WESTERN FOODIE

Western Foodie Equestrian Halloween

Because the only thing better than a night of candy, ghosts and goblin fun – is doing it all in the barn!

By MIKE EDGAR & JENN WEBSTER

BAR XP PHOTO

BAR XP PHOTO

This edition of Western Foodie isn’t so much of a “dish” per se, as it is an event. However, the pièce de résistance charcuterie board prepared by Chef Edgar, does take centre stage! As Halloween is fast approaching, we thought it would be fun to focus on a spooky, equestrian-style party for kids and parents alike. With the ample space that an indoor arena offers and the concept of trick-or-treating through the barn, this party can be as socially-distanced or together as you’d like. Plus, it gives the little ones a chance at Halloween candy within your bubble, if you’re still not comfortable with the idea of going door-to-door.

CHEESE LEGEND:

1) Pacific Rock 2) Saint-André 3) Chaumes 4) Truffle Manchego 5) Guiness Cheddar 6) Sir Laurier 7) Grey Owl

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

• Olives • Raisins on the Vine • Figs • Cape Goose Berries • Grapes • Fennel Salami • Truffle Salami • Prosciutto • Rosette de Lyon

5 6 7 4 3 2 1

SPOOKY CHARCUTERIE

All parties need a charcuterie board, but one with a Halloween twist might just be a little more exciting than a traditional meat and cheese tray. Featuring foods of specific colour hues (like orange, white, burgundy or olive), this charcuterie board prepared by Chef Edgar is a frightful (but fun!) treat to snack on. Since there are no hard and fast rules to creating these grazing appetizers, charcuterie boards can either be sweet or savoury. However, the key to a truly fascinating one is a spread that presents a range of colours and textures – and it must be served on an interesting platter. Plus, when each of the food items seems to fit within the “haunted” theme, this board will appeal to both children and their parents.

It’s true that Chef Edgar is an artist when it comes to comes to arranging a charcuterie feast, but there’s really no right or wrong way to assemble one. Opting for a large, circular wood plank (which is convenient when it comes to using knives,) Edgar choose seven different types of cheeses for our Halloween platter. The cheese was placed strategically around the wood board first and most of it was kept whole, allowing guests the option to slice it themselves with individual cheese cutters provided to each adult.

Next, some of the signature inedible, decor was positioned into the dish. This included a small white pumpkin, a skull head (complete with soft white cheese and olive eyeballs), a meat cleaver and a unicorn skull figurine.

Then, four different types of meat were stationed on the board. Unlike the cheeses, meat should be pre-sliced. Edgar fashioned some of the thinner, circular meats (like prosciutto or Fennel Salami) into rosettes and spread other types like the cured sausages in heaps throughout.

He finished off the board filling up empty spaces with specialities like raisins on-the-vine, figs, dragonfruit, cape gooseberries, olives, figs, grapes and fresh honey comb. The result was astounding and a haunting display everyone could enjoy!

FRIGHT NIGHT GAMES

A Halloween party isn’t complete without some festive games. Classics like the egg-and-spoon race are always good for a chuckle when everyone is racing in your arena in full-on costume – but here’s a suggestion, don’t use real eggs or you might have a mess in your arena dirt. Opt for the cardboard egg versions instead.

We used trick or treat bags for a take on the “potato sac” race, and a Jack-OLantern with its mouth cut-out along with some skull head balls served well for a target toss game.

The favourite of the youngsters however, was our “Spider Web.” In this game we used some jump standards, duct tape and paper streamers to create a web. The kids then had to crawl, bounce or maneuver their way through the web without breaking or touching a streamer. It was a total hit! Then we amped up the contests with some fun prizes for the kiddos – did someone say full-size chocolate bars..?

BARN TRICK-OR-TREATING

There’s something about the idea of trick-or-treating with horses that is exceptionally special for youngsters. We placed a treat in front of each stall in the barn and had the stall windows open, so the horses could stick their heads out to watch. Then each child was given a candy sac, instructed not to run (so as not to spook the horses) and turned loose. By the end of the barn alleyway, each child had a full trick-ortreat bag and it all happened within our social bubble.

Treats like individual candy bags made from surgical gloves, graveyard puddings, hand sanitizer, Halloween headbands, chip bags, reusable pumpkin cups, spooky socks, toothbrushes and a medley of other items were “handed out” by the horses to each child.

PHOTOBOOTH

Because, is it really a party if no pictures were taken? The dollar store is a great place for items like spider webs or balloons to help you with a spooky backdrop. Add a fog machine for a truly, haunting vibe! WHR

FIXIN’ A CHAT WITH FARRIERS

Story & Photos by BAR XP PHOTO, KIRK PRESCOTT

A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION WITH A KEY ELEMENT OF YOUR HORSE’S CARE, YOUR FARRIER.

Regardless of discipline, routine care for our equine team members is essential. The benefits of an accomplished farrier and regular hoof maintenance are invaluable. The saying, “No Hoof – No Horse,” is a standard in the industry and remains true in every equine pursuit. In a basic overview, the trim, the center of rotation and the heel are key elements in a farrier’s process. Each of the three principles has its own intention and every farrier approaches the task with their own skill set. The intricacy of this process is endless and remains somewhat case specific. Nutrition, terrain and intended use also play an integral role in hoof-care. These elements often spark conversation when problems arise, and your farrier is a great source of information. In short, a great deal of effort and expertise is required to keep our horses safe, sound and sport-ready!

We interviewed several farriers from southern Alberta, with sound customer references (don’t worry, we really did our research on this one!) While each of our participants hails from a divergent background, our panel has a common goal – a solid foundation! Track along with your hoof-pick as we introduce a panel of fine farriers and look at some unique, equine cases.

MARK CURRIE

(Longview, AB)

NO STRANGER TO

A FORGE, Currie is an accomplished blacksmith who is equally talented with lyrics and a guitar. The time he takes to perfect each work of art is a balance of finesse and function and competing in shoeing competitions is but one of Currie’s career highlights. This faith-filled, father of three enjoys many aspects of equine recreation and the backcountry is one of his favourite places to be. On his days off, Currie can almost always be found near or in the water. By horseback or in a boat, lakes, rivers, and beaches are his favourite places to make memories. Currie lives vicariously through his customers (who compete in various equine pursuits,) and enjoys each of their successes. He works with many different disciplines and advocates that, “a good customer is a good customer, from a backyard pony to a high-end performance horse.” As a mentor to aspiring tradesman, Currie is both patient and precise. He is a master of his craft and skillfully supports owners and their equine counterparts with diplomacy.

Q. How long have you been a farrier and what training has brought you to where you are today?

“I have been working as a full-time farrier for about ten years. I started by attending a four-month program at Heartland Horseshoeing School in Missouri. When I completed the program, I got onto the floor crew at the Calgary Stampede Blacksmith Contest where I got to see the best in the world compete. I met a top competitor in the industry who was local and who was good enough to let me ride in his truck, fulltime, for five years.”

Q. In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge presented to most farriers?

“This is a loaded question. If we were talking about work quality, I would say complacency. It is very easy to get by on mediocre work in this business, if you are a good people person. To maintain a high standard of work is a constant effort because you don’t have a qualified judge constantly looking over your shoulder. It can become easy to fool yourself and think that you are producing quality, daily.

“As far as what is hardest for most farriers, I would say it’s burnout and making sure we keep open communication with customers. Most of us are a one-man show and it’s hard to keep up to texts, appointments and maintaining a sane balance in our personal lives. This is why everyone complains about finding a reliable farrier. I sympathize with both sides.” Q. What attracted you to working with horses and who/ what continues to inspire you?

“I love riding horses. I love the history of horses and what they have done for us and how we have helped them, in return, by doing things such as maintaining their feet. It’s a cool relationship between horse and man. I enjoy being part of it. I am inspired by my customers and what they accomplish on the backs of their horses and how I can support them in their goals.”

Q. Describe one of your most challenging cases. How did you support that animal/owner?

“This horse had kicked something causing extensive damage to the hoof capsule. The first call was to the vet. The horse was sedated so the large part of the hoof, that had partially broken off the foot, could be removed, as clean as possible. The leg was then bandaged and wrapped and the horse was put on stall rest. Once the exposed wound had healed a bit, it was time for the foot to start rebuilding itself from the top down. I decided to go with a heart-bar that I built from scratch. Every element of this shoe had a purpose. The main idea was to evenly distribute the weight of the horse around as many healthy structures of the foot as possible and keep un-needed pressure off of the damaged corner. I did not leave a gap in the shoe where the injury occurred because I wanted to keep the limb floating balanced in the footing. I also didn’t pack the foot because I knew the owners would keep the horse in a clean environment. This would allow the wound to be doctored if needed. The horse soon recovered back to full work.” Q. What tool can you not live without? What tool do you wish owners would use more?

“There are many tools that I couldn’t do my job without, but a healthy mental attitude is what I can’t live without and it’s what I spend a lot of time fixing. It’s hard sometimes. Whatever tools I use to change my perspective are the most important. I wish more horse owners would remember that they are riding horses because, at some point along the way, they thought it was fun. Whether you ride for your career or as a hobby, you chose to make riding horses a part of your life, so have fun. Whatever tool they use to gain perspective on their equine pursuits and find joy in it, is the most important, in my opinion.”

KIRK SHAW

(Longview, AB)

OWNER AND OPERATOR OF EQUINE UNLIMITED,

Shaw is a decorated farrier who focuses on advanced podiatry solutions to lameness and various hoof abnormalities. For more than 16 years, Shaw has supported owners and equines of all breeds and disciplines. Through an extensive list of conferences, workshops, internships and international summits, Shaw has become extremely well-versed in the collaborative efforts that support equine soundness. He works closely with multiple professionals in the foothills region and remains charismatic and conscientious when addressing clients with suggestions for ongoing care. In the past, Shaw was the Breeding Manager for the legendary Bob Loomis Ranch and a carded judge for the National Reining Horse Association. Known as a master chef, when it comes to salmon, Shaw’s friends and colleagues rave about his culinary talents and his savage skill with a yo-yo. When he takes time to relax, Shaw is known for his fondness of Maui and his warm rapport with small, canine companions.

Q. How long have you been a farrier and what training has brought you to where you are today? “I’ve been a farrier for 16 years and started out alongside seasoned farriers Marshall Illes and Tom Collins. I gained very different perspectives and techniques from these men, early in my career. I have since attended continuing education courses through the years, at a few large referral equine hospitals in the US and Canada, including Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and learned from Dr. Ric Redden and Dr. Sammy Pittman. My attendance at the International Hoof Care Summit in Ohio and the Northeast Association of Equine Practioners (NAEP) conference in New York has broadened my understanding of the equine hoof.”

Q. In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge presented to most farriers?

“I would say that understanding the use of traditional methods vs. newer techniques and concepts is a constant challenge with the continuous amount of new technology on the market.”

Q. What attracted you to working with horses and who/ what continues to inspire you?

“I originally fell into the farrier world as a young person learning about horses. I stayed in it as I liked the freedom and lifestyle owning my own business afforded me. I also love the challenge of the dynamic hoof and figuring out ways to aid performance. The fear of failure motivates me to learn more.”

Q. Describe one of your most challenging cases. How did you support that animal/owner?

“One of the many equine metabolic syndrome induced laminitis cases I’ve worked on is a 14-year-old Tennessee Walker mare. I originally saw her after she was diagnosed and in the acute phase of laminitis where her front hooves were severely painful. After radiographs were taken and revealed rotation and separation between her hoof wall and coffin bone, it was decided to place her in the Ultimate boot. This was to maintain blood flow to her hooves and reduce mechanical forces. She was kept in the Ultimate boot for ten weeks and responded very well. Following this, she was placed in a Rocker Rail shoe for six weeks to lower her heel, slowly over time. From here, a Full Rocker shoe was applied for six weeks to continue the process of lowering her heel. The next transition was to a flat shoe with small wedge for six weeks. This horse has done very well and responded with improved comfort and reduced body weight. The owners were very dedicated to her recovery. This case was a good example of the team approach with a farrier, veterinarian, and owner, coming together to help the horse. Communication is key. My support came in my experience in orthopedic shoeing and knowledge around laminitic shoeing.”

Q. What tool can you not live without? What tool do you wish owners would use more?

“My newest favourite tool is the Milwakee cordless die grinder with aluminum carbide tip. It makes glue on shoes way easier! I wish owners would use a hoof pick more.”

KAITLIN HOEFNAGELS

Millarville, AB)

BORN AND RAISED JUST NORTH OF COCHRANE, AB,

Hoefnagels is fresh on the farrier scene with a glowing reputation that precedes her polite, poised nature. With an innate passion for horses, Hoefnagels began riding at the age of five and never looked back. Pony club and show jumping complete a portion of her equine resume but three-day eventing remains her primary passion. Hoefnagels has also ridden western and was a force to be reckoned with in Women’s Junior A hockey. Before pursuing a farrier career, Hoefnagels was a full-time, backcountry hunting-guide, for nine years. She’s a woman of many talents and humble beyond measure. When she’s not working under horses, Hoefnagels enjoys riding several young horses that she’s selfstarted. She often works closely with eventers but she too, willingly and skillfully maintains a diverse clientele. Hoefnagels has huge respect for horses of all disciplines. She finds satisfaction in keeping each equine in her care balanced and equipped to do their respective jobs.

Q. How long have you been a farrier and what training has brought you to where you are today?

“I have been a full-time farrier for just over three years. I graduated from the Olds College Farrier Science Program and had some hands-on experience prior to that. Upon graduating, I began apprenticing five days a week for an established farrier. I worked for a handful of other farriers, learning all I could from each one. I continue to work a couple days a week for an accomplished farrier. ‘See good work, do good work.’ We never stop learning in our profession. Farrier competitions and clinics are a huge educational component in my career as well.”

Q. In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge presented to most farriers?

“In my opinion, staying physically able to get under horses day in and day out is one of the biggest challenges presented to most farriers. One mistake on the job or off, could cost you a week, a few weeks, or a month of work… let alone the dayto-day wear and tear on your body. The repetition of leverage-type tool use on your hands, the bending over, the swinging of a hammer over and over at the anvil, all adds up. Being aware of your body postures and being proactive about staying on top of these issues can be a challenge.”

Q. What attracted you to working with horses and who/ what continues to inspire you?

“Horses have always been a big part of

A quarter crack on right hind in March 2020.

The quarter crack in. August 2021 after a lengthy support program with Hoefnagels.

my life. I’ve had jobs with and without horses throughout my life, but I’ve always gone back to equine jobs because I genuinely love horses. I enjoy their personalities, their minds and how they process every little thing. I find them very intriguing. I continue to be inspired by my opportunities to learn more about horses. To shoe them better, to understand them more, and get around them easier. I also enjoy passing information and insight on to horse owners along the way. I get a lot of general horse-health and training questions from clients, and I am happy to be able to share some knowledge.”

Q. Describe one of your most challenging cases. How did you support that animal/owner?

“One of my most challenging cases has been a now five-year-old warmblood named Lupin. I met Lupin in March 2020. A large persistent quarter crack on his right hind was an issue when I took him on (first photo). Yes, a quarter crack, not your typical ‘I’m going to save his life’ problem, but it left me lying awake at night, many times, nonetheless!

At the beginning Lupin was unbalanced medial/laterally on the right hind. The foot was higher, or longer on the medial side, causing excessive weight bearing and impact on his lateral hoof wall, which ultimately caused the crack. I trimmed the foot every six weeks for four rotations. I didn’t seem to be making any headway, the foot remained unbalanced. The lateral side was under too much constant force to grow to a point of balance. When Lupin travels, his right hind swings very far under his body, therefore, when he lands, he impacts heavily on his lateral side. This is something he may grow out of, or he may do it forever.

At this point, the owner and I decided hind shoes were necessary. Lupin got his first set of shoes in July 2020. They were nothing off-the-wall fancy or shiny. I stuck to very basic ‘good horse shoeing’, playing with small adjustments shoeing to shoeing. I was losing sleep over things like; removing hoof wall or leaving it for integrity, fitting it snug to eliminate leverage or fitting it fuller to support the lateral side of the whole limb. Every subtle adjustment has a reaction to the dynamic structure of the hoof capsule. Eight months after his first pair of shoes, the crack is starting to grow out strong in these photos.

The final picture was from August 2021 about three weeks into rotation, and just over a year from his first set of shoes. The crack is nearly grown out. His foot now remains quite well balanced from shoeing to shoeing.”

Q. What tool can you not live without? What tool do you wish owners would use more?

“I’m torn on this question, but I think I would have to say that sharp nippers are one thing I can’t live without. I’m not a big person and I will never have the strength of a man, therefore the sheer strength required for each nipper run, on every hoof, adds up. Having sharp nippers causes less wear and tear on your body. The sharper the tool, the better! I wish owners would use a hoof pick more to keep horses’ feet healthier.”

SHAWN KEYOWSKI

(Okotoks, AB)

RARELY SEEN WITHOUT HIS SIDEKICK, DOC,

Keyowski has been shoeing horses for more than 20 years. He began shoeing parttime and transitioned to the trade, full-time, four years ago. As a recreational team roper and a participant in the Calgary Hunt Club, Keyowski feels blessed to have two horses that willingly do what he asks. With his mounts, he enjoys helping friends and family with ranch work and riding out west, when his busy schedule permits. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Keyowski’s ranching roots were the introduction to his trade. His primary clientele continue to reflect this genre. With the bulk of horses in his care stemming from ranch and rodeo pursuits, Keyowski is also fortunate to shoe for some western performance and jumping clients. Keyowski, credited with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, is meticulous in his craft. He retains detailed knowledge of both the clients and horses he serves, while continuing to adapt his process to meet their needs.

Q. How long have you been a farrier and what training has brought you to where you are today?

“I was a part-time farrier for 18 years and have been working under horses, full-time, for four years now. I began working with my father’s Drafts and various educational pursuits have honed my skills. Working with local vets, some who also farrier, and the opportunity to spend a few weeks with accomplished farriers in Wellington, FL has developed the quality of my work and polished my trade understanding.”

Q. In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge presented to most farriers?

“A lack of horsemanship increases the difficulty of our job. Disrespectful horses, horses bought based on performance vs. conformation and incomplete training foster challenges that are tricky to navigate and support. Also makes it difficult to achieve proper shoeing results.”

Q. What attracted you to working with horses and who/ what continues to inspire you?

“I grew up with horses and always loved them. Farrier work has given me the opportunity to help horses perform at their best and keep them sound for as long as possible, without outside intervention. Seeing clients get the best out of their horses and accomplishing their goals with a sound horse keeps me motivated to work each day.”

Q. Describe one of your most challenging cases. How did you support that animal/owner?

“For visual representation, cracks seem to be an easy way to show progress. This horse had damage to the coronary band. The crack was maintained until winter came and, from a distance, all seemed well. When I was called to shoe the horse the following spring, a lot of unsupportive/unneeded hoof-wall was found. The horse needed shoes for work. It also needed adequate support to perform and allow the crack to grow out. It was decided to develop a rendition of a bar shoe with added epoxy support. Within one summer the crack had grown out substantially. After one year the crack is visible, but the horse is good with a basic shoe and careful crack maintenance.” Q. What tool can you not live without? What tool do you wish owners would use more?

“After working with a mentor recently, I can’t live without my T-square. It assists in achieving proper hoof balance for the horse and ensures a level foundation. I wish more owners would use a hoof pick and get a good idea of how their horses react to holding their feet up.” WHR

Top left to bottom right - Progression of a crack, supported with a rendition of a bar shoe with outer epoxy support. After one year, the horse is good with a basic shoe and careful maintenance.

Foreign bodies inside a horse’s mouth can lead to life threatening situations. Here is the metal sliver, after it was removed in surgery.

Recognizing the signs of a horse with metal embedded in its tongue can be the difference between life and death. Acting quickly in this situation is vital to ruling out other ailments with similar symptoms and ensuring the problem doesn’t escalate.

“It’s what we would consider an emergency,” says Dr. Jordan Cook of Moore Equine Veterinary Centre in southern Alberta.

“Anytime you have a horse that is either drooling, has a lot of discharge coming from its mouth or its nose, they’re not wanting to eat, or they seem to be having difficulties eating or swallowing, definitely you want to get that horse checked out right away.”

Horses can get small pieces of metal stuck inside their mouths if it’s in their feed by accident, which may occur if little bits of wire or debris in a hayfield are picked up and baled. Another common way this can happen is when giant tires are used as hay feeders. “There’s little pieces of wire or metal inside the actual tire that’s being used as a feeder itself, and those can break down and then… work their way into the hay, and the horse takes a mouthful and doesn’t realize that there’s a small little piece of metal inside of it,” says Cook.

While metal slivers in horses’ mouths aren’t a frequent occurrence, it shows up enough that it’s something to be on the lookout for. “We see it a couple times a year,” she says. “It’s common enough that it’s something that we always have in the back of our mind if we’re seeing a patient that might be drooling or having some difficulty eating.”

Due to these symptoms, it’s often mistaken for choke, colic or a broken tooth. “We’ll have people call in thinking their horse is choking or maybe thinking that their horse might be colicking a little bit

because all of a sudden they don’t want to eat,” says Cook.

After ruling out those issues, veterinarians will then look to see if there is a foreign object stuck inside the horse’s mouth. Metal or other objects are more likely to get lodged inside the tongue than embedded elsewhere in the mouth because it’s used to push the food back into their throat when swallowing.

If caught early enough, it’s somewhat easier to remove the metal from the tongue, though it will still require surgery to do so. Under anesthetic, the horse lays on the surgery table and has its mouth opened with a speculum so the surgeon can access the tongue. The surgeon will use the x-rays to guide them in carefully removing the metal from inside the tongue.

If metal is left in the tongue too long, however, it can begin to migrate and cause more dangerous problems. The body, Cook explains, tries to dislodge the foreign object itself, but it’s not always able to move it out through the same place that it entered.

“It can actually start to migrate deeper into the throat or actually into all of that tissue that’s under the tongue, in and around the throat, and we can start to see it progress from just difficulties chewing and swallowing and drooling, to all of a sudden that horse is going to have some swelling associated with it. They can actually get an abscess or an infection around something that’s in there, and it may actually obstruct their ability to breathe,” she says.

“There’s lots of really important structures in that area, and so (it’s) a lot more difficult for us to remove or potentially have a higher risk of bleeding during surgery or a higher risk of complications after surgery if we wait too long.”

This is why calling your vet immediately after seeing these symptoms is so important, she states. “Any horse that is drooling, maybe has some nasal discharge, is having difficulty eating or

swallowing or isn’t interested in eating, that to me is considered an emergency and should be checked out so that if we do identify that there’s a wire or some other foreign body inside their mouth or their throat, we can try and take it our as soon as possible.”

CASE STUDY: Early Detection for Successful Treatment

Recently, Cook was called to assist a mare that was suspected to be choking. “She was drooling quite a bit, she seemed to want to eat but was unable to do so and so it didn’t seem to resolve,” she says, adding that most mild chokes will resolve on their own within 15 to 20 minutes.

“It was identified very quickly at feed time, so when I came and took a look at her, she didn’t have any discharge from her nose, which is more common that we’ll see that with choke,” she explains. “She had manure in her stall, she was otherwise really bright and when I offered her food, she really, really wanted to eat it, but she’d take it in her mouth and immediately spit it out and drop it, and for her it was because there was a bit of a pain response.”

With this information, Cook administered some sedation and conducted an oral exam, finding the mare’s teeth to be in good shape. There were no other signs of foreign bodies in the mouth, such as pieces of wood stuck between the teeth. The only thing that looked concerning was the mare’s tongue. “I could see that her tongue appeared a little bit swollen in the middle, and I could actually see a little bit of blood, a little nick on the one side of her tongue, and then there was a little bit of swelling on the other side,” she says.

It was painful for the mare when Cook carefully pressed on the swelling, and that resulted in some bloody discharge coming out of the cut on the other side of the tongue. “That made me pretty suspicious that she may have something inside of her tongue.”

Cook’s next step was to take x-rays of the mare’s head, which quickly revealed that there was, in fact, quite a large piece of metal inside her tongue. She gave the mare some anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling in her tongue and make her feel more comfortable. As they were unsure when the mare was last able to drink, she was tubed through her nose and given water and electrolytes to prevent dehydration before being referred to the clinic that evening.

Surgery was performed on the mare the next morning. “We got really lucky that that piece of wire hadn’t moved,” says Cook. “She was taken into the surgery suite, anesthetized, taken in, the speculum put back in her mouth again. Then thankfully our surgeon was able to go in and – using his hands and some instruments – was actually able to pull the piece of wire out of her tongue very successfully.”

Another round of x-rays confirmed that all the wire had been removed, and the mare went on to make a great recovery. “She was eating a little bit slower because her tongue was still a little bit painful but was able to happily eat and swallow with a few days of anti-inflammatories.” Back at home, the mare was carefully monitored to ensure she was able to chew and swallow properly as the swelling in her tongue went down.

Even though this situation isn’t a common occurrence in horses, Cook wants owners to be aware that this is something that could potentially happen. “Just because your horse has a little bit of drool or doesn’t seem to be eating, don’t necessarily panic right away that your horse has something stuck in its tongue, but be aware that that is an abnormal behaviour. Especially if the horse does seem bright and really wanting to eat but dropping food and unable to do so,” she says.

“Unfortunately, it can be lifethreatening if left and not dealt with right away,” she continues. “If there’s any swelling around the throat or around the jaw, it’s definitely something you want to get checked out right away to make sure they haven’t eaten something, but also making sure that they’re able to eat and drink and breathe properly.” WHR

Dr. Cook’s quick-thinking and thorough examination procedure led to the rather fast discovery of the metal piercing in the mare’s tongue.

THERE’S THE

A recap of the 2021 World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) season, thus far.

By KASS PATTERSON Photos by SHELLIE SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

The 2021 World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) season was different this year than it has been in the past. With only seven stops on this year’s tour and the addition of drivers running second hooks, it was indeed, a labour of love. Chuckwagon teams and their families hit the road and worked with what they had. Seeing friends and families helping by picking up a pitchfork to muck stalls or taking up a different chore was not an uncommon sight. And, after 677 days since the last WPCA race, the drivers, the families, the horses and the fans were ready to hear the horn blow and feel the earth shake from underneath the thunder of the wagon Thoroughbred’s hooves.

On a hot and sunny, Canada Day long weekend in the Hamlet of Dewberry Alberta, WPCA drivers and fans kicked off the summer for an exciting four-day event. A sense of excitement was felt on the grounds after the sport faced several uncertainties in 2020.

WPCA Driver, Doug Irvine, said that it was nice to see friends and family he hadn’t seen in close to 20 months.

“I actually didn’t leave my place much, so it has been a long time since I have seen them. It is nice to get out, drive some horses and have some races,” Irvine said.

The four-day event wrapped up with a $25,000 dash for cash. Kris Molle (Chauvin, AB), Layne MacGillivray (Halkirk, AB), and Obrey Motowylo (Bluffton, AB) were the top three aggregate drivers who competed for that paycheck. While Molle was the first to cross the finish line, a one-second outrider penalty would cost him the dash, leaving him to walk away with the Aggregate title for the show and crowning MacGillivray the dash for cash winner.

MacGillivray was one of three drivers who ran a second outfit (or hook) during the show, something he would continue

THE HORN

left: Obrey Motowylo currently leads the world standings in the WPCA. right: Kurt Bensmiller is currently sitting second in the WPCA World Championship standings.

to do in High River, Bonnyville and Strathmore. MacGillivray said that running the second hook allowed him to get some of his new horses into races, along with his veterans, and credited the second hook for being the reason he even got into the dash.

“Running two outfits played a role in getting us to the dash because it is the outfit that made it into that heat,” MacGillivray said.

After the show in Dewberry, ten drivers would make their way to Lloydminister, AB for the North American Chuckwagon Championship. At the same time, the rest would have two weeks off before heading to High River, AB for a six-day show that took place over two weekends. Originally the event in High River was only scheduled for one weekend. After the cancellation of the wagons at the 2021 Calgary Stampede, the High River Ag Committee, along with the Foothills Cowboy Association (FCA) and the WPCA, came together to put on the Battle of the Foothills. In three weeks, the three groups worked together to put on a show that would see over a $150,000 of prize money awarded to the drivers.

High River Ag president Tanya Froh said that it took hundreds of man-hours to put together the show. However, when the first horn sounded, the realization hit, we did it!

“Being able to bring this show together and to create something like this is truly amazing. I feel like it not only brought together the three groups, but it also brought together the Town of High River and the community in general,” Froh said.

The first weekend saw nine heats of action, with ten drivers competing with a second hook. While the second weekend had ten heats, with the drivers from the North American Championship returning. The show saw multiple-night sell-outs, with drivers explaining that as soon as they came around that fourth turn, the energy from the crowd was electrifying.

As the drivers headed into the second Sunday of the Battle of the Foothills, Evan Salmond, Vern Nolin, Layne MacGillivray and Chanse Vigen were the top four drivers who qualified for the $30,000 dash for cash. Chanse Vigen would take home that victory running a 1:15.59, which was the second-fastest time of the show. With the fastest being set by Vigen just one day earlier at 1:15.81.

The third generation driver explains that his championship team is possibly the best team of horses he has ever driven.

“This team really likes the fourth barrel, the lead team really folds, the wheelers really charge. The right wheeler I have on that outfit he is steady Eddy for me. Honestly, they are a team sent from heaven,” Vigen explained.

The next show was just days away at the Strathmore Stampede. The four-day show there ultimately saw Chance Bensmiller with the fastest aggregate time over the course of the races. Bensmiller said it was a vast improvement from High River where Lady Luck turned her back on him.

“The left leader decided he didn’t want to drive in anymore, so instead of shuffling him in, he was moved to the right wheel, where he seems to like it more. Then the other team, the chestnut wheel team they really did well. Not much more a guy can say. Everyone congratulates the driver, but really it’s the horses who deserve all the praise,” Bensmiller said.

From Strathmore, AB the WPCA drivers

above: Chanse Vigen was the $30,000 dash for cash winner in High River, AB. right: Layne MacGillivray, is sitting in third position of the WPCA World Championship standings. bottom right: Kris Molle is currently rounding out the top four in the world in the WPCA World Championship standings.

made their way to Bonnyville, AB where they ran four nights. Chad Colbourne, a member of the Bonnyville Ag Society, explained that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unknowns earlier in the season, it was touch-and-go regarding whether or not they would hold the races, as they wanted to give the drivers and fans the best event possible.

“As an ag society, we had to really sit down and think about how quickly we could put together a show – so we decided to go ahead, and with going ahead, we decided to go big or go home and got the Road Hammers – and to get the Road Hammers to add to this already big, and exciting event just made sense,” Colbourne explained.

The four-day event did not disappoint, even with two torrential downpours of rain. The excitement extended down to the last heat of the last day as Kurt Bensmiller made history with both of his hooks making it into the dash, along with Chanse Vigen. With it being physically impossible for the reigning World Champion to drive both his wagons in the same heat, he turned to his younger brother Chance Bensmiller for help. Penalties played a part in the championship heat in Bonnyville as Chanse Vigen crossed the finish line first; however, four seconds in penalties would drop him to third place; and even with a one-second penalty for starting ahead of his barrel, Chance Bensmiller won Bonnyville for his elder brother Kurt.

“It was an honour to be asked to race for him and not only that but to be able to win the race for him,” the younger Bensmiller said. “However, when we went out on the track, I had to put that honour out of my mind. On the track, it was my wagon, my equipment, only I was driving his horses.”

This would not be the last time you would see the two Bensmiller brothers work together. From Bonnyville, the WPCA tour would make its next stop eight hours northwest in Dawson Creek, BC for the Battle of the North. The drivers and horses were greeted by 70 kilometres an hour wind. However, after getting their camps set up, the chuckwagon teams were ready for five days of action. The five-day event saw seven heats of racing, with some drivers unable to make it north this year. However, even though it was a different show in another town, déjà vu had elements as Kurt Bensmiller would find both his hooks in the dash again, along with Obrey Motowylo and Kris Molle. Bensmiller again would get his younger brother to hook up and drive his second hook in the dash. Unfortunately, a five-second penalty for hitting the bottom barrel on one outfit and a one-second penalty for starting ahead of the horn on the other outfit ultimately put both of Bensmillers wagons out of the running for the dash.

When the dust settled Obrey Motowylo walked away from the Battle of the North champion with sons Ethan and Hayden Motowylo by his side as his outriders.

Obrey said that having Hayden and Ethan as his outriders means he never has to check to see if they are there because he has complete faith in them.

“It is a family event for us, and winning with the boys behind me is truly special – even with the trust I have in them makes all the difference on the track,” Mottowylo said. The second last stop on the 2021 WPCA tour was in Rocky Mountain House, AB for the Battle of the Rockies. Like the Strathmore Stampede, the Battle of the Rockies champion is based on who has the fastest time at the end of the three days of racing. After a chilly but exciting three nights of racing, Vern Nolin would walk away the King of the Rockies.

Nolin said that getting new horses into races with veteran horses and learning who pairs up well together helped him take the show’s title.

At the time of writing, there is still one show left to be held in Ponoka, AB, before the 2021 World Champion will be named. Heading into the show, Obrey Motowylo leads the world standings with six-and-a-half points, separating him from the reigning world champion Kurt Bensmiller who is sitting in second, Layne MacGillivray is in third, with Kris Molle rounding out the top four in the world. WHR

the BIG BANG BARREL RACE

This highly anticipated event returned in 2021 to pay out $143,302 and an additional $48,000 in stallion incentives.

By AJ NEISH and JENN WEBSTER

above: There was a lot of enthusiasm for the Big Bang Barrel Race, with nearly 2,000 runs. right: Taylor Manning praises her mount.

Held August 12-15 in Sundre, AB, the Big Bang Barrel Race saw almost 2,000 runs over the course of the weekend. With the enthusiasm seen throughout the competition, it was clear people were happy to be back competing in 2021!

The weekend also featured Xtreme Indian Relay races on Thursday night and a Friday Night Lights Breakaway Roping, hosted by Moore Ranch.

“We had 16 Vendors and four food trucks, as well as a beer gardens hosted by Kootney Bayou Hot Sauce,” says event coordinator, AJ Neish of Supernova Productions. “And two official photographers to make the experience even better for the contestants.”

The Big Bang Barrel Race paid out over $143,302 at the event and an additional $48,000 in American and Canadian stallion incentives. These included Tomorrows Legends, Ruby Buckle, Royal Crown and the Canadian Barrel Horse Incentive (CBHI.)

Tana Millard of Eckville, AB, had the fastest time of the whole weekend with a 17.281 – even while her horse bucked to third barrel! Millard was also the winner of the 2020 Platinum horse trailer sponsored by Iron Horse Truck and Trailer and the Winfield Ag Society.

Neish explains how the winner of the trailer was determined. “We had Each D (1-4) winner from the open each day, for a total of eight girls line up at the trailer. Then we had eight Platinum trailer keys in a hat, each with a different number on it. Only one fit the trailer door,” she says. “Each girl picked a key and wasn’t allowed to look at it. Then we announced the number on the winning key and on the count of three, everyone looked at their key at the same time to see who

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Tana Millard wins the 2020 Platinum horse trailer sponsored by Iron Horse Truck and Trailer and the Winfield Ag Society.

won. It was very exciting!”

Taylor Manning of Edson, AB, won the Futurity Average with a 17.436 and a 17.444, winning a saddle and over $5,000 in prize money. Janet Moen of Stewart Valley, SK, won the Derby Average with a 17.527 and a 17.395, winning a saddle and nearly $3,000. The Youth division had $4,000 added and paid out $10,584 in the 3D, with the winners of each D taking home over $900.

Lipstick and Cowboy Boots did live interviews during big rakes of current leaders as the days went on, that were aired on the livefeed hosted by Sam Winslow. Play back can be watched on a link posted to Supernova Productions and the Big Bang Barrel Racing Facebook page. WHR

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Horsemanship • Culture • Style

westernhorsereview.com

Guided by Gypsies The family that rides together, stays together. Meet the Bairds – with their beautiful Gypsy Cobs and their interesting family dynamic, River Lane Ranch has all the parallels of the modern west drama, Yellowstone.

By JENN WEBSTER Photos By MAUREEN NOCE

Astone’s throw from Edmonton, AB, and nestled along the banks of the Fort Saskatchewan river sits a very special equine operation. Here resides River Lane Ranch, an 80-acre farm that is home to 84 equines and +10 people. It’s not often that you will find a Canadian operation solely centered around horses, but that’s exactly what River Lane is – and with a very unique breed of horse at its core.

Featuring the flowy-maned, featherfooted Gypsy Cob, River Lane Ranch has forged a remarkable place for itself in the horse industry. The Gypsy Cob’s energy, versatility and special connection with people puts River Lane Ranch on the map as both a therapeutic and show horse enterprise. Yet, it’s the family who runs the ranch that makes the operation truly extraordinary – and with some striking parallels to our favorite, modern west television drama, Yellowstone.

At the helm of the ranch are Dave and Carmel Baird, their six children, their children’s spouses and their grandchildren. River Lane Ranch has been in existence for the last 12 years.

So how does one Canadian family go from no horses to more than 80, in only a dozen years?

It all started with the Baird’s daughter, Mikaela or “Mike” as she is better known. Now age 20, life wasn’t always about living on a beautiful ranch with some of the country’s most striking equines for her. At age eight Mikaela suffered a stroke, which proved to be a traumatic experience for the entire family.

“I grew up at the racetrack and with Thoroughbred horses in my life, so I had an idea. We could use the horses to help heal her,” tells Carmel. “We were doing speech therapy and all these other things – but nothing was working. And then it clicked. The horses changed everything.”

They realized that Mikaela was improving rapidly through her time riding and just being around equines. The Bairds started with Quarter Horses and then came across the Gypsy Cob breed several years later. In addition to the elation they felt about the improvement of their daughter, it was then that the Bairds realized the Gypsy Cob was the perfect “everything” horse.

“People see Cobs and they think they’re just good for shows or ‘My Little Pony,’” relays Carmel. “But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Yes, they are excellent for equine assisted therapy, but we are also catching cows and going to the mountains with these horses – or jumping, performing western pleasure, driving… You name it. We’re doing everything with this breed.”

Currently River Lane Ranch focuses on several tangents of business. These include using their horses for equine assisted learning (EAL), breeding, training and ranch tours or drop-ins. After witnessing the benefits Mikaela experienced with horses, the Baird family knew they wanted to help others find healing and change as well. In their Healing with Horses program, many of the horses used have been born and raised on the ranch, so the family and the trainers know exactly what to expect from them. Some of the horses are imported directly from the fields of England, but all of the horses raised and living there are taught to develop a trust and bond with humans that allow them to be willing partners in equine therapy sessions. However,

left to right: Maureen Noce, Chris Miller, Kash (on Chris’ lap), Wayne Baird with Gracie and Austin down below, Kennedy Kachmar and Keghan Baird, Jessica Baird, Chris Arndt, Dave Baird, Mikaela Baird, Carmel Baird, Ron Arnett, Payton and her mother Emily Baird, Melissa Baird with son Dayton, David Smith and Benjamin Arndt.

there are a few “golden oldies” who have retired at River Lane Ranch and make perfect partners for the program as well.

The ranch has a special place for older or surrendered horses. They have some equines ranging in age from 20 to 30-years-old, all of whom are definitely considered “seniors.” Then there are the horses brought to the ranch simply because they are poor-doing and the original owners can’t care for them, or they are broken.

“The thing is, they are not so broken that they shouldn’t be here,” Carmel explains. “So we have given them a forever home.”

Take for example, “Percy a horse surrendered to River Lane Ranch due to a chipped coffin bone. Or “Chico,” the 25-year-old Gypsy Cob who is absolutely living his best life as he is turned out to pasture in the summers and brought back inside during the winter – for an abundance of TLC, including bathing, grooming and pampering. And then there were the Standardbred mares brought to River Lane in 2020 by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to help foal and find homes.

“We are happy to help anyone in need if and when we can” says Carmel Baird.

The Baird family discovered that some of the older horses brought to their ranch were perfect for use in their therapy program. Sometimes the older horses actually come alive in that curriculum, as though it is their calling and they are happy to once again, have a “job.”

MEET THE CREW

The other side of the River Lane This unique, high performance training academy is geared Ranch operation is intense and varied towards action sports. Their goal? Getting you, to yours. By JENN WEBSTER and makes it easy to understand why the ranch requires the entire family, along with several other important key people Photos courtesy of BRAD CLIFFORD to make it run. To get an idea of the magnitude of the enterprise, it helps to visualize the River Lane Ranch herd and get an introduction of the individuals who are responsible for each of them.

Let’s begin with the stallions. Currently there are two main stallions leading the charge at the ranch, but SD Empire may be the most decorated. A 2014 model, SD Empire has a long list of accomplishments with the titles of 2019 Canadian Over All High Point Champion, 2019 Canadian Supreme Halter Champion and 2020 Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA) World Virtual Show Champion specifically glaring off his resume. “Because of Covid, the TGCA in England put on a virtual show last year. SD Empire contended in that show and he won the Grand Championship!” Says Carmel. Chris Miller of CM Performance Training is the head trainer at River Lane Ranch, as well as an EAL facilitator. With an outstanding resume to boast about as in the past he worked for Carol Rose Quarter Horses in Texas and for 5 seasons was the head trainer of a world show equine operation in Austria. “Chris is an exceptional key member of our team. He’s more like family to us. He is both a trainer and mentor to our kids and we hope that one day, they will take on that role someday,” Carmel explains. The Baird children Keghan (age 21) and Mikaela have key training roles on the ranch. Mikaela is responsible for starting all young stock produced at the ranch, under saddle. Keghan, along with Chris is the finishing trainer who ensures that all the bells and whistles are completed before they’re considered finished, along

The Gypsy Cob is a very versatile animal and has proven itself to be a perfect companion for a range of owners. Here, the Baird grandchildren can be seen with GD Thunderstruck, the family’s young forever gelding.

with Wayne Baird, (age 30) who enjoys the driving discipline with his father Dave Baird. Melissa (age 31), Jessica (age 29), and Emily (age 28) are the three remaining Baird daughters, who also have major roles and a part to play at this busy ranch. Melissa and Emily’s children are additionally homeschooled on site, so the family can be together and be there for the horses whenever required. We can’t forget Chris Ardnt (age 43) who’s been a part of the Baird family for 14 years and is Ben’s (the oldest grandsons Dad) Not very often in this generation can you find a whole family living together on the same piece of land and earning their income from an agricultural property – especially in Canada. Every family member is a spoke in the wheel that turns the operation daily and every person has their role.

Carmel is also quick to point out that in addition to the family, Maureen Noce (who regularly takes incredible photographs for the ranch) and Ron Arnett, (the ranch farrier) make up the remaining portion of the River Lane Ranch team. As River Lane Ranch’s motto is “every horse, every day,” it means there is no shortage of work to do on the farm. Every day starts at 6 am and sometimes the work isn’t done until the wee hours of the morning. It’s a commitment everyone at the ranch and on the team understands wholeheartedly.

Aside from the stallions, River Lane is home to 26 mares currently. Each year, they foal out anywhere from six to fifteen foals during breeding season. The Baird’s have built a close connection with the Down family in England who are true Romany Gypsies and where most of their horse stock has come from.

“We are very passionate and particular about the babies produced here,” Carmel says. “If we put our mares into foal, our job is to be there every step of the way. We are very attentive to mares in foal and we want to be there for the early moments of the foal’s life too. We blow gently into their noses to imprint them, and begin to build that human connection with them from the day they’re born.”

The ranch is home to a medley of young horses and sales are a big part of the operation. Daily training and grooming practices are time-consuming with so many youngsters, given the hairy nature of the breed. The ranch goes through massive amounts of clipping blades, Galloping Goop, Cowboy Magic and other grooming products on a regular basis.

“Gypsies are a really hardy animal in the winter. But because it’s so dry here and because the Gypsy is hairier than others, they do need special care,” explains Carmel.

Currently there are seven geldings owned by the Baird family and especially after 2020, they say that older, broke Gypsy Cob geldings are almost impossible to find for purchase.

“People are recognizing the therapy aspect of them. You’d be very hard-pressed right now, to find older trained geldings that people want to sell. Occasionally we have someone who brings us a horse to sell for commission. One of the most recent ones was a Gypsy gelding – but we ended up keeping him because he was just so phenomenal!” Carmel laughs.

There are numerous reasons why people are seeking out the breed lately. Some want a unique show horse, some need them as a therapy animal and others are simply looking for a safe, riding mount.

Regular farrier work is an important task on the ranch. Here, ranch farrier Ron Arnett, Rafter J Specialized Hoof Care, shows one of the grandchildren about the trade.

These include younger or more timid riders, all the way up to older cowboys who have broken their backs in the past and are in search of a quieter ride.

When asked what was so amazing about these horses Carmel said, “We call them good medicine and we say that these horses are ‘the medicine of the soul.’ Their temperaments are truly phenomenal, but they’re also not just a plod-along-type Draft horse either. They are capable of so much.”

And for the people who want to be around the Gypsies but cannot own a horse, River Lane Ranch has an option for them. On days boasting nice weather, Dave Baird noticed their elderly neighbors would pack a lunch and sit near the road to enjoy a picnic together, with the horses. Curious by nature, many of River Lane’s horses would come to the fence to stand nearby, while the couple ate.

“Dave went out to our neighbours one day and realized they just wanted to be near the horses. And our horses would just stand there, they wouldn’t bolt or run away,” Carmel says. “So that’s when Dave said to our neighbours, ‘Just come in. You don’t need to eat your lunch near the road.’

“So they keep coming back and they drive over here, just to be with the horses and that’s how we knew the ranch had to be more than just a place for our family.”

PARALLELS TO YELLOWSTONE

If you’ve ever had a chance to check out the ranch’s social media platforms, you’ll see that River Lane’s Tik Tok channel (@riverlanegypsycobhorses) has recently hit astronomical numbers. That might be because Keghan Baird draws a striking resemblance to “Rip” from the hit television show, Yellowstone. And if Keghan’s appearance weren’t enough, he’s often seen riding SD Empire – who is almost completely black, other than the big blaze on his face and his four white feathered feet. The combination has been a potent cocktail for Tik Tok users across the globe.

Like Mikaela, Keghan has had his own personal struggles. Two years ago, he was hit by a drunk driver on an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and lost the use of one of his arms. At the time, the Baird family feared they were going to loose Keghan completely, as he struggled through the initial impact. His arm was totally out of the socket and Keghan underwent

clockwisee: Observing some of the River Lane Gypsy Cobs; Mikaela Baird works with a prospect; and Keghan Baird with SD Empire.

multiple surgeries to try and get the nerves back to normal. Sadly, his arm is still yet to fully recover but you would likely never know as Keghan being a true cowboy, has adapted.

“He was a heavy equipment operator before that. But he’s just slowly built himself back to where he is now. He just adapted and has gotten on with it,” tells his mother.

“No matter what has happened in our lives we always seem to go back to the horses. And that’s what Keghan did. The horses are the center of our lives. He’s back riding, roping, fixing fences and picking up hay… just carrying on with life and moving forward. People always ask me if Keghan is anything like Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone. I always say if they were to write Keghan a character… Rip would be it,” Carmel relays.

The challenges of Covid and 2020 never got the ranch down either. If anything, the Bairds believe they’re stronger because of it.

“If Covid taught us anything, it’s ‘What is lockdown?’ It didn’t feel any different for us,” Carmel chuckles. “When do you travel? You don’t. When you have a ranch, you can’t go anywhere. And that’s any ranch. There’s a commitment to the land and to the animals.”

Carmel knows they are blessed at River Lane to have the family dynamic they have, that keeps the ranch working on a daily basis. But it is not without its challenges.

“Sometimes outside people come in and don’t always understand… There’s foals, training, stalls to clean, photoshoots. People say to us, ‘Why can’t you leave the ranch…?’ Those are the people who don’t understand that one day you can wake up here and there’s no water – so we have to wait for the water guy to come in, because there are 84 animals depending on it. Or one of the horses is injured, colicking or lame and needs immediate attention. But if you don’t live on a ranch, you don’t have a clue to the devotion and dedication it takes,” she states.

The premise and the heart of River Lane Ranch is likely the same at every successful ranch. No one gets rich doing it, but they continue to live the lifestyle because ranchers love what they do. For the Bairds, it’s the difference they see their horses make in the people around them. WHR

ARISTOCRATIC OUTLAW

By Debbie MacRae

He was quiet, well-educated, handsome, and charismatic. Charming, especially to women and children, he was a marksman, and a skilled horseman. He had a beautiful white horse named Pat, so intelligent that he had taught the animal to tell time by stomping its feet. Refined, fashionable and talented with the fiddle, he had the appearance of a cultured southern gentleman. Let us introduce you to western Canada’s first train robber.

He was born Ezra Allen Miner, to hard-working, law-abiding farmers, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on December 27, 1846. He attended school to the age of 16. Demonstrations of his hand-writing indicate he was well-educated, likely guided by his widowed mother’s role as a teacher. When he was about 13-years-old, they moved westward to California, and Miner grew up in the frontier school of hard knocks, with bare knuckle fighting and mining camp survival instincts. A strong religious influence would come from each of his grandmothers, however, he would become one of North America’s most notorious criminals.

Miner’s career in crime started while he was still a teenager. Having worked in various capacities as a cowhand, prospector, mail courier and Pony Express rider, he obtained an intimate knowledge of stagecoach delivery and shipment dates. He would later remark that the information he obtained, coupled with the availability of gold carried by the stages, was too great a temptation for him. He found the opportunity to target easy money irresistible, and his first hold-up netted him $75,000.

Ironically, he was rather inept, failing at most of his robbery attempts. Miner would serve over 40 years of his life in prison. His first sentence was served in San Quentin prison, California, at the age of 19 years. Yet his success would become legendary in his resolve not to quit, his longevity of career, and his reputation as a gentleman. It is reputed that he coined the phrase, “Hands up!”

In 1871, Miner teamed up with Alkali

He was a train robber and a philanthropist. Bill Miner leaves behind a Canadian history of intrigue.

ARISTOCRATIC OUTLAW

Wanted poster for Bill Miner, following his escape from the New Westminster Penitentiary in BC.

Jim Harrington, robbing a stagecoach. They asked the driver to take his boots off, and took his gold watch. The driver asked them not to take the watch, as it had been a gift from his deceased mother. Miner returned the watch, stating, “We respect men’s mothers”. The driver later identified both men, and Miner would be sentenced to another 25 years in San Quentin, at the age of 25 years. He served three years of that sentence before escaping again. He was caught, punished with 20 lashes and nine days in the dungeon, before he was shackled with a ball and chain, and appeared, once again, to settle into prison routine. Ten years later he was released on good behavior.

During his time in prison, Miner learned the trade of cobbling shoes, and assured his sister that he was reforming. Not so. He teamed up with a tough Iowa kid known as Billy LeRoy, who, with his younger brother, took control of their operative and pushed Miner into a secondary role. After robbing the Del Norte stage, LeRoy and his brother were captured, but Miner got away. The Del Norte citizens took matters into their own hands, and both LeRoy boys were hung. Miner had the money and headed for Chicago; complete with two new Saratoga trunks and a gentleman’s wardrobe.

He went on to Onadaga, Michigan, in December of 1880, fashionably attired, and eagerly received by the upstanding young debutantes of society. There was little resemblance to the former prison convict from San Quentin excepting his distinguishing tattoos. On his right forearm, Miner hosted a ballet dancer, and a single star. His left wrist depicted a heart pierced by a dagger.

Flashy and debonair, Miner caught the attention of a wealthy Michigan family, and courted young Jenny Willis. However, his lavish spending depleted his resources and he fabricated a story that his aging mother was dying, and he needed to escort her on an ocean voyage for medical reasons. He was given a royal send-off, complete with a toast from the mayor, while his heartbroken fiancée bid him her final farewell. Meanwhile his mother was living in abject poverty in California.

In an effort to replenish his empty pocketbook, Miner headed to Denver, Colorado, in search of an old friend, Stanton Jones. Despite the lynching, they planned to rob the Del Norte stage once more. Unfortunately, they were captured.

They were forced to camp at Wagon Wheel Gap where the sheriff left the wagon driver on guard. Miner pulled a

hidden six-gun and forced him to untie them, however, in the process they woke the sheriff who reached for his rifle. Miner shot four times in the dark, shooting both the deputy and the sheriff in the arms. His mandate: ‘Never shoot a man, unless it’s in self-defense.’ It was the first recorded instance of Miner using a firearm. The Pinkerton files on Bill Miner were expanding, fueled by repeated sightings of a tattooed ballet dancer on his right forearm.

After Colorado, he made his way to California, planning to rob the Wells Fargo Sonora-Milton stagecoach. The night before the holdup they attended a country ball at Angel’s Camp, which regularly shipped gold from their mines. After confirming the schedule, Miner became infatuated with one of the singers at the dance. He said he was leaving for San Francisco the following day, but promised to send her a gift from the city, in the form of sheet music.

The following day, four masked men robbed the stagecoach, taking $3,250 in gold coins and $500 in gold dust. The robbers escaped. Then two weeks later, a package of sheet music arrived at the Camp for the young singer. She notified the Wells Fargo detective who had interviewed her after the holdup. The bandits were ultimately captured and Miner was sentenced to another 25 years in prison.

On June 17, 1901 after serving almost 20 years of his 25-year sentence, Bill Miner left San Quentin prison for the last time. He promised them he wouldn’t be back, and headed north to Canada.

It is notable that times had changed. Miner had served 33.5 years of his 55year lifespan behind bars in San Quentin. Stagecoaches were almost obsolete, and transportation was done by rail. He had to devise a new source of funding. Coincidentally, a silent movie called the Great Train Robbery was released in 1903, depicting a group of outlaws who held up a steam locomotive at a train station in the American west. Whether Miner actually saw the movie or not, the plot provided him with new technology, and he adopted the method of robbery used in the film – boarding the train while it was stopped, forcing the engineer to uncouple the engine and the money car, and moving them down the tracks away from the passengers – thus reducing the likelihood of injury and of getting caught.

Fast-forward to Mission Junction, British Columbia on Saturday, September 10, 1904. The Canadian Pacific’s Transcontinental Express No. 1 drew away from the water tower in the heavy fog. The engineer heard a voice whisper, “Hands up” and a bandit with a soft-brimmed hat and mask, held a revolver in each hand. In a southern accent, he asked the engineer politely, to “[S]top the train at the Silverdale crossing”… “and not a hair on your head will be harmed.” Engineer, N.J. Scott responded, “I am at your service”. (Old Bill Miner, F.W. Anderson)

The job would yield $6,000 in gold dust, $1,000 cash, and about $250,000 in bonds and securities, when Miner unknowingly tossed in a few parcels. He was looking for a $62,000 treasure chest, that was to have travelled by stagecoach from the Caribou Mine down the Cariboo Road, and then by train, westbound for Vancouver. A delay had altered the timing, and Miner targeted the wrong train. His advantage was the Australian securities, which were uninsured, and the Canadian Pacific Railroad(CPR) kept very quiet about their displacement. This detail would become a significant source of contention over the next couple of years.

BC’s police force was only 50-years-old at the time, and the CPR had never been robbed before, so Canada needed help. They called on the Pinkerton agency, which had been chasing down coach and train robbers for over 30 years. The CPR and Canadian government posted rewards of $5,000, and BC offered $500 for each robber. For most people, this princely sum of $11,500 constituted 20 years’ wages.

Ironically, the Pinkerton’s would first arrest a drifter named B. R. Davies, who turned out to be a detective working on another case. Trackers then followed an unlikely set of footprints into the southern interior of BC, away from the US border. Their one substantive clue was that there was only one man in all their files who behaved so politely during a robbery, and used the phrase, “Hands up.” The robbery at Mission Junction had all the markings of Bill Miner.

Inept, though he was, Miner eluded capture until May 15, 1906. His mistakes were almost comical. On one occasion he

This stop of interest sign stands 12 miles east of Kamloops, BC.

put fake train signals on the wrong side of the track and the train went right on by. On another occasion their hobbled horses got away from them and they were forced to walk, allowing the trailing posse to catch up with them. Miner had crippled feet, and walking was not an easy task. He had fashioned his own shoes from his cobbling trade – and his footprints were distinctive – easily identifying him. He didn’t act like a wanted man and willingly gave himself up, thinking he could talk his way out of situations. He used aliases; among them George Edwards, Wm. A. Morgan, and George Anderson, but his tattoos, his accent, and his courtesy always gave him away.

On May 8, 1906, at Mile 116, west of Ducks (now Kamloops), Miner’s gang boarded the CPR’s Imperial Limited, westbound for Vancouver. The three robbers approached what they thought was the mail car. Neither occupant resisted, however, W. M. Thorburn, clerk, recognized Miner instantly, as he had been the clerk on the 1904 Mission Junction robbery. Miner’s gang were looking through the mail bag when they found only 11 letters and suddenly, they realized, they weren’t in the mail car. They were in the baggage car – and the mail car had been left behind with the passengers. Realizing it was too risky to go back, Miner and his group checked to see what they had. Ignoring several small packages, Miner grabbed a bottle of liver pills which would be found in his pocket a couple of days later. The small packages which they had ignored, had contained $40,000 in bank notes.

At the Kamloops courthouse, the record noted that, “The first to go through the hands of the officials was the old man George Edwards. He claims to be 62, looks like a man of 50, and moves like one of 30.” By the following day, Pinkerton records would confirm his identity as the notorious outlaw, Bill Miner. The first jury was indecisive. The CPR was unpopular, and it was joked that, “Bill Miner is not so bad. He only robs the CPR once every two years, but the CPR robs us all everyday.” The second jury convicted him and he was given a life sentence.

Miner spent 14 months of his term in BC’s New Westminster jail. At a time when prisoners were required to be clean shaven and shorn, Miner was allowed to grow his hair, a feature which would allow him to look civilian on the outside. He had multiple visits from the Deputy Warden’s daughter – AND CPR Detective Bullock – who offered him a pardon if he would return the Australian securities which were uninsured, causing the CPR to be out of pocket $200,000 – a sum worth a fortune, at the time. Miner asked for the pardon in writing. The CPR would not comply, so he held firm on the securities. However, on the afternoon of August 8, 1907, with 29 men toiling beside him in the brickyard, and a tower guard on top of a 50-meter-high watchtower, Miner escaped. Said to have dug a hole under the perimeter wall, out of the guard’s line of vision, Miner vanished like a rabbit under the fence, while the guard had a cigarette. Later it was determined that not even a small boy could have fit through the space.

Despite alerts to every police centre in BC and neighbouring Washington, Old Bill Miner disappeared without a trace. The CPR Detective’s visits also ceased. His disappearance caused a scandal in Parliament. It was rumoured the CPR had facilitated his escape in return for the security bonds. The CPR also had strong political connections, and although the Minister of Parliament for Yale-Cariboo, M Burrell, called for a thorough inquiry by an impartial tribunal, and Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier questioned whether or not there had been connivance or CPR implications, the question was never answered and the inquiry was never held. Bill Miner, likely unaware of the controversy his departure entailed, returned to the south, to rob the first train in Georgia.

Convicted in Georgia, Miner would again escape during a thunderstorm in 1912, this time into the brackish waters of the Oconee swamp. That escape would be his last. He gave himself up and died in the prison hospital of intestinal gastritis from ingesting the putrid water. He was a legend and the civilians of Georgia rallied to collect monies for a proper burial.

His tombstone bore the wrong name, the wrong date, and was in the wrong location. He continued to elude the public long after his death. In Canada, he left behind a legacy; a mural on the wall of Cactus Jack’s Saloon in Kamloops, BC, the Billy Miner Pub in Port Haney on the Fraser River, a mountain near Princeton, a ballad in his name, a movie, “The Grey Fox”, and Billy Miner Pie at the Keg Steakhouse & Bar. He was the Aristocratic Outlaw. WHR

The Bill Miner party (in the wagon on the right), on their way to Kamloops, BC, after capture. Kamloops Museum photo.

Fluidity, social connections, sustainability and the influence of millennial collectors were the biggest trends emerging from the world of western art in the last year.

By JENN WEBSTER

MORE THAN JUST A WORK OF ART

Several new trends emerged in the world of western art over the course of the last two years, thanks in part to the pandemic, and in part to the creative nature of artists and galleries. The world was forced to pivot in millions of ways in 2020, in an effort to drive business forward – and the art world was no exception. With a huge rise in millennial interest in 2020/21 and forced lockdowns for many brick-and-mortar businesses, it ultimately changed the way art is currently being sold.

Though the collection of artwork is personal for every collector, one of the major driving forces for its acquisition in 2021 was simply about joy. To bring happiness to its new owners. For millennials, that could have meant any number of things: blank walls being renovated during the pandemic; the preservation of a dying master discipline; an artistic statement reflecting the political or societal issues of this era; or the opportunity to grab onto a piece by an up-and-coming, master artist. Whatever the reason, it was clear that millennials are staking their claim in the art world – a significant detail noted in the 2020 edition of The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report.

LESLIE HARDY

opposite page: Works ranging from historical pieces, to pieces that reflect the modern West are extremely popular with collectors of the genre. This painting was done by Karen Coe Fine Arts. top left: The ability to interact with their art as it progresses, or watch it from start-to-finish on social media platforms, has become an important aspect to collectors. These realistic art forms by Alberta artist Deanna Cullen display her ability to use the mediums of paint and pencils. top right: These exceptional napkin rings by Canadian Silversmith Scott Hardy will be part of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association 2021 Exhibition at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Each individually, fully filigreed ring offer a work of art for every place setting at your upcoming dinner party.

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Due partly to the shift in the demographics (millennials are an audience very comfortable using the internet) and partly because of the limit on in-person viewings, online sales to new buyers increased in the last year, as did art purchases by existing clients who were buying online for the first time. Art sales have been noted across all platforms including Facebook, Instagram and virtual auctions. Which brings to light, another major factor of art collection in recent times – many collectors make their art purchasing decisions based on the social connections certain pieces may offer them, both literally and figuratively. Sometimes, collecting a number of pieces from one specific artist develops into a relationship and especially if that artist is local, knowing you are supporting local talent can become a key incentive. Western art galas may become annual events to look forward to, as an opportunity to share fine art experiences and western culture with peers. And let’s not forget about the strong potential for social media content that art and all it involves, offers. That in itself, has become a motivating factor to the newest segment of art collectors.

Another major trend on the horizon is the way in which collectors can interact with their art. By shooting time-lapse videos featuring the progression of pieces, artists can engage enthusiasts in a way they have never been able to before. Again, social media can play a part in this role, showing owners a start-to-finish perspective that can help them feel like they are a part of the process. Or if an art piece is part of an artist collaboration, or tells a story within it, this offers a collector more emotional depth. No longer is western art about what “looks good on the wall.” Owners want to know about the details on a grizzly bear’s face, the expression in a horse’s ears, why a certain depiction of a cloudscape was chosen, or if a silversmith piece could actually be used as a functional piece of tack. Owners need to feel connected to their art – which is not a new concept – but it does offer collectors a deeper understanding of the western culture of which they are a part.

FLUIDITY

These days, many art collectors make their purchase decisions based around the “fluidity” of pieces. Owners are looking for works that offer a timeless element to them. Some people may eventually want to gift pieces to their children, which means the subject matter must be relatable to everyone, from generation to generation. Conversely, other collectors may choose pieces they feel, offer future resale value. Or, in an effort to refresh one’s home and art collection, pieces that can easily be stored for periods of time and brought back out later in time and still fit the interior design of the space. art is important to many collectors. Not only do people of the western lifestyle enjoy looking at nature and wildlife, many of them also like knowing their art does no damage to the earth’s resources. Additionally, artists who use their work to send messages about preserving western heritage are big draws for collectors, either by the subject matter, or by the media used to create pieces. That’s why, the term “sustainability” has many different meanings when it comes to art. Either way, it’s something to think about on the grand scale of art for the future.

WESTERN ART

It is believed that one of the most popular areas of art currently is that of western art – pieces that depict everything from the Wild West, to historic days gone by, cowboys, rodeos, horses, cattle, wildlife and the “modern west.” This includes all kinds of medias like bronzes, silver works, rawhide braiding, mixed elements, or paintings centred around the visions of pioneers and the rugged lands they called home. The genre can easily lend itself to a variety of mediums; from extremely thick and textured paint strokes, to illustration and abstract imagery, to carefully sculpted and engraved precious metals.

Like the adventurous spirit of the western lifestyle many of these works feature, western art is capable of capturing one’s imagination like no other genre. WHR

ON LEARNING HOW TO LOVE…

Story by Lee McLean Photo by Twisted Tree Photography

I DROVE A SCHOOL BUS FOR MANY YEARS.

Without realizing it, I began putting the kids under my care into two separate groups: those with animals in their lives and those without. I know, this seems harsh and unfair. But wait.

The kids with animals – anything they considered pets, really – had a gentleness about them, a wisdom that went beyond their years. I would pick them up in the mornings and there would be excited stories of new adventures and other times, there would be the most awful tears. Oh, the inevitable heartbreak!

But they were the lucky ones, because the kids without had something vital missing from their lives. Often, they didn’t seem to know quite how to go about touching other living beings, or how to worry about someone separate from themselves.

Having a pet is almost like learning how to parent.

It made me think that this grind we do of signing up our children for 4H… or putting them in obedience classes with the old dog… or insisting that they help with daily chores… or volunteering at the local shelter… is for a purpose greater than we might imagine. We need to remember this, especially when we’re waiting in the parking lot, with another cold coffee, on another dark Tuesday night.

When we teach kids to love outside themselves, along with all the risks and hurt, we teach them something that cannot be learned in school, or found online, or read in books.

To those of you struggling to make ends meet, to keep up the shuttle service, to raise the difficult teens, I urge you to keep going.

When you teach children about animals, you teach them about life. WHR

RIVER LANE RANCH

HEALING WITH HORSES

BREEDING/TRAINING/HEALING WITH HORSES - GYPSY COBS