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his month’s issue marks Saddle Up’s 24th anniversary. We want to thank all our valued readers, advertisers, horse communities, clubs, founder Nancy Roman, and our amazing writers! Your support of Saddle Up and our horse communities continues to amaze us all the time. Thank you for welcoming us, and we are looking forward to many more years to come!
Our cover feature this month is the wonderful duo Vicki Schulz & Hyde Away Ranch Blues Majestic Lad. Read more about these two and their adventures on page 5.
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Vicki Schulz & Hyde Away Ranch Blues Majestic Lad
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Photography: Saddle Up
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COVER FEATURE Hyde Away Ranch Blues Majestic Lad & Vicki
Vicki and Bob Schulz from Abbotsford, BC, are Hyde Away Ranch Blues Majestic Lad’s owners. Their farm is Ba-B-O’s Miniature Horses, where they have had minis for the last 15 years and belong to the BC Miniature Horse Club. Hyde Away Ranch Blues Majestic Lad was bred by breeders Paul and Paulie Hyde from Hyde Away Ranch in Idaho. Lad is a wonderful level-headed 5-year-old Stallion with a sweet temperament, fantastic manners, and a very willing spirit to learn. He also has a wonderfully playful attitude and will play soccer with you and his big ball! Lad is currently in training with Taylor Josiassen for driving, in-hand obstacle, and hopefully hunter and jumper. Taylor is also their farrier and has trained five of their other horses.
Vicki’s husband Bob and Lad have developed a strong connection and relationship; Bob will be showing for the first time in 2025. Lad will also be standing for the first time in 2025; they cannot wait to see what his babies will do. Lad has only been showing for the last 2 years, where he has won Supreme Miniature Horse in all his shows. Covid unfortunately shut down his first two years of showing.
Vicki and Bob have a large indoor arena that they use for training and small events they put on to help gain interest in miniature horses. They also use it for special holidays like Halloween and Christmas, where they open up an area for Santa and animal pictures. Kids and adults bring their own animals, incl. birds, or will use their horses for their pictures.Vicki also mentors children, guiding them while working with her horses. She is not a trainer but enjoys passing on what she has been taught. They learn about the horses, the equipment, how to lead, in-hand obstacles, hunter (jumping), and driving, she has everything needed to show!
Her one horse, Bobby, she takes along with her friend Tina Harrison and her mini to a retirement home. Vicki says it is amazing to see the interactions between the residents and the minis, a rewarding experience for everyone, including the horses. They will be showing at Tulsa, Oklahoma, next year for the Nationals, with Lad (Hyde Away Blues Majestic Lad), Oreo (Rivenburgs Jess Lovely Lanai), and Bobby (Sunnyvales PS I Luv U Bobby).
Feel free to reach out to Vicki if you have any questions on the breed, showing, and miniatures. They have 4 horses that they can use for anyone interested in learning to show. tapper@shaw.ca
TLEST WE FORGET the Men and Horses
Veterinary Hospital #18 WWI
by Lauren James
‘The Horses’ War
We didn’t know much about it. We thought they’d all come back But off they were all taken White and Brown and Black; Cart and cab and carriage, Wagon and Break and Dray Went out the call of duty.
‘And we watched them go away. All of their grieving owners Led them along the lane Down the hill to the station And saw them along the train. They must be back by Xmas, And won’t we give them a feed! ’
RSPCA Anthologies Remembrance Day
he thousands of horses procured in WWI to be used to pull ambulances, carry soldiers, and move artillery on the front lines worked tirelessly in an effort they knew nothing about.
Shipped thousands of miles from home to dredge through deep mud, often without adequate water or feed, became the life of a war horse. Injured or laid out on the ground without breath or heartbeat was a common scene for horses on the battlefield. Horses were key to the successful outcome of WWI. I went looking for more information about the horses and war. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, so I just started reading everything I could find online. As always seems to be the case, I stumbled upon a website about the veterinary corps of WWI. Bingo! Roots Web.com, which is funded and supported by Ancestry.com. The page I landed on belongs to Greg Krenzelok.
Greg is the director and military historian of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. His grandfather, Sgt. Leonard P. Murphy, was stationed at the U.S. Army Veterinary Hospital No. 18, located in Sougy, France, during WWI. I contacted Greg to get more information about his grandfather. I asked my first question, and Greg was so inspired to tell me about his grandfather’s background and his military service that I was compelled to just listen to the story.
“My grandfather didn’t talk about the war. I saw a picture of him wearing his U.S. Army WWI uniform, and that kind of brought on a curiosity about what he did in the military.” Greg went on to give me a little background about his memories of his grandfather Leonard.
“When visiting our grandfather, he loved to have us sit on his lap while he would pretend to be a doctor fixing our cuts and wounds, we thought. Years later, my older sister Suzanne told me that he was reliving his time at the veterinary hospital while stationed in France during WWI. I wish we had asked him more questions about his service in the veterinary corps when he was alive. And that was the beginning of my twenty years of research.” Greg continued, “My great-grandfather Patrick learned the veterinary profession through a mail order correspondence course, so common in those days. After he completed the course and became a highly respected farmer in the area, he soon became the local veterinarian. His son Leonard wanted to follow in his footsteps. It was likely a recruiting poster that led Leanard to serve in the U.S. Veterinary Corps, helping to care for, treat, and ride horses.”
“We knew at times they felt fear as we did, but always they went on. My old horse was once wounded in the early morning. He gave no sign throughout a furious day of galloping, heat, and thirst. It was only at sundown I noticed the congealed blood under the saddlecloth. I have seen man hard pressed not to weep when their horses were killed. It was a blow when a horse was wounded or, at long last, led back to the sick lines. But within a month or so the horse was back fresh and eager as our wounded men returned. The meeting of the horse and the friend was a reunion of true friendship.”
Greg then researched what it was like for the men and horses being transported via ship to France. The following is an excerpt from a report from SS Keresapa, Veterinary Hospital No. 18,’s journey that his grandfather Leonard sailed on.
“Thirty-one men had been placed on board ten days before sailing... taking care of horses, mules, and building stalls. They consisted of 20 veterinary enlisted men and 11 medical enlisted men from Camp Mills. The fact that the stalls were built of shabby materials and put together with too few nails and very little reinforcement was mentioned to the executive officer of the ship by Major Martin, but at this late hour nothing could be done to change it. All went well with both men and animals until the night of December 6, 1918. At 6:45 pm, the wind was blowing... the ship seemed to still be in good control... Suddenly, at 7:00pm, the ship listed to starboard a full 45 degrees... The animals on both forward and aft upper decks were thrown through the front of their stalls. Several fell through the hatchways. The report continues; horses and mules were strewn about in every direction. The lights went out, and the wind continued to blow, 53 horses were killed during the overseas trip, and many more were wounded, along with some soldiers. Some horses panicked and jumped overboard; the rest were tied anywhere they could be secured.
I asked Greg what happened next. “My grandfather was put in the U.S. Army Veterinary Hospital No. 18, where they took care of 1,200 head of sick and injured animals.” My head was whirling with questions. I asked Greg about the daily routine at the veterinary hospital. “All animals admitted to the hospital were affected with mange to a greater or lesser extent. The animals were held in the receiving ward; they were clipped, washed, and scrubbed with hot water containing sodium carbonate. All patients were dipped every five days in a walk-through full-body dipping vat, and trouble spots were hand scrubbed daily.
An average of 350 animals were dipped each day. Since the treatments had a drying effect on the skin and horses would develop scabs, a semi-monthly bath of sodium carbonate followed by an application of liquid petroleum was essential for a quick recovery.”
Shipping fever was a big problem caused by bacteria. Without adequate ventilation, ammoniated air, and crowding, which left animals unable to lower their necks, the bacteria could thrive. A disease called Glanders was very contagious and could be spread to humans with a mortality rate of 90%. To test for the animals with suspected disease, animals were injected with mallien. Animals with the disease would have a rise in temperature and reactions in their lesions. Other diseases such as strangles, equine influenza, and pneumonia were also seen frequently. Mangewas very transmittable from animal to animal and left a horse or mule to suffer itching and hair loss along with loss of blood due to the parasites and the thickening of their skin. Horses were often used in battle with mange until they became too weak and were taken to a veterinarian hospital for treatment.”
Suddenly, I became aware of connections between horse’s and mules’s diseases during WWI and the fact that those same diseases affect our horses and mules still today. The great news for owners now is that vaccines and other preventative measures, along with treatment, allow us and our veterinarians to head off diseases in our equines. If WWI hadn’t happened, would veterinary science have made the strides it has? It’s an interesting question. Thousands upon thousands of horses from all around the world became a giant case study in equine health, safety and training. I’d like to bring this article to a close by acknowledging the efforts, deaths, and altered lives of heroes, both human and equine, along with other animals who fought side by side so that the world would see a restructuring of political order in Europe and other parts of the world.
Greg continued. “All animals were groomed at least once daily. The grooming kits were cleaned and disinfected, along with stalls and all floors. The animals were exercised daily depending on their condition. They were exercised in large groups using large pens to move them around or were tied together in groups and managed by a mounted rider. The animals were on a strict schedule that included grooming, feeding, exercising, and watering, along with veterinary checks, bandaging, and bathing. Oats and bran that were obtained were of good quality, but the hay was only fair. The animals were watered morning and evening. Approximately 15,000 gallons of water were used daily.”
My head still whirling, I asked, How did they deal with diseases? “Horses were shipped in railway cars that were very crowded with fluctuating temperatures.
Sgt. Leonard Patrick Murphy married Esther Kulibert in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, on May 3rd, 1924. They had two children, Emmett and Geraldine Murphy Krenzelok. After retiring, Leonard and Esther moved to their son Emmet’s ranch in San Antonio, Texas. According to Greg, his grandfather never had horses of his own but would often pull his vehicle over and pet horses over the fence any time he could. Greg stated during the final moments of our interview that his research revealed the thoughts of many veterans who were stationed at veterinary hospitals.
“During the war, there was so much to do with so many animals that the men didn’t really have time to ponder what the horses were going through willingly and bravely. It wasn’t until they arrived back on American soil that the morbidity and trauma of men, horses, and mules who served was fully realized.” Equines were a soldier’s friend and comrade throughout the war and often were the caretakers of a man's soul. That was what I gleaned from all my research prior to the writing of this article. Let us be truly thankful for the service of military men around the world who lost their lives during WWI. We will not forget you!
Article by Laureen James BCom, Journalist, EC/NCCP Coach Certification IOB. Laureen is an equine journalist who writes for many publications. She also writes for the pet industry and is a columnist for Unison 50+ News. She has covered rodeos and related events over the past few years as a journalist and photographer.
Artists Corner
Mecates Horsefly Mountain
My name is Jennifer Jackson. I wear many hats these days. I’m wife to the love of my life and best friend Tyler, momma to our horsecrazed and “independent” ranch kids, 4 year-old Wyatt and twin 3-year-old girls Frankie and Heidi. We own a cattle ranch here in the Caribou Mountains, which includes the hats, haymaker, tractor fixer, calf deliverer, horse trainer, veggie grower, stray cow chaser, weather curser, and thanks giver. Life is gloriously hectic, and we adore every minute of our lifestyle.
They are stylish and strong and will last for many, many years if well cared for. The drive to start making my own horsehair mecates came from difficulty in finding quality gear. We had a fire and lost all of our tack. In looking to replace our horsehair mecates, we found it very difficult to find a suitable maker. Many were not the calibre of work we were looking for, the quality was so good we couldn’t afford it, or the waitlist extended for years. There are very few, if any, Canadian horsehair Mecate makers. I’ve been told I’m the only one north of the border. I don’t know if that’s true, but I also haven’t found anyone else. So I decided to start doing it myself.
The process of making mecates has been adjusted and adapted to suit each maker's abilities and limitations these days. My process is cumbersome and a bit awkward, but it allows me to twist in a smaller space. A far cry from how the vaqueros used to do it around the campfire. But the same basic principles hold the tradition alive. The horsehair needs to be prepared for spinning, a process called "picking." This required pulling each hair individually out of a bundle of hair and letting it fall freely into a pile. From there, I spin the pile of hair into 16 threads. The initial length of these threads can be between 30-36 feet for a standard length mecate. I use an antique rope-making machine, and once the threads are attached, they are twisted together into the four strands.
But recently I’ve added one more hat into the mix, Mecate Maker. Mecates are a style of reins used with a hackamore or in a two-rein set up in making the traditional bridle horse. They were used by the Spanish Vaqueros and introduced into North America via California. They made the reins out of materials they had available, and that was horsehair. More recently, it has also become common to use mecate reins with a snaffle bit and a set of slobber straps. A good set of horsehair mecate reins provides excellent signal to the horse due to the prickly feel. The natural weight and life of the mecate make the connection to your horse quiet and clear.
My mecates are all four-stranded without a core because I like the softer, lighter feel of them. Once the strands are spun tight, they are allowed to twist together to start to form the body of the rope. This is where the magic happens. The colours of the threads in each strand start building the pattern that the final Mecate will have, and from the first rope I made, I was hooked. It transforms from random individual strands into a work of art in an instant. Each rope is unique, different, and beautiful.
Today I make a variety of different styles of reins, all stemming from the traditional mecate style. I make loop reins, split reins, and liberty reins out of horsehair, as well as the traditional mecate and get-down lines. While I respect and prefer making the mecates in the traditional style of all natural colours and patterns, I have recently been adding some colour into the mix. The natural hair and the vibrant colours bring this centuries-old tradition and combine it with the more modern preferences of today. Additionally, one of the greatest joys of this whole new adventure is the tribute ropes I’ve been making.
Many folks save the hair from their beloved horses after they’ve passed but haven’t known what to do with it. I use their hair to make a mecate so they can “ride with their horse again."
You can find me on Facebook under BarkerCreekRanch or can reach me by email at jjackson-7@hotmail. com I’m always happy and eager to discuss custom work.
BY
HORSES INNATELY WANT TO SHOW UP FOR US
known as Kisikaw Pimotew (Day Walker), asked his dad for a horse of his own. To this request, his father replied, “First, go build a fence.” And Patrick did. Once he had a secure space for his horse, he took forty dollars and bought a black horse he named Mickey. Patrick and Mickey were the best of friends for many years—until the boy grew up. “When I became a young man, this was the time I pretended to be a cowboy,” said Patrick. “I was competing in bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, calf roping, all of them.” At this stage of life, he viewed horses as just a fourlegged animal whose sole function was to be used for his own purposes and pleasure. A view, Patrick believes, is still relevant for many people to this day, but not for him.
Presently, as a man of sixty-seven, he understands that horses are beings offering us much more if we are willing to receive their many gifts. This realization didn’t occur to him, however, until he was in his late 50’s, during a series of incidents that expanded his awareness of the magic within a horse. To be specific, the horse spirit. When the initial incident occurred, Patrick had thirty horses, and his brother, who lived close by, had roughly the same. His brother was out of town, and Patrick’s sister-in-law called, asking for his help as one of the horses had injured itself and needed attention. Patrick arrived on his brother’s land to find the injured horse suffering and needing assistance with letting go and passing on. Before they proceeded, Patrick had an idea and asked his sister-in-law for tobacco. Not certain in that moment what compelled him, Patrick decided to say a prayer for the horse and thinks inherently he knew he needed tobacco to accompany it. This was the first time Patrick performed such a ceremony in his life, and the first time of many where he connected to horse spirit.
Two weeks later, a miracle occurred. Something Patrick says had never happened for him before offering tobacco and praying to horse spirit. He crushed his hand while working outside and was in agony. In his pain and distress, Patrick’s horse, Dreamer, ran over and stood in
his herd, Skunk, approached him. Patrick placed his hands on this horse and said the prayer again—miraculously, the pain disappeared. These incidents offered Patrick a profound lesson, one of the healing power of horses.
Patrick attributes those healing miracles to the cultural teachings of his ancestors. He uses traditional ceremonies that date back to, in his words, forever to connect to the horse spirit by offering tobacco and singing sacred horse songs. The magic of his culture is understanding the relationship humans have with nature and teaching the importance of that connection. In Patrick’s culture, the horse has always been special, both as a healer and a protector.
A memory came to Patrick of a time when a friend of his came to visit his home. When said friend was driving up the laneway, he noticed a pool of blood by the closed front gate. Patrick and his friend immediately went to check on the horses. They found Patrick’s stallion, a brown and white Overo, his dream horse, shivering and standing still with an open lesion at its neck. After careful inspection of the wounded Overo, Patrick deduced a predator had attacked his stallion. His dream horse was injured beyond repair and had to be laid to rest. Patrick spent time reflecting on this occurrence once the horse was gone and understood there was a teaching of this incident from horse spirit. His Overo stallion was willing to give his life to protect his family from the predator that threatened it.
Patrick believes horses want to share our energy. In his language, Atim means dog, and Mist-Atim means big dog, which is what they call a horse. Experts have long cited dogs’s abilities to sense fear and love. Patrick says, "A horse can sense your feelings and energy, and energy is the language that a horse speaks.” Patrick invites people to consider communicating with our equines instead of approaching with power and control, to instead connect with love, kindness, and compassion. If we’re willing to share that with our horses, it can be reciprocal. Horses
want to share their energy with us. With this energy, Patrick believes that horses are a conduit to help humans deeply heal with the horse spirit. Surrounding this, he has developed a program called Manaciso: Healing with Horses. In his language, the word manaciso means self-respect and taking care of yourself. Patrick’s form of healing offers participants an opportunity to release trauma by placing their hands on a horse and releasing it to horse spirit. What’s special about this approach is the ability to heal without speaking; no one needs to share or relive their pain or trauma and instead, use their minds and a horse to let go.
Patrick sees how trauma and negative experiences can halt a person’s life force, their flow of energy. But he doesn’t classify emotions as negative; rather, he describes them as a heaviness. The crux of healing is giving up the victimhood. Patrick can attest to this as someone who doesn’t want to be referred to as a survivor of residential schooling. “Calling me a survivor makes me a victim,” says Patrick. “I choose to release that heaviness. Healing happens with letting go of the heavy energy trapped in our bodies.”
Patrick has spent much of his life working with varying forms of energy. He was an electrician by trade and attributes this as the introduction to learning about energy itself, and it has helped him understand energy between beings. “Each building is protected by a circuit breaker, and if there is an overload, it will kick out and it can only be re-set manually,” says Patrick. “And people can experience the same thing." He believes when people become overwhelmed, our ‘circuitbreaker’ kicks out. Furthermore, if someone has been traumatized and our switch kicks out, that heaviness keeps us stuck, and we may lose our place. Manaciso is meant to release heaviness from our body, mind, and soul. To enhance his ability of detecting heavy and light energy, complementing his healing modality, he uses an aura-meter, which reacts to energetic levels within beings.
To facilitate his programming, Patrick built a unique barn at his home. It is equipped with a sliding door to a classroom. His clients and students sit in the classroom for a workshop directed by Patrick. At a certain juncture of the teachings, Patrick pushes the sliding door ajar to reveal two of his horses, his Appaloosas. Once this door is open, it allows the horse spirit into the room to congregate with the people. With horse spirit present, Patrick witnesses his horses gently nibbling and nuzzling people, then licking, chewing, and yawning—a way they’re using horse spirit to help release heaviness from those within the room.
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“We are meant to feel joy in this life, not suffering,” says Patrick. “Some people see suffering as normal.”
Manaciso is gaining popularity. Patrick’s son, Mason Buffalo, used social media to showcase his father’s experiences with healing with horses. This tactic grabbed the attention of major media outlets, including APTN, CBC, and many more, which exposed him to the world. Patrick has done 2 international symposiums with horses and numerous workshops throughout North America.
This healing may be facilitated on his property near Mascwacis, Alberta. Or he will travel for on-location events (horses must be provided). Patrick is keen on taking Manaciso into more parts of British Columbia, Alberta, and around the world. Workshops are offered for healing with horses and training his methodology for those interested in offering or leading this work. To learn more, please email pbuffalo@daywalker. ca or call at (780) 312-0114, or find him on Facebook @Patrick Buffalo.
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Article by Amber Zierath, a Calgary-based, equine-focused writer and the author of the best-selling fiction novel Horse Karma. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her with the horses; riding bareback in the mountains or spending time with the 60 geldings that inspire her. Learn more at: amberzierath.com. Photography by Manuela Stefan.
A MAGICAL ENCOUNTER ON MASKWACIS LAND
BY PHOTOGRAPHER MANUELA STEFAN
Horses bring us, people, together if we learn to
LISTEN TO THEIR WHISPERS
With the Thanksgiving weekend behind us, I have been pondering what makes me feel grateful. One of the highlights, which has remained constant over the years, is the way in which my life has been influenced and shaped by horses. Years ago, following a trip to the South of France to meet and photograph a special herd, everything changed for me, and my soul knew it connected with something purposeful. I promised myself then to become a voice for these majestic animals, in my own humble way, by connecting their magic with the world through my photographs and storytelling. Over time, I have also come to experience amazing, mystical moments of healing while surrounded by the energy of horses, and my understanding has expanded.
It is how I learned about Patrick Buffalo and his ‘Manaciso Healing with Horses’ program. My heart has always felt drawn to the indigenous cultures, their deep connection to and reverence for everything around them, and their ability to merge with the spirit of the horse. I approached Patrick enthusiastically, and, following a very easy-flowing conversation, I decided to visit him on his land during my work trip to Alberta. His invitation sunk deep: “Come to see what we do here." I knew this was not going to be an ordinary journey.
I had the privilege to spend a few memorable days at Patrick’s farm, where I was allowed to just be, wander amongst the horses, feel the land, connect with myself, and witness my soul light up. One morning, I even ‘happened upon’ a filly being born, as I was just passing by the paddock. It truly was a matter of seconds, and I immediately knew that was no coincidence.
I took it as a powerful reminder to trust my life, my being exactly where I was supposed to be, at the right time. I got to sit there in awe with the mare and her fresh baby, whose soft, wet coat I was able to touch and imprint. Time stood still, and I felt an immense amount of love take over my being. Patrick and his son, Mason, reaffirmed what I was already feeling and added this was quite an honour I was offered by Spirit. Patrick told me so many powerful stories, for which I would need pages, but one of his dreams stood out to me: to build a classroom connected to an arena, where his horses could step up by choice and join up with the people coming to learn and heal. I was privileged to be a witness to the magical way in which Patrick delivers his knowledge, with his sharp mind, incredible wit, and palpable love for his fellow humans. Just on the other side of the sliding doors, now in place, I could hear the horses’ soothing sounds as they were waiting and getting ready for the human encounter.
Camera in hand, I was honoured to feel through and capture moments of pure connection and surrender to Horse Spirit, an invitation Patrick knows so well to guide people towards.
I witnessed tears and also big smiles emerging on people’s faces, who were leaving the experience with a new sense of lightness in their beings. I look forward to joining up with Patrick and his herd again, in whichever way I will be guided. The Manaciso medicine keeps being released into my own soul every single day. All I need is to connect to it.
Manuela Stefan is a Canadian/Romanian photographer with a passion for travel and horse culture. Her extensive equine collection came to life as a result of her love and admirations for these animals, who have brought joy, inspiration, and healing to her soul. Manuela also leads horse-inspired retreats for women in Ontario and abroad.
Her equine work can be found here: Website: gracefulhorses.com Instagram: @gracefulhorsesart Facebook: @GracefulHorses
All Photography on pages 10-12 were taken by Manuela Stefan
The Dublin Yukon Country Boots are super warm and breathable boots featuring a cosy sherpa fleece lining and provides a great fit with combined back zip and stylish full front lace design. This Dublin Yukon Country Boot with waterproof and breathable bootie lining and moisture-wicking RCS footbed system with heel and arch support and double cushioning layer is perfect for all day comfort. The durable rugged rubber outer sole provides grip when walking.
Let’s not forget the young rider and young riders at heart too! Diamond H carries the beautifully crafted Breyer® horses. In our search for their product info, we learned that top equine artists start the design process of the model sculpture and then cast them into a copper and steel mold. Each horse model is created one at a time from these original moulds, and a special resin is used with the end results of rich colours, detail, and beauty. After the model is moulded, it is prepped and finished all by hand. Next, it is handed off to the painting department to be painted with airbrushes and paint brushes for the detail work. About twenty artisans work on one horse model. In Breyer®’s own words, "creating an exquisite hand-made model horse that is as individual as the horse that inspired it." Maybe Diamond H has your next horse!
Located in sunny Kelowna, BC Diamond H Tack was Established in 1995.
Founded by the two Heathers, Heather Robson & Heather Moffat.
Diamond H Tack has been providing clients with English and Western saddles, tack, riding supplies, feed, nutraceuticals, and much more. The store is renowned for their expertise and knowledge in the equine industry and their friendly service.
We caught up with Diamond H Tack and asked what their top product pick this month was. Boots, boots, and boots! Of course, with the fall weather fast approaching, everyone is looking for a warm riding boot, and why not make it stylish too! There are so many brands to choose from today, but there are a few affordable options that stand apart from the others. Dublin Boots is one of them. The brand name had been around for a long time, well known in the equine industry, equipping young and mature feet with a variety of price options. This feature boot is the Yukon. So stop in and see the staff at Diamond H Tack, they will be happy to guide you with your next tack purchase.
AWinterizing YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE
s winter starts moving in, it can pose many challenges for horse owners, especially those situated in areas that drop significantly cooler. Not only do the temperatures plummet, but the days gradually get shorter, and terrain can often become harder to work on. These are all factors in limiting one’s ability to do effective training and work with your horse. It poses a problem due to limited daylight, difficult footing, and the cold often deters from wanting to ride. So before the winter truly frosts over, let’s talk about how to winterize your horses' training and keep them going in a safe and effective manner during the cooler months.
Before getting too far, it's important to address why winterization of your routine is crucial. Falling temperatures impede muscle stretch, which in turn reduces mobility and can lead to strains, sprains, and injuries to yourself and your horse. Inhaling cold air during intense exercise can also cause respiratory distress due to shock of the system; furthermore, icy or muddy terrain increases the risk of slips or falls that can also cause injury and discomfort. By taking the time to adjust a few minor things, you can make a huge difference in comfort while also reducing risk and keeping your horse conditioned through winter!
By Brittain Mills Dawes
4 Ways to Prep Your Horse
1 Gradual Warm-Ups
The cold makes muscles stiff and has less stretch to them, which is why you not only have to take longer to warm up your horse but you also have to do it at a more gradual pace to avoid injury! Start with slower exercises just to get them moving; doing a light lunge can help warm the muscles and lubricate the joints without causing strain. Gradually work up to more movement over at least a 20-minute period, especially if your horse is coming from outside.
2
Stretch Their Muscles
Either before, after, or both, make sure to stretch your horse's legs and any of their known areas of stiffness. This will help many things, including increased blood circulation, muscle flexibility, range of motion, and injury prevention. When the weather gets colder, both muscles and tendons tend to contract and stiffen while also reducing lubrication to joint spaces; stretching helps lengthen the muscles, making them more pliable, which in turn helps the horse be able to move better and more freely.
3 Extended Cool Downs
After working, horses require a longer cool-down period to avoid sudden changes to their body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate, which can cause distress. Walking your horse and bringing down the energy from the work will help slow their systems gradually and more naturally than a complete stop! Each horse is different in how long it takes their body to recover after work, so take as long as you need for a cooldown, but try to do it for at least 15 minutes.
4 Proper Gear
Investing in winter gear is vital to keeping your horse comfortable and performing at their best! Exercise sheets can be a good way to retain warmth during workouts while not causing overheating. Most importantly, after doing any work, make sure your horse is fully dry before heading back into the cold to prevent them from catching a chill. You can use things such as a cooler blanket to gradually bring down their temperature and wick sweat before turn out. Blanketing them as needed can also help them regulate body heat.
Adjusting the Routine
Training in shorter, more frequent sessions can help your horse stay fit without risking exhaustion or injury. Cold muscles are known to be prone to fatigue; by breaking up the workload, it allows for your horse's body to maintain muscle tone and mental stimulation while reducing accident/injury risk. If you have access to indoor spaces, cooler months are the perfect time to start transitioning into those spaces! Winter is also a great time to focus on more precise training with groundwork and low-impact exercises, as it is still mentally stimulating without causing significant sweating and physical strain in often more confined spaces. Poles or cones can be great tools in creating stimulating workouts that provide both mental and physical challenges. If you don’t have access or opt for outdoor work, navigating slush, ice, and snow is crucial. Try to stay on clear paths, avoiding slippery or uneven terrain where possible. Keep a slow and even pace, and make sure to clean out their hooves from any ice or snow buildup when needed.
Adapting Exercises
Despite the cold, targeted goals can still be worked on just in a different manner. If you are wanting to maintain or even build strength and/or endurance in your horse, it is still very much possible with lowimpact exercises. For example, walking in snow is a fantastic workout for your horse, as it requires more effort and muscle activation to lift their legs. Using uneven or staggered height poles, you can also introduce faux hillwork that activates the same muscle groups without the intensity of faster-paced exercises.
Cooler temperature months are also a great time to introduce cross-training outside the saddle. Groundwork, liberty, and desensitization are great ways to maintain fitness while improving focus and bonding with your equine companion! Sometimes forgotten, mental engagement of your horse is equally as important as physical fitness to keeping them healthy and to keep you safe. By providing cross-training, it can help keep your horse mentally engaged even if the physical work is lighter.
Monitoring Health
As mentioned in previous articles, hydration is such a huge component of maintaining a horse's health to ensure their body’s homeostasis and all their organ systems function properly. Hydration can be harder to manage in the winter due to the cold restricting water access and simply because horses tend to consume less in cooler weather. This leads me to the next thing to monitor during the summer to winter exercise transition: signs of physical overexertion. Make sure you are monitoring for stiffness and less flexibility or smooth movements, and adjust your warm-up routines and length accordingly to avoid muscle or tissue damage. Watch for laboured breathing, especially if it’s unusual for them, as cold air can exacerbate respiratory issues and distress. Overall, do your best to keep the intensity of a workout appropriate for your horse’s fitness level and the environmental conditions such as terrain and weather. Make sure you are keeping up with farrier work, as well as winter shoes or studs may be needed for certain horses that are regularly worked on frozen or icy surfaces.
Winter training may require adjustments, but with the right approach, it can be a productive and rewarding season. By winterizing your routines, the intensity, and the types of workouts you do, you’ll set yourself and your equine partner up for success. By embracing the winter months through preparation and consistency, your horse will emerge strong, healthy, and ready for spring training.
“There is no drug, no therapy, no program, and no guru out there that can heal us and grow us as effectively as connection to a healthy community” Leann Manuel, the ‘Boss Mare’ at Riding 4 Life.
Riding 4 Life
This was the punch line of her speech given the night of their Fall Frolic & Feast event in celebration of their 20th anniversary just a few weeks ago. The event brought together several colleagues and community partners from the horse industry throughout the South Okanagan. The milestone was not just an excuse to party but it was an opportunity to recognize everything and everyone that goes into building and sustaining a supportive community of horse lovers like the one at Riding 4 Life Ranch today.
After growing up in BC’s horse industry and moving through Pony Club, 4H, and the Quarter Horse Show circuit on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, Manuel returned home from university to explore her options in the equine world. She knew she needed horses to be a central focus of her life, but the surrounding equestrian world offered very few options that inspired her. Manuel’s competitive horse show career had been very successful, it was assumed that she would continue this track professionally, she earned virtually every award and prize in her chosen disciplines that she could afford the entries and gas money to get to. There had been many offers of work or apprenticeship in the horse training world too, but continuing to pursue that path didn’t excite her anymore.
Feeling a little lost, she drifted and even considered selling her horses and leaving them behind. However, Manuel did continue to teach a few lessons here and there and quietly put some rides on some young horses for folks who knew her. Then in 2002, Manuel was asked to teach a few beginner lessons to some children with special needs. These children would not have fit into the average beginner riding program. Some had difficulty with their motor skills. Others couldn’t communicate using words. All of them were drawn to Leann’s horses, though, and luckily for them, Manuel’s post secondary studies in psychology and social work brought the right ingredients into the mix. It didn’t take long for Manuel to see that someone needed to start filling this gap in her community regularly, and it may as well be her. She founded Riding 4 Life in the fall of 2004, and she’s been on a mission ever since.
That mission hasn’t been just about a specialized therapeutic service. It was about the whole community. At the time, Manuel was also volunteering as a 4H leader and often expressed her frustration at how difficult it was for newcomers to access the world of horses. Leann had been fortunate enough to be born into a hobby horse family. But what about all those horse-crazy kids whose families had no
idea where to start? In a shrinking industry, that was troubling to her. Manuel could see that the community and lifestyle she loved were quickly disappearing. Where was the next generation going to come from, and how were they going to find what they needed to develop their horsemanship skills?
Riding 4 Life grew incredibly quickly in its early days. In its first 18 months of business, it grew from one instructor, one lesson horse, and just 7 weekly clients to almost 50 clients, 6 horses, and 3 part-time staff in addition to Leann. The response from the surrounding community was tremendous, and it was clear that Riding 4 Life had a lot to offer. But everyone who lives the barn life knows that it’s a lot of work. The horse industry can be very tough. Leann’s support system couldn’t rise to the challenge with her. Growth is scary, and most of her inner circle wasn’t up for the task. So, in 2008, Manuel found herself starting life over in the South Okanagan. She didn’t own any land, didn’t have any capital, had no day job, and had virtually no network to support her. But just like in 2004, she still had a dream and was on a mission.
In the first few years of its Okanagan journey, Riding 4 Life again served just a handful of special needs clients each week. Growth seemed painfully slow at first. The financial crisis of 2008 made building a new life from scratch incredibly challenging. But no matter how slow or how stressful things were, Manuel kept leaning in. By 2015, Riding 4 Life had set up on a corner of what is now known as Feedway Stables in Penticton. Within a year of this move, once again, there were 6 horses, a few part-time staff, and more than 40 weekly clients. The tedious work of building connections in a new community had paid off. And this time, the network of support forming around Manual and Riding 4 Life was here to stay. Then in 2022, Riding 4 Life took on a 10-acre ranch property in Oliver, B.C., as its second location. It’s now known as R4L Ranch. It is home to 9 of Riding 4 Life’s 15 equine staff, up to 22 boarded horses, and offers year-round riding lessons, therapeutic programs, social groups,
clinics, events, and quiet evenings around the fire pit where the young and young at heart giggle and reflect on their life with horses.
Now in 2024, after 20 years of Riding 4 Life, there is much to celebrate. Standing on a stage made of hay bales on a beautiful September evening, Manuel was flooded with gratitude while looking out at the crowd gathered in the ranch’s new covered arena, listening to her speak about community. Manuel has always known that horsemanship brings growth and healing to a lot of people. She knew this because that’s what it did for her many years ago. What Leann didn’t realize until more recently was that the mission of Riding 4 Life, the mission that called her away from everything she knew growing up, the mission that meant she had to give up everything she had worked for as a young adult, and the mission that led her to build an inclusive barnyard community where anyone interested in learning horsemanship could thrive, was the same mission that would build for her a community where she too could finally, and truly, thrive.
Since 2004, Riding 4 Life has served over 700 individual clients and delivered over 20,000 hours of horsemanship instruction. More than half of those riders contend with a disability, a mental health challenge, or are neurodiverse. Most are between the ages of 5 and 25. But some are old enough to know better. Some have a therapeutic or developmental goal in mind. Others just want to learn anything they can about horsemanship. Many clients return each year, and some even become horse owners themselves. And a few have that twinkle in their eye. (As horse people, you all know the one!) Those are the aspiring horsewomen and men who move up through Riding 4 Life programs to become intern instructors and who help serve even more newcomers each year.
Photos: Top left; Rock Steady on Stage, middle; Chris and Leann, right; Diana Silver
Salmon Arm 2024 55+ BC Games
The equestrian event at the Salmon Arm 2024 55+ BC Games was held this year at the Salmon Arm Fair Grounds, from Wednesday, September 11, to Friday, September 13, 2024.
The event was well attended, with over 90 participants registered in the various disciplines offered. Six disciplines were included: Dressage, Western Dressage, Driving, Working Equitation, Mountain Trail & Ranch Horse. Horse Council BC always has a huge role to play in the organization and support of the games, and this year was no exception, with Sandy Underwood providing excellent guidance to both the host society and the BC Seniors Games society.
Carolyn Farris and La Whitehead, Sport Chairs for the Salmon Arm 2024 55+ BC Games Host Society, were instrumental in the organization on the ground, coordinating at the club level all the logistical needs to run a fantastic event.
From setting up camping and horse stalls to coordinating city maintenance of the grounds and cleaning on move-out day, their leadership went above and beyond, allowing participants to focus on competing and partake in the various multi-sport special events that were offered during the Games. Shuttles were provided so participants could easily access all Games activities conveniently, including the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday evening and the Participant Dance and Passing of the Flag Ceremony on Friday evening, well attended events that mark the unique nature of the 55+ BC Games compared to other competitions.
Mark your calendars for 2025 as Nanaimo opens their doors to the 55+ BC Games community from September 9-13! The list of approved sports offered for those games will be released at the end of 2024. To view this years results, visit: https://55plusbcgames.org
Photo
Dog Tip of the Month
Courtesy of Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb
“Oh, Careful! My dog will chase... (smaller dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits … anything that runs)!”
Providing a ‘custom care’ boarding kennel means I have a nondog park style service and accept all dog breeds and doganalities so... I hear this comment all of the time! If you've ever wondered why your dog has the inclination to chase after or run down smaller things (including other dogs), you've probably forgotten that your dog is a predator and closely related to coyotes and wolves! Coyotes and wolves are led by their prey drive; they ‘live’ to hunt, kill, and eat other animals that are smaller, weaker, or slower than them for their survival, plain and simple. Your dog, though domesticated, still has a semblance of this urge—some dogs are stimulated more easily than others. Some dogs have a larger ‘bubble’ of self-control than others. Some dogs are innately more driven and aggressive than others. Some dogs are drawn in when another dog triggers, even if they have previously shown no ‘prey’ interest. Unfortunately, your dog's prey drive doesn't justify your lack of control, ability to recall your dog off (of anything), or the possible terror they can cause both other critters and you by their chase!
So, when (not if) you are horrified when you realize you have zero control of your dog when they are distracted and triggered by smaller cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, chipmunks, mice, birds, even deer and other larger prey animals, please realize that it is, in fact, your responsibility as your dog’s ’leader’, to give your dog enough educated leadership that your communication will override their desire to chase prey! So, other than having your dog on leash and/or muzzled all the time while out walking, what are some things you can do to improve this prey chase tendency, and how can you build better leadership with your dog to prevent this from happening in the first place? In my opinion (which may be polar opposite to other trainers and dog managers), it all comes down to foundation…foundation...foundation. Foundation of love, foundation of communicated leadership (that is understood), foundation of mutual respect = control of your dog.
Foundation of love
I consider love, like your savings account. Build that up as much as possible so that you don’t get ‘overdrawn or nsf’ when the ‘quality conversations’ with your dog get serious. Love doesn’t mean treats, by the way. Love is created with things like hanging out together, reading your dog’s body language and paying attention to their needs, affection without expectation, and unconditional and sincere affection (that your dog actually likes).
Foundation of leadership
Must be created by consistent and reliable communication, without bribes, negotiating, tricking, distraction, or aggression. (There is a very fine line between assertiveness and aggression!) Dogs love structure and crave reliable leadership they can trust to ‘follow’ without question or confusion, and only then will they be calm and be able to think (and make good decisions). The more ‘black and white’ that your consistent communication is for your dog, the easier everything will be understood. There is a very fine line between being assertive in your communication and getting aggressive to achieve an outcome. A mother dog is assertive in communicating what is expected. She will correct and make her point, with consequences. She causes the easy things to be pleasing and comfortable. She is reliable and consistent in causing the undesirable
behaviours to be uncomfortable for her pups. Puppies, like children, always choose the path of least resistance and the most comfort.
Foundation of mutual respect
Once love is not in question, your leadership is clear and understood, and respect will easily follow. Respect is not a given just because you own and feed your dog. There is no fear in respect, and it must be mutual to be effective. You can’t make your dog respect you. Respect is important to earn, and yes, respect is also easy to lose.
The problem that I see all too often with dog owners, more often than not, is that their dog’s regard for communication and leadership is simply not effective, rarely supported, or not existent at all; therefore, respect is not even a factor in the relationship dogs have with their owners. The question of who is actually leading and in control of any given situation is debatable in most cases, which causes many dogs to live in a constant state of anxiety on some level. Even with casual things like a person going through doors before their dogs, having their dogs wait politely for an okay before diving into their food, asking their dogs to ‘leave it’ with a ball or bone, or just having their dogs walk lightly beside them with a'smile’ in the leash (without any pulling or changing sides, speed, or direction) is very uncommon, from my observation. Is it any wonder that when a cat or small interesting animal crosses a dog’s path (path of smell, sight, or noise), that the chase is on, leaving owners out of control!? Of course not! And, what’s worse, is that once a dog is in the pattern of the trigger to chase, it is all the more difficult to change the behaviour. Thus, the title warning that I am told and forewarned of constantly is, “Oh, by the way, my dog will chase and be out of control if it sees a cat, chicken, squirrel, rabbit, deer...”. Please, people, make the necessary adjustments to help your dog be more reliant on your communication, knowing your expectations, and respectful of your unfailing leadership. If you need help, find it! The results will be so rewarding for both you and your dogs, making life safer for you as well as other animals surrounding you and... your dogs an absolute pleasure to walk, no matter their distraction, anytime, any place.
Article by Patricia Skinner-Porter, Patricia is the owner and operator of Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb at Monte Lake BC. Offering custom care boarding (non-dog park style). Patricia provides personal care, attention and daily exercise for ALL dog types, breeds, and doganalities! She also offers one-on-one dog owner training, helping individuals to create healthy happy relationships with their dogs. Monthly she shares her vast array of experience with beneficial tips for you and your pooch to enjoy!
For your pet needs contact:
EVERYTHING PETS (Princeton BC) 250-295-7381
Quality Foods & Supplies for all your Pets! See us on FB
HARMONY FARM KENNEL AND LAMB.com, Monte Lake, BC, 250-375-2528. “Cutsom Care” boarding welcomes ALL dogs!
Hoof Beats
Six Parts Of The Whole STRUCTURE ONE - THE WALL
In this issue, we will be discussing the first structures of the hoof capsule, THE WALL. The wall of the hoof is the part of the capsule that has the hardest horn. It has to be very hard because it is the part of the capsule that takes the most wear. The hoof capsule provides a framework for all the other parts to attach.
The hoof wall wraps around the entire foot, and even the bars are made up of hard hoof wall. We must ensure that we pay attention to the quality of the hoof capsule and watch for changes on the wall itself. Changes in the shape of the wall are an indication of changes in the horse's diet, environment, and stress.
Being that the wall is the hardest part of the hoof capsule, it has the greatest influence and can have a good or bad effect on the rest of the structures. It has the capacity to pinch frogs, contract, or destabilize the sole in instances of very flared walls. If the hoof horn contracts inward, it can pinch the bulbs, causing discomfort in the back of the hoof. In our clinics, we emphasize that grooming the hoof less but more often, ideally every 15 days, helps the hoof stay connected and grow in a balanced way, and the wall never has the opportunity to cause problems.
Walls can be all black, white, or a combination. We often see the individual vertical horn tubules growing down from the hairline, and this is normal. On average, it takes the wall 12 months to grow from the hairline to the ground (black arrow). We have a calendar, so to speak, where we can see when there may have been some stressors in the past year. Oftentimes these stressors in the horse go unnoticed, as the horse is a very stoic animal. We may not have noticed, but the hoof wall keeps track.
When we see horizontal lines and waves (yellow line), this indicates that there was an inflammatory or stress event that occurred. The top of this hoof wall (pink lines) looks to have a tighter connection than the lower (red lines). When we start to see the wall at the top of the hoof getting stronger and more connected, this indicates that the stress and nutritional changes made in the last 4 months have been for the better. The lower wall appears to be a bit less connected and flared, and that is due to a weak laminar connection due to inflammation in the past.
The wall rim (highlighted in yellow) should have an even wall thickness around the whole peripheral edge of the sole. The wall rim is designed to just carry 20% of the horse's weight. The other 80% is shared with the rest of the hoof capsule, sole, frog, bulbs, and digital cushion inside of the hoof.
Christine and Francine offer amazing clinics and are heading east next year to expand their reach. Watch for updates online for Western Canadian learning opportunities in 2025 and more Hoof Geek monthly tips in Saddle Up! Learn more at hoofgeeks.ca facebook.com/hoofgeeks
TOUT & WHITE TABLE ABOUT
EVENT
he Vernon District Riding Club recently hosted a successful White Table Event, blending elegance and community spirit to raise funds for the club’s ongoing operations and sudden infrastructure improvements required. The event featured a gourmet dinner set under a beautifully arranged white-themed outdoor setting, with local riders and coaches donating their time for an interactive equestrian demonstration. The evening also included live music, Instagram pop-up stations, a bourbon tasting station, beer and wine, and an art auction, creating a memorable experience for attendees while fostering a sense of community.
This event was a wonderful success and helps serve as an inspiring example for other not-for-profit riding clubs looking to think outside the box when raising funds. Creative approaches, such as themed events, can tap into new audiences and offer unique experiences that go beyond traditional bake sales or raffles. Partnering with local businesses, leveraging social media for promotion, and offering exclusive experiences can make these events both enjoyable and profitable. Other clubs could consider the value of tailoring fundraisers to their local communities’ interests, such as outdoor dining, cultural performances, or demonstrations that showcase their riding programs.
- VDRC Vernon District Riding Club
Photography captured by Laura Blain
As the world faces economic changes, many, including our clubs are in need of support and regular funding. There is a continuous need of members and volunteers to keep doors open, while others are hit with sudden and unexpected infrastructure improvements. Though we are all faced with the rising costs of life, remember even the smallest effort can make a difference. From volunteering, becoming a member, donating, spectating, these gestures large or small can make all the difference in keeping clubs and equestrian events alive and well to enjoy now and for generations to come!
Events + Club HUB
As the show season starts to slow down, many clubs are making plans for next years shows and events. Plan ahead now for 2025 show dates!
Maple Ridge Equi-Sports Centre
mrec.ca
MREC Fall Schooling Shows
Hunter, Jumper & Flat Schooling Show (Summer Games Qualifiers) Nov 24
Southlands Riding Club Southlandsridingclub.com
Darcy Henkel - Working Equitation Nov 8-9, 10 am to 5 pm 7025 Macdonald Street Vancouver, BC
Hunt Ball Gala
Nov 16, 6-11pm 7025 Macdonald Street Vancouver, BC
Tickets available southlandsridingclub.com
Otter Co-Op Feed Seminar
Nov 22, 6-8 PM
Holiday Market
Lets get out & support our local shows!
Nov 23, 10 am - 4 PM 7025 Macdonald Street Vancouver, BC
2024 BCHJA Symposium
Nov 30, 8 am - 5pm
High Point Equestrian Center bchja.com/special-events
Thinking of joining a club or association, here are a variety of to choose from
BC Therapeutic Riding Association - bctherapeuticriding.com
Vintage Riders Equestrian club FB page
BC Paint Horse Club - bcphc.com
Wild Rose Draft Horse Association - wrdha.com
BCEA Eventing Association - bceventing.ca
Alberta Horse Trials Association - albertahorsetrials.com
British Columbia Hunter Jumper Association - bchja.com
Jump Alberta - jumpalberta.com
B.C. Ranch Cutting Horse Assoc. bcrcha.com
Canadian Cowboy Challenge - canadiancowboychallenge.com
Alberta Donkey and Mule Club - albertadonkeyandmule.ca
100 Mile & District Outriders - facebook.com/100MileOutriders
Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association - cantra.ca
Working Equitation Canada - workingeq.ca
Backcountry Horseman of British Columbia - bchorsemen.org
Alberta Backcountry Horseman - abhorseman.org
BC Team Roping Association - ropebc.ca
JP Ranch Arena - facebook.com/jprancharena
Interior Cutting Horse Association - ichacutting.com
Ranch Horse Revolution Club - FB ranchhorserevolution
Northern Saddle Club - northernsaddleclub.com
Canadian Pony Club -canadianponyclub.org
4-H Canada - 4-h-canada.ca
British Columbia Quarter Horse Association www.bcqha.com
Vancouver Island -North and South Is. - nviha.com & vihja.ca
Special Events!
Look for Saddle Up Out & About or read about the event coverage in our magazine! Email us at Hello@SadddleUp.ca to have your event published and check out Events + Club Hub on SADDLEUP.CA
Ashlee Bond and Hope Glynn will be joining us at High Point Eque November 30th - December 1st for our 2024 Symposium. The event will take place over two days and will highlight different levels, disciplines, and aspects of the spo
JUMP CANADA HALL OF FAME RETURNS TO CELEBRATE THREE NEW CHAMPIONS
Toronto, ON, Sept. 30, 2024 – The Jump Canada Hall of Fame will make its return on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Three deserving new champions will be celebrated during the 13th edition of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala, presented by BMO Financial Group, at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, ON.
This year’s celebrated inductees will be:
Rider – Ian Millar
Groom – Jenny Courchesne
Horse (Show Jumping) – Special Ed
The 13th edition of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala will be part of a black-tie reception and dinner, including live music, held in the elegant Governor’s Room at Toronto’s Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex at Exhibition Place.
“We’re looking forward to reuniting with all of our friends from the hunter and jumper community for a spectacular edition of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame,” said Mark Samuel, Chair of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame committee. “We are excited to welcome three inspirational new inductees, including international groom Jenny Courchesne, Pan American Games champion and Olympic medalist Special Ed, and the legend of Canadian show jumping, Ian Millar. Following a world record-setting 10 Olympic appearances, Ian has retired from the competition ring which allows us to finally induct him into the ‘Rider’ category. - News release Equestrian Canada
Alberta Backcountry Club
HOW (AND WHY) REGIONAL CHAPTERS WILL BE FORMED. THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.
Alberta Backcountry Horsemen Society (ABH) was created to ensure province-wide influence, education, and continued access to trails. We are committed to working in complete collaboration with similar Alberta groups in achieving the common goal of preserving our national horse heritage through the care and upkeep of historic trails, trailheads/staging areas, and equine campsites. ABH can leverage our platform for collaboration and growth, ultimately contributing to the betterment of the equine industry overall. This is especially important in regions of the province where backcountry equestrian groups may be struggling to gain momentum.
Alberta Donkey Club
September was a great month for the ADMC. We hosted our annual Fun Day in Didsbury with a great turnout of longears lovers. Special thanks to Carlo and Jennifer Towes for joining in and providing instruction. It's so fun to watch everyone's success! Watch next month for pictures from our adventures! And don’t forget to check out the Alberta Donkey and Mule Club: Cheer for the Ears!
When an existing (or new) group becomes affiliated with ABH by becoming a regional chapter, they’ll operate under the umbrella of ABH Society. As such, there’s no need to register as a provincial society or to create bylaws, mission statements, and all of that paperwork. We will provide a solid foundation to get them started. As an added bonus, regional chapters will also be covered by our Acera insurance policy, so they will automatically have Directors and Officers and third-party liability insurance.
Regional chapters may be formed when:
• An existing group wants to become affiliated with ABH
• A group of 10 or more people want to start a new chapter
As we expand our membership base and build chapters, everyone's ability to qualify for trail funding and grant applications will improve. Together, we can benefit from the collective grant-application power and the voice of a larger, province-wide organization.
Follow ABH on Facebook: @albertabackcountryhorsemen
Visit our website: abhorsemen.org. FMI on chapters; under Membership on the menu bar, click ‘Chapters’ in the dropdown menu. Questions? Email membership@abhorsemen.org.
Donkey Box
Toews Mules
The Canadian Cowboy Challenge
CHALLANGE CATEGORIES:
TBucking Crazies (BC) Youth (Y)
he 2024 CCC Challenge season has wrapped up. There were 21 challenges all together in Alberta and Saskatchewan for the year. Challenges were well attended with any where from 25 to 57 runs per day. Another successful season. The Challenge season ended with the Finals, held during the day and year-end banquet held that night. Finals and banquet were held at the Stettler Ag. Grounds, Stettler, Alberta, on September 21, 2024. There were 55 runs for the CCC Finals, with the day running smoothly and on time. The awards banquet was held that night, starting at 7 PM. At the banquet, awards were given out for the CCC Finals and the Alberta and Saskatchewan High Point yearend awards. About 65 people attended the banquet. A great way to end the Challenge season with an enjoyable day and evening with family and friends. Article
By Hans Kollewyn
Adventures with Phillippé
It was CFR week in Edmonton, and we were glad to welcome it back. Phillippe and Jasmine were invited to the Delta Hotel, City Centre, Edmonton, for a Canadian Finals Rodeo celebration. He was super brave and posed for a number of pictures with the staff in the lobby. Thanks very much to hotel manager, Barnie, for inviting us! Our visit helped generate an amazing $4000 donation from the Delta to the Stollery
September 21, CCC Finals at Stettler Ag Grounds, Stettler, Alberta. Judged by Hans Kollewyn and Missy Zarubiak
SS; 1: Bailey Black riding Red, 2: Bailey Black riding Black Jack. Y; 1: Peyton Nowicky riding Rip, 2: Kinley Hewlett riding Coffee. OTD; 1:Shane Goltz riding Jazzy, 2: Eric Frogley riding Archie. N; 1: Kaitlynn Marsh riding Daisy, 2: Sue Ambron riding Hank. R ; 1: Kerry Solomons riding Jazz, 2: Bailey Black riding Red. NP; 1: Vanessa Cote riding Doc, 2: April Hall riding Hank. O; 1: Denton Kieth riding Nash, 2: Denton Kieth riding Louis. BC; 1: April Hall riding Willy, 2: Breanna Sikorski riding Zahara (Zippy Do Da).
2024 High Point for Saskatchewan Y; 1: Ella Wall riding Tuff. N; 1: Wanda Semeniuk riding Jackson, 2: Wanda Semeniuk riding Skip. R ; 1: Lucy Davey riding Dancer, 2: Crystal Johnson riding Pollux. NP; 1: Vanessa Cote riding Doc, 2: Shelly Johnson riding Jewel. O; 1: Vanessa Cote riding Doc, 2: Breanna Sikorski riding Banner. OTD; 1: Louise Saunders riding Dancer, 2: Shelly Johnson riding Jewel. BC; 1: Breanna Sikorski riding Zahara
The photos are with permission and all taken by Petra Collins. All the pictures are from this year’s finals.
Shooting Sprouts (SS)
Older Than Dirt (OTD) Novice (N)
Rookie (R) NonPro (NP) Open (O)
Bailey and Black Jack
Denton and Nash
Sue and Hank
The Back Country Horsemen of BC
THE ERNIE BUCKLE 10TH ANNIVERSARY COWBOY POETRY CONTEST
Every year, Backcountry Horsemen from all over BC gather somewhere in the province to ride, learn, see old friends, and make new ones. And every year since 2014, they compete for the “Ernie Buckle," the top prize in the Cowboy Poetry Contest! This year in Valemount, eleven contestants stood up in front of an appreciative audience at RV, sharing recitations from favorite cowboy poets or ones they had created themselves. The panel of six judges, primed with pens and tally sheets, watched and listened intently as they marked on such things as presentation, technique, difficulty, was it memorized or read, was it “real Cowboy poetry” reflecting the country way of life. Consultation amongst themselves finally resulted in the winners:
• Rose Schroeder with her own composition “Ode to My Frying Pan,"
• Wes Phillips reading an emotional recollection of his father, written by his daughter Ally Easterbrook
• Lastly, from our “Poet Laureate of BCHBC," Patrick Thomas, a recollection of a family horse named "Black.”
‘The Cowboy’ by Ally Easterbrook
He smelled like diesel, Horse sweat and hay.
A cowboy, Like how cowboys used to be.
More at home in a wall tent, Than his beautiful house.
Grooves in his hard hands
Where reins had carved a path. Every lifeline just reads: “Horse stuff”
A man whose favourite chair, Was an overturned pail. Whose church was a mountaintop, A pack-string pilgrimage.
A quiet man with twinkling eyes. And a wide smile.
Wore his soul outside his body In the form of Percherons, Appaloosas, sorrels, and bays. Anything with hooves.
Patiently danced around the business end Of mares who wouldn’t trailer. And walked under the necks Of unbreakable monsters.
Full of old cowboyisms:
“Steeperdn a cow's face in the rain.” “Don’t kick a fresh turd, On a hot day”...
Want to support initiatives like these and get updates? Join a BCHBC chapter near you!
www.bchorsemen.org
‘Ode to My Frying Pan’ by Rose Schroeder
This old pan has shared my better days, We’ve cooked up some mighty feasts in many different ways.
It’s made of cast iron and old as dust, I found it abandoned and red with rust.
Together we’ve burnt, baked, and boiled,
Many a fine recipe we’ve scorched and foiled!
But those that worked and turned out right, Kept my friends eating from morning till night.
If it could talk, you’d hear it say, “I’ve got some stories from our younger days...
“Remember that stew? Oh, I’ll never tell...”
That secret ingredient into my pan it fell.
If you knew what it was, I’m sure you would gag! I thought, best not let that bat... I mean, cat! ... outta the bag!
Or those mushrooms we picked out in the field, We managed to get quite a big yield.
We ate our fill and later that night
When our minds were fuzzy and not quite right, We laughed until our sides ached and talked, Of all the food we’ve ate and the trails we’ve walked...
“Black” by Patrick Thomas
Grandad said that horse’s heart, was as black as his ornery hide. I know Dad got on him once Though it was a short, short ride.
But he was meant for a workin’ horse Not one for fun and games. So he earned his hard diploma, In Harnesses and Hames.
He learned to work at logging. No lines. Just Liberty. He understood the meanings Of walk, whoa and haw, and gee.
He was tough as moose meat jerky. He was rawhide through and through. He always gave one hundred ten Despite a missing screw...
To read the full poems, check out our website, bchorsemen.org and click on “our latest news.” Or better yet, join us next year with a poem; maybe you’ll take home The Ernie Buckle!
Article by Mary Huntington
Rose Schroeder, Winner of the 2024 Ernie Buckle Award
Wes Phillips, 2024 Runner Up with his late father
Patrick Thomas giving advice and always a good poem
Promoting equine activities and knowledge in the south Cariboo with Shows, Clinics, Gymkhanas and more. President: Danita McLaren
Schooling Shows (Eng/West/Games), Amstrong Fairgrounds, April to Sept. www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca 325
BC CARRIAGE DRIVING SOCIETY
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BC INTERIOR ARABIAN HORSE ASSOC.
Play Days • Clinics • Shows • Trail Rides • Community Events • Knowledge Sharing High Point in Competitive and Recreational Categories albertadonkeyandmule.ca 325 625
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Canadian Cowboy Challenge A SPORT for the whole Family!
Seven Divisions to accommodate all! For more info please call 403-828-2044 or visit www.canadiancowboychallenge.com 325
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Phone: (519) 767-0700 Since 1980, Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association has been the leader in Canada for therapeutic riding and is recognized as such by HETI (Horses in Education & Therapy International).
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• Prerequisites through Equestrian Canada
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Welcoming a diverse equestrian community by fostering an environment of enjoyment, development, and competition. Introducing the 2023 Interior Desert Hunter/Jumper Circuit Show Series More details and dates available at kelownaridingclub.ca 3745 Gordon Drive, Kelowna BC
Watson, President • 403-378-4323 cbwatson@cciwireless.ca equinefoundationofcanada.com
