Equine Feature Supplement - February 23rd, 2023

EQUINE

Moreau wins 10th straight Trainer of the Year award

By Robin George

PUSLINCH – Richard Moreau has captured his 10th consecutive Trainer of the Year O’Brien Award.

Standardbred Canada annually presents the O’Brien Awards, which honour the best in harness racing.

Moreau topped the charts with 330 wins and more than $5.2 million in earnings in 2022, surpassing his own stats of 236 wins and $3.7 million in earnings in 2021. He was the leading trainer last year at Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs and Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Two of the horses he trained won O’Brien Awards too – Gaines Hanover and Fasion Frenzie.

Standardbred Canada announced the winners during a Black Tie Gala on Feb. 4.

“The first time I did not win,” Moreau said with a laugh, reflecting on the O’Brien Awards 11 years ago.

“But after that I was lucky enough.”

He has no expectations that his run with the award will continue, noting “now that I’ve reached 10 I don’t want to be greedy.”

Moreau has been involved in harness racing for almost 30 years. About 12 years ago he moved to Puslinch from Montreal to follow his passion.

When he first started racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park he was “scared it would be too tough – but dreams really do come true.”

Moreau has a 45-acre farm in Puslinch with over 50 standardbred racehorses, two barns, and between 12 and 15 staff, for whom he expressed sincere appreciation.

“I’m learning to delegate –that’s my new skill,” Moreau said, noting he works long hours seven days a week.

“Some days I have 60 phone calls and 30 text messages from owners and everyone,” Moreau said. “Not every day, but often.”

Winning a 10th Trainer of the Year O’Brien Award was a goal of Moreau’s and now that he’s achieved it, his next goals are to “upgrade and slow down.

“I’m not trying to make anything happen,” he said. “I’m just happy to be here.”

Though it may not yet be on the horizon, Moreau’s ultimate dream is of retirement with an ocean view.

RICHARD MOREAU (Advertiser file photo)

I’m not trying to make anything happen

I’m just happy to be here.

- Richard Moreau

Workhorse screening a fundraiser for Erin Agricultural Society

By Kelly Waterhouse

ERIN – It was a horse pull competition at a fall fair that inspired independent filmmaker Cliff Caines to embark on a three-year journey to create the award-winning documentary Workhorse.

A screening of that film, a portion of which was filmed in Erin, will be a fundraiser in support of the Erin Agricultural Society’s Horse Heritage Committee.

“I saw my first horse pull at the Kinmount Fall Fair in 2014, which involves a series of competitors with teams of horses, just massive draft horses, like Percherons and Belgians horses, which I’d always loved from a distance,” Caines explained.

“But just the power of these horses on spectacle and within the sporting competition I’d never heard of, it was in that instant when I saw the horses connect to the sled of 10,000 pounds and pull that dead weight, it just brought the entire history of human civilization and horses working together collaboratively, and all of the complications with that … I had to make a film about it.”

Released in 2020, the documentary was three-years in the making. It follows three people whose work and lives were deeply connected to their equine partners.

That initial experience at the Kinmount Fair is where Caines first met Mike, Kelly and Cody Wessel, of Minden, the winners of the horse pulling competition.

“They were the first people that I met that were within the world of horse pulling, and they don’t necessarily use horses for farming per se, but they certainly do it as a way to pay homage to the practice of farming with horses,” Caines said.

“It opened up the doorway to the Laings, who have an organic farm in St. Thomas, that is powered by Suffolk Punch horses, a draft horse that was particularly bred for farming, as opposed to a Belgian and Percheron horses, which was all a learning curve for me,” Caines said.

“Through the Laings I was introduced to Art Shannon, who ran one of the first, if not last, commercial horse logging companies in southern Ontario.”

Caine said meeting and filming these three characters in the different contexts of their work with horses was an important history lesson in how humans have relied on their equine part-

ners. “We have to log, and then we farm, and then as horses declined in use, in favour of machines, horses relatively disappeared from practice,” Caine said.

“And I was very interested in finding out more about why would someone like Art Shannon, or Ken Laing, or the Wessels do this today, when it’s a certainly disappearing, if not disappeared practice.”

He continued, “And that became the premise of the film, to show that and be really immersive with these characters. So, it’s a very observational to watch their practice with horses … you don’t fully understand it until you’re there, but it’s this relationship between humans and horses ... I couldn’t fully understand it until I was there.”

Art Shannon, from Grey County, is a fifth-generation horse logger. He recalls horse logging in the bush with his father from about the age of 10.

That led to a career of more than 40 years in forestry management, the last 18 of which he was a full-time horse logger. It was a career decision Shannon made on principle, but also his genuine love of working with horses.

“Basically it was a situation where I didn’t think the large pulp and paper companies were practicing sustainable forestry, and so I came up with a system using horses as a prime mover from stump to trail where I could have as little impact as possible on the residual forest,” Shannon explained.

His passion for sustainable agriculture is what encouraged Shannon to take Caine up on his request to appear in the film.

“I saw this film as another opportunity to reach out and express my opinion on the importance of practicing sustainable forestry and I was able to do that,” Shannon said.

He added, “I often forget the heart part of the equation … it is also the very fact that Dad gave me a pony when I was seven years old and I had been around horses all my life ... I just think they’re a wonderful animal, a wonderful being.”

At the time of filming, Shannon and his wife, Kym Snarr, had sold their farm to retire.

Filming of his section of the documentary took place over four days, three of which were shot at a horse farm property in the town of Erin owned by

Shannon’s friend, Faith Kent.

The environment proved an ideal place for Caine to capture Shannon and his equine crew in their natural element.

“I was very interested in the relationship between a teamster and the horse. It’s a disappearing skill and a way of life,” Caine said.

“That they held all of this knowledge and just watching them, their hands, you know, on a flick, just a touch on the rein, and you felt 30 plus years

“I got something from horses every day. The horses were very much a part of my being.”

Caine notes he observed how the horses, in each scenario, had unique personality traits. It’s something Shannon said made working with horses so enjoyable.

“The thing that’s fascinating about horses is they’re all individuals,” Shannon said. “I’ve maybe had 20 to 24 horses, somewhere in that range in my life. And no two horses have the

to be with people and learning about their life ... It’s not just something you choose to do. It’s the way you choose to live.”

Caine admits it was a challenge to translate the scale of the draft horses, but the choice to produce the film in black and white was effective.

“It was actually a way to underline that presence. It allowed us to be very sensorial in the black and white. It allowed us to see the texture of the horsehair. You could even feel the texture of the leather reins,” Caine explained.

“It was about seeing the texture of the hands that have been working together for 40 plus years.

He adds, “It is meant to be seen on the big screen, just because of the scale of the horses.”

The public will have the opportunity to do so as the Erin Agricultural Society hosts a screening of the film on March 29 at the Centre 2000 Theatre at 7pm.

“I think having the film participate as a fundraiser for the Erin Agricultural Society, it’s going to be the first time all of our characters have seen the film together,” Caine said. “So, it’s going to be a bit of a reunion.”

The evening will also include a video featuring drone footage of the RCMP Musical Ride held at the Erin Fairgrounds last August.

Shannon hopes people will come away from the film with an appreciation for draft horses in today’s world.

“Of course, first and foremost is for people to understand that some of us that have worked with horses, that we love our horses,” Shannon said.

“And we use horses that are willing to do what they do. They they’re not being forced into doing something that they don’t want to do. They’re born and bred to work. They’re workhorses.”

of experience with these animals and the relationship that they have built.”

Shannon understands how vital that relationship is.

“If you work with a horse eight hours a day, 40 hours a week for 15 to 16 years, that’s a real special relationship with an animal,” he said.

“Very few people you work with that long and that close, you know, but these horses, I worked very closely with, and they’d have bad days, I’d have bad days and we worked through them.

same personality.”

Workhorse is described as a lyrical documentary. Caine describes it as a process film, with less dialogue so the images and sound present the story, supported with testimony of the men about their working relationship with their equine partners.

“I would say it’s a poetic approach. It tries to respond to what it was like working with the horses, so it’s a very slowed down pace, very observational,” Caine said.

“It was a privilege to be able

Erin councillor Bridget Ryan, one of the organizers of the film screening and the RCMP Musical Ride, says the fundraiser will support the society’s Horse Heritage Committee.

“This committee host the Horse Heritage Hall of Fame Awards each year, bringing special attention of recognition to a person, or an organization within our region who has made a significant contribution to our equine heritage,” Ryan said.

Caine looks forward to reconnecting with his subjects.

Since its release Workhorse has received critical acclaim and won “Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentary” at the Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.

It has also been screened at international film festivals including Germany’s DOK.fest, and Close:Up Edinburgh Docufest.

Tickets for the March 29 showing of Workhorse at Centre 2000 are available at Budson Farm and Feed, at 93 Main Street in Erin.

Tickets are $10, including a drink and popcorn. Doors open at 6pm. The show begins at 7pm. For group tickets or other inquiries, text or call 519-216-4562.

Art Shannon

Equine Industry Symposium enhances understanding of the role of horses in human health and learning

GUELPH - The annual Equine Industry Symposium shared the latest research and updates on the role of horses in human health and learning with over 550 delegates attending over three sessions from Nov. 21 to 23, with hundreds more registering to receive the online sessions.

The Symposium highlighted appropriate terminology associated with human-horse interactions and programs by taking a therapy-first approach to services incorporating horses and cleared up what equine-assisted services are - and what they are not.

Current research on best practices for human-horse interactions to ensure horse welfare was presented.

Attendees left the event with a deeper understanding of this emerging topic.

The event welcomed featured speaker Nina Ekholm Fry from the University of Denver and five guest speakers, including Dr. Katrina Merkies, Sarah-Michelle Senecal, Dr. Katy Schroeder, Hayley Edwards and Lynn Thomas, who focused on the roles horses have when incorporated into human services.

The organizers extend their thanks to all who registered and attended, the industry leaders

Stem cell research proves effective for equine osteoarthritis

By Jackie Bellamy Zions

who shared their expertise, event partners Ontario Equestrian and Equine Guelph, and sponsors KX94.7, Schleese Saddlery and Golden Horseshoe PEMF Equine Therapy.

In lieu of speaker gifts, a donation was made to the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) to support their efforts in promoting challenge, achievement and empowerment for children and adults with disabilities through interacting with horses, while also providing education and instructor certification.

The Equine Industry Symposium, hosted by undergraduate students in the University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management (BBRM) - Equine Management degree program, aims to expand our knowledge about horses and facilitate crucial industry relationships.

Planning is already underway for the 2023 symposium.

Stay tuned to @equineindustry on Instagram and Facebook for information about next year’s event.

If you missed this year’s event, the sessions are now available on the BBRM Equine Management - YouTube.

For more information, contact: Eqevents@uoguelph.ca

GUELPH - Two studies led by Dr. Judith Koenig and her team at the Ontario Veterinary College have shown equine pooled cryopreserved umbilical cord blood, (eCB) MSC, to be safe and effective in treating joint pain and inflammation.

Both studies received funding from Equine Guelph.

In the first study, the stem cells harvested from multiple donors of equine umbilical cord blood (eCB) MSC (kindly provided by eQcell), were compared to saline injections in research horses.

“This type of cells is much more practical if you have a cell bank,” Koenig said.

“You can treat more horses with it and it’s off the shelf.”

With no systemic reactions, the green light was given for the second study to test stem cell therapy in horses with lameness due to fetlock OsteoArthritis.

Effectiveness of treatment in the second study was conducted by a lameness evaluator that was blinded to whether the horses received stem cell treatment or the saline placebo.

“Being consistent in creating the same size chip surgically in the horses prior to treatment and exercise was a challenge,” said Koenig.

The four- month study

Equine osteoarthritis - Two new studies out of the Ontario Veterinary College have shown equine pooled cryo-preserved umbilical cord blood, (eCB) MSC, to be safe and effective in treating joint pain and inflammation. Submitted photo

necessitated considerable manpower, with six standardbreds receiving equal daily exercise on treadmills following up with MRI’s.

MRI’s, xrays, ultrasounds and weekly lameness evaluations revealed signs of osteoarthritis improved in the group treated with (eCB) MSC’s.

After six weeks of treatment, the arthroscopic score was also significantly lower in the MSC group compared to the control group.

Another trial with six horses is planned for spring 2023.

The initial findings are very exciting for the future

possibilities of treating equine Osteo-Arthritis with stem cell therapy.

For more information visit Equine Guelph on YouTube or contact jbellamy@uoguelph.ca.

GUELPH - The annual general meeting of the International Society for Equitation Science will take place virtually on March 8 at 3pm.

The meeting will feature three short presentations from those involved in the equine industry:

1. Researcher presenter - Dr. Carrie Ijichi, Nottingham-Trent University, UK

Co-author of one of top five cited papers for the past five years will talk about how this research has contributed to improving horse welfare. (K. Squibb, K. Griffin, R. Favier, C. Ijichi, 2018, Poker face: discrepancies in behaviour and affective states in horses during stressful handling procedures)

2. Student presenter - Ella Bartlett, PhD candidate, Bristol University, UK

Winner of the 2022 ISES student award will talk about her research investigating how people decide which training methods to use

3. Practitioner presenterLindsay Grice, Coach and Judge, Ontario, Canada

Well-known coach and judge Lindsay Grice will explain how she uses equitation science in her everyday work

Why should you come?

Community, involvement, care about horse welfare, get involved.

Think ISES is only about science?

In fact, the ISES Council is made up of a wide range of passionate horse people, including cutting edge researchers, up and coming students as well as practitioners and vets working directly in industry, all committed to improving horse welfare.

The ISES AGM brings us all together to review our progress, share how the work of ISES members is changing horse welfare the better and elect ISES council members to guide the ongoing work of the ISES community.

Stay up to date with how the worldwide community of researchers, practitioners, students and associates have been working to improve horse welfare and training though cutting edge research, collaboration with industry bodies and working alongside the horse people around the world.

If you’re passionate about horse welfare and the future of horse sport, the ISES AGM is a great place to learn how ISES works.

Find out more at equitationscience.com.

To participate in the virtual meeting, use the following link: https://zoom. us/j/98942602397.

EAL Girl’s Day event set for March 3

By Kelly Waterhouse CENTRE WELLINGTON

– A one-day equine assisted learning (EAL) workshop is bringing girls and horses together for friendship and personal development at the LM Equestrian Center in Belwood on March 3.

“The Girls Day - For Girls, By Girls” event is a full day of activities aimed at girls aged 12 to 17.

The morning includes EAL exercises designed to focus on self-esteem, mental health and body positivity.

Leanne Matthews, a certified EAL practitioner behind the event, explains EAL programs are designed for groups of people who work together, alongside their equine companion, to navigate obstacles with the goal of empowering participants in areas such as problem solving, negotiation, boundaries and trust building.

“One of my focuses is on youth,” Matthews said.

She explained EAL is a hands-on and practical approach to learning that brings people and horses together to develop and learn life skills such as communication, leadership, self-confidence and teamwork.

It also allows the individual to experience self-growth.

“It’s a way of experiencing life skills and growing on them using just groundwork with a horse,” said Matthews.

“So, no riding component is involved and absolutely no horse experience is needed.”

Matthews said participants don’t need any equestrian gear to take part, just a safe pair of shoes or boots.

A small group setting like the The Girls Day - For Girls, By Girls, is an ideal experience for showing the effectiveness of

EAL, she added.

“EAL allows us to gain confidence in a safe and inclusive environment with like minded people,” said Matthews.

“Horses are capable of teaching us more about ourselves than any human interaction ever could. By understanding ourselves more, we are able to truly see our strengths and grow to love ourselves because of them.”

When it comes to a serious issue like body positivity, EAL shows participants a deeper understanding of themselves.

“Horses do not judge us based on our appearance, they judge us solely based on our actions and intentions. This pure reaction is what helps us realize that we are more than just the way we look,” Matthews said.

The afternoon workshop includes activities and a surprise guest speaker.

A free lunch is also included.

Matthews hopes the event will inspire young girls to participate and learn something about themselves, in a positive, supportive way.

The Girls Day – For Girls, By Girls takes place on March 3, from 9am to 4pm, at the LM Equestrian Center, at 7026 East-West Garafraxa Townline, northwest of Belwood.

The cost is $45 plus HST, but for participants who bring a friend, there is a discount of $5.

Spaces are limited. Participants must reserve a spot by sending an email to lm.equestriancenter@gmail. com.

For more information, visit lmequestriancenter.ca or contact LM.EquestrianCenter@ gmail.com or via Facebook @ LMEquestrianCenter.

Quality Tack Repair

Workshop for girls – The LM Equestrian Center near Belwood, run by Leanne Matthews, is hosting a “Girls Day” workshop on March 3 for girls aged 12 to 17 to learn about the benefits of equine assisted learning. Submitted photo