Rescue & Welfare

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Calgarian Karen Allen began volunteering at Bear Valley Rescue in Sundre, Alberta, a decade ago, to heal after her horse Mac, a 34-year-old Connemara, passed away. “It was healing to be with like-minded people who understood that the beauty, majesty, and true value of a horse was so much greater than the sum of what they could help us accomplish,” Allen says.

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Social What? The horse industry is vulnerable to the vagaries of negative public opinion, just like other activities that involve live animals. However, equestrian activities are especially vulnerable because for many, horses represent freedom, power, and grace. The romantic image of horses galloping across wild plains exploring new horizons persists, although that’s not the reality for most horses.

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Crisis-Ready Horsekeeping: Safety Plans for the Unexpected - Across Canada there is one thing horse owners have in common: We all want what is best for our horses. No matter what discipline we favour, whether we compete or ride just for fun, we all take steps to ensure that our horses are well looked after, happy and healthy. But what about when it comes to preparing for our worst nightmare? At the very least, most barns will have a first aid kit or two and maybe some fire extinguishers. But in the event of a natural disaster like an earthquake, fire, flood or tornado, do any of us have what it takes to make the best of the worst situation? While it’s uncomfortable to think about what would happen if we suffered at the wrath of Mother Nature, we aren’t doing ourselves or our horses any favours by ignoring the possibility of a natural or man-made disaster.

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Once upon a time animal acts were the big draw beneath the big top. Bears danced, elephants balanced on balls, and tigers leapt through flaming hoops — all in the name of human entertainment. Nowadays though, animal acts are no longer synonymous with “circus.” In Canada, according to the international wildlife protection charity Zoocheck, “wild animal circus acts are largely gone.”

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Those who ride and care for horses know that an injured equine is an inevitable event, even if the horses in their care live in a padded stalls wrapped in protective gear. While some horses seem remain remarkably unscathed, others keep us on high alert (and drain our wallets) with their uncanny ability to get injured. But is it really just bad luck? Or could our approach to horsemanship play a bigger role than we realize?

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A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm, where dwelt their elderly parents with a small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up. It had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farmhouse.

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Horses are more intelligent than previously believed, according to a new study that shows how they cleverly adapted their behaviour to maximise rewards with minimal effort.

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Keep an eye out for the three most common skin cancers in horses and reach out to your veterinarian if you notice any unusual lumps or bumps.

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Tim Mearns teaches bear awareness and wildlife safety as part of the Horseback Riding Backcountry Boot Camp. He imparts essential knowledge for anyone venturing into the backcountry. Basics are key, including proper handling of food, using bear-resistant pack boxes, knowing how to use bear spray and having it ready to go at an instant’s notice. Equally important is understanding bears and what is important to them, such as the changing of the seasons and the types of environments they prefer. In the spring, for example, females will be out and about with cubs, and in the autumn bears are intensely focused on food and fattening up for winter.

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Plan ahead and know what to do when the unexpected happens - If you own horses, you will experience an emergency with them at one point or another.

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