Over five centuries ago, Spanish horsemen—known as vaqueros—arrived in North America, bringing with them a deep horsemanship legacy that continues to shape today’s Western riding culture. Their influence can be seen not only in commonly used words like “chaps” (derived from chaparreras) and “rodeo” (from rodear), but also in the foundational principles of horse training and stockmanship.

Rider Down! It’s a trail rider’s worst nightmare: getting hurt and requiring evacuation from a remote area. Whether out on the trails for a few hours or on an overnight trip, the reality that every recreational rider must face is that emergencies can occur. Preparation is key and the success of emergency evacuations has a lot to do with planning for their possibility. It can also determine whether a rider survives.

Holidays on Horseback - Sven, the Haflinger pack pony, jerked his head up and snorted. I looked uphill towards our camp and caught a humpy flash of beige ducking behind a stunted fir tree. Grizzly, I thought. I was hand-grazing Sven and my paint mare, Jewel, on a frosty July morning in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, British Columbia during a solo pack trip. When Sven jerked his head up again, a beige grizzly bear shambled downhill towards us. Just 20 metres uphill from the first bear, a second bear rose up on its hind legs out of the brush before dropping down onto all fours and following the frontrunner. As the two bears lumbered towards us, Sven danced around on his lead line while Jewel kept grazing, and my heart beat a little quicker. As I considered what to do, a third bear trundled out of the trees and followed the first two. They were all grizzlies, all full size, and all coming straight at us. I started to sweat.

Did you know that a stunning working horse ranch, backed by the Canadian government and open to trail riders, sits on the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains? Yes, it’s true. Ya Ha Tinda Ranch — owned and operated by Parks Canada — is the only federally run horse ranch in the country and marked its 100th anniversary in 2017.

Horses sold at Canadian auctions range from high-end racehorses to weanlings of unknown origins. There are auctions for specific breeds or levels of performance, and those that are open to anyone who has a horse to sell. There are online auctions, in-person auctions, and a combination of both. Canadian horse auctions cater to every budget, too.

Climate change is increasingly affecting horses, horse properties, and their owners across Canada. In recent surveys, nearly 90 percent of Canadians reported noticing the impacts of climate change in their communities. Horses are facing rising health risks, including respiratory diseases from wildfire smoke and dust, skin conditions and hoof damage caused by unpredictable weather, and new parasites and diseases. Horse owners are also dealing with higher hay costs, unexpected veterinary expenses, and challenges related to weather disruptions, such as riding limitations. Meanwhile, owners of horse properties are working to repair damage from severe storms, flooding, droughts, and high winds.

Running a family farm or ranch can be both demanding and rewarding. For these three Canadian families, the challenges of farm life are balanced by the many benefits of working together as a family.

Equestrians worldwide are exploring innovative ways to enjoy their horses, and Canada is no exception. So, if you want to rev up your riding or support a new sport, consider shooting arrows, slashing swords, swinging lances, blasting guns, training fancy footwork, or galloping through the snow.

Is your horse ready to meet the increased physical demands of the spring season? Along with additional riding time, it's essential your horse is fit enough to hit the trails, compete, jump, or focus on endurance or dressage.