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Inspired by horses and people

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CONTENTS

Volume 36 · Number 2 · February 2013 EDITOR Craig Couillard craig.couillard@fbcpublishing.com (403) 200-1019 SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Crystal McPeak crystal@fbcpublishing.com (403) 360-3210 (866) 385-3669 (toll free) SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Natalie Sorkilmo natalie.sorkilmo@fbcpublishing.com (403) 608-2238 SPECIAL PROJECTS – GLACIER AG MEDIA Tom Mumby glacieragproducts@shaw.ca (780) 459-5464

WESTERN ARTIST

PUBLISHER Bob Willcox bob@fbcpublishing.com

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS: Lorraine Taylor, Doris Daley, Ted Stovin, Robyn Moore, Cindy Bablitz, April Clay, Craig Couillard, Wendy Dudley, Dianne Finstad, Heather Grovet, Anne Fullerton, Darley Newman, Dr. Carol Shwetz, Glenn Stewart, Carol Upton, Terri McKinney, Natalie Sorkilmo

Gaile Gallup Painting today’s ranching landscapes

PROFILES

INSPIRATIONS

HORSE, HEALTH & HOME

19

HAPPENINGS

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Farm Business Communications 1666 Dublin Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 ADVERTISING DEADLINE Second Monday of the month.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes GST) 1-800-665-0502 One Year: $30.45 Three years: $63.59 One Year Overseas & US: $62.00

Pete Bruised Head

Country Love

Communication Styles

Sask Equine Expo

A legend of rodeo but still going strong

Finding your life partner online

Does your horse know what your style is?

New events highlight 2nd annual horse event

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20

28

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Make cheques payable to Horses All. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Published Monthly by Farm Business Communications ISSN 0225-4913

CANADIAN POSTMASTERS Return undeliverable Canadian addresses (covers only)to Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 9800, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7.

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US POSTMASTERS HORSES ALL (ISSN 0745-7294) is published monthly for $62.00 per year by Farm Business Communications. c/o U.S. Agent, Transborder Mail, 4708 Caldwell Road E, Edgewood, WA, 98372-9221. Periodicals Postage Paid at Puyallup, WA, and additional mailing offices.

U.S. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (cover only) to Horses All c/o Transborder Mail PO Box 6016, Federal Way, WA. 98063-6016, U.S.A. None of the material, written or artistic, may be reprinted or used in any way without the specific permission of the editor. The opinions and statements expressed in the articles and advertisements found in Horses All are not necessarily those of the staff or owners. Therefore, HORSES ALL will not be responsible for those opinions or statements included in the articles or advertisements. However, the staff and owners of HORSES ALL would appreciate written notice of false advertising. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, no responsibility will be assumed for advertising received by telephone and in no case will liability be assumed for greater than the cost of the advertising when errors or omissions have occurred. HORSES ALL may not be held responsible for the loss or damage of any photographs, drawings, logos, manuscripts, etc., that are sent or brought to the office.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT Full, complete and sole copyright in any advertisement or editorial content bought or produced by HORSES ALL is vested in and belongs to HORSES ALL. No copyright material may be reproduced in any form with out the prior written consent of HORSES ALL. Horses All does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Those received will not be returned.

COLUMNS A Breed Apart . . . . . . . . . 6 Back Country Travels . . . 29 Doing it my way . . . . . . . 5 Equitrekking . . . . . . . . . . 33 From the field . . . . . . . . . 4 Get a Grip. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Going Down the Trail . . . . . . . . 32 and 35 Going in style . . . . . . . . . 21 Hands on horsekeeping . 25 Homeward Bound . . . . . 8 Hooked on bulls . . . . . . . 9 Horse Health . . . . . . . . . 26

FEATURES Horse Heroes . . . . . . . . .

In it to win it . . . . . . . . . .

Inspirations . . . . . . . . . .

Our Way of Life . . . . . . . .

Rhymes from the range .

Riding out of your Mind .

Talking Back . . . . . . . . . .

Time to chill . . . . . . . . . .

Two-Bit Cowboy . . . . . . .

Where are they now? . . .

Women of the West . . . .

Young Guns . . . . . . . . . . .

6 13 19 12 22 28 4 22 4 5 7 14

VISIT HORSESALL.COM We're busy updating the Horses All website to bring you more exclusive content about people and horses from across the country. Watch for new features, contests and more coming soon. Visit today and sign-up for the Horses All enews – get the latest news delivered to you via email.

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Follow the daily updates, connect with other horse folks and see what's happening near you.

The Mercantile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Profiles of exciting new product offerings from local businesses

Association News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-37 The latest happenings and goings-on

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Stay up-to-date on upcoming horse events

Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 43 Classifieds and horse related businesses

Place your classified ad in Horses All! Call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

OUT FRONT Welcome to Ho rs e s A l l MORE HORSE TIME

rea d ers s pea k

Year of the Horse

I’m getting tired of seeing my horses stand in the field TWO-BITS FROM A TWO-BIT COWBOY Craig Couillard - Editor

I

’ve been thinking I should make this the “Year of the Horse.” And I’m not talking about a Chinese New Year’s tradition.

If you are like me at times, your horses spend a great deal of time loafing around the field. While I love to look out my window and watch them, sometimes I can’t escape the guilt that goes with it.

I’ve heard that only 10 per cent of horse owners in Alberta ride competitively. The rest of us are non-pro or recreational… so you know what I’m talking about.

Like my new year’s resolution to be a better friend, I’m also going to be a better friend to my horses and resolve to get in the saddle more in 2013.

I can’t use weather or seasons as an excuse because one year my brother and I rode in the mountains every month of the year.

I’m mostly a trail rider and love going out with my wife and friends.

But as beautiful as the foothills and the Rockies are, I’m looking for some new adventures.

So here goes!

I’ve been on two major rides in my life — the 9W6 Ride across CFB Suffield in 1996 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Western Stock Growers Association. And The Outlaw Trail Ride in Wyoming in 2005 that took us through country once roamed by Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and their Hole-in-theWall gang.

Both were memorable, both a week-long, and both rides we could use our own horses. We are experienced riders so it was nice that we could roam… no nose-to-tail stuff.

I haven’t seen any such rides lately here in Canada so I might have to go south of the 49th to find another one.

I started doing some Extreme Cowboy training this winter and I want to continue with that. I might even enter a competition.

I’ve done some team penning in the past and really enjoyed it. I don’t want to do it competitively but rather just for some fun, exercise,

and socializing. I just need to get off my duff and make some calls.

Maggie Tattrie at Spruce Meadows figures I should take some jumping lessons to round out my horse resume. I kinda chuckled but when I figured out she was serious, I thought “Why not?” She’s even given me a name of a trainer that might have some fun with this twobit cowboy. Not sure what’s holding me back but maybe it’s the picture of me in those riding britches!

My wife stays in Calgary on Wednesday nights so a group of us guys started Men’s Night. Every Wednesday during riding reason we meet in Turner Valley, Alta. around 5 p.m. and head into the Rockies for a ride. We end up at the local watering hole on our way home for a bevy and burger.

I built an outdoor sand arena at our Two-Bit Ranch last year so for sure I what to spend more time applying some of the knowledge I learned from my week-long horsemanship camp with Doug Mills last summer.

Glenn and Dixie Stewart have invited me to ride along with one of their summer camps in northern B.C. so that’s on my radar as well.

I’m fortunate in my role as cowboy editor that I get to attend a lot of horse functions — both Mane Events, Spruce Meadows, Calgary Stampede, Saskatchewan Equine Expo, CFR, and the Canadian Supreme to name a few.

This year I want to take in the Kamloops Cowboy Festival and Ponoka Stampede. Possibly even a Dressage event so I can watch this horse ballet I’ve heard so much about. And maybe some of the smaller rodeos and horse events that I haven’t been to yet.

As you can see, my calendar is going to fill up pretty quick if I commit to a lot of this stuff. But then I better before me and my horses get too old and fat.

Hopefully it will mean that I will also spend more time with family and friends, and maybe even make a few new friends along the trail.

So next time you see your horses standing around, start figuring out what you are going to about it this year.

That’s my two-bits… for what it’s worth.

CONTRIBUTORS

Talking back Reader feedback — Send your comments to: craig.couillard@fbcpublishing.com Loved your editorial in this month’s edition of Horses All (January, page 4 – Resolve to be a better friend). Anyone who would write on that theme is already a very good friend. A very noble goal for 2013 and everyone in your orbit, including you, will win.

Bravo.

– Doris Daley via e-mail I just wanted to say good job done on the article you did on me (January, page 14 – Elite Coach Certification). I’ve had so many calls and congratulations from people. You really did a good job. Thank you. I wanted to ask you if it is possible you have a copy of that page on a hard copy or digital or something. I would like to get it mounted on a plaque for my barn…

– Wendy Nelson via e-mail Thanks so much for the lovely article and I love the new look of Horses All. – Judie Popplewell via e-mail Just wanted to say a big “Thank You” to Horses All and Cindy Bablitz for doing the article in the Jan. issue of Horses All (page 18). You are

doing a great job with all the interesting articles featured!

It’s always so interesting to see what other artists and horsemen are up to. Thanks again.

– Joan Herbert via e-mail Fantastic “Two-Bits” in the last HA, Craig! (January editorial, page 4). I absolutely agree and we should all remember to think this way, more often.

Good for you and well written.

Thanks for sharing!

– Ryan Smith via Facebook Challenged by your editorial on “friends” got my Jan. copy this week (January editorial, page 4). Thanks!

– Dianne Finstad via e-mail All I can say is YEEHAW!!!!

Horses All is a wonderful magazine... I’ve read some of their articles already.

– Mag Mahwinney via Facebook Thank you so much for writing this great article (December, page 7 – Race to Read)! We’ll also share this with our online Twitter followers this week!

– Nikki Luscombe, ABC Life Literacy Canada via e-mail

goings on

April Clay is a Registered Psychologist with an independent practice focused in: counselling, consulting, and sport psychology. April has worked with many types of athletes and performers from youth to elite. As an adjunct to her practice, April writes for several local and national magazines, and offers workshops on a variety of topics. As a sports consultant, she draws on some 15 years of experience as a competitive horse show-jumper. April also works as a service provider for the Canadian Sport Centre Calgary.

Terri McKinney and her husband Chuck own Wild Deuce Retreats and Outfitting south west of Rocky Mountain House Alberta in the Bighorn Backcountry. They teach horsemanship clinics, do packing demos, train horses in the mountains, and offer trail rides and pack trips. They put on over 1,500 miles a season. They also hold Canada’s ONLY Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale each fall.

In the field Snapshots from our field editors

 Horses All Field Editor, Crystal McPeak took in Canada’s Ultimate

Cowboy Championship in Ponoka on New Year’s Eve (shown here with Matt Lait). Horses All was a proud sponsor of the event.

Photo: www.timmonsphotos.com

Kelly Sidoryk is a long-time horse girl from Lloydminster.

She ranches with her family and enjoys riding, writing, photography and meeting new people. She recently joined forces with a friend to develop KT & Company, which organizes unique local events including the Cowgirl Yoga Retreat, the Harvest Festival (local food event), and the Inspiring Women Conference.

You can also follow her on her blog — cowtrailsandponytales. wordpress.com.

We’d love to hear from you!

One of the things that makes Horses All great is you. It’s true, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our loyal readership. And we love to know what you think of Horses All! What you like, don’t like, what you’d like to see more of...

Drop us a line when you have a second. We’ll be in touch. Thank you!

The Alberta Gang (l to r): Chad Couillard, Craig Couillard, Dwaine Bleakley, Jim McLellan, and Hal Couillard on the week-long Outlaw Trail Ride in Wyoming in 2005.

craig.couillard@fbcpublishing.com

Inspired by people and horses

BEHIND THE COVER Front cover art

Cover painting by our featured artist Gaile Gallup.

See page 19 for more of Gaile’s work.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

PROFILES Stories from People who Live, Work and Compete with Horses CHAMPION

PETE BRUISED HEAD

LEGEND OF RODEO

Still an active competitor and horse trainer at 76 years young WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Catching up with heroes of the past

By Dianne Finstad Red Deer, Alta.

P

ete Bruised Head is a little ticked off on this January day. His team roping partner for a rodeo in Arizona later this month just cancelled on him, and he’s going to have to find someone else to rope with.

“But I’m going to send in my membership fees anyway,” the southern Alberta cowboy stated, with certainty.

That would be membership in the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association. And not everyone can keep pace with this active, enthusiastic rodeo competitor, who’s still got the urge at 76 years old.

“I’m still riding horseback every day,” he adds. “I keep my horses broke that way.”

In fact, Bruised Head has a remuda of about 30 horses around his place, just east of Standoff along the Belly River. They’re good quarter horses, he stresses, and not for sale. They keep him and his family rodeo ready, and wellmounted.

“I still start breaking the horses, and then my boys finish them off,” Bruised Head explains. “I’ve got eight boys, and half of them like to rodeo, and six daughters. There’s 34 grandchildren, I think, but I’ve lost count there,” he chuckled.

It’s hard to determine which is greater, the impact rodeo has had on the Bruised Head family; or the impact five generations of the family has had on the sport of rodeo.

Pete’s father, Pete Bruised Head Sr. was the first man to ride the legendary bronc Midnight, in 1924, and he was a two-time calf roping champion at the Calgary Stampede. But he was also a farmer and rancher.

“We grew up breaking horses,” recalled Bruised Head. “We used to plow the fields with horses, and cut hay. Everything was powered by horses. But in 1950 we bought a Massey Harris tractor, and gave the work horses a break. They got too fat, so when the old man was away, we put bronc saddles on the horses!”

“We’d ride some cows when he wasn’t around too!”

That’s where the boys’ love of bronc riding was born, and by 1953, Pete and his brothers began showing their skills at the Calgary Stampede.

“There were a few years when all six of us rode at the Stampede. We stuck together.”

In those days, no one worked a single event only, and Pete Bruised Head was skilled in all the rodeo contests. But rodeo was a summer pastime only, so he went in search

Pete Bruised Head will be 77 this summer but still entering team roping, and breakaway and ribbon roping at Senior Pro Rodeos and Indian rodeos, inspiring people and making friends wherever he rides. PHOTO: IMAGES UNLIMITED/QUICKSHOT INSET: Pete was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2008. PHOTO: CANADIAN PRO RODEO HALL OF FAME

of work for the rest of the year.

He developed his cowboy skills on sheep and cattle ranches both sides of the border.

“I worked on some million dollar ranches in Wyoming where we’d have big cattle drives, moving a thousand head or more to summer pasture. It could take all day to go 10 miles, because the calves would get tired and lay down.”

Pushing cattle in all kinds of weather wasn’t as glamorous as the movies make it, and was something a lot of people wouldn’t do.

But with his horse and cattle skills, and willingness to work, Bruised Head was a hand in demand.

“I liked the job. It was good exercise, and there was good steak, a t-bone steak in the hills. Those were fun days.”

Bruised Head does admit staying in the saddle for up to 18 hours a day in a blizzard was no fun, although he believes it all made him a tougher rodeo cowboy.

The family has had a long tradition with the Calgary Stampede, and Bruised Head himself was also involved in chuckwagon racing. He remembers doing everything from outriding, to cooking pancakes for the famous breakfasts downtown on 8th Avenue.

But when he watched his friend Gordon Crowchild get run over by a wagon in a race, the danger factor overrode the fun one, and he

decided to stick to the rodeo arena.

(It took Crowchild more than a year to heal up, but Bruised Head points out Crowchild is still alive today.)

Yet, some would argue rodeo isn’t all that much safer, especially when Bruised Head participated in calf roping, steer wrestling, bareback and saddle bronc riding, and bull riding too!

When his competitive days in those events were done, the versatile cowboy kept busy with his role as a mugger in the Wild Cow Milking!

Bruised Head took part in both the WCM and the Wild Horse Racing at the Calgary Stampede for many years, winning several titles and plenty of cash as he pursued both events there, and at rodeos across the prairies and in the northern states.

But as full of accomplishments his own rodeo career has been, Bruised Head is just as proud of achievements by family members, and a legion of young people he’s helped launch in the sport as well.

“We were gone every weekend to high school rodeos. My daughter, Hennie, was the only Indian girl ever to win in cutting, and she won Alberta, and went to the National High School Finals four years in a row.”

Sons Wright, Clinton and Ivan have all won Indian World Champion steer wrestling titles.

Bruised Head’s wife, Margaret, was also a star in rodeo, competing in barrel racing, calf roping, team roping and ribbon roping.

“She made the Senior Pro Rodeo Finals in Amarillo, Texas three times,” he says proudly.

Sadly, Margaret passed away in 2010 after a battle with cancer. The two had been married 49 years, and Pete still misses her daily. Fortunately, he has family just down the road where he can drop in for breakfast or coffee, when he’s not out rodeoing.

Bruised Head has a full summer schedule planned on the Senior Pro circuit and at the run of Indian rodeos in northern Alberta, taking part in team roping, along with both breakaway and ribbon roping.

“I’ll probably just stay in Alberta this year, because there’s more money up north now than there is south of the border for us.”

Give Pete Bruised Head a good horse, family nearby, and a chance in the rodeo arena, and he won’t ask for more.

“I enjoy it. All the friends I’ve got. I know a lot of cowboys. Some of them are gone now.”

“I made a lot of money in the calf roping and steer wrestling. I would win go-rounds, but never could win the world. But I placed lots, so I never went broke, and I’m still smiling!”

LOOKING BACK

Pete’s favourite memories “I remember Kesler’s Storm Cloud. He was a big grey, about 18 hands. I rode him in Bassano, and won a go-round in Lethbridge on him too. He jumped awful high. You could win on him, but he was hard to ride.”

“In the bareback riding, I had a chance to win Pendleton, but my horse fell on me, and I sprained my ankle so bad I couldn’t get my boot on to take the re-ride. So I quit going to Pendleton.”

“Buddy Heaton (legendary rodeo clown) made me ride one of his buffalo in the parade in Shaunavon, Sask. once. It was a young one, and they ran it in the bucking chutes to put the saddle on. It was the first time he’d been ridden, and he jumped side to side on me, and blew snot. A bunch of cowboys laughed at me, but I told them “I’ve got the controls.” We stayed right in the middle of the road the whole parade, and it was about three miles long. He never bucked with me, but I had my education. And there was no more of that buffalo riding for me.”

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

P ROFILES Driving p o nies

The quintessential “Pretty Pony” earning international awards Lorraine Bailer at Wolf Creek Ranch brings the modern Shetland to Alberta A BREED APART Horse breeder profile

By Robyn Moore Airdire, Alta.

A

ccording to Lorraine Bailer, there is a misconception about how Shetland ponies are regarded. “Everyone thinks a Shetland is one of those ‘miserable little ponies I had when I was a child,’” says Lorraine.

“Those ponies that people thought were miserable were just probably a grade pony that children ride and they did not have the strength or knowledge to steer the pony or teach it so the pony got away with a lot of stuff on the little riders! Today these animals look and move like beautiful horses and have great dispositions, so let’s put the bad cliché to rest.”

Lorraine and her husband Darcy of Wolf Creek Ranch in Wetaskiwin have been actively raising the pro-

file of Shetland ponies throughout North America.

Lorraine started with Arabians, then moved to breeding, raising, and showing Miniature Horses in the AMHA and AMHR. She achieved multiple World National Champion Titles, Futurity Champion titles, multiple National Champion titles, Reserve Champion titles, National top tens, and top ten all-star championships.

Currently, Wolf Creek Ranch specializes in the Shetland. They have Foundation Classic Shetland’s and Modern Shetland’s, their specialty, which combines the historic hardiness of the Classic Shetland Pony with inspired movement and a spirited personality. Moderns are classified under The American Shetland Pony Club registry.

At the new Ponoka Ag Building earlier this year, Lorraine was showing one of her stallions. Moderns command attention and her stallion thrives off of the audience’s cheers. “They have a type of cha-

risma about them,” Lorraine says, “You can feel the force behind them when they move.” People followed her back to the barn to find out what breed of horse she was showing.

For the last three years, Lorraine has been showing at the Shetland Congress, where she has been the only Canadian representative. Over the three years, she has received a total of 19 National Shetland Congress Championships, five National Grand Championships and numerous Reserve Championships with Top Tens.

Other than at Wolf Creek Ranch, there are no other Modern Shetlands in Western Canada; they were the first to bring the breed to Alberta.

They currently have two stallions, E’s Little Man, who stands at their ranch and another stallion who stands in Philadelphia. Lorraine also has two geldings that she shows, one is located in Alberta and one in the U.S. In addition, they

E’s Little Man, being shown by owner Lorraine Bailer in 2011 at the Shetland Congress in Demoines, Illinois, won the Congress National Grand Champion.

have four mares, two in the U.S. and two here in Alberta. Wolf Creek Ranch is expecting one foal next year.

According to Lorraine, Modern Shetlands are the quintessential “pretty pony” of your dreams. They are flashy when standing in a field and exhilarating to drive. Moderns can also be broke to ride for children.

Lorraine is passionate about educating people about Shetlands.

“With our selectively bred and multi-award winning stock for our small breeding farm, we are making a difference in the equine world here in Alberta and Western Canada,” comments Lorraine.

Robyn Moore is the Manager of Horse Industry Association of Alberta. If you own or know of an exceptional horse breeding operation, email rmoore@ albertahorseindustry.ca, and we’ll chose one that stands out from the herd to feature each month.

Sponsor of A Breed Apart

Hunter jumper

Warmbood turns a negative into a positive It’s been a long road for Sisha and Erin Lundteigen, but they are looking forward to the 2013 show season HORSE HEROES Profiles of exceptional horses

By Robyn Moore Airdrie, Alta.

E

rin Lunteigen was looking for a horse.

She was already frustrated, having tried at least 30 horses in a two-hour radius.

When she saw an advertisement posted for a mare, she booked an appointment the very next day. Erin and her trainers drove into the Okotoks farm and she remembers seeing Sisha.

“There stood before me a beautiful and fiery red chestnut Canadian Warmblood mare,” Erin says. “I could barely take my eyes off of her, she was breathtaking, with a face as kind as an innocent child’s. Secretly inside I was jumping up and down and knew she was the one. Within five minutes of the drive home my two trainers and I have decided that we would purchase this lovely mare.”

Erin purchased Sisha in May 2010 from Herman Amberger. The last 2-1/2 years have been a roller coaster of highs and lows.

Sisha was bred and trained by Dagmar Fortmuller, an Equine Canada Level 3 dressage coach in Priddis, Alta. Born in 2003, Sisha was sired by a Trakehner, Sir Eric, and out of a Thoroughbred, Doc’s Irish.

Dagmar remembers having Sisha at a Dressage show and the young mare took a

nap in her stall and proceeded to make very loud groaning noises.

“When we came back for night check, someone had called the vet, concerned she was colicking,” remembers Dagmar, “but she was only sleeping and she groans and sounds like she is dying when sleeping. The vet couldn’t diagnose anything!”

It is this quirky mare that Erin fell in love with.

Immediately after purchasing Sisha, Erin began to train her for Hunter. Erin says, “Sisha had a niche for jumping, she was good at it, and quite obviously enjoyed it. She powered forward to each and every jump with heart and determination.”

They had several successes, before everything came to a screeching halt in February 2011.

“One of the girls at the barn found Sisha out in the pasture standing in the snow bleeding badly from her right hind foot.

They brought her into the barn where the bleeding became excessive and the injury became swollen. Sisha could barely walk the pain was so bad,” says Erin.

Months and many, many vet visits later, Sisha’s condition had improved but not to the extent that she was able to be ridden consistently and she was still in pain.

Erin moved Sisha to Sunrise Meadows, where Sadie Turko and Dr. Schaal of Okotoks Veterinary Clinic took over her care. Since an abscess had formed within the injury, Sisha’s foot needed to be cast and her jumping career looked even bleaker.

However, everyone rallied around Sisha

and Erin. Farriers, to Reiki therapists, massage therapists, coaches, trainers and vets all worked to get this mare back on track.

Six months of stall rest can make for a grouchy and impatient horse, so Erin has had to work on her confidence to be able to manage Sisha.

“The Sisha that she had known before the injury was not the Sisha she was now working with,” notes Erin’s coach, Sadie. “This caused Erin to become overcautious when riding or handling Sisha.”

Today, Sisha is completely healed, Erin is a more confident rider, and they are preparing for the 2013 show season.

“Sisha has had a tough and long journey, but she had allowed many professionals in our province to come together for the greater good, and work with each other to and prove their strengths when helping her recover to the horse she is now,” Erin says.

“Often equestrian professionals will stop me and say ‘You own Sisha?’ and I will get to hear a special story about how my mare contributed to their memory or career. It’s not often that a horse such as Sisha, is recognized, not for winning red ribbons consistently but for bringing together the equestrian community and proving how great Alberta is, and the horse professionals that we have here.”

If you have or know of a horse hero, tell us why, send us a photo and each month we’ll feature a horse that stands out from the herd. Robyn Moore is the Manager of Horse Industry Association of Alberta, email rmoore@albertahorseindustry.ca

Sisha, owned by Erin Lundteigen, has had a long recovery from a career-threatening injury. photo: submitted

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

P ROFILES poetry

Mag Mawhinney wins Will Rogers Award Former frontier woman reminisces through her western roots poetry WOMEN OF THE WEST Personal profile

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

A

s the Cowgirl Poet of the year for the 2012 Will Rogers Awards, there’s no doubt Mag Mawhinney is a woman of the west... though, (like all the best women of the west) she blazes her own trail in defining just exactly how the label fits.

“I call myself a western roots poet,” Mag says.

She began her poetry career in 1997 when the time was right — after the demands of being a mom and wife waned in priority and when she had the liberty of time to reminisce on and romanticize the memories of her homesteading childhood in B.C. “I’ve always had a fascination with the western way of life. I was a real tomboy as a kid, and I remember playing Cowboys and Indians with my sister.”

Mag’s mom and dad left Vancouver Island when Mag was just eight years old to start a logging homestead near 100 Mile House in the Cariboo region in B.C. “There wasn’t much difference between homesteading and ranching in those days... as homesteaders, we just didn’t have the cattle, but we had the same amenities as the settling ranchers.”

And by “the same amenities”, she means “the lack of amenities.” Homes were hewn from the timber on the land homesteaders had to clear to build their abodes and all the toilets were outhouses. Clothes were cleaned on a washboard and sustenance was earned from the land — hunting, trapping, gathering and growing.

“Though most of my poems are about cowboys and horses and cowdogs and the flora and fauna of Western Canada, a lot of them are also just about country life. I remember the miners and loggers

Western poet Mag Mawhinney and her husband Vern spend many months of the year attending festivals, events, and interesting places to visit. photo: Patricia Brewer

and trappers and homesteaders from my childhood... and when my interest in writing and reciting western roots poetry was first sparked at a cowboy poetry festival I attended as an audience member, it was those men and women, that landscape, that fueled my imagination and filled my pages.”

At 71, Mag enjoys the perspectives and the benefits of having known a homesteading childhood of simple abundance.

“I never forget my roots... and I think that’s enriched my life in a lot of ways.

Because I know what it’s like to do without, I sure appreciate what I have now.

When I look around my home, I see that

most of the things I’ve collected over the years were made by somebody — they mean something to me.”

You could say Mag has come full circle as she and her husband Vern are now settled back on Vancouver Island, near the logging settlement where she was born. From there, the duo enjoy a life of quiet reflection and gratitude, spending as many months on the road in their motorhome traveling to interesting destinations and cowboy poetry festivals as they do at home.

“I was never a cowgirl but I rode horses as a girl,” Mag says, pausing, then adding, “If I had to live it all over again, I think I would be a cowgirl.”

“I never forget my roots ... and I think that’s enriched my life in a lot of ways.”

— Mag Mawhinney

To listen to a sampler of some of Mag’s poetry, and to purchase your own copies from her collection of original poetry books, surf to www.magmawhinney.com.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

P ROFILES volunteer

Winner

Calgary Stampede receives Event of the Year Award

Val Beattie – breeder and all-star volunteer

A record 1.4 million visitors took in the 2012 Stampede Staff

She gave 20 years of faithful service to Sundre Light Horse Association HOMEWARD BOUND Celebrating lives lived

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

O

n Christmas Eve, 2011, in her 61st year of life, Val Beattie, a long standing president of the Sundre and District Light Horse Association, (SDLHA) devoted community volunteer, beloved wife and mom, drew her final breath just a week after hearing the news that she was approved for a life-saving liver transplant.

However, the hopeful news was premature: during the transplant assessment process, a diagnostic biopsy revealed the cancer that would tragically take her life just one week later.

“Her final request was to say goodbye to her horses,” recalls her best friend Judy Ullmann.

Together, Judy and Val served on the board of the SDLHA for some twenty years... 10 years shy of the duration of their friendship.

“It was impossible for her to go home to see her horses, so we rallied and got agreement from the

Sundre Hospital, (where she’d been transferred after the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton) to have a back parking lot cleared. We trailered her two favourite horses in, bundled her up in her wheelchair and brought her out to say her final farewell.”

Val’s stepdaughter Monica Cameron remembers the day like it was yesterday.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before — here were horses in a completely strange situation, in a back parking lot of a hospital, and they were calm and very connected with Val. They nudged her in her wheelchair and cuddled Val... it was like they knew.”

Next to her best human friend Judy and her husband Bruce, Val’s best friends were her Appaloosas, and she bred them for most of her adult life. Dee, her beloved Appaloosa mare, was raised by Val from a filly, and was her constant companion at competitions and shows for a number of years.

“We got together in the first place because I was raising Appaloosas too,” says Judy.

In fact, Val bred her mares to Judy’s Appaloosa stallions, so the

The Sundre Light Horse Association has found it difficult to fill the large shoes left behind by Val Beattie. photo: submitted

pair always rode horses that were related.

“We introduced our horses to the show and trail scenes around the same time,” recalls Judy, with a grin, “Because of their age, many teased us about being the two old gals too dumb to quit riding young horses!

“We showed together, we visited together, we shopped together... she was like the sister I never had. We were friends. Best friends.”

Through these best friends, Val and Judy’s husbands became best friends too, and the quartet often enjoyed weekend trail rides and horse community events throughout the province.

Val lived with Crohn’s disease for almost 30 years, (originally the Crohn’s was misdiagnosed as Beaver Fever) and never lost her ability to smile and laugh and cheer others around her.

As the Crohn’s worsened and the need for a liver transplant became imminent, she contin-

Friends and family were able to bring her horses to see Val Beattie (in wheelchair) to the Sundre Hospital for a final goodbye.

ued serving her chosen horse community, volunteering at the Show of Champions in Olds in September, despite a deteriorated state of health that had her requiring twice weekly hospital visits through the summer and fall.

“She was looking so forward to the transplant, saying with joy that after the surgery, ‘I’ll only have to take one pill, not the handful I have to now!’” recalls Judy.

“She was so positive. She really thought, like we all did, that this was just a glitch and then she’d get on with her life.”

“She was a true horsewoman and deserves to be honoured this way.”

The Sundre and District Light Horse Association — the club Val Beattie served so faithfully for so long — is in dire need of volunteers to step up to ensure the continuing legacy of Val’s work.

Please contact Judy Ullmann at 403 556 2806 to help.

photo: submitted

The Calgar y Stampede recently won the Event of the Year Award at the annual Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by the Travel Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). The 2012 Canadian Tourism Awards were in Gatineau, Que. “This is a very prestigious Canadian tourism award and we’re certainly honoured to be recognized by TIAC,” said Deanne Carson, vicepresident, Marketing and External Relations, Calgary Stampede.

“We also want to show our appreciation to our partners, Tourism Calgar y, Travel Alberta and the Canadian Tourism Commission for their support in taking The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth around the world in 2012. It will be a year we will never forget.”

In 2012, The Calgary Stampede celebrated its long-anticipated Centennial.

Marketing and communications efforts brought worldwide attention to the annual event and, with the development of innovative, creative programming, guests were provided with an incredible experience. It resulted in a record attendance of over 1.4 million visitors, including a sell-out of advance tickets for all 20 shows for the Rodeo and Evening Shows.

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada’s tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travelers superior tourism experiences in Canada.

In the TIAC news release announcing the winners of the Canadian Tourism Awards, TIAC President and CEO David Goldstein stated, “These outstanding organizations have demonstrated ingenuity, perseverance and determination on the path to success and are a testament to Canada’s world-class tourism industry. Not only have they excelled through their extraordinary vision and hard work, but these business leaders are also drivers of economic growth and job creation in Canada.”

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

P ROFILES Des ign se mina r

Bull Riding

Pankewitz family set to hit the road in 2013

2007 PBR Canadian Champion and four-time CFR qualifier Tyler Pankewitz looks forward to a new year with his son Tayze and wife Megan HOOKED ON BULLS

By Ted Stovin Drayton Valley, Alta.

F

“…I finally made the guys pull over and told them I don’t care if they leave me, I gotta get into a hospital, there’s something wrong with me.”

— Tyler Pankewitz

When asked about the highlight of his career so far, Tyler said it was easily his 2007 PBR Canadian National Championship. “It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done in bull riding, the best year I’ve ever had, and the best I’ve ever ridden.”

Even with a Canadian Championship, there was still room for improvement. “It seemed like I won only at PBR events though,

Practical building clinic and theory course on February 21-24 in Surrey, B.C.

T

Profiles from the PBR

or bull rider Tyler Pankewitz, things have changed in his chosen profession, and more so in his life with wife Megan, and their new baby boy, Tayze Wayne Pankewitz.

“That is the biggest difference for wanting to go rodeoing or not now. It’s tough when you’ve got two things you love.”

Luckily for “Pank” (as he’s known by most of us on the road), he planned ahead, buying his family a motor home for the summer trips when they have to leave their home in Ponoka, Alta.

Megan and Tyler were married in May of 2009 and had already spent a lot of their time together on the road. Now that she’s back to work, she won’t be on the road as much.

“When she gets time off work, we will set a few weekends aside and give’r as a family.” Tyler said.

But when Pankewitz is on the road with the guys, it’s not always the best of times back home. Like the time when Pank took Megan’s Ford Flex to Spokane, Washington.

In fact, while we were talking on the phone for this interview, she called to talk to him about it. Pank sheepishly replied to me after a minute or so being gone, “Megan called and gave me shit for taking her vehicle to Spokane and getting a rock chip in it.”

As his defense, he added with a laugh, “I can’t control other vehicles throwing rocks at me.”

What he can control though is his bull riding career, a career that’s seen some of the highest points and some of the lowest.

Canadian Eventing hosting design course

Tyler Pankewitz, shown here on the bull Blueberry Buckle, qualified for the 2007 PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. photo: Andy Watson

because at the rodeos I’d ride good but couldn’t win, or I’d get bucked off at seven seconds.”

Because of his 2007 Canadian Championship, Pank was invited up to the big leagues, the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS).

“At the beginning of the year I was winning quite a bit.”

Unfortunately though, it didn’t last as long as he would have liked as he started to fall off more than he rode and he got into a slump.

“It got to my head a little bit, then they kicked me off the tour.

Once you get into a slump there, it’s tough to get out cause you’re getting on the best bulls every day.“ Since then though, Tyler Pankewitz has qualified for the PBR Canadian Finals a total of six times and the Canadian Finals Rodeo on four separate occasions.

The 2012 CFR was his fourth appearance but he almost didn’t make it after a scary wreck in Langham, Sask. in August where he came down hard off of the Calgary Stampede bull, Pawn Star.

It didn’t look bad at first and nothing happened until they were nearly home.

“At Camrose I finally made the guys pull over and told them I don’t care if they leave me, I gotta get into a hospital, there’s something wrong with me.” Tyler told.

Once there, he learned there was a third degree tear of his spleen. “Then they shipped me up to Edmonton and I had to stay in there for four days.”

Those three months off didn’t affect his fourth CFR appearance as

he rode his first two bulls and picked up about a $7,400 cheque. Since the CFR and his sixth appearance at the PBR Canadian Finals, there’s been some hanging out at home to do with 15-month old Tayze.

“He’s starting to say a few words now like ‘oh shit.’ He must have heard me say it before. He knows the dogs’ names, kitty, Mom and Dad, and Megan. He calls Megan ‘Megan’ when she’s not listening to him,” Tyler added jokingly.

“I try to call her Mom around him.

He calls her Mom most of the time but then if she doesn’t listen, I think it’s like when I’m talking to her and she doesn’t listen so I go — ‘Megan!’

So I think he just goes ‘Megan!’ too.”

With a beautiful wife and son supporting him, 28-year old Tyler has many big plans yet in the rodeo arena before he’s done. Like winning a Canadian Championship in the CPRA and that everelusive $100,000 bonus at the Calgary Stampede.

It’s up to Pank and like he said.

“You set your own future.”

Pank’s career highlights

• 2007 PBR Canadian Champion • Highest score: 91.5 points • Worst Wreck: Langham, SK in 2012.

• Best Event: PBR in Denver with two 90 points rides in a row • Favourite Rodeo: Ponoka Stampede.

he Canadian Eventing Officials Committee is pleased to offer a comprehensive course designer training during a four-day combined clinic and theory course to be held February 21-24, 2013 in Surrey, B.C. The course facilitators are renowned FEI (I) level Eventing Course Designer Jay Hambly of Guelph, ON, and EC Senior Level 2 Eventing Course Designer Laurie Rowan of Cherryville, B.C. (who was part of the team that built the cross country course at the 2008 Beijing Olympics).

The practical building portion of the training will take place February 21-22 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Campbell Valley Sunnyside Greenhouse in Surrey, B.C. Participants will benefit from instruction on practical construction techniques, frangible pin technology and more. The theory course will follow on February 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and February 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Surrey, B.C, and will focus on the theoreti-

cal aspects of eventing course design.

Both the practical clinic and the theory course are integral components of the Equine Canada Eventing Course Designer Accreditation program, and successful completion of one or both parts of the training will be credited toward Equine Canada Eventing Course Designer licencing.

Although the option of participating in either one or both components of the training is available, please note that if the training is being used toward maintenance or promotion of Officials certification, full participation in both components is required.

The registration form can be found in the Eventing section of the Equine Canada website.

T he C anadi an Event ing Course Design Practical Building Clinic and Theory Course is sanctioned by Equine Canada and made possible through the financial assistance of Sport Canada.

For further information, please contact Crystal Labelle, c l a b elle@e quine canad a .ca , 613-248-3433 x 109.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

P ROFILES / KAMLOOPS COWBOY FESTIVAL COWBOY SINGER

F ESTIVAL

Dave Stamey headlines Kamloops Cowboy Festival Western Horseman magazine lists his Vaquero Song as one of the greatest western songs of all time

By Doris Daley Turner Valley, Alta.

I

get to call myself a professional cowboy singer.

Wow, how many people get to say that?”

The answer is: not many, but to thousands of Dave Stamey fans throughout the West, it is an answer that brings music to their ears.

This California horse wrangler-turned-full-time songwriter/performer makes his first ever trip to Canada this March. He’ll be appearing on several stages at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival, March 8-10; one week earlier he performs at the iconic East Longview Hall in Southern Alberta, March 1-2.

Cowboys and Indians Magazine calls Dave “the Charley Russell of Western Music.” Western Horseman Magazine lists his Vaquero Song as one of the greatest western songs of all time. Ranch and Reata calls Bandit Joaquin and Wheels among the top ten great western story songs. And his fans? They just cheer and hope he’ll be back soon.

About five years ago, Dave and his wife Melissa realized that cowboy music had outpaced his ‘real’ job taking care of 128 head of horses on a guest ranch north of Santa Barbara, California. So the Stameys decided to focus on the music; now they maintain a schedule that keeps them on the road about three or four days per week. He develops large and loyal followings wherever he goes.

“We keep inviting him back because he really carries the torch for cowboy music,” says Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival director Michael Fleming. “His songs are honest, insightful and touch the souls of his listeners. He can make an audience in a large venue feel like they’re sitting around a campfire under a moonlit western sky.”

In part, that authenticity springs from Dave’s lifelong love affair with horses and all those hours spent in the saddle. After he got clients mounted up at the guest ranch, he explains, he had all those horseback hours where he could let his mind go free.

First came a phrase, then an idea, then a tune...”and then comes the hard work of peeling it up from the ground. It takes weeks or months or even a year for the song to feel right.”

Stamey calls himself an excavator, digging deep for

“

every song he writes. Indeed, it is his fine craftsmanship — and versatility — that sets Dave apart from other writers.

“I never want to write the same song twice, that would be death to me!” he says. “If my last song was a storytelling ballad, then the songwriter in me wants to do something different next time.”

That devotion to his craft shows up in every song and performance. Pat Richardson is one of Elko’s most beloved cowboy poets and has been on stage with Dave numerous times throughout the U.S. “Dave Stamey is the entertainer that the other entertainers go to see. Heck, his intros are as entertaining and informative as the songs themselves.” says Richardson.

“I wouldn’t miss any show Dave was featured in,” adds North Dakota top poet Rodney Nelson (who was one of the original poets featured on the Johnny Carson Show 28 years ago and who is also on the 2013 Kamloops program.)

Dave Stamey sends out an occasional newsletter to friends and fans throughout North America. In December, referring to his 2013 tour dates to Arizona, Nevada, California, Tennessee, Colorado and Washington, he quipped, “if it has a zip code, we’ll be there.”

As of March, Dave can now add area codes 403 and 250 to his list. And for Canadian cowboy music fans, that’s something to sing about.

MUSIC AWARDS

In 2012, the Western Music Association, named Dave Stamey Songwriter of the Year, Male Performer of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year.

MORE REASONS TO GO

The West, The Best, and a Fest Ten reasons why fans keep going back to the Kamloops Cowboy Festival:

7. Great value with the weekend pass.

1. Because when we’re there, we’re among kindred spirits, that goes for audience and entertainers.

9. Because it’s western and it’s cowboy...not Nashville country.

2. It is extremely well organized, from the minute you arrive until the last dog is hung.

10. Where else can I find such clean wholesome fun and great entertainment?

3. ‘Cause we share the same beliefs as the organizers: we want to keep this type of music and culture alive.

4. Because I laugh more in four days in Kamloops than I do the rest of the year combined.

5. The music and poetry pertain to my life.

6. ‘Cause I go there alone, but meet the same beautiful people and meet new friends every year.

8. Performers are outstanding.

Perhaps the most telling testimonial came from the husband (who prefers to remain anonymous) who sent his wife to the mercantile table to buy a book.

“I laughed so hard at the show, I had tears running down my leg,” he recalls.

See you in Kamloops… friends you haven’t even met yet are waiting to say “Welcome”!

Photo: Mark McMillan

Cooking up a great cowboy time

Kamloops celebrates its 17th Cowboy Festival

By Doris Daley Turner Valley, Alta.

I

f festivals were down home cooking, then the Kamloops Cowboy Festival is a satisfying, spicy, lip-smacking gumbo.

And like a good gumbo cook, Festival Chairman Mark McMillan knows the recipe for putting on a stellar festival.

“We keep it cowboy. We choose dynamic emcees. We bring in new performers. We invite perennial favourites on alternating years.

We showcase rising stars. We have two incredible venues on opposite sides of the street. And we’re organized,” says McMillan, one of the Festival’s original volunteers and who has helped put the program together for 15 years.

Experience shows. With over 30 featured performers, 16 Rising Star competitors, and numerous open mic entertainers, this year’s festival , March 7-10, promises to be not just good, but great.

Thousands of fans... adding up to 7,000 tickets sold... will converge in Kamloops for the largest event of its kind in Canada and one of the premier cowboy events in North America.

Fans will recognize Canadian poets Mag Mawhinney, Bryn Thiessen, Doris Daley, Mereline Griffith and Frank Gleeson, the man with the fastest delivery in the west.

From North Dakota, and new this year, comes Elko favourite Rodney Nelson, one of the original cowboys who brought cowboy poetry to the Johnny Carson Show 28 years ago. “I turned him down the first time,” says Rodney, “because I had a $200 banquet job in Minot. My wife made sure she answered the phone the second time.”

“This year we are thrilled to have one of Australia’s top Bush Poets, and that’s a first,” says Mark. “On the music side, we welcome renowned California cowboy singer Dave Stamey for the first time as well as international harmonica sensation Gary Allegretto.”

Eli Barsi, one of Canada’s most successful and versatile singersongwriters, kicks off the Festival on Thursday night with a

dance. Juno winner Gary Fjellgaard, yodeling queen Shirley Field, Canada’s troubadour Tim Hus (“with a voice sweeter than a Husqvarna chainsaw and a wit sharper than rusty barbed wire”), Spirit of the West host Hugh McLennan, brilliant guitar wiz Allen Christie, youngster Naomi Bristow and Alberta powerhouse Tiffany Dowhan are among this year’s incredible line-up of cowboy pickers and singers.

Collectively these entertain-

“I turned him (Johnny Carson) down the first time because I had a $200 banquet job in Minot. My wife made sure she answered the phone the second time.”

— Rodney Nelson

ers have written for movies, performed at the Smithsonian Institute, headlined at every major cowboy festival in the west, taught international workshops, and won awards too numerous to count.

“Eleven years ago we came for a day,” says a fan from Vancouver Island. “We never made that mistake again. Now we get our tickets the day they go on sale, we come for all three days, and we still can’t see everything.”

Fans who make the trek from High River, Alta. each year add, “At Kamloops, we’re among kindred spirits. We share the values of the festival and of these entertainers. We too want to keep this type of music, poetry, and culture alive.”

Thanks to the magic of the Kamloops Festival, entertainers and fans alike are in for another feast of western culture. A great gumbo is so good you always want more, and that is the way of the Kamloops Cowboy Festival.

Happy trails to Kamloops and Bon Appetit!

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

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P ROFILES / KAMLOOPS COWBOY FESTIVAL PLAN TO ATTEND

poetry

Kamloops Cowboy Festival at a Glance • C all toll free 1-888-763-2221 or visit www.bcchs.com for complete details: program, ticket sales, workshops, venues • March 7-10 at Kamloops Convention Centre and Calvary Community Church • Weekend activities: kick-off dance, cowboy poetry and music on four stages, cowboy trade show, saddles and tack, Rising Star Showcase, workshops and seminars, General Store mercantile, silver buckle raffle, Girl Guide Concession, dinner theatres, Cowboy Hall of Fame induction • Sponsored by the B.C. Cowboy Heritage Society, all proceeds go to the B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame and for funding up to five annual student scholarships (including two in memory of cowboy poet and festival co-founder Mike Puhallo) • Weekend pass: $65 (excludes dinner theatre); Evening shows $30 each • In 1996, 395 people attended two shows. In 2013, 7,000 tickets have been sold. Over 30 main stage artists and 16 Rising Star Showcase contestants will perform • This year’s line-up includes newcomers Dave Stamey, Carol Heuchan, Rodney Nelson, Gary Allegretto and perennial Canadian favourites Eli Barsi, Frank Gleeson, Gary Fjellgaard, Hugh McLennan, Bryn Thiessen, Doris Daley, Tim Hus, and many more • For information on bus tour/festival packages originating in Alberta, call Anderson Vacations at 1-866-814-7378

Carol Heuchan – the down under wonder

Best-selling Australian bush poet makes first appearance at Kamloops Cowboy Festival

By Doris Daley Turner Valley, Alta.

W

ith four top-selling books to her credit, plus three awardwinning CDs, four international tours and seven Australian Bush Laureate awards, including Performer of the Year, Carol Heuchan is truly a favourite on any stage — down under, up yonder, out west, in the back 40, and all points in between.

In 2004, this New South Wales horsewoman won the richest prize in bush poetry history — a Case JX55 Tractor valued at $34,000.

Carol has taught horsemanship and judged horse shows throughout Australia and internationally. She still serves as a panel judge for several breeds and is in demand as an events broadcaster and arena commentator at Australia’s Royal Easter Show. She herself retired from competition about seven years ago, “keeping my last couple of horses in luxurious retirement while I just about starved,” she says.

She brings both her head and

Carol Heuchan has not only made a mark in her native Australia, but also in North America including the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. Photo: Submitted

her heart to the world of horses and to her poetry: all business when it comes to horse training techniques, and fighting back tears when reciting a poem about a suffering pony.

“We are thrilled to have Carol on the program this year,” says Kamloops festival chairman Mark McMillan. “Bush poetry is a first cousin to cowboy poetry and Carol is one of Australia’s best.”

Think Man from Snowy River, Waltzing Matilda, and Clancy of the Overflow, all by Banjo Paterson. It was seeing these epics in print that helped give Australians their full sense of identity

and led to Federation... no longer were they just lesser versions of British cousins.

Today, bush poetry might be about any topic under the sun, as long as it follows traditional form, but Carol’s themes relate mostly to rural and equine life.

One of a very small handful of poets who makes a living at it, Carol explains that comedy is her bread and butter, and she writes to entertain urban, rural and corporate audiences. With luck, Kamloops festival goers will also be treated to her recitation of Man from Snowy River, a classic that remains as popular today as it was in 1890.

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“I am so excited to come to Canada,” she enthuses. “From my very first experiences in Nevada and Colorado, I felt like I belonged at cowboy poetry festivals. In the West, I feel like I’m performing for like-minded spirits. “ And the audiences connect with Carol. The Colorado Cowboy Gathering was the first to bring Carol to a North American stage, and as CCG Artistic Director Liz Masterson says, “I’ve seen her perform for six people in a train club car, and 1,000 at the Elko Convention Centre. Carol makes each person feel like she’s talking to them.”

Added bonus: there’s noone more fun at a festival than Carol.”

Carol presents a workshop on Saturday at Kamloops about writing and performing bush poetry, geared to novice and experienced writers alike. But caution: no cheek to the teacher.

This is a poet who not only knows her iambic pentameter, she cracks a mean stock whip.

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

P ROFILES Heavy ho rses

Bruce Roy 50 years volunteering with Calgary Stampede Retired school teacher travels North America working at auctions and promoting the heavy horse industry

Bruce Roy has been announcing the Heavy Horse Show at the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede for over 35 years.

I DID IT MY WAY Personal Profile

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

T

he name Bruce Roy is synonymous with heavy horse culture in this country, and it’s a name that’s been a familiar byline and source quotation in Horses All for a lot of years.

The man is a font of information, a wellspring of wisdom and a soulful of love for draft horses and the men and women who work and play with them.

He’ll be the last one to admit it — in fact he’ll laughingly deny it — but Bruce Roy is something of a legend in these parts.

This summer’s 2013 Calgary Exhibition and Stampede will mark Bruce’s 54th year as a volunteer on the Heavy Horse Committee and he’s got the collection of five-year pins — the latest one encrusted with a small ruby and presented to Bruce last summer — to prove it. He is one of the longest serving volunteers in the organization’s history.

“I’m not about to cease volunteering as of yet,” Bruce grins, adding, “In fact, I hope to make my 55th year as a volunteer, the good Lord willing. While I’ve attended every Calgary Stampede since I became a volunteer

in 1959, I exhibited Percherons before that... and have attended each and every Stampede since I was a kid, which takes me back to the 1940s.”

Bruce’s quiet and diligent work with the Stampede has culminated in what has become “the least advertised but the most successful event” at the annual exhibition — the Heavy Horse Show, a musical adventure of epic proportions as turnouts of heavy horses prance in time to orchestral music performed live in the Saddledome by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra... the only show of its kind in the world.

“I’ve made a great many friends in the Amish community…”

— Bruce Roy

Bruce gives a lot of credit to his old friend Hardy E. Salter for launching his professional career in the heavy horse industry... a journey that began innocuously enough during a horse hunting expedition when Hardy suggested Bruce join him for the annual general meeting

of the Canadian Percheron Association in Toronto in 1963.

Bruce did, and was promptly offered the position of Hardy’s replacement as Secretary Treasurer — a position for which Hardy had tendered his resignation prior to the trip, unbeknownst to Bruce, who went on to hold the position himself for some 19 years.

“Heavy horses have opened up countless, countless, countless doors in my lifetime,” says Bruce.

“When I look back on it, I have to shake my head.”

While Bruce has undoubtedly become most famous for his enormous contributions to the world of draft horse culture, earning himself a hefty curriculum vitae of accolades, awards and achievements, outside the limelight he’s really just a guy with whom you want to sit and drink a pot of coffee while listening to him spin yarns.

And he’s got a treasure trove of them.

Like the one about getting to ride the livestock train from Calgary to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto — a spectacle that stopped running early in the 1970s. Get him to spin that one for you sometime if you ever get the chance.

After retiring from teaching high school biology and history — “sex and scandal the kids used to call it” — in 1993, Bruce went on to a career as blockman, working with a number of different auctioneers at the lead-

Heavy horse historian and announcer Bruce Roy has seen the Heavy Horse Show at the Calgary Stampede go from rags to riches. photo: Calgary Stampede

ing draft horse sales across the continent, including those held by the Amish in the midwest United States.

This is a role he still plays today.

Because of their traditional farming practices, the Amish community held onto their devotion to the draft horse breeds while heavy horses fell out of favour elsewhere, and through his work as blockman, Bruce says, “I’ve made a great many friends in the Amish community because of that.”

He’s just that guy. The one who quietly holds up the infrastructure behind the scenes — a man without whose foundation much that is now celebrated in the heavy horse world simply wouldn’t exist — all while giving all the credit to the ones in front.

“When I look at many of the young people involved today, folks like Brian Coleman, Gordy Ruzicka and others, I appreciate how heavy horsemen are a breed apart, some of the sharpest horsemen I know. I give great praise to them. They’ve done wonders. This past year, at the 2012 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, one of the equine world’s classic Clydesdale shows, two of these young Alberta horsemen — Steve Westgate from Hinton and Wes Gordeyko from Ohaton — made an old guy like me look anemic as they captured grand and reserve grand champion mare, respectively,” Bruce says self deprecatingly.

With genuine admiration and characteristic humility, Bruce adds, “Heavy horse people in this province have been extremely well schooled on what constitutes correctly structured, well conformed, sound horses. The really good heavy horsemen I know are almost an encyclopedia of the names of the great heavy horses... and not just the names, but a knowledge of what constitutes the strength and weakness of each great horse.”

About his own contribution to the education of the next generations of heavy horse enthusiasts, Bruce, with his wife Adair at his side, says simply, “I hope I’ve managed to capture the excitement and the colour of the industry for future generations to honour.

“It’s been a wonderful life.”

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

13

P ROFILES dressage

You gotta be tough to be in dressage The good and the bad at the Junior Young Rider Championships YOUNG GUNS Up and coming stars

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

W

hen 18-year-old Natalie Marsden from Sundre, Alta., and 15-year-old Elexis Ortlieb from Edmonton, Alta., traveled to the North American Junior Young Rider Championships at Lexington, Kentucky in July 2012, they came home with some real horse tales, both good and bad.

Marsden competed in dressage on her Anglo Arab gelding, Zeffiro (Zef). “Anglo Arabs aren’t really common in the dressage ring,” Marsden admits. “And while Zef is an amazing horse, he isn’t super talented in dressage. But his personality makes him shine. He has an amazing work ethic, tries really hard and is super consistent.”

Ortlieb competed in dressage as well, mounted on Diego, a bay American Hanoverian. “People think Diego is a real grump,” Ortlieb says. “He pins his ears and even show his teeth at times. But he really isn’t like that. Diego’s a great dressage horse. He tries hard, and always gives you everything he has.”

Both horses travelled from Alberta to Kentucky via a commercial horse hauler, while their riders flew with their parents. Flying might have been quicker than driving, but came with some real challenges.

“Mom and I had a layover in Houston, and the flights out of there were all canceled due to bad weather,” Marsden says. “We ended up on stand-by, and after missing several flights, being awake for over

Elexis Orlieb (left) hopes to qualify on Diego for the 2013 North American Junior Young Rider Championships in Kentucky this summer, but Natalie Marsden has sold Zef to pursue her post-secondary education. photo: Submitted

Elexis Orlieb is mounted on her bay American Hanoverian gelding, Diego, while Natalie Marsden is riding her grey, Anglo Arab gelding, Zeffiro. photo: Submitted

24 hours, discovering our luggage was missing, and taking an expensive 1-1/2 hour taxi ride we finally got to Lexington, just in time to help unload the horses.”

Ortlieb was on a different airline than Marsden, but was having flight problems of her own. “Just before our plane landed at Lexington the airport was struck by lightning,” Ortlieb says. “Everyone was freaking out, and they made our plane turn back. Then we circled and circled; it was raining buckets and you couldn’t see anything. I was incredibly thankful when we finally landed safely.”

Both horses unloaded well, and quickly settled into the barn. “I was really nervous,” Marsden admits. “I knew Zef and I would be competing against horses worth $100,000, but I just kept telling myself that no matter how we did, we were going to enjoy ourselves.”

Since they had arrived four days early, the pair had time to properly warm up, and familiarize themselves with the enormous Kentucky Horse Park.

But by day two, things weren’t going well for Ortlieb and Diego.

“Diego had been totally sound at home, and he seemed fine when we first unloaded him,” Ortlieb says.

“The hauler told me that Diego traveled well, but there had been a tire blow out on the trailer during the trip. We don’t know how his leg was injured; maybe the tire blowout caused the problem. Maybe not.”

Ortlieb and Diego were able to ride in warm-up, but Diego was acting out of character, frequently stopping. The next day the big horse was visibly unsound at a jog. Experienced vets were called out, but were unable to solve the problem.

At the end of the competition Marsden and Zef had placed 8th

with their Canadian East/West team, and 27th in individuals. Ortlieb and Diego were unable to compete.

“It was a great experience to travel to Kentucky and to watch everyone else ride,” Ortlieb says.

“But it was also really sad. Diego

and I had worked very hard to get there, and it didn’t pay off.”

Ortlieb reports that Diego now seems totally sound, so she hopes they will qualify for the North American Junior Young Rider Championships again in 2013.

This won’t happen for Marsden,

who had to sell Zef this fall before starting post secondary education.

“I hated to sell Zef,” Marsden says.

“But he went to an adult amateur dressage rider in Toronto who already loves him. She’s sent me photos, so I know he’s happy and safe.”

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

PROFILES VERSATILITY

An unexpected pleasure horse — the Percheron Known as working horse, this kind, versatile breed also proves its abilities as a saddle horse YOUNG GUNS Up and coming stars

By Anne Fullerton Toronto, Ont.

P Katie Flemming on Ginger, her 8-year-old, 18 hand-high Percheron, talking about the Percheron breed at the 2012 Royal Winter Fair Educational Ring last fall in Toronto. PHOTO: ANNE FULLERTON

ercheron draft horses are generally considered to be industry horses, used for hauling and hitching. But don’t tell young Katie Flemming that as she says the breed also lends itself perfectly as a pleasure horse.

Because she wasn’t raised in a world of horses, Katie calls herself “a bit of a newbie” though, at only 23 years old, she is anything but.

The young woman actively breaks, trains, and promotes the Percheron horse around her home province of Ontario, and is involved in the Percheron association, the Ontario Percheron Post, the Ontario Percheron Charity, and showing the breed continually in events and competitions.

Katie briefly tried her hand at light horse dressage and par-

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ticipated in pony club, but quickly turned her focus to draft horses.

She fell in love with the Percheron breed and bought two weanlings, which she broke and trained. She applied her knowledge and experience in showing light horses to Percherons, and realized the opportunity and enjoyment that Percherons offer.

Percherons can range from 15 to 19 hands high, and usually weigh between 1,500 and 2,500 pounds.

That is not to say, however, that they are more difficult or dangerous than more traditional riding horses.

In fact, Katie explains that they are a very relaxed, gentle breed. “Draft horses are more willing, and they’re easier… they’re more fun. They are more powerful though, so you have to break them well.”

And how does such a young girl break such large horses?

“I can honestly say that the Percheron is more fun to ride. It’s easier to break them than light horses, usually you can just hop on and go.”

— KATIE FLEMMING

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“I was part of the Belgian brigade, and I have broken Clydesdales for a previous employer, so I can honestly say that the Percheron is more fun to ride. They just learn so quickly. It’s easier to break them than light horses, usually you can just hop on and go.”

Flemming says the important thing to keep in mind is that as draft horses, Percherons are voiceoriented, generally responding to commands like gee (right), haw (left), and woah (stop).

When training, Flemming gradually adds leg commands until the horse is comfortable enough to perform without voice instructions.

Katie showed off her Percheron knowledge and her eight-year-old, 18 hand-high Percheron “Ginger” at the 2012 Royal Winter Fair Educational Ring, informing crowds about the special breed.

Katie has shown Ginger in cart, team, line (breeding class), and dressage. She explained that once she used Ginger primarily for riding, she stopped driving her as frequently, but says “I still hitch her up once in a while, and she’s fine,” proving the Percheron’s diverse skills, abilities, and willingness.

They are in fact one of the most diverse horse breeds, used in the farming and forestry industries as well as for pleasure in riding, carriage driving, sleigh and hay rides, and parades. They also compete in hitching, halter, and riding classes, and even make good jumpers. With their kind and gentle attitude, Percherons do it all.

HORSESALL.COM

SPECIAL SECT ION

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

EQUINE EDUCATION

B e in the s a dd le e ver y d a y EDUCATION

READING, RIDING and ’RITHMETIC

An education in equine sciences allows students to be in the saddle every day

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

I

f you’re looking for a career that offers daily contact with horses, you may want to consider attending post graduate studies at Lakeland College, Vermilion, Alta. or Olds College, Olds, Alta.

LAKELAND COLLEGE Lakeland College offers three agricultural courses with a strong equine focus: the Veterinarian Medical Assistant program, the Animal Health Technology program, and the Western Ranch and Cowhand program.

The Western ranch and cowhand program is one year in length, and combines equine husbandry with beef production. Riders bring their own horse to college, where they train it to handle cattle in a low stress manner. Topics such as basic horse hoof care, stable management, general agronomy, forage crops, and how to identify and treat diseases in cattle are covered. Graduates will be prepared to manage a pasture, or work on a ranch or feedlot.

OLDS COLLEGE Olds College has an abundance of equine related courses such as Equine Science, Farrier Science, Animal Health Technology, Veterinarian Technical Assistant, Veterinarian Medical Receptionist, Exercise Rider and Jockey Training, and Race Horse Groom.

The two-year Equine Science program offers students five majors: equestrian coaching, Western horsemanship, English horsemanship, production and breeding, and business and event management.

Potential students must be high school graduates with a minimum of 80 hours of work experience in an established equine related business, and before enrolling must pass a campus riding and practical test.

Topics include equine anatomy and physiology, farm equipment operation, equestrian instructional skills, nutrition, health care, genetics and conformation.

Graduates may work as horse trainers, breeders, clinicians, stallion managers, stable managers, or for various equine businesses.

Kelsey Bullee of Sedgewick, Alta., graduated from the Olds’ Equine Science program in 2010 with a major in Western horsemanship.

“I grew up on the farm and loved horses, so equine science was a good fit for me,” Bullee says. “I was on a horse everyday at school, plus we had an excellent mix of classes. At first we focused on our own skills, taking topics such as equitation and animal husbandry. Later in the year we took colt starting, and some green horse classes.”

“It’s a great program, but it can be challenging,” Bullee continues. “There were days I was at the barn by 5 a.m., doing chores, and then in class by 8 a.m. We’d have a few breaks, but might not be finished until 9:30 p.m.! It was hard work, but it did teach time management.”

Bullee appreciated the wide variety of topics the program offered. Even though she focused on the Western disciplines, she also learned business management, breeding techniques, and hoof care.

“I’d always been exposed to riding horses,” she says. “But at Olds we even participated in draft horse driving. One of my more unique memories was our group harnessing our horses and then heading downtown. We took our horses through the Tim Horton’s drive-through, which was a lot of fun, and something you normally don’t get to do in college!”

Kelsey Bullee graduated from the Olds College Equine Science Program and enjoyed the variety of learning in several equine disciplines. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

One of Kelsey Bullee’s favorite classes at Olds College was with heavy horses, shown here with Loverboy (right) and Twist, where she learned to hitch up and drive a team.

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

SPECIAL SECT ION

EQUINE EDUCATION

EDUCATION

ALTERNATIVE EQUINE

HEALTH CARE

Focused on nonmedical ways to heal a horse

A career in alternative health care is affordable to get into and can change a horse’s life

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

P

rospective students with an interest in alternative health care treatments may want to consider an equine career with a bit of a twist. Alberta currently has several institutions that teach equine massage, chiropractics, acupressure, saddle fitting, herbal medication and energy modalities such as reiki. These courses vary in length and goals; some are set up to aid people in treating their own horses, while others are aimed at those looking for a profession in equine health care.

Julie MacKinnon with Laodas-Way Healing requires that her students need a working knowledge of horses and must be open to working with energy forces.

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Today I learned ...how to fly.

HOOF AND PAW BODY WORKERS Hoof and Paw Body Workers focus on professional development, training students in the equine complementary fields such as soft tissue mobilization (massage), myofascial release, acupressure and saddle fitting. Courses are taught by experienced professionals such as veterinarians, and safety for both animals and workers is a major focus. Graduates are encouraged to have a good working relationship with their vet. “There is a huge demand for trained equine body workers,” business owner Lyndsey Deutsch explains.

“High end competitive horses such as those involved in dressage, reining, cutting and the rodeo circuits are athletes, and benefit from the treatments we can offer, in the same way that human athletes

such as hockey and football players require specialized assistance.”

Email info@hoofnpaws.ca LAODAS-WAY HEALING LTD. Business owner and instructor Julie MacKinnon teaches courses in a wide variety of alternative therapies which include massage, chiropractics, hoof rehabilitation, herbal medication and energy modalities such as chakra awareness, colour therapy and rainbow essence therapy. MacKinnon focuses on two types of students; first, those interested in finding a safer, easier way to treat their own horses when they’re sick, and secondly, those interested in working as professionals in the field of alternative equine health care. Students need a working knowledge of horses and must be open to working with energy forces. “Recently I was teaching energy work to a class of five students,” MacKinnon says. “The horse was tense and almost acting colicky before we started working on him.

I started doing energy work, and he fell to the ground, and then got up acting completely different. His pain was gone, and he was full of energy.” www.laodas-way.com FIT FOR ANIMALS FIT for Animals is a Canadian company with instructors located in Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C. Students take hands-on and classroom theory on equine anatomy, massage, saddle and tack fitting, and principals of movement, with the goal of working on their own

horses, dogs and other animals. If these students later wish to become professionals, they advance to the British Columbia College of Equine Sports Therapy Program. Business owner and instructor Kathy Masters has personally experienced the huge changes these therapies can make in a horse’s life.

“…competitive horses involved in dressage, reining, cutting and the rodeo circuits are athletes, and benefit from the treatments we can offer, in the same way that human athletes require specialized assistance.”  LYNDSEY DEUTSCH

“I was riding a horse in a feedlot that had a lot of problems,” Masters says. “The FIT instructors did massage, energy work and saddle fitting with this horse, and she had a complete change. She stopped being short strided, and her attitude greatly improved – she could now do her job with more comfort and enthusiasm.” Email mastersequinetherapy@hotmail.com

Soar at QMS

University-Preparatory High School for Girls Equine Sciences, Pre-Engineering and Media Arts Boarding School for Girls, Grades 6-12 Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia T 250 746-4185 | admissions@qms.bc.ca

www.qms.bc.ca

Kathy Masters is the owner and instructor of FIT for Animals. The mallet she is using is a massage tool to help save on a therapist’s hands and to do more deep tissue massage. She is working on her barrel horse, Babes who gets tight in the lumbar and gluteal muscles. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

EQUINE EDUCATION

Special Sect ion

education

Scarlett Foss, a grade 12 student from Anchorage, Alaska, has attended Queen Margaret’s school for five years. Scarlett has been a riding captain and competes with the Elite team; yet before starting school at QMS had only ridden English once! photo: Queen Margaret School

High school for horse crazy kids Alberta and B.C. offer unique programs for students who want to spend more time with horses

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

A

re you a horse-crazy high school student? Here are two programs that incorporate horses into regular high school studies.

Broncs Rodeo Academy Ponoka Composite High School’s rodeo program offers flexible academic programming for both beginners and elite rodeo competitors.

Students enroll in the program, where they ride two days a week at the Ponoka Ag Centre, working on timed rodeo events. They are able to earn Physical Education credits for their riding, plus the program also gives credits for agricultural modules, first aid, and work place safety.

Certified teacher Alex Cripps is a four-time CFR finalist with experience in steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and team roping, and is assisted by Casey Crandall, a local CFR barrel racer.

“This is the fourth year for our program, which accepts both boys and girls,” Cripps says. “In most cases, youth bring their own horses, but if they can’t afford the program, we still try to accommodate them.”

“We have beginners who will never actually rodeo, but like horses and want to ride,” Cripps continues. “And we have top caliber rodeo youth that may be tempted to quit school early to rodeo full time. Our goal is to teach good horsemanship while keeping them all in school.”

The Rodeo Academy at the Ponoka Composite High School accepts boys and girls who can earn high school credits in Phys Ed, agriculture, first aid, and work place safety. photo: alex Cripps

For more information, check out www.pchs.wolfcreek.ab.ca Queen Margaret’s School Another equine option is the Queen Margaret’s School, located on Vancouver Island. Here girls in grades 8 – 12 can receive an education as either day or boarding students. Some of these students will participate in the equestrian program, where they may use their own horse, a school horse or a leased horse.

The school focuses on the English disciplines, with lessons in hunter, jumper, equitation, dressage or eventing. Academics are an essential part of school life, so riding lessons are scheduled either after school, or as part of the Physical Education program.

Some students prefer to ride recreationally while other focus on competition, even aiming for the CET Medal Finals at the Toronto Royal Horse Show.

Scarlett Foss, a grade 12 student, has attended QMS for five years. “I’m from Anchorage, Alaska,” Foss says. “In grade seven my parents saw an ad for the Queen Margaret’s School. I applied and was accepted, even

though I had only ridden English once.”

Foss boards at the school, and leases a school horse which she uses in the Elite competitive program. “My first leased horse was a Grand prix dressage horse,” she says. “And this year I’m riding Calinka, a chestnut mare donated from the Thunderbird Show Park.” Foss hopes to compete with Calinka in 3’6” hunter/jumpers plus second level dressage.

Foss has several school highlights: being riding captain in 2011-12; the equine science program where she dissected a horse’s leg and saw the digital cushion and sole; and visiting with fellow students from China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, New Zealand and India.

Foss enthusi astically recommends Queen Margaret’s School. “I’ve never been homesick because everyone is wonderful here,” she says. “There are no cliques. Every girl fits in... I have friends my age and friends in grade 8 and 9. We all have the common interest of horses.”

For more information, go to http://www.qms.bc.ca/pages/ equestrian/program-options/

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HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

Special Sect ion

EQUINE EDUCATION

EDUCATION

E DUCATION

Cute puppies and dead lambs The Animal Health Technology course offers challenges and laughs

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

T

Dr. Maryanne Spady (right) always knew she wanted to be a vet but had to knuckle down in school in order to be accepted into veterinarian school. photo: submitted

Is there a vet in the house?

A career in veterinarian medicine offers both challenges and rewards

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

I

f you have a passion for animals, you may be considering a career as a veterinarian. This exciting but challenging job offers graduates many career options; you may open your own practice, work for a speciality practice in small animals, equines, or exotics, or become involved in research or teaching.

But you cannot enter vet school as soon as you graduate from grade 12. There are several steps required to become a licensed veterinarian in Canada.

First, prospective high school students need to take as many science credits as possible. Above average grades are essential in all your

courses, so if your marks are less than ideal, you should upgrade.

Next, all veterinary schools require potential students to have animal experience, ideally in several different areas. Working at a local stable, boarding kennel, zoo or vet office will help strengthen your application to the program.

Before any school of veterinarian medicine will accept you, you must have at least 60 credits at the undergraduate level. Many applicants will have a three or four year degree, ideally in the sciences.

When students have completed their undergraduate work, they then begin studying at a veterinarian college. Canada has five universities with schools of veterinary medicine. They are the University

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• Empower you to provide optimal care for your horse or another animal.

• Provide access to different therapies & healing tools

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of Guelph, Universite de Montreal (taught in French), University of PEI, University of Saskatchewan, and University of Calgary.

Dr. Maryanne Spady grew up on a farm in rural Alberta, and as a teenager decided to become a veterinarian.

“I had an interest in health care and thought about going into medicine,” Spady says. “But since I really enjoyed animals, I finally focused on vet school.” Spady completed high school with good grades then went to the U of A where she took a degree.

“Unfortunately my grades went down in the big city,” Spady laughs.

“When I applied to the Saskatoon vet program they rejected me.

Their letter said ‘You’ll never get in, good luck.’ That made me mad, so I pulled myself up by my bootstraps, improved my grades, and started volunteered at a local equine vet clinic. When I applied again, they were much more interested.”

“The college invests a lot of time and money into each veterinarian student,” Spady continues. “So they want to ensure you’re really serious about this. Good marks are essential, but your animal experience is even more important. It isn’t enough that you grew up on the farm; you need to show that you have the mental and physical strength to become a vet. Also, they want to ensure that you’re well rounded, so students shouldn’t quit all their extracurricular activities.”

Since Spady was always interested in returning to rural Alberta, she focused on working in a mixed animal practice. But she also had an interest in a less typical area — wild animals.

“In my fourth year I went to Uganda to work,” she says. “We were sedating kobs (antelope) to check for disease, and later I worked at a chimpanzee sanctuary. It was a life changing experience.”

wo interesting careers for those passionate about animals are Veterinarian Medical Assistant, and Animal Health Technologist (AHT).

While these two jobs may sound similar, there are some major differences.

The Veterinarian Medical Assistant program is one year in length, and includes topics such as animal restraint, kennel care, office and hospital procedures, surgical prep and radiology positioning. Graduates can be employed at veterinarian practices or in animal shelters.

The Animal Health Technologist program is two years in length. Here students study a wide variety of topics which include administering medications and fluids, collecting, preparing and analysing lab specimens, receiving and preparing animals for exams or surgery, taking and developing x-rays, and administering anesthetics.

Students that graduate from this program have a number of career options. They can work in vet offices, hospitals and labs, or they can be employed at research facilities, animal shelters, zoos, stockyards, and feedlots.

Wendy Greth-Sapieha graduated from the Olds AHT program in 2011. “I had worked as a teacher for 20 years and wanted a change,” Greth-Sapieha says.

“I thought I would be the grandmother in our AHT program, but that wasn’t the case. We had students in their 20s, 30s and 40s, and even a few men.”

Training offered both challenges and laughs, which GrethSapieha was quick to share. “We learned how to float teeth from a vet, who obtained horse heads from the Fort Macleod slaughter

house,” Greth-Sapieha says. “We used both mechanical and power files, and it was really eye opening to discover how tough the job was, even when our models couldn’t move a muscle!”

As an ATH student, GrethSapieha did get to cuddle cute puppies, colts and calves, but she also was introduced to the less appealing parts of the job.

“We were taught how to assist at lambing by using lambs that had already died,” she explains.

“We had an old washtub and a piece of plastic pipe. Our partner would put the dead lamb into the tub in a breach position. We would lube up, reach into the pipe, reposition the lamb, and then deliver it. It was interesting, but certainly not as pleasant as working with live baby lambs.”

And if you’d like to expand your options, the University of Alberta in Edmonton offers a four year Bachelor of Science Animal Health program. This program teaches animal physiology, nutrition, behavior and welfare, animal production and food processing. Graduates can work in vet offices and hospitals, or in food production. This degree will also be very helpful for anyone wanting to apply to a DVM (veterinarian medicine) program.

Where to go

The one-year Veterinarian Medical Assistant program can be taken at Lakeland College in Vermilion, Olds College at Olds, and NAIT in Edmonton.

The two-year Animal Health Technologist program is offered at Lakeland College, Olds College, NAIT and the Grand Prairie Regional College at Fairview.

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

19

INSPIRATIONS Inspired by People and Horses western Artist

Gaile Gallup Western artist Paintings depict 21st century ranching experiences and landscapes

By Cindy Bablitz Calgary, Alta.

T

here’s a great story in western artists who gave up their first careers getting their hands dirty in the muck of ranching for their second career getting their hands dirty in paint, and Gaile Gallup is one such great story. In fact, he loved getting his hands dirty both ways so much, he did the routine twice.

“I’d been working on ranches since high school and eventually realized, there’s no future for me in ranching for someone else,” says Gaile.

So, at 26 years old, Gaile took a serious leap into his first love for art and attended the Alberta College of Art. For two years.

“I just wanted to paint. I’d go upstairs to watch what the fourth year painters were doing... at the time, you know, we had to take a whole bunch of different classes and though I still had no idea what was really involved in getting to a really great finished painting, I knew there was something that drew me to seek out the painters whose work I really admire.”

But two more years of classes didn’t feel quite true to the path of becoming a great painter... and Gaile returned to ranching. Eventually he and his brothers bought some land and some cows of their

own and Gaile spent the better part of the next 20 years devoting himself to the life of a cattleman on his ranch near Longview, Alta.

He married Kerri, (with whom he recently celebrated their 22nd anniversary) and they had a son, Trevor, now 19 and a daughter, Lisa-Marie, now 14.

“I always continued painting whenever I had a chance. It was always there. When my brothers and I decided to sell the cows, I was invited to go run another ranch for a fellow... but I just wanted to paint.

I thought, ‘I think now’s the time to do it.’

“I think being an artist is another occupation like ranching — you couldn’t ever really get a degree in it because there’s no end to learning how.”

And Gaile means it. He studies copiously, in a self directed apprenticeship learning from books and art and in workshops from artists whose work he admires. He varies his methodology, mixing the practice of creating composite paintings from collections of photographic references and the more immediate method of painting from real life.

“Hopping in my truck and heading out for a landscape painting session helps develop my skill in capturing colour and in working quicker: the living landscape changes fast,” Gaile says.

Gaile’s art is a living testimony to the contemporary cowboy.

He says, “A lot of the western art you see in magazines is still portraying Cowboys and Indians like was done 150 years ago. I’m painting modern history. A hun-

dred years from now, my work will show the way it was in this era; I see no reason to try to do things that have been done over and over and over.”

And, like a true artist, Gaile still struggles with angst.

“Some days you can’t do anything wrong and some days you can’t do anything right.”

To view a sampling and to find out how you can purchase of Gaile’s work, surf to www.gailegallup.com or phone 403-558-2225.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

I NSPIRATIONS Valentine’s Day

Finding love in the country

Could a country style dating service help you find Mr. or Mrs. Right?

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

H

appy Valentine’s Day everyone. Let me start by making a confession. I wouldn’t want to be married to a city slicker.

My hubby isn’t an actual cowboy, but he certainly knows about country life, even if he prefers a ball cap to a Stetson.

My guy can single-handedly pull a calf without being squashed by an angry mama cow, back the truck and horse trailer into a parking spot smaller than a Smart Car, and fork hay over the fence with the best of them. He might not spend a lot of time on the back of a horse, but he’s a

country person and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

If you’re a horseperson looking for love, you probably feel the same.

Below you’ll find a few country dating sites that might help you in your search for someone special who knows the difference between a chicken pot pie and a cow pie. www. equestriansingles.com Started in 2001 and affiliated with equine.com, this is one of North America’s first online equestrian dating sites. Equestriansingles allows you to search through 50 different criteria, looking for romance, friendship and riding buddies in Canada and the U.S. Many of the classifieds have photos, and their descriptions

may include their riding discipline, career and hobbies.www.countryintroductions.com This Canadian matchmaking service is different than your typical personal classified ad. Clients answer a questionnaire and are interviewed by the company, either by phone or in person. After determining each person’s interests and values, Country Introductions then helps them find the perfect match. The business has been in existence since 1989, with many of its clients being rural Albertans who find it difficult to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right in their small communities. Business owner Cheryl says “The first three years I was in

Pam and Wayne Elzinga of Peers, Alta. met through Country Introductions.

They were engaged in June 2010, married that October, and had a daughter in September 2011. photo: Olson Photography, Three Hills, Alta.

operation, I had 15 couples marry.” www.countrymatch.com Countrymatch caters specifically to cowboys and cowgirls searching for love, friendship and romance, but if that isn’t enough, they have links to a number of other dating sites. Are you taller than average? There’s a site for you. A police or firefighter? Interested in foreign or interracial dating? Countrymatch can provide classifieds for all these types of people, and more.

If you decide to try a dating site, remember to use your horse sense Pam and Wayne Elzinga of Peers, Alta., met through Country Introductions in April 2010. “It can be tough to meet someone decent once you’re out of school,” Pam relates.

“The bar wasn’t my style, and the guys at church were friends, but not relationship material. I had a friend that had used Cheryl’s program, and I finally decided to give it a try.”

Pam, who grew up on a farm near Sylvan Lake, admits it was a bit scary meeting someone new. “But it wasn’t too bad, because at first we just talked on the phone,” she says.

“I liked Wayne right away; he was always a gentleman, even on the phone.”

The couple were engaged in June 2010, married that October, and had a daughter in September 2011.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Country Match to any nice person looking for someone special,” Pam says. “It certainly worked for Wayne and I.” If you decide to try a dating site, remember to use your horse sense.

Read the fine print carefully, and know what your costs and obligations are. Even more importantly, remember that creeps and crooks exist everywhere. These people don’t mind using dating sites to steal your heart, and maybe your bank account at the same time. In most cases dating sites do not screen their clients, so it’s up to you to check potential dates carefully.

On the other hand, dating sites can also be the way for you to find your perfect love this Valentine’s Day — even if he does wear a baseball cap instead of a cowboy hat!

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

21

I NSPIRATIONS Artist Profile

From photo to fine art Alberta photographer turns camera shoots into high drama

Photographic artist Linda Finstad

Following the Process

This is the initial image straight out of the camera, and has good energy and composition.

Young Free Yearlings is an original piece of photographic art created by Linda Finstad of Edmonton, Alta.

By Wendy Dudley Priddis, Alta.

There were a few distracting elements that needed to be removed like the fence.

So far so good but the sky is pretty boring and so is the rough hay on the ground. The image had action but no drama. This image and the one below helped to achieve the desired result.

Sometimes the colours are just not present on the day of the photo shoot and need to be introduced later. The tricky part is blending the colours to achieve the desired result… a technical issue that faces all artists.

S

o you got a new digital camera for Christmas, a fancy single-lens reflex allowing you to change lenses to get that shot of horses racing along a distant ridge. So why are the colours not as bright as those in glossy magazines, or the focus not as crisp — and where did that tree come from, appearing to grow out of the rider’s head? Darn!

You may be suffering from the discouragement a lot of new photographers experience when they realize there’s more to making good pictures than just buying an expensive camera, says fine art equine photographer Linda Finstad who shoots shows, stallion promotions, and stables It comes down to the art of photography, she said. “I have a beautiful stove and set of pots, but it doesn’t make me a good cook.”

The initial shot must be perfectly focused and exposed, and then the technical work follows, Finstad noted.

“The composition and subject must tell a story and draw the viewer in. The photograph forms the base of my art but if that is not excellent to begin with, it is like starting a painting with a dirty canvas.”

Finstad, who moved from rural England to Edmonton 17 years ago, describes her work as fine art, to separate it from photos that simply document — what she refers to as journalistic shots.

Her fine art pieces are composites or illustrations, featuring the horse but also incorporating dramatic scenes from other photographs. Through Photoshop editing

software, she removes fences and other unwanted obstacles, and then perhaps changes the sky and landscape to produce an art image.

But she does not rely on the computer to turn a mediocre image into a jaw-dropping picture. If the original photo was poorly composed or had the wrong lighting, no amount of manipulation will turn it into fine art, she said. “In fact, it just makes it look worse.”

“The composition and subject must tell a story and draw the viewer in.”

— Linda Finstad

Because the horse itself is such a beautiful creature, it needs little tweaking, she added. “I may cover up a blemish, clean up a stable stain, or remove a halter or lead rein, but all the horses that are featured in my photographs and fine art prints are just as nature intended them to be.”

Having grown up riding ponies and hunters, she is familiar with how horses move and react, an asset when staging photos.

“A good understanding of your subject really helps. Horsemen and women are really picky and no one ever buys a picture of their horse and hangs it on their wall only to have to explain to people that my horse normally goes better than that,” she said. “You have to know the right part of

the stride or which angle will show off the horse’s best attributes.”

If customers request art prints, Finstad first determines what kind of emotion they want the final image to convey. “I may also ask what colour tones they prefer because that too will influence how I transform the finished image.”

So how much time is spent on the computer, transforming a photo into an art print? Often days, Finstad said.

“It depends upon the complexity of the piece.”

One image, titled Possibilities, took 60 hours, as it featured six different horses representing six different disciplines. All were blended together to illustrate a foal’s potential future.

In her print of Yearlings, it took two hours to get the base shot, as the owners herded their horses towards the early morning sun, necessary to get the light on their front ends.

It took four hours to create the final image. A fence was removed and the original flat sky was replaced with that of clouds and filtered light. Clumps of hay also vanished, replaced with lush ground cover.

“I have been collecting images for years to use as textures in my art work,” said Finstad who attends workshops and devotes at least two hours a week to studying new technology. “It has been a long journey and I am continually learning.”

Finstad’s work is available at Edmonton tack stores Tudor Equestrian and Tackn-Things, as well as through her website www.asharperimage.photostockplus.com.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

INSPIRATIONS RHYTHMES FROM T H E R A N G E

B O OK REVIEW

Where the Ponies Come to Drink

Grows That Way

by Susan Ketchen TIME TO CHILL Book and movie reviews

Reviewed by Carol M. Upton I’m sitting on Brooklyn bareback and there’s no bridle, so that’s a pretty good giveaway that I’m dreaming. Oh good. I could use a dream with all the stress there is in my life right now. ~ Susan Ketchen writing as Sylvia

One by one each head is lowered, till some yearling nips another, And the playful interruption starts an eddy in the band: Snorting, squealing, plunging, wheeling, round they circle in a smother Of the muddy spray, nor pause until they find the firmer land.

Up in Northern Arizona there’s a Ranger-trail that passes Through a mesa, like a faëry lake with pines upon its brink, And across the trail a stream runs all but hidden in the grasses, Till it finds an emerald hollow where the ponies come to drink.

Out they fling across the mesa, wind-blown manes and forelocks dancing, Blacks and sorrels, bays and pintos, wild as eagles, eyes agleam; From their hoofs the silver flashes, burning beads and arrows glancing Through the bunch-grass and the gramma as they cross the little stream.

My old cow-horse he runs with ‘em: turned him loose for good last season; Eighteen years; hard work, his record, and he’s earned his little rest; And he’s taking it by playing, acting proud, and with good reason; Though he’s starched a little forward, he can fan it with the best.

Down they swing as if pretending, in their orderly disorder, That they stopped to hold a pow-wow, just to rally for the charge That will take them, close to sunset, twenty miles across the border; Then the leader sniffs and drinks with fore feet planted on the marge.

Once I called him—almost caught him, when he heard my spur-chains jingle; Then he eyed me some reproachful, as if making up his mind: Seemed to say, “Well, if I have to— but you know I’m living single...”

So I laughed.

In just a minute he was pretty hard to find.

Some folks wouldn’t understand it,— writing lines about a pony,— For a cow-horse is a cow-horse,— nothing else, most people think,— But for eighteen years your partner, wise and faithful, such a crony Seems worth watching for, a spell, down where the ponies come to drink.

By Henry Herbert Knibbs, from Songs of the Outlands, 1914 Henry Herbert Knibbs (1874-1945) is one of the classic writers of the golden age of cowboy poetry. Born in Ontario, and a student of English, he never earned a paycheque as a cowboy but his vagabond years in New Mexico, Arizona and California gave him both an eye and an ear for the cowboy way of life.

His poetry is still recited at festivals throughout the west. Boomer Johnson, Make me no Grave, The Edge of Town and Where the Ponies Come to Drink are among his best known and treasured pieces.

I

f you are or have ever been a young adult, you will be deeply drawn to this third book in the Born That Way Trilogy. Family fiction author Susan Ketchen once again intrigues us to jump into Sylvia’s complex yet entertaining world.

Sylvia is 15 years old, but she looks more like eight thanks to the genetic disorder called Turner Syndrome. She must figure out how to live life large in one way or another, since her added challenges do nothing to slow down the minefield of ordinary adolescent issues.

Sylvia frequently feels like the different one, but these days she also notices that others can be confusing and hurtful. We are never sure what she will do next, but one thing is clear — there will be action.

Sylvia launches into some exciting adventures with Brooklyn that highlight the myriad ways horses can help humans heal their hurts. She learns to cope as she learns to ride, by raising the jump rail just a bit higher to see what unexpected developments lie in wait.

Ketchen writes with a keen perspective on the young person’s world and a trademark ability to create humour from pathos. She reminds us all of the human capacity for resilience, regardless of age or circumstances, and she paves the way for open door family dialogue on universal issues. You don’t need to have read the first two books in this series to thoroughly enjoy Grows That Way, but I guarantee you will want to do so.

Grows That Way by Susan Ketchen is available through Oolichan Books and Amazon or local bookseller. Soft Cover, 2012, $12.95 ISBN: 978-088982-285-6 Susan Ketchen holds an M.Sc. degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She lives on a small Vancouver Island hobby farm with her husband, two horses, two cats and a flock of chickens. Visit Susan at www. susanketchen.ca.

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Come out for a weekend of fun and horse buying!

Visit www.perlich.com for consignment forms and more details and updates.

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A horse gallops with his lungs, perseveres with his heart, and wins with his character — Federico Tesio. PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY

*Ranch Horses *Performance Horses *Prospects *Breeding Stock *Yearlings *Much More

accepting entries now!

Please call in or email for a lot number.

Contact: Nichole Perlich

Located: Lethbridge, AB 3 Miles East of Lethbridge on Hwy #3 & ¼ Mile South on Broxburn Road.

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INSPIRATIONS

THE

Presented by

LOVE IS IN THE AIR SO SHOW THEM YOU CARE WITH EXTRA HUGS AND HEALTHY TREATS!

Heartland Saddlery  Feelgood’s friendly giants have long enjoyed our fresh, handmade, ovenbaked treats. Now your friendly giants can enjoy them too. These crunchy treats are made from the finest, all-natural and preservative-free ingredients.

These Apple Trail Blazin Bitz are baked, dry and crunchy and handmade in British Columbia from all natural and organic ingredients. Purchase them from www.heartlandsaddlery.com for $6.95 and “feel good” about your choice.

Royal Equine Premium Horse Crunch  The company mission to offer your horse the tastiest, healthiest, dry crunch your money can buy is evident if you review the nutritional aspects of this Canadian company’s products.

These treats are preservative and wheat free, and produced with high energy, nutritional ingredients complimented with various flavours. Indulge yourself in some extra knowledge at www.royalequinecrunch.com and find a dealer near you.

Irvines Tack and Trailer  Manna Pro understands the need to show your four legged friend you care and has developed a line of wholesome treats that will help you show how much you care. Tasty and bite-sized, Apple, Peppermint, Licorice, Butterscotch, and Carrot & Spice flavored nuggets are the perfect way to provide a nutritious reward after a ride or competition, or to simply share a special moment with a good and trusted friend. Available in convenient 5 lb bags from www.irvines.ca for $14.95, Bite-Sized Nuggets are an incredible value!

Kane Veterinary Supply

Skode’s Horse Treats

 Inspired by an Arabian with insulin resistance, these treats are guaranteed to be low in sugars and starches to offer your horse a healthy option.

The crunchy cookies made with a delicious blend of Certified Organic Ginger, Organic Flax Meal and other famous Winter spices are reputed to soothe as well as warm the insides of your horse. Try the Ginger Snaps from the Cookies for Winter Collection, for $17.95 from www.skodeshorsetreats.com

 Looking for a more lasting show of your affection? The now infamous Likit is a long lasting horse treat produced to the finest quality standards to keep your horse happy and interested even when you’re not there! Likits are vitamin enriched treats which come in many fabulous tasty flavours!

Flavored Likit horse treats fit into a holder which can be hung in the stable to keep your horse entertained for hours!

Purchase visit www.kanevet.com today for prices and flavours.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

HORSE, HEALTH & HOME Inside and Outside Your Stable Improvin g tra i ls

Horsemen saddle up to promote conservation Wilderness society formed from desire to improve riding trails

Deana Bildson, (l), and Shelli Groat know what kind of horse it takes to handle the high country. photos: Brian Bildson

By Wendy Dudley Priddis, Alta.

A

s a backcountry horseman, Brian Bildson has seen his share of wrecks. Animals that spook on high windy ridges, horses that spin if they smell a bruin, and steeds that stomp people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time while trying to tie down a load.

Not just any horse makes a good mountain animal, he said. “Calmness of mind is what matters most, and trust in the owner,” said Bildson whose recreational backyard includes the Willmore Wilderness Park, a rugged region of 4,500 square-kilometres west of Grande Cache in northern Alberta.

“You’re dealing with a lot of wildlife and you may be on a horse that’s never seen a bear. I’ve seen horses blow up over moose.”

An outdoor writer and natural history documentarian, Bildson cherishes this roadless area that attracts hikers and horsemen. Home to grizzlies, cougars, wolves and mountain goats, it also has the province’s highest density of wolverines.

With trails following riparian areas — which often means dropping down a bank and into the river — it can be a tough go, slogging through thick underbrush, Bildson said.

Discouraged by a lack of maintenance, a small group formed a year ago out of a desire to improve back-

country riding trails. Called the Rocky Mountain Wilderness Society, its mission is broad, reaching out to all users of the mountains and foothills, while promoting ecological sustainability.

“Collaboration is the key,” said Bildson. “We want all users, and we want respect for each other. We have to work with everyone, with parks, with industry. There’s room for everybody.”

Its first project was clearing 10 kilometres of trail along the Berland River, cutting a swath about three metres wide. “Before, you just got swallowed by a wall of willows,” said Bildson. “It’s also a travel corridor for bears, so you don’t want to be coming around a corner and there it is, two feet from you. Now there’s a sight line of about 200 yards. It’s safer for the horses and the riders.”

A team of 12 riders and 36 horses made the trek. “The horses carried it all. Our propane stoves, tents, food, fuel, chainsaws, axes and maintenance equipment.”

They also hauled in salt and alfalfa cubes, though wild fires have left much of the region with ample grass for camp pasture.

With that many horses, problems often occur at the beginning of the day. “The first couple of hundred yards in the morning is when it’s time to keep your radar up. If you feel there’s going to be some drama, we usually walk the horses for five to ten minutes. It just helps keep

Brian Bildson is one of the founding members of the Rocky Mountain Wilderness Society.

things calm. We’ll do that when we are up in the mountains as well.

Get off and walk. It’s good for you and for the horses.”

Trailing horses that are not familiar with one another also means sorting out the pecking order,” said Bildson. “You have to figure who goes where in the line, who’s up front, and who’s in behind.

Bildson’s wife Deana is a veteran horse handler, having been raised on a Peace River farm. “She has great intuition,” said Bildson who didn’t saddle up until age 30. “If I die and am reincarnated, I want to come back as one of her horses.”

The backcountry is where Bildson feels most at home. Raised

Lyle Moberly and Alfred Winnyandie pack a balanced load, before heading down the trail.

near Hay River in the Northwest Territories, his father was a hunter and angler. In 1984, Bildson moved to Grande Prairie, living in the country with Deana and their four horses. He also runs a trapline in the remote Willmore and Kakwa regions, primarily for marten.

“It’s just a roadless paradise,” he said.

Having held a successful fundraiser last year, the society will be clearing more trails this year, in an

area to be determined by its members. Wherever it may be, Bildson knows his horses will meet him at the trailer.

“It’s like a vacation for them.

When we pull up the trailer, they don’t run to the back of the pasture. They’re right there, wanting to get in. They know we’re headed for the bush and mountains.”

For more information on the society, check the website www. rmws.ca.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

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HORSE, HEALTH & HOME THERAPY

CRIME

Horses helping A TALE ABOUT A MISSING TAIL veterans with PTSD Your horse’s long, flowing tail may be at risk of being stolen A pilot program taking place in Rocky Mountain House hopes to make history using horses to help veterans

NEWS Keeping you in the loop

By Heather Grovet Galahad, Alta.

NEWS Keeping you in the loop

By Robyn Moore Red Deer, Alta.

T

he statement “there is no proof that animals help people” is echoed by three groups: The Canadian Forces, the Department of National Defense, and Veterans Affairs Canada. It is a statement that Jim Marland and Steve Critchley hope to change.

“For us, it just made sense that so much can be achieved with horses,” says Steve.

Jim and Steve came together two years ago to form a partnership and a group called CAN PRAXIS, a program which aims to help soldiers through the use of horses. They each bring personal and professional expertise to a cause that they are passionate about.

“Jim has a lot of credibility with the audience,” says Steve, “and the time I spent with the Canadian Forces has provided useful contacts.”

Steve spent 28 years with the Canadian Forces and retired 10 years ago. He is now an international mediator who specializes in conflict resolution. In addition, Steve has been breeding Canadian horses for the last 10 years.

Jim Marland is a registered psychologist and an Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Facilitator.

Together, they have spent the last two years working to get a pilot program launched for Canadian Force veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “Some soldiers come back with scars that you can’t see,” comments Jim. Operational Stress Injury (OSI) is a broader term that is currently being used to refer to a broad range of injuries, including PTSD. “I prefer using OSI,” says Steve, “Because PTSD isn’t a disorder, it’s an injury.”

The three-day pilot CAN PRAXIS program is set to begin in a few months in Rocky Mountain House, Alta. Proving the reach and

networking possibilities of social media, Wounded Warriors of Canada became aware of CAN PRAXIS through their Twitter account and has since provided funding for the pilot program.

Another success they had recently was holding a meeting with the Honourable Donald Ethell, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, who introduced them to contacts working nationally.

Steve and Jim are also working together with a professor from the University of Saskatchewan to conduct research in what they hope to be the first study to prove that veterans benefit from working with animals, specifically horses.

Steve explains that if you’ve spent a significant amount of time around horses, you know that if you enter a horses paddock or pasture angry, overly excited, or stressed, then good luck getting that horse to trust you. “You can fool some people some of the time, but you can’t fool horses any of the time,” Steve says.

Veterans and their spouses guide horses through a basic obstacle course while working on their communication skills in a safe environment. The facilitators use the horses as a tool for providing feedback.

“It’s a bit like having a feedback machine on four legs,” says Jim. The facilitators are then able to provide veterans with insight into how their current communication skills with their spouses can be improved.

“Horses are great litmus tests,” adds Steve.

The objective is to give participants real time experiences and skills during the program to apply to their real world back home.

The hope is for the data collected from two or three programs will lead to a national program that is supported by Veterans Affairs.

The benefits of the program create a ripple effect. “If you can help a veteran, you help their family, and their whole community,” says Steve.

Y

ou’re probably aware that horse theft still exists in Canada. Likewise, you probably know your expensive equine items such as saddles, show tack and horse trailers also appeal to criminals.

But I’m willing to guess you don’t lay awake at night, worrying that someone will steal your horse’s tail.

Maybe you should.

In late November 2012, Patty Cole of Killam, Alta., went to her barn to prepare for a trail ride only to discover that her bay Paint mare, Jewel, was missing her thick black tail. “Jewel’s dock wasn’t injured, but every hair below the tail bone was gone,” Cole explains. “I had four other horses in the same pasture, and they were fine, so at first I wondered if Jewel had somehow accidently cut or pulled out her tail. My friend and I thoroughly checked the entire pasture, but we couldn’t find a single hair, or any signs of a struggle.”

After double and triple checking the situation, Cole phoned the local RCMP detachment. An officer took her information, and then shared some of his own. Theft of a horse tail may sound odd to you, but the officer had heard of it a number of times before in Alberta.

“I learned this sort of things was becoming more common, especially in urban areas,” Cole says.

A few weeks earlier the Calgary Herald had reported on two horse tails removed from animals near Taber. The horses were not physically injured, but one horse had been listed for sale, and the owners note his value was now decreased because a tailless horse looks odd and unattractive. Likewise, theft of horse tails has been recorded all across Canada and the United States.

In the fall of 2012 62 horse tails were reported stolen in Wyoming alone.

So why would anyone steal your horse’s tail? Because it’s valuable, that’s why. One source notes horse hair can sell for more than $350 per pound, depending upon its colour and length. There are two main uses for horse hair.

First, the strands can be worked into Western items such as belts, hat bands, bridles, bracelets and other jewelry. Secondly, long tails are used to create tail extensions and switches to allow show horses to compete with thick, flowing locks. Reputable crafters buy horse hair from overseas, or from local slaughter houses, but with the closing of many such facilities in the U.S., horse hair has become a premium item. This has led to a black market for quality horse tails.

“My horses are all quiet, so a thief wouldn’t have had difficulty cutting off Jewel’s tail,” Cole says.

“And while they didn’t hurt her, they’ve now left her defenceless against flies and mosquitoes. I expect it will take Jewel four or five years to grow her tail to its full length, if it ever does.”

Patty Cole went out one afternoon last November to ride her Paint mare, Jewel, who once had a thick black tail that went to her hocks. The tail was there one morning, then completely gone when Patty went to ride. Stolen!

PREVENTION

Ways to protect your horse 1) Check your horses regularly, but vary your routine.

Professional thieves often watch a farm for some time before they go onto the property.

2) Install lighting with motion sensors near your horse property.

3) Use as solid of a fence as possible, and keep it in good repair.

4) Use good gates and secure with heavy chains and locks.

5) Remove halters from pastured horses.

6) Set up a neighbourhood watch program.

7) Post “no trespassing signs.”

8) Keep a barking dog around to make noise if something unusual happens.

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Registered Psychologist Jim Marland and retired Canadian Forces veteran Steve Critchley have developed an Equine Assisted Learning pilot program in Rocky Mountain House, Alta. to help our service men and women who are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Prevention

Strangles is highly contagious, but most horses recover Good stable management and biosecurity as well as vaccination can reduce frequency of the disease HORSE HEALTH Expert advice

Dr. Carol Shwetz Westlock, Alta.

I

t is estimated that up to 20 per cent of all recovered horses shed S. equi from their nasal secretions for up to six weeks following resolution of clinical signs.

Strangles, also known as equine distemper, is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease of horses, mules, and donkeys. Strangles infection, or the fear of strangles infection, tends to unsettle many horse owners despite that fact that strangles itself is rarely fatal.

The stigma attached to this disease is fuelled by its highly con-

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tagious nature and the striking, often “messy” clinical signs that accompany it.

Any age of horse can become infected with strangles, although generally it is a disease of the younger horse, less than five years of age. Cool and damp conditions tend to favour its occurrence.

Most horses contract the disease through contact with infected nasal discharges from a horse whom has an active case of strangles, or from a horse whom has recently recovered from strangles and is shedding the bacteria.

Symptoms of infection begin to appear two to 14 days following exposure to the bacterium, Streptococcus equi. This bacteria initially invades the tonsillar tissue of the horse, then spreads to the

lymph nodes of the head and back of the throat.

Within days, the lymph nodes in the neck and throat-latch become enlarged, swollen and painful.

Fever, poor appetite, depression and heavy nasal discharge commonly accompany infection.

Afflicted horses may show difficulty swallowing and develop a soft, moist, guarded cough, often standing with their necks outstretched in an attempt to find relief.

When the infected and enlarged lymph nodes become increasingly enlarged, the horse’s breathing is likely to become impeded or obstructed. The resulting distressed (strangulating) breathing sounds are what give this disease its name.

With time, abscesses in the

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lymph nodes mature, rupture, and drain a creamy pus. The drainage is highly contagious.

The lymph nodes in the space between the jawbones are commonly affected and drain externally. Other lymph nodes in the head and throat may be also be involved, but are not as apparent because many of them will drain into the horses’s throat and nasal cavity.

Most horses recover Typically the disease runs its clinical course in three to four weeks.

Some horses exhibit a milder form of the disease with fever, cough, and nasal discharge, but no draining abscesses. These horses often have a level of immunity from prior exposure.

Most horses whom contract strangles recover without complications, acquiring a lasting immunity. Symptomatic care while the disease runs its course is usually sufficient to aid recovery.

This may include hot-packing abscesses to hasten their maturation, followed by flushing of the ruptured abscess with dilute iodine solution. Strict hygiene is highly advised when attending infected horses.

Antibiotic therapy remains controversial and is often avoided in strangles cases. Veterinary involvement is advisable with animals in respiratory distress or with unrelenting malaise. Severe and complicated cases generally do require antibiotics and other supportive therapies.

Complications are most likely to arise when horses are immunecompromised or stressed, and thus struggle with clearing the bacteria.

This includes animals who are very young, old, heavily parasitized, in crowded or inadequate and unsanitary housing conditions or animals receiving inadequate nutrition.

When the immune system fails to contain the bacteria to the lymph nodes of the head and neck, the lymph nodes of the thorax, abdomen or brain can become infected. This form of the disease is known as “bastard strangles.”

Another complication of strangles is an immune-mediated disease called purpura hemorrhagica. Both scenarios often have a poor outcome.

Long-term carriers The most frustrating complication of this disease is the development of the chronic asymptomatic carrier. It is estimated that up to 20 per cent of all recovered horses shed S. equi from their nasal secretions for up to six weeks following resolution of clinical signs.

It is these horses that tend to spread the disease as owners often feel that the horse is “recovered” and of no harm to other horses.

“Most horses contract the disease through contact with infected nasal discharges from a horse whom has an active case of strangles.”

— Dr. Carol Shwetz

Contaminated water buckets, feed tubs, housing or handlers can also source the infection.

A very small percentage of horses continue to shed the bacteria for months to years beyond the original illness, serving as an ongoing source of recurrent infections.

The carrier horse can be very difficult to identify. Currently consecutive negative nasal swabs are cultured as a means to identify carriers.

Maintaining good biosecurity measures, isolation and meticulous hygienic procedures are necessary to prevent introduction and spread of the disease.

Field experience suggests that vaccinating horses reduces the incidence and severity of strangles.

Vaccination is not an absolute prevention nor is it deemed useful in all situations. It can be considered a tool in strangles management, not a replacement for good stable management and biosecurity. Thus far, intranasal vaccination results in the best local immunity.

Carol Shwetz has been a veterinary practitioner for 26 years. Her country practice near Westlock, Alberta focuses upon a horse’s overall well-being, bringing years of experience and study to educate owners on the care of their horses. Studies beyond veterinary schooling have included dentistry, nutrition, hoof care, alternative therapies, and of course her favorite study, horsemanship. Information has become her ‘medicine’ of choice giving owners a strong foundation for sound decision-making.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

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H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Train i n g

The Supple & Rounded Horse - Part 1 Glenn Stewart chats about putting the mental and emotional state of the horse first to achieve suppleness in order to accomplish roundness offers Camps and a three month

GET A GRIP Ask the trainers

By Glenn Stewart Baldonnel, B.C.

R

ecently we asked people to Facebook or email us some topics or questions they would be interested in having me write about. Thanks to everyone for the many thought-provoking ideas that were sent in.

One of the questions was: “What is or how do you achieve roundness and/or suppleness?”

I can only speak from my own experience and views on any of these topics. The biggest thing we can do for ourselves towards this goal is to truly understand the concept of what it is, and the ingredients involved.

There are a 101 exercises for this but they are only as good as our understanding of the needs of the horse and the order of the exercises given.

Here’s my definition of “roundness” — the way the horse carries himself and the muscling that has been developed through continual and proper systematic development.

“Suppleness” is also developed through continual and proper systematic development. Suppleness comes before roundness. I believe most people look at both of these things as something physical that you can see, and it is.

But to get suppleness and then roundness, a horse first needs to be mentally and emotionally prepared in that order. And then the suppleness and roundness is achievable.

All too often there is no thought to the horse’s level of mental or emotional fitness, only the physical look that is trying to be achieved.

It is much easier to see the physical look than the mental or emotional state, although it’s quite easy to see the mental and emotional state if you are looking for it.

One of the harder things to do with a horse for us is to a) first learn the skills we require ourselves, then b) take the time to prepare our horse mentally and emotionally for the physical things we want our horses to do, such as being supple and round.

If a horse mentally understands what is being asked, then emotionally it is much easier for them to deliver. I think of supple as soft and easily bent, moved and manoeuvred. If a horse is soft, easily bent, moved, and manoeuvred, then it stands to reason that we can ask them to do exercises and carry themselves in way that will develop muscle in the proper areas to achieve roundness.

A horse that is not mental and or emotionally prepared gets tight and bracey, the opposite of supple.

If you ask a horse like this to get round, you will get muscle development in all the wrong areas.

One of my horses that I ride now, Az do Vouga (Az) might be one of the most athletic horse I’ve ever rid-

In this photo, Az is carrying himself in a manner that is supple and rounded. He is maintaining this posture as well as his mental and emotional state. If he loses the mental understanding of the job he was asked to do, he may also get rattled emotionally, and then the physical would go out the window. Inversely, if he gets worried or reactive (the emotional), he may also forget or decide to do something else (mental) and the result of what he was asked to do with his body (the physical) will be altered into something other than supple or round. photos: Dixie Stewart

In this same session, Az is experimenting with his balance and at the same time, his concentration and emotions fluctuate. Here he is a little more balanced then in the first picture.

den. However my biggest and most challenging job with this particular horse is to get him emotionally prepared for what he is more than physically capable of doing.

It is fairly easy to pick up the reins and hold him into a physical frame but he is not thinking about holding himself as his own responsibility, it’s all up to me. If I ignore the fact that I need to help him more mentally and emotionally, and just work on the physical, I will never be able to access and enjoy all the unbelievable talent and athleticism he has to offer.

Even if we understand the three areas (mental, emotional, and physical) that we need to develop, but only spend time on one area, then

we are truly only getting a third at most of what the horse has to offer.

A person may be thinking that roundness and suppleness is something we have to wait for… and it is, and it isn’t. Keep the order of things in mind. Mental, Emotional, and then Physical. Supple before Round.

Maybe another way to say it is that suppleness comes from a mental and emotional good place.

Roundness comes from a physical good place but you can’t get there without the mental and emotional good place first.

Everything we do with our horses from day one should be continually and systematically working towards the end goal. We can have

This is a tremendously athletic horse. His mind and emotions moved so quickly that sometimes, left to his own devices, it was like riding a feather in a hurricane.

little things that our horse is soft, bendable or supple at on the ground before even getting on. As we get these things going, then we can ask for them to carry themselves in certain ways developing the muscle and roundness that we are looking for.

Finally, when all areas on the ground and in the saddle are developed mentally, emotionally and physically, supple and round, we might call that collection.

I believe the closer I follow these guidelines and way of thinking, the more success I have.

Glenn Stewart travels extensively conducting clinics, demonstrations, and colt starting sessions, and also

Horsemanship Course at his home The Horse Ranch, as well as the Horsemanship Learning Adventure Series; two completely different experiences, High & Wild in the Northern B.C. Rockies, and Working Equitation with Lusitanos in Brazil.

He rides 30 to 60 client horses per year, including young horses, restarts, challenging horses, and foundation training. Glenn is a former Calgary Stampede Champion of the Cowboy Up Challenge and was chosen as one of the Canadian representatives in the 2012 Road to the Horse, the World Championship of Colt Starting in Murfreesboro, TN. More information by calling 1 877 728 8987 or visiting www. thehorseranch.com.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME Communi cat ing

What is your communication style?

You should know… because your horse wants to. Different horses react differently to different styles ness. This includes your horse and your coach.

You may be the kind of rider that horses “react” to by acting out, bucking or otherwise trying to escape.

Your determination can be just too much for them in an energetic sense.

But perhaps the biggest cost to your equine relationships is that unfortunately sometimes you end up getting compliance instead of willingness from your teammates. Drivers can tend to regard their horses more as tools- a means to get to an end goal.

If true partnership is what you truly seek, you will have to temper the driver style in you.

RIDING OUT OF MY MIND Equestrian sport psychology

By April Clay Psychologist, Calgary, Alta.

P

erhaps the most overlooked, yet most important set of rider skills are those related to communication.

Riding is a relationship-based sport. You have a teammate, who must somehow be made aware of your goals and develop a willingness to follow you. Your horse may not speak English, but does depend on you to be a clear, decisive communicator.

Your relationship with your coach will also be smoother and more effective if you know what you want to say and how to send your message.

It all begins with an understanding of where you are today — just what kind of a communicator are you?

The go-alongs If you have this style, what you value most is getting along with others, while avoiding conflict at all costs. “Don’t make waves” could be your motto.

If your horse is challenging your aids, you are more likely to try to keep asking the question instead of increasing the pressure or otherwise upping the ante.

Or, you may just give up entirely because you begin to second guess yourself or just plain worry. What if I am doing it wrong, what if I am wrecking my horse?

photo: ©Thinkstock

Marshal is a go-alonger. He repeatedly apologizes to his coach for being such a poor rider. He even over feeds his horse treats to make up for whatever mistakes he put him through.

He is prone to a lot of negative, doubtful self-talk. His trainer hates how hard he is on himself and spends a lot of energy trying to pump him up.

What she likes best about him though, is his great focus in listening. Because he is so concerned with

his horse’s well-being, he has become very skilled at listening for his mount’s feedback. His sense of feel is impeccable.

Unfortunately, because Marshal does not trust himself to follow through with his knowledge, his training is not always fruitful.

Like Marshal, most go-alongs are pleasers. They want to be liked at all costs, even if it means sometimes compromising themselves.

Maybe even agree with other’s

opinions on the outside when inside think something quite different.

Likely the biggest cost to this communication style is a diminished sense of self. Go-alongs slowly lose faith in themselves because what they reinforce is other’s opinions rather than their own. They end up feeling powerless and sometimes even resentful.

Their equine relationships may come to be characterized by too much caution that results in some horses taking full advantage. If you have this style, keep in mind that your horse is a partner in sport and not just a pet. You are the leader of an athletic team.

The drivers These riders are really quite sure they are right. They demand a lot from their horses, sometimes to the point of stressing them. While their strength is in being very clear, their weakness lies in pushing too hard too fast.

Not wanting to stop and listen for feedback from their mounts, they just want to get to the result.

If you are a driver, patience is not your strong suit. Emotional control might not be high on your list of attributes either, as the impatience can bubble over into losing your temper.

You can be guilty of ignoring the needs of your team mate, in your over focus on getting what you want quickly.

Coaches main complaint about you is you do not take direction all that well. You want it your way, and when you know you’re right, listening to someone else seems to take time, your precious time!

On the flip side, your strength is that you are very focused and often do get the results you seek. In fact, your powers of attention are akin to a laser like spotlight.

However, all this intensity is not without cost. Sometimes others may end up resenting you for your bossi-

The mediators You are very clear about the rights of yourself and others. You know your horse has feelings, and bad days. You realize your coach is likewise to be respected in their goal to help you learn. Every time, you will look for the win-win.

Like the conversations you have with others, you are very clear in what you want from your horse. You will ask for what you want, and then listen to see what kind of reply you get back.

Mediators like the conversational aspect of their communications.

Sara used to be more on the goalong side until she realized her horse was becoming stressed from her lack of leadership. A young horse with tender nerves, her mount would begin to become nervous and act out when she didn’t know what Sara was after.

Once Sara was able to shift into becoming more of an assertive leader, her horse’s demeanor shifted as well. The new certainly in Sara’s aids gave her horse confidence.

Like a child who really wants clear boundaries from their parents, Sara’s horse took great comfort in now knowing what was expected of her.

She felt more cared for and protected.

If you are a mediator type, you tend to make others comfortable because they always know where they stand with you. Your coach knows how you feel and is confident you can absorb instruction.

Ditto for your horse, who appreciates your consistency and calmness in problem solving.

Speaking of problems, you don’t mind them in the least. You’re not afraid to confront or clear the air.

You know that some waves may be necessary to reach calmer waters.

For the most part, mediators have very healthy self-esteem.

They have learned to trust themselves, and to seek out trust in those they interact with. They tend to view their equine relationships as true partnerships.

Obviously the mediator is the preferred style as it contains the most balance. But do keep in mind that rarely is no one completely one style. More often we are a blend, our weaknesses can be quite specific and fortunately quite changeable.

Remaining aware of your own communication style and tweaking it as time as you go gives you the best chance of success in your equine and personal relationships.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

H ORSE, HEALTH & HOME TRAVELLING

Tired of Canadian winters?

Then consider Arizona to take your horses for trail riding, clinics, events, and a chance to meet new horse people

By Terry McKinney Kingman, Alta.

O

k… have you had enough of the white stuff and want to ride without gloves? Then why not head south of the border?

Last winter I was burnt out from the winter before. Does anyone remember the - 30°? In the past, we rode outside and, if it’s cold, we still rode. We are always starting new horses and take a pack string out almost every day.

Well, two winters ago in that cold - 30° and all the snow, I was about done with the good ol’ Canadian winter so we decided to take a few weeks and head to Arizona with a few horses. But we didn’t know where to start or what we had to do to get to the warmth of the Arizona sun.

Let me help if you are thinking of trying some desert riding where gloves are not needed! As I sit here on my deck in sunny Arizona for my second winter after a great ride, I get asked how did you do it? It’s not that scary and man, are there Canadians down here.

First thing is to get your local vet to come out and do a vet check on any horse you are taking south. Your vet will draw blood for coggins test and fill out a health inspection form. I blanket the horses that get really fuzzy but it is not needed.

Once you get your coggins results back, you will have to go to the federal vet. We head to Edmonton where she will stamp it, now your horse is ready.

Pack all your gear, hay, water buckets and personal gear… and get on the road.

I make a heavy bed of shavings and feed light with lots of watering. You can get water at most truck stops once you get out of the minus weather.

You have options on coming down slow or fast. We have done both. You want to hit the border before three to allow time for the paperwork and vet inspection.

They also recommend coming early to avoid big trucks and cattle. We have not had a problem yet with this and this year crossed around lunch.

Now let me mention dogs. All your dogs need is a paper from your vet stating that they have a current rabies vaccination. We take all five of our border collies with no issues.

Once you cross the border, you will be told to go to the U.S. vet who will direct you to the local vet. They will inspect your horses and off you go. We usually get to Helena, Montana and there they have a fairgrounds for your horses (covered stalls with camping nearby).

But you can drive as far as you want and look up the local fairgrounds for your horses. I find that I just want to get to where it is warm.

I make sure I get the horses to move along the trip by either riding or chasing them around an arena just so I know their guts are moving and their muscles get a chance to work.

I also get shocked the first time we fill up with fuel because there is beer in the gas station. We have also stayed in Shelby as the food and hotel’s are cheaper than Canada and they have a nice fairgrounds.

Finding a place to stop and stay is not hard and we are new to this game. Picking some potential locations is a good thing

Fairgrounds are usually available to camp and put up your horses. Best to chart your journey and call ahead to each stop-over to ensure that facilities are available.

Chuck McKinney (shown here) and his wife Terry take young horses down to the warmer climates to get them started on packing and trail riding.

“I make sure I get the horses to move along the trip by either riding or chasing them around an arena just so I know there guts are moving and their muscles get a chance to work. ” — Terri McKinney There are miles of beautiful trails to ride in Arizona for riders of all ages and experience. Check out www.horsetraildirectory.com to find some of these trails. all photos: submitted

trick riding, team roping, ranch roping, mounted shooting, penning, sorting, barrels, drill team, or my favorite, getting out into the desert with my pack string!

Chuck is ranch roping and my daughter is trick riding and on the drill team this year. You are so welcomed down here and they really appreciate the Canadians and treat us good! I am sold on coming south each year because I can get that time on the new horses and not wear 15 layers.

But when the ice is melting, the mountains are in the thaw, and with spring coming, this outfitter will hear the call and head north! I hope this helps you if you want another riding adventure in your life!

See you next time and may your trails be clear, your pack string safe and your camp just around the corner.

Arizona has a lot to offer including trick riding, team roping, ranch roping, mounted shooting, penning, sorting, barrels, and drill team.

to do before you leave. It is really a neat adventure for your family and horses.

You see so much different terrain along the way. Last year we would pull over and ride where it looked nice, this year we booked it down here.

The riding is now up to you once you

have crossed and there are a ton of places to ride and lots of staging areas. If you look in the Trail Rider Magazine, it has a lot of information for each state or go to the BLM. We are in Maricopa area and there are so many disciplines to try to do —

Terri McKinney outfits with her husband Chuck McKinney and their daughter southwest of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta in the Bighorn Backcountry. They teach horsemanship clinics, do packing demo’s, train horses in the mountains, offer trail rides and pack trips.

They put on over 1,500 miles a season and hold Canada’s ONLY Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale each fall.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

HAPPENINGS Events and News of Note

SASKATCHEWAN EQUINE EXPO

New events to highlight the 2nd Annual Saskatchewan Equine Expo, February 15-17 at Praireland Park in Saskatoon

SPECIAL EVENT

Welcome to the Expo A world famous equine extravaganza!

S

askatoon Prairieland Park and volunteers from Saskatchewan Horse Federation, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and various equine breed groups are working together to facilitate this three-day 2nd annual Saskatchewan Equine Expo. The objective is to present equine related lectures, presentations, demonstrations, entertainment and opportunities focusing on the Equine Industry. Whether participants and spectators are amateurs or professionals, they will experience the newest products, techniques and technology.

Over 20,000 sq. ft. of Equine Trade Show will focus specifically on products and services for the equine industry and western lifestyle.

IF YOU’RE GOING

Canada’s Ultimate Cow Horse Competition

A new event for 2013, this competition will include three disciplines — herd work, reined work and cow work. The herd work, or cutting, comes first, followed by the reining pattern in the reined work. The signature cow work, often called fence work, is where the horse holds, or boxes, the cow at the end of the arena, then turns it on the fence and finally circles it both ways. Top horses and riders will compete for prize money and the Canada’s Ultimate Cow Horse title and champion buckle.

TRAINING CLINICS

THE ALBERTA DONKEY AND MULE CLUB

Hours of Operation February 15: Ag Centre: 9 a.m.

Trade Show: Noon - 8 p.m.

February 16: Ag Centre: 9:00 am Trade Show: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

February 17: Ag Centre: 9 a.m.

Trade Show: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission Tickets All daily & weekend passes available at the door.

General Admission - Daily $15 Weekend Pass $40 Youth (7 - 15) - Daily $7.50 Weekend Pass $20 6 & Under free For advance tickets or more information, contact: Ph: 306.931.7149 or agcentermanager@ saskatoonex.com www.saskatchewan equineexpo.ca Accommodations www.tourismsaskatoon.com

The Alberta Donkey and Mule Club will provide demonstrations during the day on Saturday and Sunday as well as participate in the Parade of Breeds during both of the Extravaganzas on Friday and Saturday with 4 Riding Mules.

Miniature Horse Club The AMHR Miniature Horse is one of the most interesting and unique equine in existence. Although their actual history is sometimes debated, the American Miniature Horse developed right along with the 20th century. This Saskatchewan Club will be presenting performances at both of the Equine Extravaganzas on Friday and Saturday.

Paul Dufresne From novice to advanced riders, Paul’s “Training for Courage” clinics and lessons can help you to improve your horsemanship skills from the ground up, providing you with a foundation for success in any discipline. The clinic will be three one-hour sessions starting on Friday and may still have some openings.

Paul will also be doing exhibition performances on Friday & Saturday nights during the Extravaganzas.

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saskatchewan equine expo

Saskatchewan Hunter Jumpers Association This club will be demonstrating the skills involved with presenting a power and speed event. This class has two distinct phases which run together without any interruptions.

The first phase which is Power, challenges the horse and rider combinations to seven to nine jumping obstacles. These obstacles tend to test the athletes strength, power, and control. The point of this phase is to be clear, not fast. If the horse/rider combinations remain clear through Power phase they continue to the Speed phase. This phase consists of another course of approximately four to six obstacles. The object of this phase of the class is to be fast and clear. The horse/rider combination with the least number of faults and fastest time wins the class.

Ultimate Cowboy Challenge Club The Ultimate Horsemanship Challenge Club was formed in April 2012.

Horsemanship Challenge is a competition based on horsemanship - where riders navigate through a designated pattern of obstacles, displaying their ability to complete the course in partnership with their horse. It is about how well you ride your horse and how well your horse responds while navigating through the course. It reaffirms the mutual trust and respect between rider and horse and challenges them to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. These challenges are for ALL ages, youth to seniors, from beginner riders to advanced riders, and ALL disciplines.

TOUR AND SEMINAR

Ryan/Dubé Performance Centre @ Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.

Tour will include information and sessions involving some or all of the following: • high-speed treadmill and a computerized force plate system • paved indoor runway • permanent longeing arena • multi-purpose area with two semi-permanent restraint stocks • equine MRI and a diagnostic scope • farrier’s area Pre-registration is required and a limited number will be accepted. Registration includes tour and return transportation from Prairieland Park. Information and forms on website.

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H APPENINGS Fighting cancer

Cutting through the snow to cut through cancer 10th annual fundraiser combines sleighs and enthusiasm to fight cancer on February 23rd at Lloydminster GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Kelly Sidoryk Lloydminster, Sask.

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he Cutter Rally for Cancer in Lloydminster will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2012. It is held the third Saturday in February in Lloydminster, which this year is the 23rd.

It is a joint project by the East West Chapter of Alberta Carriage Driving Association, the Heavy Horse committee of the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association, the Northwest Miniature Horse and Pony Club, and Foresters.

Chair of this year’s event, Tammy Hampel, has been involved with the event since its inception. “The first year we had 75 teams come out. We have had close to 100 and last year, despite unfavourable weather we still had 50,” she says.

Over the last ten years the Cutter Rally has raised close to $85,000.

Another way the event brings people together is with the nonequine volunteers. So many have been impacted by the disease and want to help in some way.

From a 16-horse hitch to a team of miniatures, the Cutter Rally for Cancer is a fun, family day for those that love horses and want to fight cancer. photo: kelly Sidoryk

The dedicated group of volunteers of 65 to 70 people join the committee on the day of the event. Hampel says that 75 to 80 per cent have been with the group since the start. “We have a faithful, amazing group of volunteers,” she adds.

The Cutter Rally for Cancer was the brainchild of Roy McInnes.

He enlisted Hample to help with the details.

According to McInnes, “The main highlight is the success. We started on a wing and a prayer

balance of a school scholarship which had been started when her husband, a former teacher, had passed away from the disease.

Hampel says one of the highlights is when the then manager of the Canadian Cancer Society got engaged to his bride-to-be on the trail.

There have also been many, many types of hitches and rigs.

“One year there was a 12 horse hitch, and there are often threes.”

It is a great way to spend a day in February. In addition to the sleighing, there is an old-fashioned band entertaining and a kiddie’s corner with movies and crafts. There is a fantastic supper and the day wraps up with awards and a number of door prizes.

“It is an amazing horse show — anything and everything. Every size, colour, breed and type of sleighs, from fancy to homemade outfits take part,” concludes Hampel.

If you go

The Cutter Rally for Cancer is held at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds and Stockade Convention Centre. For more information, go to www.lloydexh.com or call 306-825-5571

S h ow jumping

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François Lamontagne named CAVALOR “Athlete of the Month” for December Helps to lead Canadian team to second place finish in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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rançois Lamontagne of Saint-Eustache, Que., was named the CAVALOR “Athlete of the Month” for December

by Jump Canada.

Lamontagne, 29, recently made his Canadian Show Jumping Team debut at CSIO4*-W Buenos Aires, Argentina. Riding alongside Ben Asselin, Tamie Phillips and Jenn Serek, Lamontagne was in the anchor position, posting a double clear performance with Undergroud des Hauts Driots to lead the Canadian team to a second place finish.

At the warm-up competition held at San Jorge Village one week earlier, Lamontagne and Underground des Hauts Driots, an eight-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding owned by Ferme Lamontagne, won the first class of the show. Out of 48 entries, the pair posted a jump-off time

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with no idea how it would turn out and it has been phenomenal.”

For the first five years, Mcinnes was the face behind the event. He says for that reason he’s heard so many people’s stories about dealing with cancer.

“I heard about the successes of people beating cancer and the other stories of those who had not. The most gratifying has been to be able to visit with all these people.”

“The reason this whole thing got started was one of our mem-

bers in the East West Chapter of the Alberta Carriage Driving Association had passed away from cancer. Roy wanted to find away to support the Canadian Cancer Society in order to join the fight against cancer and this way his way to participate,” says Hampel.

The Rally involves two to three options for trails — short, medium and long. There are five checkpoints along the trail where participants roll dice. These scores are accumulated and the highest score of the day wins top prize which is a cutter from Cloverbar Carriages in Sherwood Park.

You don’t have to have a team to participate. There are three categories. One is for the teamster, one for a rider and the third is a ghost hand where someone else can roll for you. Each hand is $60.

There is also the Catch a Ride option where participants can hop on someone’s sleigh. These leave the sight at 1 p.m.

“We have had some great partnerships over the years,” says Hampel. “One year the Onion Lake community also held a cutter rally and they donated all their proceeds to ours.”

Another year, a member of the driving group donated the

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of 36.71 seconds to score victory over Olympian Justo Albarracín of Argentina.

“It was a dream come true to wear the red jacket for Canada,” said Lamontagne. “I felt fortunate to have teammates like Ben, Tamie and Jenn. It was also an excellent opportunity for me to meet our chef d’équipe, Mark Laskin, and to show him what I am capable of.”

Lamontagne added, “Now that I experienced what it is like to ride for Canada, I’m going to work hard every day to earn my place on the team again. Awards that highlight rider achievement are always a bonus. Thank you to Cavalor for their sponsorship.”

As the CAVALOR “Athlete of the Month” for December, Lamontagne receives a gift certificate from title sponsor CAVALOR Inc.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

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H APPENINGS Trail Ri ding

An unusual horse safari in Botswana Darley Newman shares her adventure on the Makadikadi Pans moonscape

EQUITREKKING Travelling the globe

By Darley Newman Bethseda, Maryland

I

n the lesser visited Makadikadi Pans (one of the largest salt flats in the world, approximately the size of Switzerland), I tried out a brand new horse safari run by safari guide David Foot.

One of the most adventurous riding experiences ever, I galloped with a herd of zebra and wildebeest, slept out under the stars on the pans lunar-like surface, and rode in the hoof steps of early explorers and missionaries in Botswana.

This inhospitable, but alluring area in northeastern Botswana was once the site of an ancient lake, which has since dried up. It’s the closest to riding on the surface of the moon that I’ll likely ever get. Picture endless, dazzling flat moonscapes and you can maybe imagine the pans.

Cantering along, our horses’ hooves crunched into the earth, breaking through layers of brittle, greyish white surface. With only miles of earth and sky — no trees and certainly no buildings to mar your line of vision — this is one of the best places to canter, camp out and star gaze.

I was there in August, which is winter in Botswana, and the weather was great. It was warm during the day and sunny, but not too hot, with cold nights. You can ride in the Makadikadi Pans year round, but what you’ll experience depends on the seasons.

The Pans have a dry season during winter, around April to November. In the wet season from November to April there’s the zebra and

wildebeest migration, so this is a particularly good time to visit.

Though I wasn’t there during the migration, there were still a good number of zebra and wildebeest in the pans, making for cool wildlife viewing and a heck of a ride. We came upon a herd of wildebeest and zebras and joined their gallop. It was one of the fastest, most exhilarating and admittedly scary experiences of my life.

We rode to a campsite out on the pans, tying our horses to a line and enjoying a sundowner while watching the vibrant pink and red sunset.

There is nothing to obstruct the vibrant sunset in the pans, and I’d never seen a sunset like this.

It caused me to reflect on my adventures in Botswana and life in general. You feel small on the pans and realize how spectacular nature really is. We ate dinner outside by candlelight with hot coals from the fire under our chairs to keep us warm and then sat around the campfire, swapping stories from the day.

That night, I saw about seven shooting stars, the longest ones I’ve ever seen and the most I’d ever seen, as I fell asleep in the frigid night air. Definitely bring warm layers for this trip and good socks.

I had a lot of trouble getting out of my cot the next morning. The wind was whipping and believe it or not, we had to move along quickly, as there was a storm headed our way. What type of storm might you encounter on the pans? It doesn’t “storm” much, but like the desert, you may experience a sand storm, except it’s sand mixed with salt — great for skin exfoliation!

Wrapping my scarf around my face and donning a helmet and sunglasses, not much skin was exposed as we galloped away from the weather and into a grassy area leading to Chapman’s Baobab, a thou-

sands year old, gigantic tree that has been used historically for navigation, as a post office and more.

We navigated the fringes of the pans with the gigantic tree in sight, just as 19th century explorer Dr. David Livingstone would have. Once we arrived, we got off our horses to walk around the tree’s giant limbs and examine a living reminder of the area’s past.

If you travel to Botswana to ride on a horse safari, you’ll want to be at least an intermediate

rider. As you can imagine, you may sometimes have to ride fast, especially if you encounter wildlife. Be prepared for some of the best wildlife viewing in the world

in some of the most pristine nature as well.

To take this trip and a variety of other African horse safaris through, go to www.EquitrekkingTravel.com.

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H APPENINGS Awa rd

PONOKA STAMPEDE WINS REMUDA AWARD First ever Canadian rodeo to win prestigious PRCA award at NFR

By Dianne Finstad Red Deer, Alta.

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hey call it Ponoka Pride.

And the little Alberta town with the famous Stampede is bursting with it, after receiving a prestigious rodeo award in December.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association presented the Ponoka Stampede with its 2012 Remuda award in December, just before the National Finals Rodeo kicked off.

It’s the first time a Canadian rodeo has been recognized with the honour, which goes to the rodeo committee which provided the best, most consistent pen of bucking horses, creating the best opportunities for contestants to score well.

“Best of all, it’s voted on by the pro cowboys themselves,” beamed Gary Harbin, the Ponoka Stampede Association director responsible for stock contracting.

The Stampede, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2011, is the largest pro rodeo in Canada, and ranks inside the top ten paying rodeos in the world. With its unique Finals and Showdown format, Ponoka is also the richest stop on the busiest rodeo weekend of the season, over the July 1st and 4th holidays. It boasts seven days of action, which attracted a record of almost 73,000 fans last summer.

In order to keep the calibre of rodeo top notch for each and every performance, the Stampede brings in seven Canadian roughstock contractors, and three with timed event cattle. That means any day of the rodeo is basically as packed with bucking talent as a Canadian or National Finals Rodeo go-round.

Along with bringing his stock, Po n o k a - r a i s e d Wa y n e Vo l d serves as arena director, continuing a 60 year association between Vold Rodeo and the Ponoka Stampede.

“We run by the Code of the West,” explained Harbin. “That means if we put up our best, in terms of prize money and the show, we expect you (the contractors) to bring us your best.”

“That code has worked, and the cowboys recognize that. The world champions come, and we put them on the best horses and bulls we can find.”

“To win the Remuda award is a real feather in the cap to the Ponoka Stampede, but the point I always make is that it takes everybody to make it all happen.”

The award itself is a beautiful bronze featuring five horses, and was presented during the prerodeo awards banquet in Las Vegas at the National Finals Rodeo.

The only glitch in the whole deal was that Harbin himself wasn’t able to attend and accept

the bronze on the Stampede’s behalf.

“Who told you about that?” he protested. “Those guys get a kick out of telling everybody!”

Eventually, Harbin relents, and relates the tale himself. “(Incoming PSA President) Joe Dodds and I got our plane tickets and were all set to go to Vegas.

The night before we left, I looked in the drawer and pulled out my passport. I just happened to flip through it.”

That’s when, to Harbin’s shock and dismay, he discovered his passport had expired at the end of August, and that meant he wouldn’t be getting on any plane to the U.S. the next day!

“Fortunately, I knew (current PSA President) Rick Wierzba and his wife had gone down early to watch Shania Twain’s show. So I called him up, and said ‘Prez, you’ve got a job to do!’

“So instead of seeing Shania, he went to get our award instead!

“It was quite an honour to be there,” grinned Wierzba, who had no regrets about his choice.

“San Antonio won the award for best large indoor rodeo, while Cheyenne won it for the outdoor one, and they were all there and congratulating me, so it was really good.

“Gary’s been the one who’s worked very hard on the stock end

Former Ponoka Stampede President Rick Wierzba was on hand at the National Finals Rodeo to receive the Best Remuda Award, presented by the PRCA each year to the rodeo committee which provided the best, most consistent pen of bucking horses. photo: PRCA

for our rodeo for many years, so it means a lot.”

There is a happy ending for Gary Harbin too.

“The next day I drove to the passport office in Edmonton with my filled-out application, and got the new one a week later,” he

declared. “So I got down to Vegas and caught the last three days of the rodeo!”

If you want to be part of the 2013 Ponoka Stampede, mark your calendar for June 25-July 1, and get your tickets from www.ponokastampede.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013 Silver Sage Community Corral Brooks, Alberta

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H APPENINGS Lipizzaner

Spanish Riding School history and horsemanship

Tradition, history and grandeur reign supreme at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna — home to the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

By Lorraine Taylor

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he Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only institution in the world which has practiced for over 440 years and continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école.

The objective of classical equitation is to study the way the horse naturally moves and to cultivate the highest levels of haute école elegance the horse is capable of through systematic training. The result creates an unparalleled harmony between rider and horse, as only Vienna’s Spanish Riding School achieves.

The Winter Riding Hall of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria is in a wing of the Habsburg Palace. A portrait of Archduke Charles VI, founder of the world’s oldest riding school looks over this magnificent, baroque Hall.

Walking into it I thought, “I’m walking into the history of Lipizzaner horses, into the splendour of the Imperial Court and into the history of classical horsemanship.”

To the music of Schubert, six charcoal grey Lipizzaner stallions, four years old, entered the Hall.

The riders halted their horses, removed their hats, and saluted the Archduke’s portrait.

The stallions followed one behind the other as they trotted and cantered in lines and 20 metre circles. Snaffles were used on these stallions as they demonstrated their talent for higher levels of training.

Following the class, four stallions entered the Hall. To the lilt of a Strauss waltz, their steps were graceful and precise as they performed the piaffe, pirouette, halfpass, passage and lead changes at every stride.

The riders’ backs were in harmony with their horses’. No obvious aids were evident on the riders’ parts and... the horses listened to their riders!

A third class consisting of six stallions did work in-hand and airs-above-the-ground such as the levade, capriole and croupade. Three horses were schooled in-hand from the ground; three horses were schooled with riders.

The stallions performed the capriole from standing to leaping upwards tucking their forelegs and kicking out.

For another, the trainer used a long rein and a long whip to cue the stallion by touching the whip onto the horse’s back heels. The

stallion in this case chose to remain at a standstill. The trainer held the rein and an assistant touched the horse with the whip. The stallion knew what was wanted for he leapt upwards, tucked his forelegs, kicked out and landed on the spot.

The stallion received his favourite treat and his lesson was finished for the day.

Riders carried whips but did not use stirrups when their horses performed caprioles and croupades. For the croupade, the horse bent the joints of his hind legs, rising higher than the levade. He held his forelegs off the ground as he made two, then three hops forward. For take-off and landing, and to maintain his balance, he had his hind legs together to avoid stepping forwards or backwards.

This exercise demanded a great deal of strength.

“I’m walking into the history of Lipizzaner horses, into the splendor of the Imperial Court and into the history of classical horsemanship.”

— Lorraine Taylor

The levade movement is an introduction to airs-above-theground. In preparation for the levade, the Lipizzaner’s ears were back listening for the rider’s soft chirp. The horse placed his hind legs far beneath himself. He rose to about thirty degrees, tucked his forelegs and held that stance for a couple of seconds. The piaffe and levade were performed between two pillars with and without riders.

The fourth class featured two Lipizzaners demonstrating the pas de deux. Having saluted the Archduke, riders and horses proceeded in harmony dancing to the music of Mozart. In two columns, they flexed slightly for the shoulder-in as they trotted directly towards me. In perfect time they seemed to float in unison per-

forming the half pass, direction changes, piaffe, extended trot, lead changes at each stride, and collected canter.

For the pirouette, one horse began the circle, the second horse stepped slightly behind. When the lead horse completed his pirouette, he made one step in the half pass before the rider half halted him to allow the second horse to come alongside — a mirror image.

Another example of riding the pirouette was demonstrated when two riders approached each other.

They met and as though in a semblance of touching, like ballet dancers, but no — with precision and in unison they turned the circle. A breath taking manoeuver, every step accurate!

The passage had a second of hesitation as though their legs had springs. They finished with the collected trot, walk, and then in single file, exited the Riding Hall.

For long reining, the soloist stallion was decked out in a scarlet back pad with heraldic emblem and bands of gold trim. Trainer and stallion entered the Riding Hall to lively march music. The reins and trainer on the left side of the stallion gave the stallion freedom to half pass away from the trainer. This was repeated for the right side, moving in a zig-zag pattern.

The trainer’s placement of himself, reins and hands, plus his patience and confidence were a study of pure horsemanship. During the piaffe, the trainer stepped in time with the music and his horse. The passage had bounce; lead changes and pirouettes were exact. With the trainer using the aids or reins, touch of whip and voice, the horse responded showing trust in his trainer. Together they expressed grace, charm and elegance.

The school quadrille is strictly ridden and choreographed to music. Eight horses and riders performed lateral moves, lead changes, pirouettes, piaffes and passages. When they circled, the hoof prints were as though drawn with a compass. In farewell, the horses and their riders formed a line facing the Archduke’s portrait. In unison the riders removed their hats in salute.

To the Radedzky March, the stallions showed their elasticity in the collected trot. One by one, stallions and riders departed. To great applause, the Dutch door closed on an outstanding performance.

For more information on the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, go to http://www.srs.at.

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

ASSOCIATION NEWS Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association CARTIERS NECK YOKE BUNCH In 2008, a group of chuckwagon fans were sitting around a fire and decided they wanted to help driver Shane Cartier with his expenses while he travelled the highways of Alberta. The Cartier’s Neck Yoke Bunch launched in 2009 with a fundraising event and continues to grow each year. The Neck Yoke Bunch sponsored seven APCCA wagon drivers in 2012 and organized a free BBQ in Vegreville for the drivers and families. The group sponsored the Equine & Rookie Wagon Awards in memory of Leo Cartier at the APCCA banquet. Jerry McCarty (president) presents cheque They also donated money to to Francis Dallaire of Haying in the ‘30s.

Kid Sport in Vegreville and Haying in the ’30s. Full story of Cartier’s Neck Yoke Bunch on www.chuckwagon.ab.ca or APCCA CAMPSITE on facebook

Chinook Team Penning Association

2012 Chinook Penning Board of Directors - Burl Aycock, Marci Green, Don Poole, Kirk Cottrell, Kurt Robson, J.R. Johnstone, Chris Thompson, Ray Antony, Jaycee Spangler, Deb Myslicki, Donna O’Reilly (Tova Place missing)

All of our members are eager to go to a penning… especially the first one! The teams are set up, the horses worked at practices, new tack is purchased, and the trailer is readied. All the while, the riders anticipate the pleasure and exhilaration of “the win.” BUT… someone has to make the shows happen! In the CTPA, we have twelve Directors, holding office for 1 or 2 years, and THEY keep the wheels turning for every new Season.

It’s a definite learning experience for anyone who has not served on the Board to realize all the work and preparation that goes into a Season… they don’t just happen. Chinook Penning is lucky to have the best bunch of members around. So far, there’s always been someone ready to step up to the plate and “get ‘er done”… sorry, a little bit of my Saskatchewan background snuck in there. So, this month I salute our past and present boards of directors and hope that everyone in our organization will do so too! The new Season starts February 23 & 24, with the Cam Clark Ford & Trailers two day show at the Olds Cow Palace. Hope to see you there but, if you miss it, the results will be available at www.chinookpenning.com

Alberta Ranch Horse Versatility Association

Kathleen Kleeberger riding MCR High Disco Olena completes the Ranch Cutting class in an Alberta Ranch Horse Versatility Association show. The ARHVA has several clinics and shows planned for 2013 with the first clinic being Jan 19-20, 2013 near Ponoka. Auditors are welcome for $10/day. Also planned is a judges seminar on Feb. 9, 2013 at 9 a.m. near Eckville. Free to the public, anyone wishing to learn more about the sport or become a judge can attend. Please call Brandi at 403-350-7342 or email ranchhorseversatility@gmail.com for more information.

Alberta Donkey and Mule Club Upcoming Events • February 15 -17, Saskatoon Equine Expo, Demos and Booth, Contact Russ Shandro 780 632-7510 • March 3, 1:45 pm Annual General Meeting, Ponoka Drop In Center, 5015 –46 Ave., Ponoka Alta. Please bring for a Potluck lunch/supper after.

• April 26 –28, Mane Event Club Booth and Demos, Red Deer, Alta. Contact Vicki Barrow at 780 987-3746 to volunteer for the booth.

For Club Demos, contact Marlene Quiring at 403 783-5210, • April 29 & 30, Calgary Casino at the Stampede Grounds. To volunteer, please contact Ron Todd at 403 646-2624. We need a min. of 18 people so please sign up asap!!

Club member, Tom Barker from Falkland, B.C. in a local parade riding his Peruvian mule Ruby, and packing one of the mules he raises on his Cedar Hill Ranch along with his partner Mavis Ulansky.

Alberta Morgan Horse Club MORGAN HILL FUNKY PHANTOM raf is sired by four time World Champion Stallion “LPS The Boogie Man”, and is out out of “MPM Kendra Command.” This fine young colt was the winner of the 2012 Alberta Morgan Horse Clubs weanling futurity program. He is owned by Dwayne and Shannon Comeau of Morgan Hill Farm. For more information about the Alberta Morgan Horse Club and the Futurity program, please visit www. albertamorganhorseclub.com

Stonebridge Driving Club

Riding out of your mind

equestrian sport psychology services

April Clay, M.Ed., Registered Psychologist Seminars and Consultation in Equine Sport Psychology • Individual or group sessions • Keynotes • On the ground or mounted • Email consultations

The perfect topic for your next association meeting!

Call or email to find out more: 403.283.5525 april@ridingoutofyourmind.com www.ridingoutofyourmind.com

Judy Bertelsen driving Luke pulling an antique sleigh and Patty Carley riding along.

The Stonebridge Driving Club along with their neighbouring Chinook Driving Club combined a couple of winter activities and together enjoyed a delicious Christmas Dinner and gift exchange at the Red Deer Lodge Restaurant and a wonderful sleigh ride at the Eagle Ridge Ranch. Everyone appreciated the well groomed trails through the frost laden trees and enjoyed the beauty of the season with their horses and friends! The AGM had a small turn out due to road conditions, plans were set in motion for 2013 and a couple of new board members were voted in.

Welcome and thank you to the new board members — Lynn Johnson and Shannon Burton and Lew Hand.

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calendar of events Send your announcement by email to: Itkdbell@yahoo.ca and we'll include your event or announcement here free.

CLINICS & SEMINARS

FEBRUARY

2 Bowden, Alta.

Beginner/Intermediate Roping Clinic. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $100/ day. For details, contact Meghan: 403-507-3126 or email: meghanmarshall@hotmail.ca 4-8 Saskatoon, Sask.

Natural Horsemaship with Glenn Stewart. Colt Starting and Horse Development. For details, contact Wendy: 306-492-4995, email: wmethoward@live.com or visit: www.thehorseranch.com 9 Innisfail, Alta.

Horsemanship Clinic with Geoff Hoar. $100. For details, contact Meghan: 403-507-3126 or email: meghanmarshall@hotmail.ca 13 Innisfail, Alta.

Sorting Night at San Emideo Ranch (Geoff Hoar). 7 p.m., weekly until April 3rd. For details, contact Meghan: 403-507-3126 or email: meghanmarshall@hotmail.ca

15-18 Rocky Mountain House, Alta.

Family Day Weekend Horse Camp at Wild Mountain Ranch. For details, contact Diane Baker: 403-729-2910, email: admin@ wildhorsecamp.com or visit: www.wildhorsecamp.com 16 Bowden, Alta.

Beginner/Intermediate Roping Clinic. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $100/ day. For details, contact Meghan: 403-507-3126 or email: meghanmarshall@hotmail.ca 16-17 Ponoka, Alta.

Reining Alberta Open Rider Clinic with Jordan Larson. For details, visit: www.reiningalberta.net 20 Innisfail, Alta.

Sorting Night at San Emideo Ranch (Geoff Hoar). 7 p.m., weekly until April 3rd. For details, contact Meghan: 403-507-3126 or email: meghanmarshall@hotmail.ca 23-24 Bowden, Alta.

Breakaway School. $300, includes meals and overnight pens. For details, contact Meghan: 403507-3126 or email: meghanmarshall@hotmail.ca

Alberta Friesian Horse Association

23-24 High Prairie, Alta.

Cowboy Mounted Shooting Orientation and Introduction with Gary Couch. For details, contact Gary Couch: 780-523-8455

4-5 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Winter Training Series I Hunter.

For details, visit: www.rmshowjumping.com

27 Innisfail, Alta.

Sorting Night at San Emideo Ranch (Geoff Hoar). 7 p.m., weekly until April 3rd. For details, contact Meghan: 403-507-3126 or email: meghanmarshall@hotmail.ca

9 Calgary, Alta.

Schooling Days at Diamond Willow Stables. For details, contact Cheryl Tycholis: 403-992-7433, email: diamondwillowstables@ me.com or visit: www.diamondwillowstables.ca

EQUINE EVENTS

FEBRUARY

15-17 Saskatoon, Sask.

Saskachewan Horse Expo. For details, www.saskatchewanequineexpo.com

SHOWS & COMPETITIONS

FEBRUARY

2 Calgary, Alta.

Schooling Days at Diamond Willow Stables. For details, contact Cheryl Tycholis: 403-992-7433, email: diamondwillowstables@me.com or visit: www.diamondwillowstables.ca

11-12 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Winter Training Series Dressage I. For details, visit: www.rmshowjumping.com 16 Calgary, Alta.

Schooling Days at Diamond Willow Stables. For details, contact Cheryl Tycholis: 403-992-7433, email: diamondwillowstables@ me.com or visit: www.diamondwillowstables.ca

23 Calgary, Alta.

Schooling Days at Diamond Willow Stables. For details, contact Cheryl Tycholis: 403-992-7433, email: diamondwillowstables@ me.com or visit: www.diamondwillowstables.ca

WESTERN PERFORMANCE

FEBRUARY

23 Whitewood, Sask.

Saskatchewan Sabre Quarter Horse Ranch Winter Cutting Series. For details, visit: www. scha.ca 23-24 Olds, Alta.

Chinook Team Penning Association Competition at the Olds Cow Palace. For details, visit: www. chinookpenning.com

18-19 Calgary, Alta.

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Winter Training Series II Hunter. For details, visit: www. rmshowjumping.com

mane event

Ready, set, ride

Mane Event in Red Deer promises to be the biggest expo in Canada GOING DOWN THE TRAIL Places and events of interest

I

As the year 2012 drew to a close, the members of the AFHA had many wonderful memories of the year that marked our 15th Anniversary as an association. As you can see in the photos above, we do love to have fun with our Friesians. Kees Muilwijk hitched his team to a “souped-up” wheelbarrow and competed (all in fun) with Wim Floryn in his custom wheelbarrow, drawn by a single Friesian, for the hand of the Lovely? Young? Spinster who was out looking for a husband. The skit was absolutely hilarious, with Wim falling out of his wheelbarrow and Kees getting the nod from the lady. Members and guests alike are looking forward to more great times in 2013. Info: www.afha.ca or contact@afha.ca

f you would like to ride at the Mane Event, Equine Education & Trade Fair, April 26 – 28, 2013 at Westerner Park in Red Deer, now is the time to apply.

They are looking for riders for the following sessions: George Morris (Jumping/Equitation); Tom Dvorak (Dressage); Craig Johnson (Reining); Steve Rother (Horsemanship); Don Halladay (Parelli Natural Horsemanship); Clay Maier (Driving); Doug Leasor (Barrel Racing/Pole Bending); and Robyn Hood (TTouch). Visit the website www.maneeventexpo.com for forms and information.

In addition to the over 100 hours of clinics, there will be presentations and demonstrations on reining, jumping, horsemanship, driving, barrel racing and more.

This year’s Trainers Challenge colt starting competition will feature Wylene Davis (the first woman to compete in the Mane Event Trainers Challenge in Red Deer) who is an eight-time Mustang Makeover competitor and two-time winner.

Sean Patrick is also one of the trainers. Sean was born and raised in Canada, has worked in the Chilcotin area of B.C. guiding horseback trips, and is a full-time horseman. He contributes regularly to the Western Horseman magazine as well as producing training and colt starting DVDs and books.

Joining Wylene and Sean is

The very popular Trainer’s Challenge is back with three new competitors, including the first woman trainer, Wylene Davis. Three trainers will work with green colts as Kyle Mills is doing here at the Chilliwack show. New for this year is that spectators can purchase guaranteed seating for the entire challenge. photo: Mark McMillan

ranch raised horseman Heath Marshall who grew up with horses and also competes in Mustang Makeovers, and in mounted shooting competitions.

Making a first time appearance at The Mane Event is Alberta horseman and five-star Master Parelli instructor Don Halladay.

Don will be presenting sessions on developing your confidence, refining aids, and controlling and shaping the parts of your horse for specific maneuvers.

Another new presenter and clinician for the Red Deer expo will be Clay Maier, who will be presenting sessions on driving. Clay is well-known in the driving world and just recently has relocated to the Kentucky Horse Park as an inhouse trainer and performer with his Friesian Spectacular.

General admission tickets, which allow access into all events,

have remained at the same price of $15/day for adults or $40/3day pass and $10/day for youth or $25/3-day pass ensuring that this event remains affordable for everyone.

For those wishing to take advantage of the Trainers Challenge VIP package or the Equine Experience Guaranteed seating, visit www. maneeventexpo.com Don’t forget that the expo will open Friday morning at 9 a.m., which will make Friday a full day with the clinics and presentations starting at 10 a.m. As well, the addition of the Equine Experience to Friday night will definitely make Friday a fun-filled day.

Remember if you would like to participate in the clinics call (250) 578-7518 or email riders@ maneeventexpo.com. See you in April!

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Billings Livestock Commission •

Billings, Montana

HORSE SALE UPDATE Horse Sale Managers Bill and Jann Parker P.O. Box 31533 Billings, MT 59107

Three solid days of horses, horse, horses!

February 22-23-24

406-670-0773 Bill Cell 406-855-1947 Jann Cell 406-245-4151 BLS 406-245-4821 FAX 1-800-635-7364 www.billingslivestock.com e-mail us at: info@billingslivestock.com Find us at "Billings Livestock Horse Sale"

MPRC Heel Horse of Year Like to rope? He does, too! 06 AQHA Palomino geld x Haidas Little Pep. Read all about him on page two. Photo by Gail Molyneaux.

King Size Selection ope, ride, ranch, or recreate - at Billings Livestock we're proud to be America's Cowhorse Powerhouse! Find your fit, color, and kind - we've sold 116,978 horses in 166 sales since 1998.

R

We offer monthly catalog horse sales offering geldings, mares, stallions, young stock, from prospects to finished arena horses, top end broodmares to ponies, we've got 'em at Billings Livestock Commission Horse Sales.

All classes and kinds sell every month, barrel horses, rope horses, ranch and using horses, cutters, reiners, trail and guest horses - and - each month we feature a specialty - from our annual three-day "February Special" to our spring ROPE HORSE sale each April, our Cow Country Classic each May featuring RANCH HORSES to July's annual CUTTING HORSE event, and in August our annual BARREL HORSE highlight - it's horses, horses, horses!

We want our consignors to have the opportunity to SHOW THEIR HORSES and to give our buyers an honest chance to SHOP those sale horses, visit with owners, watch the horses under competition circumstances and feel confident in the product offered.

GOOD cattle are available at no extra charge to show your cutters and rope horses on. We ride, too. We get it.

Our business was built on real ranch and using geldings and EVERY month we offer top-end using geldings, straight off a day's work. We are proud to live and work in the west and invite you to come see us. Call us anytime to discuss your next horse.

Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers 406-245-4151

Why Buy at Billings?

Our BLS Soundness Guarantee

See hundreds and hundreds of horses, all at one location, all in one weekend, and all offered for sale. And - all eligible to PREVIEW!! No wasted time, multiple trips , or export questions, WE'VE GOT IT ALL, right here. Come see us.

We work for you!

No games, no gimmicks - At BLS Horse Sales, we believe business is better that way.

When a horse is "no saled" or "passed out" by the consignor, it is called right there in the sale ring.

NO BUY BACKS, NO GAMES, NO MAYBES. The horse sells or it doesn't. And YOU know before it leaves the ring. We want you to buy with confidence.

AND - Billings Livestock does not allow "alley trading".

All horses consigned and cataloged will be sold right there, in hip number order, in the sale arena at Billings Livestock.

Special Edition Issue February 2013

It's enforced!! And we mean business. Buy and sell with confidence - Credibility and Dependability are important to us.

At Billings Livestock Horse Sales, all horses that are ridden through the ring and sell as a result of being ridden through the ring, are GUARANTEED SOUND until Monday Noon following the Saturday Sale and Tuesday Noon following the Sunday Sale unless otherwise stated from the block.

To further define our policy, if the horse sells at 6 p.m. on the Saturday of our sale, the horse will be guaranteed sound for an additional 42 hours - Noon on Monday.

What we here at BLS Horse Sales consider sound is: Sight out of both eyes, good in the air, hit the gound sound on all four, and not to crib.

Your confidence in our sale does make a difference!

See you at the sale - and remember - at BLS, We Like Horses!

Here's the BIG ONE! It's a WHOPPIN' good set of horses - and we've just begum!

This sale features our name-brand "Sons and Daughters" session! Keep an eye on that website for daily updates on what's coming...!!! Horse after horse, this month is stuffed with quality PERFORMANCE horses, GELDINGS galore, and the STALLION SELECTION is one of our best.

We want you to SEE THEM!!! SOwe'll preview the barrel horses, rope horses and cutters on cattle, and the ride, lead, and saddle horses on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 at 11 a.m. at the HORSE PALACE ARENA, Exit 437 on I-90. Take the opportunity to watch the horses under good conditions good ground, good cattle, and an all-around good set-up. Climate and ground controlled!

February Sale Catalog will close when filled, so don't wait, get your horses in! Our fax is on 24/7!!!

Haulers will be available - fly into Billings, enjoy your Montana horse sale weekend under the Big Sky! Call to rerserve YOUR catalog 406-245-4151. It's horses, horses, horses!

Our Sale Schedule Thursday • February 21 Many horses arrive - check-in begins at 12 noon Friday • February 22 11 a.m. INDOOR PREVIEW HorsePalace Arena Exit 437 on I-90 (barrels, poles, cutting, saddle & ride horse, calf horses & rope horses) SALE TIME: 6 p.m. BLS Saturday • February 23 9 a.m. Pre-Sale Viewing at BLS SALE TIME: 12 Noon Sunday • February 24 8 a.m. Cowboy Church 9 a.m. Loose Horses Sell SALE TIME: 12 NOON

Here's Your Invitation!

Join Our E-Newsletter & It's fun, it's free, and it's plumb full of all the news at Billings Livestock Commission Horse Sales.

We produce a monthly "e-newsletter" chock full of the latest sale info and links!

And - find us on Facebook - "Billings Livestock Horse Sales".

Get a sneak peak at what's coming, and stay "in-the-know" of horse sales happenings at BLS and what's happening in the horse sale world around us.

It's a professionally produced, once-a-month update - Call us or send us an email and we'll get you on our mailing list!

At BLS, "We Like Horses." info@billingslivestock.com or call 406-245-4151.

Complete catalog on-line Thursday, February 14 www.billingslivestock.com

Canadian Customers Our staff and veterinarian are proficient in current Federal paperwork. We will send a courier at no charge for endorsement and have your proper paperwork back in Billings Monday p.m.

Our BLS Horse Sale Schedule January 26 “Winter Special Catalog Sale” Featuring Performance Horses February 22-23-24 “February Special Catalog Sale” Three Big Days!

March 23-24 “Spring Special Catalog Sale” Featuring Outfitter, Guest, Dude, Trail Horses & Mules

April 27-28 “April Special Catalog Sale” Featuring ROPE Horses!

May 25-26 “Cow Country Classic” Annual Ranch Horse Competition & Sale June 22-23 “Summer Special Catalog Sale” Team penners & Buckskins!

July 27-28 “Mid-Summer Special Catalog Sale” Featuring Cutting Horses August 24-25 “August Catalog Sale” Featuring Barrel Horses Sept 28-29 “Cow Country Classic” It’s our Fall ROPE HORSE Sale October 26-27 “Fall Special Catalog Sale” Performance horses November 23 “Holiday Special Catalog Sale” Performance horses We update the consignments daily! www.billingslivestock.com

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

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Real. Good. Horses. Right Here.

February 22-23-24 Billings Livestock Horse Sales • Billings, Montana

He's A "Gunner" IM JUSTA SMOKIN GUN-09 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Colonels Smoking Gun dam is dtr of Justa Swinging Peppy. Gentle, quiet, easy to show. Won $ everytime shown.Derby ready. 208-308-2676. FS66

Big Time Heel Horse•2012 MPRC Heel Horse of Year One-Of-A-Kind Gelding

YELLOWHAIR FELLOW - 06 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Haidas Little Pep. Dam is dtr of Shining Spark. Hauled, won on, PRCA rodeos, jackpots; Fit and ready to go. Same everyday, every run, kind, GENTLE. Lay him off, get back on, same horse.You'd like to have him, as you don't know you have him. 406-670-0773. http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGTF-hbpBEA FS37

03 AQHA Gray gelding x Helmans Two One Two. Big, Beautiful, gelding that has the experience and training to go many different directions. Cool is one-of-akind and the whole package - pretty, broke, gentle, and sound. 970-645-9897.

Hauled and Won On

Power Proof SELLS!

DASHEN DIVA - 06 AQHA Bay Mare x Raren To Dash dam is dtr of New Design. Showing great potential with limited hauling, ran 17.8 and 17.9 on standard pattern, hauled to some rodeos, won the first one she entered. Eligible for BBi, 5 State, VGBRA barrel derbies, WPRA PESI. Good to haul. Legged up,in shape, ready to go.F4 406-431-4425. http:// www.youtube.com/watch/v=gZ11enImx8k

POWER PROOF - 95 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Grays Starlight out of Harriets Jewel x Freckles Playboy. . NCHA $53,773; Call 817-933-5898.

Canadian Customers To expedite your Federal paperwork, we will have a courier deliver your papers for signing and have them back in Billings on Monday afternoon! Call us for more info 406-245-4151.

NCHA $18,228 Gentle!

Bay Starlite SELLS!

COWGIRL TIME - 06 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Peptotime. One owner, always be in one program, made numerous finals, pretty, and gentle for anyone to ride.

Ready to show. 970-645-9897. FS20.

94 AQHA Bay stallion x Grays Starlight our of Sugs Scarlet x Doc's Sug. . Producer of $50,000 in NCHA, NRCHA, NRHA and over 350 AQHA pts. Excellent disposition, 303-885-4000. FS42

Drag Calves or Cut 08 AQHA Chestnut Geld x Dual Pep, dam is dtr of Doc's Hickory. NCHA $, been with Robin Hayes since day one. Big, strong, attractive gelding, drug calves, ranch ridden. . 970-645-9897. FS21

Big, Solid, & Gentle

Shortcake SELLS!

DOC IMA POCO VANDY - 02 AQHA Buckskin Geld x Weavers Doc Ima Poco; 15.3 h 1300 lbs, gentle. Spent his life in the mountains and is a reliable trail horse.

Solid, personalbe, willing. 406-2227455.blackmtn2@aol.com FS8

07 Grade Paloimo Quarter Pony geldling.

Cute, stands 13.2 and rides around. Good handle, goes where you ask. 801-3616 7 7 2 . h t t p : / / www.rockymtnoutfitters.com/pages/ page=24 FS50

Big, Gray Ranch Ridden Gelding CODY - 07 Grade Gray Geldling, 15 hands, 1200 lbs, handy, been through all terrain and in all weather. Willing to do it all, used gathering, sorting, pasture roping cattle.

307-250-0900. www.youtube.com/mcnabb3211 F18

It's 3 BIG days of horses, horses and more horses!!

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

All in one place. All in one weekend. 406-245-4151 Billings Livestock Horse Sales • Billings, Montana

Gentle! Futurity Ready FLS MR CORONA CZECH - 08 AQHA Brown geld x Corona Czech x First Down Dash, dam is dtr of Strawfly Special.

Gentle,gentle. Well started on barrels, ready for fall futurities. 406-427-5433.

Pretzel Sells 05 Grade Paint pony gelding; The kind of pony that makes kids love to ride. Doesn't matter how colt it is, Lana will say everyday "Dad let's go ride my ponies". He is safe and kind and gentle. Horse shows, trail rides, outside, inside. She catches him by herself. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=EGGqAPwMLS4 612-810-5455.

F57.

ProRodeo 1D Barrel Horse • Quiet and Gentle!

05 AQHA Bay mare x Western Perks dam is dtr of New Design. 1D/WPRA money winner, push style, no nonsense, will not run by a barrel. Head and Heel horse, runs poles, breakaway, too.Easy to rope on, pulls, scores, faces. Gentle.Randh ridden.A tough 5 event horse.Ready to win! Super quiet but knows her job. 406-925-1926. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQRCgd142ic&feature=BFa&li... http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmfpMrvqyV4&feature=autopl... F78

Big, Strong, & Gentle 05 AQHA Gray Geldling x CE Poco Silver LT. Used for various ranch chores, quiet, goes where pointed. A real head horse prospect. 608-434-4789. F56

Playin With Guns SELLS 04 AQHA Bay Stallion x Playgun, dam is dtr of Doc's Hickory. Cutting training, used extensively on the ranch.

Gather, rope, runs with geldings, pasture breed. Easy to be around. 605933-1733. FS22

Very Gentle,Head/Heel NCHA $73,000+ CD LITTLE DOG - 02 AQHA Bay Geld x CD Royal. Gives you a chance every trip to the herd. Competitive in all classes.

Lots of year-end championships, 2010 Western Nationals $15 Am Champ.303944-2397. FS18.

07 AQHA Red Roan Geld x Free Ambrose; Owned since weanling, extensive outside work, brand, Ranch Rodeos, ridden by my 13 year old son this past year. It's all been done right. Hers is a special geld. 509-322-2409.

Solid Calf Horse SELLS! MUSTANG SALLY - 96 Grade Black Mare. Roped everywhere from California to Montana. Youth, College Rodeo, has been ridden by World Champion. Runs, works, stops every time. For beginners to experienced, she's the deal. 406-9250213.

Phone Bids: Contact our office to arrange 406-245-4151

Reined Cowhorse $$ 09 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Cats Highlight x High Brow Cat; 2012 NILE 3 YO Futurity winner with JR Winter. QUick minded, gentle, people pleaser. 406-9672738. Video available. F16.

Blue Roan, Big, Gentle He's by Paddys Irish Whiskey CASTLE CREEK WHISKEY - 00 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Paddys Irish Whiskey and out of Crystal Sugar Lena x Sons Doc O Sugar. 303-885-4000. FS55.

PD BLUE RIP RIPPED - 06 AQHA Blue Roan Geld x Teddy Blue Hancock. Knockout gelding that is broke, gentle, will take care of whoever gets on hm. Real honest, great all around horse. 15.2 h 1250 lbs. Mountains, stays broke, kids, real deal 801-361-6772.h t t p : / / www.rockymtnoutfitters.com/pages/ page=24 FS33

Mountains, Trail or Arena CHACO - 05 Grade Black Gelding. Fun to ride, willing, goes anywhere. Handy sized and the same everyday. 801-361-6772. http://www.rockymtnoutfitters.com/ pages/?page+24 F48

Head Horse SELLS! 05 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x San Zero Quixote. Trained rope horse, both ends, oustanding horse both in arena and in pasture. Handy broke, ridden at sortings, too. Very nice gelding. Gentle enough for an amateur rider. 913-991-3483. F45

We update the consignments daily! www.billingslivestock.com

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Real. Good. Horses. Right Here.

February 22-23-24 Billings Livestock Horse Sales • Billings, Montana

Barrel Horse Sells!

05 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Quixote Whiskey Doc and out of My Leroy Brown dtr.

At 69 yrs young, my body tells me I cannot ride two horses! He is gentle, stands to get on, catch anywhere, Getting solid and knows his job. Also headed steers on him.Eyecatching and h auls well.

406-947-5501. F5

Krebs Ranch, Gordon, NE Offering 8 Head 308.282.2479 Stays Broke & Gentle CASPER - 07 Grade Gray Gelding, easy going, stout made geldling. Gentle, anyone can ride him, saddle him up on a cold morning and you don't have to worry about a fight. Stays broke, rides correct. A nice gelding. 801-361-6772.http:// www.rockymtnoutfitters.com/pages/ ?page+24 F49

KR STYLISH SARAH – 02 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Playin Stylish. Bred to Horseplayin x Dual Pep for 2013. FS24 HIGHBROW LIL FRECKLE – 00 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Freckles Playboy. Bred to Cats Moonshine for 2013. Dam of high selling yearling in Fulton Ranch Sale in August x Streak of Fling. FS23 KR NEON SPOONFUL – 03 AQHA Red Roan Mare x Hes A Peptospoonsful.

Bred to Horseplayin for 2013.FS25

Barrel Racers!

DASH TA CASH - 93 AQHA Brown Geld x Dash Ta Fame. Been there, done taht. Always ready to go & willing to do anything.308-991-8548 FS67 GUYS JUSTA PERK - 12 AQHA Bay stallion x Frenchmans Guy and out of dtr of Dash For Perks. Prospect! 308991-8548. FS68 COWBOYS FRENCHCARTEL - 12 AQHA Bay Stsallion x Cowboys Cartel and ouf dtr of Frenchmans Guy. Big bay colt with great attitude. 308-9918548.

WOODY R YA FAMOUS - 12 AQHA Chestnut Stallion x Woodbridge and o ut of dtr of Specially Fine. Put together to perform. 308-991-8548.

BENNEE DATE – 05 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Smart Little Lena. NCHA $, used on ranch and knows how to work. FS28 KR NEON MOONSHINE – 09 AQHA Red Roan Mare x Cats Moonshine.

Started cutting and working cowhorse training. Used on ranch, too. FS29 KR WHOSE FANCY NOW – 09 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Dual Smart Rey. Ready to go for 4 year old events. FS30

Head or Heel, Lay off, saddle up, ride off 07 AQHA Bay Roan Gelding x Hancock Jack Two. A gentleman, handsome, very friendly with loads of personality. Seasoned on trails, used outside on ranch. An honest partner. Hauled to ropings on both ends. Low maintenance. Zero vices. 406381-2347. F47

Switchback Cutting Horses, Red Lodge, MT Offering Includes 6 head 406-426-0958 NQH JAYNE REY - 03 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Peptoboonsmal x Peppy San Badger and out of Smart Janie JR x Smart Little Lena. In foal to Chipotle Cat for March 25. FS46 MISSY STYLISH OAK JD - 03 AQHA Red Roan Mare x Peptos Stylish Oak x Peptoboonsmal and out of Colonel Missy x Colonel Freckles. NCHA $$ in foal to Switchback Cutting Horses great stallion, Chipotle Cat x High Brow Cat for May 1. FS47 WIDOW KITTY - 09 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Widows Freckles and out of Savannahs Kitty x High Brow Cat. Spotonmypepto SELLS! Trained and ready to go show. Eligible 09 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Chipotle Cat x for McDavids Double Down Bonus. xHigh Brow Cat and out of NQH Jayne rays available. FS49.

Rey x Peptoboonsmal. Currently being shown. Big, strong gelding. Good bone, CDS HIDDEN SECRET - 11 AQHA great feet, current x-rays. Great non- Sorrel Mare x CD Olena and out of pro/amateur geldling. 406-426-0958. F48 Savannahs Kitty x High Brow Cat. FS51.

KR SARAH STYLE - 05 AQHA Sorrel Mare x NB HAidas Playboy; Started

by Frank Kenzy and finished by Jason Humphrey. Bred to Hoseplayin for 2013.

KR SARAHS POPPLY - 04 APHA Bay mare c KR Popgun; Bred to Horseplayin for 2013. FS27

Extensive Ranch Use & Buckskin, too!

09 AQHA Buckskin gelding x Poco De Jessie. Built to get thh job done and last all day. Been used on the ranch to drag calves, sort pairs, and trail cattle. Started on lead steer. Rides around very well and gets along with anyone. 701-319-4371.

Chip N Oak SELLS! 09 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Chipotle Cat x High Brow Cat and Missy Stylish Oak JD x Peptos Stylish Oak. Solid. Trained. Low Maintenance. Great non-pro/amateur gelding. Cowy, big stopper, big bone, good foot. 406-426-0958. F50

It's 3 BIG days of horses, horses and more horses!!

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HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

marketplace

To Advertise call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

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ULTIMATE COWBOY/COWGIRL CHALLENGE RESULTS Tanner Milan - Steer Wrestling Match Champion - $1875 Steven Turner - Runner-Up - $875

16-man tournament - each pair of contestants runs the same 2 steers - winner moves on to the next round

23 YEARS

OF MATCH MAKING SUCCESS Are You Single & Looking for your life-mate? Looking for Ladies Ages 25-80 for quality ranchers / farmers. Ladies free membership. Seniors Discount. Interview & criminal record check required.

Honest down to earth clients need apply.

Go to www.countryintroductions.com for more info or Call Cheryl 403-348-7471 email us at: admin@countryintroductions.com

Bull Riding Futurity

Bareback Futurity

Rank Horse Justin Twogood’s City Storm 88 points High Mark Ride Ky Marshall on Frank Wyzykoski’s Easy Money 81 points

Top Bull

Uncle Buck - 87 points

Top Contractor

Saddle Bronc Futurity

1st - Prescott/Vold 2nd - Sawyer Buckers Top Rider Beau Brooks

Rank Horse Bar C5’s (Vern McDonald) Dawson’s Creek - 89 points High Mark Ride Justin Berg on Dawson’s Creek - 86 points

TACK/SADDLES

GEORGE’S HARNESS & SADDLERY

Results for Ultimate Cowgirl Challenge Contestant

Place

Points Team Roping Cow Riding Breakaway Barrels Goats Poles

Chelsea Moore Leah Dolstad Penny Patton Jena Shearer Darquise Beauchesne

Split 1/2 Split 1/2 3 4 5

125 125 110 90 70

5 35 35 5

20 40 5 30

40 5 10 5 30

40 20 30

30 40 20 5

30 5 20 10 5

Results for Ultimate Cow Challenge Contestant

Standing Bareback Steer Wrestling Saddle Bronc Calf Roping Bull Riding Team Roping Total

Jeremy Harden Clay Elliott Steven Turner Colter Harden Logan Hodson

1 Tie 2/3 Tie 2/3 Tie 4/5 Tie 4/5

50 60 40

50 60

60 40

60 50 40

40

10 50 60 20

40 25 25

210 160 160 125 125

HARNESSES MADE RIGHT HERE FOR 35 YEARS “Quality for you & your horse” Our customers ask for all types of harness Leather, leather-Nylon, Biothane & Granite

www.georgesharnessandsaddlery.com harnsad@mcsnet.ca Morley Knudslien 2nd generation saddlemaker Jason Lusk 20 yrs Harnessmaker Box 29 Ryley, AB, Canada 780-663-3611

COLLECTIBLES

COLLECTIBLES

STALLIONS AT STUD

STALLIONS AT STUD

www.rafterdiamondk.com | 780-449-0749

 disPlay Classified Advertising copy deviating in any way from the regular classified style will be considered display and charged at the display rate of $30.10 per column inch ($2.15 per agate line).

RDK Chex N Dun

Minimum charge $30.10 per week.

Illustrations and logos are allowed with full border.

Advertising rates are flat with no discount for frequency of insertion or volume of space used.

HORSE TRAILERS

HORSE TRAILERS

Whata Lethal Weapon

Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice.

Price quoted does not include GST. All classified ads are non-commissionable.

Advertising deAdline NOON on the Wednesday following 10th day of the month for publication.

3 Versatile Stallions

Producing talented versatile offspring; HYPP N/N Champion Bloodlines, Champion Producers Offspring available for sale A Sharper Image - Photography Colt starting, boarding & rehab training also available

Place your horse classified ads here!

1-866-385-3669

www.horsesall.com/ classifieds

Prairie-wide classifieds Place your classified ad online at Horsesall.com and choose your regional coverage! It’s easy, just go to

www.horsesall.com

CLASSIFIED CATEGORIES Visit the Horses all website to view the classified categories availble for classified ad listings.

Red E Impression

Inspired by people and horses

HORSESALL.COM

HORSES ALL • FEBRUARY 2013

MARKETPLACE VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES

To Advertise call toll free: 1-866-385-3669 Or email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES

COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING

Unique 45 week certificate. Study bees & the business of beekeeping!

Paid work practicum. beekeeping@gprc.ab.ca 1-888-999-7882 Fairview, AB

www.gprc.ab.ca

parks nnovations

Dealer for the TR3™Rake

AReNA RAScAl PRO • SOIl MOIST

#1 Ground Groomer Canada Wide

SPARKS INNOVATIONS Allan & Joyce Sparks • RR#2, Innisfail, AB T4G 1T7 Fax: 403-227-2421

403•227•2241

www.sparksinnovations.ca

BAR T5 TRAILERS SHOW YOUR HORSE AND YOUR HONEY HOW MUCH YOU CARE VALENTINE’S SALE FEB 1ST- 14TH 2013 JEWELRY – GIFTWARE - HOME DÉCOR - BOOTS – BELTS

UP TO 30% OFF

403-931-2212 MARKETPLACE

VARIOUS EQUINE SERVICES Equine & Equestrian Facility Insurance for Albertans

MARKETPLACE

Superior Equine’s omega fixed formula uses only the highest quality of ingredients. The consistency and quality of the feed will never change because the same ingredients are used in every batch.

Omega Fixed Formula

“Making Horses Shine in the Winner’s Circle” Gerry & Sherry Moyen 306 767-2757 cell 306-862-8317 Email: germoyen@hotmail.com • WWW.SUPERIOREQUINEFEEDS.COM

Electric Fence to protect your investments through the winter season ASK FOR OUR CATALOGUE

FERRIS FENCING

TOLL FREE: 1-800-665-3307 • TEL: (250) 757-9677 • FAX: (250) 757-9670 INFO@FERRISFENCING.COM • WWW.FERRISFENCING.COM

MARKETPLACE

OXY-CAlm

™

formula

FOCUS ON COMPETITION, WITHOUT THE STRESS

A new product that provides your animal a calming effect without taking away its ability to perform. Based on the oxygen formula to provide better respiration and yet still comfort and collect your animal.

✔ WHEN HORSE REFUSES TRAINING ✔ WHEN ROSE DISTRACTS EASILY ✔ WHEN HORSE ACTS OVER-REACTIVE

Shaw Insurance Agencies LTD 1.866.980.9803

✔ WHEN HORSE IS DIFFICULT-TO-RIDE

NOW AVAILABLE AS A PASTE

✔ WHEN HORSE EXHIBITS ANXIOUS STALL HABITS OR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL

Libi Susag

866-571-7537

www.oxy-genca.com

admin@shawinsurance.ca

www.shawinsurance.ca

Don’t miss out!

The deadline to place your classified ad in the next issue of Horses All is noon on the first Wednesday after the 10th of the month. Call toll free:

1-866-385-3669 Inspired by people and horses

FULL SERVICE SHOP & RENTALS Now Servicing RV’s, Construction Trailers, Horse Trailers, Goosenecks & 5th Wheels

MARKETPLACE

Containing the original

MARKETPLACE

$ave your hay. $ave your money.

BIG BALE BUDDY

SUPERIOR EQUINE FEEDS ONE BAG FEEDS ALL!

43

PAINT

PAINT

CANADIAN PINTO HORSE ASSOCIATION

Round Bale Feeder Keep your hay contained until your horses eat it.

Safe, Economical, Affordable, Effective. One year warranty.

Available in 3 sizes

$99.95 to $119.95

www.bigbalebuddy.com

866-389-9952

Get great exposure with Prairie-Wide Classifieds!

Place your classified ad online at Horsesall.com and choose your regional coverage! It’s easy, just go to

www.horsesall.com

DORIS DALEY

and click on CLASSIFIEDS at the top of the homepage.

Fine western entertainment for conventions, campfires and everything in between.

“Doris’s poetry blazes with brilliant wit; her stage presence sparkles with an infectious love of the West. On stage and on the page, she represents the best of the best in cowboy poetry today.”

— Margo Metegrano, cowboypoetry.com

Bookings/info: www.dorisdaley.com

Prairie-Wide Classifieds give you great exposure!

Have your ad seen across the west or within specific provinces!

Registering Canadian Pinto Horses & Ponies – Since 1963 Color Your World With A Pinto!!

A Colorful Organization Where People are the foundation of our success...& Friends are made for Life WHY WAIT CALL TODAY Your horse may qualify for Registration (ONE Registered Lighthorse Parent Sire or Dam)

Canadian Pinto Horse Association 26117 Hwy. 16A, Acheson, AB Canada T7X 5A2 Ph/Fax. 780-470-3786 www.canadianpinto.com | E-mail: info@canadianpinto.com

ACREAGES/HOBBY FARMS

CAM EVANS

CONSTRUCTION, LOAM SALES & FENCING Bobcat • Snow Removal • Landscaping • Corral Cleaning

Carpentry • Renovations • Finishings • Concrete Work

Cam Evans Inspired by people and horses

ACREAGES/HOBBY FARMS

Owner/Operator

Backhoe • Acreage & Yard Clean-up • Dead Fall & Brush • Demolition Trenching

Site 8, Box 4 R.R #1 Millarville, AB T0L 1K0 Cell: 403-818-8457 • Ph: 403-931-1543

Inspired by people and horses

www.horsesall.com

Place your classified ad online and choose your ad options and regional coverage! It’s easy, just go to www.horsesall.com and click on the classifieds button near the top of the page.

For more information on advertising please call

1-866-385-3669

Inspired by people and horses

BAR T5 TRAILERS SHOW YOUR HORSE AND YOUR HONEY HOW MUCH YOU CARE

VALENTINE’S SALE FEB 1ST- 14TH 2013 JEWELRY – GIFTWARE - HOME DÉCOR - BOOTS – BELTS

UP TO 30% OFF

FOR HIM

FOR HER

FOR YOUR HORSE

SPRING AHEAD WITH HUGE SAVINGS

FOR YOUR FAMILY

2000

$

OFF

1500

$

NEW CIMARRON ECOSTAR GOOSENECK

OFF

Front dressing room includes saddle racks, bridle hooks, floor mat, window in dress door. Horse area includes dividers, drop down feed doors w/ faceguards, plexi on butt side, kickplate and wall mat butt side, double rear doors.

3 Horse Gooseneck

4 Horse Gooseneck

Price: $18995 Sale Price: $16995

1000

1000

$

2 Horse Bumper Pull

Reg: $11495

Sale: $10495

Features: dress door w/window, bridle hooks, swing out saddle rack, carpet on floor, organizer on door, divider, wall mat, double rear doors w/air space, air space along side, spare, all aluminum.

1300

$

OFF

ROYAL T COMPETITOR HS

Price: $19995 Sale Price: $18495

OFF

ROYAL T COMPETITOR SD 2 Horse Bumper Pull

Reg: $12495

Sale: $11495

Features: dress door w/window, bridle hooks, swing out saddle rack, carpet on floor, organizer on door, padded dividers, wall mat, double rear doors, windows butt side, drop down feed doors w/faceguards, roof vents, floor mats, spare, all aluminum.

1500

$

$

OFF

OFF

ROYAL T ROYAL T IMPERIAL DELUXE IMPERIAL DELUXE 2 Horse Bumper Pull

Reg: $14795

Sale: $13495

Features: dress door w/window, bridle hooks, swing out saddle rack, fully carpeted tack room, 1’added, water tank, organizer on door, padded dividers, wall mat, double rear doors, large windows along butt side, drop down feed doors w/faceguards, floor mats, spare, Smooth aluminum sidewalls, two tone w/graphics , loading lights, all aluminum

3 Horse Bumper Pull

Reg: $16495

Sale: $14995

Features: dress door w/window, bridle hooks, swing out saddle rack, fully carpeted tack room, 1’added, water tank, organizer on door, padded dividers, wall mat, double rear doors, large windows along butt side, drop down feed doors w/faceguards, floor mats, spare, Smooth aluminum sidewalls, two tone w/graphics , loading lights, all aluminum

403-931-2212 www.bart5trailers.com

Located on the Cowboy Trail 10 Miles S.W. of Calgary on Hwy #22 at 274th Ave