Whoa! summer2013

The Official Newsletter of the Ontario Equestrian Federation

Summer 2013 www.horse.on.ca

Boarding Agreements Conditioning Your Horse For Long Rides Does Your Barn Have An Emergency Plan?

Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement #40946006

The Official Newsletter of The Ontario Equestrian Federation • 1 West Pearce Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill ON L4B 3K3

www.horse.on.ca | 1

Summer 2013 is published quarterly by ONTARIO EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION 1 West Pearce Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K3 Tel: 905-709-6545 • Fax: 905-709-1867 Toll-free: 1-877-441-7112 • Email: horse@horse.on.ca www.horse.on.ca

Ontario Equestrian Federation BOARD OF DIRECTORS Grant Field President/ Horse Facilities Council Chair 905-888-1226 Allan Ehrlick 1st Vice President/ Associations Council Chair 905-854-0762 Ken Denouden 2nd Vice President/ Competitions Council Chair 416-409-8614 Andrea Clarke Treasurer 519-763-3999 Al Patterson Secretary 905-659-1132 Kimberley Blease Director/Associations Council Vice-Chair 416-566-1801

Mark Dobrindt Director 905-892-9769 Isabel Dopta Director 519-993-1192 Marc Nicols Director/ Industry Council Chair 705-435-9229 Lindsey Reeve Director 905-424-1151 Claudia Wagner-Wilson Director 905-466-1901 Russell Vamplew Recreation Council Chair 905-894-3378 Jack de Wit Honorary Director 905-655-4666

STAFF Dianne Graham Executive Director d. graham@horse.on.ca ext. 19

Anne-Marie Payette Membership Services Rep a.payette@horse.on.ca ext. 14

Catherine Barker Operations Manager c.barker@horse.on.ca ext. 23

Gillian Ross Erasmi Coaching Coordinator g.rosserasmi@horse.on.ca ext. 11

Melissa Monardo Marketing Manager m.monardo@horse.on.ca ext. 17

Charlayne Szafranski Administrative Assistant c.szafranski@horse.on.ca ext. 32

Brandon Hall Executive Assistant b.hall@horse.on.ca ext. 30

Angelique Homan Competition Administrator a.homan@horse.on.ca ext. 15

Melissa Kosowan Communications Coordinator m.kosowan@horse.on.ca ext. 27

Stephanie Rutherford Program AdministratorFirst Safe Strides s.rutherford@horse.on.ca ext. 12

Kim Banks Marketing Coordinator k.banks@horse.on.ca ext. 22 Lesley McCoy Membership Services Rep l.mccoy@horse.on.ca ext. 13

Pam Coburn Program Administrator Horse Facilities p.coburn@horse.on.ca ext. 26 Candace Gomes Finance Administrator c.gomes@horse.on.ca ext. 16

Copyright, including electronic, belongs to the OEF. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Articles and letters are welcome from members, but must be signed and include a phone number. The publisher reserves the right to revise all material accepted for publication, including articles, columns, photographs, images and advertisements.

Publication Dates Fall 2013 / deadline September 6 Winter 2014 / December 6 Spring 2014 / February 7 Summer 2014 / deadline May 30

Contents

NEWS 4 President’s Message 4 Executive Director’s Message 6 New OEF Council Members 6 OEF Associations' Advisory Council Update 7 OEF Quarterly Report 9 Introducing The Newest OEF Staff Member 9 Bucas Honoured With Corporate Sport Citation Award 10 War Vet Honours Animals In Battle With Monument 10 Ribbon Works Gives Back To Therapeutic Riding 11 Ontario Horse Day: A Day To Celebrate Horses 16 Ontario Equestrian Federation Model Member Award 18 Become A Director On The OEF Board 18 Youth Bursary Applications Are Now Being Accepted 19 2014 OEF Youth Bursary Application MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 21 Veteran Set To Host Trail Ride In Support Of Wounded Soldiers 22 Equestrian Icon: The Freedman Family - Leaving A Legacy With Every Stitch THERAPEUTIC SPOTLIGHT 26 KR Equestrian Challenges Therapeutic Riders To Be Their Best AROUND THE BARN 28 Revamped Horse Facilities Program Takes Shape And Draws New Members SAFETY FIRST 30 Are You Ready For An Emergency?

MANE EVENTS 32 2013 Competitions 36 OEF Notice Of Annual General Meeting 38 OEF Awards 40 Coaches Announced For 2013 CIEC Competition 41 CIEC Athlete Declaration Form 42 Saddle Up For A Charity Challenge COACHES CORNER 43 Setting Realistic Expectations With Riders 45 Quest For Gold: Ontario Athlete Assistance Program

LEGAL LOWDOWN 52 Legal Ramifications Of Boarding Agreements SPECIAL FEATURE 54 Head Injury Part 3: Persistent Problems 56 Understanding The Equine Medication Control

Program - Part Two: Violations ON THE TRAIL 58 Conditioning For Distance Rides 59 Meeting A Horse On the Trail 59 Best Practices for Horses on the Trails BREED & DISCIPLINE UPDATES 60 Little Horses Mean Big Fun At Miniature Horse Club Events 60 Taking A Different Approach To Fundraising For Small Clubs 63 Central Ontario Region Pony Clubbers Test Their Grit At Spring Meet 63 Long-Time Road Horse Supporters Honoured In Hall of Fame Induction 64 Arabians Go The Distance 64 Gypsy Vanner Fair Showcases The Best The Breed Has To Offer 67 Busy Season Ahead For Ontario Combined Driving Association Members 67 Cutting Enthusiasts Brush Up On Their Herd Work 68 Canada Swims Away With Success At Biltmore Endurance Ride 68 Horses are The Star Attraction At The Erin Fall Fair 69 Let The Games Begin!

69 Relationships Make Wind Dancer Pony Rescue A Special Place 71 OnTRA Events Celebrate The Healing Power Of Horses 71 Friesian Horse Owners Learn From The Best In The Industry 72 Tricounty Carriage Association Celebrates 30 Years 72 AQHA Novice Shows Help Riders Broaden Their Horizons 73 Ontario Icelandic Horse Members To Ride At World Championships 73 Morgan Horse Club Celebrates Hall of Fame Inductees 74 Welsh Show Season Kicks Off With Showmanship And Turnout Clinic 74 Experience The Thrill With The Wellington-Waterloo Hunt

ASK DR. BOB 46 Why Do Horses Chew Wood And How Do We Stop It? ASK BFL 49 What Do I Do When A Claim Happens?

NUTRITION 51 Is Your Horse Drinking Enough?

About The Cover: Next Level GHJ is an 8-year-old Haflinger stallion owned by Bob and Doryce Ednie of Cameron, ON. Photo by Lynn Cassels-Caldwell www.horsephotos.ca

www.horse.on.ca | 3

President’s Message Despite the long spring we endured, with May showers continuing into June, it has not slowed down our avid competitive and recreational riders from venturing out of doors to enjoy the fresh air. The spring has been a busy one for me and the many competitive riders of the OEF. I have just returned from the Trillium Hunter/Jumper show at Palgrave where, for the first time, a full slate of Reining classes were included at the show.

Equestrians once again proved that we have far more in common – the love of horse sport – than the differences between our various disciplines. Congratulations to all the Hunters, Jumpers and Reiners that shared the Caledon Equestrian Park for a fantastic weekend.

Special congratulations to the Equestrian Management Group (EMG) which, with its funding partners and different levels of government, has created a true legacy for the equestrian community in Southern Ontario, Eastern Canada and, in fact, all of Canada. The new and improved park, although just in its infancy, is well designed, user friendly, high tech and esthetically pleasing.

The future to the Pan-Am Games and beyond looks very bright for our equine community.

I also recently coached at an Angelstone horse show where I am pleased to say Keean White and his team have produced a very well designed group of rings and are developing their model for the future of their shows.

Finally, a trip to coach at the Glen Oro’s spring event allowed me to take in some of the advanced riders and coaches training their horses and riders. The Eventers had a great weekend at a very well run show.

At the OEF office, the Horse Facilities Council, which is managed

by Pam Coburn, has conducted its program review and is on target with its goals for 2013 as presented at the AGM. Part of that review was a survey of all members that resulted in over 2,600 responses, including 210 facility owner/operators. Horse Facilities membership has already grown by almost 50 per cent, from 69 members to 113 members, and it continues to grow.

Some of Ontario’s most recognizable athletes and professionals, including Jacquie Brooks, Beth Underhill and Scott and Dee Walker have all joined the program to show their support for the principles of the program – the commitment to common standards in horse care, facility maintenance and riding school operations.

The program also enables horse facility owners to come together to network and support each other to provide a collective voice on issues facing the horse industry.

One of the goals for this year, through the consultation process, is to identify the most important issues facing facility owners and determine priorities for the facilities program looking toward 2014. We are exploring the potential for further enhancements to the web directory and will continue outreach to potential new members.

The coaching department, managed by Gillian Ross Erasmi, has launched new mentoring workshops where candidates work with a mentor and a small group of other candidates to prepare for evaluation. Each is assigned a topic and teaches a mounted lesson and receives feedback from the mentor and the group.

There is also a section that has each candidate practice the lunging portion. This has been very well received and I believe an important factor in the success of those candidates.

Have a great summer and see you down the road!

Grant Field, President

Executive Director’s Message Horse owners have read the news over the past few months with heavy hearts.

The tornadoes in Oklahoma, wildfires in Colorado and, closer to home, the flooding in Western Canada have brought devastation to farms and stables in those areas.

Part of that planning process involves getting to know your neighbours – a once-common practice lost in the hustle and bustle of the modern age. We never know when we might have to call upon our neighbours to help us in a time of need, or vice versa. If they don’t know anything about your farm and you don’t know anything about theirs, how can you help each other when disaster strikes?

While we all think of our own horses in times like these as we imagine what our fellow equestrians are enduring, it’s easy to become complacent and believe we are immune to such tragedy. The reality is that emergencies come in many forms and can affect each and every one of us.

I speak from experience when I say how important it is to cultivate relationships with your neighbours. When I was just a young girl our barn caught fire. Fortunately, our neighbour noticed the smoke while he was cutting his grass. He came to the rescue and got a horse trapped in the barn out safely. We were forever grateful for his quick actions!

In this issue of WHOA! we wanted to get you thinking about emergency preparedness. Does your barn have an emergency plan? Most don’t. While some emergencies, like the twisters that tore through stables in Oklahoma, are so sudden and so devastating that no amount of planning can avert disaster, having a plan in place is still a horseman’s first line of defence.

We can’t control Mother Nature, who seems to be increasingly unpredictable, but we can do our best to prepare for the extreme weather she throws our way.

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The equine community is made up of people and horses from all walks of life. We might ride a different discipline or own a different breed of horse than our neighbour does, but we are all connected by one passion – horses. This summer, take the time to meet the horse people in your community and draw up an emergency plan for your stable. One day, you might just be thankful you did.

Dianne Graham, Executive Director

News

New OEF Council Members The OEF is pleased to introduce NEW 2013 Council members:

AFFILIATES

Ancaster Agricultural Society, Erin Agricultural Society, Merrickville Agricultural Society, Niagara Regional Agricultural Society, Ontario Trail Riders Association, Orillia and District Agricultural Society, Pentathlon Ontario, Ride Aside, Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue

HORSE FACILITIES

Brookhaven Dressage, Buckhorn Riding Academy, Edenview Equestrian Center, Fawg Forest Therapeutic Farm, Glenaura Farm, Havencrest Riding Academy, Hop Hill Stables, Kings Meadow Equestrian Centre, Meadow Wood Stables, Oakhurst Farm, Pretty River Valley Country Inn, Silver Spring Farm, Stonewood Equestrian, Windy Hill Farm

INDUSTRY

Bruce Agra Dehy Inc. - The Ontario Forage Processor, Electroguys Security, EquineLux, Fletcher's Horse World, Kimberly Gdanski Chiropractic Professional Corporation, PBC Development and Construction Management Group, Peterborough Tack, Petlyn Farm, Stick and Stone Tack Shop, Todd Owens Licensed Parelli Professional, Total Equine Fencing Please visit www.horse.on.ca to view a current listing of all OEF Council members and learn about the products and services they provide. The OEF appreciates the support that OEF Industry members provide, and encourages WHOA! readers to support OEF Industry, Horse Facilities and Affiliate members!

OEF Associations' Advisory Council Update Following some challenging weather that seems to always come on the day of a scheduled meeting, we held a meeting of the Associations’ Advisory Council in April at the OEF office. Thank you to Catherine Raso of CMR Governance Consulting who continued on with her presentation discussing board governance.

It was an excellent meeting with some great discussions.

A special thanks to the member associations who participated in the fifth annual Horse Day on June 1 at the Horse Palace in Toronto and also to those who participated in the inaugural event in Ottawa at the site of the former Nepean National Equestrian Park. Both events were a big success, attracting thousands of participants who learned about horses and ponies, equestrian sport and the enjoyment of spending time with these wonderful animals.

In other news, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport base funding application was submitted for ministry review. This was the second year of the current three-year cycle of funding. Thank you to all associations for their efforts to submit all required documentation on time.

As a reminder, the OEF board room is available for meetings, clinics and workshops. If your group is looking for a venue, please contact the OEF office for cost information and availability.

The next meeting for the Associations’ Advisory Council will be in September – please watch for an e-mail notice confirming the date. We will have a speaker from Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals.

Have an enjoyable summer. We look forward to seeing you in September!

For more information on how you can promote your business please contact Melissa Monardo m.monardo@horse.on.ca, 1-877-441-7112 or 905-709-6545 ext. 17.

Proud Official Partner of the OEF

Correction: We incorrectly spelled the name of OEF Youth Bursary recipient Samantha Franko in the Spring issue of WHOA! We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this error may have caused Samantha or our members.

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News

Ontario Equestrian Federation Quarterly Report The Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) continuously works on behalf of its members to develop new programs, create new benefits and improve equestrian activity in Ontario throughout the year. To ensure its members are aware of the work being done, every issue of WHOA! includes a quarterly activity report that highlights current projects and those that have been completed. Articles within this issue of WHOA! will provide more details on these various projects.

OPERATIONS

• The OEF office has welcomed several new staff members: Candace Gomes, finance administrator, as well as Nancy Allen and Avery Gagnon, part-time membership support.

ADVOCACY

• The OEF has been working with the representatives from Equine Guelph, OSPCA, OMAFRA and horse rescue organizations to examine the need to create standards and certification for horse rescue facilities.

• The OEF is working with the Animal Welfare Task Force led by OMAFRA chief veterinarian, Greg Douglas, DVM.

FIRST SAFE STRIDES

• The First Safe Strides program, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, has been actively working with agricultural societies, directors and volunteers on the research and development of tools and programs to support the implementation of safe, successful horse shows.

• To date, the OEF has attended the following fairs: Maxville, Millbrook, Caledon, Brooklin, Clinton, and Schomberg. The program will continue to attend agricultural society fairs each weekend across the province for the duration of the fair season.

COACHING

• In Ontario over the last four months, 13 new English Instructor of Beginners, two new Western Instructor of Beginners, one Drive Instructor and 14 new English Competition Coaches have successfully completed their certification.

• Almost 200 English and Western Learn to Ride certificates have been issued since April.

• OEF hosted several successful mentoring workshops: two English Instructor mentoring workshops, two Competition Coach mentoring workshops and one Western Instructor mentoring workshop.

MEMBER BENEFITS

• The RIDE ONtario program has been rebranded to include a fresher and more modern look.

• The TSC Spring (March 22 – April 4) and Summer (June 14-27) Member Days events were open to OEF members • EquineLUX offered OEF members a 20 per cent discount on saddle pads for one month (ended July 19).

HORSE FACILITIES COUNCIL

• There are currently more than 110 stable members.

• Hosted a consultation session on July 3 in Guelph with current and potential stable members. The session gave participants the opportunity to provide feedback on the current program and what they would like to see in the future. The OEF is organizing similar sessions in Kemptville in August and Timmins in September.

• A few of Ontario’s elite competitive equestrian facilities have committed their support to the Horse Facilities Council,

including Jacqueline Brooks at Brookhaven Dressage and Scott and Dee Walker at Forest Hill Training Centre.

RECREATION

• The OEF Recreation Council met on April 10 to discuss trail development programs throughout Ontario and current issues facing local riding clubs, specifically the need to clean up sport.

• The national Trail Guide/Trail Rider certification program is currently being translated from French to English and will be ready to be launched shortly. This certification program will be recognized worldwide and is part of the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications.

• Applications for the first round of funding for recreation are currently being reviewed.

COMPETITIONS

• Chris Brandt presented an OEF Course Design clinic at Forest Hill Farm in Caledon, May 27-28. This clinic was the largest hosted to date with 20 participants on the first day and 18 on the second day.

• The following coaches have been selected to represent Team Ontario at the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships (CIEC): Simone Williams, Dressage; Danny Foster, Jumper and chef d’equipe; Brenda Robson, Reining.

• The following organizations are providing product to Team Ontario at the CIEC: Bucas, EquineLUX, SSG Gloves, Tipperary Equestrian

CLEAN SPORT

• Drug technicians have attended more than 50 shows across the province since the beginning of the year, with over 200 horses selected for drug testing. In this issue of WHOA! look for the second article in a two-part series about the equine medication program.

GRANTS/FUNDING

• The OEF submitted its base funding application to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport on May 31. This is reporting for year two of our current three-year cycle

EVENTS

OEF Representatives attended the following events : • Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue Open House - Hagersville July 13 • 2015 Pan-Am Games Two-Year Countdown – Caledon – July 10 • Saddle Fit for Life Workshop – Stouffville – June 27 • Ontario Has Talent Dressage Symposium – Stouffville – June 29 • Toronto Horse Day – June 1 • Ottawa Horse Day – June 1 • Earth Day event @ Manulife Centre – North York – April 22 • Greenhawk Warehouse Sale – Mississauga – April 18-19 • National Women's Show – Ottawa – April 13-14 • All About Pets Show – Mississauga – March 29-31 • Can-Am Equine Emporium – Orangeville – March 28-31 www.horse.on.ca | 7

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News

Introducing The Newest OEF Staff Member Candace Gomes has joined the Ontario Equestrian Federation as financial administrator.

Before joining the OEF team, Candace spent seven years working for a compounding veterinary pharmacy where she compounded/ dispensed equine medications and purchased raw materials and packing supplies from suppliers both nationally and internationally.

Candace is currently studying at the University of Guelph to obtain her Equine Studies Diploma in order to stay current with the equine world.

She recently welcomed a big, beautiful Canadian Horse named Brandy Saxon into her life. With patience and time, Candace hopes to turn Saxon into a Dressage beauty that she will be able to successfully compete with.

Life will not be complete, however, until she and her husband have a farm to call their own.

Candace Gomes with her Canadian Horse, Brandy Saxon.

Bucas Honoured With Corporate Sport Citation Award Blanket manufacturer Bucas Ltd. is the recipient of a Corporate Sport Citation for its contribution to equestrian sport in this province.

The award is presented annually by the Province of Ontario to corporations that have been a leader in supporting sport through sustained corporate involvement. Bucas Ltd. was honoured during an April 18 ceremony during the 46th Annual Ontario Sport Awards celebration.

“We’re grateful for the support Bucas has so generously shown Ontario’s equestrian community,” says Grant Field, president of the Ontario Equestrian Federation. “Bucas deserves to be recognized for its contributions and this award is a great way to acknowledge everything the company has done for our sport.”

Bucas Ltd. was founded in 1981 in Cork, Ireland and is internationally recognized in the equestrian world for its high quality horse blankets and products. Since 2010, Toronto-born Douglas Venn, a consultant with Bucas, has stepped up his support of equestrians in Ontario through various initiatives. As a gold partner of the OEF, Bucas donated blankets to equine participants at the Spirit of the Horse exhibit at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 2011 and 2012. The company also provided blankets for the Dressage and Show Jumping participants at the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships in Bromont, QC. last fall and has once again committed to outfitting this year’s teams.

Grant Field, president of the OEF, accepts the Sport Citation Award from Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, on behalf of Bucas Ltd.

“Within our financial constraints, we try to encourage all forms of what we refer to as horse sport,” says Venn. “This is foundational to our involvement in this most valuable and wonderful activity, no matter where in the world we are active. Awards such as the one we were privileged to receive reflect that and should be a source of encouragement to everyone who is so recognized.” www.horse.on.ca | 9

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War Vet Honours Animals In Battle With Monument Three years and almost $170,000 later, Swick witnessed the unveiling of the Animals in War dedication in Ottawa. Joined by two RCMP riders and their horses and a police dog that escorted officials to their seats, local dignitaries, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and crowd of supporters gathered on Nov. 3, 2012 in Confederation Park in Ottawa to witness the ceremony.

That day, which has since been proclaimed War Animals Day, a series of detailed bas relief plaques, created by David Clendining, were unveiled to honour the many species of animals that served in wars around the world. In addition to the mules, dogs and carrier pigeons killed in war, it is estimated eight million horses lost their lives on the Western front in the First World War.

Photo credit: Evelyn Turner

“It’s gathering so much momentum,” Swick says of the public’s appreciation for the animals that served in combat.

“Last November, after the service at the major memorial site, I went down to our war memorial and I was so pleased to see that the three plaques were just laden with poppies. I think it’s a momentum and a movement that’s going to gain more power.”

Swick’s appreciation for animals in war began when he was just a young man attending high school in Winnipeg. He has never forgotten a painting that hung on the wall of his school depicting horses and mules, their eyes wide with fear, straining alongside their human counterparts to free supply wagons stuck in the muddy craters left by bomb shells.

Lloyd Swick unveils the Animals in War dedication in Ottawa on Nov. 3, 2012.

As war veteran Lloyd Swick stood reflecting on fallen soldiers during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, he realized animals were not being recognized for the role they played in war and made it his mission to honour these forgotten heroes.

“If it hadn’t been for the animals’ love and support for man,” says Swick, a 90-year old vet who served as a platoon commander with the Calgary Highlanders in the liberation of Holland during World War II and later in Korea, “they may not have been victorious in battle.”

Those dramatic images, combined with stories from his fatherin-law, who served in the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps during the First World War, stuck with Swick over the years.

When he read that the British had erected a monument to honour their animal war heroes, he resolved that Canada should do the same.

While Swick has been able to recoup much of the cost of the monument, he still has a debt of $13,000 and is seeking the public’s support. Donations can be made to the Animals in War Dedication project through its website at www.aiwdedication.ca

Ribbon Works Gives Back To Therapeutic Riding Having been in business for more than 14 years, ribbon and award manufacturer, Ribbon Works has made a dramatic move to put its advertising dollars to good use by subsidizing the cost of ribbons to make them affordable for therapeutic riding.

Owner Nancy Codlin reports that for the last two years, Ribbon Works has supplied the therapeutic community with custom ribbons for their riders at the cost of $1 per ribbon.

"This is my way of putting a smile on the face of a rider who works so hard to overcome obstacles and to financially support groups that are mostly maintained by volunteers with very low budgets," says Codlin.

If your venue hosts therapeutic riding shows, Ribbon Works would like to extend this discount to you. Call them today to take advantage of this generous offer at 905-655-8873.

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Handcrafted Award Ribbons and Rosettes

News

A Day To Celebrate Horses Ontario Horse Day brought horse lovers of all ages out to various locations across the province on Saturday, June 1 to celebrate all things equestrian.

The Ontario Equestrian Federation hosts Horse Day at the Horse Palace in Toronto each year on the first Saturday of June to give the public a chance to meet horses and learn about riding in a fun, safe environment.

Toronto Horse Day, which was emceed by actor Daniel Fathers, featured demonstrations showcasing a variety of breeds and disciplines. Presentations included trail safety; distance riding with the Arabian Horse Association of Eastern Canada; a Hunter/ Jumper presentation by the Riding Academy at the Horse Palace; the Upper Canada District Canadian Horse Breeders; the Percheron Association of Ontario, the Canadian Road Horse Association; and the Ontario Quarter Horse Association. Also in attendance were the Central and Western Ontario regions of the Canadian Pony Club; the Ontario Sidesaddle Association; Standardbred Canada; Long-Run Thoroughbred Adoption Society; and Pentathalon Ontario. Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit was also on hand to perform a riding demonstration and open its stable for tours showcasing the horses that patrol Toronto.

Plate trophy; Sylvain Filion, Canada’s Driver of the Year for 2012, greeted harness racing fans; and Olympic Show Jumper Jennifer Foster, who rode for Canada at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, donned her distinctive red riding jacket for the event.

Now in its fifth year, Horse Day has grown to include an event hosted by Equine Canada at the site of the former Nepean National Equestrian Centre. Several OEF Horse Facilities members and breed and discipline associations also planned smaller events across the province.

For more information about the event, or to see additional photos, visit www.horse.on.ca õ

Educational and interactive stations were found throughout the Horse Palace and included an exhibit by the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame featuring Northern Dancer memorabilia; a historic photo display of the horses that built Toronto, courtesy of Peter Henderson; story time with Norman the-one-eyed horse and star of a children’s book; photography tips by Manuela Stefan; information about helmet fitting and proper riding attire with Greenhawk Harness & Equestrian Supplies and Tipperary Equestrian; the new Equine Canada Fundamentals Program; horse health games and trivia with McKee-Pownall Equine Services and Equine Guelph’s EquiMania!; shoeing demonstrations with farrier Symon Pidhainy; and massage with Marguerite Old of Equine Edge Massage Therapy. Woodbine Entertainment Group was also on hand to promote the Queen’s Plate and representatives from the Pan-Am Games, Town of Caledon and Hills of Headwaters attended to get people excited about watching the equestrian portion of the 2015 Toronto Pan/Parapan American Games, which will be held in Caledon. The Riding Academy at the Horse Palace also opened its doors to give the public the chance to greet horses, feed them treats and learn about grooming and other horse keeping essentials.

Several notable equestrian celebrities also made an appearance at Toronto Horse Day. Hall of Fame jockey Sandy Hawley signed autographs and posed for photos with the historic Queen’s

Mini Cooper, who resides at the Riding Academy at the Horse Palace, was a hit at Toronto Horse Day and made two TV appearances in the week leading up to the event.

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Toronto Horse Day photos provided by Laurie Haughton, Epona Photography

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1. Heather Young reads Norman to young horse enthusiasts at Toronto Horse Day. The children's book is based on a true story about Norman, her one-eyed horse.

2. Toronto Horse Day MC Daniel Fathers poses with the stick horse participants who proudly show off their red ribbons. 3. Children play with a horse skull at the McKee-Pownall Equine Services station at Toronto Horse Day. 4. Pentathletes demonstrate fencing at Toronto Horse Day. 5. Toronto Horse Day visitors were able to meet the horses up close. 6. The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame presented a Northern Dancer exhibit at Toronto

Horse Day featuring memorabilia from the racing legend - photo courtesy of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

7. Jennifer Foster, Sylvain Filion and Sandy Hawley were on hand to sign autographs at Toronto Horse Day’s VIP Corner. 8. Solstice Pecile and her Arabian mare, Glorious Song IA, provide Toronto Horse Day visitors with a demonstration of Endurance riding. 9. Const.

Harold Williamson of the Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit tells Toronto Horse Day MC Daniel Fathers about the rigorous training police horses undergo. 10. John Northcote and his Percheron mare, First Start Acres Roda, dazzle the audience with their carriage presentation at Toronto Horse Day. 11. Julianne Clifford, aboard Seven, clear a fence during a Jumping demonstration at Toronto Horse Day. 12. Steve McLean and Armbro Beau demonstrate the versatility of the Standardbred with an exciting Road Horse presentation.

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6 Ottawa Horse Day Photos Provided By Dazzle by Design

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1. Pat Wolfe from Butternut Farms talks to the audience as he drives his twoin hand Fjord horse team at Ottawa Horse Day. 2. Many children enjoyed the chance to pet a horse during Ottawa Horse Day. 3. Members of the American Saddle Horse Association of Ontario, the Ontario Morgan Horse Association and the Arabian Horse Association of Eastern Ontario celebrated Ontario Horse Day with a cake during the Summer Sizzler horse show in London , ON. 4. Wagon rides with Chris Kelly and his team of Percherons were a big hit at Ottawa Horse Day. 5. Terry Olmstead of the Eastern Ontario Pleasure Driving Society gives a demonstration at Ottawa Horse Day. 6. A mother and daughter enjoy the horses up close at Ottawa Horse Day.

News

Ontario Equestrian Federation Model Member Award The OEF is very pleased to announce an exciting award that will recognize outstanding individuals in the equestrian community, whether in sport, leisure, business or otherwise. The OEF Model Member Award will be bestowed on those that exemplify superior acts of good sportsmanship, benevolence, comradeship, etc. the horse industry, regardless of discipline.

All current OEF Members are eligible to make nominations and/or receive an OEF Model Member Award with the exception of OEF staff, board of directors and immediate family members of staff and directors.

In an effort to acknowledge Model Members, the OEF will present all recipients with black wool coolers that include the OEF logo. Supplied

by Brubacher's Harness and Saddlery, the coolers will be presented to the recipients during a special presentation arranged by the OEF. Please note that the OEF Model Member Award is a separate award from the OEF Annual Awards and can be presented at any time throughout the year. The OEF Model Member Awards will only be presented to those who are most deserving.

For more information please contact Catherine Barker at c.barker@horse.on.ca or 1-877-441-7112 ext. 23.

Nominee’s Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City:___________________________________________________________________ Postal Code: __________________________________________ Telephone: _______________________________________________________ Email:______________________________________________________ Nominated by: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________________________________________ Postal Code: _________________________________________ Telephone: ___________________________________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________ Please outline why you feel this person is deserving of the OEF Model Member Award. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ONTARIO EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION 1 West Pearce Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3K3 phone 905-709-6545 • fax 905-709-1867 • tollfree 1-877-441-7112 • email b.hall@horse.on.ca • website www.horse.on.ca 16 | WHOA! Summer 2013

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News

Become A Director On The OEF Board Do you think you have what it takes to be a director on the Ontario Equestrian Federation’s board? Nominations for individual directors are currently being accepted and all adult members of the OEF are eligible for nomination.

Necessary Skills Individuals interested in running for the board should be passionate about the organization’s mission, they need to be disciplined team players with strong analytical skills who are future oriented, able to delegate and willing to learn about governance, the board’s own process and the organization.

Responsibilities The responsibility of the board involves four key roles. The first is to represent the membership by pro-actively communicating and listening, acting on their behalf and reporting back. The second role of the board is to lead the organization by determining the strategic direction of the organization. Directors must also evaluate, clearly delegating the work of the organization while exercising fiduciary responsibility and managing liability by

monitoring the organization. Lastly, the board must operate using a sound governance system in which it exercises transparency and uses clear board policies that clarify roles and articulate board values, including due diligence, board structure, committee roles, purpose of board meetings, decision making and self-evaluation.

Expectations • The board meets once a month at 7 p.m., except July and August at the OEF Office in Richmond Hill • Meetings typically last between two and three hours • Directors serve two-year terms • The board of directors holds a meeting directly after the AGM each year to elect the executive committee that includes the following positions: president, 1st vice president, 2nd vice president, treasurer and secretary.

The individual director nomination form can be found on page 36.

For more information on becoming a director on the OEF board, visit www.horse.on.ca and go to the Board of Directors page.

Online polls will be opening in mid July.

Youth Bursary Applications Are Now Being Accepted Applications for the 2014 OEF Youth Bursary are now being accepted and the Ontario Equestrian Federation wants to remind young riders that the bursary program is open to all disciplines, and horse ownership is not a requirement.

of the bursary program would especially impact those riders in more remote areas of the province where finding a certified coach may be difficult.

The OEF board of directors approved the establishment of a youth bursary program in 2000 and it has been supporting a number of young riders every year since. To date, a total of 124 OEF Youth Bursaries have been awarded.

The number of bursaries awarded each year is based on the total amount of fundraising monies received through the preceding year, with a top up from the OEF general budget. The number of 2014 bursaries that will be awarded will be determined at the close of the year, and announced shortly thereafter.

The program is open to all junior members of the OEF between the ages of 14 and 17 as of Jan. 1 of the bursary year. Riders, drivers and equestrians of all abilities and disciplines are eligible to apply. Applications have also been received in the past from members who wish to use their bursary funds to help them cover the cost of post-secondary education in equine studies. This program is intended to reach those who experience significant personal or financial hardships that have prevented them from reaching their equestrian goals.

In 2013, eight OEF Youth Bursaries of $1,000 each were awarded.

The bursaries are provided in two increments; the first is awarded after the bursary candidates are initially identified, and the last is awarded in November after the candidates have reported on their riding activities and bursary expenditures. Successful candidates must enter into a contract with the OEF agreeing to provide three updates on their equestrian activities throughout the bursary year, and allowing for the publication of their names and photographs as successful candidate

Candidates are not required to ride with a coach, but if they do, their coach must also have an active OEF membership in the bursary year. While the OEF would ideally like to see all coaches NCCP certified, it’s a work in progress. Making that a requirement

You will find an application form on page 19 of this issue of WHOA! Complete the application form and submit all the requested information before the deadline of Dec. 6, 2013 in order for your application to be considered.

What’s Coming Up In August: In our annual Dressage focus, features include “Assessing the Young Dressage Prospect,” “Building a Better Shoulder-In” and “The Coast-to-Coast Cost of Showing Dressage.” Read about “Extreme Hoof Makeovers,” pre-purchase exams, and the importance of understanding, preventing, and containing the EHV-1 threat in our “At Issue” column.

September: Transportation is the theme, featuring “Is Your Towing Vehicle Safe?”, the shipping costs across the country, and a look inside the pros' trailers.

Enjoy a candid Q&A with Jim Elder, learn about airway diseases and advances in respiratory therapies, and the upsurge in interest in low-GI feeds for horses.

October: Features include “Equine Separation Anxiety” and “The Law and Equine Welfare.” We look at what's new in winter blankets, plus images and results of Canada's teams at the North American Junior & Young Riders Championships.

All issues include important horse health and nutrition information, profiles, show results, and training tips from top riders and coaches including David Marcus, Shannon Dueck, Jenn Serek, Hyde Moffatt, Bobbie Reber, Diana Burnett, Jessica Phoenix ... and more!

Pick-up a copy at your favourite tack shop or subscribe online at Subscribe.Horse-Canada.com to subscribe today.

18 | WHOA! Summer 2013

What’s Coming Up In

September/October Issue - Packed With Health & Well-Being Tips!

Equine psychologist Antonia Henderson, Ph.D., explores horse to horse, and human to horse communication.

The main health reviews Fixation of the Patella, the intermittent locking of the stifle joint, how to recognize what causes it and how it is treated. The DIY Health article will help owners be prepared for Hoof Wounds and Abscesses, with step-by-step instructions for bandaging a hoof, provided by Dr. Ashley Whitehead, DVM. For those who are struggling to get weight off their horses, equine nutritionist Dr. Shannon Pratt-Phillips, Ph.D., shares Feeding Guidelines for Overweight Horses, with detailed example diets.

Trainer Carlos Tabernaberri continues his series “Through the Eyes of Horse,” with advice on developing straightness and balance. Finally, trainer Anne Gage shares tips for dealing with Horses that Rush, and are difficult to slow down.

That’s not all, so make sure to pick up a copy or subscribe today at Subscribe.Horse-Canada.com, so you don’t miss a thing!

ONTARIO EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION

2014 YOUTH BURSARY

A P P L I C AT I O N deadline - 4:00pm December 6, 2013

The OEF Youth Bursary is aimed at supporting young riders/drivers and horse persons of all disciplines who are OEF members and full time high school students where financial resources and/or personal hardship is a significant impediment to them reaching their equestrian goals.

To qualify for the OEF’s Youth Bursary applicant’s must: • be between the ages of 14 and 17 as of January 1, 2014; and • the applicant and coach must hold a valid 2014 OEF membership A qualified candidate must also submit the following: • a completed and signed application form including the appended release and publicity agreement, and applicant package before the deadline of 4:00pm December 6, 2013; • A 250 word essay describing: a. the applicant’s interest and experience with horses; and b. what would the applicant do with the bursary funds if they were a successful bursary candidate; • include a photo of the applicant with their horse (if applicable); • a letter of reference from the applicant’s coach or trainer, or if the applicant does not ride with a coach, a personal reference from a person who is not a family member; • a copy of the applicant’s current report card APPLICANT INFORMATION: Name:___________________________________________ OEF Membership #: ____________________________ Date of Birth: ____________________________

Social Insurance Number: ________________________

mm/dd/yy Full Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: _____________________________________ Email: ____________________________________ Parent/Guardian: ____________________________________ Total Household Income : _________________________ Total Number of Adults In Household: __________________ Total Number of Children In Household: ________________ Applicants School Name & Address: __________________________________________________________________ School Phone Number: ________________________________ School Fax Number: ____________________________ APPLICANTS COACH: Name:___________________________________________ OEF Membership #: ____________________________ Phone Number: _____________________________________ Email: ____________________________________ Name of Facility: _____________________________________ NCCP Certified: YES NO Other (BHSI/FEI): _____ RIDING/HORSE EXPERIENCE:

None

Up to One Year

Between 1 and 5 Years

More than 5 Years

RIDING FREQUENCY: Once A Week ARE YOU A MEMBER OF:

2 to 3 times per Week

3+ times per Week

4H Club Pony Club EC Learn To Ride Program

Year Round Rider

NCCP Instructor of Beginner Program

Do you participate in any other sports? If so please describe: ___________________________________________________ How do you have access to horses?

Own Lease Schooling Facility How are your equestrian activities paid for (i.e. do you contribute to covering the cost of your participation and, if so, how much)? _________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Describe any challenges you face in participating in your sport/activity? ____________________________________________ LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS: Please list the names of your local media (community newspapers etc.)

1. _______________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________

RELEASE FORM: I, ___________________________________________, acknowledge that ________________________________ (parent/guardian) (applicant) is applying to the Ontario Equestrian Federation’s Youth Bursary Program. I hereby consent to his/her involvement in this Program. It is recommended that he/she attend an approved riding facility to receive coaching in horse-related skills. This is to clarify that the information provided is accurate and the applicant and parent/guardian agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the Ontario Equestrian Federation.

Publicity Agreement: I hereby give permission to the Ontario Equestrian Federation to use the name and/or photo of my son/daughter in conjunction with the OEF Youth Bursary Program being reported in the OEF newsletter, WHOA!, and in articles or reports of activities used on the radio or in newspapers, magazines, the OEF website, or other media which may be utilized by the OEF for publicity or communication purposes.

Signature: ____________________________________________ (applicant)

Date: _______________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________ (parent/guardian)

Date: _______________________________

CHECKLIST: Please be sure to check off all of the following to ensure the applicants Youth Bursary application is complete: Applicants 2014 OEF membership has been purchased Applicants coach has purchased his/her 2014 OEF membership (if applicable) 250 word essay describing the applicants experience with horses and how the applicant plans on using the Bursary money A colour photo of the applicant along with their horse (if applicable) is attached to the application and an electronic version has been emailed to p.coburn@horse.on.ca (minimum 300 dpi) A letter of reference from the applicants coach/trainer or a personal reference letter is attached to the application A copy of the applicants recent report card The application must be completed IN FULL and accompanied by all required original documentation. Applications received after the due date will not be eligible. Faxed or emailed applications WILL NOT be accepted. All information provided will remain strictly confidential.

Ontario Equestrian Federation ~ 1 West Pearce St, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K3 p: 905-709-6545 ext. 26 e: horse@horse.on.ca

Member Spotlight as part of Canada’s anti-terrorism team. “And you know what?

As much as we like to think the resources are there, they are not always there. I’m a horse owner and I understand the therapeutic values of having a horse and I would like to be able to share that with those guys.”

He’s hoping to attract 100 riders to the upcoming Wounded Warrior Competitive Trail Challenge which will raise funds for Wounded Warriors Canada, a non-profit organization that helps Canadian Forces members who have been wounded or injured in their service to Canada.

The ride follows the rules and format of the American Competitive Trail Horse Association. Riders are sent out in small groups in 10-minute increments over a 10-kilometre course that features six obstacles. Each rider gets a maximum of 60 seconds to challenge each obstacle, but Cannon stresses that it’s not a race, it’s a trail ride.

“There is a judge at each obstacle and basic, good equitation is what we are looking at. We’re not discipline specific. A lot of people ask if it’s English or Western and I say, 'English, Western or Martian,' because that’s what I ride,” he says with a laugh.

At the Land Forces Meaford Training Centre, which is a training facility overlooking the beautiful shores of Georgian Bay where hundreds of Canadian soldiers undergo intense training, riders can expect breathtaking scenery. Not normally open to the public or to horses, this one-day ride is being held with special permission to honour soldiers who have given so much for their country.

Veteran Set To Host Trail Ride In Support Of Wounded Soldiers

By Melissa Kosowan

When riders arrive at the Land Forces Meaford Training Centre on Aug. 24 for a unique trail ride experience that benefits wounded war veterans, it won’t be difficult to pick organizer Chuck Cannon out of the crowd. Flanked by volunteers, he’ll be the veteran and equine enthusiast working to keep everything running smoothly and on time with typical military precision.

When Cannon retired from the military in 2004 after 23 years of service he picked up his childhood passion for riding again with the support and encouragement of his wife, Jayne, who is also an avid rider.

“I had made a commitment to her that at 20 years marriage we would replace our wedding rings,” Cannon explains. “Of course, as we got closer to our 20th anniversary, I thought I was a bit of a smart aleck because I knew she rode when she was younger too. I had said to her, ‘We are getting to a point in our military career where things are slowing down. You can either replace our wedding rings or you can get that horse you’ve been wanting so badly.’ And a week later there was a horse.”

After taking some riding lessons, Cannon got a horse of his own – a paint gelding named Chance. Now he wants other war veterans to experience the same joy and benefits that horses and riding have given him.

“I’m a retired soldier and I am blessed to have retired in good health. There are a lot of guys I worked with that I know that weren’t so lucky,” says Cannon, who was a military engineer and later military weapons technician before doing a four-year stint

“A lot of people say, ‘Why ride in Meaford?’” says Cannon. “The whole equine wellness concept is still fairly new to the military.

And mental health issues are a real struggle for the military. So, my thoughts were, instead of dragging those guys somewhere to introduce them to a horse, I want to bring the horse back to their home territory to let them see it first-hand. And maybe the association will develop from there. That’s my concept.”

While therapeutic riding programs for veterans and military personnel operate in Canada, Cannon would like to see them more widely accepted and available – something he hopes his ride might encourage.

“I have been meeting with other people who are in sort of the same mode trying to develop the equine wellness program for even our former veterans,” says Cannon. “We want to highlight the horse and what can it give back to these soldiers who have given so much. That’s the whole point of this ride.”

While some people might balk at the idea of organizing a ride of this magnitude, this isn’t Cannon’s first time at the rodeo, so to speak. He organized two competitive trail rides last year to gain experience with the American Competitive Trail Horse Association format. The first ride welcomed 51 participants and raised $800 for PRANCE, a therapeutic riding facility in Port Elgin, ON. Ultimately, Cannon would like to see the Wounded Warrior ride go national.

“My goal is to get this first ride under my belt and make it work perfectly. If everyone walks away happy, then other people will pick up the ball and get on board with it,” he says. “It’s really challenging because I have to find people who are willing to put in the effort to a host a ride of this nature.”

In the meantime, he’s focussing on making the ride in Meaford a success.

“We want to highlight the horse and what can it give back to these soldiers who have given so much,” he says. “That’s the whole point of this ride.” For more information, e-mail lccannon45@ gmail.com or to register, visit www.actha.us õ www.horse.on.ca | 21

Member Spotlight

ICON

The Freedman Family Leaving A Legacy With Every Stitch By

by Melissa Kosowan

to Toronto from Ivansk, Poland with his wife, Gitel and children Charles, Harry and Lily. The family would later grow with the birth of Rose in 1924 and Samuel in 1926.

In addition to bringing family to a new land, Isaac also brought his skills as a harness maker and opened his first harness shop on Centre Avenue in the heart of downtown Toronto. A great craftsman, Isaac was a utility type of harness maker. His expertise and strength was in street harness, or what was known at the time as express harness. Rarely did he make a complete set of harness; repairs were his specialty. In fact, in the mornings there would be 10 or more delivery wagons lined up on the street waiting for Isaac to open up his shop.

Chester Weber's Four-In-Hand won individual silver at the 2012 FEI Four-In-Hand World Driving Championships using Freedman-made harness.

I

nside the Freedman’s Harness workshop in Toronto, the hum is steady as some of the most beautiful leather goods in the world are carefully crafted with tradition and innovation in every stitch.

At workbenches throughout the small shop, men and women peer at their work with great focus. One burnishes a handbag, another makes a custom brow band, while a third repairs a saddle owned, no less, by Martha Stewart. While the products are constantly evolving, the tools used to make them have changed very little over the centuries. In fact, with their rosewood handles, the tools in this shop are as finely crafted as the goods they make.

It’s staggering to think of the generations of craftsman who have held them in their hands.

Charles and Harry were both taught the trade of harness making, but it was Samuel who was particularly gifted and interested in the profession. Interestingly, it wasn’t Isaac who taught Sam the trade. Sam’s foray into the family harness company began with Eddie Godfrey, Isaac’s only English speaking employee who came to the company in 1930. While Eddie didn’t speak Yiddish or Polish and Isaac never spoke English, the two shared a connection through their craftsmanship – a relationship that lasted for over 25 years.

Eddie had worked in the Chicago stockyards and knew about all types of handmade show harness. In those days, craftsman specialized in specific trades. There were cutters, fitters, hand stitches, finishers. It was uncommon for someone like Eddie to have all these skills.

At the helm of the storied company is David Freedman, a sixthgeneration harness maker who has devoted his life to carrying on a tradition that has slowly been disappearing since the advent of the automobile. He has continued on the family business that started with his great-great-great grandfather, Mordechai Freedman, who made harnesses for the czars in Warsaw over 200 years ago.

The Canadian chapter of the Freedman harness-making story began in 1910 when David’s grandfather, Isaac Freedman, moved 22 | WHOA! Summer 2013

Isaac Freedman stands in front of the Centre Avenue harness shop in Toronto in the 1940s.

Member Spotlight

I learned a lot about the tools, I learned a lot about trade because he had the time to show me.”

By the time he was 13 years old, David was spending weekends and holidays in the shop and tagging along with his dad to horse shows. He picked up tidbits of information about harness making and life during those long drives.

At 18, after spending summers working in the shop, David had found his calling. While his friends were planning careers as doctors, lawyers and accountants, David was interested in the family business.

Roy Rogers, Sam Freedman and Glenn Randall pose for a photograph together in the 1950s.

Eddie took a particular interest in Sam and taught him how to make a harness by the time he was only 10 years old. But by the age of 12, the often rebellious youngster decided to part ways with the family business and went to work for Samuel Trees Company, a huge company in a four-storey building at the corner of King and Bathurst that employed over 100 people.

According to David, his father was asked to demonstrate his skills. The company’s operations manager sat him down with a stitching horse and gave him a piece of leather to stitch. The “magic” that is part of Samuel Freedman’s lore appeared. He stitched a straight line with no stitch marks and no lines. He was asked to report to work the next day. Three days later, however, Sam found himself unemployed. The year was 1943 and World War II was part of day-to-day life and racial tension was high in Toronto. The young Jewish harness maker wasn’t welcomed with open arms by many of the other harness makers in the shop and the company felt pressured to let him go.

While it was a rough start for the young harness maker, it didn’t deter him and he went on to build his family’s company into a global name among top equestrians who have come to appreciate the quality workmanship that defines it.

“They are the premier harness makers in North America and highly respected throughout the driving world,” says Jack Pemberton, the former director of the Carriage Association of America and one of the founding directors of Drive Canada and the American Drive Society.

“I just decided this is it. I spent a couple of years under our foreman at the time learning how to make harness,” David remembers. “Then after two or three years of that, my dad pulled me away and said, ‘Now I’ll teach you how to make harness.’”

So for close to a decade he learned the craft from a man he argues is one of the best in the world – a bold statement supported by examples like the gig harness that now hangs on display at the Freedman’s Harness boutique in Kentucky. Not only had it survived over 50 years in the show ring before it found its way back to its maker, what’s noteworthy about it in David’s mind is that his dad made it as a 12-year-old.

“You can bring me anyone in the world who thinks they are good at what they do and I will show them this piece that my dad made at 12 years old; they don’t hold a stick to it,” David says. “The talent this guy had at 12 years old . . . he was really intrigued by quality and workmanship.”

The sudden death of Samuel Freedman when David was just 27 years old forced the youngest of the Freedman children to put his skills as a harness maker – and a businessman – to the test. While David was being groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps, he never expected to take the reins so soon.

“It was five days before my wedding day,” David says, his mood turning sombre. “He was young so nobody really expected it.

It was really sudden and I was really young and naive. You’re supposed to say, ‘Wow that guy is the best at what he does, I’ve got to find something else to do.’”

Pemberton met Samuel Freedman about 50 years ago and watched David grow up and follow in his father’s footsteps.

“David is a credit to the driving community, no question about that, and he’s young, so he’s got a great future," Pemberton adds.

Sitting behind an imposing wooden desk stacked high with paperwork, a portrait of his father looking down from the wall, David reflects on how he ended up running the respected harness company. Wearing the company’s signature belt, which features the trademark F and horseshoe of the master harness makers, he shares the story of how it all began.

“My dad had a bench in the basement of the house in one of our spare rooms,” David recalls with a laugh. “He thought on cold winter weekends he would make my mother some handbags.

He made one, but in the meantime I learned how to hand stitch,

Eighteen-year-old David Freedman works under the watchful eye of his father, Sam Freedman, in 1982.

www.horse.on.ca | 23

Member Spotlight

The recession of the early 1990s wasn’t kind to the company and David recalls they didn’t even have any work orders when his dad died.

“It wasn’t like you had a lot of work and commitment. I could have walked away at that time, but I was drawn to it and didn’t even think about it,” David says. Then somebody gave me some advice locally. He said, ‘You have to be seen . . . You have to let people know you are out there.’ So I started going to horse shows and talking to people.”

The rest, as they say, is history and David quickly became a familiar face at some of the world’s most prestigious horse shows as he worked to return the lustre to the company his forefathers built.

“Unfortunately, my mom passed away 10 months later, but I thought, okay, you’re in this thing now, so march on,” David recalls.

After a period of bleak times, the tides changed at the World Pairs Driving Championship in 1993 at Gladstone, NJ. “I knew that the world would visit that show – everybody in driving would come and I knew I could reposition the company and show the world that we are leaders in harness making and that’s what I did,” David says.

While the company’s bread and butter during Samuel’s time was Standardbred race harness and Hackney harness, followed by a boom in the demand for Carriage Driving harness from the mid1980s to early ‘90s, the demand now is primarily for fine show harness and cutback saddles for the Arabian, Saddlebred and Morgan industries.

It’s the custom work, however, that the company is known for. A carriage collector from Spain, for instance, wanted a replica of a historic French posting harness he saw in a photograph.

“This is an interesting place. It’s probably one of the only shops in the world that today could be building for a Mini and next week for a Clydesdale,” David says. “Most people build combined driving harness or fine harness. We build everything. I’m not really at liberty to pick and choose.”

David laughs as he tells the story about the time he was asked to make a harness for the Budweiser commercial where a young

David Freedman is only 16 years old in this photograph taken at the former Dundas Street location of Freedman's Harness.

Clydesdale slips into a harness and tries with determination to pull the famous red wagon by himself, unaware that two of the giant steeds are pushing from behind.

“They wanted to suspend the collar by two wires and the yearling walks into it and pretends to pull. I said, ‘It’s no good,’” David recalls of his conversation with the producer. “Everyone in carriage business knows that the collar you put on over his head and it sits on the top, not the bottom – everyone is going to know it’s suspended.”

By “everyone” David was, of course, referring to what he estimated to be 10,000 Carriage Drivers in North America. The producer quickly set him straight. “He said, ‘Let me tell you something, 4.3 million people are going to be watching this,’” David says laughing.

Freedman’s Harness also caught the attention of the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Coach Makers and Coach Harness Makers of London. They honoured David with the Coachmakers Carriage Driving Award in 2004, and he was sworn by affirmation into the company in 2012, making him the first harness maker from outside the UK and the only one in decades to affirm his admittance.

Sam Freedman presents world champion Standardbred driver Herve Filion with a set of harness for a win at Greenwood, the once-popular Toronto track, in the 1970s.

24 | WHOA! Summer 2013

In bygone days, no one could lawfully carry out trade of coach maker or coach harness maker within 20 miles of London without

Member Spotlight

being a member of the company, which was founded in 1677.

Today the Worshipful Company of Coach Makers and Coach Harness makers provides a forum for meeting like-minded people whose interests centre on the automotive, aerospace, coach and coach harness making industries.

“When it comes to adjustment and movement, that’s where this company really excels,” he says. “That helps me with all my products and product development. I’m not just somebody who cuts leather. Form to function is very important to me and it has really defined us.”

While he may have had his own way of doing things, David never lost sight of the company’s commitment to quality craftsmanship.

When he’s not overseeing the company or representing it at the world’s most prestigious horse shows, David still manages to find time to give back to the equine community. He has long been a volunteer of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, sitting on numerous committees over the years, including serving as horse show chair.

“My dad’s motto was always be the best. Think about things, work hard and do the best you can possibly do. He didn’t care what you did, just do it to the best of your abilities,” David says.

For David, that means listening carefully to what his clients are telling him so that he can constantly improve products and respond to new demands – a trait inherited from his father.

“Sam brought the quality of the show harness to a new level,” says Larry Ella, who has been showing Hackneys for over 40 years in harness made by the Freedman family. “In the case of blinders, he made them so they were cupped so they fit around the horse’s eye." Before that everyone just made blinds that were flat, which often rubbed the horse's eye.

David also makes a point of helping his clients make adjustments to their equipment to maximize the benefits of the design.

While he devotes a large portion of his life to the horse industry, it’s worth every minute when he watches a Freedman’s customer ride or drive their way to victory – whether it’s a young Saddle Seat rider winning a first place at a local show with a Freedman’s cutback saddle or an accomplished international driver taking the podium at the World Equestrian Games.

“My clients are my greatest success. We have just had a way to attract the best clients with the best show horses and carriage horses in the world… and that’s been the success of the company,” he says. “The best is when your clients achieve their goals and you are part of it – whatever that is. It’s a good feeling.”

The back pad from the famed "Old Times" Road Coach Harness that makes an appearance every year at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

David Freedman demonstrates his hand stitching skills at the Kentucky State Fair.

This Carlsberg Championship Team and Wagon was outfitted in harness made at Freedman's Dundas Street shop in 1973.

www.horse.on.ca | 25

Therapeutic Spotlight

KR Equestrian Challenges Therapeutic Riders To Be Their Best

by Melissa Kosowan

At KR Equestrian in Schomberg, ON., therapeutic riders not only reap the benefits that equine-based therapy can provide, they also learn horsemanship skills to build their sense of accomplishment.

“We have all ranges of abilities and we really focus on trying to get the riders to improve their riding skills as opposed to a lot of therapy programs, which are geared around the therapeutic aspect,” says Dave Hanley, who runs the facility with partner Kate Richardson. “I think it’s a lot more rewarding for the rider.”

According to Hanley, the goal at KR Equestrian is to help riders set goals and feel a sense of accomplishment when they take their riding to new levels.

Photo Credit: Sarah Richardson

“We have a lot of really great volunteers and people who work there who are really helpful. It’s really relaxed and the horses all have really good personalities,” says Hanley. “When we’re doing the programs, even though we are trying to teach them actual riding skills, we try to do it in a fun way.”

26 | WHOA! Summer 2013

KR Equestrian’s therapeutic riding program welcomes about 50 riders ranging from children as young as three years old, to riders well into their 50s. Autism, Asperger Syndrome, cerebral palsy and stroke are just a few of the ailments that clients seek relief from at the therapeutic riding centre. Others have emotional challenges they work through with their four-legged partners.

“You have to find horses that are appropriate for the program and Kate has a special ability to find horses that are really appropriate,” says Hanley. “This one Thoroughbred, there was a girl who had a seizure while riding him and he knew something was wrong and stopped.”

Photo Credits: Sarah Richardson

Therapeutic Spotlight

A proud rider shows off her ribbons at the KR 2012 Para-Dressage Show (above left). A rider pats her horse for a job well done (above right).

The result of the healing power of horses is easy to see at KR Equestrian. Hanley gives the example of one of the program participants who was an accomplished coach before having a serious car accident and then suffering a stroke.

“She was a Level 2 coach before and was now riding on a lead.

So when she came to our place, we encouraged her to improve.

Now she rides these Para tests on or off lead, walk-trot – it’s incredible,” says Hanley. “We have noticed in the last year that we have been working with her that she is more mobile and she can speak. Before she could say one word and now she’s tripling that, so she’s really improving. It’s definitely something you can see real results from.” õ

EQUINE MASSAGE THERAPY

BY DIANE DIANE BARROW, C.E.M.T. 406 - 249 MAJOR MACKENZIE DR. E. RICHMOND HILL, ON L4C 9M8

905 884 8799

DIANE@YORKREGIONHORSEMASSAGE.COM

CERTIFIED EQUINE MASSAGE THERAPIST SERVING YORK REGION SPORTS MASSAGE FOR A HAPPIER HORSE

Everyone Can Be A Champion With Ribbons For Rides Program Are you a rider with a disability who is looking for a challenge?

Why not enroll in Ribbons for Rides, a free program that rewards riders for each FEI Para Dressage test he or she completes, or an appropriate test designed to test that rider’s skill level!

The OEF and the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) teamed up in 2011 to offer the Ribbons for Rides program, which now has 18 therapeutic riding facilities participating in the program. Feedback from the coaches and riders participating has been overwhelmingly positive and the OEF regularly receives e-mails and phone calls from its members offering to donate ribbons to support the program.

Riders in this program participate for a variety of reasons – whether purely to challenge themselves to improve their skills or as another way to have fun while riding with their friends at their barn. The ability to work through the 10 levels of this program to reach the top level and receive a championship ribbon autographed by the rider of the recipient’s choice can bring a significant sense of accomplishment.

Ribbons for Rides participants are encourage to send the OEF photographs of their accomplishments so that we can post them to our social media sites to share them with your friends and supporters across the OEF membership.

Good luck and have fun!

For more information visit www.horse.on.ca www.horse.on.ca | 27

Around The Barn

Revamped Horse Facilities Program Takes Shape And Draws New Members

By Pam Coburn, Horse Facilities Program Administrator

Photo credit: Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography

Over the last few issues of WHOA! I have provided updates on the work we have been doing to improve the Horse Facilities Program and I am pleased to report that we have grown the membership of this program by over 50 per cent in less than six months.

It’s an important statement about the maturity of the industry that we can come together, with our only incentive being improvement to the sector, to commit to these standards. It is our hope that the standards, in time, will become the norm for all facilities in the province of Ontario.

We have been working diligently to find new ways to add value and benefit to the Horse Facilities Program. We began with a plan developed in consultation with the OEF board of directors and chair of the Horse Facilities Advisory Council, which was presented at the 2012 Annual General Meeting. Our next step was consultation with the general OEF membership, which provided insight to help direct our future efforts. That survey gave us specific feedback from 210 facility owners, over 50 of whom will participate in face-to-face consultation sessions taking place across the province over this coming summer.

This year we have three new elite equestrian members added to the roster of Horse Facilities Program members – Scott and Dee Walker of Forest Hill Training Centre in Caledon, Jacquie Brooks of Brookhaven Dressage in Cedar Valley and Beth Underhill Stables in Schomberg. The participation of such distinguished athletes, coaches and facility owners is a reflection of the importance of the program.

The increase in membership that we are experiencing in this program is an important step toward creating a robust network of facility owners and operators who can provide feedback as to where the OEF should be directing efforts to provide tangible value back to its members.

But there is another important role for this group. They are providing leadership in this largely unregulated industry – equine boarding, training, and lesson facilities – by agreeing to meet a set of basic standards relating to horse care, facility maintenance and program management. Feedback we receive time and time again supports how important it is for the comfort and confidence of new riders and parents with children entering the sport to know that facilities abide by a set of professional standards.

28 | WHOA! Summer 2013

Horse facilities are where it all happens – riding and horsemanship training, management of our horses and their health, wellness and fitness, coaching, schooling, competition preparation and the list goes on. The opportunity for members to support one another through sharing their advice and experience is priceless.

If you are a facility owner or operator, I hope you will all strongly consider participating in this program. You are also encouraged to attend this year’s AGM where I will report on the program’s progress and objectives for the coming year. Your participation and feedback is invaluable.

For more information about the Horse Facilities Program, visit www.horse.on.ca and click on the Membership tab. You can also contact Pam Coburn at p.coburn@horse.on.ca or call 1-877-4417112 ext. 26. õ

www.horse.on.ca | 29

Safety First

Are You Ready For An Emergency?

By Melissa Kosowan

Photo credit: Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography

It’s every horse owner or stable operator’s worst nightmare – a natural disaster or emergency that puts the lives of their horses in jeopardy.

According to experts in large animal rescue and emergencies, protecting your horses begins with an emergency preparedness plan.

“I recommend that not only do you have a personal emergency preparedness plan for the people in your life, but also for the four-legged creatures, big and small,” says Dr. Cathy Furness, a veterinarian from Rockwood, ON. who has worked with various groups at the national and provincial levels to further the development of emergency planning for livestock and horses.

“You need to know what risks you have to be prepared for.”

While such a plan can save lives, few people have a plan in place and, if they do, they keep only a mental checklist, not a written plan.

“The biggest problem is that people aren’t coming up with a plan.

I think it has to do with the fact that Ontario, in particular, tends to be very sheltered and we don’t have a lot of natural disasters,” says Furness. “I think people take the attitude that it’s not going to happen to me.”

The first step in developing an emergency preparedness plan is determining what type of risks you may realistically be faced with.

In Ontario, possible risks include tornadoes, wind or snow storms that disrupt power, flooding, forest fires, lightning strikes, train derailment and any number of situations that could be unique to your area of the province. Any of these occurrences have the potential to disrupt water, sanitation, food and telephone at your farm.

Once risks have been assessed, you can then begin to determine how you would prepare for, or react to, an emergency. Often referred to as an all-hazards plan, an emergency preparedness 30 | WHOA! Summer 2013

plan is a road map to guide you during any type of potential emergencies that could affect your farm or stable. While the plan may need to be modified slightly for each different scenario, one comprehensive plan should apply to most situations.

“It’s overwhelming to say to people, ‘You need to come up with 40 plans.’ You need to come up with one plan,” says Rebecca Gimenez, a technical large animal rescue specialist from Georgia who trains others in rescue techniques. “Disaster planning also helps deal with daily emergencies that can occur.”

An emergency preparedness plan should include a kit for each horse that can be kept in an easily accessible location at the barn.

If that horse leaves the property, whether it’s for a horse show or evacuation, the kit should accompany it. In addition to an extra halter and lead rope, a first aid kit for horses and humans, the kit should contain an identification sheet for each horse that has its owner's contact information, as well as the contact information for the horse’s veterinarian and farrier, copies of registration or ownership papers, proof of vaccination and a list of any medication the horse is being administered.

The package should also include photographs of the horse, taken from all angles, including at least one photograph showing the horse with its owner. Any special instructions about the care or handling of the horse should also be included. For instance, if the horse kicks when other horses come near, this should be noted to keep any potential handlers safe.

While it’s difficult to think about, the package should also include directions for end-of-life care, particularly if the horse is at a boarding stable or trainer’s facility. Horse owners should consider signing a legal document giving the individual caring for their horse their consent to euthanize the horse, if necessary, should it become critically ill or injured during an emergency and the owner can’t be reached. Horse owners also need to make arrangements for any unforeseen medical treatments the horse may require.

Safety First If you aren’t there to pay for veterinary treatment, how will the expense be covered?

“If you do it right, it should involve a drawing of your barn, and you can use rocks or chess pieces to represent the different people and horses,” she says. “You should make sure your boarders are part of that plan. They should be intimately involved with that."

Horse owners also need to consider how they will make their horses identifiable to others should the horse become lost or separated. According to Gimenez, a horse should have both internal – a microchip – and external identification during an emergency situation, such as a natural disaster. When disaster strikes, a horse owner can make their horse visibility identifiable using methods such as grease paint with the owner’s name and number painted on the horse; a commercially available ID band, which is like a hospital bracelet and goes around the fetlock; an information tag braided into the horse’s mane; or a tag or information sheet taped to a breakaway halter.

No detail is too small when it comes to an evacuation plan and even the smallest of tasks should be spelled out. Who will call 911? How many people will be needed to remove the horses from the stable and what is the evacuation process to get them out in a timely fashion? Where will they go once they are out of the stable? Who will hook up the truck and trailer and load the horses? Are there any horses that can’t be shipped next to others?

“You have to think through your plan in the same way you would train a horse – baby steps. I’m standing on the ground here, what is my next step? But then you have to go out and do it,” says Staples, who recommends actually practicing your evacuation.

“You have to be able to hook up your trailer in a hurry. It has to become second nature because any time that you’re in a disaster . . . your brain shuts down. If you don’t have a brain and you have to think this stuff through, you’re dead.”

Horse owners also need to think about food and supplies and ensure they will have enough – for both humans and horses – to get through a disaster.

“Do you have enough to get you through three days? Five days?

And if you don’t, how are you going to make sure you can get enough in an emergency?” Furness asks. “Is the food contained in a place that’s not going to get wet when you have flooding? Is it contained in a place that you can readily get to but will also be protected from the elements?”

It’s essential that you have strong handling skills and that your horse has good ground manners, as even the most docile animals can be high strung and unpredictable in an emergency. Horses must also load onto trailers easily.

And don’t forget about water! An extended power outage can wreak havoc on any stable, particularly a large one. Do you have a generator to power your pump or a tank to have water brought in, assuming the roads are passable?

“You need to have basic ground manners and be able to load him in the trailer in all conditions – at night, in the wind, in the snow, in the rain, if the ground is shaking,” says Staples. “Your horse should be obedient to getting in the trailer; otherwise they will get left behind.”

Connecting with neighbours is another strategy. Get to know your neighbours, how many horses are in their herd and the facilities and resources they have. In an emergency, you may be called on to care for their animals, or vice versa.

And if it looks like an evacuation is going to be necessary, don’t wait until the last moment, agree the experts.

“Organize your neighbourhood and then you have resources,” says horse safety expert Michelle Staples of Fort Erie, ON. who specializes in large animal rescue and disaster preparedness.

“These are just the simple things that you don’t really think about but can make such a difference in time.”

“If you don’t get out early, you’re going to be sitting in traffic with your horses, running out of fuel, possibly in hot weather,” says Gimenez.

Am emergency preparedness plan is one that nobody ever wants to call into action, but having it there at the ready can save lives.

If you don’t have your own transportation, who will you call to evacuate your horses? It’s best to have multiple transporters from different areas lined up in case access is blocked in any one direction. You also need to pre-arrange possible locations where you can take your horse if you are forced to evacuate.

“It encourages people to start thinking it and living it,” Gimenez says. “It’s just like anything else, the more you practice on a daily basis, the easier it becomes.” õ

“You will be able to get out once, but you probably won’t be able to get back. If you have 12 horses and a two-horse trailer, I’m guaranteeing you you’re not going to get your six trips in,” she says. “We tell people, you probably need to think of who goes.

Are you going to take your 30-year-old horse that you love very much or your two-year-old that’s worth a lot of money? You need to make that decision now.”

Having an evacuation plan on paper is a great first step, but it needs to be practiced regularly. Gimenez says even a “table topic” practice, in which the various steps and processes of the evacuation drill are mapped out on paper, is one option.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Giminez

One of the biggest mistakes Gimenez says she sees horse owners make is that they assume they will be able to get back to their barns to evacuate more horses if they aren’t able to take them all in one trip.

Horse owners and stable operators should practice their evacuation plan to ensure a flawless escape in the event of an emergency.

www.horse.on.ca | 31

Mane Events

2013 COMPETITIONS EQUINE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT - DRESSAGE Competition Name North Gower Dressage Days #3 Oakhurst Farm Dressage Show 2

Start Date End Date Location 28-07-2013 28-07-2013 Spiritwood Farm 17-08-2013 17-08-2013 Oakhurst Farm

EQUINE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT - DRESSAGE & JUMPER Equus 3D Combined Training #2 Equus 3D Combined Training #3

03-07-2013 03-07-2013 Equus 3D 15-08-2013 15-08-2013 Equus 3D

EQUINE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT - HUNTER/JUMPER Summer Special Season Finale

BRONZE BREED

Region 18 Championships 2013 CNE Light Horse Show AHAEC Fall Festival

Contact Email or Website spiritwoodfarm.ncf.ca www.oakhurstfarm.com www.equus3dfarm.com www.equus3dfarm.com

11-08-2013 11-08-2013 Pickering Horse Centre 20-09-2013 20-09-2013 Pickering Horse Centre

www.pickeringhorsecentre.ca www.pickeringhorsecentre.ca

18-07-2013 20-07-2013 Western Fair Agriplex 30-07-2013 31-07-2013 CNE, Exhibition Place 28-09-2013 29-09-2013 Western Fair Agriplex

www.region18.on.ca www.theex.com www.ahaec.on.ca

06-07-2013 14-07-2013 21-07-2013 21-07-2013 21-07-2013

www.forevergreenstables.com www.klda.ca www.londondressage.com www.conestogacadora.ca www.northspringontario.com

BRONZE DRESSAGE

Forever Green Stables AERSO Dressage #2 KLDA Bronze #2 @ Cedarlane London Dressage Association #3 Conestoga CADORA Dressage #3 Northspring Summit Series #2 Dressage Niagara Bronze/Silver Competition #3 Windsor Essex CADORA Bronze Show 2 RCRA Sunshine 2 Glanbrook CADORA Bronze #3 & Silver "C" Dressage Show London Dressage Association #4 Conestoga CADORA Dressage #4 Blue Star Dressage #3 Glanbrook CADORA Bronze Dressage Show #4 Dressage Niagara Bronze/Silver Competition #4 Windsor Essex CADORA Bronze Show 3 Dressage in the Park 2 RCRA Sunshine 3 London Dressage Association #5 Northspring Summit Series #3 Blue Star Dressage #4 Glanbrook CADORA Bronze Dressage Show #5 Windsor Essex CADORA Bronze Show 4 RCRA Halloweenfest RCRA Snowflake 1

BRONZE EVENTING

Glenarden Farms Horse Trials 1 Touch A Rainbow Horse Trials 2 Ottawa Fall Horse Trials Glenarden Farms Horse Trials 2

BRONZE HUNTER/JUMPER

Blue Star Trillium #1 THJA South East Zone Show #3 Ashland Farm - Here Comes the Sun Dewmont E.C. OVPSC Show Summerfest Trillium Westar Farms 'Horse Lovers Weekend' Bronze Show Stratford at the Park Phase I Blue Star Bronze H/J #2 Blue Star Trillium #2 Blue Star Bronze H/J #3

06-07-2013 14-07-2013 21-07-2013 21-07-2013 21-07-2013

Forever Green Stables Cedarlane Equestrian Centre Eastwood Travis Hall Equestrian Centre Northspring

28-07-2013 28-07-2013 Rivendell Farm

www.dressageniagara.com

28-07-2013 28-07-2013 Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association 03-08-2013 04-08-2013 Royal Canadian Riding Academy (RCRA)

www.windsoressexcadora.webs.com www.rcra.ca

04-08-2013 18-08-2013 18-08-2013 18-08-2013

www.glanbrook.com www.londondressage.com www.conestogacadora.ca www.bluestarfarm.com

04-08-2013 18-08-2013 18-08-2013 18-08-2013

Morning Star Equestrian Farm Eastwood Cornerstone Equestrian Center Blue Star Farm

25-08-2013 25-08-2013 Reschburl Equestrian Centre

www.glanbrook.com

25-08-2013 25-08-2013 Elite Equine Centre

www.dressageniagara.com

25-08-2013 31-08-2013 07-09-2013 08-09-2013 15-09-2013 22-09-2013

25-08-2013 31-08-2013 08-09-2013 08-09-2013 15-09-2013 22-09-2013

Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association Cedar Run Horse Park Royal Canadian Riding Academy (RCRA) Eastwood Northspring Blue Star Farm

www.windsoressexcadora.webs.com www.cedarrun.ca www.rcra.ca www.londondressage.com www.northspringontario.com www.bluestarfarm.com

29-09-2013 29-09-2013 26-10-2013 30-11-2013

29-09-2013 29-09-2013 27-10-2013 01-12-2013

Centre Line Equestrian Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association Royal Canadian Riding Academy (RCRA) Royal Canadian Riding Academy (RCRA)

www.glanbrook.com www.windsoressexcadora.webs.com www.rcra.ca www.rcra.ca

06-07-2013 18-08-2013 08-09-2013 05-10-2013

06-07-2013 18-08-2013 08-09-2013 05-10-2013

Glenarden Farms Terelisa Farm Nepean National Equestrian Park (NNEP) Glenarden Farms

www.glenardenfarms.com www.terelisafarm.com beth@peakperformance.ca www.glenardenfarms.com

05-07-2013 06-07-2013 06-07-2013 14-07-2013 19-07-2013

07-07-2013 07-07-2013 07-07-2013 14-07-2013 21-07-2013

Blue Star Farm Gladstone Farm Ashland Farm Dewmont Farms Pickering Horse Centre

www.bluestarfarm.com www.southeasttrillium.com www.horseworld.ca www.dewmontfarms.ca www.pickeringhorsecentre.ca

20-07-2013 27-07-2013 28-07-2013 02-08-2013 01-09-2013

21-07-2013 28-07-2013 28-07-2013 04-08-2013 01-09-2013

Westar Farms Nepean National Equestrian Park (NNEP) Blue Star Farm Blue Star Farm Blue Star Farm

www.westarfarms.ca www.stratfordfoxrun.com www.bluestarfarm.com www.bluestarfarm.com www.bluestarfarm.com

SILVER BREED

Ontario Morgan Horse Show Championship Classic

SILVER DRESSAGE

Rainbow Ridge Ranch Silver/Gold Caledon Dressage Silver Show #2 London Dressage Association #3

32 | WHOA! Summer 2013

20-07-2013 21-07-2013 Royal Canadian Riding Academy (RCRA)

ontariomorgan.on.ca

06-07-2013 07-07-2013 Rainbow Ridge Ranch 06-07-2013 07-07-2013 Orangeville Agricultural Centre 21-07-2013 21-07-2013 Eastwood

www.rainbowridgeranch.ca www.caledondressage.com www.londondressage.com

Mane Events

SILVER DRESSAGE - cont'd

Competition Name Dressage Niagara Bronze/Silver Competition #3 Glanbrook CADORA Bronze #3 & Silver "C" Dressage Show Blue Star Silver Dressage #2 QSLB Doornekamp Farm Silver/Gold Competition London Dressage Association #4 Caledon Dressage Silver Show #3 Dressage Niagara Bronze/Silver Competition #4 Dressage in the Park 2 London Dressage Association #5 Eastern Ontario Silver Dressage Championships 2013 Silver Dressage Championships Western Division

SILVER EVENTING

2013 Glenarden Farms Horse Trials 1 2013 Touch A Rainbow Horse Trials 2 2013 Ottawa Fall Horse Trials

SILVER HUNTER/JUMPER

Blue Star Trillium #1 Camberwell Trillium Woodridge Riding Centre #2 Jack Pine Trillium Show THJA South East Zone Show #3 London Hunt Trillium Ashland Farm - Here Comes the Sun Warwick Equestrian Trillium I Summerfest Trillium Rick Smith Memorial Trillium Show Greystone Farm Trillium #2 Westar Farms 'Horse Lovers Weekend' Trillium Show Parish Ridge Stables Trillium Show RailsideView Equestrian Centre #2 Stratford at the Park Phase I Blue Star Trillium #2 Knowlton Ridge Classic Trillium Warwick Equestrian Trillium II Trillium Championships

GOLD DRESSAGE

Rainbow Ridge Ranch Silver/Gold Cornerstone Summer Festival Spirit of Excellence Centaur Summer Gold Dressage Show Cornerstone Summer Classic QSLB Doornekamp Farm Silver/Gold Competition National Youth Championships Ontario Dressage Championships

GOLD ENDURANCE

Stormont Endurance Ride

GOLD EVENTING

Will O'Wind CIC 1* & 2* Equus 3D Horse Trials 1 Oakhurst Horse Trials 1 Grandview Horse Trials Glen Oro Horse Trials 2 Lane's End Horse Trials Woodwind Horse Trials 2 Dreamcrest Horse Trials & OHTA OI Championships OHTA Championships at Cedar Run Oakhurst Horse Trials 2 Grandview Fall Horse Trials Equus 3D Horse Trials 2 Stevens Creek Horse Trials Woodwind Horse Trials 3 Will O'Wind Horse Trials

Start Date End Date

Location

Contact Email or Website

28-07-2013 28-07-2013 Rivendell Farm

www.dressageniagara.com

04-08-2013 04-08-2013 Morning Star Equestrian Farm 17-08-2013 17-08-2013 Blue Star Farm

www.glanbrook.com www.bluestarfarm.com

17-08-2013 17-08-2013 Doornekamp Farm 18-08-2013 18-08-2013 Eastwood 24-08-2013 25-08-2013 Orangeville Agricultural Centre

www.qslb.ca www.londondressage.com www.caledondressage.com

25-08-2013 25-08-2013 Elite Equine Centre 31-08-2013 31-08-2013 Cedar Run Horse Park 08-09-2013 08-09-2013 Eastwood

www.dressageniagara.com www.cedarrun.ca www.londondressage.com

15-09-2013 15-09-2013 Rainbow Ridge Ranch

www.rainbowridgeranch.ca

21-09-2013 21-09-2013 Blue Star Farm

www.bluestarfarm.com

06-07-2013 06-07-2013 Glenarden Farms 18-08-2013 18-08-2013 Terelisa Farm 08-09-2013 08-09-2013 Nepean National Equestrian Park (NNEP)

www.glenardenfarms.com www.terelisafarm.com beth@peakperformance.ca

05-07-2013 05-07-2013 06-07-2013 06-07-2013 06-07-2013 06-07-2013 06-07-2013 13-07-2013 19-07-2013 19-07-2013 20-07-2013

07-07-2013 07-07-2013 07-07-2013 07-07-2013 07-07-2013 07-07-2013 07-07-2013 14-07-2013 21-07-2013 21-07-2013 21-07-2013

Blue Star Farm Camberwell Stables Woodridge Riding Centre Jack Pine Equestrian Centre Gladstone Farm London Hunt & Country Club Ashland Farm Warwick Equestrian Pickering Horse Centre Foothills Farm Greystone Farm

www.bluestarfarm.com www.camberwell.ca woodridgeriding@bellnet.ca www.jackpine-farm.com www.southeasttrillium.com www.swtrillium.com www.horseworld.ca www.warwickequestrian.com www.pickeringhorsecentre.ca www.foothillsfarm.on.ca www.thja-gbz.com

20-07-2013 26-07-2013 27-07-2013 27-07-2013 02-08-2013 10-08-2013 10-08-2013 04-09-2013

21-07-2013 28-07-2013 28-07-2013 28-07-2013 04-08-2013 11-08-2013 11-08-2013 08-09-2013

Westar Farms Parish Ridge Stables RailsideView Equestrian Centre Nepean National Equestrian Park (NNEP) Blue Star Farm Knowlton Ridge Warwick Equestrian Caledon Equestrian Park (Palgrave)

www.westarfarms.ca www.centralwestzone.com www.railsideviewequestrian.com www.stratfordfoxrun.com www.bluestarfarm.com www.knowltonridgeequestrian.com www.warwickequestrian.com www.trilliumhunterjumperassociation.ca

06-07-2013 12-07-2013 20-07-2013 04-08-2013 09-08-2013

07-07-2013 14-07-2013 21-07-2013 04-08-2013 11-08-2013

Rainbow Ridge Ranch Caledon Equestrian Park (Palgrave) Y Not Farms and Equestrian Center Centaur Riding School Caledon Equestrian Park (Palgrave)

www.rainbowridgeranch.ca www.cornerstonefarms.com www.ynotfarms.ca www.centaurridingschool.com www.cornerstonefarms.com

17-08-2013 17-08-2013 Doornekamp Farm 30-08-2013 01-09-2013 Saddlewood Equestrian Centre 30-08-2013 01-09-2013 Saddlewood Equestrian Centre

www.qslb.ca cedarlane_ec@yahoo.ca cedarlane_ec@yahoo.ca

30-08-2013 02-09-2013 SVAHA

www.seawayvalleyarab.com

13-07-2013 21-07-2013 28-07-2013 03-08-2013 10-08-2013 18-08-2013 31-08-2013

14-07-2013 21-07-2013 28-07-2013 04-08-2013 11-08-2013 18-08-2013 01-09-2013

Will O' Wind Equus 3D Oakhurst Farm Grandview Farms Glen Oro Lane's End Farm Woodwind Farm

www.willowindfarm.ca www.equus3dfarm.com www.oakhurstfarm.com www.grandviewfarm.com www.glenoro.com www.lanesendstables.com woodwindfarm@rocketmail.com

07-09-2013 14-09-2013 21-09-2013 21-09-2013 29-09-2013 29-09-2013 06-10-2013 12-10-2013

08-09-2013 15-09-2013 21-09-2013 22-09-2013 29-09-2013 29-09-2013 06-10-2013 12-10-2013

Dreamcrest Cedar Run Horse Park Oakhurst Farm Grandview Farms Equus 3D Stevens Creek Farm Woodwind Farm Will O' Wind

www.dreamcrest.com www.cedarrun.ca www.oakhurstfarm.com www.grandviewfarm.com www.equus3dfarm.com www.stevenscreekfarm.ca woodwindfarm@rocketmail.com www.willowindfarm.ca

www.horse.on.ca | 33

Canadian National Exhibition Association

horse show ADMiSSiON iS FrEE With the price of admission during the CNE (Aug 16-Sept 2)

July 28 – August 25, 2013 HOrSE PALACE & riCOH COLiSEuM EXHIBITION PLACE | TOrONTO, ONTArIO The CNEA Horse Show offers excellent ring & stabling facilities. Competitions held between July 29-August 8 are held in our indoor air-conditioned ring.

Catch the Competitions!

• Ontario Hackney Show (July 29) (Please contact the Ontario Hackney Association) • Light Horse Competition (July 30- 31) Entry Closing July 3 • Heavy Horse Competition (August 2-4) Entry Closing July 10 • Jumper Competition (August 6-8) Entry Closing July 17 • Miniature Horses (August 24) Entry Closing August 14 • Miniature 4 H Clubs & Youth Clubs (August 25) Entries must be postmarked by the dates specified. No facsimile entries accepted (exception is Jumpers with payment information)

For more information contact Barb Meyers at 416.263.3837 or BMeyers@TheEx.com

Theex.com

Don’t mis s the CNE’s HorseCa pade July 28 to s: August 1 5!

The Canadian National Exhibition with attractions, rides and games is open August 16 to September 2, 2013. The CNE Casino is open July 28 to September 2, 2013. All programming is subject to change.

34 | WHOA! Summer 2013

Mane Events

2013 COMPETITIONS - cont'd GOLD HUNTER/JUMPER

Cedar Run Classic Orangeville Show Jumping Tournament Phase I Cedar Run Tournament Cedar Run Summer Festival Equestrian Festival Summer Festival CSI2* 2013 CNE Jumper Competition

Orangeville Classic Ottawa International Launch @ Angelstone Orangeville International Angelstone National Phase I Angelstone National Phase II Autumn Classic Canadian Show Jumping Tournament Angelstone International Show Jumping Tournament RCRA Fall Classic

PLATINUM EVENTING

2013 Will O'Wind CIC 1* & 2*

PLATINUM HUNTER/JUMPER Summer Festival CSI2* Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

03-07-2013 07-07-2013 Cedar Run Horse Park

www.cedarrun.ca

10-07-2013 10-07-2013 17-07-2013 23-07-2013 30-07-2013 06-08-2013 07-08-2013

14-07-2013 14-07-2013 21-07-2013 28-07-2013 04-08-2013 08-08-2013 11-08-2013

Orangeville Agricultural Centre Cedar Run Horse Park Cedar Run Horse Park Caledon Equestrian Park (Palgrave) Caledon Equestrian Park (Palgrave) CNE, Exhibition Place Orangeville Agricultural Centre

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Mane Events

ONTARIO EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given to the membership of the Ontario Equestrian Federation that the 2013 Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday, Sept. 23 commencing at 7 p.m. at the Caledon Estates Banquet Hall near Palgrave.

The meeting agenda is as follows: 1. Opening Remarks 2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (Nov. 24, 2012) 3. Business Arising from the Minutes 4. President’s Address 5. Treasurer’s Report (a) Appointment of Auditor for 2014-2015

6. Executive Director’s Report 7. Elections 8. Council and Committee Reports 9. Other Business 10. Announcement of Election Results 11. Adjournment

All Adult Members are encourage to attend and exercise their vote.

2013 NOMINATION FORM - OEF INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR The Committee on Nominations of the Ontario Equestrian Federation is seeking nominations for Individual Directors to the Board of Directors

We, ______________________________________________ Name and OEF # of Nominator 1 ____________________________________________ Name and OEF # of Nominator 2

______________________________________________ Signature of Nominator 1 ______________________________________________ Signature of Nominator 2

hereby declare we are members in good standing of the OEF and wish to nominate ____________________________________________ (full name)

______________________________________________ (OEF #)

for election of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Equestrian Federation.

I hereby declare I am a member in good standing of the OEF and I accept this nomination to the Board of Directors of the Ontario Equestrian Federation. I enclose a copy of my bio and headshot for display on the website, in the OEF newsletter, WHOA!, and for distribution to the members attending.

• Current role of a member of the OEF Board of Directors • Director’s Code of Responsibility (Article XIX, OEF Bylaw, 2009) • Conflict of Interest Policy (Article XX, OEF Bylaw, 2009) ____________________________________________ Signature of Nominee

______________________________________________ Date

Please include a high resolution head shot in jpg format and a brief bio (max 250 words). This information will be used for the election.

mail/fax to: ONTARIO EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION - 1 West Pearce St, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K3 phone: 905-709-6545 ext. 23 fax: 905-709-1867 email: c.barker@horse.on.ca

36 | WHOA! Summer 2013

THE OEF And Randy Roy Are Excited To Present An Exclusive Offer For OEF Members Only!

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To purchase a copy please contact the Ontario Equestrian Federation 1 West Peace Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K3 p: 905-709-6545 or 1-877-441-7112 ext. 30 e: b.hall@horse.on.ca

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www.horse.on.ca | 37

OEF AWARDS

2013

DOES SOMEONE YOU KNOW DESERVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION? Ontario Equestrian Federation Annual Awards Nominations are being sought for each of these prestigious awards.

Yvonne Collard Award …

Awarded to an adult member of the OEF who has made an outstanding contribution of time and effort to Ontario equestrian sport, recreation, industry and/or equine welfare. In memory of Yvonne Collard who devoted a great deal of energy as an OEF director and Equine Canada official to further the sport.

Cassie Bonnar Award …

Presented to a junior member of the OEF who has made an outstanding contribution of time and effort to Ontario equestrian sport, recreation, industry and/or equine welfare. In memory of Cassie Bonnar who, despite fighting a courageous battle, succumbed to cancer at a young age. She exemplified the qualities of a great young humanitarian by always being willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

OEF Sponsor of the Year Award …

Presented to an individual or corporation making a very special sponsorship gift to support equestrian activity. The gift may be cash, product or service of any kind. To be considered, the gift must make possible some form of equestrian activity which otherwise might not take place.

Sandra Sillcox Award …

Awarded to an Equine Canada official who is deemed to have enhanced or improved competition activity through their judgment, tact and effectiveness.

38 | WHOA! Summer 2013

OEF Media of the Year Award …

Awarded to the media outlet or writer/photographer that provides the best piece (print or electronic) about an equestrian activity in the period from Sept. 1 of the previous year to Aug. 31 of the current year.

OEF Coach of the Year Award …

Awarded to an Equine Canada certified active coach whose dedication and skill has touched both human and equine athletes; who demonstrates appreciation for a positive influence toward the discipline’s participants, shares knowledge and insight about the discipline with his/her students; believes in and practices ethical conduct in the barn, the arena and at a competition; has enthusiasm and dedication for the discipline; demonstrates coaching ability through the success of his/her students in the discipline; and promotes all equine matters in which he/she believes.

OEF/”Just Add Horses” Environmental Award …

Awarded to an OEF Horse Facilities Council member who demonstrates and promotes environmentally friendly practices towards conserving the environment at their facility. The “Just Add Horses” line of products was created by Alex Milne and Associates and was developed specifically by equine professionals and enthusiasts to improve the health and environment of horses, riders, trainers and staff.

OEF AWARDS

2013

NOMINATION FORM Award Being Nominated For: ______________________________________________________________ Nominee’s Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________

Postal Code: ____________________________

Telephone: _____________________________

Email: __________________________________

Nominated By: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________

Postal Code: ____________________________

Telephone: _____________________________

Email: __________________________________

Please outline the nominee’s accomplishments and involvement in the sport that would identify the candidate as a worthy recipient of this award. (please add additional pages if necessary) ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Mail/Email completed form by Friday, September 6, 2013.

ONTARIO EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION 1 West Pearce St, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K3 • phone 905-709-6545 • fax 905-709-1867 tollfree 1-877-441-7112 • email b.hall@horse.on.ca • website www.horse.on.ca

www.horse.on.ca | 39

Mane Events

Coaches Announced For 2013 CIEC Competition The Ontario Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce it has selected three coaches who will guide the province’s riders in the disciplines of Jumping, Reining and Dressage at the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships, which will be held Sept. 13-15 in Alberta.

Guiding the Jumping team will be Danny Foster of Milton, ON., a Level 3 Hunter/Jumper coach with 40 years coaching experience.

Foster was also selected as the chef d’equipe for Ontario at this year’s Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships (CIEC).

He brings with him a wealth of experience gleaned from serving as the chef d’equipe of the Canadian International Show Jumping Team from 2000-2004.

Returning as the coach of the Dressage team is Simone Williams, a Level 3 Dressage coach from Navan, ON., who has over 20 years experience coaching up to the Grand Prix level.

Brenda Robson was selected as the Reining coach and brings to the team over a decade of coaching experience as a Level 1 Western coach.

“We would like to thank everyone who submitted an application to coach at this year’s event. We had some very talented people

Ontario's Chef d'Equipe and Jumping coach will be Danny Foster of Milton, ON.

40 | WHOA! Summer 2013

apply,” says Grant Field, president of the OEF. “We are very excited to be working with the selected coaches and look forward to watching them shape the up-and-coming riders who will be representing the province at this prestigious show.”

Recognized as a pilot project, the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships is a collaborative event between the national and provincial sport organizations governing equestrian competition. A multi-discipline competition represented

by Jumping, Dressage and Reining, it is a key event in the development of the next generation of national, international and world champions.

Athlete declaration forms for the 2013 event are now being accepted for each of the discipline teams, which will have a maximum of two junior and two senior riders. Athlete declaration forms and qualifying class results must be submitted to the OEF

by July 29. Visit www.horse.on.ca for more information about the CIEC or to download athlete declaration forms.

Team Ontario is generously supported by product sponsors. A special thanks to Bucas, EquineLUX, SSG Gloves and Tipperary Equestrian.

Simone Williams on Navan, ON. will be leading Ontario's Dressage team for the second time.

Ontario's Reining team will be led by Brenda Robson of Lowbanks, ON.

Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships

September 13-15, 2013 ~ Calgary & Okotoks, Alberta

ATHLETE DECLARATION FORM QUALIFIER INFORMATION DRESSAGE: • Must be a CADORA-Ontario member in good standing • Minimum 58% score • Scores are to be submitted from 3 different tests, from 3 different judges at 3 different 2013 competitions; all scores must be from the same level of competition (all bronze, or silver or gold) • EC First Level Test 2 and 3 • Riders must not have competed above Second Level in 2013 JUMPER: • Competed in 1.10 meters • Results from shows in 2013 will be converted to points to help choose team members • Results from 5 EC Bronze, Silver or Gold Competitions • Results must include number of competitors in class, faults incurred and placing • Riders must not have competed above 1.20 meters in 2013 REINING: • Three (3) scores from 2013 to count with at least one score of 68 • Scores must come from 3 ORHA or EC approved competitions • Senior Riders whose names appear on the NRHA 2013 ineligibility lists as a Limited Non-Pro or Rookie Pro are not eligible to compete

TEAM ONTARIO NOMINATION:

(One form per horse/rider combination to a maximum of three horses) Rider Name: _______________________________ Phone: _________________________ E-mail address: _____________________________________________________________ Rider’s OEF #: _______________________ Rider’s Birth Date: _____________________ Horse’s Name: _____________________________________________________________ Horse Owner: ______________________________ Owner’s OEF#: _________________ Coach Name: ______________________________________________________________ Junior Riders - Name of Chaperone: __________________________________________ Discipline: (please circle one)

Dressage

Jumping

Reining

GENERAL INFORMATION - Declaration/Team RESTRICTIONS • Stallions may be shown by Senior riders only. Exception - Junior "A" riders may ride manageable stallions in jumper classes only.

• Junior riders are considered athletes born in 1995 or later • Rider may not compete at the CIEC if they have competed at the NAJYRC in 2013 DECLARATION INFORMATION • Riders may acquire points on more than one declared horse, but each will be considered separately • Rider must submit qualifying class results to OEF by July 29, 2013 TEAM INFORMATION Team Ontario - 2 Junior & 2 Senior riders in each discipline (dressage, jumping and reining) • Junior riders are considered athletes born in 1995 or later • Riders may hold only one position on the team • Team members must be OEF members and hold a minimum of an EC Bronze Sport License

DECLARATION FORM & CLASS RESULTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE OEF BY JULY 29TH **OFFICIAL CLASS RESULTS FROM COMPETITIONS MUST BE INCLUDED!** I do hereby declare that my horse and I are eligible to participate in the 2013 Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships and do wish to have our points tabulated for Team Ontario Selection for the discipline of ____________________________________________.

I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for {travel, accommodation and other associated expenses} as a Team Ontario member participating in the 2013 Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships. I further acknowledge that the OEF may subsidize my expenses in the form of: entry fees, stabling fees, team event tickets and in any other way the OEF is financially able.

Athlete's Name: ___________________________________ Print Athlete’s Name

Signature: _____________________________________ Date:________________ (Parent/Guardian signature - if athlete is under the age of 18)

Ontario Equestrian Federation, 1 West Pearce St, Suite 2013, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K3 p: 905-709-6545 or 1-877-441-7112 ext. 15 f: 1-877-547-9531 e: a.homan@horse.on.ca w: www.horse.on.ca

www.horse.on.ca | 41

Mane Events

Saddle Up For A Charity Challenge Are you and your four-legged partner up for a challenge that’s fun, scenic and benefits a good cause? If so, then mark your calendars for the Hoofbeat Challenge & Fun Day taking place on Sept. 28 in Puslinch, ON. Hosted by Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre, the annual event features a Hunter Pace for riders, kicked off by the OPP’s mounted unit, which leads the charge. Each person must raise a minimum of $50 in pledges – tax receipts are provided – to participate. All entrants receive a t-shirt, lunch and tickets for door prizes. Prizes and ribbons will be awarded at the completion of the ride. There is also a walk/pet walk that sets out before the ride for those who opt to go on foot, either with or without their canine friends.

“The trails are beautifully groomed, they are very interesting and they are very safe,” Sunrise president Donna Christie says of the trail system, which is approximately 10 kilometres long. “It’s everything from open fields to gentle rolling hills and also some wooded areas, so it’s quite varied.”

The Fun Day portion of the event begins at 10:30 a.m. and includes horse drawn wagon rides, silent auction, face painting, children’s games and entertainment, door prizes, demonstrations and much more! There is also food on site, including home baking and Starbucks coffee. The day wraps up at 3 p.m. and runs rain or shine.

All proceeds from this event go towards the therapeutic riding program at Sunrise, which assists over 100 children and adults with special needs on a weekly basis. This year’s fundraising goal is $30,000.

“We get no regular ongoing government funding and we are very dependent on our own fundraising efforts and our donors and supporters,” explains Christie. “That’s what keeps us going.

Fundraising is a huge part of what we do in order to keep the programs running and the doors open.”

To pre-register, call Sunrise at 519-837-0558. Event day registration is also accepted. Walkers/Pet walkers register at 9 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. Registration for the Hunter Pace begins at 10 a.m. with the ride starting at 11 a.m.

“If you are a horse owner or you ride, you know what your horse does for you,” says Christie. “You know what you get from that animal and what you get out of the time you spend with your horse – the time you spend just hanging out with him or riding him. If you can think about what your horse does for you and what you get from him, multiple it times 100 and that’s what our special needs kids and adults get from the therapy horses.”

A small group of the riders heads out on the trail for the Hunter Pace at last year’s Hoofbeat Challenge.

42 | WHOA! Summer 2013

Coaches Corner

Setting Realistic Expectations With Riders

By Gillian Ross Erasmi, Education Coordinator

Photo credit: Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography

The OEF recently created and launched A Guide for New Riders. This wonderful resource was released at the 2012 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with a great response from the general public and equestrian community.

The guide is an introduction for people who are new to riding or are thinking about taking riding lessons. The guide covers a variety of topics, including what a rider can reasonably expect to accomplish in the first year or so of taking riding lessons.

Recently I was asked, “What about the rider who takes regular lessons for three to five years? What should they expect to accomplish?” While this is a good question, it is not an easy one to answer as there are so many different variables.

Factors that impact riding progress include cognitive ability, mental focus, the drive to improve, consistency, frequency, personality, interest, sense of purpose, support from family and friends, the training level of horses, natural ability and aptitude of both horse and rider.

Many riders strive for perfection when they are riding, which can be harmful to morale as perfection is not a realistic goal. There are moments when things feel just right, but we may ride for months or years to find that feeling again. While I don’t wish to get into a philosophical discussion on this subject, it should be noted that helping riders to understand the difference between those moments that feel “just right” and being “perfect” is an important, but not always easy, task for an instructor/coach.

Trying too hard can have similar results to not trying hard enough, especially with horses. With that in mind, it is important that instructors/coaches and their students communicate with each other to discuss goals and personal factors that may impact progress in order to set reasonable expectations.

So what can you reasonably expect from year three to five of taking riding lessons?

ENGLISH You can expect to gain more ease of communication with the horse, more control over your body, independence of leg, seat and hand and a greater ability to follow the horse’s movement and stay with it most of the time over poles and low obstacles.

If you are jumping a course you will progress from two to four and then six to eight or more obstacles. The height of the obstacles will progress from eight or 10 inches to two to three feet.

Meanwhile, your flatwork will develop finesse and movements will become easier. You will start to develop a greater understanding of how the rider affects the movement of their horse.

If you are working through the levels of the English Learn to Ride program, an Equine Canada rider development program designed to produce safe and knowledgeable horse people and to assist in the development of future instructors and coaches, you could expect to be working on Rider Level 3 to Rider Level 5, depending on the factors mentioned earlier.

While many coaches will agree that, regardless of discipline, an important part of developing a rider involves learning to ride a horse over obstacles up to about two feet in height, some riders will not want to or be able to develop those skills due to fear or physical limitations. It should be noted that many studies discourage specialization in any one sport or discipline before the age of 10 or 12 years.

WESTERN Western riders on a well-schooled horse will develop similar to an English rider over the same time period. They can expect to www.horse.on.ca | 43

Coaches Corner

develop greater independence of seat, leg and hand, more body control and subtle communication with the horse. You will also develop confidence at speed. For example, at the lope, large fast circles, barrels and poles. Your confidence should also increase when working outside of an enclosed ring, on the trail or when navigating obstacles for competitive trail, such as the bridge, back through and the gate.

If working through the Western Learn to Ride program you could expect to be working on Rider Level 3 or Rider Level 4 in three to five years of riding, depending on the factors mentioned earlier.

SADDLE SEAT Saddle Seat riders experience a similar progression of skills within the same time frame. They can expect to be refining the skills developed in the first year or so and building on the quiet communication with the horse. Saddle Seat equitation is very show focused and in three to five years of steady riding, riders will have developed finesse. Young riders may be entering their first shows in the walk-trot division while mature riders could be showing in entry level classes designed for novices.

DRIVERS For Drivers, progression is different as you will not be going over obstacles. After the first year of building your basic skills and safety, such as being able to put the horse to the vehicle and backing the horse from the carriage, you will continue to gain confidence in your communication skills with the horse from the ground and vehicle. If you are interested in more than pleasure driving, you could develop confidence and control at speed

44 | WHOA! Summer 2013

through obstacles in an arena or on the trail.

The bottom line is that there is not a clear, concise answer to the question about rider/driver progression as there are many factors that will affect the skills you develop in any given time period. The younger equestrian will take longer than a mature rider. A student needs to have developed an attention span and have the mental and emotional maturity to move from the fundamentals of riding through the phases of long-term equestrian development.

To learn more about the long-term development of equestrian athletes refer to the following web links: http://horse.on.ca/coaches/long-term-athlete-development/ http://equinecanada.ca http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca/ http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca/find-quality-sport-programs/ equine Thank you to Barbara Newlands, Andrea Veldhuyzen, Mary Ruth Moore and Kerstin Brunner for their valuable input.

The list of upcoming clinics, workshops and evaluations organized by the education department at the OEF is always changing. We encourage you to check regularly at http://horse.on.ca/events/ category/clinicsspecial-events/ If you use the Category Search option you can bring up only those events that have been organized by the OEF Education Department 천

Coaches Corner

The Quest for Gold Program was established to provide additional support to athletes from Ontario and to increase the performance and number of Ontario athletes competing at the highest national and international levels, thereby contributing to the improved performance of Canada at international competitions.

SABLE GIESLER

Muhammad Itani of Caledon, ON. started off the 2013 show season by entering into national level competitions with one of his horses who has been off the show scene for a couple of years.

A milestone with this horse was a fifth place finish in a Classic at the Angelstone CSI** show after just three classes back in competition. Itani has been progressing well with his preparation of Tax Free, his High Junior/Amateur horse, for national level competition beginning at the Caledon Equestrian Park’s Classic at Palgrave – Phase 2. His upcoming objectives for this horse are to work his way up the rankings in the High Junior/Amateur and Canadian Talent Squad Divisions and to work towards stepping up to the Grand Prix and Young Rider levels of competition for the future.

Sable Giesler of Powassan ON. and her horse, Evil Munchkin, had a great start to the 2013 season, placing second and third at their first two shows at the Intermediate level at Rocking Horse in Altoona, FL. In addition, they also attended the Canadian National Eventing Team training sessions with Clayton Fredericks. Evil Munchkin has a minor injury and will be off for three months.

In the meantime, Giesler is excited to introduce her new horse, Rebel Munchkin, aka Jaxx. He is a seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding who was just imported from England in April. She is looking forward to starting the summer season with Jaxx in Ontario.

Photo Credit: Nathalie Lawson

MUHAMMED ITANI

JACQUELINE STEFFENS

At the beginning of January, Erin MacDonald of Barrie, ON. packed up her horses and headed to Ocala, FL. for the winter. There they had a very successful winter season and made progress both on the flat and over fences. Java and Tobiaz placed third and seventh, respectively, in the Intermediate Rider division at Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials. Java completed the Ocala Horse Properties CCI** before returning to Ontario in April. MacDonald has also picked up a new event prospect, a three-year-old Thoroughbred gelding that will hopefully start his Eventing career next year as a four-year-old.

Photo Credit: Cealey Tetley

Photo Credit: Palmer Photo

ERIN MACDONALD

The show season started off well for Jacqueline Steffens of Harriston, ON., with a number of wins aboard both her top level horses and the young horses she is bringing along. With her main horse, Quercus, one of her goals this year is to once again compete at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. To be eligible for Young Riders, she needs to demonstrate her competency at 1.50m, which means she must establish herself at the Grand Prix level. At the spring Angelstone Tournament, Steffens and Quercus stepped up to compete in their first FEI Grand Prix. Steffens reports it went quite well and she plans on doing a number of other FEI Grand Prix events this year. Additionally, the Quest for Gold grant has allowed her to begin taking Dressage lessons, which has translated into better riding skills on the flat and better riding in the show ring. www.horse.on.ca | 45

Ask Dr. Bob well as from separation anxiety (from other horses or companions) and boredom. Boredom is defined as a “state of weariness and wandering attention caused by a lack of environmental complexity.

It is often cited as the reason for oral behaviour in animals" (2).

But why do we consider it to be abnormal behaviour? Other mammals such as moose and deer switch their diet in the fall and browse trees, shrubs and shoots, even when ample supplies of grass and forage are still available. Horses will often browse trees, shrubs, shoots when there is ample forage (hay, fresh grass). This is a natural behaviour whether we like it or not.

My belief is wood chewing is not a stereotypic behaviour but is a natural innate activity, the frequency of which is increased based on management styles, lack of environmental stimulation or stressors within the individual horse’s world. I don’t think we have the right answer or the perfect solution but various researchers have investigated the problem from different angles and have made some observations and conclusions that will help readers adjust management on their farms. Unfortunately, many researchers combined the study of stereotypic behaviours and wood chewing in their observations so it is hard to separate the conclusions. However, they are summarized below in the associated factors.

This pressure treated wooden fence post was chewed by a horse, not a beaver.

Dr. Bob, Why do horses chew wood and how do we stop it?

This is an age-old question. Whatever the cause of wood chewing, it is highly destructive to stalls and fences. Wood chewing needs to be differentiated from the stereotypic behaviour cribbing (cribbiting) which can cause health issue to horses as well as damage to their surroundings.

Horse owners and researchers theorize that wood chewing is; • Behavioural, related to boredom, anxiety or stress related • An indicator that horses are lacking nutrients such as fibre, minerals or the horses are just plain hungry • A learned behaviour from watching other horses “Stereotypic behaviours or stereotypies are invariant and repetitive behaviour patterns that seemingly have no function, which tend to develop in captive animals faced with unsolvable problems and may be indicative of reduced welfare" (1). Stereotypic behaviours include cribbing, stall (box) walking, fence walking, and weaving.

Some authors include wood chewing in the list of stereotypies, but should it be? It is definitely a stable vice because of its destructiveness, but is it unnatural? I think not.

As simple as the question may seem, the reasons of why horses chew wood are not simple. Many factors increase the frequency of wood chewing and include; access to desirable wood and wood products, availability of feed, type of feed, digestibility of feed as 46 | WHOA! Summer 2013

STRESS RELATED • Foals that were weaned with companion unrelated adults to reduce weaning stress exhibited less abnormal behaviours such as wood chewing than other weaning groups (3).

• “Wood-chewing developed at a lower rate in horses born to subordinate or mid-ranking mares than in horses born to dominant mares.” Furthermore, “Foals of low or middleranking mares were less likely to develop abnormal behaviour than foals of dominant mares" (1).

• Weaning by confinement in a stable or barn was associated with an increased rate of development of abnormal behaviour compared with paddock-weaning (1).

FEED RELATED • “Feeding concentrates after weaning was associated with a four-fold increase in the rate of development of crib-biting" (1).

• Feed restriction, resulting in hunger, is associated with high levels of oral activity. Wood chewing began to increase several hours after the afternoon feeding (2).

• “Horses fed concentrate diets spent significantly more time chewing wood. The amount of time chewing wood was significantly correlated to cecal proprionate." Proprionate is derived from microbial fermentation in the cecum and is a major source of glucose in the body (author's comment). Concentrate diets led to higher cecal proprionate and lower pH (more acidic) than those fed hay diet (4).

MANAGEMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT • “Wood-chewing developed at . . . a higher rate in horses kept in barns or stables rather than at grass after weaning" (1).

• “The time a horse spends out of the stable is related to the discipline for which it is being trained and in dressage and eventing horses the time spent in a stable is correlated with an increased risk of abnormal behaviour" (5).

• “Wood chewing in stabled horses is primarily a nocturnal activity and occurs greatest between 2200 and 1200 (10-12 p.m.) . . . Virtually all a stabled horse’s sleep is at night, but this occupies only about three hours, leaving > 50% of the night in the alert state" (2).

• “The nocturnal pattern, as well as the reduction in wood chewing by exercised horses, supports the boredom theory for this undesirable oral behaviour. An alternative hypothesis, also supported by the nocturnal pattern, is that hunger may be involved" (2).

Ask Dr. Bob • “Horses on pasture spend over half their time grazing . . . but when a concentrate diet was fed compared with a hay diet, eating time reduced from 40% to only 3.4% of the day and a concomitant increase in wood chewing . . . The additional free time resulting from the reduction in eating time when concentrate diets are fed could lead to boredom (2).”

• “Exercise did reduce oral contact and may have done so by providing a period of environmental enrichment (2).”

• “In thoroughbred race horses, management factors related to the time spent in the stable showed the strongest associations with stereotypic behaviour. The risk of horses performing abnormal behaviour increased: a. as the amount of forage fell below 6.8 kg/day, b. when bedding types other than straw were used, c. when the total number of horses on the yard was fewer than 75, d. in association with box designs that minimized contact between neighbouring horses, e. when hay, rather than other types of forage, was used. (6)

In this case there is very little to keep the horses occupied. The trees are browsed as high as the horses can reach.

Cribbing or crib-biting is a completely different entity from wood chewing. It is a stereotypic behaviour (stereotypy), or redirected behaviour. Stereotypies are invariant, meaning they are expressed in the same manner. They are repetitive and to us, as observers, they have no function. They include cribbing, stall (box) walking, fence walking, and weaving. Cribbing is very different from wood chewing and consists of horses latching onto a horizontal surface with their teeth and sucking in air. It often results in damaged incisors, as well as digestive upsets.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT Researchers seem to agree that management is a very important part of the equation. It starts early in life. We as horse owners can impact the development of this behaviour by the way we wean foals, how and when we feed, the amount of concentrate (grain) we feed, the bedding we use and the amount of pasture time a horse has. The personality of the individual horse is also a factor since less dominant individuals are less affected. This potentially allows us to identify those at risk and tailor our management towards preventing these behaviours in the more dominant individuals. Environmental stimulation is one of the ways we can decrease the expression of this vice.

But so often we are stuck with a situation where wood surfaces are being damaged. What can we do? Treatments fall into three categories; aversion products, protective products and providing alternatives.

Aversion products are applied to all wood surfaces in the stall and pasture, including fence posts and boards. They are or were tarbased or copper-based compounds or taste repellents. Creosote was the age-old standby. Both creosote and copper can cause liver toxicity in horses and both products have been removed from sale because of environmental concerns. Regardless of what you use, ensure you refer to the Manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet for warnings on toxicity before using. An insulated wire attached to an electric fencing device can also be used on horizontal surfaces as a non-chemical aversion method.

Protective products involve covering all chewable surfaces with metal strips. Some horses will still grab onto these surfaces so you have to ensure that they are well secured and don’t become a dangerous object. One of the simplest alternatives is providing alternate wood for the horses to play with. Apple wood is preferred, but horses will play with and chew fence rails. My two horses, Sky and Togo, would walk to a pile of fence rails, pick one up and wrestle with it between them. Was it entertainment or relief of boredom or just something they wanted to do? Ensure the type of trees that horses can access and the wood they are

This horse's incisor teeth are worn, exposing pulp cavities from excessive chewing or cribbing.

given are safe. Refer to the fact sheets section of my website www.horsenewsandviews.com for trees that are safe in pastures.

Is there a perfect solution? No. I am sure that our grandchildren will still be asking the same question. õ REFERENCES 1.

Waters AJ, Nicol CJ, French NP. Factors influencing the development of stereotypic and redirected behaviours in young horses: findings of a four year prospective epidemiological study. Equine Vet J. 2002 Sep; 34(6):572-9.

2. Krzak WE, Gonyou HW, Lawrence LM. Wood chewing by stabled horses: diurnal pattern and effects of exercise. J Anim Sci. 1991 Mar;69(3):1053-8.

3. Willard JG, Willard JC, Wolfram SA, Naker JP. Effect of Diet on Cecal Ph and Feeding Behavior of Horses. J ANIM SCI 1977, 45:87-93.

4. Henry S, Zanella AJ, Sankey C, Richard-Yris MA, Marko A, Hausberger M. Adults may be used to alleviate weaning stress in domestic foals (Equus caballus). Physiol Behav. 2012 Jun 25; 106(4):428-38.

5.

McGreevy PD, French NP, Nicol CJ. The prevalence of abnormal behaviours in dressage, eventing and endurance horses in relation to stabling. Vet Rec. 1995 Jul 8; 137(2):36-7.

6.

McGreevy PD, Cripps PJ, French NP, Green LE, Nicol CJ. Management factors associated with stereotypic and redirected behaviour in the thoroughbred horse. Equine Vet J. 1995 Mar; 27(2):86-91.

Dr. Bob Wright has authored more than 150 fact sheets, information sheets and scientific publications. He also created the monthly Horse News and Views column where more than 450 “snippets” provided advice to horse owners. The topics of these writings were based on the many investigations he has been involved in. Much of this information can be read on www.horsenewsandviews.com www.horse.on.ca | 47

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Ask BFL

Photo Credit: Cassidy Lorenowicz

OPTIONAL TACK INSURANCE Most tack claims are caused by loss or theft – and are almost completely preventable! Try to take steps to protect your horse equipment by keeping it out of plain sight in a locked tack room or storage locker. If a theft does occur, call the police first. A policy report will be necessary to process a theft claim. For all tack claims, contact BFL as soon as possible following the loss with a complete inventory of the lost or damaged equipment, and details as to what happened.

Madison Tindall and Levi at an Old Orchard schooling show.

What do I do when a claim happens?

An insurance policy is a contract – a promise to pay in the event of a loss. The ultimate test of a policy takes place when an unfortunate event occurs.

We all know an OEF membership includes personal liability insurance as well as accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Some members also purchase “optional” coverages.

But what do you do if you need to put these insurance coverages to work? Here are some tips to help you understand the claims process and make a potentially traumatic event easier to handle.

PERSONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE Liability insurance is third party coverage, which means a claim is triggered when a third party brings an action against you, the member. If an incident involving your horse results in bodily injury or property damage to someone else, you should report it to BFL right away while the details are fresh in your mind, regardless of whether you think the incident was your fault. By reporting an incident early, we may be able to prevent a small situation from becoming a big one, which will save you a lot of headaches!

ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE AD&D insurance is pretty simple. If you, the member, are injured in a horse-related incident, you may be eligible for a lumpsum benefit and compensation for some of your out-of-pocket expenses. Be sure to keep all receipts and contact BFL as soon as possible so we can help determine what compensation is available to you.

OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE If you purchased Out-of-Province Travel Health insurance, you will have received an information card to carry with you. DO IT! This card has all the information you need if you suffer a health issue while travelling outside Ontario and require medical attention.

Please report your claim before seeking medical attention whenever possible, as this will ensure prompt handling of your claim and you won’t be asked to pay any money up front to your doctor, medical clinic or hospital.

OPTIONAL HORSE INSURANCE If the unthinkable happens, and your horse dies as a result of an accident or illness, it can be traumatic beyond belief. BFL is here to help, with a 24-hour emergency pager specific to horse claims, answered by a life-long horseperson to help you through this very difficult time. The OEF optional horse insurance is a basic policy covering death or humane destruction due to fire, lightning, collision or overturning of a transportation conveyance, and other perils as specified in your policy. In the event of such an accident, please contact our office immediately, especially if your vet is recommending your horse be euthanized for humane reasons. Do not dispose of the remains until you have received the go-ahead from the insurer, just in case an autopsy is required.

OPTIONAL LIFE SAVING SURGERY ENDORSEMENT A new addition to the optional OEF member coverages for 2013 is the Emergency Life Saving Surgery endorsement. As with the horse insurance above, you must contact BFL as soon as possible to report your claim, preferably before surgery takes place so we can confirm coverage for the procedure.

If you have doubts about the value of this coverage, here is what one OEF member has to say: “During a very difficult time for our family, my OEF life saving surgery insurance allowed me to administer the best medical care for my horse, that otherwise may not have been possible,” says April Tindall. “Without the insurance, I would have had to choose between financial hardship and Levi’s well-being. I am so thankful to the OEF for offering these insurance options to its members.”

A claim is never a fun time, but you can ease your stress by remembering three simple things: 1. Report an incident or claim as promptly as possible, which will allow BFL to help guide you through the process and confirm the coverage available to you.

2. Keep BFL contact information handy – post it in the tack room or on the fridge – so you can report a claim promptly.

Our toll free number is 1-800-668-5901 (any claim) or e-mail (non-emergency claims) OEF@BFLCanada.ca.

3. Understand your coverage before a claim occurs. Never hesitate to contact BFL to review your coverage or ask questions about what is covered. We are here to help!

If you have a potential claim under any of your coverages, please contact BFL immediately at OEF@BFLCANADA.ca or 1-800-6685901.

Our goal is to answer any insurance or risk management questions you may have, so please do not hesitate to send your questions to OEF@BFLCANADA.ca. If your question is chosen for publication in Ask BFL, we will send you a BFL bootjack!

Sara Runnalls is Vice President and Associate at BFL CANADA Risk and Insurance Services Inc. in Toronto, the official insurance provider to the OEF and its members. www.horse.on.ca | 49

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Nutrition

Is Your Horse Drinking Enough?

By Josée Lalonde, B. Sc., Equine Marketing and Product Manager, Purina Canada You can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink! In other words, even if your horse has full access to water, it doesn’t mean that it will drink sufficiently.

Above all, it is essential that a source of fresh clean water be available at all times. If you don’t feel like drinking the water you are serving, don’t expect your horse to drink it either! The quality of the water is crucial, as horses are particularly sensitive to the odour and taste of water. If you have any doubt about bacterial contamination, the presence of pollutants, or the mineral content of the water you serve your horse – each one of these factors affects water quality – don’t hesitate to have the water analyzed.

To encourage a horse to drink, nothing is better than a source of salt (100% sodium chloride). Providing a white salt block, or adding 30 to 60 grams of loose salt to your horse’s ration (more if necessary) remains an excellent strategy. Avoid table salt, as it contains iodine.

In addition to encouraging water consumption, salt is a good way to compensate for losses in chloride and sodium, two electrolytes lost in sweat. Commercial electrolyte supplements can also be used, particularly during periods of competition or intense training. In addition to chloride and sodium, commercial electrolytes usually provide potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Beware of supplements containing a high percentage of glucose.

After all, electrolytes should contain salt, not sugar.

Another measure to keep in mind is to provide warm water served at a temperature of around 15 C to 18 C. Studies have shown that a horse will drink larger quantities of warm, and even hot water, than cold water, provided it is only given access to the warmer water (McDonnell et al, 1994).

consumption should be closely monitored, and every effort made to maximize it. These periods include: • A broodmare’s lactation months, in particular the first three.

Soaking the feed and adding salt to the ration are good strategies to encourage water consumption.

• Transferring the horse from a pasture diet that is high in water to dry hay that is low in water. The transition from pasture to dry hay must be gradual, and an additional supply of salt should be considered.

• During the winter months, when water freezes or is very cold, substantially reducing a horse’s water consumption.

Beginning in the fall and throughout the winter, a heated water trough should be in place for horses that live outdoors or spend more than three hours a day outdoors. And please, forget about snow! It can’t fill a horse’s minimum needs under any circumstances.

• During hot summer months, when water loss from sweat increases greatly, particularly during exercise. Beware of relatively high humidity conditions that impair a horse’s ability to rid itself of body heat through evaporation, thus increasing the risk of heat stroke. Once again, soaking the feed and adding salt are good strategies to encourage water consumption.

• Summer competition season, when exercise levels increase and the temperatures soar. Again, soaking the feed and adding salt and electrolytes are good strategies for reducing the risk of dehydration.

• Lastly, if the commercial feed fed to your horse contains a significant amount of high quality fibre, it may be necessary to soak the feed, especially if the horse eats quickly or has a tendency to become dehydrated.

Soaking feed is also a good idea if the horse has a tendency to dehydration and doesn’t drink enough water.

Don’t hesitate to ask your equine feed representative for precise recommendations on how to feed fibre-based feeds to your horse.

Dehydration: Periods of Risk Certain periods are more conducive to dehydration, which increases a horse’s risk of obstruction of the oesophagus (choking) and impaction colic (blockage). At such times, the animal’s water

Josée Lalonde is the Equine Marketing & Product Manager at Agribrands Purina Canada. Visit Purina’s new website at www. agripurina.ca www.horse.on.ca | 51

Legal Lowdown

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, SOLD! Your primary obligation when boarding your horse at a stable is to pay the stable’s boarding fee. Your failure or refusal to pay this fee will likely result in the stable placing a statutory lien on your horse pursuant to the Innkeepers Act, and could ultimately result in the stable auctioning off your horse to recover the unpaid fees.

You should inform a stable of your horse’s significant vices, such as biting or kicking. A stable needs to know about these vices to be able to take suitable precautions to protect other horses and people.

Most stables have rules in place for the protection of all. Familiarize yourself with these rules and ensure your guests obey them as well. Often these rules are posted or are listed in a boarding agreement that you will sign.

Speak with your insurance broker and obtain appropriate insurance to protect you from claims for damage to people and property (including horses).

Legal Ramifications Of Boarding Agreements

By Catherine Willson, B.A. LL.B.

It is never too late to familiarize yourself with the legal environment

at play when entrusting the well-being of your beloved horse to another. An appreciation of the governing law will enable you, as a horse owner, to exercise your rights, fulfill your legal obligations and make a more informed decision when the time comes to choose a new stable for your horse.

YOUR ENTITLEMENT: A stable is required to provide your horse with a reasonable standard of care, which is considered to be that which an ordinary and reasonable person would take toward the care of their own horse. You can sue a stable for negligence if it fails to provide your horse with this standard of care. In determining whether a stable was negligent, the courts will consider the particular facts of your case by looking at the practices of the stable and comparing them to standards of the horse industry. If the stable’s practices were below industry standard at the time of the incident, a court will likely find the stable’s actions or omissions negligent.

Despite this standard of care, keep in mind that a stable is neither a guarantor nor an insurer of your horse’s health or safety. In the case of an unforeseeable accident causing injury or death to your horse, the stable will not be held responsible if it was not negligent. It should also be noted that when your horse is being boarded for free, the stable will be held to a lesser standard of care by the courts, namely that of gross negligence. A gross negligence standard of care requires a reckless disregard to the safety of persons and property (which includes horses) in order for liability to arise.

52 | WHOA! Summer 2013

PUT IT IN WRITING! The horse industry is still pretty poor at documenting its business transactions. We all know of situations in which a written document setting out the terms of an agreement could have saved a lot of grief. Many of the cases that come through my door would not be here if the parties had signed a document setting out their agreement.

A written agreement between stable owner and boarder makes the terms of the boarding arrangement clear or, at the very least, less likely to be misunderstood. A boarding agreement will help keep the relationship on good terms because each party’s expectations are set out in the agreement.

The following is a list of items that should or could be included in any standard boarding agreement. If a lawyer is helping you draft a boarding agreement to keep your legal costs down, it is a good idea to prepare this list in advance, then bring it in and discuss it.

1. Identify Agreement Details • Date the agreement is signed; • Names of parties to the agreement. e.g. horse owner (“Owner”) and stable operator (“Operator”); • Operating name and address of the boarding stable; • Name and description of the horse to be boarded (this may include sex, breed, age, height, registration number, colour, or markings); and • Purpose of the agreement (e.g., “the Owner wishes to board the horse at the boarding stable of the Operator” 2. Fees and Term (duration) Specify the amount of monthly board paid by the owner. If additional services are not included in the monthly cost of boarding, be sure to list the services and their costs individually, so there are no questions about your bill. Don’t forget to specify: • The applicable taxes; • The payment date (e.g., the first day of every month, or the last day of the month); • The term of the agreement (i.e. for one year, month to month); • The start date of the agreement; and • How and when the agreement can be terminated.

3. Services Provided Consider whether you want to describe the services to be provided. Specified services may include: • Box/standing stall;

Legal Lowdown

• Turnout – provide details (i.e. where, duration, frequency); • Amount of grain (i.e. grams/pounds/scoops) and specify type (if applicable) and how many times per day served; • Amount of hay (i.e. grams/pounds/flakes)and specify type (if applicable) and how many times per day served; • Exercise (specify type of exercise, frequency, names of riders); or • Other services such as grooming, blacksmith, tack cleaning, worming, etc.

The amount of detail required in the agreement is up to you.

4. Special Instructions • If the horse requires special attention, specify this in the agreement (e.g., notice of bad vices in the horse, blanketing, medication, etc.)

• Special rights of the operator: If the operator is to be allowed some use of the horse, specify this use (e.g., right to show, rent, use for schooling, etc.)

5. Risk of Loss and Injury Specify whether the operator or the owner is to assume the risk for any damage resulting from the boarding of the horse including, but not limited to, loss by fire, theft, running away, death, and injury caused by the horse to a person, another horse, or property. s any accident can be very expensive, it is a good idea to have A a lawyer review this paragraph before any agreement is signed.

6. Insurance Talk with your insurance broker about this term. Both parties should have liability insurance. How much coverage is enough?

Should you have mortality insurance, veterinary insurance?

Should you obtain proof of insurance from the other party?

SUMMARY The failure or refusal of either party to perform one or more of its obligations under the boarding agreement will result in contractual liability, the remedy for which is damages. For example, suppose the boarding agreement states the stable is to provide a particular kind of feed or turnout for your horse. If the stable fails or refuses to abide by this term, you may seek damages against the stable for breach of contract.

By expressing your boarding arrangement with a stable in writing, both you and your stable will be encouraged to communicate clearly, think about your deal, and comply with the agreement’s terms. Should a dispute ever arise, the boarding agreement will serve as either your first line of defence, or your primary line of complaint. More importantly, a boarding agreement can save you time, energy, and money – all of which would be better spent with the horse you own and love.

The legal information provided in this article is based on the laws of Ontario. If you find yourself in a situation to which this article may apply, please consult a lawyer before acting or relying on any of the statements made herein. www.willsonlewis.com R.S.O. 1990, c. I.7, s 3. õ Willson Lewis LLP is a litigation law firm practising in civil litigation, employment law, construction, commercial disputes, family law, tax disputes, and equine law. Catherine Willson is a partner at Willson Lewis LLP with expertise in Equine Law. www.willsonlewis.com, (416) 534-9504 or toll free (866) 258-2848

7. Emergency Care If the owner cannot be contacted, a provision should be made to allow the operator to act on an emergency basis for the health and well-being of the horse; specify whether the operator or the owner pays for the emergency medical treatment. hat about routine veterinary care? The agreement can specify W whether the operator has the owner’s authority to retain the veterinarian for routine procedures on the horse at the owner’s expense. What about the farrier?

8. Boarding Stable Rules and Regulations The operator should make a list of rules for the boarding stable and provide these to the owner. This can be done by attaching a copy of the rules to the agreement. The agreement should provide a place for the owner to indicate that he/she agrees to abide by all of the operator’s rules. The rules should also be posted in the stable.

9. Remedies for Default in Payment The agreement should specify the operator’s remedies in the event that the owner defaults in payment of the boarding invoice.

In Ontario, this includes a lien on the horse and the right to sell the horse to secure payment for services provided by the operator pursuant to the Innkeepers Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 217. he agreement can also specify remedies available to the T operator in the event that the owner defaults on another term of the boarding agreement.

10. Signatures Both the owner and the operator should sign and date the

agreement, preferably in front of a witness. The addresses, phone numbers, emails, and other contact information for the owner and the operator should be included to allow prompt contact in the event of an emergency.

E-mail: clewis@willsonlewis.com

E-mail: cwillson@willsonlewis.com

1183 King Street West, Suite 1183, Toronto, Ontario M6K 3C5 Tel: 416-534-9504 • Fax: 416-534-9503 Toll Free: 866-258-2848

www.willsonlewis.com

Quality Work + Excellent Service Litigation Lawyers Practising in: Equine Law - Family Law Construction Law - Employment Law Wrongful Dismissal - Tax Disputes Civil Litigation - Commercial Litigation Estate Problems - Property Disputes Contracts - Collections

Specializing In Equine Law Including: Boarding & Breeding Agreements Syndications Tax Issues Negligence Sales Agreements Disputes & Litigation Veterinary Negligence www.horse.on.ca | 53

Special Feature

Head Injury Part 3: Persistent Problems

By Nora Cullen, MD, MSc, FRCPC and Gregory O’Shanick, MD

As we have been discussing in the previous two articles in the head trauma series, the symptoms resulting from traumatic brain injuries (concussions) typically improve and disappear over time. And while the vast majority of people experience a complete return to health after a concussion, a small percentage may develop persistent “postconcussional” symptoms. Those who may have persistent problems have generally been found to have some combination of the following characteristics: female, over 40 years of age, previous history of concussion, previous history of stroke or other brain abnormality, previous history of substance abuse, history of an ongoing chronic medical illness (eg., diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea), history of significant psychiatric difficulties (depression, anxiety) or poor support systems.

It is clear that having had a concussion in the past makes a subsequent concussion more difficult to overcome. The recent flurry of news articles on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in professional athletes is the most severe consequence of sustaining multiple concussions in a relatively brief span of time. Fortunately, CTE is not common in the general population and is not a major concern to those of us in the amateur sports world.

Concussions that occur in the growing brain, which studies now show continues through the early 20s, may have an increased potential to impact behavior and learning in later 54 | WHOA! Summer 2013

life as the child “grows into” their injuries. Changes to the foundation skills that occur as a consequence of concussion may slow or prevent later skill learning. Dressage participants will recognize this aspect of progressive learning from Level 1 through Grand Prix patterns.

When symptoms following a concussion persist, they generally fall into three broad categories: cognitive, behavioral and physical. Cognitive problems include difficulty with recent memory and new learning, sustained attention and concentration, speed of thinking (referred to as processing speed), planning and initiating new activities, time management, organization, multitasking, error recognition and learning from experience. Behavioral problems include impulsivity, faulty judgment and reasoning, loss of empathy, passivity, irritability, depression and anxiety. Rarely, suspiciousness and explosive anger can result. Physical problems include fatigue, headache, dizziness, balance difficulty, increased sensitivity to light, noise, smell, movement and touch, nausea, ringing in the ears, sensory events such as funny smells, tastes and creepy crawly sensations. Reduced sense of smell occurs and is most often noted as a change in taste (think about how food tastes bland when your nose is congested) with the use of excessive amounts of hot sauce, salt or sweets.

These persistent problems are worsened by inadequate or inefficient sleep, dehydration, poor nutrition and

Special Feature

deconditioning. Even minor problems with sleep that were manageable before the concussion can become significant following an injury. If in the morning one wakes feeling tired and if sleeping for a longer period of time does not make the fatigue better, a problem with the normal sequence of sleep stages may be to blame. Using alcohol in an effort to help with sleep further disturbs the sleep cycle and makes fatigue worse. Subtle forms of sleep apnea or indigestion when lying flat can also disrupt sleep and require further medical evaluation.

In a similar way, since the brain is 70-80 per cent water, slight dehydration following concussion can worsen symptoms. A good rule of thumb to judge how well-hydrated you are is the urge to urinate every three to four hours. Relying only on when you get thirsty is not effective as you are already dehydrated by the time that signal is given! Eating multiple small meals daily also more smoothly manages blood sugar levels and avoids peaks and valleys that can aggravate symptoms. Avoiding beverages containing high amounts of sugar or caffeine (including “energy drinks”) is essential to prevent a quick up as it nearly always results in a quick drop in energy and increased irritability. And finally, studies have shown without question that a consistent daily exercise pattern is essential for optimum recovery after concussion.

It’s not hard to imagine what our horses would be like if they only got worked infrequently. We as their riders are not any different!

We are including in this third installment of our concussion series a link to a survey to gather information on concussion issues affecting riders. We would appreciate if you took a few minutes of your time to fill out this survey to assist us in our research. To complete the survey visit www.surveymonkey. com/s/protectbrain In Ontario, finding help for symptoms of brain injury can sometimes be challenging. The Ontario Brain Injury Association is a good place to start. Visit www.OBIA.ca and you will find direction to local brain injury associations. A helpline is also available and a list of resources to assist you. In Toronto, the Acquired Brain Injury Network is a terrific source of information about different programs and professionals available that should be able to help. Visit www.ABInetwork.ca. õ

Nora Cullen, MD, MSc, FRCPC, is a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She is chief of staff at West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto and is an associate professor at the University of Toronto.

Gregory O’Shanick, MD, is president and medical director at the Center for Neurorehabilitation Services in Richmond, VA and is medical director emeritus of the Brain Injury Association of America. O’Shanick is also a rider and was named the 2012 U.S. National Champion in HA/AA Western Pleasure AATR Select. www.horse.on.ca | 55

Special Feature

Photo credit: Shawn Hamilton, CLiX Photography

Understanding The Equine Medication Control Program – Part Two: Violations In the spring issue of WHOA! we gave our members a refresher on the Equine Medication Control Program, including its history, purpose, testing procedures and what owners and riders can do to ensure their horses and ponies don’t end up testing positive at competitions.

Intended to promote clean sport to ensure an equal playing field, encourage horsemanship and protect the welfare of horses and ponies, the Equine Medication Control Program also accommodates legitimate therapy without inadvertently incurring a positive drug test.

In this issue, we will cover what constitutes a violation of the rules and what happens if the horse or pony you are responsible for tests positive for a prohibited drug.

What constitutes a violation?

A positive drug test isn’t the only infraction that can put you in violation of the Equine Medication Control Program. Any refusal to submit a horse or pony for testing constitutes a violation and is subject to penalties, as is any action before, during or after an Equine Canada sanctioned competition that could interfere with the collection or analysis of an official sample. It’s also important to remember that a horse or pony selected to undergo a drug test must not be given anything, other than drinking water, unless permitted by the technician or veterinarian collecting the sample. And it goes without saying that substituting a different horse or pony for the one 56 | WHOA! Summer 2013

selected to undergo a drug test or substituting the contents of an official sample container are also violations.

What happens if my horse tests positive?

When a prohibited substance is detected in a sample during an initial screening at Maxxam Analytics, the only lab in Canada approved to analyze Equine Canada samples, a confirmatory analysis is then performed to verify the findings. The Equine Canada Equine Medication Control Committee is then notified and the nature and category of the offence is determined.

As per Equine Canada’s Penalty Table, depending on the offence and the medication class the infraction falls under, the person responsible for the horse or pony in question may either accept an administrative penalty (no hearing settlement), which is an automatic fine and may include suspension of the horse, or they may have the option of going to a hearing.

The amount of fine and length of suspension depend on the infraction. Medications are divided into five categories ranging from substances that have no place in a performance horse to valid veterinary therapeutics that have a minimal potential for altering performance or behavior. The categories are as follows: Class 1) Substances which have no place in performing horses. Many of these compounds do not have legitimate medical uses in horses, and the remaining compounds would

Special Feature

only be used for severely debilitated animals. For example, opioids such as fentanyl, morphine, heroin and codeine.

Class 2) Compounds not appropriate for use around the time of performance. Inappropriate use may alter the horse’s behaviour and ability to perform; medical use of these compounds indicates health status incompatible with athletic competition. For example, barbiturates and local anesthetics.

Class 3) Includes unapproved NSAIDs (non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs); cases where multiple approved NSAIDs are detected; anabolic steroids; drugs used for standing sedation (butorphanol, acepromazine, detomidine, romifidine, xylazine); alpha-2 adrenergic agonist reversal agents (yohimbine, tolazoline); anticholinergics (atropine, glycopyrrolate, hyoscine/scopolamine and derivatives); ephedrine; caffeine; cardiovascular drugs (ACE inhibitors; phosphodiesterase inhibitors, including sildenafil; calcium channel blockers; beta-blockers; digoxin; digitoxin); antihistamines, including hydroxyzine; non-barbiturate anticonvulsants; ergoloid mesylates; and ergot alkaloids (current testing does not cover pergolide mesylate).

Class 4) NSAIDs approved for use in horses in Canada, detected alone (where event-specific rules prohibit such use); diuretics (including thiazide diuretics, acetazolamide, furosemide and other loop diuretics); muscle relaxants; dembrexine; corticosteroids; isoxsuprine; parasympathomimetics, including bethanechol; DMSO; and MSM. Class 5) Mast cell stabilizers (cromolyn, nedocromil); proton pump inhibitors, except omeprazole; H2 antagonists, except ranitidine and cimetidine; misoprostol; anticoagulants; does not include polyethylene glycol.

In cases of first offences for infractions to Class 3, 4 and 5 medications, an administrative penalty may be elected by the person responsible. By doing so, they waive their right to a provincial hearing and agree to be assigned the prescribed penalties set out in the Equine Medication Penalty Table.

If the person responsible elects not to accept the administrative penalty, or if the infraction is to a Class 1 or 2 medication, or if it is not a first offence, a provincial hearing must be convened at a cost of $1,500 to the person responsible.

Fines are significant, ranging from $750 to $5,000, and suspensions for the person responsible can range from 30 to 90 days and 30 to 60 days for the horse or pony. The person responsible for the horse or pony that received the positive test must also forfeit all winnings from the competition in question. Furthermore, violations are publicly reported by Equine Canada It is important to note, however, that a written ruling issued

by Equine Canada or its designate, the Ontario Equestrian Federation, must be issued before the person responsible for the horse or pony in question is fined, suspended or barred from competition.

Is the person responsible the only one who can be penalized?

It’s not just the individual responsible for the horse or pony who can find themselves in violation. Anyone who “administers, instructs, aids, conspires with another to administer or employs anyone who administers or attempts to administer” a prohibited substance to a horse competing at an Equine Canada sanctioned competition are also subject to the same penalties as the person responsible for the horse.

How do I know the sample wasn’t tampered with?

When a horse or pony is selected for testing, the technician will escort it to a holding stall where a sample will be collected.

A urine sample is preferred, although a blood sample may be obtained if a urine sample can’t be collected and a vet is present to draw blood.

An adult (defined as 18 years of age as of Jan. 1) responsible for the horse or pony, or their representative, must be present to witness the collection of the official sample, witness the sealing of the official sample container and sign the documentation that accompanies the sample to the official laboratory.

However, if the person responsible, or their representative, is not available, it constitutes a waiver of any objection to the identification of any horse tested and the manner in which the official sample was collected, sealed and shipped to the official laboratory. In other words, if the horse tests positive and the person responsible for the horse, or their representative, didn’t witness the sample collection, they have no recourse to challenge whether the horse tested was indeed their horse or how the sample was collected.

The sample, which is sealed, numbered and secured in a locked box, is then sent to Maxxam Analytics in British Columbia, a forensic toxicology laboratory that is inspected and monitored by the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency. No identifying information is provided as samples are only identified by a number.

Can I have the sample retested?

In the event of a positive test, the person responsible can have the sample retested within 45 days of the date of the certificate of positive analysis. The person responsible can have Maxxam Analytics retest the sample, or they can request the sample be shipped to another laboratory. However, the person responsible will cover all costs associated with the retesting of the sample. A hearing panel will consider the result of the retest, but it does not overrule the results of the first testing.

Where can I learn more about the Equine Medication Control Program?

It’s important to stay up-to-date on permitted medications.

Remember, if it’s not on the list of permitted medications, it is a prohibited substance! A complete list can be found on the Equine Canada website at www.equinecanada.ca.õ www.horse.on.ca | 57

On The Trail

Photo credit: Wendy Webb

Nancy Zukewich rides Serious Moonlight at the Ontario Provincial Championships for distance riding.

Conditioning For Distance Rides

By Nancy Zukewich

People often ask, “How do I get my horse ready for a 25-mile ride?” Chances are, if you are regularly riding your horse for at least an hour a few times a week at walk, trot and canter, you may be more prepared than you think!

There is no one-size-fits-all program for conditioning a horse for distance riding. However, there are several basic principles that have stood the test of time. These principles are described below.

KNOW YOUR HORSE Before you get started, use the Horse Health Check (developed

by Dr. Art King and Gayle Ecker) available on the Equine Guelph website at www.equineguelph.ca to learn what is normal for your horse – temperature, resting heart rate, attitude, etc. Know your horse’s legs – you should be able to pick your horse out of a crowd just by feeling down his legs. Groom/massage your horse with your hands – where does he hold tension? Know how to check your horse’s back for pain.

START WITH LONG SLOW DISTANCE It is always good to start with long slow distance, which is often referred to as LSD. This means exactly what it says – long 58 | WHOA! Summer 2013

distances at a slow pace. This is about laying the foundation for your horse’s fitness. A horse’s various systems get fit at different rates – cardiovascular, musculoskeletal system, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. The bones, joints, tendons and ligaments take the longest. This is why you hear people talk about “legging up” their horse. It can take up to two years to build up the legs of a young horse. Building up your horse’s heart and lungs takes longer than building muscles, but not as long as legs.

REST IS PART OF THE PROGRAM Riding three or four times a week is enough. A horse needs rest in order to respond to the stress of the workout and remodel the tissues. The exercise itself doesn’t make your horse stronger.

It is during the rest period after the exercise when your horse becomes stronger.

GET TO KNOW YOUR HORSE BETTER In order to avoid injury you need to assess how each of the horse’s systems has responded to the conditioning session.

Monitor the horse carefully after each ride. Keep a log book, describing your conditioning session (distance and speed), as well as weather conditions, terrain, and any observations about the

On The Trail

horse’s physical health and attitude. Is he having fun?

Some things to check after every ride and the day after include: • General attitude. Your horse’s eyes should look bright. If your horse seems “off,” take temperature, pulse and check gut sounds • Legs and feet, including checking for digital pulse • Back and muscle soreness/tension • Pulse rate • Capillary refill test • PPED – is he pooping, peeing, eating, drinking?

If you notice anything that is of concern (swelling or heat in the legs for example), give a bit of extra rest and make sure he is right before the next conditioning session.

INCREASE SPEED OR INCREASE DISTANCE Increase speed or increase distance, but NEVER increase both at the same time. To begin, you could measure out a five or six-mile loop. Aim to walk/trot that distance in one hour and 20 minutes or even one hour and 30 minutes. Over the first few weeks, try to increase the amount of time trotting and add some cantering so that you can do the five or six miles in an hour or less. Be sure to include a warm up and a cool down. Work out any issues with tack, because a horse’s back will change shape as he gains fitness. Make sure your riding gear is comfortable, too.

There are other things you need to consider, as well. For instance, does your horse tie to the trailer? Does your horse respect portable electric fencing? Does your horse behave around other strange horses in close proximity? Do YOU have good manners (i.e. know about trail etiquette?). Does your horse have good brakes and steering when you ride? Incorporate regular schooling sessions with your horse. Take riding lessons from a qualified coach. A top Endurance rider once said, “Only amateurs don’t take lessons.”

EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL CONDITIONING WEEK: Day 1: Long slow distance Day 2: Rest Day 3: Intense day – hills, interval training, Fartlek – play with the speed Day 4: Rest Day 5: Schooling in the ring Day 6: Rest Day 7: Lighter day of riding or schooling since you plan a LSD ride the next day. You could even “play” with your horse through ground exercises.

For more information about distance riding, visit www.octra.on.ca

Meeting A Horse On the Trail USE THE THREE C'S 1. courtesy 2. communication 3. common sense

After that, you can increase the distance until you are able to do a 10 or 15-mile ride once a week to 10 days at a speed of five to six miles per hour, with your horse looking just fine the day after (clean legs, no soreness, good appetite and attitude, happy to see you).

MIX IT UP A BIT Hills are important for training, even if you are going to do mostly flat rides. This is because they force a horse to engage his hindquarters and use his muscles differently. It also helps to ride on different terrain so he is sure-footed. On a flat part of the trail (like a field that you know has safe footing), you can let your horse canter or gallop to stretch out, use different muscles and challenge their cardiovascular system. Playing with your pace and changing up your conditioning loop also keeps everything fresh and interesting. Varying the speed and intensity of your workout is called “fartlek” – literally meaning “speed play” in Swedish.

If you cannot find hills in your area, you can mix it up with other activities such as Dressage work in a sand ring or jumping small cavalleti. Both of these activities help your horse to work off his hindquarters, making him strong enough to push himself up hills instead of pulling with his front legs and shoulders.

DON'T FORGET TO CONDITION BETWEEN THE EARS Mental training is important for any sport. Your horse should be willing and responsive under saddle and MUST have good ground manners to successfully participate in distance riding events.

Good training is as important as good conditioning because a horse can use up a lot of physical energy coping with emotional stress at the event. Not to mention that vets don’t appreciate being kicked!

It’s a good idea to practice all the things the vet will do at a ride on a regular basis (refer to the Horse Health Check). Trot the horse out on straight lines and trot large circles with your horse in both directions. Encourage your horse to stand quietly for vetting. Ask others at your barn to pretend they are the vet and touch your horse all over, listen for gut sounds, take pulse, do capillary refill test, etc.

•

Make your presence known from a distance by calmly addressing the rider.

•

Please pass slowly on the left after the rider acknowledged your presence.

•

If you are motorized, we request that you stop and shut off your engine as a courtesy. Please greet the rider and wait until horse and rider have moved off a safe distance before continuing.

•

If you are unsure of what to do in any situation concerning a horse, please ask the rider before taking any action.

•

We all share the trails, so lets work together in harmony to ensure safe and enjoyable trails.

Courtesy of the Ontario Trail Riders Association, www.otra.ca

Best Practices for Horses on the Trails 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

You and you horse should have suitable riding attire – hunter orange from waist up all year, boots with a heel, helmet, wellfitting saddle and good tack.

Ride with a suitable horse – size, conditioning and training matter.

Carry a first aid kit, cell phone, GPS/compass and map on you NOT the horse.

Never lead off until all riders are mounted.

Stay on the marked trails and obey the signs. Know where you are on the trail in case of an emergency.

Walk on the right of the trail or road. Never canter or gallop.

Leave two horse lengths between you and the other horses even when you have stopped.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

When crossing a road do so all together.

Use the buddy system; be responsible for the rider in front and behind you.

If riding alone, tell someone where you have gone and when you will return.

Use the three C's – Courtesy, Communication and Common Sense.

Do not litter on the trail or campsite. Put manure and hay in designated areas. Leave only hoof prints behind.

No dogs on the trail or alone in the campsite.

No alcohol or smoking on the trail.

Water your horse into the shore, and do not cross or wade unknown waters.

www.horse.on.ca | 59

Breed & Discipline Updates

Little Horses Mean Big Fun At Miniature Horse Club Events Submitted by the Eastern Ontario Miniature Horse Club

The Eastern Ontario Miniature Horse Club got the 2013 season off to a fine start with the 4th Annual Upper Canada Village Drive on May 5. Club members turned out under perfect skies to drive along the picturesque streets and take photos among the village’s many attractions. This was followed by a gathering at a restaurant in Morrisburg for socializing and a great meal.

Lori Rafter, a noted horse trainer and groom with extensive show experience conducted agility training classes in the afternoon.

Rafter has taken many winning horses all the way to the nationals in Oklahoma, including two from the Eastern Ontario Miniature Horse Club.

Club members are looking forward to a full summer and fall season with rides planned in the Byward Market in Ottawa and on the trail in LaRose Forest.

Photo credit: Brian McGowan

The Club’s Annual Clinic was again held on the Russell Agricultural Fair Grounds on June 1. Tania Laframboise of Brooks Performance Feeds was on hand with her presentation on how to meet mare and foal nutritional requirements from conception to two years. Dr. Jeff Sleeth, DVM, of the Dundas Veterinary Clinic in Winchester, ON.

sedated a member’s Miniature Horse and floated her teeth, all the while entertaining the gathering as he explained the procedure.

Eastern Ontario Miniature Horse Club chair Betty McGowan, known as "The Hitchin' Granny," poses in front of one of the many historic buildings at Upper Canada Village.

Taking A Different Approach To Fundraising For Small Clubs Submitted by Lynda Rivington, Eastern Ontario Pleasure Driving Society

Fundraising is an important and ongoing challenge for any volunteer organization. Aside from annual memberships, other revenuegenerating activities are often difficult for small clubs.

The Eastern Ontario Pleasure Driving Society (EOPDS) took a gamble this year on a new fundraising idea and it paid off. The club opted to run an online auction for the month of March, offering for sale over 150 donated items (both horse and non-horse items). Much to the carriage driving club’s surprise, more funds were raised than anticipated.

Since then, EOPDS has fielded inquiries from other clubs interested in doing something similar. Here are our suggestions if you’re contemplating running an online auction: • Get a website. EOPDS chose www.myminiauction.com from Australia because the set-up fee was reasonable and the company was good to deal with.

• Establish committees to share the work – e.g., collecting, cataloguing, communications, distribution, etc.

• Canvas club membership and friends for donations, approach local and out-of-town businesses and don’t reject items.

• Select price categories. For EOPDS, items valued under $200 were donated. Over $200, the seller paid $20 to list the item and set a reserve price, with the club keeping 10 per cent of the selling price.

• Find a place to store donations.

• Photograph every item, write a brief description, and decide on a starting bid.

• List the names of donors with their items. It is especially important to recognize businesses for their generosity.

• Test the site to iron out any glitches before the auction goes 60 | WHOA! Summer 2013

live.

• Set out clear rules at the top of the site so everyone knows how the auction will run.

• Advertise the auction. If no one knows about it, bids won’t come in regardless of how great the items are. We got the message out via the EOPDS newsletter and other club newsletters, e-newsletters, emails, websites, Facebook contacts, Facebook pages belonging to other clubs, online classifieds, chat groups, flyers in tack shops, and an article in The Rider.

• Anticipate queries when the auction is live and expect to do some trouble shooting.

• Be aware of any time differences between Canada and the location where your online auction website host is based. Start and end times have to be in Canadian time.

• Notify winning bidders and distribute items. Local items were picked up. Some were delivered by people travelling elsewhere in Ontario and others were shipped by UPS across Ontario, to the U.S., Quebec and Western Canada.

• Remember that wrapping, pricing postage, collecting money and shipping items are big jobs. We accepted cheques, bank drafts or cash.

• Fill out required reports at the end for the auction site and the club.

For future fundraisers of this type, EOPDS would run the auction for two weeks, not a full month. Bidding was busy at the beginning and end, including a flurry of activity up to midnight the final day, but interest waned during the middle two weeks.

The online auction proved to be a successful fundraising experience for EOPDS and the club recommends it to other organizations.

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Breed & Discipline Updates

Central Ontario Region Pony Clubbers Test Their Grit At Spring Meet Submitted by the Central Ontario Region of the Canadian Pony Club

Who Can Keep Pony Clubbers Down? Nobody! Certainly not Mother Nature, and apparently not Jack Frost either. On May 12, Central Ontario Region (COR) Pony Clubbers gathered at Brelview Farm in Woodville, ON. for the first Prince Philip Games (PPG) meet of the season.

Ask any COR Pony Clubber, past or present, about the weather at PPG Mother’s Day weekend and they will tell you the same thing – be prepared for anything. Cold temperatures are common. Wet weather is pretty much expected. Sun is always welcome, but very rare.

Photo credit: Tammy Donaldson

This year, it seemed that the grit of these young riders and their ponies was to be tested as the weather provided all of the above options in addition to snow and driving hail. Never daunted, ponies and riders alike ran their games with ears pricked and smiles ready/frozen.

For the results of this chilly day, check out the press release section of Central Ontario’s website at www.canadianponyclub. org/CentralOntario

Long-Time Road Horse Supporters Honoured In Hall of Fame Induction Submitted by the Canadian Road Horse Association

The Canadian Road Horse Association would like to congratulate its 2013 Hall of Fame inductees, Glen and Lori Downey of Madoc, ON.

shown to numerous World Championships in Louisville, as well as the Wagon Championship at the 1993 Royal Winter Fair.

Glen Downey grew up in a horse showing family. His grandfather and father both showed draft and commercial horses. In his early years, Glen, along with brother, Clare, and sister, Elaine showed ponies with their parents.

When not showing horses, Glen can be found either working for the Township of Huntington or helping his wife, Lori, with their two daughters, Amanda and Brittney. Lori and the girls attend the fairs with Glen, along with Glen’s sister, Elaine. Amanda, Brittney and Elaine are all frequent drivers in the ladies’ classes. They attend many of the fairs in Central and Eastern Ontario with Glen’s favourite, the Royal, bringing their show season to a close.

Glen’s first win at the Royal was in the pair class with Miss Echo and Mustang Duke. Simcoe Duke was the Canadian Wagon Champion at the Royal in 1983. Two horses special to Glen are Flaxen Duke and Winnie’s Guy (Autobahn), which are offspring of Simcoe Duke and were bred and exhibited by Miles Benedict.

A ceremony will be held at the 2013 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair honouring Glen and Lori's accomplishments.

Photo credit: Brittney Downey

Flaxen Duke, driven by Glen, was the 1986 Canadian Wagon Champion and has enjoyed many show ring successes over the subsequent years with the Thomas/Austin family. Winnie’s Guy, now owned by American interests and renamed Autobahn, has been

Glen also served as president of the Canadian Road Horse Association from 1984-1985 and was a director for many years. Glen and Lori put a lot of effort into organizing the annual banquet for many years when it was held in Belleville, ON.

Glen Downey, shown here driving EL Dakota, was inducted into the Canadian Road Horse Association Hall of Fame with wife, Lori.

www.horse.on.ca | 63

Breed & Discipline Updates Arabians Go The Distance

Submitted by the Arabian Horse Association of Eastern Canada

Anyone who has experienced the feeling of being one with Mother Nature as they ride up hills, down valleys, across streams, through forests or over spans of grasslands on scenic trails never forgets the feeling.

Photo credit: Becky Pearman Photography

Those who own Arabians and Half-Arabians will tell you the exhilaration of riding on the open trails, alone with your horse or with your friends, is beyond compare. While any breed can participate in Competitive Trail and Endurance riding, the Arabian horse excels. From local rides to national and international FEI competitions, Arabian bloodlines bode well through the rigours of training and during the many hours of ride events.

Long-time Arabian horse breeders and owners Vivianne and Diana Macdonald are no strangers to high-level competitions. For many years they have competed at the Arabian Horse Association’s national championships and continually return home with high honours.

In 2012, the championships for both Competitive Trail and Endurance were held at the historic Vanderbilt Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.

Amidst a spectacular setting with trails dissecting the winery and farm operations, Diana and Bask N Coins+/, her Half-Arabian/Appaloosa mare, competed in the 50-mile endurance ride earning a Top Ten in the HalfArabian division. Simultaneously, they also competed in the American Endurance Ride Conference National Championship and were part of the international group of riders placing second in the Regional Team portion.

Elaine Steele competes regularly in Ontario and also travelled to the beautiful Biltmore Estate with her Half-Arabian mare, Zena Warrior Princess, competing in the two-day AHA National Competitive Trail Ride.

They successfully rode their way to a national championship!

Ontario Arabians and Half-Arabians have continued their winning ways this year in distance competitions. Dessia Miller, another long-time Ontario breeder/owner/rider reports her mare, Amber Kiera, finished fourth in Florida’s January 40-kilometre ride. Top B.C. junior rider, Katya Levermann, rode Miller’s gelding, Parker AES, in the FEI 80-kilometre ride in Florida in February and finished third overall, but was the first FEI

Diana Macdonald and Bask N Coins+/ competed at the 2012 AERC National Championship and AHA Distance Nationals.

rider and first junior rider in a time of 4.51!

“Distance riding is very rewarding,” Macdonald says. “Riding trails you would never otherwise get to see, meeting many new and welcoming people who have become good friends, and challenging horse and rider just enough to make finishing winning.”

It’s time you, too, saddle up an Arabian or Half-Arabian and give Endurance, Competitive Trail, Ride ‘n’ Tie or Set Speed events a try. For more information, visit www.ahaec.on.ca, or www.arabianhorses.org, or www.octra.on.ca.

Gypsy Vanner Fair Showcases The Best The Breed Has To Offer Submitted by the Canadian Gypsy Vanner Horse Club

Gypsy Vanners will be at numerous events in Ontario over the next few months. Breed enthusiasts can see our fine-feathered horse friends at the Eastern Ontario Canadian Pony Breeders Show, to be held July 26-28 at the Iron Horse Equestrian Centre in Burlington, ON. or in September at the Lincoln County Fair in Beamsville, ON. Breed lovers, or anyone looking to make a truly educated purchase of a dream-come-true Gypsy Vanner, are invited to the 2013 Vanner Fair, which runs from Sept. 21-22 at the Orangeville Agricultural Society Event Centre. For the second biennial Vanner Fair, the Canadian Gypsy Vanner Horse Club is featuring a buyers’ education clinic by equestrian professional, Wayne Hipsley. The 2013 fair will also introduce an “elite sales auction,” showcasing only those Gypsy Vanners with high evaluation scores.

Ontario Gypsy Vanner owners have been highly supportive of the program, and more than 60 horses have now been through the evaluation process. This year’s evaluation was held May 18-19 at Circle Four Ranch in Erin, ON. For further information about Vanner Fair 2013, visit www.vannerfair. com. To learn more about the Gypsy Vanner evaluation program, visit www.vanners.org.

The Canadian Gypsy Vanner Horse Club continues to work closely with the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society (U.S.) in establishing North American breed standards for these beautiful horses. Because the breed is relatively new to North America (the first were imported to the U.S. in 1996), considerable effort has gone into introduction, promotion and celebration of its unique characteristics.

To ensure preservation of the specific standards set by the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and promote thoughtful breeding programs and educate others about the breed, the society offers owners and breeders a voluntary evaluation program. Performed by two independent evaluators, the detailed evaluation assists potential buyers in recognizing strengths and weaknesses in those horses they may consider for purchase. Evaluation ratings are also used in the registration process for participating horses.

64 | WHOA! Summer 2013

Terry Elder of Spruce Ridge Stables holds yearling filly, SRS Golden Glitter, during an evaluation last year.

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Breed & Discipline Updates Busy Season Ahead For Ontario Combined Driving Association Members Submitted by the Ontario Combined Driving Association

The Ontario Combined Driving Association (OCDA) organized an Arena Driving Trial and Indoor Carriage Derby on May 25, 2013 at the Listowel, ON. horse facility of Rae and Nancy Fischer.

It was a small, but quality, show with six classes ranging from Training to Intermediate. Dressage was held in the morning and the Carriage Derby portion in the afternoon, followed by some snacks and awards.

Placings are as follows: Training Pony: 1st Marguerite Wilcock, 2nd Alexis Clark, 3rd Kilby Brunner Preliminary VSE: 1st Mary Baillie, 2nd Michelle Courtemanche, 3rd Eve Dexter Preliminary Pony: 1st Sharon Crawford-MacKay Photo credit: Marshall Davidson of Fotoworks

Preliminary Horse: 1st Ken Armstrong Intermediate Pony: 1st Kirsten Brunner Intermediate Horse: 1st Courtney MacGillivray-Lachance

Kirsten Brunner competes with Beaverwoods Raindrop at the OCDA Arena Driving Trial and Indoor Carriage Derby.

On June 1-2, OCDA had a Combined Two-Day Show with the Central Ontario Pleasure Driving Association (COPDA) at the Orangeville Fairgrounds. Dressage and Cones were scheduled for the Saturday, followed by Pleasure Driving Classes on the Sunday. Future shows include Horse Driving Trials on July 21 and Aug. 25 at Glencameron Farm in Limehouse, ON. and another Combined Two-Day Show on Sept. 14-15 at the Orangeville Fairgrounds.

Cutting Enthusiasts Brush Up On Their Herd Work At Clinic Submitted by the Ontario Cutting Horse Association

The Ontario Cutting Horse Association (OCHA) sponsored a National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) clinic for the region this past spring to give riders a leg up on their skills.

Nineteen people on horseback attended the clinic, which was held on May 4 at Minshall Farms in Hillsburgh, ON. In the morning, several other people joined the cutters for the classroom part of the clinic, which was taught by Russell McCord from the NCHA. The emphasis for the clinic was on “cutting the cow.” Each participant had three head of cattle to work. Since there were 19 participants, they were divided into two groups to ensure the two herds were a good size to work with. Each cutter rode into the herd to bring out a few head of cattle and then they set up one cow to work. They did this three times. After the riders worked each cow, NCHA judge McCord and Robert Rust, the NCHA clinician, evaluated their run.

Everyone received excellent tips to help us with their herd work.

Maybe the most important one was to focus on the cow. Some others were about proper rein length and correct position on the cow.

The person who worked their three head of cattle the best “won” the clinic. Karen Hudon received a NCHA Judges Rules and Guidelines DVD as her prize.

On Victoria Day weekend the OCHA had a show at Walker’s Farm in Richmond, ON. and Pleasant Ridge provided the Circuit Awards for the two days. The Non-Pro class winner was Karen Hudon and the 35,000 Non-Pro class winner was Lexie Wright. Eric Van Boekel, OCHA vice-president, presented each with a cooler embroidered by Premium Sportswear and Promotions. Circuit awards are given for the highest aggregate score for two days in selected classes.

Photo credit: Kiley Beamer

The following day the OCHA had the first show of the year at Minshall Farms and many of the clinic participants had a chance to put their new knowledge to use in the show pen.

Karen Hudon was the Non-Pro winner at the OCHA show.

www.horse.on.ca | 67

Breed & Discipline Updates

Canada Swims Away With Success At Biltmore Endurance Ride

By Bob Gielen, Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association

Upon our return the following morning, not only had life not returned to normal but the French Broad River next to the camp area had overflowed its banks and now there was 1/2 meter of flowing water where the crewing area had been the day before!

It took an additional day and half for the flood waters to crest and a further day to recede enough to be able to get out. On the plus side we were offered the opportunity to stay on the estate in the famous Biltmore Inn and were invited out for dinner by the organizers, then had a full police escort complete with stopped traffic for our departure.

An Ontario rider at the Biltmore Endurance Ride found their trailer surrounded by flood waters, which stranded them for several days.

The Biltmore Challenge Endurance Ride on May 4 was a little more exciting than usual this year thanks to wet weather that made this event anything but ordinary.

The endurance ride is held twice annually on the grounds of the 8,000-acre historic Biltmore estate (Vanderbilt family home) in Ashville, NC. The ride features beautiful natural scenery as well as views of the 100+ room castle, vineyards and gardens.

This year there were competitors from across North America, Europe, South America and the Middle East. There was a good contingent of Canadians in attendance this year covering various distances of 80-120 kilometres and competing in open, junior/ young rider and FEI divisions.

The feature event, the 160-kilometre race, was won by a rider from North Carolina on a mare in 10 hours. This turned out to be a fortuitous time to finish, as the skies opened shortly thereafter and continued through the night.

The next morning, the rain continued falling and most visitors packed up and left. My friend and I decided to spend a few days touring the estate so we were in no rush to pack up. Upon our return from dinner that evening to feed the horses, our usual route to the camp was closed and we were led by the estate police to where the horses were happily eating hay, comfortably dressed in their waterproof blankets. We were assured that “all this would be over by morning and the road would be reopened.”

I didn’t have the ride results I had hoped for, as I was the only Canadian who didn’t earn a completion on the ride when my horse lost a shoe. However, my other two horses fared better; finishing third in the 120-kilometre ride and 6th in the 80-kilometre ride.

Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable trip to North Carolina!

Canadian Results 120-km (44 starting, 35 finishing): 3rd Emma Webb on Sams Candyman, 8:21:59 (2nd FEI Junior; 1st Team) 6th – Lee Hutten on I Bee Jazzin’, 8:40:00 (3rd FEI Senior; 2nd Team) 7th – Katya Leverman on Parker AES, 8:40:47 (4th FEI Junior; 2nd Team) 23rd – Yvette Vinton on Kowboy CS, 10:36:00 (12th FEI Senior) 80-km (78 starting, 63 finishing), 5th Savanah Wilson on R Mercedez , 5:42:09 (2nd FEI Junior) 51st Denise Blanchet on Cabasco, 8:50:46 (7th Team) 52nd Mike Merriam on J-Walker AES, 8:50:47 (9th AHA, 7th Team) 53rd Kim Woolley on Schakka Khan, 9:07:42 (10th AHA, 7th Team) 54th Dessia Miller on Amber Kiera, 9:07:43 (8th FEI Senior, 7th Team)

Horses Are The Star Attraction At The Erin Fall Fair Submitted by the Erin Agricultural Society

Don’t miss the 163rd Erin Fall Fair for a hands-on horse experience!

The 2013 Erin Fall Fair runs from Thursday, Oct. 10 to Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 and offers a wonderful choice of horse-related activities, culminating with the Mini Horse Chuck Wagon Races at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Monday.

Schedule of Horse Events at the Erin Fall Fair Saturday Hunter/Jumper Show – 8:30 a.m.

Frank Grelo, Dressage Master /Grelo Farms Special Presentation – 9:30 a.m. (Track) Sunday Pony Classes – 9 a.m. (Welsh, Open Pony, Gaited) Ontario Barrel Racing Show – 10 a.m.

Heavy Horse Show – 10 a.m.

Heavy Horse Draw (Pulls) – 1:30 p.m.

Monday Mini Chuck Wagon Races – 9:30 a.m., noon, 3 p.m.

Gymkhana – 10 a.m. (Registration at 9 a.m.)

68 | WHOA! Summer 2013

Equine Tent The Equine Tent is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. This special equine feature includes educational displays, industry information and breed presentations, as well as clinics, talks and demonstrations covering a wide range of subjects, including equine massage, equine physiotherapy, barefoot trimming and hot shoeing. The Equine Tent offers a unique way to have a “hands-on” horse experience and to talk directly to owners, breeders, educators and key individuals who are integral to our thriving equine industry in and around the Town of Erin (within the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Region).

The goal and mission of the Erin Agricultural Society is to increase and promote all things “horse” in order to raise awareness and create an interest in horses amongst youth, while also reaching out to people of all ages and lifestyles.

For more information, to register for the horse shows, or to get involved as a partner, Equine Tent exhibitor or volunteer, please visit www.erinfair.ca, e-mail, equinetent@erinfair.ca or call 519-833-2808.

Breed & Discipline Updates Let The Games Begin!

Submitted by Mounted Games Across Canada

An action-packed Mounted Games Across Canada event, which is comprised of relay races played with teams or pairs, was held at the Elora Racetrack on Sunday, May 19.

Eager to enter the field, pairs of riders with their ponies lined up to show off their skills and work out the kinks from the winter months.

It was a great day with the clear skies as the prop crew flawlessly kept the field neat and set up new relay races to challenge the riders.

Photo credit: Joanne Williams

Novices and more seasoned riders bonded and playfully challenged each other and friends reunited after a long winter, tossing goodnatured banter back and forth between games.

Mounted Games Across Canada (MGAC) is a dedicated, familyoriented organization that welcomes riders of any level to come out and play games with a four to five-person team, or in a pair. The next competition will be a “team” event on Sunday, June 23 at the Grand River Raceway. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the flag drops at 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.mountedgames.ca.

Maureen Lalonde races down the field with a carton

Relationships Make Wind Dancer Pony Rescue A Special Place

Photo credit: Lino Silviera

Submitted by Andrea Malick, Wind Dancer Pony Rescue

Volunteers gather at Wind Dancer Pony Rescue's second Annual Pony Palooza with their mascot, Wind Dancer, a six-year-old leopard Appaloosa pony.

Two years after its inception, Wind Dancer Pony Rescue has a blue ribbon crew of helpers 100 strong.

“What I didn’t realize was that great relationship we had happens here between families and friends,” she says. “It’s what makes it so special.”

The registered charity in Sheffield, ON., which rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes ponies, celebrated its volunteers on May 4 at its second annual Pony Palooza. The Wind Dancer family shared stories, food and pride in how much the organization has achieved.

When Elle Bosse, 10, told her mom, Christa Hallman that she wanted to help out at Wind Dancer, Hallman thought she would drop her off for her volunteer shifts and pick her up later. But she soon found herself helping out. Those hours at Wind Dancer have since become a special time with her daughter.

Every day, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds arrive at the rescue to care for ponies that need feeding, healing and a home until they can join foster families. Since March 2011, the rescue has helped 14 ponies.

Neighbours, friends and strangers have rallied to form a board of directors, raise funds and drop off food and supplies for the ponies. And new volunteers keep coming.

A pony rescue was the dream of Isabel Dupuy, who died in a car accident at age 11. Her mother, Dr. Paula Dupuy, an equine and companion animal veterinarian, founded the rescue in her memory. Dupuy says she was surprised how the farm where she and Isabel found so much joy became a similar source of joy for others.

“It was nice to stand beside her at Palooza,” Hallman says, recalling how each active volunteer was called forward and awarded a special blue ribbon.

Volunteering with the ponies inspired Robin Dewit, 38, to start riding again after 25 years. And she reflects with a big grin on the time when they were short-handed at the rescue so her husband helped out. Not having as much experience around ponies, he was chased around the paddock by one while Robin shouted helpful instructions!

For more information about the Wind Dancer Pony Rescue Foundation, see www.winddancerponies.org or email winddancerponies@gmail.com www.horse.on.ca | 69

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Breed & Discipline Updates OnTRA Events Celebrate The Healing Power Of Horses Submitted by the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association

and provide its riders with the very best instruction. NLTRA instructors attended the 2013 Ontario Coaches Conference and completed many instructor workshops this year. NLTRA also received the Leg Up Grant for a Para-Dressage program and the Show Your Stuff Grant from OnTRA. SARI Therapeutic Riding in Arva, ON. used its Show Your Stuff Grant to host a show for its riders. The show included costume, command, obstacle, pole, and Dressage classes, in which all SARI riders were invited to participate. SARI staff and volunteers worked hard to make sure this day was a huge success and all riders went home with a ribbon, a horse cookie, a horse poster and a big smile!

Tranquil Acres Inc. in Kars, ON. hosted its 2nd Annual Friends and Family Fun Day on April 28. The event was a huge success and was attended

by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson who came to learn more about Tranquil Acres. The facility continues to work hard to raise awareness on how horses can help people of all ages and abilities.

The 2013 Ontario Parasport Games, held in Kingston, ON. this past spring, was a very exciting event for OnTRA and their members! All OnTRA members and member centres were invited and encouraged to participate in the ParaEquestrian event.

Staff and volunteers at SARI Therapeutic Riding get Marshmallow ready for the “Show Your Stuff” event.

The Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) is pleased to report that their members and member centres have been keeping busy this year.

Northern Lights Therapeutic Riding Association (NLTRA) in Val Rita, ON. has been using its OnTRA Education Grant to pursue higher education

The OnTRA board of directors developed their first webinar this year in an attempt to provide equitable access to educational opportunities and reduce education costs for their members. This webinar covers the topic of safe lifting and transfer techniques for therapeutic riding instructors.

The webinar is available to both members and non-members of OnTRA. For more information on the webinar, OnTRA and OnTRA member centres, please visit www.ontra.ca. Interested in becoming a member of OnTRA? Fill out the application form online and start enjoying the many benefits of being a part of OnTRA.

Friesian Horse Owners Learn From The Best In The Industry By the Ontario Friesian Horse Association

The Ontario Friesian Horse Association (OFHA) welcomed a very special visitor this past spring when OFHA president Jack Vanderkooy hosted Harry DeRuyter of the Netherlands.

DeRuyter is a world-class driver of Dutch Harness Horses and has competed at the international level in Combined Driving competitions.

He is also currently the coach of the Dutch national driving teams at CAI events.

This was DeRuyter’s second trip to Kettle Creek Friesians in St. Thomas, ON. and it was a pleasure to learn from him once again.

Vanderkooy and DeRuyter invited members to bring their Friesian horses for one-on-one instruction, as well as demonstrations, during his visit on April 29-30.

The Keuring, held annually in Paris, ON. is also coming up. This year it is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 18. Officials from the KFPS evaluate the participating Friesian horses on confirmation and movement.

Not only is this event important and worthwhile for all Friesian horse owners, but it is also equally interesting for those individuals new to the breed. It gives them an opportunity to learn more about the Friesian horse, the technical judging aspect and the horse’s range of abilities in riding and driving Dressage courses to beautiful carriage driving. All OFHA members and Friesian horse owners are invited participate in this year’s Keuring.

OFHA Combined Riding and Driving Days are always a popular event for members. Ted & Tina Vanderkooi of T & T Friesians in Otterville, ON. were the hosts of a fun-filled day in June. The next event takes place in July 5-6 at Kettle Creek Friesians. The first day will offer an opportunity for members to benefit from a clinic with Herman Smit.

The second day of the event will as well as a potluck lunch. The all members, especially for new Friesian horse owners and have experienced riders and drivers.

include riding and driving activities, Riding & Driving Days are fun for members who get to meet fellow an opportunity to learn from more

Photo credit: Rachel Mulder

Smit is an official inspector with the mother Friesian Horse studbook in the Netherlands, the “Koninklijke het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek,” or KFPS. He will be giving instruction on preparing and presenting your Friesian horse in the IBOP test. The IBOP is a KFPS-designed suitability test that can be completed either under saddle or in harness. The objective is to evaluate the horse’s potential as a sport horse in a particular discipline. This clinic is sure to be very helpful and informative.

Members of the Ontario Friesian Horse Association enjoy the water at a riding and driving day in St. Thomas.

www.horse.on.ca | 71

Breed & Discipline Updates

Tricounty Carriage Association Celebrates 30 Years Submitted by Deb Hewson, Tricounty Carriage Association

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Tricounty Carriage Association (TCCA) and it’s celebrating the milestone with a full slate of activities planned for 2013.

go to someone else’s farm and drive in a non-competitive situation.

The particular social drive experience will vary according to the facilities that are found at the host’s farm.

On April 21, TCCA had a Long Lining Clinic at Beaverwood Farm in Hillsburgh, ON. Equines and handlers turned out for a fun half-day of simulated obstacles and long lining. The flags and pinwheels were flying and the bridge and water crossing were there, the only things missing were the carriages!

Details about upcoming social events can be found on the Drive Ontario website.

The group was a wonderful mix of green and seasoned horses, handlers, juniors and adults. Everyone had a great day without the added pressure of a show. Horses and human alike enjoyed this experience and the day’s objectives were fulfilled. An added bonus came at the end of the clinic when Cynthia Zalewski hitched her horse, Kitia. The team provided the attendees with a full turnout, around which they were able to work. For participants, especially those who drive solo at home, the turnout gave them a wonderful opportunity to expose their equine partners to a horse and carriage that they could follow, pass or trail behind.

Spectators and volunteers are always welcome at Tricounty events.

If you are free for any of our social drives or shows please come out and join us.

TCCA would like to express their appreciation to Kirsten Brunner and Beaverwood Farm for her help and the use of the arena and grounds.

The club also appreciates the many volunteers who helped with setup, gate keeping and tear down.

Three social drives are also planned for this year. These social drives provide a perfect opportunity for drivers and their equine partners to

Photo courtesy: Vicki Cork

Show season is also underway, with three shows on the schedule. A Driving Show was held June 9 in Freelton, ON. with American Driving Society Pleasure Driving judge, Audrey Bostwick of Pennsylvania. On July 27, as part of the Eastern Ontario Pony Breeders Show, TCCA will be hosting a show at Iron Horse Equestrian Centre in Burlington, ON. with Morris Kerr as judge. On Sept. 29, the final show will be held at Beaverwood Farm. Details regarding these shows can be found on the Drive Ontario website.

Valerie Frost goes through the paces at the Tricounty Carriage Association Long Lining Clinic at Beaverwood Farm.

AQHA Novice Shows Help Riders Broaden Their Horizons Submitted by the Ontario Quarter Horse Association

The Ontario Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) invites you to try something new this summer – take your horse and show in AQHA Novice or Rookie classes!

There are now a total of three all-novice shows held in Ontario each year.

This is a great opportunity for new and/or novice competitors to come out and show with other competitors with similar experience. It is a great opportunity to take advantage of clinics and fun events in a welcoming show environment.

These all-novice shows offer classes for novice competitors only and include a slate of clinics and demonstrations conducted by members of AQHA’s Professional Horsemen's Association. These events are specifically geared toward the novice horseman, providing you with the guidance and encouragement to either step into the show pen for the very first time, or to simply take on the challenge of a new event.

Novice shows aim to broaden your horizons, give you some increased confidence, and set you on the path to achieving the goals that you set out for yourself.

The OQHA realizes that everyone needs to start somewhere. You’ll find that many OQHA approved shows throughout the province offer a great environment for both learning and developing new friendships within the sport. Camaraderie amongst competitors is high and normally you’ll meet many others who, like you, are just starting out. Many of these shows offer a full list of novice and rookie classes. So don't just plan on attending the all-novice shows. Practice makes perfect, and we want to give you every opportunity to become your very best!

If you have questions about any of the novice shows or any OQHA event, contact Shawna Crawford at (613) 913-7262 or by e-mail at crawfordqh@ gmail.com 2013 OQHA Trail Ride Be sure to mark your calendars for the OQHA trail ride scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8-9, 2013 in Omemee, ON.

OQHA All Novice Youth & Amateur Show Friday, July 19 – Ilderton, ON. - www.oqha.on.ca

Festivities start with a Friday evening bonfire social followed by a weekend of trail riding, a barbecue dinner, evening entertainment and a pancake breakfast! This trail ride is open to all breeds so be sure to come out and spend some time on the gorgeous scenic trails at Esker Springs Ranch.

EOQHA All Novice and Rookie Show Wednesday, July 31 – Carp, ON. - www.eoqha.com

For more information visit www.oqha.on.ca or contact Karen Cook at 705-799-6921 or Karen.cook@nexicom.net

Area 3 All Novice Youth & Amateur Show Friday, Aug. 9 2013 – Orangeville, ON. - www.area3.ca 72 | WHOA! Summer 2013

Breed & Discipline Updates Ontario Icelandic Horse Members To Ride At World Championships Submitted by Jane Hamilton, Ontario Icelandic Horse Association

competitions. She feels very prepared and enthused about bringing her advanced skills back to the big arena in Berlin: “I have a better idea of what we need and where we should be, progress-wise.”

Stoncius and Sydney Horas of OnIce Farm in Caledon, ON., have begun training at Nordeheide Farm in Hamburg in preparation for the big event, which will take place from Aug. 4-11, 2013.

Photo courtesy: Victoria Stoncius

Horas comes from a strong family background in Icelandic horse riding and training. She has been riding Icelandic horses since she was five years old. She has trained with Dressage master Frank Grelo, ‘B’ class trainer Jana Meyer and German Icelandic trainer Goetz George. Sydney feels more than ready to compete in Berlin: “I cannot wait to represent Canada and give it my best shot.”

Stoncius and Horas will be competing against the best Icelandic horse riders from Europe, where the breed is well-known and respected for its energy, stamina, soundness and eager disposition. It is truly breathtaking to watch an Icelandic horse display its highly athletic, smooth tölt and flying pace at speeds of up to 30 mph.

Victoria Stoncius will be the captain of the Canadian team participating at the World Championships for Icelandic Horses.

The Ontario Icelandic Horse Association is very excited to announce that two of its finest young riders will be competing in the 2013 World Championships for Icelandic Horses this summer in the heart of Berlin, Germany.

The last time Team Canada competed at the World Championships was in 2009, in Switzerland. Team Captain Victoria Stoncius, who has been an active member of the Ontario Icelandic Horse Association for 13 years, placed 39th in the T1 class. In addition to regularly riding and training Icelandic horses, Stoncius has earned many trophies in Hunter/Jumper

Icelandic horses are suitable for young riders who desire speed and grace. However, all ages of riders can also appreciate the easy flowing and forward movement of this five-gaited breed. To ride an Icelandic horse is to say goodbye to the trot and hello to the silky smooth tölt!

Just type “Icelandic horse” into the YouTube search window, and you will understand why this diminutive breed wins hearts wherever it goes.

For more information about the World Championships for Icelandic Horses 2013, visit www.berlin2013.de/home-46.html Go Team Canada! Our best wishes! We will be watching you and cheering you on!

Morgan Horse Club Celebrates Hall Of Fame Inductees Submitted by the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association

The Ontario Morgan Horse Club (OMHC) posthumously inducted two people and one horse into its Hall of Fame earlier this year during the club’s annual awards banquet.

Ralph D. Parker of Adanac Horse Farm was a key figure in the breeding of Morgan horses during the 1960s and 1970s. He registered over 60 Morgans and his offspring went on to create many Morgans for other breeding programs throughout Ontario.

Mark your calendar for the Ontario Morgan Horse Championship Classic at RCRA on July 20-21. For more info on the Ontario Morgan Horse Club Hall Of Fame and other upcoming events, visit www. morganhorse.on.ca

When Parker retired from the breeding business he did not want the Adanac name to finish with him and so he transferred it to David and Pam Dew. The Dews accepted the award in memory of Parker, who is also a member of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. In addition to his wonderful Adanac legacy, the R D Parker Building at Laurentian University and the R D Parker Collegiate in Thompson, MB. are named in his honour.

The OMHC also posthumously inducted Colleen Longhurst, who joined the club not long after it was formed in 1968 and held many volunteer positions. She was very active in the promotion of the breed and loved nothing more than riding her Morgan out on the trails. Longhurst’s brother and sister-in-law accepted the award in her honour.

Cordon Marksman became the first Morgan inducted into the Ontario Morgan Horse Club Hall Of Fame, which began in 2012. Mark, who was owned by Deana Wilson, was a gentle stallion that left many nice progeny behind for the Lauralee Morgan Farm and was also used in competitive trail with Deana. This Morgan put Lauralee Morgans on the map!

Cordon Marksman was the first horse inducted into the Morgan Horse Hall of Fame. The late stallion was owned by Deana Wilson.

www.horse.on.ca | 73

Breed & Discipline Updates

Welsh Show Season Kicks Off With Showmanship And Turnout Clinic Submitted by Rose Reid, Welsh Pony and Cob Association of Ontario

The summer season got off to a fun and informative start for the Welsh Pony and Cob Association of Ontario with a clinic with Howie Black, a third generation Welsh Pony breeder.

Black, who is the vice-president of the WPCAO and show handler of the famed Black and Howie Acres prefixes, delivered an educational and entertaining clinic on April 6 at Reidell Farms in Ashburn, ON.

everyone who attended and asked great questions that everyone learned from. A special thank you goes to those who participated in the showmanship demonstrations. As well, thanks to Linda Robinson from Posh Show Ponies, who set up her display of pony wares, as well as Donna Lindsay, who debuted her new line of custom pony hoody wear. All these people helped make the 2013 clinic a great success!

Bidwell Angelus, bred by Iris King and presented by owner Mrs. Sharon Leathan, was the model Sec. A Welsh Mountain Pony. Farnley Roxanna, bred by A R Dunning and presented by owner, Jessica Figas, was the Sec. B Welsh Pony model. Canterbrook Whisper, bred by Sandra Sterritt and presented by owner Ammie Reid, was our model Sec. D Welsh Cob. Reidell Burt, bred by Reidell Farms and presented by owner Brianna Simpson, was the model Half-Welsh.

Thank you to Black for a doing a great job in the sharing all his “secret tips” and for his patience answering questions. Also, thank you to

Photo credit: Muriel Burnley

Black covered a brief history, conformation ideals and the proper preparation and presentation in the Welsh show ring before participants began the showmanship portion of the clinic. Black employed an interesting “phantom pony” class in which he asked participants to imagine handling their ponies. This proved to be a lot of fun and very informative about each of our handling styles. The feedback has been wonderful. Members came together and shared an afternoon of fellowship, education, fun and laughter.

Clinician Howie Black uses a $5 bill to demonstrate the length to pull a mane for proper turnout.

Experience The Thrill With The Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Submitted by the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt

It’s been a busy season for the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt, which hosted a Mini Pace and Horse Show, participated in a Hound Show and put on a land owner appreciation barbecue to thank the generous property owners who allow riders to cross their land.

Coming up later this summer is Gymkhana games, which are open to the public and hosted with local Pony Club support. All ages are welcome and it’s a wonderful opportunity for families to have fun together.

show to the hounds and to the membership. All events are to raise funds for the hounds and to promote the sport.

For more information visit www.wwhunt.ca or follow the club on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wellingtonwaterloo.hunt

The falls season kicks off with a Hunter Pace on Sept. 11. It’s a great introduction to drag hunting without the worry of a big group of riders or hounds and a good time to become familiar with the club and its members.

The pace is set up as a mock hunt, with optional jumps. Pairs of riders set out on a pre-set cross-country course with the winning team completing it in an optimal time set by our huntsman. The pace is not a race; those who go the fastest miss the prize. This event is open to the public and all ages, sizes and riding disciplines are welcome.

Since 1965, the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt has been recognized by the Masters of Fox Hounds Association. It is a drag hunt, which rides to hounds twice a week during spring and fall. The hounds are a big part of the club, but the beautiful territory and obvious enjoyment of the sport by the horses and members keep folks coming back, year after year.

The club is a registered not-for-profit organization and is run entirely by volunteers. The hunt staff members are considered “nonprofessionals” but you wouldn’t know it from the dedication they

74 | WHOA! Summer 2013

Wellington-Waterloo Hunter Pace competitors wait patiently to set out.

Finding The Right Stable Shouldn’t Be Like Looking For A Needle In A Haystack!

Riding stables affiliated with the Ontario Equestrian Federation have committed to safety standards and best business practices. Browse the Ontario Equestrian Federation website to find one near you.

www.horse.on.ca Ontario Equestrian Federation 1 West Pearce St, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K3 905-709-6545 ext 26 1-877-441-7112 p.coburn@horse.on.ca

1199 SANFORD STREET, WINNIPEG, MB, R3E 3A1 phone: 204-589-7361 tollfree: 1-800-465-7122 fax: 204-943-9612

www.domvet.com When performance counts, keep your horse healthy the Pharm-Vet way!

Zev is an effective remedy for several different types of respiratory problems in the horse. Zev may be used for the treatment of stable coughs and upper respiratory ailments, broken wind or heaves and nasal congestion. Zev is an easy and effective way to keep valued champions in winning shape or pleasure horses in peak condition.

Dominion Veterinary Laboratories Ltd. is pleased to provide OEF members with complimentary bottles of Buckley's Zev. The convenient 80ml bottles are the perfect size for your tack truck at the barn, shows or on the road. Visit the OEF Special Events tent at local fairs, horse shows and special events to get your complimentary bottle. www.horse.on.ca | 75

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equine guelph

helping horses for life™ educating horsepeople

funding industry research

promoting health & performance

eWorkshops as you learn... horses benefit

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2013

Equine Guelph – Celebrates 10th Anniversary of ‘Helping Horses for Life’ As we reach the milestone of our tenth year, Equine Guelph is proud of the achievements and advances we have delivered to the horse industry in the areas of education, research and communications. This progress is made possible by working together with our partners and supporters who are passionate about equines and their well-being.

With education sited as one of the top priorities by the equine industry, Equine Guelph has emerged as an industry leader. In the beginning six online courses were developed forming the Equine Science Certificate, making evidencedbased equine education accessible to every horse caretaker with a computer.

The unique flexible online delivery and quality of instruction from an accredited university are the key ingredients which grew the course offerings from six to 20! We now have four certificate programs including the new Equine Welfare Certificate & a Diploma program consisting of 10 courses. Registrations have increased every year, with students logging on from all over the world!

For 10 years Equine Guelph has been educating horse people to provide the best care for their horses: • Starting with EquiMania! – our travelling interactive youth education centre and website • Equine Science Certificate – online courses to improve horse management and welfare • Certificate in Equine Business Management – online courses about the business side of the industry • Equine Welfare Certificate – in partnership with the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare • Diploma in Equine Studies – comprehensive online courses studying the equine industry • Workshops – hands-on sessions on a variety of topics (i.e., anatomy) • eWorkshops – practical, intensive 2-week eWorkshops (i.e., colic and biosecurity) We have always listened to the needs of the horse industry right down to the grass roots. A demand for shorter courses on hot topics was answered this year with the introduction of 2-week eWorkshops. Colic Prevention, Behaviour & Safety and Biosecurity online short courses have proven themselves popular by filling to capacity on first offerings.

Over the past year, Equine Guelph has also been pleased to add Advanced level courses for students demanding more knowledge in the study of Equine Behaviour, Functional Anatomy and Equine Nutrition.

Thanks to partners, including OEF, we look forward to bringing you all the latest educational opportunities and research news through WHOA! With the loyal support of our partners and donors, we ensure a strong future for our horse industry and we are eager to serve the needs of that industry.

Sincerely, Director, Equine Guelph EQUINE GUELPH helping horses for life ™

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