The Lac La Croix Indigenous pony, named after the Lac La Croix First Nation, now the Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation, primarily existed in northwestern Ontario and across the United States border into Minnesota. This unique pony breed, considered to be developed by the Indigenous Peoples, was used for winter transportation, running trap lines, hauling logs and ice, and pulling sleighs. As forest dwellers, the breed boasts strong hooves to endure the rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield; fuzzy ears to protect them from insects; and often a dorsal stripe down its back and zebra stripes on its legs.

Last summer, I observed a rider in the warm-up ring at Thunderbird Show Park in Vancouver, BC, who seemed to be struggling. Her horse was tense and unfocused, despite her best attempts to establish a connection. The horse appeared distracted, and when they approached a practice jump, it refused. The rider fought to maintain her composure, but her frustration and tension were clearly visible. Although she cleared a few jumps at the trot, once they began cantering, the horse rushed the jumps and nearly bolted after landing. After a few attempts, she pulled up to the corner of the arena, her face showing the emotional toll of the situation.

"My horse is smart enough not to eat toxic plants" - This is a comment I often hear during property visits focused on responsible manure and pasture practices. While it’s true that horses generally avoid undesirable or toxic plants when there’s ample healthy forage available, issues tend to surface when pastures are overgrazed and food choices become limited. That’s when horses may resort to eating weeds or harmful plants. It’s essential for horse owners to recognize which plants pose a threat and to understand how to control their presence in grazing areas.

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Crisis-Ready Horsekeeping: Safety Plans for the Unexpected - Across Canada there is one thing horse owners have in common: We all want what is best for our horses. No matter what discipline we favour, whether we compete or ride just for fun, we all take steps to ensure that our horses are well looked after, happy and healthy. But what about when it comes to preparing for our worst nightmare? At the very least, most barns will have a first aid kit or two and maybe some fire extinguishers. But in the event of a natural disaster like an earthquake, fire, flood or tornado, do any of us have what it takes to make the best of the worst situation? While it’s uncomfortable to think about what would happen if we suffered at the wrath of Mother Nature, we aren’t doing ourselves or our horses any favours by ignoring the possibility of a natural or man-made disaster.

Recurrent Seasonal Pruritus (commonly known as Sweet Itch) is the most common allergic skin condition in horses. Horses with sweet itch experience intense itching along the abdomen, the back, mane, and tail.

Some weather experts consider drought to be any time in which precipitation falls by 25 percent below average. On a horse farm with seasonal hay and pasture production, this requires attention to the amount of snowfall prior to the growing season and to the rain that falls prior to and during the growing season.

As a horse owner, you may be curious about the potential benefits of adding omega-3s to your horse’s diet. Do all horses need them? Should you be adding them to your horse’s diet? Are there well-reported benefits? Understanding the requirement for fatty acids in the equine diet, like omega-3s (O3s) and omega-6s (O6s), and the well-reported health benefits of them is important when considering supplementation.

Grate Expectations - There is a deafening silence when a living legend becomes a legend. The roar of fandom becomes an echo and the anticipation of a show that only they can deliver will never again radiate through the crowd.