21 Articles

amazing horse country, scott phillips horsemanship, horse holidays canada, alberta trail riding, horse retreats alberta, horse retreats canada

With Scott Phillips of Amazing Horse Country - We often hear the term “dream horse” when riders are asked what they desire. But what do our horses want or need in their “dream human”?

Clever Hans, Wilhelm von Osten, Carl Stumpf, Clever Hans Effect

In the late 19th century, a remarkable Orlov Trotter named Clever Hans captivated the equine world with his alleged ability to perform complex intellectual tasks. Owned and trained by Wilhelm von Osten—a German mathematics teacher and part-time horse trainer—Hans was said to demonstrate extraordinary cognitive skills uncommon in horses. According to von Osten, the horse could add, subtract, multiply, divide, solve fractions, tell time, read words and numbers, spell, and even comprehend spoken and written German. When prompted with questions, Hans responded by tapping his hoof to indicate his answers.

will clinging on natural horsemanship, how to naturally train horses, horse whisperer generation

Upon reflection of an email recently sent to me, the sender shared how they admired my training approach for not depending on devices or games, a trend that’s become popular since the rise of the “horse whisperer” era.

alternative treatments horse, laws for farriers canada, laws for equine massage, equine chiropractors, horse veterinary associations, injuries horses, horse castration

In Canada, professionals who offer equine massage, equine chiropractic, farriery, and equine homeopathy who are not veterinarians may unintentionally be practicing veterinary medicine, which could be against provincial laws. There is a lack of oversight due to few regulations governing the training, certification, and qualifications of these types of service providers. Moreover, provincial veterinary associations typically only intervene when a complaint is filed by a horse owner. As a result, individuals can easily market themselves as qualified to offer these services, even without the necessary expertise, leaving vulnerable horse owners to "learn the hard way" when choosing a provider.

extreme horse sports in canada, archery on horseback, jousting on horseback, swordplay on horseback, Indian relay racing on horseback, shooting firearms on horseback

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.

Do Horses need electrolytes in Winter?, horse electrolytes, equine dehydration, equine impactions, Dr. Wendy Pearson

Question: Does my horse need electrolytes if he barely sweats during cold weather rides?

preparing stallion, starting stallion, stallion collection, juan samper, jcs vet, stallion sperm collection

Introducing a stallion to semen collection is a critical step in breeding management. Early experiences shape his future behaviour, affecting both breeding success and safety. Proper training and evaluation ensure that semen quality meets the standards required for successful shipping and artificial insemination.

horse museums, best museums for horse lovers, museum of the horse england, national cowgirl museum, household cavalry museum, westphalian horse museum, museum of morgan horse, chantilly living horse museum

Horses have played a crucial role in shaping human history, from their use in agriculture and transportation to their significance in warfare, sport, and culture. Across the world, museums dedicated to these majestic animals showcase not only their historical importance but also the people who have worked alongside them, fostering deep and enduring bonds.

schooling horses, lindsay grice, how to practice for horse show, beginners exercises horse, side pass horse, trail obstacles horses, horsemanship, riding coach

Do you sometimes yourself leaving the mounting block, fixing your stirrups, and unsure of what to focus on in your next training session? When your coach asks about your progress since your last lesson, do you often admit that you’ve mostly just been riding without a clear goal in mind?

ia injections horses, corticosteroid injections horses, plasma equine therapy, irap horses, joint injections horses, ia therapeutics for horses, uc davis center for equine health, stem cell therapy horses

Intra-articular (IA) injections are commonly used when treating joint inflammation and injuries in horses. This method delivers the therapeutic agents directly into the joint, ensuring the treatment reaches the affected area immediately. This is in contrast to systemic treatments, such as intravenous, oral, or intramuscular methods, which require the medication to circulate through the horse's body before reaching the injury or area of concern.

Acera Insurance, how to claim equine insurance, how do I use horse insurance, getting horse insurance, how to buy horse insurance, capricmw, equicare, equine insurance

Horses are masters at becoming injured, which is why many owners choose to purchase insurance. But working through an insurance claim while already dealing with an injured horse — or worse — can be highly stressful. So, I asked Mike King to provide some tips on making an insurance claim. He’s a partner at Acera Insurance and the national lead for equine insurance and risk management programs, so he oversees claims across the country.

history of horses in canada, canadian horse history, Sir Donald Smith, Edward Mallandaine, canadian equine history

The bond between horses and humans in Canada is both profound and timeless, with a history that stretches back centuries. To fully appreciate the role horses play in our lives today, we must first explore the rich history that has shaped their presence in our country.

cypress hills massacre, rcmp march west 1876, march west rcmp storm, how the RCMP started, mounted police origin, history of rcmp, horses in the rcmp

In October 1873, after Canada’s Prime Minister John A. Macdonald approved the formation of a North West Mounted Police (NWMP) force, adverts like this one in the Halifax Chronicle appeared in newspapers across what is now Eastern Canada. They encouraged recruits to sign on to what Tony Rees writes would become “one of the greatest chapters in Canada’s national mythology; as rich in absurdity as glory, every bit as foolhardy and reckless as it was colourful and proud.”

preparing for foal delivery, making foaling stall, mare labour, horses in labour, mare rejecting foal

Caring for a newborn foal requires a thorough understanding of what to expect before, during, and after birth. Knowing what is normal and abnormal during this crucial time helps ensure a healthy start to life for your foal.

Acera Insurance, CapriCMW, equestrian insurance, riding insurance, provincial horse sport organization, horse sport organization, provincial equestrian organization

Funding, Education, Insurance, Community - Do you need money for a clinic or competition? Do you want to attend free webinars and equine programs? How about insurance to help pay for damage done by your horse? Or connections with like-minded horsey folk?

Proper Hoof Care

While partnering with a skilled farrier is essential to long-term hoof health, daily hoof maintenance begins with the horse owner. Your horse depends on you to maintain clean, healthy hooves and to minimize exposure to conditions that can lead to lameness or infection. Overlooking routine hoof care can result in preventable issues—such as thrush, abscesses, or structural damage—that negatively affect your horse’s soundness, comfort, and performance.

canada horse photo contest, equine photo contest canada, horse photos, gorgeous horse pics

Canada’s Longest-Running Equine Photography Competition! This year, participation soared with an impressive increase in both the quantity and quality of entries, making it a tough but rewarding challenge for our judges. We were thrilled to see many familiar contestants return and to welcome hundreds of new participants. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared their unique images and stories.

ataxia California horses, equine  Vitamin E deficiency, shivers in horses, cancer horses, sleep deprivation horses, equine headshaking, ulcers horse eye

Vitamin E deficiency can lead to distinct health conditions; Shivers can occur in the front limbs, but only if the hind legs are also affected; A horse’s brain weighs 1.5 pounds, but is still one of the largest brains among land mammals...

equine fitness program, jec ballou, how to increase my horse's fitness, plan to keep my horse fit

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.

canadian vet shortage, equine veterinarians in canada, horse vets canada, rural equestrian vets, acera insurance

Canada is facing a significant veterinarian shortage that is adversely affecting horse owners. The shortage is particularly acute in rural areas, where equine veterinarians are often unavailable.

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