Improvements in diagnostics and joint disease management make for better treatment plans. Prevention is the ideal when it comes to lameness, but practically everyone who has owned horses has dealt with a lay-up due to an unforeseen injury at some point.

Hoofprints On My Heart - I’ve been writing for this magazine for several years and have long wanted to write on this topic. The fact is, talking about death and dying is hard, even when it’s a part of your career. Although I wrote a book about it, and work with animal lovers all offer the world to move through the transition more easefully, it’s still a challenge to go there.

Riders, at some point in their careers, usually know physical fear. Reoccurrences of physical fear can be confusing and really interfere with your riding pleasure. Some even give up at that point, exhausted from the inner struggle. There are things you can do, skills you can learn, to get yourself back to all that fun you’ve been missing.

Despite an infected foot and a tightening budget, I wasn’t going to let anything stand in the way of this dream adventure. Horse trekking across the vast Rajasthani desert and hills on majestic Marwari horses had been a lifelong aspiration, and nothing would stop me from making it a reality. I took another dose of antibiotics, wrapped my foot, and set off with excitement for three unforgettable days of riding in India.

If you’ve ever walked your horse, even with a saddle on, down a trail and past people, you know how it feels. You’re enjoying your horse time and minding your own business, when someone asks Why aren’t you riding that horse? Or someone jokes about taking your “very large dog” for a walk. I had one barn neighbour show her friend on video chat “the girl that doesn’t ride her horse” (me) as we were walking by. It would be awkward if it wasn’t so common. Horses and riding are synonymous in the human psyche, and any departure from this norm is considered very odd indeed, despite the fact that some horses don’t benefit from riding and some humans really don’t enjoy riding.

Examining the Relationship Between Humans and Horses - Recently, discussions about the treatment of animals have gained momentum, especially as animal rights activists spotlight the well-being of the creatures we share our homes and planet with. While these organizations have made significant progress in many sectors, their focus is increasingly turning to the equestrian community. Groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are voicing concerns about the ethics of riding horses.

Much more than just floating teeth! Do you remember to get an annual dental exam for your horse? A dental check by your veterinarian involves floating, the process of filing a horse’s teeth to correct irregularities in the occlusal (biting) surfaces, as well as inspecting the teeth for any indication of a variety of other potential problems. In addition to examining the teeth for abnormalities that might cause chewing and/or bitting issues, your vet will also be looking for signs of fractured or loose teeth, as well as signs of ulceration on the cheek mucosa, the tongue, or the gums (gingiva).

Did you know that a Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines (CPCHE) was introduced in Canada in 2013? It was developed with contributions from various organizations, including Equestrian Canada, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and the Canadian Feed Inspection Agency, all under the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC). These partners continue to support the industry-recognized guidelines and standards for proper equine care outlined in the Code. Let’s explore what this equine Code involves.