The 30th Annual Canadian Warmblood Fall Classic Breeders' Sale held October 18-21, 2024 was a record-breaking sale. With a gross dollar value of over $730,000 CAD it surpassed previous sales by a wide margin. Averages were up in every category, and of the 29 horses sold, eight went to the United States where the strong dollar gave them an effective 30% discount. Sixteen went to buyers outside of Alberta confirming the wide following that the sale has achieved over the years.

Unhealthy hooves in horses are often not due to genetic weakness, but rather preventable lifestyle factors. While it’s hard to admit, many common horsekeeping practices contribute to sore feet in horses. Key causes of weakened hooves in modern horses include limited movement, inappropriate ground surfaces, improper diet and supplements, and early development practices such as weaning.

If you’ve dreamed of combining your love for horses with a meaningful career, Horse Therapy of Centre Canada (HTCC) offers the perfect opportunity to make that dream a reality. With over 15 years of experience, HTCC leads the field of equine assisted psychotherapy and education in Canada, offering certification programs that blend hands-on experience with theoretical knowledge to set participants up for success in this unique and rewarding profession.

In recent years, a growing number of facilities specializing in rehabilitation and fitness for injured horses have emerged in Western Canada. These centres cater to horses in need of recovery or improved fitness, offering a range of treatments tailored to individual needs. Services vary depending on the business, with options like treadmills, swimming pools, exercise equipment, saltwater baths, and solariums commonly available. Many centres also provide additional offerings such as bodywork, nebulizer treatments, and retail products.

The Hidden Carbon Cost of Equestrian Events Revealed - At the 19th International Society for Equitation Science Conference in March 2024, which took place in Cambridge, New Zealand, Iris Huisman from Wageningen University in the Netherlands presented research on the significant environmental impacts of sport horses, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions and their lifecycle footprint.

Just west of Calgary, Eagle Feather Riding offers a peaceful escape where riders of all ages can develop trust and confidence with their horse in a calm, natural setting. Set against the stunning backdrop of Alberta’s foothills, this unique riding program focuses on connection, mindfulness, and learning the fundamentals of bareback riding.

Joint care can be a complex and sometimes overwhelming topic for horse owners. To help bring some clarity, we consulted Dr. Sarah le Jeune from UC Davis Equine Integrative Sports Medicine and Surgery, along with Scott Katzman from the Equine Surgery and Lameness team.

When it comes to training related injuries, again, look for obvious reasons first. Most training related injuries are common and very preventable provided there is an understanding of the biomechanical demands of the particular discipline; meticulous attention to the horse’s feet, teeth, tack, and food, which are the pillars upon elite equine athletes are built; and a collaborative, integrated team approach to building and developing individualized training and maintenance programs.

Stomach Bots and Tapeworms - Your parasite management program should give some attention to stomach bots and tapeworms. To control these parasites more effectively, it helps to understand their life cycles.