If there’s one word that strikes fear into the hearts and minds of horse owners, it’s “colic.” Used to describe any form of abdominal pain, colic can affect horses for many reasons and in any season, although cold weather months are a particularly challenging time with increased risk of impaction-related colic.

Horse boarding arrangements may cause tension for both equine owners and barn operators. Owners want peace of mind that their horses are properly cared for, while barn owners need to assure board is paid and facilities are treated with respect. To help keep things running smoothly, it’s wise to keep the following in mind.

The Equine Foundation of Canada (EFC), a small but influential charity dedicated to improving the welfare of horses nationwide, officially filed for dissolution effective December 31, 2025, bringing to a close more than four decades of volunteer-driven impact.

Is excess mud a challenge where you keep your horses? Some properties are naturally more prone to wet, messy conditions than others. Persistent moisture in the ground is the main cause, influenced heavily by the soil’s makeup and the lay of the land. After heavy rainfall or spring thaw, clay soil tends to hold water for long periods, while sandy soil drains faster. Low-lying areas are also problem spots, as runoff accumulates there and creates soggy, muddy patches.

For a horse owner, there are few sights more welcome than the first signs of spring. As the snow melts away and the pastures begin to turn green, horse owners are glad to see the end of short days, frozen water buckets, and woolly coats. Springtime means longer, warmer days to spend working in the arena or hitting the trails. The season is also an ideal time to catch up on your horse’s healthcare needs.

To describe the qualities of dressage in romantic terms is to speak of patience made visible, strength softened by grace, and discipline guided by empathy. In this artful discipline, every step is a promise kept, every transition a whispered conversation, and every moment a reflection of harmony and partnership born from time, devotion, and love — qualities that become unmistakably evident when speaking with Sheila Skene, who so beautifully embodies them all.

Parenting is a difficult job. Parenting while working is even tougher. But parenting while working as an equine professional has unique challenges. “Horses are as demanding as kids,” says Carmie Flaherty, an upper-level dressage rider and high-performance coach based in Langley, British Columbia. “So, it’s a lot to juggle. You’re at the beck and call of both, all the time.”

John Ware is a legend in Alberta as a black cowboy who became a successful rancher despite racism. He will always be remembered for his excellent horsemanship skills, farming techniques, and strength. Becoming a rancher was not as easy for him as it was for others. His story is one of grit, skill, and breaking barriers in a place where the land was as tough as the people.

Of the various forms of commercial transport, one of the most demanding is arguably that of horse transport. Strangely, it also attracts the least qualified, the most poorly equipped, and the most fraudulent and dishonest operators. How does one wade through the ethical minefield created by illegitimate wannabes and scammers? I will offer a handful of tips to keep you and your horses safe...