Horse Country 1-2013 by Linda Hazelwood

Recommended Nutrition for the Breeding Farm: Stallions and Mares

10 pointers for Team Penners Haute Couture for donkeys: Baudets du Poitou â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a rare breed.

Healing with Honey: Clicker training a miniature stallion

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Raw power

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issue #1 | 2013 www.horsecountry.ca

Cover Stories 6

Recommended Nutrition for the Breeding Farm.

Part 1 – Stallions and Mares.

34 42

Healing with Honey. Raw power.

Ten pointers for Team Penners. Haute Couture for donkeys.

Baudets du Poitou – a rare breed.

Jessica Jahiel advises on handling a miniature stallion.

Clicker training.

The Round Up 14

Manitoba Horse Council

22 Dressage Winnipeg – 2012 Annual Awards 45

Manitoba Miniature Horse Club

The Equine Foundation

In every issue 47

Connections

What’s Happening?

Subscription form

Horses and tack for sale are now also available on a Facebook Group “Horse Country Classified” - personal advertising only. We are still accepting print Horse for sale and Classified adverts for the magazine: readers keep asking for them! Issue #2-2013 (the second of two breeder-focussed issues) is published week commencing March 18, 2013. Deadlines: Business advertisers: space closes February 18; Material closing February 25. Horses for Sale and Classified line adverts: deadline February 25. Web adverts uploaded weekly.

Team penning - a great sport! 10 12 Questions with Barb Fenwick. 17

Around the Grounds:

2012 Manitoba Horse Council Equestrian Challenge.

Endurance in India.

Prue Critchley’s “Himalayas on a Shoestring”.

Checking the stallion’s health:

Is he in good condition to breed to your mare?

“My Glass is Always Half Full.”

An essay by Ashley Hygaard.

Q & A with Mike Branch.

Reminder to breeders:

Check out the Canadian tax laws.

Your next partner:

Should you think about a “retired” school horse?

Jockey Club Incentive Program.

Heads up, Thoroughbred owners!

Global safety helmet campaign.

Helping Hooves:

Ssteppin’ up to ride in 2013.

In Memoriam: Karen Harrisko FIND US ON FACEBOOK: - Horse Country -Horse Country Classified

Check www.horsecountry.ca for Breaking News!

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The View From Here January, 2013

I cannot quite believe that last October I completed ten full years as the publisher of Horse Country. Coming into the magazine world as I did, having to learn the technicalities from scratch while still putting out a magazine every six weeks has been such a joy to me! 2013 is a watershed year for Horse Country too, as in June we celebrate its 25th year of publication. From such small beginnings, who would have realised where we are now! Almost three times as many readers, printed in full colour on glossy paper, and with an active website and Facebook page. And there is so much going on behind the scenes to actually get the magazine to your doorstep, you wouldn’t believe (unless you were a magazine producer yourself!). I know we need to celebrate the event (our signature issue will be in June) but I’m still not quite sure how to do it! A party? But our readers are spread so far, we could only invite a few. Cake? Wouldn’t work, for the same reason. Can anyone suggest how to celebrate 25 years of publication - 200 issues. Please email me at editor@horsecountry.ca or even start a discussion on Facebook. As I write this I am SO looking forward to good weather. Last week’s blizzard I hope was the last of the season. The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is only eight weeks away, and last year the fields were green at that time. Fingers crossed, Mother Nature? Looking forward to happy trails for everyone in 2013. Linda Hazelwood

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Editor & Publisher

This issue’s cover is a stunning paint horse we found at the Interlake Riding Club’s Anniversary show in Teulon this summer. Photo by Linda Hazelwood.

HORSE COUNTRY Publisher: L. Hazelwood Suite 203, 23-845 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2M 5M3 Phone toll free 1-866-886-2425. Local 204-256-7467. Fax 204-257-2467. www.horsecountry.ca. ISSN 1193-2163. Volume 25, Issue #1-2013: January 28, 2013. Published eight times a year: every six weeks, February/November. Print subscriptions: one year $29.50, two years $53.50, three years $72.50. Digital subscriptions one year $15, two years $25. All prices include taxes applicable to the province of delivery. Cover price $5.25. GST #86303-1456 For US mailed subscriptions add $18 - one year ($36 - two years) CDN, for Europe add $30 - one year ($60 - two years) CDN if airmail is required. Price includes mailing from Canada. An order form is printed at the back of the magazine. US and international subscribers can order a digital version at Canadian prices (no added mailing costs). Please go to www. horsecountry.ca and click on the digital subscription link. Order subscriptions from www.horsecountry.ca/subscribe, or Suite 203, 23-845 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R2M 5M3. Phone 204-256-7467, toll-free 1-866-886-2425 or email contact@horsecountry.ca. Pay online, or by mailed cheque, Visa, Mastercard or Money Order. Publisher’s Mail Agreement #40753025. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Suite 203, 23-845 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2M 5M3. Email: editor@horsecountry.ca. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher, and copyright remains with Horse Country (Woodstock Media Services) unless expressly released. Horse Country assumes no responsibility for claims made in advertising copy and has the right to refuse any articles, stories, advertising copy or photos. It is the responsibility of the advertiser or author to obtain copyright releases for photographs used in advertising or supplied editorial, and to verify the authenticity of information supplied which forms the whole or part of editorial pieces. Manuscripts and pictures are welcomed; please state terms and enclose SASE for return if required. Writer’s Guidelines are posted on www. horsecountry.ca. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. HORSE COUNTRY PRIVACY CODE: A subscription to Horse Country includes a free emailed newsletter which arrives no more than once every three weeks. If you do not wish to receive this e-letter, please advise in writing to the email or regular mail address above. We may occasionally make our database of addresses available to businesses which we feel have products which would be of interest to you. Please advise us if you do not wish to receive this information. Horse Country’s complete privacy code can be found at www.horsecountry.ca/privacy. EDITOR Linda Hazelwood 1-866-886-2425 or 204-256-7467 (local) editor@horsecountry.ca CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ishbel Moore, ishbel@horsecountry.ca ADVERTISING SALES Dave Wilkins 204-488-3442 dave@horsecountry.ca OFFICE ADMINSTRATION Eldeen Stark, contact@horsecountry.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS contact@horsecountry.ca LAYOUT & DESIGN The Creative Crew. creativecrewcanada@gmail.com ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Mike Branch, Barb Fenwick, Barb Glover, Barb Mennie, Ashley Hygaard, Jessical Jahiel, Ishbel Moore, Tanya Unrau.

We asked our Facebook friends: ? ? ? ?

How and where do you read Horse Country? What do you enjoy most? How do you spend your horse time? What would you like to see more of?

All respondents were entered into a draw, and congratulations go to Sue Lansard of Winnipeg, who won the book, “How to Think Like a Horse” by Cherry Hill. We thought other readers would like to hear some of the comments.

69% of respondents read every issue; 67% were print subscribers, 22% read it online, 1% on mobile device; 47% preferred Horse Country to other Canadian equine magazines. Readers are firmly attached to the print version of the magazine; only 5% are prepared to replace the print version with online/mobile format. 45% would take a digital version but only as a supplement to the print version. 30% of respondents don’t use a mobile device or computer for reading.

? What do you enjoy most? The biggest favourites were stories about people and horses (76%), reports of provincial events (72%), with horse health, handling and training coming close behind. Advertising information was highly rated by 56% of respondents.

? How do you spend your horse time? • Training horses and people. Trail riding as often as I possibly can. Going to as many horse shows and horse events as possible. • Training, 4H, western dressage, cowboy challenges, gymkana events, reining patterns. Looking forward to a working cowhorse clinic in the spring. • Teaching beginners, pony club, show world, trail riding, local fairs, watching bigger events even if on TV or the net. Soaking up all the horse I can get. • Pleasure riding, non-competitive gymkhana events (barrels, poles, quads), non-competitive reining

with a riding club, odd small-town horse show, ride western. • Riding, training, trails and getting into agility. Love to learn about new breeds. The best is getting together and sharing stories of just how your day is with your equine partner trying to steal your favorite cup of coffee. • Natural Horsemanship. I try a little of everything. Really liking the dressage stuff right now. • Training, trail riding, driving (single & team). Just spending as much time as possible with horses.

? What would you like to see more of? • More health related articles, new medicines or treatments, maybe articles written by an equine vet. • Stories about riders, trainers, horses from the region show results from the area and updates on how Manitoba horses and riders are doing at national and international shows upcoming events, clinics. • Upcoming clinic opportunities for officiating including across Canada. Perhaps a detailed “what’s required” to be a teacher, instructor, coach, mentor, judge, steward, etc. • I would like to see more articles about wholisitic whole horse health and more consideration about horse keeping in a more natural way. • I think that you are doing an excellent job of covering what is important to us. • Would love the magazine to be twice its size :-) • I have never been disappointed with an issue of Horse Country! This year I hope we can publish something about our local 4-H club.

We thank everyone who responded, and loved to hear that 97% of you recommend Horse Country to your friends! We have taken note of all your suggestions and will be putting a lot of them into action in this, our 25th anniversary year.

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? How and where do you read Horse Country?

Recommended Nutrition for the Breeding Farm

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Part 1 - Stallions and Mares

Most nutrition programs on a breeding farm are targeted promise in improving fertility in stallions, especially those toward managing the late gestation broodmare. This is with lowered conception rates using cool-shipped semen. appropriate, as the most rapid growth of the fetal foal Buckeye Ultimate Finish and Ultimate Finish 40 both occurs during this time. However, nutrition is important contain these omega-3 fatty acids. for more than just the late gestation broodmare. It is vital Nutrient requirements for stallions are often for helping open mares overestimated. A diet to conceive, during early balanced for a light gestation for the early working horse typically fetal foal development, has enough protein, for allowing stallions vitamins, and minerals to to maintain their body meet his need. The only weight and vigor, and nutrient requirement that for sucklings, weanlings, may go up significantly and yearlings to continue is energy. Depending on growing to their genetic what he does during the potential. non-breeding season, his Managing nutrition on activity level will often a breeding farm is not just increase (pacing and feeding what comes in the breeding behavior) and bag. It’s understanding the his attention span for feed forages that are being fed will sometimes decrease. and knowing about the This means he needs to A stallion must have a good body score to be able to cope when nutritional requirements of receive more calories in breeding season arrives. the various horses so that a smaller meal, and that the right feeds are being fed in the right amounts to allow meal needs to be highly palatable to encourage him to for the optimal performance of each horse at the least cost eat. Choose a product like Buckeye Ultimate Finish which to the owner. will increase the calories without substantially increasing the volume of feed being fed. Turning him out in a small paddock with grass will also encourage him to eat more Feeding Stallions A stallion should be in good physical condition at the and help maintain his body condition. During the nonbeginning of the breeding season. This means he needs to breeding season, feed him according to his activity level be in good flesh (body condition score 5 or 6) and physically (maintenance or working). fit. A stud in poor body condition (too thin or too fat) or one who’s out of shape won’t breed as well, and mares Feeding Open Mares won’t get pregnant as easily. This costs additional time The open or non-pregnant, broodmare needs to be in and money. moderate flesh (body condition score 5 or 6) during the Longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic breeding season. A mare that is too thin will not conceive acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have shown quickly or hold a pregnancy well. Obesity does not seem to

Feeding Pregnant Mares General practice has it that the early pregnant mare should be treated nutritionally like an open mare until the last 3-4 months of gestation. Research has shown that this may actually predispose the foal to nutritionally related disorders, such as Developmental Orthopedic Diseases (DOD). Study results from Germany indicate that trace minerals are stored in the liver of the prenatal foal. These are called upon in the postnatal foal to help form healthy bone. Inadequate prenatal nutrition can lead to foals with symptoms of DOD before 8 weeks of age. Also, research from the Cornell and Illinois Veterinary Science Departments state that middle trimester is really the time when the pregnant mare replenishes her body reserves so she has them available to support the rapid fetal development that occurs in the last trimester. Mares receiving inadequate nutrition during gestation will not have enough nutrients to support the foal during its most rapid growth phase in utero and will not be able to supply sufficient levels of trace minerals for storage in the fetus for use postnatally. As such, special attention must be given to the pregnant mare’s diet. Pregnant mares are able to consume enough calories from average quality forage to maintain or even gain weight. Unfortunately, there is no forage that will supply all the nutrients needed to maintain the broodmare plus provide all the minerals needed for fetal development. Mother Nature has a built in protection mechanism to allow the fetus to pull needed nutrients from the mare’s body if a restricted intake of nutrients occurs. For this reason, we generally see a lower number of nutrition related DOD’s in a mare’s first or second foal. If the mare’s body reserves are not replaced, continued depletion will cause deficiencies to occur in the foals and eventually will affect the reproductive performance and health of the mare. An example of a no-corn formula ration fortified with protein, vitamins, and minerals to meet the needs of gestating mares and growing horses is Buckeye Growth Formula. Some mares maintain their body weight more easily than others. Traditional feeds will often result in those types of mares becoming too fat. To keep the calories in

a mare’s diet at a minimum so that she does not become obese but still assure adequate nutrition, two different ration balancers have been formulated which contain three to five times the amount of major minerals, trace minerals and vitamins found in most horse feeds. These feeds are called ration balancers. Pregnant mares weighing 1,000 pounds are to be fed a minimum of 2 lbs per day (that is the mineral equivalent of 6 - 10 lbs of typical horse feed without the extra calories). Which ration balancer to feed will depend entirely on the type of forage your horses is eating (i.e. grass or legume)*.

Feeding Lactating Mares Lactation is the most demanding state a mature horse can be in. It requires increased levels of all the nutrients in the diet. The increased stress on a lactating mare (who you also want to conceive within one month after foaling) can be seen in the amount of forage and grain mixture necessary to maintain desired body weight. Of course, the higher the quality of the forage, the less grain mix will need to be fed per day. This is where having the forages analyzed and balancing the total ration can pay back big dividends. Not only are you assuring all nutrients requirements are met, but you are doing it the most economical way. The mare’s individual size and body weight must also be considered when balancing the ration. The larger breed horses, with their larger body capacity, have a more efficient fermentation vat in the hindgut and therefore are more efficient fiber digesters than smaller horses. Combining this with a slower metabolism rate, fewer calories (grain mix) are needed to maintain body weight. When less grain is fed in an effort to prevent obesity, not only are the total calories reduced, the amount of minerals and vitamins are reduced as well. All manufacturers feeding directions will tell you the minimum pounds of their feed that is required to meet the daily nutritional needs of your horse. If you feed less than their recommended amount, you have succeeded in decreasing the calorie level, but now the diet is most likely deficient in minerals and vitamins. If mineral and vitamin intakes are below recommended levels, the result is faster depletion of her body reserves and a higher incidence of DOD in her current and future offspring. Thus, it is important to read the feed tags and feed accordingly in order to maintain adequate mineral levels in the diet. The grain mixture and the amount fed per day must complement your forage and meet at least the minimum amount of all your mare’s nutritional requirements. The quantity and quality of mare’s milk is mostly continued on page 8

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affect conception rates in horses, but it has other negative drawbacks on the mare’s health. While she could be fed as a maintenance horse at this time, additional protein, vitamins, and minerals may help her to more easily conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy.

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continued from page 7

Conclusion

genetic. However, horsemen can exploit a mares nutrient input-output relationship. A mare’s milk mineral density will drop even faster if the mare is putting out more nutrients in her milk than what she is receiving in her forage and grain mixture each day. This negative balance will deplete her body reserves, and then deplete the nutrients in her milk. Composition of mare’s milk is also controlled by the stage of lactation. Research analyzing milk from different breeds at different stages of lactation showed a 65%

contribution to the total diet. For this reason, we recommend analyzing your hay and pastures. The higher the quality and digestibility of the forage, the fewer pounds of a grain mixture needs to be fed per day to maintain desired body condition. However, you must know the minimum pounds of your grain mix that must be fed each day in order to meet your growing horse’s individual requirements. If you are feeding the manufacturer’s recommended amount of a grain mixture and they are gaining too much weight, change to a Ration Balancer such as Buckeye Gro’N Win with lower calories and higher

drop in copper from the first week to the third week of lactation. By the fifth week, the zinc levels decreased approximately 40% and iron started to decrease rapidly. By four months, the ash (all the minerals combined) was less than 50% of day eight, thus, the need for supplemental nutrients to complement the mare’s milk during lactation for the suckling foal (Table 1). Nutrition can only slightly impact these changes, but deficiencies in the diet will certainly show up in the milk and affect the foal’s growth.The larger the percentage of forage in the diet, the more important is its nutrient

mineral and vitamin levels in order to maintain the minimum nutrient levels required without the extra calories. Follow the feeding directions that the manufacturer has recommended for their feeds. Do not dilute with oats unless they instruct you to do so, as this only decreases the nutrients in the feed. For example, mixing ½ sweet feed and ½ oats will dilute the calcium by 50%. If the grain mix is not made to be diluted, the calcium:phosphorus ratio may be reversed because oats are deficient in calcium. The trace minerals may also be reduced by 40% to 50%.

different horse feeds available to complement your type of forage and will help you select the appropriate grain mixture. c

Some feeds are manufactured for weanlings and yearlings, others for mature, idle horses and some for performance horses. It is important to read the feeding directions and feed your horse the appropriate grain mixture. Nutritionists and feed manufacturers who are staying current with research and technology are formulating grain mixes for growth, reproduction, and performance of the horse. In addition, they formulate feeds to complement the type of forage fed and based on its quality. The most knowledgeable feed supplier in your area will have

*Ration Balancers: Gro’N WIN® is formulated to be fed with grass forages such as Bluegrass, Timothy and Coastal Bermuda. Can be fed with Alfa Plus Mineral; Gro’N WIN Alfa® is formulated to be fed with legume forages such as Alfalfa, Clover and Peanut. Can be fed with Grass Plus Mineral. Also recommended is.Buckeye Harvest Salt, a trace mineral salt with added selenium. Thank you to Buckeye Feeds for this article. Go to www.aurorawindfeeds.com for a dealer near you. 1-866-876-9912. Part 2 of this series will come in Issue 22013.

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We talk to people who are well-known in the industry to find out a little more about what makes them tick. Our focus? Leaders of national associations, influencers of activity, and top-class competitors. If there is anyone out there you would like to know a little bit more about, please email editor@horsecountry.ca.

Barb Fenwick was interviewed by Ishbel Moore. Photos supplied by Barb Fenwick.

Name: Age: Lives: Education: Occupation:

Barb Fenwick Aging well! South of Sidney, next to Sprucewoods Park in Western Manitoba. Gr 12, RRCC - writing courses, computer; Parelli Natural Horsemanship 8 yrs to level 3, tested to this level; James Welz Hoof Health - 3 yr studies. Day job - Education Assistant - Carberry Collegiate. Summers - Operate Seasons Ranch - horse camping & natural horsemanship, horse agility education facility.

Growing up, who did you most admire?

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I most admire my mother. She bought me my first pony at 7-years-old and literally gave me wings! As a young girl who spent several months in hospital having operations for polio when I was 10-16 years-old, that pony allowed me to feel “normal”. Mom taught us the basics of riding and I grew up never afraid to try anything and always, “getting back on” if you ended in the dirt. One of her favorite lines still inspires me today; “There is no such word as can’t”. Her passion was horses and although they used horses in their farming operation back then, she also bred, trained and drove hackneys for pleasure well into her 60’s. Her obvious love and enjoyment in being with horses infected me thoroughly. She couldn’t have given me a better gift... the gift of love of horses.

If you could go back and relive one day of your life, which one would it be and why? The first day/time that Hilda Harness got on my horse, Spirit, she rode around the arena with me as her side walker. It was the first time she had been on a horse since she had the terrible horse accident that left her with some disabilities. I knew the feeling that rose in her heart and

Barb and Spirit.

mind as she beamed that huge smile the whole trip around. I knew I had given her her own wings back. She had lost memory of much of her life before the accident, but she remembered she loved horses. It’s probably the most important thing I have ever done with my horses in my life. Her courage and pure joy was awesome to behold.

What would you do differently if you were starting your career today? I would have wanted to start with following a more direct path to truly knowing and understanding the horse at a much deeper level. I would take the time to develop this deeper understanding on an intuitive and spiritual level before I ever sat on a horse. Who knows, had I gone this

Barb conducting a recent Horse Agility clinic.

route I may never have wanted or needed to sit on one, but simply be happy to have them as friends.

If you weren’t doing the work you are now, what do you think you might be doing? I would have become a school teacher. I work now as an Education Assistant at a local High School as my regular job and enjoy it very much. I love children and teaching. Beyond that, if I had the funds, I would love to have opened a horse centre for disabled riders and disadvantaged youth.

Who do you consider to be your mentor, or person you admire? I have two of them. Klaus Hempfling and Carolyn Resnick. Their work with horses has gone beyond the “methods” and literally into the spiritual realm of knowing horses. Their ways of communicating with the horse allows a horse’s spirit to remain always intact and the horse gives his heart freely in the exchange. They have taught me to really listen to and watch the horse, go inside myself and get connected so I can meet the real horse that is presented to me.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you ever received? Listen to the horse, and to your heart and only do what both tell you is the right thing to do.

I would stay right here in Manitoba ideally for spring and fall, then I would live a couple of summers in Norway (where Hempfling has his school), and a couple of winters in California (where Resnick teaches and trains) then come home and retire right back here in Manitoba near my family.

Barb demonstrates at Horse 3 in Brandon.

continued on page 12

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If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?

continued from page 11

What was your most memorable training success? This summer I taught Horse Agility in several places, including Vermont, USA. These clinics were very successful and well-received, and most memorably, two of my students, Noreen Friesen from Winnipeg and Deborah Maynard, from Vermont, were awarded top points and good horsemanship awards this summer in the Horse Agility International Competition. I was so proud of their success and my part in that process.

What were the challenges you faced in your early working years? Convincing horse owners I worked with to spend more time with their horses on the ground, developing their relationship, rather than just working on riding skills. The frustration of trying to change the mindset of people who feel they need bits in their horse’s mouths for control or communication. Therefore, it was most often my greatest moment of joy when these same people finally “got it”!

Barb and Spirit playing through the “curtain”.

What is your favorite event location or riding area? I would have to say my favorite riding area is my own backyard which happens to be Sprucewoods Park. It’s the ultimate for trail riding because of the hills, forest, sand trails and the unspoiled beauty and peacefulness. Regarding my favorite event location, I gave a Horse Agility demonstration at Birdshill Equestrian Park this summer and was very impressed with the facilities and the volunteers that put on the Week of the Horse events. Special kudos to Carolyn Lintott and the MHC booth crew who were very efficient and friendly. In my mind that MAKES an event location memorable.

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What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

It was when I brought home a rescued wild and somewhat dangerous 8-year-old Paso Fino mare three years ago. She had no previous handling whatsoever except the “manhandling” during the rescue from a flood. It has turned out to be the most interesting and challenging adventure with a horse in my career to date. The higher the mountain, the more rewarding each foothold upward is. We have come a long, long way, and the peak isn’t the goal. What I am learning and receiving along the way from this great little mare is the prize.

What are your guilty pleasures? I love reading, and I can only top that by sitting in the pasture and reading with/to my horses with a chocolate bar to nibble on. c

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2012 MHC Annual Awards - Winners Announced Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 Manitoba Horse Council (MHC) Annual Awards! These awards were presented October 27, 2012 at the MHC Council of Clubs meeting, held at the Sport Manitoba Sport for Life Centre. Recipients are as follows:

Athlete of the Year: Ariana Chia Ariana Chia has qualified for and participated in the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) in the discipline of dressage three times; in 2008 and 2009 as a Junior, and in 2012 as a Young Rider. 2009 saw her highest placing with a 4th in the Individual Junior Freestyle. At 21 years of age, Ariana is recognized by her peers as a role model, as an inspiration, and as an excellent ambassador for the sport. When she is not riding, Ariana is assisting at her family-owned Meadow Green Stables, working towards a business degree, and involving herself with United Way and Winnipeg Harvest.

MHC President Geri Sweet and Ariana Chia, Athlete of the Year.

Coach of the Year: Wendy Robinson Wendy Robinson is an Equine Canada certified Western Coach 2, Coach 2 Mentor, and an Equine Canada Western and General Performance Judge. Wendy has more than 30 years of experience in the horse industry. 2012 saw Wendy once again coach several of her students to qualification at the 2012 NAJYRC in the discipline of Reining. Her students at the 2012 NAJYRC came home as Silver and Bronze medalists. While capable of developing athletes to represent Manitoba and Canada at international events, Wendy is equally able to work with riders at the grassroots level. Out of her own WW Stables, Wendy currently instructs MHCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Western Pâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tit Trot program which targets young children new to horses and riding. Wendy is known for her skill, sense of humour, and finesse as a coach. MHC President Geri Sweet and Wendy Robinson, Coach of the Year.

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Horse of the Year: Kumano Owner: Eastridge Farms / Jan Ash-Gross

Kumano is an 8 year-old Oldenburg stallion. Kumano was purchased and imported to Manitoba at age 4, and has since been developed by local rider Eric Martin in the discipline of show jumping. Kumano currently competes at the 1.45 metre level in both Canada and the United States, placing in and winning several FEI ** classes. In 2012, Kumano won 2 Grand Prix events at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, making him the first Manitoban horse to do so. This, along with excellent results at other events earned Kumano and rider Eric Martin a spot on the 2012 Jump Canada Short List. Kumano is a horse of exceptional calibre. Kumano has achieved an outstanding level of success in sport at a very young age and has a bright future! MHC President Geri Sweet and Danae Martin for Kumano, Horse of the Year.

Volunteer of the Year: Debbie & Bruce Champagne Debbie and Bruce Champagne are reliable, positive, and dedicated volunteers, who work enthusiastically to expand interest in horses and riding. In particular, Debbie and Bruce organize and arrange events for the Manitoba Barrel Racing Association. In 2012, they organized several barrel racing events in the province. Debbie and Bruce assisted MHC during Horse Week 2012 by planning and leading a guided trail ride and gymkhana event, also doing the same for a Cancer Care fundraiser. Debbie and Bruce graciously lend their time and knowledge in a variety of ways, always ready to help and committed to doing so.

Horse Industry Professional of the Year: Sara Runnalls, BFL Canada

CONGRATULATIONS to all the 2012 winners! Thank you to all nominees and those that nominated these individuals. For complete details: www.manitobahorsecouncil.ca/Home-NewsNotices/2012MHCAnnualAwardWinners.

Recreation Activities in Your Neighbourhood

Do You Travel Outside Canada?

The MHC Recreation Committee is currently looking for volunteers to help identify and promote equine recreational events and activities across the province. Interested volunteers are encouraged to contact the MHC office directly to share what’s going on in their neighbourhood, and/or the needs of their area. Your ideas and suggestions are important to the support, advancement and promotion of recreational activities throughout Manitoba!

Program Details: Covers the member and their spouse (under age 70 yrs) and dependant children: Comprehensive coverage applies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, includes all travel outside Canada on both Business and Pleasure, insures losses due to both Accident and Sickness. The loss does not have to be horse related to respond to a claim. Coverage applies during the first 75 days and any number of trips per year. For more information and program particulars please contact the MHC Office at 1.204.925.5719.

Attn: Recreation Committee, Manitoba Horse Council 145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba. R3B 2Z6 Phone (204) 925-5718. Fax 204) 925-5703 Email mhc.admin@sportmanitoba.ca

Business Directory Manitoba Horse Council (MHC) is excited to introduce its new MHC Business Subscription. The MHC Business Subscription allows businesses, equestrian-related or otherwise, advertising privileges on the MHC website and/or in MHC electronic publications such as e-Newsletters. The MHC Business Subscription offers local businesses another opportunity to advertise and promote their services, providing a direct avenue of exposure to Manitoba equestrians as well as to individuals seeking involvement in Manitoba’s equine community. The support the MHC Business Subscription generates in turn helps to improve MHC. The MHC Business Subscription is available annually and valid for a one-year period from date the application is processed by the MHC office. For more information please visit www.manitobahorsecouncil.ca/Home-Business-Directory.

Manitoba Horse Council Travel Insurance Plan $1,000,000 Worldwide Emergency Travel Coverage

Thank You On behalf of the Manitoba Horse Council Board of Directors and Staff, I would like to thank the many volunteers and groups that give their time, energy and talents to help build a stronger equine community throughout the province of Manitoba and Canada. Your gift of time, talent and resources are greatly appreciated. The Manitoba Horse Council is very proud of our community of volunteers. MHC Executive Director – Bruce Rose

About Us Manitoba Horse Council (MHC) is a not-for-profit organization representing clubs and individual members involved in equine activity in Manitoba. MHC is the recognized governing body for equestrian sport in the province; providing support, leadership and resources to develop athletes and protect the interests of Manitoba equestrian enthusiasts.

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(Picture of Sara Runnalls not available.) Sara Runnalls is employed by BFL Canada, the insurance provider for MHC. Sara was selected for this award for her outstanding service to MHC and in turn, MHC members and Manitoba’s equine community. Sara has diligently worked with MHC to improve its insurance program for its membership, provided MHC with sponsorships, and directly dealt with MHC members regarding inquiries and insurance claims. Sara provides friendly and efficient service and through MHC, helps Manitoba equestrians’ access excellent insurance programs.

MHC President Geri Sweet and Bruce and Debbie Champagne, Volunteer of the Year.

Congratulations to Team Eastman, overall winner at the 2012 Manitoba Equestrian Championship! Results per discipline and division as follows:

Barrel Racing 1D 1st Heather Gillespie and Hammer - Team Westman 2nd Mary-Anne Bach and Smoke & Mystery - Team Eastman 3rd tie Madison Davis and Freckles - Team Eastman 3rd tie Shauna Peters and Thunder - Team Westman

2D 1st Meghan Liddiard and Simon - Team Eastman 2nd Sam Peters and Smoke - Team Westman 3rd Julie Smith-Sigvaldason and Buies Chant - Team Westman

Endurance 25 miles

1st Julie Spruyt and Jazz - Team Westman 2nd Debbie Champagne and Helios - Team Eastman 3rd Jenny Ruml and ARQ Colonels CJ - Team Eastman

1st Iris Oleksuk and Smac - Team Eastman 2nd Rachel Hill and Sunbeam - Team Eastman 3rd Darice Whyte and Beau Tia Maria - Team Eastman

Cutting

50 miles

1st Glen Brown and Discos Out - Team Eastman 2nd Tracy McClintock and Talk Low - Team Eastman 3rd tie Robert Krentz and Amandos Smoothie - Team Westman 3rd tie Amy Brown and Discos Out - Team Westman 3rd tie Donna Hall and Star Hill CD - Team Westman

1st Jessica Manness and Greater Glide - Team Westman 2nd Angela Lavallee and OK Absolutely Spotless - Team Westman

Competitive Trail 1st Jessica Manness and Greater Glide - Team Westman 2nd Abby Manness and Justess - Team Westman 3rd Stan Banasiak and Coda - Team Eastman

Pre-Training Level Division 1st Jennifer Low and Warrawee Dagger - Team Eastman 2nd Cara Wiebe and Truly a Duchess - Team Eastman 3rd Lucero Desrochers and Snap Dragon - Team Westman

1st Brandy Catton and Donnerwetter - Team Eastman 2nd Lucero Desrochers and Endeavour - Team Westman 3rd Nachelle Forde and Taurus Moon - Team Eastman

Team Scoring:

1st Lindsay Feller and Unbelievable - Team Westman 2nd Nachelle Forde and Tiana - Team Eastman

2nd Level Division 1st Stephanie Ruud and Jerrycho - Team Westman 2nd Ashley Fudge and Riviera JRF - Team Eastman

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1st Cynthia Kulczycki and Skye - Team Eastman 2nd Pat Napier and Great Gusto - Team Eastman 3rd Kerry Moore and Azgard - Team Eastman

Dressage Training Level Division

1st Level Division

Eventing Entry Level Division

Driving Training Level Division 1st Linda Santa and Cheyenne - Team Eastman 2nd Kiara Down and Clipper - Team Eastman 3rd Kathryn Sinclair and Buckwheat - Team Eastman

Preliminary Level Division 1st Brian Thompson and Stepper - Team Eastman 2nd Ruth Rob and Waneta - Team Westman 3rd Duane Stewart and Oliver Twist - Team Westman

1st - 5 points; 2nd - 3 points; 3rd - 1 point Team Eastman: 74 points; Team Westman: 52 points Congratulations to all competitors! The 2012 Manitoba Equestrian Championship was held September 22-23, 2012 at the MHC Equestrian Centre in Birds Hill Provincial Park, MB. MHC thanks its volunteers and its sponsors for this event: BFL Canada Horse Country Magazine Entegra Credit Union Lawsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sales FeedRite Intrepid Dezine Stewart Trophies Greenhawk Harness & Equestrian Supplies Photos from the event can be found here: www.horsecountry.ca/gallery.html Thank you to Linda Hazelwood of Horse Country Magazine.

Order these and other photos from www.horsecountry.ca/gallery.html

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“Around the Grounds” at the Manitoba Equestrian Championship East vs West. Sept 22-23, 2013

HEALING WITH HONEY-

By Barb Glover.

Such Sweet Success! Four litres of honey, 120 days of TLC, 92

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bandage changes and they are back on track!

This story started out tragically on May 19, 2012 when a miniature horse named Eastside Acres Unicorn (Uni), raised by Don and Barb Glover of Boissevain, had an unfortunate accident. The 3-year-old filly had been sent to Barb Mennie of Kemnay for some driving lessons. A few days into the training the filly had an accident which tore a huge chunk out of her right jowl. The wound was deep in her cheek and jawbone. The throat was still intact but the teeth and jawbone were visible. It was a heartwrenching mess! Grand Valley Vet Clinic was called and Dr. Allister Gray surveyed the situation. “You have a big challenge here. She might not make it.” The Glovers said, You may as well put her down. She’ll never heal.” But Barb Mennie saw a will to live in the little filly’s eyes and she knew she had to try. Barb was no stranger to horse and dog injuries and had a wealth of experience in saving animals with lots of TLC and tons of patience. Some of this patience and understanding came from a lifetime of being a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant at Brandon Hospital from which she had just recently retired. Dr. Gray cleaned up the wound, tied off some arteries and applied a pressure bandage. And he suggested using “Natural raw honey” therapy. Processed honey usually found in the stores is not to be used for wound healing. It doesn’t have the same healing qualities. Raw honey “directly from the bees” was not a problem as Don Glover is a Boissevain beekeeper. Barb Mennie said the choice of honey as a treatment was to keep the bone moist and infection out. Barb decided to also put her favourite product “Cut Heal” around the edges to hopefully prevent proud flesh from forming. Uni was given pain killers and antibiotics for one week and oral antibiotics for two weeks. Every day Barb cleaned the wound area using a large

syringe to get into all the areas. She had to pick bits of food out of the wound as it was open to the inside of Uni’s mouth for about a month. She used a 4” x 8” gauze as well as a 4”x 4” to cover the wound area. Then it took two rolls of gauze and two rolls of Vetrap to keep everything in place. It was such a hard place to dress. Barb had to be quite inventive about criss-crossing it over Uni’s ears. The dressing had to stay in place but not cause any sores around the ears. And it was very hard to work with the honey as everything ended up very sticky. Barb said, “ One night in bed I thought of cutting the round plastic container off the honey and keeping it in the fridge, then just slicing off what I needed, an eighth of an inch or so, and placing it on the gauze, ready to put on the wound. This worked very well as I could get her wrapped before the honey started melting in. The whole process took me about two hours from start to finish.” As the weeks went by the job got a little easier as the honey started to do its healing. The wound slowly got smaller and smaller. By mid June it just needed the 4” x 8” gauze and there was no more food coming through the hole. “By mid July we only needed about three-quarters of a four by four inch gauze. “It was too good to be true!” Barb said. “And by the first of August I only wrapped her during the day because of the flies and left it open at night to the air. By the end of August there was no more bandaging.” In early September Barb resumed the driving training that had been interrupted on May 21, and said, “Uni amazingly had no trouble with the bit in her mouth. The ‘Miracle of Honey’ had really done its job. The hair all grew back in too which was equally as incredible.” Barb says, “From the beginning Unicorn never gave up the will and never stopped eating. I fed her seniors pellets and beet pulp which was easy to chew, and some

Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according to the qualities of the nectar and pollen. In small quantities it also contains copper, iodine, and zinc, plus several kinds of hormones. Approximately one half of the human diet is derived directly or indirectly from crops pollinated by bees, and honeybees are an essential part of a healthy agriculture economy. Raw honey (not processed, as purchased from the supermarket) is a natural antiseptic. Medical journals cite more than 600 cases in which honey was employed to treat wounds. It contains antimicrobial agents, which prevent infections by killing the bacteria in and around wounds. A simple internet search throws up thousands of remedies and treatments using honey.

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hay. There were a couple of days of not drinking well but we overcame that little glitch and she hasn’t looked back since. I must admit she is a little spoiled but she deserves to be!” Barb also wants to praise the caring, concern and expertise of Dr. Allister Gray and the ‘barn crew’ at home that helped her out. Without them this might not have worked out as easy. The Glovers are eternally grateful that Barb wanted to keep Unicorn alive and going. And they all praise the ‘Miracle Healing Power of natural raw Honey’. Eastside Acres Unicorn now lives permanently at Barb and Lloyd Mennie’s Clearview Acres hackney pony farm at Kemnay, where she continues to be spoiled. c

January 5 discussion:

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“We need someone to represent Canada in an Endurance Ride in the Himalayas. Can you go?” “Yes, of course! When?” “February 2!” “Oh my!!”

That was the challenging proposition put forward to Prue Critchley of Hamiota, Manitoba, who is an experienced endurance rider with many thousands of miles under her belt. Taking a break from her last-minute fundraising efforts, Prue said,”In December, Endurance Canada sent out messages that they were looking for a rider and crew for this ride. I didn’t see it. Two people put their names forward so there was a draw to see who would go. The person who won the draw later decided she couldn’t go and by this time the second person had rescheduled her work and was unable to go either!” The information was reposted, Prue saw it this time and got in touch. She said, “As I’ve got some experience and they pretty much all know me, they asked me to try to make arrangements to go.” Visas were a problem as they normally take three weeks or more, but Prue and her groom, Candace Oakes from Alberta, were fast-tracked with help from the Equestrian Federation of Assam. Prue and Candace are busy fundraising for their flights but as you can imagine, with flights costing close to $2,000 each, there is some help required. Prue said, “If I’d known about this earlier, both Candace and I would have done some saving.” To help raise the money, Prue even donated a breeding from her stallion Empres++ . The ride is 60 km on borrowed horses, startng from Dibrugarh, Assam, India, on February 2, 2013. Complimentary accommodation and local hospitality will be provided by the OC from January 31, 2013 to February 3, 2013, for the competitor and accompanying chef d’equipe/crew member (two persons only). Flight costs are to paid by participants. Early February weather in Dibrugarh is very pleasant with temperatures varying between 15⁰ C to 24⁰ C. Although the weather is generally dry, waterproofs and

Prue Critchley and Censor challenging the Tevis Cup in 1992.

light woollens are advisable. More information is available on assamequestrian.org which has some visuals of earlier International event under the caption “Eastern Himalayan ride”. Good luck to Prue and Candace. Horse Country was proud to help with sponsorship but will be looking for a story and pictures from this adventure! If you would like to help this Canadian athlete, please contact pmcritchley@hotmail.com (Paypal accepted), or follow her on http://www.facebook.com/pmcritchley c

HORSE DICTIONARY Sacking out: A condition caused by Sleeping Sickness. The state of deep sleep a mare owner will be in at the time a mare actually goes into labor and foals. Proud Flesh: The external reproductive organs flaunted by a stallion when a horse of any gender is present. Often displayed in halter classes. Inbreeding: The breeding results of broken/ inadequate pasture fencing. c

Double Espoir Bayard Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;elle Toscane Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;elle

2003 Chestnut 15.1 hh Imported Selle Francais Stallion.

Hello Du Reverdy Quito De Baussy Diva Du Reverdy Traviata

Grama Open Main

Furioso II

Voltair

Movement that any Dressage Rider would want.

Gog Moeve Quenata Metodo Ribot Pr H

Tele: 204.782.9062 www.GramaOpenMain.ca

Stud Fee: $1,200 Includes first collection and a $300 booking fee Live foal guarantee. Transported, Cooled Semen.

Renata Rabitt

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Stallion Licensing CWBH 2012. Received 10 for Scope; 9.0 for Jumping Technique, Movement & Gaits. A large ground-eating stride, with a bold, powerful jump.

2012 ANNUAL AWARD PLAQUES – DRESSAGE WINNIPEG

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JR TRAINING LEVEL CH.: Nachelle Forde & Taurus Moon AA TRAINING LEVEL CH.: Cathy Toews & Diesel Will Do OPEN TRAINING LEVEL CH.: Gaetane Manaigre & Riana AA 1ST LEVEL CH.: Lindsay Feller & Unbelievable OPEN 1ST LEVEL CH.: Lucero Desrochers & Dionne OPEN 1ST LEVEL FREESTYLE CH.: Bob Parker & Armani AA SECOND LEVEL CH.: Merelyn Hunkin & Costa Rica OPEN SECOND LEVEL CH.: Ashley Fudge & Riviera JRF OPEN THIRD LEVEL CH.: Lauren Fedoriw & Modano OPEN FEI ADVANCED CH.: Liane Parker & Light Lime FEI YOUNG HORSE CH.: Lucero Desrochers & Endeavour ADULT DRESSAGE SEAT EQU. CH.: Jade Warkentin & Genesis JUNIOR DRESSAGE SEAT EQU. CH.: Nachelle Forde & Taurus Moon

OTHER AWARDS: GOLD DRESSAGE SEAT EQU. AWARD: Heather Thomas & Marcus RISING STAR AWARD: Lauren Fedoriw & Modano GILLIAN SEVIER HIGH POINT AWARD: Gaetane Manaigre & Riana CAPTAIN JOHN DE KENYERES JUNIOR HIGH POINT AWARD: Nachelle Forde & Taurus Moon HIGH POINT AWARD WINNERS: WALK/TROT: Sandra Harder & Epona

TRAINING LEVEL: Nachelle Forde & Taurus Moon FIRST LEVEL: Lindsay Feller & Unbelievable SECOND LEVEL: Ashley Fudge & Riviera JRF THIRD LEVEL: Lauren Fedoriw & Mondano FOURTH LEVEL: Heather Thomas & Marcus PRIX ST GEORGES: Liane Parker & Light Lime CAPTAIN JOHN DE KENYERES SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS: Kali Parry Nachelle Forde W E S T W I N D S TA B L E S A A SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS: Jade Warkentin Erica Rob Heather Thomas SPIRIT OF DRESSAGE AWARD: Cheryl Heming AWA R D O F E X C E L L E N C E WINNERS: BRONZE AWARDS: TRAINING LEVEL: Jeneen Deschamps & Stanley TRAINING LEVEL: Katie Webb & Lignite

TRAINING LEVEL: Nachelle Forde & Taurus Moon FIRST LEVEL: Jade Warkentin & Genesis FIRST LEVEL: Robert Parker & Armani FIRST LEVEL: Lindsay Feller & Unbelievable FIRST LEVEL: Nachelle Forde & Tiana SECOND LEVEL: Stephanie Ruud & Jerrycho SECOND LEVEL: Ashley Fudge & Riviera JRF SECOND LEVEL: Kali Parry & Dom Ferro FEI JUNIOR: Mackenzie Ryall & Danao SILVER AWARDS: TRAINING LEVEL: Melissa Johnston & Remington TRAINING LEVEL: Luchero Desrochers & Endeavour FIRST LEVEL: Lucero Desrochers & Dionne SECOND LEVEL: Megan Peterson & Pik Sun GOLD AWARD: TRAINING LEVEL: Gaetane Manaigre & Riana FEI 4 YR OLD YOUNG HORSE: Lucero Desrochers & Endeavour

Congratulations to everyone on their achievements. An extra “congratulations” goes to Ashley Fudge and her mare Riviera JRF (Ava), who were recognized with a Silver medal at Second level on the 2012 Dressage Canada Achievements Awards list. This concluded a very successful 2012 season in the Second level division where Ashley and Ava were also Manitoba Provincial Champion-Open, Dressage Winnipeg High Point Champion, and Manitoba Horse CouncilHorse of the Year nominee. Ashley said, “Ava has a personality that is larger than life. She has an incredible work ethic, a wonderful attitude and presence in the ring. I am very enthusiastic about this mare’s potential; she is a joy to ride and develop.”c

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Checking the stallion’s health: is he in good condition to breed to your mare?

By Ishbel Moore.

A technical article about some of the medical difficulties which can be encountered. A lot of focus is placed on the health, conformation and suitability of mares for breeding. Even more attention is given rightly to problems possible during pregnancy, delivery, and post-delivery wellness. While reputable breeders are very careful and vigilant, the ordinary horse owner may have never thought about the reproductive problems that can occur in stallions. If you are considering having your mare bred, it is very important to know as much as possible about the stallion. Over and above the obvious necessities of body condition, conformation and lineage, your list of questions should include what medications or drugs has he been given. (For instance, testicular degeneration can be caused by anabolic steroids and testosterone.) A thorough veterinary examination is advised to ensure the testicles, penis and prepuce are not damaged, along with the condition of the prostate, seminal vesicles and secondary sex glands via rectal examination. The inguinal canals can be checked for hernias. Semen should be collected and evaluated, etc. Here are a few of the possible problems a stallion may encounter and that you should have some knowledge of.

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Testicles:

• Normal testicles are firm without being hard or fibrous, and softer testicles are a sign of degeneration. • Size and consistency are the most important parameters of fertility. • Testicular mass is proportional to sperm production. • Generally the head of the epididymis is at the front and the tail behind but some stallions can have them backwards. This is usually not an issue regarding breeding and fertility as long as the stallion is comfortable. • Cryptorchidism basically is a disorder in which one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum (retained testes). While a stallion with only one descended testicle can be somewhat fertile, cryptorchidism is not a desirable trait to pass on to offspring.

Blood or urine in the semen sample: • The main two glands that produce gel are the seminal

• •

•

vesicles. Rectal palpation and ultrasound and treatment with antibiotics can treat seminal vesiculitis. Some stallions pass urine after semen but urine kills sperm. A urethral bleed generally stops spontaneously, but can be seen endoscopically, particularly if the urethra is inflamed and bleeding due to Habronema fly larvae infection. The Habronema parasite is transmitted by flies and causes growths on the penis, which can lead to an inability to ejaculate. Urethral fossa beans (accumulation of debris) occasionally have to be removed manually. It is not uncommon for stallions to have bladder stones. Characteristically, a stallion with bladder stones will pass normal urine when at rest, but after being raced or ridden his urine will be bloody. This is due to the rough-edged stone causing damage to the bladder with excessive movement. Old horses can have blood in their urine as a result of bladder tumors. Treatment for this includes difficult surgery with the added worry of the likelihood of metastases. Diagnosis of kidney trauma or kidney tumors is best achieved by bladder endoscopy through which blood will be seen coming periodically from the affected kidney. Tumors of the kidney are most often untreatable as normally there will be metastases. Blood as a result of kidney trauma can be quite easily treated by antibiotics and regular flushing of the kidneys. One cause of colic in stallions can be related to hernias, which are diagnosed by palpation of the scrotum, rectal palpation and scrotal ultrasound. Castration may be required of the affected side.

Disease or infection Sexually transmitted diseases and bacterial infections may cause sterility, including: • Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM): Caused by the bacteria Taylorella equigenitalis. In an infected stallion the bacteria is carried primarily on the

Injuries Injuries to the penis and/or prepuce (generally, but not always, because of a kick) can result in temporary or permanent loss of the ability to perform. For each of the issues listed below, it is most likely that the stallion’s owner will have requested veterinary assistance and followed the proper corrective procedures. • Penile hematomas frequently occur following a kick from the mare during breeding. Bleeding starts immediately, and the penis and prepuce will swell. • When a stallion attempts to breed a mare across a fence, jumps a barrier, or falls on sharp objects, typically he will lacerate his penis. Lacerations can also occur from the mare’s tail hair or breeding stitch during coitus, or an improperly fitted stallion ring. • If the tough connecting tissue of the penis is ruptured, immediate surgery is required before major adhesions prevent treatment. • Prepuce damage can lead to a situation where the penis is unable to get out of, or back into, a swollen constricted prepuce. • Priapism is defined as “persistent erection without sexual excitement”. The frequent outcome is impotency resulting in infertility. • Squamous cell carcinomas (tumors) of the penis are common in older stallions and geldings with pink skin on the penis, and is particularly common in grey Arabs, Thoroughbreds or Appaloosas. Providing the tumor has not metastasized into the inguinal lymph nodes, treatment and removal is available in various forms.

Some other potential problems: • Musculoskeletal concerns, such as osteoarthritis of the back and hind limbs, laminitis or bursitis may hinder his ability to cover a mare. • Loss of interest is the most common behavior problem. This is often the result of rough handling, painful or traumatic breeding experiences, and punishment. • Breeding fatigue and consequent loss of interest can be brought on by a prolonged strenuous breeding schedule. • A protracted illness or the administration of male hormones often results in a lack of libido and depresses sperm formation. Any issues regarding the inability to perform the act of coitus could indicate medical or psychological issues or be the result of management problems.

Owners can help out! It is possible for the stallion owner to help the horse remain fertile for quite a long time. This can be achieved by monitoring for good body condition, utilization of proper nutrition and supplements, having proper and timely veterinary attention and check-ups, and being carefully and correctly advised if and when drugs are administered or stallion rings are used. Limit the stallion’s exposure to stressful situations and overly high or low temperatures. Try not to disrupt his herd structure or stable mates too much, and do not leave him stabled by himself, as this triggers a stress response that will hinder the ability to reproduce.

Mare owners Do not be afraid to ask questions, some of which might be difficult for owners/breeders or vets to answer, or the answers might be hard for you to understand. Use your own good sense and compassion and appropriate discipline. Then let nature take its course. May all the foals be healthy! c

This article should be construed as introductory comment and should not be relied on if a query arises about the health of horses intended for breeding. Please contact your vet or other equine professional for advice.

Some other reading: • Horse Country Issue 1-2012: Safe Sex - Equine Style. • www.merckvetmanual.com • www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/pubs/asc117.pdf • research.vet.upenn.edu/Portals/49/86ReprodU.pdf • equimed.com/health-centers/reproductive-care • studandstablevets.com.au • www.quarterhorsenews.com/index.php/news/current-issue-of-qhn/ features/9552

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urethral fossa of the penis, where it can live for years, and be transmitted to many mares. It may be also found in the lining of an infected mare’s clitoris causing transmission to the breeding stallion and to any foals. Stallions and some mares do not show any symptoms. In other mares, symptoms of vulvar mucous discharge, short-term infertility, and abortion can appear within weeks of breeding. • Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): EVA is spread through respiratory secretions when horses are in close contact or from contaminated equipment, but also through live-cover and AI. Symptoms are very similar to rhinopneumonitis, equine infectious anemia and flu, and include fever, nasal discharge, rash, inflamed eyes with discharge, plus sometimes the horse may endure swelling of the limbs, colic, diarrhea, swelling in the scrotum or udder, and depression. However, many stallions will not show symptoms, and the virus cannot be detected in tissues or body fluids after 28 days. Abortion may be the only sign, but should the foal survive, it will usually die from pneumonia within a few days. The birth fluid and placenta of an infected mare will transmit EVA to other horses.

Manitoba Superhorse 50/50 Futurity 2011 (left to right) Marion Watson, SQ Feature Em Blue, 9th place Jessica Funk, SQ Red Leo Quinn Brandt, SQ Blue Silver. 10th place, Hi Point Youth. Dale Barkman, SQ Flash Em Frost. 3rd place, Hi Point Pattern

Quincy Blue Socks 1994 Blue Roan Stallion

SIM QUA RANCH PRODUCING ALL-AROUND WINNERS

SQ Blue Frost and Quinn Brandt

SQ Paddycake Two and Dale Barkman

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SQ Mr Blue Socks and SQ Mr Blue Buck with Dale Barkman, Wayne Plett, Clint Barkman

SQ Blue Frost and Dale Barkman SQ Cowboy Up and Patrick Lewis

SQ Golden Fame and Dale Barkman

WAYNE & LIZ PLETT. SIM QUA RANCH KOLA, MB, R0M 1B0 Phone: (204) 845-2134 Fax: (204) 845-2122 We realize that this pleasure is from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him,. God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. Ecc. 2:24 The Holy Scriptures

No magic; just sound breeding and training. The road to success and long-term horse satisfaction

permitting, he will set the horse around different obstacles

for Sim Qua Ranch and some of their customers starts

to check reactions and get his mind going on what the horse

more than two years before a landmark show such as

needs to bring it into the “all-around” category.

demonstrate their program’s success each year.

At the 2-year-old stage of the future “Futurity” horse, Barkman has to really consider the physical and emotional

To find the Sim Qua’s chosen trainer, the road directions

maturity of the horse he has been presented with. He

are south towards Steinbach on Highway 12 and turn left

said, “The basic training doesn’t change much from horse

at the “Magic” sign, but there are no magic recipes to

to horse, but a softer horse will need less pressure to

land in the Top Ten each year. The mix includes careful

achieve results. A dull horse will need more pressure to

matching of bloodlines in stallions and mares, calm and

get the same response. With all horses, the release is the

sensible ground-handling of young prospects, a good

reward when the horse catches on to the right answer.”

nutrition plan, and then some solid riding training from

According to Barkman, the Pletts’ horses always have

Dale Barkman at AliDale Stables.

very good minds. He takes them to numerous shows

When Wayne and Liz Plett signed up for the Manitoba

throughout the summer to give them experience. All get

Superhorse 50/50 Futurity program, for the first few years

to do a trail class, some even drag a log to prepare for a

they bought in fillies from other breeders. Over time,

Ranch Versatility event.

as their stallion and broodmare band was defined and

He said his training encompasses getting the “steering

refined for success, out of the prospects they consign

wheel” working. This is more complicated than just turning

they now always buy back one of their own – a sign of

left and right. It’s getting the whole horse moving front

faith in their program.

to back, with body parts lining up. He also described

By the time Dale receives that year’s Superhorse

adjusting the “motor speed” rather than “ground speed”.

prospect, Wayne and Liz will have put on the basic

Motor speed implies slowing down the thinking of the

groundwork, handling for the farrier, standing for grooming,

horse, to balance himself at a slower gait. When that’s

trailering, blanketing etc, as required. These are crucial

fixed, Barkman can “send the legs forward” with lots of

first steps that every horse needs to learn without fuss and

collection and frame.

bother. The Pletts’ skills are the foundation of the horse.

The Pletts’ Futurity horses in 2011 and 2012 were

When the horse is dropped off in the AliDale yard, it’s

around 15hh, which is good for cow horses, commented

ready to ride.

Barkman. Smaller horses can move more easily around

Barkman test rides the horse in different situations,

the cows, have quicker movements and are lighter

to check out how it reacts to scenery, around the yard,

on touch. Despite this, the Pletts’ show photographs

maybe around banners, and with other horses in the arena.

demonstrate that their program produces horses which

There’s always a trail course set up in the yard so, weather

can excel in any discipline.

* Advertisement

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the Manitoba Superhorse 5050 Futurity, where the Pletts

Horse Country was proud to offer a scholarship package to

about the effort it takes to compete in MHSRA – the trials and

Manitoba High School Rodeo Association riders for the 2012

tribulations, etc.

season. The criterion was for students to use their creative writing skills and write about rodeo. For example, to write

Ashley Hygaard discussed her busy life as a student athlete.

My Glass is Always Half Full an essay by Ashley Hygaard

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It is the last days of my high school career and my life is stretched out before my eyes. So many decisions, and so many plans. I consider myself to be a student balancing school work and my passion for competing in rodeo. “Student athlete” is a term used to describe a participant in an organized competitive sport sponsored by the educational institution in which he or she is enrolled in. Throughout my years in high school rodeo I have found being a full time student and athlete is not an easy task. It

involves being extremely well organized and devoted to what you’re doing. I discovered that time management is first and foremost in me being able to balance both school and extra-curricular activities. I am an eighteen-year-old in Grade 12 at Lord Selkirk Regional as a hairstyling major in cosmetology. I have had full semesters all three years in high school, trying to do the best that I can while completing my hairstyling course. My goal as a high school student is to graduate

girl have enough time to be a student athlete and still have a life with other commitments? It is not easy having such a busy schedule, but with help and support from my family I have accomplished many things. My parents take time off on weekends to accompany me and support me on my journey. My teachers are also very supportive. They realize that I often leave early on Fridays to travel to a rodeo, but they know that I will have all my work in before I go. I have been in the hairstyling major for three years so I have become very close to my teachers and other students in the class. The group is small, and we have developed close friendships. They [the other students] support me; I consider the teachers and the other girls in the classroom like family as well. It gives me a sense of ease knowing that we are all so close, and we communicate so easily. I am fortunate to have such a supportive group. My plans for the future are to ride horses for as long as possible. I love training horses, competing, and helping others. I love the environment and all the friends that I have met along the way. I plan to attend Lakeland College in the following year as a business major and compete on their rodeo team. I am excited to travel and experience the world but most of all meet more friends. c

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and succeed. I am not satisfied with just getting by, but I push myself to excel in my academics as well as my rodeo competitions. If I did not have the passion that I do for this sport then it would not come easy. I believe that a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion will lead them to his or her purpose. I have really enjoyed competing in the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association for the past two years. I have made a lot of new friends who have helped me out a lot along the way and made my experience so much more enjoyable. There is a lot more to my life than just school and high school rodeo. I have been an active rugby player for three years for the Royals and the captain of the team for the past two. I have recently joined the Colts team, as well as the Wanderers team to play at club level. In the evenings I work part-time and in between all of my other activities I have to find time to condition my horses for competitions on the weekends. I am also a member of both the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Team Penning Associations, and the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association. I am a very optimistic person and I believe in filling every minute of my life with fun activities as a person only lives once. You may be wondering, how does an eighteen year old

Dear Mike Q&A Mike Branch

Q A

I am having a difficult time entering my horse’s stall. He always turns away from me and gives me his rear as I try to enter. Even though there is no sign of aggression I’m concerned that he may potentially pose a threat in the future. Or, is this the beginning of something he’s testing me with?

Although I ask permission from my

the bag until I get a response from the horse in the right

horse to enter its space (or stall), I

direction, this of course would be the horse facing up to

will make sure I get permission. The

me.

horse human relationship must be

However, in the initial stage of teaching this, as soon as

respected by both parties; however

the horse begins turning toward me, I will offer the benefit

the human must be the one that is in charge. Moreover if

of the doubt to it and quit shaking the bag. If the horse

I need to get in the stall and there is no respect from the

turns completely toward me then the nuisance of the bag

horse for me wanting to enter its space, I simply go back

goes away, if it does not face up to me the bag begins its

to basics. ”Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing

annoying rattling once more.

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difficult.” (Ray Hunt)

If this is followed correctly, your horse would rather

Since in this case the horse has faced away from me and

face up to you than to have a plastic bag shaking around

shown its hindquarters as the preferred greeting for me, I

it. When it does face up to you, offer your hand toward

will make it a difficult thing to stay in that position. I will

the horse’s nose with your fingers turned down, and wait

find a little lunging whip and tie a piece of plastic bag to

for the horse to touch you. When this happens, the horse

it. I will hold it close to the horse’s front end, while I stay

is actually giving

outside in a safe environment. I will then begin shaking

you permission to enter its space,

Mike Branch travels internationally from Canada to the United Kingdom to start horses, hold clinics, and give lectures and demos. Mike has appeared on television in the US as well as all across the UK and has been featured on the BBC production “Edwardian Farm”. Mike may be available for your next function. Inquire at flyingbhorsemanship@gmail.com or call 865-548-0112.

and has gained a renewed respect for you. Happy Trails

Mike Branch

Reminder to breeders about Canadian tax laws. you charge the customer the full amount of tax applicable to your province. Each Canadian province charges different rates and categories of tax. As with any information of this nature, Horse Country takes no responsibility for the advice being accurate. Go right to the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mouth to confirm which tax(es) you should charge in your province: www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/2651 c

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Since breeding season is nearly upon us, it is important for Canadian equestrian businesses to review their tax laws. If you are selling/shipping horses, semen, embryos to individuals living in other provinces or the United States, then you need to know what taxes to charge or NOT to charge. For example, if you live in Ontario and are selling/ shipping semen to Alberta, then you do not charge your Alberta customer anything except 5% GST. If you live in Alberta and you are selling/shipping a horse to Nova Scotia, then you must charge all the taxes applicable to Nova Scotia. If you are selling horses/semen/embryos to customers in the United States, then YOU must arrange for shipping and then you do not have to charge any tax to your US customer. If the US customer comes all the way up to Canada to pick up said item, then the law requires that

Jessica Jahiel answers an owner’s question about clicker training for a miniature stallion. I have a 9-year-old miniature horse stallion that came from several abusive situations. He can be very difficult to handle because the previous owner encouraged bad behavior such as rearing, biting, pushing, etc., thinking it was “so manly”. I have been really struggling with this horse. It feels as if we are always in a “power” struggle. I love him and really want to be friends with him, but he doesn’t seem to want to let me in. We have been building trust, but there are times when I ask him to do something, such as set up for halter class and he is doing very well, but when I go to praise him with a scratch, he is sure that I’m going to hit him and he pulls back. Sometimes violently. I have never struck him in the face. I have however smacked him on the side for biting. He is an old hand at that though... as soon as he bites he’s out of there! My question is do you agree with clicker training? I was thinking that the definite “click” when he is right would be a great benefit for him. That way there would be no confusion... hopefully! I wanted some more opinions on this before I

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go spending my money on the books and clicker.

I am aware of body language, but again there is a fine line with this horse. If he thinks he can step in and bully me he will! I’ve had him rear and go for my throat with teeth and hooves. Most of the time this horse is a gentle as a lamb so it can get very frustrating. I’ve had him for a year now. I’m thinking about gelding him too!

Jessica responds: You’ve taken on a huge project here. A miniature stallion is still a stallion, and a miniature abused horse is still an abused horse, and dealing with an abused stallion is not an easy task or one that should be undertaken casually. Good – that is, knowledgeable, kind and correct – professional help is essential. I would recommend that you wear your helmet whenever you’re handling this horse, because not only has he already learned to rear and fight human handlers, he can also kick. Minis can kick surprisingly high, and if you’re bending over or leaning down at the time, you can get very badly hurt. If you are killed or crippled by a rear, a bite, or a kick, it won’t matter what his intentions or motivations were. The damage will be permanent. Please be very, very careful at all times, and always approach this horse with as much respect as you would a horse of much greater size. Try to keep “stallion” and “abused” (rather than “mini”) uppermost in your mind. In addition to good professional help, I do think that clicker training would be an excellent idea for you. The books and clicker won’t cost much, and in any case it will be money well spent. Clicker training is really wonderful at helping eliminate confusion. Quite often, a handler thinks that s/he is sending one message to the horse, whereas the message that the horse is actually getting is completely different. Clicker training will let you make a fresh start with your mini, and put you in a position where instead of punishing him for doing what you DON’T want him to do, you’ll be rewarding and praising him for doing what you DO want him to do. It’s a great way to create an “attitude turnaround” in a horse that has been badly trained by a previous owner, because the horse has no expectations about the clicker. He’s a blank slate, and he

you are in constant communication with him through your voice and a slight vibration (NOT by constant or strong shaking of the leadrope) on the lead rope, and NOT by raising a hand towards his head. This horse clearly has more than his share of emotional baggage to carry. It sounds to me as though one or more of his previous owners enjoyed slapping him around. Some disturbed individuals do think of this sort of abuse as “mastering a stallion”, and he may always be on high alert when he’s being held by someone he can’t see. A stallion on high alert is just a fraction of a second away from a rear or a charge forward. And that brings me to your last concern, which should be the very first item on your agenda. Gelding this stallion is a very, very good idea. If I were you, I would arrange to have it done as soon as possible. Unless you have an incredibly compelling reason for keeping him entire (e.g., if he is a perfect specimen and the ONLY surviving representative of wonderful bloodlines, and his offspring are equally perfect and in great demand, and you want to be in the breeding business), by all means have him gelded. He’ll have a better and more enjoyable life, and so will you. You will need to continue to treat him with respect. Also, please be aware that the effect of gelding is not instant. You’ll be best off to continue to think of him and handle him as a stallion for at least several months. For example, don’t celebrate the occasion of his gelding by putting him in with mares the next morning! Also, never, ever forget that even if you are an expert in stallion behaviour and stallion handling, even if you are aware of every single possible “trigger” that could provoke unwanted behaviour in a mature stallion, you cannot be aware of all of the triggers that can provoke a violent reaction in a horse with a history of abuse. Stay safe. You may be this horse’s last, best hope, but BE CAREFUL, and always pause to consider what will happen to HIM if something happens to YOU. c

Copyright © 1995-2012, Jessica Jahiel, Holistic Horsemanship. www.horse-sense.org. Further reading: The art and science of clicker training for horses, by Ben Hart. www.theclickercentre.com www.clickertraining.com www.equineclickertraining,com www.clickertrainingfor horses.com

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and you will both enjoy this form of training. Most horses enjoy being praised and rewarded with a scratch, but your horse obviously has had some experiences that have given him very unpleasant expectations whenever he sees a hand coming towards his face. Clicker training will help. You’ll be able to teach him that a scratch IS a reward. Remember, though, that he must be allowed to see your hand coming towards him, because a sudden surprise scratch (or slap, or pat) won’t feel good to him. Unless you move slowly, and approach him at an angle so that he can see your hand and arm, he’ll be surprised and startled and worried about getting hit. With or without the help of a clicker, you’ll do best to approach your mini from the shoulder (NEVER from directly in front of him where he can’t see you), move slowly and deliberately, and then scratch him on the neck. A scratch on the neck is something that horses understand and interpret as friendly grooming behaviour. It’s something that horses do to each other. A pat on the forehead is something that horses do NOT understand, because it’s unnatural and frightening. Since the horse can’t see what’s coming, the sensation (which isn’t pleasant anyway) comes out of nowhere, and the horse, very reasonably, interprets the action as aggression or attack. I would plan to geld him immediately, then work with him at home for at least a full year, perhaps much longer, before taking him to another show, if I were you, because he doesn’t really trust anyone yet, there are enormous gaps in his training. Right now he is dangerous to himself, to you, and to others. Just imagine what would happen if he got loose and hurt the person who caught him! I’m sure that you wouldn’t want to be in court trying to explain that yes, you knew about his propensity for rearing and going for people’s throats with his teeth, but you thought you’d just bring him out in public anyway. If you plan to keep him and rehabilitate him, he’s going to need to be educated from the ground up. Once he’s been properly trained and learned good habits, he’ll need to be truly confirmed in those new, good habits before you add the stress and distraction of a competition environment. Whether you continue to show him or whether you just want to practice at home as part of his re-training curriculum, I know that when you’re setting up for halter class, there will be a moment when you’ll need to be standing directly in front of him (this is not a safe place to be, by the way!). So in that moment, be sure that

David Kory, Herb King and Jake Steeves, Saskatchewan.

Te n

Pointers

For Team Penners by Ishbel Moore.

“Teaching a horse to Team Pen is like teaching a baby to walk. It has to be done slowly.”

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Ron Lemay

The equine sport of Team Penning has become very popular over the last few years. If you haven’t had a chance to watch it, you could perhaps check out the Association’s website in your province and find out where and when the next competitions will be held or where people are meeting to practice. Meanwhile, here are a few tips for anyone interested in starting and for novice penners.

Take time to train yourself and your horse in good horsemanship techniques. Veteran penner, Ron Lemay advises, “You

don’t have to have a fancy horse when you start penning. However it is very important that you and your horse be well-trained. The better your horse is trained and the better you know good horsemanship techniques, the better you will be at controlling the cattle. You have to be able to control the four corners of your horse. The horse needs to be trained to a level of agility for changes in gait speed, corners, stopping, and to go as slow or fast as required. The horse should be taught how to roll off its hocks so the head and neck are positioned properly to guide the cow because the cows will move away from the pressure.” You and/or your horse are not allowed to hit, bite or kick a cow.

Although the 90 seconds maximum spent by the three horse and rider teams is fast and exciting, there is no point in trying to be part of a “team” unless you have learned how to work a single cow at a slow pace. There is a saying that “Wild horses make for wild cows; Quiet horses make for quiet cows.” Find a place where you can practice with cows/steer under the watchful eye of someone who can give you proper guidance, and who can help green horses to not be afraid of cows. (In southern Manitoba, practices are held in winter months at Matt Hygaard’s arena near Selkirk at 204-785-9699, Eugene Chalanchuk’s arena near Wawanesa at 204-824-2571, and Dale Barkman’s arena near Steinbach at 204-326-2955.) Relatively new penner Norine Mitchell attended a penning session and admits, “I fell in love with the game. Even though I was terrible and didn’t know what I was doing out there, each and every rider there was supportive, friendly and incredibly helpful. The most seasoned riders came over and gave me tips.” She also adds, “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or look stupid, I have seen some pretty seasoned cowboys go after the wrong number, put the wrong cow in the pen, fall off their horses and run all thirty cattle over the line.”

Learn to read cows.

You have to learn how to read cows; that is, to get a sense of what the cow is going to do next and how to counteract the movement. This is a learned skill, and because it is so important, clinics are often held to deal with “how the cow works”. It sees like a horse, which means it does not see directly behind, and if you are riding at its tail, the cow might panic

Ashley Hygaard.

Jake Steeves and Harvey Penner.

and you will lose the line of direction you are aiming for. If you are at the cow’s side, she is aware of you, and this positioning will help you guide her where you want her to go. Basically, the idea is to guide the cow instead of chasing it. However if the horse is too far past the cow’s hip, the cow will panic and most likely turn, go away from you, and run to the herd. “Always watch the cow’s head,” adds Ron. ‘Where it is looking is where it wants to go. You can then counteract accordingly. Never take your eyes of the cow. Pressure can be put on a cow just by looking at it; they can feel your steely gaze. Also your horse will go in the direction you are looking.” Your horse is an extension of you (after a good amount of training), so the direction of the horse’s head tells the cow which way to go. Different types of cows have different flight zones and these will determine the strategy the team will use during the run.

Learn the lingo.

As in other sports, player positions have names. In Team Penning your position is determined ahead of the run. Run: The 60-90 seconds in which the three horse and rider team cut out the specific three cows/steer they have been assigned at the starting line, and get them into the pen. Pen: A four-sided pen made usually of fence panels, with one end open (panels like a wing) and the other has a gate that is closed during the run, but opened once the cows have been penned. First Cutter: This rider will go into the herd, find the right cow and take it to the pen. Second Cutter: This rider will find the second cow and cut it from the herd and take it to the pen. Third cutter: This rider is determined by which of the three riders has the best chance at the third cow. continued on page 38

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Find somewhere to practice where you can also receive instruction.

continued from page 37

Hold back: This rider’s job is to keep the rest of the herd back so they don’t cross the line causing disqualification of the team. The person doing hold back, can also spot a cow’s number. Sweep: This rider pushes the cows to the pen and makes them turn into it. Hole: The shorter distance/space between the wall and one side of the pen. Wing: This rider prevent the cows from going around the pen wing and back to the herd. Identification: There are 30 cows, numbered from 0-9 x 3; that is, there will be three #9, three #2, etc. Rating: Through the level of rating, based on ability, and making teams up of rider-horse combinations with varying abilities, beginner penners can compete on the same team as those with more experience

Communicate.

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Communication is most important between team members. Know your position and what your partners are going to do. The very nature of the sport is never constant, therefore communication is vital to yell out your game changes as you ride.

Don’t block the gate! Do raise your hand!

Be sure you are playing your positions, and if you are not the ‘sweep’ then get your horse out of the way of the opening to the pen. Once your team has successfully penned the cows, you raise your right hand to symbolize completion of the task.

Understand the strategies.

Know when to change horses.

One strategy involves the first and second cutters and a herd that has been noted to be slow and quiet. Then the two cutters could potentially enter the herd at the same time, leaving the third cutter to hold back alone. (Herds differ in terms of age and energy and experience, which obviously changes up the game on any given day.) It is important to move as few cows as possible; preferably moving only those you want to move.

“The quality of your horse may, at some point, restrict your rating,” suggests Ron. “If you wish to move up in the ratings, you may need to get a more experienced, quicker moving penning horse. It is

not advised that a beginner penner acquires and rides an experienced penning horse.” What makes a “cowy” horse? Ron LeMay mused: “There is a lot to be said for genetics and that magical inbred knowledge that some horses have about cows. There are stories of yearling quarter horses deliberately cutting cows out in the field just for fun. However to some extent cowy-ness can be taught to smart aggressive horses. Laid back horses can also be taught, but they will likely not see the point of all the fuss.”

Wear the gear.

There is a dress code: Western long-sleeved shirt, jeans, cowboy boots, and a hat (can be a cowboy hat if you are over 18 years-old, or a hard hat/safety helmet).

Have fun.

Team Penning events are usually held on weekends. This provides the opportunity for everyone to meet over a campfire, share tales, swap hints, commiserate or rejoice. Often the events are held where there is a swimming hole nearby to wash off the dust and sweat, or a hotel with a pool. Says Norine, “This is a very easy riding sport to get into. You are rated and therefore only expected to ride at your level. You will make friends with people from all walks of life with one thing in common – the love of horses.” c

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Manitoba Team Penning Association: www.mantcpa.com Saskatchewan Team Penning Association www.sasktcpa.com/ The photos in this article were taken at the Manitoba Team Penning Classic Competition at the Wheat City Stampede in Brandon, October 2012. These and others can be seen and ordered from www.horsecountry/ photogallery.htm

by Ishbel Moore.

Your next partner:

Many people who now have their own horses most likely took lessons at some point and for varying durations with resulting different levels of ability. In the beginning, as students, they would have been placed on the backs of what are known as school horses. Reputed to be as bombproof as possible, dependable, willing, easy to handle, experienced and forgiving, they can bring much joy to the students and teachers and owners. For a school horse, size, looks and breeding are not as important as kindness and patience and the temperament to endure a variety of riders and the spectrum of human personalities: the timid, scared, reluctant, overly enthusiastic, impatient, loud, too soft and gentle, too macho, or the know-it-all. A good school horse can be invaluable and not as easy to find as one might think. Also, it does happen that a student will fall in love with their equine teacher and want to purchase it, fully or as a part-board arrangement. But the time does come when the stable owner decides a school horse has “had enough” and may put it out to pasture, sell or give it away for one reason or another. For example:

Should you think about a

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“retired” school horse?

Age The horse is displaying signs of ageing, such as slowing

down in its actions, perhaps looking unhappy or tired, losing weight, tripping occasionally, or simply deserves quietness for their last few years.

General Health Horses can get arthritis, sore backs, lameness or laminitis, and body soreness to name a few health concerns. A school horse needs to be of robust health as part of the required dependability.

Personality/temperament People can become cantankerous and so can horses. They can dig in their hooves and require much coaxing to move. Vices can develop, such as kicking or nipping, as though the horse is saying, “If I have to train one more squirmy little kid or another overweight middle aged female…!”

Dead mouth After years of people perhaps pulling on the mouth (until hopefully quickly corrected by the coach), a horse may start to ignore those commands sent through the reins to the bridle and to the bit. This makes it difficult to turn the horse. (Sometimes, they may refuse to turn in only one direction, which could indicate problems with the teeth or other issues.)

As above, with all the different lengths of legs and heels kicking into the horse’s sides (often incorrectly, until addressed by the coach), the horse simply stops “listening” to leg commands.

Dead head (Author’s term). The horse has “checked out”. Its mind is turned inward in an attempt at self-preservation from the daily grind or repetitive exercise patterns, noise, excitement, loss of time when it is allowed to be just a horse out in the pasture. You call tell by looking at the horse’s eye, like you would if you were in conversation with a person who had “checked out” and only appeared to be listening to you.

Bad habits No vice should be tolerated in a school horse. Occasionally, a school horse discovers it can be fun to drop and roll while in saddle, with or without a rider. There are ways to stop this, but the drop and roll can be very disconcerting for a beginner and annoying for anyone. And can wreck a good saddle too.

Begging student/A good fit It is not at all unusual for a rider to become very attached to the school horse she/he has been trained on. To discourage this, some training facilities enforce rider-tohorse rotation, but others allow for a good connection to be forged between the human and horse. The coach might well see that a particular school horse works better for a certain student and would not be surprised when that student wanted to own the horse herself. Consequent negotiations could end in a very satisfactory way, with a content student, horse, and stable owner. Finances/Human Health: The owners are decreasing or dispersing the herd due to financial or human health issues or they have decided to retire themselves. A wise stable owner or coach will know when a school horse is no longer enjoying the job, is tired of it all, etc. They will also know that many of the situations listed

above as reasons to sell the horse can be corrected once the animal is no longer used as a school horse. With consistent, individual attention, and a more relaxed environment with a competent and loving new owner with perhaps a slightly different training method or goal, many school horses rally with this change of careers, and the “deadness” is no longer a problem (with work, as this will not happen overnight).

A good partner Vicki Ditchfield rides a school horse retired from St. Andrews Stables, where she also boards it, north of Winnipeg. She has this to say about her 15 year-old, 15.2 hh, Quarter Horse/Draft cross mare. “I call my horse Molly Brown. She is very quiet and relaxed. She went from being a dependable busy school horse that had helped start many riders over the years to a m u c h s l o we r paced lifestyle as my riding horse without any concerns. Our grandchildren love coming out to see and ride her and she takes it all in stride. She is strictly used for pleasure riding in the indoor and outdoor arenas and I began some trail riding late this summer which I am finding more and more enjoyable as my confidence increases. I also enjoy taking lessons from time to time to increase my knowledge and ability. Molly has exceeded all my hopes and expectations as a riding horse for me and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to own her.”

What should you look for when considering a school horse? Age may or may not be of concern to you. How old is old? A 20-year-old Arabian likely has quite a few good and energetic years left. An 18 year-old Quarter Horse is also ready to rumble for a while longer, which cannot be said for most 19-year-old Thoroughbreds. Many people love older horses, sometimes called “push button” continued on page 40

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Dead sides

continued from page 39

or “babysitter” horses, as they seem to know what you want before you do, and will take care of you. But if the horse is in its last years, you need to be aware that more vigilance, vet care, different feeding requirements may be necessary. Long trail rides could be out. A 10-hour day at the show under blazing sun might not be tolerated. Also, are you able to deal with the “end of life” scenario? General health and body condition, including teeth, sight, hearing, and soundness should be addressed. Watch for a bad cough, heaves, diarrhea, and wounds or scars. Ask to see the teeth. If it is a mare, find out if it has strong heat, which can be troublesome, and if she has had foals. A vet check before purchase is always a good thing. Find out all you can about injuries, allergies, medications, teeth floating, worming and injections. And like buying a car, you might enquire about past accidents.

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• Saddles & Tack • Show Clothing • Western & English

Bring in your used items to sell or shop for good slightly used items. Call Barb 204-534-6008 home 204-534-7050 plant

OPEN Monday - Friday 558 Aikman Street, Boissevain 204-534-7050 info@gloverequine.com

The horse’s personality can make or break the deal. Does it nicker at your approach or pin its ears? Does it like standing close to you (but not in your space), watching your every move, or doesn’t it give a darn? Is it willing to stand still while you tack up, and is good when tied (no pawing or stamping)? Does it have any quirks, like tossing its feed bowl, or has to be the leader on the trail? Does it like children or is it better with adults? Pay attention to the eye. Is it soft and kind, or hard and almost scary? The horse’s training and experience should be considered. How was it trained, e.g. English or Western or all-purpose. Who was the trainer? Was it always a school horse (likely not)? Was it off the racetrack? Was it a rescue horse? Has it done any trail work or always been ridden in an arena or paddock? Did it do poles or barrels or jump, etc? Has it always been kept outside, in all weathers, or has it led a “sheltered” life in a cozy barn? What are your equine accommodations like?

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How “despooked” is it – really? Bombproof is a lovely word, but any horse can, for instance, be spooked by a strange or loud noise. Can it walk over a tarp, cross a ditch, drag a pole. How is it with flapping flags, stones being dropped in a bucket, rolling balls, bicycles, 4-wheelers and snowmobiles? Trailer loading is important. Make sure your potential purchase will walk readily into and get properly out of a two-horse bumper pull (unless it’s a very big horse), a three-horse slant 5th wheel, and a stock trailer. Before signing on the bottom line, consider having a trusted, horse-savvy, truth-speaking friend or trainer or coach, take a look and maybe ride the horse. Be prepared for their assessment. Not all retired school horses transition well, especially if their problems are deeply rooted and hard to change. However, there are some truly lovely school horses that go on to become much beloved by their new owners, and those owners are repaid with years of happiness in the saddle, doing ground work or agility, or watching grandchildren perched without fear on a faithful equine companion. No matter where the horse comes from, what it knows or doesn’t know, it will always give us something back, and teach us much, just as you would expect a good school horse to do. c

Haute Couture for Donkeys

During the 19th century the Baudets du Poitou donkeys were an invaluable aid to the inhabitants of the Ile de Ré (an island off the southwest coast of France). They were used for the collection of seaweed on the coast, salt marshes or in agricultural work. To protect them from biting insects (flies and mosquitoes) they were dressed in pants or leggings with straps made of old materials with stripes or plaid patterns. The increased use of tractors and trucks meant that donkey numbers fell into decline and in the 1980s a breeding program began to save the Poitou donkey and mule Poitevin, two races that were endangered. To raise money for the breeding program and donkey welfare, donkey rides are organized for children in the Parc de la Barbette in Saint-Martin-de-Ré. The photos found in our research show a much smaller animal than the traditional Baudets du Poitou, and may be cross-breds. Today, donkeys with pants are part of the

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folklore of the Isle de Ré.

The Poitou donkey (French: baudet de Poitou), also called the Poitevin donkey, the mammoth donkey, or simply the Poitou, is a breed of donkey originating in the Poitou region of France. One of the largest and most distinctive donkey breeds, it is also among the rarest and least-known. The friendly, affectionate and docile Poitou donkey is the oldest breed approved in France. The baudet du Poitou is a breed of donkey with a distinctive cadanette of shaggy, matted hair. Although a 1977 inventory revealed only 44 baudets de Poitou worldwide, today there are an estimated 400 Poitou, but this includes non-purebred animals. There may be 180 or fewer purebred Poitou in existence. The baudet de Poitou is instantly recognizable for a number of unusual characteristics that distinguish it from other asses. Its shaggy coat, called a cadanette, hangs in long cords when ungroomed because the hair is longer and softer than that of other breeds of donkey. Animals with great cadanettes of matted and tangled hair were most highly valued. Breeders prized the baudet du Poitou’s traditional coat so highly that a champion jack who had lost his cadenette was excluded from placement in a class at later shows. The Poitou’s coat is always dark brown or black. While lacking the stripes and cross-like markings on the coats of The baudet du Poitou is a breed of donkey with a distinctive cadanette of shaggy, matted hair.

some other breeds of donkey, the Poitou should have a white underbelly, nose and rings around its eyes. A purebred Poitou has a more massive bone structure and a larger foot than a part-bred animal, but the shaggy coat is such a dominant trait that even a 1/8 Poitou Donkey may resemble a pure-bred. In modern times, the Poitou’s coat is still considered important but less so than size and measurements. Today, many Poitou Donkeys are shorn for the purpose of hygiene, but some Poitou are allowed to grow their coats out so as to be, in the French-borrowed parlance of their husbandry, “bourailloux”.

M. Léau - les Anes en Culotte. Tel: 06.08.57.25.94 (GSM). info@ane-en-culotte.com. www.holidays-iledere.co.uk

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The Poitou is also noted for its large body; the Andalucian donkey is the only other European breed of donkey of comparable size. Breeders selected animals with large ears, heads, and leg joints with the intention of breeding larger and stronger mules. Today the ears of some Poitou Donkeys are so large as to lie horizontal. A standard Poitou should stand between 13.1 hh and 14.3 hh at the withers and have a large, long head on a strong neck. Its withers should be unobtrusive and the back flat and long. The croup of the Poitou should be short and it should have rounded haunches. Its feet are bigger than those of other donkeys and are covered with the same long hair as its legs. As with many ancient breeds, the origins of the baudet de Poitou are somewhat obscure. The Roman Empire is said to have introduced the donkey and the practice of mule breeding to the Poitou region of France from which the baudet de Poitou takes its name. Two breeds – the Poitou donkey and a now very rare horse known as the “Mulassière” (mule breeder) – may have been developed side-by-side for the purpose of producing mules of superior quality. In the Middle Ages, owning a Poitou donkey may have been a status symbol among the local French nobility. Up until shortly after World War II, the Poitou and the Mulassière were important in supplying mules to France and elsewhere in Europe as the offspring they produced were reputed to be the finest working mule in the world and fetched a higher price. At the height of their popularity, the Poitou region produced up to 30,000 mules yearly. As mules and other draft animals were replaced with motor vehicles, there was less reason to breed Poitou donkeys and their numbers swiftly declined. In 2001, scientists in Australia successfully implanted a Poitou donkey embryo created by artificial insemination in the womb of a standard jenny. The procedure was done because the biological mother had joint problems and veterinarians were concerned that she might not be able to complete a pregnancy. A female foal was born strong and healthy and joined her parents as one of only three purebred Poitou in Australia. La Maison du Baudet du Poitou at Tillauderie in Dampierre-sur-Boutonne, Charente-Maritime, carries on the work of preserving and increasing the numbers of these unusual donkeys in France. In Vermont, US, another breeder pioneers the use of frozen semen. The success of breeding programs in France and the United States has allowed Poitou donkeys to be sold to private owners. A breeder in SaintMartin-de-Re has about 60 donkeys including 20 Baudets du Poitou of pure breed. c

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program

KAREN HARRISKO

Heads up, Thoroughbred Owners! The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program is generously sponsoring seven High Point awards at the 2013 Heart of the Continent show. Each winner receives $100, prizes and a TIP ribbon. There will be Junior/Senior high points for Hunters Under 3’, Hunters 3’+, Road Hack (no Junior/Senior) and Jumpers below 1.20m. Horses need not have raced but must be registered Thoroughbreds. For more information go to tjctip.com/default.asp The TIP awards will be given at the Heart of the Continent horse show and are as follows: Hunter High Point Thoroughbred - High (3”0” and above) - Junior Hunter High Point Thoroughbred - Low (below 3’0”) - Junior Hunter High Point Thoroughbred - High (3”0” and above) - Senior Hunter High Point Thoroughbred - Low (below 3’0”) - Senior Open Road Hack Jumper High Point Thoroughbred - Low (below 1.20m) - Junior Jumper High Point Thoroughbred - Low (below 1.20m) - Senior

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Eligible horses need not have raced but must provide proof of registration. c

On January 6, 2013, at the age of 56, Karen passed away with her family at her side after a long battle with cancer. For the last 17 years Karen worked tirelessly as the secretary for the Manitoba division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society. When not working, she enjoyed tending her flower beds and sharing a few laughs with friends. But without doubt, her greatest joy was her family. As a loving wife, mother and Babcia, preparing delicious meals and working with family, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. She was selfless, generous, courageous and a true blessing to all the lives she touched. Her family loves her, and will miss her. Cremation has taken place, and at Karen’s request, a private ceremony will be held when the flowers are in bloom. If friends so desire, a donation can be made to CancerCare Manitoba in lieu of flowers.

from Tanya Unrau It was a busy year for the MMHC with three spring clinics, summer fairs and horse shows, and another successful trail drive in the fall.

Thanks to our generous sponsors and club support, we gave out over 40 awards to our members in the youth and open division. Members could earn awards for high point and high average as well as reserves in those categories as well. This allows members to only participate in a minimum of two fairs/shows and still be eligible for awards. Our high point horse in halter and driving was Echo, owned by Dustin Ardron. As there are too many to list, please see a complete listing of the awards on the MMHC website at www.manitobaminiaturehorseclub. org

Lunch break on the trail ride.

The trail drive found a new location this year, in the St Rose area of Manitoba. The new trails and hospitality of the area were wonderful for all who attended. The event was hosted by one of our members, Sheila Latain and her family, who went to a lot of work to make everyone feel welcome. Throughout the summer, many of our members attended Manitoba fairs as well as the two sanctioned AMHR shows held in Brandon MB. At these fairs and shows, if miniature classes are offered, members can collect points which go towards our year end awards. Many fairs throughout the province are wonderful to offer the classes, and in return our members do our best to support them. Our year end annual meeting and awards banquet was held in Westbourne on November 3, 2012. New executive was elected: President: Rod Hart Vice President East: Karen Brown Vice President West: Tanya Unrau Secretary: Vicky Ardron Treasurer: Don Glover

The Equine Foundation of Canada

The Equine Foundation is pleased to announce that a Gift has been given to the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI in Charlottetown, PE, for the purchase of an equine surgery table. The table is made by Haico in Finland, and will

Some of the Youth winners.

Meadowind Miniatures generously sponsors youth participation awards. Our next event is our February meeting and potluck supper at the Kemnay Hall (10km west of Brandon on Hwy 1a) on February 9, 2013. Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; skating and activities begin at 2pm, with the meeting at 3pm and supper to follow. Anyone is welcome to attend. If you are interested in miniature horses and would like to learn more about the club, please consider this your invitation. For more information about the MMHC, to see our classified listing or current events, please visit our website at www.manitobaminiaturehorseclub.org. c

enable the equine surgeons to better handle operations on horses at the college. EFC gifts such as this are made possible by the generosity of horse enthusiasts across Canada for the betterment of the horse in general. Your

support of EFC is very much needed so they can continue with this. Tax deductable receipts will be issued. More information can be found on www. equinefoundation.ca, and on Facebook and Youtube. c

issue 1-2013 | www.horsecountry.ca

Manitoba Miniature Horse Club

MMHC

FEI launches global safety helmet campaign

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The FEI has launched an online global campaign to promote the use of protective headgear, following the implementation on January 1 of a new rule making the use of properly fastened protective headgear mandatory while riding on the show grounds at FEI events. An important part of the campaign will be a series of emails with strong visuals reminding athletes of the importance of safety, and particularly of helmet use. These reminders will be sent to the National Federations, athletes and officials clubs, and various FEI stakeholders on a regular basis throughout 2013. A special page outlining the protective headgear requirements specific to each of the seven FEI disciplines on the field of play and outside the competition arena has been created on the FEI website. Beginning January 1, 2013, protective headgear will be compulsory at all FEI events and everyone involved in international equestrian sport to familiarise themselves with the new general and sport-specific rules. Helmet use has been at the forefront of several campaigns in recent years. US Dressage rider Courtney King-Dye, recent winner of the FEI Against All Odds Award, advocates educating equestrians on the benefits

of wearing helmets through the Riders4Helmets campaign (www.riders4helmets.com). In 2010, King-Dye, who had represented the United States at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals 2007 and 2008, suffered a traumatic brain injury. A horse she was schooling tripped and fell and, with no helmet to protect her, she fractured her skull in the fall. After four weeks in a coma, she spent three months in hospital re-learning how to walk and talk. The after-effects of the accident still severely affect her coordination and speech. She is now aiming to compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (BRA). Courtney King-Dye commented, “I think my accident was necessary in the fight for safety because an Olympian who sustains a brain injury while riding proves that injury has nothing to do with level of skill. For 15 years, I was a person who only rode the young or ‘dangerous’ horses with a helmet, but my horse did nothing naughty, he just tripped over his own feet. “While you can’t control what people do at home,” she added, “the new rules can control what people do at shows and this will go a long way to create good habits.”.c

the economical section for buyers and sellers. TRAILERS

Advantage Auto & Trailer Sales For all your trailer needs! Featherlite, Titan, Interstate, Load Trail, Aluma, Duralite. Specializing in affordable living-quarter horse trailers. Sales, leasing, rental & financing. FINANCING! 0% down with extended terms up to 20 years! Toll free 1-888-571-8899, local 204-729-8989. 770 Highland Ave., on the TransCanada Highway, Brandon, MB. www.aats.ca. (1-14

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Harness and saddle repairs. Pat Lynch, Prairie Enterprises. 204-752-2162 (8-13)

TACK

Like New Black Headstall & Reins $60. Like New 7’ Reins $30. Thin Lightweight Biothane Rein over 9’ long $10. Older well used one ear headstall (dark oil). $10 (Will fit smaller QH or Arab Head ). 5’ Dark Brown Poco Style Reins $10 (color matches one ear). New Black Plastic Stirrups $20. New Leather Training Fork $10. Black 16” Bling Brow Band $15. Used Once Brown Leather Draft Halter $40. 47” Cottage Country Girth (made in England) $10. Beval Therapeutic Sheepskin & Natural Wool Pad $100 (New $190+). Black Leather 106½” English Reins $15. Black Shedrow Pad (almost new) $30. 6” Heavy Eggbutt Oval Snaffle Bit $20. 5¾” Loose Ring Snaffle Bit $10. New Adjustable Shank bit 4½- 5½ $50. 5½” French Link O-Ring Snaffle $15. Professional’s Choice Wrangler Hood size L $40. Professional’s Choice Wrangler Size 82 Winter Blanket $50 as is. Two New Scrims (L & M) $10/ea. New in Bag Shedrow Deluxe cotton sheet Red size 84. $50. Used but excellent shape Shedrow cotton Sheet Green size 84 $40. Email zhaan35@mts.net for pictures. (1-13)

FOR SALE: Lightly used 17.5” Stubben Siegfried all-purpose saddle for sale. Includes stirrup leathers and stirrups. Price $700. Contact gdorward@mts.net (1-13) FOR SALE: Freeform Treeless Saddle. In excellent condition and very lightly used. Freeform Elite Dressage model with cutback SB base. Package includes a 17” DKR seat, 26” wave leathers and EZ Ride nylon stirrups. $2,000 obo. Contact Linda @ 204444-4927 or email horsepwr@highspeedcrow. ca. (8-12a) FOR SALE: Leddy ¾ basket reiner saddle, H & F Bowman tree, 15” padded seat, 6.5” gullet, full Quarter Horse bars, excellent condition, $3,800. Phone 204-344-5440. (8-12a) FOR SALE: Crosby English Show Bridle; square raised brow band and cavesson; bought at Miller’s in New York. Brand new and never been on a horse. $200. Phone 204344-5440. (8-12a)

EMPLOYMENT

CHRISTIAN RANCH WORKING WITH KIDS from single parent, foster and group homes requires summer wranglers and full time staff. Salary plus housing. bright.wood@hopemission.com; www. brightwoodranchcamps.com (2-13)

EQUINE THERAPY

Start a career with horses at the Academy of Equine Assisted Learning, 306-763-0386, www.cartierequinelearningcenter.com. (8-13)

DRIVING

FOR SALE: Horse Pairs Harness. Excellent condition with beautiful stitching detail. complete with lines and matching bridles. $1,500. call Linda 204-797-3681. (8-12) FOR SALE: Two wheeled cart $1,300. Call Heather at 204-866-4765 or 204-898-0007. (8-12)

Rates All rates are prepaid. Add GST or HST as applicable in your home province. (No PST.) CONNECTIONS SECTION Horses For Sale valued over $750. Picture section. $48: Picture and 30 words text. Guaranteed 1/9th page entry. $24: 30 words text only. Guaranteed 1/18th page entry. Horses valued less than $750 will be placed in the line adverts as below: Email: Send write-up - no more than 30 words, and picture no smaller than 3” x 2” at 300 dpi - high resolution. Please do not sharpen or crop the file. Pictures from web sites, video cameras or smart phones are not acceptable. Photographers proofs not accepted. Please send picture as an attachment, not inserted into the body of the email or Word document. If using Kodak Share or other email program, click on “keep original size”, NOT “email”. Regular mail: Send photo and maximum 30-word write-up, with an SASE if you want your picture returned. Paid adverts will be uploaded to the web each weekend. For security, please phone credit card details, don’t email. Email: contact@horsecountry.ca Phone: toll-free 1-866-886-2425, local 204-256-7467. Fax: 204-257-2467. Mail: Suite 203, 23-845 Dakota Street,Winnipeg, MB R2M 5M3 Line Advertising FREE: Subscribers’ personal line adverts, four times each year. Maximum 30 words per advert. Email to contact@horsecountry.ca or call 1-866-886-2425. $1 per word: Business adverts. $11: Add a picture to any line category. Bonus web: Horses for sale, line ads and small box ads in the Connections section include at least ten weeks on horsecountry.ca. Call for annual display rates in this section. Web and print packages available from $250. NB - Insertions not restricted to the current headings. We welcome new categories. ADVERTISERS PLEASE CALL: Linda Hazelwood 204-256-7467 or 1-866-886-2425; contact@horsecountry. ca.

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Connections:

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BLHPS DW E/CT. MAHA MCHA MDS MHT MMHC MPC MPHC SAHA SIRAS SPC

Brandon Light Horse & Pony Society Dressage Winnipeg Endurance/Competitive Trail. Manitoba Arabian Horse Association Manitoba Cutting Horse Association Manitoba Driving Society Manitoba Horse Trials Manitoba Miniature Horse Club Manitoba Pony club Manitoba Paint Horse Club Saskatchewan Arabian Horse Association South Interlake Rockwood Agricultural Society Springfield Polo Club

APRIL 20-21 MCHA. Ranch Clinic, Brown’s Farm. www. mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com

MAY 17-20 MHJA. Victoria Day show, Birds Hill Park (Bronze.)

APRIL 28 MCHA. Evergreen Farms Show. www. mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com

MAY 17-19 Michael Rohrmann Clinic. Ashley Fudge ridingdefined@hotmail.com or 204-485-7433

APRIL Eastridge Farms Schooling Show.

MAY 18 CT 15/25/40 miles. Sandilands. Iris Oleksuk 204-792-4125. irisolek@rainyday.ca

Send your show and clinic dates to contact@horsecountry. ca for free insertion. (Limited to date, association, event and contact details.) Other events and additional information can be inserted at a per-word rate. Editor’s decision is final. Call for advertising rates for display insertions. Non-profit rates available. Please note deadline and publishing dates on the opposite page. 1-866-886-2425 or email editor@ horsecountry.ca

ALBERTA MAY 10-12 NFR Barrel Racer Christy Loflin clinic, Edmonton. Cost $575 for 1 horse, $100 extra for each additional horse. Contact Rosemarie, 780-884-4311. saskgirl73@hotmail.com

MANITOBA FEBRUARY 1-3 BLHPS. Schooling show. Keystone Centre, Brandon. (Bronze.) FEBRUARY 9 MB Morgan Horse Club, Portage Days Inn, 1:30 pm FEBRUARY 9 MMHC. Kemnay Hall, Kemnay. 2:00pm. Kids’ skating and activities, 3:00 pm meeting, with potluck supper to follow. FEBRUARY 9 CCHA/SWRHA. Dale Clearwater Classroom Clinic. Thunderbird Horse Center, Brandon. 9:00 am - 5:30 pm. $100 per person, includes catered lunch. Space is limited. Derek Arbez, 204-937-3861 ddarbez@gmail.com or Sabrina Kirdie 204-842-3851 coyoteridge2005@yahoo. com EBRUARY 16 MCHA. Annual Valentine’s Dance. www. mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com

APRIL 27 Equine First Aid. St. Francois Xavier. Instructor: Kari Hasselriis, EHC Certified. Host: private barn. Register: 204-891-2981 or by Email: kari@umaequine.ca MAY 2-5 MCHA. Clinic. Evergreen Farms. www. mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com MAY 4-5, 2013 MQHA. Tim Kimura Trail Clinic. Member/ non-member price. Auditors $30 per day. Contact Sharon Forbes-Hanks, Box 54, Pilot Mound, MB R0G 1P0. 204-825-2384, or cell 204-825-7055. MAY 4 Endurance 15/25/50/75 miles. CT 15/25/40 miles. Spruce Woods. Maura Leahy 204-7951915, Maura.Leahy@live.ca Pot Luck Saturday.

FEBRUARY 16-17 BLHPS. Schooling show. Keystone Centre, Brandon. (Bronze.)

MAY 5 Endurance 15/25/50/75/100 miles. Spruce Woods. Maura Leahy 204-795-1915. Maura. Leahy@live.ca

MARCH 1-3 BLHPS. Schooling show. Keystone Centre, Brandon. (Bronze.)

MAY 10-12 MHT Spring Clinic & Derby - Birds Hill Park, Val Crowe 204-535-2368 pvcrowe@mts.net

MARCH 9 MPC Westman Quiz. Souris United Church 10:30 am Val Crowe 204-535-2368 pvcrowe@ mts.net

MAY 11 9am - 6pm. Clinician Tara Reimer AQHA/ Open Show Exhibitor-EC Judge-CHA Clinic Instructor. Learn how to prepare for your class, what the judge is looking for and how to improve your placings. $100.00/person. Deposit by May 1st. Contact Crystal 204-2522179. neu@mts.net

MARCH 10 Equine First Aid. Brandon. Instructor: Amber Klassen, EHC Certified. Host: Prairie Breeze Stables. To register: a_klassen8@hotmail.com MARCH 23 Equine First Aid. St. Francois Xavier, Instructor: Kari Hasselriis, EHC Certified. Host: private barn. Register: 204-891-2981 or email: kari@umaequine.ca MARCH 24-30 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, Keystone Centre, Brandon. www.brandonfairs.com APRIL 12-14 Horse3. Keystone Centre, Brandon. www. brandonfairs.com APRIL 12-14 BLHPS Grassroots Clinic. Location TBA.

MAY 11-12 MAHA. Arabian Spring Fling Horse Show. Keystone Centre, Brandon. Show secretary Chantelle Rutledge, mahashowsecretary@ hotmail.com or Valerie Batt 204-573-1737 or valabatt@gmail.com. arabianspringflingshow. webs.com MAY 11-12 DW. Kendra McBain Memorial Competition. Karine Duhamel, Show Chair: karine@ dressagewinnipeg.com MAY 12 MCHA. Evergreen Farms Show. www. mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com

MAY 24-26 BLHPS. Wheat City Classic. Keystone Centre, Brandon. (Silver.) MAY 25 Equine First Aid. Portage la Prairie. Instructor: Kari Hasselriis, EHC Certified. Host: Horses in Motion. Register: 204-891-2981 or Email: kari@umaequine.ca MAY 25-26 Jacqueline Brooks Clinic. Ashley Fudge ridingdefined@hotmail.com or 204-485-7433 MAY 26 MCHA. Show, Ashern. www.mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com. JUNE 1–2 MCHA. NCHA Days, Birds Hill Park www. mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com JUNE 1 SIRAS. Light Horse Show, Stonewall Agricultural Fair Grounds - Stonewall. www. sirasfairdays.com. For information: info@ sirasfairdays.com JUNE 2 SIRAS. 4-D Barrel Racing. Stonewall Agricultural Fair Grounds - Stonewall. Information and entry forms at www. sirasfairdays.com. For information: info@ sirasfairdays.com JUNE 5 - 9 Manitoba Summer Fair, Keystone Centre, Brandon. www.brandonfairs.com JUNE 5 MMHC. (At MB Summer Fair) Prairie Winds Summer Show - Miniatures and American Shetlands. Westoba ACE arena, Brandon. Start time 8:30 a.m. Contact Holly Pierce at prairiewindssummershow@gmail.com JUNE 7 MMHC. (At MB Summer Fair) Manitoba International Show - Miniatures and American Shetlands. Westoba ACE arena, Brandon Start time 8:30 a.m. Contact Mary Ann at bartk@inetlink.ca

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What’s Happening?

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JUNE 15 Ninette Fair includes Hunter/Jumper. JUNE 15-16 MCHA. Harvey Penner’s Show, Giroux. www.mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail. com JUNE 15-16 Capt. DeKenyeres Memorial Competition. Karine Duhamel, Show Chair: karine@ dressagewinnipeg.com JUNE 22-23 MHJA. Summer Smiles. Birds Hill Park. (Bronze.) JUNE 22 Endurance 15/25/50 miles. CT 15/25/40 miles. Birds Hill Park. Jen Simon. Diane Borger 204-233-1190. dborger@mts.net. Pot Luck Saturday. JUNE 23 Endurance 15/25/50 miles. Birds Hill Park. Jen Simon. Diane Borger 204-233-1190. dborger@ mts.net JUNE 28 - JULY 1 MHT Summer Horse Trials. Birds Hill Park. Val Crowe 204-535-2368 pvcrowe@mts.net JUNE 29 Endurance 15/25/50 miles. CT 15/25/40 miles. Souris Bend. Myna Cryderman 204-534-2390. myna@goinet.ca Pot Luck Saturday. JUNE 30 Endurance 15/25/50 miles. Myna Cryderman 204-534-2390. myna@goinet.ca JUNE 30 - JULY 1 SPC. Springfield International Tournament. Springfield Polo Club, Birds Hill Park. Spencer Smith. 204-782-3252. JULY 4-7 MHJA. Beach Party. Red River Exhbiition, Winnipeg. (Silver.) JULY 6 DW. 1 Day Gold Midsummer Madness: (Prior to Camp). Karine Duhamel, Show Chair: karine@dressagewinnipeg.com JULY 5-9 All levels - Building Blocks to the Foundation for Performance with Don and Randee Halladay. Horses In Motion arena. Crystal 204-252-2179 or email neu@mts.net JULY 6 Interlake Riding Club Horse Show, Teulon Green Acres Park. Contact interlakeridingclub@live.ca . 204-641-4455 JULY 7-9 DW. 5th Annual Dressage Winnipeg Development camp with Birgit Valkenborg and Sue Leffler. Pineridge Equine Park. ashley@dressagewinnipeg.com JULY 14-20 MPC Camp. Portage Fair Grounds. Leslie Wishart 857-3311 lwishart@bdo.ca JULY 19–20 MCHA. Morris Stampede. www.mbcutting. ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com JULY 20-22 MDS. 20th Annual Birds Hill International. www.manitobadrivingsociety.com

REGULAR EVENTS SPRINGFIELD POLO CLUB Season starts the May long weekend and ends September 15. Practise games are every Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm. Formal games are Sundays at 1:00pm4:00pm. JULY 27-29 Northfield/MHJA. Derby, Red River Exhibition, Winnipeg. (Silver.) JULY 31 - AUGUST 4 MHJA. Heart of the Continent, Red River Exhibition, Winnipeg (Gold.) AUGUST Date TBA Manitoba Equestrian Championship. Birds Hill Park. Endurance 15/25/50 miles. CT 15/25/40 miles. Jessica Mannes 204-3301773. northranch@hotmail.com Maura Leahy 204-795-1915. Maura.Leahy@live.ca AUGUST 10–11 MCHA. Meadowview Ranch Show, www. mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com AUGUST 12-17 Canadian National Arabian Championships, Keystone Centre, Brandon. AUGUST 16-18 MHJA. City. Red River Exhibition, Schooling Show. AUGUST 22-25 MHJA. Fall Harvest & Derby. Birds Hill Park, Winnipeg. (Bronze.) AUGUST 24-25 MCHA. Virden Show. www.mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 1 DW. Manitoba Provincial Championships. Karine Duhamel, Show Chair: karine@ dressagewinnipeg.com AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 1 Endurance 15/25/50 miles each day. Turtle Mountain. Myna Cryderman 204-534-2390. myna@goinet.ca Pot Luck Saturday.

NOVEMBER 23-24) Provincial Exhibition Schooling Show. Keystone Centre, Brandon. (Bronze.)

SASKATCHEWAN FEBRUARY 15-17 Saskatchewan Equine Expo, Prairieland Park, Saskatoon. FEBRUARY 16 SPHC. 2013 SPHC Annual General Meeting. 10:00 a.m. Western Development Museum, 2610 Lorne Ave., Saskatoon (in conjunction with Equine Expo). Breakfast 9am Bomtown Cafe. www.saskpainthorseclub.com MARCH 2-3 SAHA. Dressage and Sport Horse Clinic with National Dressage rider D.J. Cairns. Regina. Marvelle Machniak. 306-727-2020, kmachniak@ imagewireless.ca MARCH 8-10 Bull riding and Jr steer riding school (Instructor Brett Thompson). Bull fighting (Instructor Dave Sandilands). At Dave Sandilands’. $400 bull riding and bull fighting school, $350 steer riding school. Text or call 306-434-0312 or FB. Austen Meston. MARCH 23-24 SAHA. Western, Hunter, & English Clinic with National rider Erica Milligan. Willow Ridge, Saskatoon. Marvelle Machniak. 306-727-2020, kmachniak@imagewireless.ca APRIL 6-7 Dressage and Sport Horse Clinic with National Dressage rider D.J. Cairns. Willow Ridge, Saskatoon. Marvelle Machniak. 306-727-2020, kmachniak@imagewireless.ca APRIL 27-28 SAHA. Western, Hunter, & English Clinic with National rider Erica Milligan. Regina. Marvelle Machniak. 306-727-2020, kmachniak@ imagewireless.ca MAY (TBA) SAHA. Rena & Sharon Mclean Clinic.Regina. Reining, Western Pleasure and Trail lessons.

SEPTEMBER 13–14 MCHA. Brandon Show. www.mbcutting. ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com.

MAY 17-20 SQHA. Band City Quarter Horse Show. Golden Mile Arena, Moose Jaw. Split Combined Format. Double Judged 17th/18th and Triple Judged 19th/20th. Contact Mel Burns 306-693-1808 or Nikki Beatty 306-641-4106. Visit www.sqha.org for Show Bills and Entry Forms.

SEPTEMBER 21–22 MCHA. MHC MEC Show. www. mbcutting.ca, chelseycoulter19@gmail.com

MAY 18-19 SPHC. Lloyd Paint Horse Show, Lloydminster, Alberta. www.saskpainthorseclub.com

SEPTEMBER 21-22 Endurance 15/25/50 miles both days. CT 15/25/40 miles. Bel Air. Tanya Tabin 204-771-4701. anyatabin@gmail.com. Iris Oleksuk 204-792-4125. irisolek@rainyday. ca. Pot Luck Saturday.

MAY 31 - JUNE 1 SAHA. Icebreaker Arabian Horse Show, Moose Jaw. Two AHA judges. Western, Hunter, Sport Horse, Trail & Reining classes! Region 6 & Region 17 Qualifier. Marvelle Machniak. 306727-2020, kmachniak@imagewireless.ca

SEPTEMBER 27-29 (13-15) MHJA. Jump into Fall. Red River Exhibition Schooling Show.

JUNE 2 SAHA. Icebreaker Dressage Show. Arabian and Open classes. Moose Jaw. Marvelle Machniak. 306-727-2020, kmachniak@imagewireless.ca

SEPTEMBER 13-15 MHT. Derby. Birds Hill Park Grand Prix. Winnipeg. (All.) SEPTEMBER 6-8 SPC. Wind’er-up and Shut’er-down Tournament, Springfield Polo Club, Birds Hill Park. Spencer Smith. 204-782-3252.

JUNE 15-16 SPHC. Loud & Proud Youth/Amatuer/SHF Open Show. 16 Willow Ridge Stables, Saskatoon. www.saskpainthorseclub.com

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Announcing The Helping Hooves Ride Route for 2013

Friday Aug 9 - Meet and Greet! Kleefeld Manitoba

issue 1-2013 | www.horsecountry.ca

Helping Hooves is a group of horse loving people who are steppinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; up and making a difference in the lives of Manitobans. In 2012, Helping Hooves Manitoba hosted five fundraising events with individual trail

rides, flea markets and fun days. We were able to donate $5872.20 to Helping Hands For Manitobans With Breast Cancer. This organization supports breast cancer patients with outof-pocket expenses such as gas money for

Photos from just a few of the fund-raising events held during 2012.

appointments, day care and wig costs not covered by the province. In 2013, Helping Hooves is planning three-week long ride across Manitoba, having fun and raising money as it goes. There are many ways to get involved, such as attending a trail ride, donating hamburgers and hot dogs to our BBQs or partnering with us as a sponsor. Helping Hooves is looking for sponsors for such items as solar electric fencing, electric rope and pig tail posts. Also required are sponsors for gas, ice and water; vehicle/ bumper pull flat deck trailer; small garden shed that would fit on the flat deck to house a porta potty; restaurants/ grocery store sponsors to donate food for the nights the group is not in a town. Could anyone loan a generator and portable barbecue? If you would like to get involved in any way, whether sponsoring, loaning equipment, or just coming along for the ride, please contact Pam Glover at pam@ helpinghoovesmanitoba.com You can follow Helping Hooves on Facebook, or check out the website www. helpinghoovesmanitoba.com

Saturday Aug 10 - Official Kickoff of 2013 Trail Ride - Kleefeld Manitoba Sunday Aug 11 - Trailer to Manitoba Horse Council Facility - Birds Hill Park. Guided Trail Ride in the park with Deb/Bruce Champagne Monday Aug 12 - Ride to Hazelridge Tuesday Aug 13 - Ride to Beausejour Wednesday Aug 14 - On way to Selkirk Thursday Aug 15 - Ride to Selkirk Friday Aug 16 - Ride to St Andrews Stables Saturday Aug 17 - Ride to Oak Hammock Marsh and back to St Andrews Stables Sunday Aug 18 - Trailer or ride to Grosse Isle Monday - Aug 19 - Ride to St Francois Xavier Tuesday - Aug 20 - Ride to Dakotah Wednesday - Aug 21 - Ride to Elie Thursday - Aug 22 - Ride to Fortier Friday - Aug 23 - Ride to Oakville Saturday - Aug 24 - Ride to Portage la Prairie Sunday Aug 25 - Move to Portage SMA? Monday Aug 26 - Ride to Edwin Tuesday Aug 27 - Ride to ??? Wednesday Aug 28 - Ride to Bagot Thursday Aug 29 - Ride to MacGregor Friday Aug 30 - Ride to Austin Saturday Aug 31 - Windup in Austin!

JULY 20 Trail Ride, Trails End Guest Ranch - Aylesbury. www. saskpainthorseclub.com

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JULY 21 Trail Challenge, Trails End Guest Ranch. www.saskpainthorseclub. com

JULY 12-14 Carrot River Valley Arabian Horse Association . Western Canadian Breeders Show. Saskatoon Prairieland. Cheryl Sproule rocher.r@sask.net JULY 11-14 SQHA. Summer Slide N Celebration Quarter Horse Show. Golden Mile Arena, Moose Jaw. Split Combined Format. Double Judged 11th/12th and Triple Judged 13th/14th. Mel Burns 306-693-1808 or Nikki Beatty 306-641-4106. www.sqha.org for Show Bills and Entry Forms.

AUGUST 17-18, Coteau Range Equine Classic. AQHA approved VRH and AQHA ranch horse pleasure (pending approval). Moose Jaw Golden Mile Arena. Moose Jaw. Sherry Clemens. 306-692-8393. email: sherry@sherryclemens. com SEPTEMBER 14-15 SAHA. Fall Classic & Prairie Harvest Arabian and Open Breed Shows. Moose Jaw.

To fall into line with a number of events, Horse Country’s publication schedule has been changed from that previously published. Publication Schedule 2013 (Revised) (8 issues - every six weeks) Issue Space Material Published # booking closing week of 2-13* Feb 18 Feb 25 Mar 18 3-13 April 1 Apr 8 Apr 29 4-13 May 13 May 20 June 10 5-13 June 24 July 1 July 22 6-13 August 5 August 12 Sept 2 7-13 Sept 16 Sept 23 Oct 14 8-13 Oct 28 Nov 4 Nov 25

STALLION LISTINGS

CWHBA .. Coyote Ridge Ranch .. Crooked Creek & Woodhaven Farm .. Corrie Hipwell .. K & R Stuart .. Quo Vadis Stable .. Sim Qua Ranch .. Grama Open Main .. TW Ranch .. Zelta’s Canadians ..

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Here’s the line-up of advertisers for this issue. When you contact any of these businesses, don’t forget to tell them, “We saw you in Horse Country!” (Even if you saw their advertising in many other places too.) Advantage Trailer Sales Bluebear Frms Brightwood Ranch Canvasback Cartier Equine Learning Centre Connie Levesque CQHA Diamond A Training & Tack Diamond Shelters Dodge Ram Dust Off Eddies Sharpening Elders Equine Vet Services Equine Aid Manitoba Ferris Fencing Front Runner Feed Glover Equine Happy Horseback Saddles Happy Trails Ranch & Feed Horizon Livestock & Poultry Horse3 Landmark Feeds Magazines Canada Manitoba Horse Council Mike Branch Miracle Ranch Equipment One Insurance Penner Farm Service Prairie Enterprises Royal Manitoba Winter Fair St. Andrews Stable Stone Creek Western Shop Tack In The Box Top Spot Stables Wild West Farm & Garden WW Stables

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What’s Happening

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20 pieces of “Growing up with humans” advice for foals from “The Handbook for New Horses”.

1. Every so often, lie flat out in the pasture so your owner thinks you are dead. 2. Wait until you get in the trailer before you poop. 3. Scatter your hay in every corner of your stall to pick out the choicest pieces. 4. Every so often, limp for a day then don’t do it again for months. 5. When you do it next time, choose a different leg. 6. Once a month spook at something you’ve seen every day for 5 years. 7. If your owner comes in wearing a new jacket, slobber all over the sleeves. 8. When your owner has spent two hours washing, brushing and slicking you up, go and roll in the first mudhole you can. If you can’t find mud, you’ve always got poop. Or fresh green grass. 9. The round black hole on a camera will suck out your lifeblood. You can only protect yourself by putting your ears flat back or lifting your head out of the line of fire. Treats from your owner will ward off the evil spirit. 10. Humans are predators no matter how they disguise themselves. Always be on your guard for a different way for them to get you. 11. Sometimes run to them when they call or whistle for you. Other days, completely ignore them and make them walk quite a distance to catch you. Then feign deafness. 12. (For horses who are allowed to enter the barn or feeding area as a group because they know which stall is theirs.) Even if you know your feeding stall perfectly well, every once in a while try going into another horse’s stall and start eating their food. This gets humans riled up fast.

13. Humans spend lots of money on pellets, supplements, and minerals. Be sure to toss your bowl around occasionally and watch the contents spill out. 14. When someone presents you with an apple or carrot, never take it all into your mouth. Instead take tiny bites with your front teeth and let the apple or carrot crumble. The humans will have to bend down and pick up the pieces and feed them to you slowly. Your dignity is thus preserved. 15. When you are in a trailer, be sure to neigh as loudly as possible to your friends being left behind. This makes sensitive humans feel guilty. They’ll likely put some hay or oats in a nosebag for you to eat as you travel. 16. Owners often spend much time training you how to pick up your hooves. But just to remind them you are your own “horse”, forget how to stand on three legs when the farrier comes. 17. Although you are trained to stand perfectly still while tied to the side of an arena, be sure to kick up a fuss, stamp and paw if you’ve been waiting for your turn to be ridden. Let that human know he’s been riding that other horse long enough. 18. If you are learning how to step neatly over a log or pole without touching and do the same backing up, do it properly the first time, and then never again during that training session. Hint: Be sure though that you look like you are trying really hard. For instance, lift your hoof carefully and just touch that pole ever-so-gently with your heel. Drives trainers crazy! 19. Insist on being the centre of attention. The more petting you receive, the better. 20. It never hurts to nicker to your human over the fence. They will come and talk gently to you because you have touched their heart, and will forgive you for everything.

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issue 1-2013 | www.horsecountry.ca