2 Articles

bridle horse riding, tania millen, martin black horse trainer, spanish cowboys, stefanie travers horse trainer, straight up bridle, bosal two rein, roping

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.

Mark Andrews, horse grief, horses and loss, equine behaviour, horse emotions, horse social bonds, companion loss horses, grieving horses, equine welfare, horse stress, horse behaviour changes, horse management, Canadian horse industry, horse owners Canada, equine research, horse feeding behaviour, horse vocalisation, horse anxiety, horse companionship, herd dynamics, horse care after loss, University of Lincoln horse study

Horses are highly social animals that form close bonds with other members of their group. Because of this, it is reasonable to expect that the loss of a companion may affect their behaviour and emotional well-being. However, until recently, there has been surprisingly little scientific research into how horses respond to the death of another horse. A study led by Claire Ricci-Bonot and Daniel Mills at the University of Lincoln, with MSc student Emily Wilson, alongside Stefania Uccheddu of the San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Padua, Italy, aimed to address this gap.

penn state extension equine team, rotational grazing horses, managing horse pastures, sacrifice lot horse grazing

Rotational grazing can help you take better care of your pastures and provide more feed for your horses.

farriery evolution, hoof care horses, equine hoof science, farrier Canada, horse hoof health, modern farriery techniques, equine biomechanics, horse shoeing Canada, farrier education, Canadian farriers association, hoof care innovation, equine welfare Canada, farrier certification, horse industry Canada, equine professionals

Progress rarely replaces tradition; it usually explains it - Farriery has an extensive historical timeline, steeped in tradition, empirical knowledge, and a deep reservoir of skill. Horses have played a central role in human civilization, and their use — for transportation, war, agriculture, status, and sport — has driven the evolution of hoof care as we know it today. From early leather coverings to iron protection, hoof care adapted in response to the changing demands placed on the horse.

how to use hills to train horse, horse hill training, jec ballou, horse fitness, exercises for horses, best workouts for horse

Define your goals to develop a training plan - While hill training is widely accepted as important for building strength, its actual benefits rely on answering the question: What is the goal for this individual horse?

anchor d guiding & outfitting, dewy matthews, riding holidays, horse riding holidays canada, rocky mountain horse rides

On a perfect blue-sky day in the Kananaskis region of the Canadian Rockies, the views are nothing short of breathtaking in every direction. But my attention is fixed on the path ahead as I work to stay balanced in the saddle while my horse carefully navigates the rocky ridge along the mountainside. Reaching into my bag, I cautiously pull out my camera to capture a few shots. In that moment, I notice our guide, Dewy, fully immersed in the adventure, wearing an unmistakable grin beneath his ten-gallon hat and bushy mustache. Each day, he pushes his clients just beyond their comfort zones, creating memorable, thrilling experiences.

PPID horses, Cushing’s disease horses, Eleanor M Kellon VMD, horse parasites Canada, deworming horses Canada, fecal egg count horses, strongyles horses, ascarids horses, Parascarus equorum, horse health management, equine immune system, senior horse care, horse parasite control, Canadian horse industry, equine veterinary care

One of the hallmarks of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), aka Cushing’s Disease, is a weakening of the immune response. This includes waning immunity to intestinal parasites.

walking horse jump course, learning your horse jump course, studying equine jump course

Preparation is the key to success in every sport. One of the best ways to prepare to jump your course at a horse show is by walking it first.

how to safely haul a horse, horse hauling, kevan garecki, safely transporting horses, horse transport anxiety

To truly grasp what your horse endures during travel, imagine standing inside a horse trailer with your hands in your pockets and eyes closed—while someone drives you around.

Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch, holiday horseback rides Wyoming, shawn Hamilton clix photography, horseback riding holidays, horseback vacations, horseback riding chimney rock

The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch is a highly successful rural Western riding getaway nestled near the small town of Shell, Wyoming, an hour east of the Cody airport, and east of Yellowstone National Park at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. Outside of their regular season, which runs from April to October, owners Peter De Cabooter and his wife Marijn host an annual winter ride where, by invitation only, repeat guests come to enjoy the ranch during its quieter time. Peter, Marijn, their son Victor, and other various staff members join the loyal patrons on rides, pre-dinner drinks at the bar, and scrumptious meals in the dining area of the main lodge.

Jec A. Ballou, ground poles for horses, horse pole exercises, equine conditioning Canada, groundwork for horses, ridden pole work, horse training Canada, equine fitness, horse rehabilitation exercises, improving horse balance, horse proprioception, pole work benefits horses, Canadian horse industry

The effects of ground poles vary significantly depending on whether they are performed in-hand or under saddle, at what speed, and in what volume. When poles are broadly recommended by veterinarians and trainers for rehabilitation or conditioning, riders are often left uncertain about the specifics of using them.

splints in horses, horse leg injuries, equine splint bone, splints treatment horses, horse soundness, equine lameness, horse care Canada, farrier care horses, splint boots horses, horse conformation issues, equine ligament injury, interosseous desmitis, exostosis horse, young horse training injuries, Canadian horse industry

Splint bones play an important role in supporting the horse’s lower limbs. But what are these evolutionary remnants of ancient toes, and what does it mean when a horse “pops a splint”?

Insurance Coverage for horse industry, natural disaster insurance coverage, Homeowners’ Insurance Policy, horse barn fire coverage, mitigate insurance risks

Of late, various regions of Canada have faced significant devastation due to natural disasters such as wildfires, ice storms, and floods. These catastrophic events have had a profound impact on the equine community, resulting in the destruction of stables, fences, feed resources, land, and even animals. In addition to the direct damage to property, many horse owners also face secondary losses, for instance income from their business due to property damage.

horse camping tips, some ways to improve horse camping, go camping with your horse

Imagine a few days of outdoor living with your horse—exploring new terrain, catching up with riding companions, and enjoying life away from the usual routine. That’s the heart of horse camping, a favourite experience for many trail riders. While competitive riders may travel to events and stay overnight in their trailers while boarding horses in stalls, the approach taken by trail riders on camping trips is a different type of journey.

Mark Andrews, Equine Science Update, horse hoof trimmings, hoof trimmings, horse hooves, hoof keratin, keratin, sustainable keratin, equine sustainability, horse waste recycling, farrier waste, farriery, hoof care, Canadian horse industry, horse owners Canada, sustainable horse care, equine innovation, biodegradable packaging, soil conditioners, wound dressings, circular economy, horse health, hoof health, environmentally friendly horse care

Horse owners are very familiar with hoof trimmings: they are a routine byproduct of farriery visits and are usually swept up and discarded without much thought — if not eaten by the dog first. However, recent scientific research suggests that these small clippings may have much greater value than previously realized. A growing body of work in materials chemistry and biopolymer engineering is exploring how horse hoof trimmings could become a sustainable and useful natural resource.

Col. S.B. Steele, Strathcona's Horse, horses in history, sam steele's horses, north-west rebellion, cowboy cavalry, buckskin cavalry, alberta field force horses, horses Canadian army, commemorative troop association horses

Sam Steele’s Scouts were created in 1885 to help quell the North-West Rebellion – an uprising of Metis and Indigenous Peoples which occurred between what is now Edmonton, Alberta and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Sam Steele was selected to lead the Scouts due to his dedication, honesty, and horseback skills, which were honed during some of Canada’s most important historical events.

trail riding preparation, horse fitness training, trail horse skills, equine conditioning program, horse camping trips Canada, rider fitness equestrian, trail riding safety, horse training for trails

With winter fading and longer, warmer days ahead, now is the ideal time to plan for a standout trail riding season. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to the trail, these steps will help you make the most of your summer trail riding season and build a strong partnership with your horse.

exercises for horse riders, pilates for hosre riders, how to be a better horse rider, fitness for horse riders, band exercises horse riders

Rider fitness is fundamental to achieving a harmonious partnership with your horse and improving overall performance together. Regardless of the equestrian discipline, physical condition directly influences the rider’s ability to stay balanced in the saddle and communicate effectively with the horse.

equine pre-purchase exam, how to buy a horse, how to exam a horse for purchase, horse pre-purchase exam, selling a horse pre-purchase exam, pre-purchase vet check horse

Purchasing a horse can be an exciting yet stressful experience, particularly when it comes time for the pre-purchase examination, or “vetting.” For the seller, there may be anxiety about uncovering health issues that could end the sale. For the buyer, there’s the fear that their dream horse might fail the vet check, leading to disappointment. However, understanding the true purpose of this essential veterinary service can help ease the tension and ensure a smoother process.

horse farm emergency preparedness, equine disaster planning Canada, flood safety horses, barn fire prevention, horse evacuation planning, farm risk management, horse safety Canada, equine emergency response

Spring is a season of renewal on the horse farm — but it’s also a time when risk rises sharply. Melting snow, saturated ground, drying grass, and volatile weather patterns can quickly turn routine days into emergency situations. Gradual flooding and flash floods, grass and structure fires, severe storms, rapid snow melt, and ice jams that block water flow can threaten horses, people, and infrastructure with little warning. Add in secondary risks such as power outages, water contamination, disease outbreaks, and damaged fencing, and it becomes clear that emergency preparedness isn’t optional — it’s essential.

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