiff joints, warmth, and traction in case he has difficulty getting back up after lying down. Stabled horses will also benefit from daily exercise in the form of hand-walking or light riding to minimize stiffness.

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