Alberta Bits Spring 2024

Alberta Bits is the Alberta Equestrian Federation’s official member magazine. It serves the equestrian community of horses and riders of all ages, interests, and involvements, as Alberta’s premier resource for education, information, and support.

THE ALBERTA EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION HAS BEEN INCORPORATED SINCE 1978

Alberta Bits magazine is mailed four times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) to all current AEF members and is made available at the office and special events attended by the AEF. Alberta Bits is distributed throughout Alberta with news and events on behalf of recreational, sport, breeds, and industry, and educational sectors of the Alberta horse industry. Alberta Bits is distributed to approximately 18,000 members: 9,000 households and businesses, an exclusive list of tack and equine establishments, and at events and trade shows annually.

AEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Contact: board@albertaequestrian.com

PRESIDENT Jason Edworthy

PAST RESIDENT Sandy Bell

SECRETARY Jennifer Dimopoulos

INDIVIDUAL Patrick Buffalo

INDIVIDUAL Louise Caplan

INDIVIDUAL Alisa DiBenedetto

INDIVIDUAL Brooke Hartwick

INDIVIDUAL Edna Kaiser

INDIVIDUAL Cailin Kopetski

INDIVIDUAL Michael (Dick) Milburn

INDIVIDUAL Ally Penic

INDIVIDUAL Kate Wood

AEF STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sonia Dantu execdir@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 5

MEMBERSHIP Jessa Arnold membership@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 6

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Norma Cnudde info@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 1

PROJECT AND EVENT COORDINATOR Gavin Pearson competitions@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 4

SPORT AND RECREATION MANAGER

Karina Fernandes coaching@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 3

COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

MANAGER Kenda Lubeck marketing@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 2

FINANCE

Johanna Nimchuk finance@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 7

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30AM TO 4:30PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, EXCEPT HOLIDAYS

ALBERTA BITS IS PUBLISHED BY WESTERN PERFORMANCE PUBLISHING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AEF FOR EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES CONTACT: ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM

MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Webster

ART DIRECTOR Kendra Roberts

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

Sonia Dantu • Monique Noble • Kenda Lubeck

CONTRIBUTORS

BAR XP PHOTO

Calgary Stampede, Debbie Gibeau

Jessica Klinkenberg, Tania Millen Covy Moore, Monique Noble

Trinity Burke Photography

Bonnie Timmons

Jessica Wilson

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Laurie Price • ldprice63@gmail.com • 403-823-0980

ADVERTISING SALES DEADLINES

Summer 2024: April 18, 2024

FOR A MEDIA KIT AND/OR RATE CARD PLEASE CONTACT ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM

All material is copyright 2023. Ideas and opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of the AEF. Alberta Bits reserves the right to accept and/or edit material submitted for publication. The AEF makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained therein, but assumes no liability in cases of error or changing conditions. Any business relations or other activities undertaken as a result of the information contained in Alberta Bits, or arising therefrom, is the responsibility of the parties involved and not of the AEF. We welcome signed letters to the editor, but reserve the right to publish, edit for grammar, taste, and length. For reprint information, please contact execdir@albertaequestrian.com.

ALBERTA EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION

120, 251 Midpark Blvd SE Calgary, AB T2X 1S3

Toll Free: 1-877-463-6233 Phone: 403-253-4411 Fax: 403-252-5260 albertaequestrian.com

6 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

6 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

8

BITS & PIECES

Introducing the newest staff member to join the AEF team. And remembering the legendary bucking horse, Grated Coconut.

10 IN THE COMMUNITY

This big, flea-bitten grey didn’t have very many options the day he was dropped off at auction. Here’s how his story unfolded.

11 KID’S CORNER

12 SICKNESS PREVENTION CHECKLIST

Be a front-runner for your horse’s health with these points for illness prevention.

14 TRAILS

Tania Millen offers advice for creating an awesome trail riding season this year!

18 HORSE KEEPING

Feeding the easy keeper.

20 BREED PROFILE

Some people consider a population of Alberta horses – running free – to be feral, while others think of them as wild. Which is it? We look at both sides of the debate in this in-depth article.

24 GRIT & GLITTER

Piper Yule has performed at the world’s biggest rodeos with her liberty and trick riding act. Here’s how she keeps herself and her horses safe.

28 A SK ABOUT INSURANCE

Some ideas for navigating the risks and tumultuous weather experts are predicting for 2024 .

29 CLUB & BUSINESS LISTINGS

30 HOLD YOUR HORSES

Message from President, Jason Edworthy

In March of 2024, after the annual general meeting, Jason Edworthy moves from President-Elect into the role of President for the AEF. Sandy Bell becomes the Past President after serving in the role of President for the past three years. Below is their conversation about the AEF’s transition in leadership.

Sandy: I hope you feel prepared to take the reins after “job shadowing” me for a while. Of course, I’m around as Past President to still share what I’ve learned.

Jason: We’re fortunate to have excellent board members and staff to always help, too. I’m feeling confident and excited about my term as President. Any advice for me as I start out?

Sandy: Go easier than you think you should. Leave time and space for things to come up quickly that the President needs to address.

As the chair of the board, I tried to pack too much into meeting agendas at the beginning, so was at risk of losing focus on the bigger issues. Zoom meetings are hard, so don’t hesitate to ask for help to track questions or to ensure everyone has a chance to speak.

Any regrets I have are around my role as chair of meetings. I think I became stronger at it, but I could have been better at the start, especially when we began the strategic planning process.

Jason: It’s getting easier with online meetings because the board has more experience with them, though difficulties are still possible. Could you name the greatest challenge during your term as President?

Sandy: It was negotiating the new agreement with Equestrian Canada at the start of my term. EC is a highly complex organization to learn about, and I also needed to quickly become an effective

partner with the other provincial and territorial horse sport organizations. After a problematic start, the resolution is very satisfactory for all partners in the agreement.

Jason: What was your greatest success?

Sandy: It’s hard to pick one and the successes collectively belong to the board and the staff. Though I’m proud to have led the board through the dialogues that informed the successes. Great successes were the strategic plan to 2028, the climate emergency statement, the permanent equine emergency fund, and the equine welfare statement. We’ve also done some solid work in policies like safe sport.

From my initial membership a few decades ago to now, I’ve believed in the

vision and mission of the AEF. I ran for the board because I wanted to offer my experience and skills in planning, fiscal responsibility, and governance. What was your motivation to run for the board and AEF President?

Jason: I started out volunteering on trail related issues, joined the Recreation Committee and ended up chairing it. When it was suggested that I run for the board and eventually AEF President, it was my passion for all things equine that was my primary motivation. However, I have seen first-hand how much AEF has helped our community in so many ways and being a part of that will be rewarding.

Sandy: I’m looking forward to how your leadership as President will unfold. Best wishes! AB

Message from Executive Director, Sonia Dantu

In the radiant embrace of spring, the Alberta Equestrian Federation Society (AEF) reflects on the milestones of 2023 and anticipates a promising future in 2024. With strategic planning taking centre stage, the Board of Directors has meticulously crafted a comprehensive

plan that lays the groundwork for the exciting journey ahead. Aligned with this strategy, the office team has developed an operations plan ensuring seamless integration with the overarching goals.

A notable achievement of the past year includes the expansion of the team,

welcoming a new member after a decade of dedicated service team of six. This expansion positions the AEF to serve its membership with renewed vigor. Noteworthy policy work has also taken place, marked by the introduction of the Safe Sport Policy Suite and a Code

Incoming AEF President, Jason Edworthy, and outgoing AEF President, Sandy Bell.

of Conduct and Ethics. These initiatives underscore the commitment to creating a secure and ethical environment within the equestrian community. We look forward to sharing the developments with you throughout 2024.

Equine advocacy took a significant step forward with the completion of an Equine Health and Wellness position statement. “All equines matter. The Alberta Equestrian Federation is committed to the respectful and humane care of all equines throughout their lifespan.” Emphasizing a commitment to the respectful and humane care of all equines, the statement sets a gold standard for equine welfare by adhering to established codes of practice and regulations.

Looking ahead, the AEF is dedicated to enhancing membership benefits with a service-driven approach. Strengthening engagement with stables and facilities, the organization aims to provide valuable resources and tools. Educational opportunities will see a surge, including partnerships with the University of Calgary and Equine Guelph, as well as

balanced clinics and events at reduced rates for members.

Communication is set for improvement with a new plan on the horizon. The focus extends to the development of coaches and streamlining the delivery of rider levels. Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is evident through strategic initiatives integrated into programming.

Expressing gratitude to members and partners, the AEF acknowledges their pivotal role in propelling the organization to new heights. The ongoing support forms the bedrock for advocating equine welfare, providing enhanced membership benefits, and fostering a thriving equestrian community.

As the organization bids farewell to outgoing President Sandy Bell, her transformative leadership, dedication, and commitment to the AEF are celebrated. Sandy’s focus on planning, building a competency-based board, implementing crucial policies, and her overall role as a strong leader have left a lasting impact. Welcoming her to the position of Past President, the AEF

looks forward to three more years of her mentorship.

In closing, the AEF extends its deepest gratitude to all contributors. The collaborative efforts shape a future where equines thrive, and the equestrian spirit flourishes. The legacy of resilience, vision, and commitment to the community stands as a testament to the transformative leadership that defines the AEF’s journey. AB

AEF Executive Director, Sonia Dantu.

Greener Pastures

Welcome to Our Team!

We are delighted to introduce Johanna Nimchuk to the AEF staff. Johanna has over 15 years of finance and accounting experience in both the government and private sectors and is excited to use her professional experience in the equestrian world.

Originally from “back east,” as a youth she showed Quarter Horses at competitions in Quebec and Ontario, as well as provincially in the Trillium Ontario West Hunter/Jumpers circuit and A Level circuit in Quebec. Recently Johanna was involved with the Northwest Territories’ equestrian sport organization, and the Aurora Horse Association. Now settled in Calgary, AB, she enjoys pleasure riding and exploring trails with her off-track Thoroughbred, Sammy, as well as developing their groundwork and liberty skills.

Welcome to the team, Johanna!

Remembering the Legendary Grated Coconut G-65

BY BAR XP PHOTO, KIRK PRESCOTT

Grated Coconut, 27, was truly one in a million. His legacy continues in the Calgary Stampede Born to Buck breeding program and his stats speak for themself. He lived an amazing life and his retirement was peaceful.

Foaled in 1997, out of 10-time NFR contender, Coconut Roll, Grated Coconut lit up arenas internationally. He remains one of the most decorated bareback horses of all time, and while his herd mates competed, he enjoyed retirement at home. “Grated” was a six-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Bareback Horse of the Year (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009). He was also a sixtime Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) Bareback Horse of the Year (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008

and 2009). He was inducted into three halls of fame, including the ProRodeo Hall of Fame of the PRCA, the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame of the CPRA, and the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame of the PRCA-sanctioned Ellensburg Rodeo.

The Calgary Stampede Ranch retired the stallion in 2010. He is an instrumental component of the Born to Buck program and his offspring compete at the highest level of rodeo, many qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo and Canadian Finals Rodeo. While Grated was a powerful force in the arena, he was incredibly gentle when he was not “working.” He continued to cover a small group of mares up to his last season and his legacy will continue to flourish. AB

Johanna Nimchuk and Sammy.

Photo credit: Jessica Klinkenberg

A record setting ride - Davey Shields Jr. scored 95 points aboard CS Grated Coconut G65 at the 2005 Calgary Stampede. Archive Image (Competition) – Source Calgary Stampede

OUT OF THE BLUE

By all outlooks, the big, flea-bitten grey didn’t have very many options. The day he ultimately could have faded away, turned out to be his luckiest. Here’s how a horse with a bleak future, transformed into one of the sweetest Valentine stories of all time.

BY JENN WEBSTER

Katie Rochon and Natalie Kowalenko of Calgary, Alta., had their minds made up that day in June, 2020. They had a truck with a full tank of gas, a trailer, and they were not leaving the Beaver Hill Auction Services Ltd. in Tofield, Alta., without something in tow. The ladies had come to find an equine prospect that potentially had a new lease on life.

It was a long battle, but they found such a prospect in a grey horse who had been dropped off by its owners around 1:30 p.m. that day, along with two other stable mates. It was late in the auction and the group of three horses had missed the opportunity to be sold as “trained horses,” or horses with potential, with an according, discerning buyer. As the grey came through the ring near the end of the sale many of the day’s buyers had already left, having already spent their budgets.

“By this point it was really only the “wildies,” untouched, young stock, unhealthy or feral types that were remaining,” relays Kowalenko.

“It was very busy and I remember

people saying they couldn’t believe the turnout – but it was also one of the first big horse sales after Covid had started. Horses are supposed to be good in health to go to auction, but there’s only so many brand inspectors in Alberta, so it’s hard to police that, I guess,” Kowalenko says.

While most Alberta auction houses state that they rely on the honesty of sellers and have a zero tolerance policy for sellers who misrepresent their consignments, the fact remains that it still happens. And what is an auction house to do if horses are literally dropped off in their yard, without a previous owner to speak for them?

Focusing back on that day in June 2020, Kowalenko and Rochon were determined to come home with something, but for some reason they kept missing out on bids. The girls had been advised by a spokesperson at the Horse Heroes Alberta Community who the “meat buyers” in the audience were and were dead set against competing with other family buyers in the audience who may pro-

vide good homes for anything coming through the sale.

“Therefore, we got into a bidding war with a meat buyer and finally were the winning bid on the grey at almost the end of the day. He was $550 on my debit card and the weirdest experience of my life!” Kowalenko states.

Kowalenko and Rochon brought the big grey back to Calgary and began training and taking care of him. Fast forward to 2024 and the horse blossomed into a kind and talented English prospect. The girls named him, Out Of The Blue (Blue for short,) as he literally appeared into their lives in an abrupt manner.

“It just seemed like an appropriate name for him,” Kowalenko laughs.

“Our trainer told us this year that he could probably be sold now for $10,000. But it was never about the money for us. We just wanted to find a horse that could use a good home.”

At the barn where Kowalenko and Rochon board, they met 13-year-old AEF member, Sienna Goldau. With time, Goldau wore Blue’s owners down and began riding, then half-leasing Blue. She had grown as fond of the grey as Kowalenko and Rochon were.

“Over time we realized Blue would be a perfect horse for Sienna.”

Kowalenko and Rochon hatched a plan to “gift” Blue to Sienna on Valentine’s Day 2024, with permission from her family.

“Sienna is a great little rider and we know Blue will have a great home with them. Like I said, it was never about the money. The whole purpose was to give Blue a second chance at life,” Kowalenko explains.

Blue’s auction saviours gifted the horse to Sienna in a surprise gathering. Wearing a bright pink bow and a newly engraved name plate on his halter, Kowalenko and Rochon handed Blue’s halter shank over to his new owner on February 14. AB

Sienna Goldau and her Valentine.

Photo credit: Jessica Wilson.

SICKNESS PREVENTION CHECKLIST

Be a front runner and protect your horse, before illness creeps in. Here’s a checklist from our friends at Equine Guelph: are you doing these things to prevent sickness?

AT HOME:

Vaccinate your horses - this is your first line of defence against viruses!

3

Have signs - to tell visitors on your property where to go, where not to go, and to identify sick horses.

Protocols - communicate with your employees and staff. What do you do and why?

Clean hands! Use alcohol-based sanitizers salt block holders hold them well!

Clean clothes and boots/footwear have boots that stay in the barn.

Clean tack and equipment no sharing! Or if equipment must be shared, be sure to disinfect bits, saddle pads, and cinches/girths in between horses.

Monitor your horses - DEPP: Drinking, Eating, Pooping, Peeing.

Temperatures - it’s always good to randomly check these and ensure all horses are within the proper range.

Separate sick horses - from other healthy horses and monitor. Separate new or returning horses – and monitor!

Talk - to your veterinarian, farrier, and any other important staff about disease risk.

AWAY FROM HOME:

Clean trailers with your own broom and shovel.

Be selfish! No sharing and no touching of equipment, wheelbarrows, shovels, muckforks, etc.

Clean hands, clothes, and boots!

Clean tack, buckets, and other equipment.

Clean stalls

Clean stalls – use your own equipment and wash after use.

Disinfectant wipes for cleaning cross-ties –shorten them to prevent chewing.

Take routine temperatures to monitor for signs you can’t see!

Separate horses when returning home and monitor them – DEPP!

Focus on prevention. Be proactive and focus on what you can control to prevent a potential issue before it arises. Vaccines are your first line of defence. Remember – prevention is always cheaper in the long run!

For more great tools and information, check out: www.equineguelph.ca.

SADDLE UP FOR SUCCESS

Create an awesome trail riding season for yourself.

BY TANIA MILLEN

The keys to a great trail riding season lie in setting achievable goals, preparing carefully, and developing needed skills and fitness.

Now is the perfect time to plan an unforgettable 2024 trail riding season. Whether you’re an old hand at navigating tricky trails or a greenhorn eager to hit the trails for the first time, here’s how to make the most of 2024.

1. CRAFT A CALENDAR

If you want to achieve significant goals, planning your 2024 trail riding calendar is imperative. Start by targeting one to three highlight events. They can be any adventure you think up: challenging mountain rides, all-day rides, a wagon trek, or a multi-day horse camping trip. Basically anything you’ve always wanted to do.

The best goals are SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. They are objectives to work towards, offer motivation for everyday efforts, help riders focus, and challenge horses and riders to stretch beyond their comfort zones.

For example, you could plan to horse camp at Ya Ha Tinda in Alberta for five days at the end of July, trailering your horse to and from camp on additional non-riding days. While there, you might plan to day ride for the first two days, have a day off, then day ride for the last two days. This goal is specific (time, place, activity), easily measured (you either did it or you didn’t), achievable, relevant for many trail riders, and involves a specific timeframe.

After deciding on your SMART goals for the year, use them as focal points to help shape everyday training. Create a timeline

(calendar) with specific checkpoints – intermediary milestones – to track progress and maintain motivation throughout the season. These intermediary goals could be mastering a particular skill, achieving a certain level of fitness, or attending a specific event such as a clinic, parade, or organized trail ride.

Build your calendar in whatever way works best: a log book, graph paper, or an electronic spreadsheet or calendar. It should be easy to alter and have space to record how your riding sessions go. Regularly assess and adjust the calendar depending on what happens. Horses and riders get sick and injured, and sometimes life gets in the way of progress. Flexibility is key to accommodating unforeseen circumstances and addressing problems that arise.

Remember to build in horse health and maintenance needs, too. These may include regular deworming, farrier visits for trimming and shoeing, plus veterinary care for vaccinations and teeth floating. As your horse becomes fitter, feeding requirements may change, so it’s useful to anticipate those, too.

2. PREPARE YOUR HORSE

Plan your training around the specific demands of your selected highlight events. Just like us, horses need time to build stamina and strength. Start with shorter rides and slowly extend the duration over weeks and months. Incorporate a variety of terrain into your training sessions to mimic the landscapes you might encounter. Monitor your horse’s response during

Confidence is key. Many horses will accept strange objects and activities but that doesn’t mean they’re ‘buying in’ to the experience. Give your horse time to process so they don’t get flustered.

each ride, paying attention to fatigue and signs of discomfort. Conditioning includes recognizing your horse’s limits and knowing when to call it a day.

Simulate the expected conditions. If you plan to ride in the mountains, incorporate hill work into your training. If river crossings are on the agenda, expose your horse to water. If you plan on horse camping, practice with your gear at home. That may mean setting up electric fencing, teaching your horse to highline, or making a campfire (and exposing your horse to it).

Set smaller realistic goals to help keep you on track. Ride in a group. Take the lead, ride in the middle, and ride drag (last). Ride alone. Mount from both sides while standing on strange objects. Pony another horse. Trailer your horse to new places. Practice navigating logs, bush, bridges, ditches, puddles, and hills. Increase difficulty of the trails and distances you ride.

Confidence is key. Many horses will accept strange objects and activities but that doesn’t mean they’re ‘buying in’ to the experience. Give your horse time to process so they don’t get flustered. Be patient. If your horse shows signs of anxiety or hesitation, take a step back and revisit previous challenges before progressing. Consistent positive reinforcement and praise go a long way in building trust.

Celebrate every achievement; use setbacks as learning opportunities. The journey is just as important as the ‘highlight event’ destination, so focus on continuous improvement. You’ll forge a stronger connection with your horse.

3. PREPARE YOURSELF

As riders, we often focus on the skills and fitness of our horses. However, rider skills and fitness are needed, too. When was the last time you took a first aid course? Practiced using a map

and compass? Started a fire in nasty weather? If you’ve taken a winter hiatus from exercise or eaten too many sweets over winter, it’s time to incorporate a well-rounded fitness routine into your life. If you have physical limitations, get advice from health professionals, first.

Flexibility is essential for effective riding. Stretching can enhance your range of motion and help prevent injury. Core strength helps riders maintain balance and posture plus reduces the strain on your back. Exercises such as planks, crunches, and yoga poses target core muscles. Cardiovascular fitness is crucial for endurance. Low-impact activities like brisk walking or cycling are good places to start, while incorporating hiking, running, cycling, or interval training can increasingly add endurance.

Leg strength helps riders maintain a secure seat. Exercises that target the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves are all useful for stabilizing your legs while riding. Balance exercises such as standing on one leg or using a stability ball will improve your equilibrium and ability to stay centred on your horse while trail riding.

Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet will support overall fitness goals. Building a strong fitness foundation in the spring (that’s now!) will set the stage for a rewarding and successful trail riding season.

Ultimately, the keys to having a great trail riding season lie in setting achievable goals, preparing carefully, and developing needed skills and fitness. By strategically planning your calendar and enjoying the work of conditioning your horse (and yourself!), you’ll ensure a season filled with unforgettable adventures. So embrace the journey and make 2024 your best trail riding season yet! AB

Flexibility is essential for effective riding. Stretching can enhance your range of motion and help prevent injury – exercises such as planks, crunches, and yoga poses target core muscles.

FEEDING THE EASY KEEPER

BY DR. MARTY ADAMS, PHD, PAS - TECHNICAL SERVICES EQUINE NUTRITIONIST FOR CARGILL

Some people can eat whatever they like, even in large amounts, and remain lean. Other folks must be careful in the amount and type of foods they eat and may even need to add an exercise program to maintain a desirable body weight. Just like people, some horses gain weight even under conditions where other horses will lose weight. A horse is considered an easy keeper when it can maintain an optimal body condition on less than average amounts of feedstuffs. Such horses are less demanding on the budget than a hard keeper that requires a more substantial diet, but feeding an easy keeper presents a different nutritional challenge. The challenge of maintaining the easy keeper is to meet the nutritional requirements (besides calories) while managing to avoid obesity.

The tendency to become obese is one of the most common issues with easy keepers. Obesity is detrimental to horses for many reasons. The biggest problem facing the athletic obese horse is decreased performance due to heat stress. Excessive fat acts as insulation and decreases the horse’s ability to cool quickly, which causes increased sweating and reduction in physical performance due to fatigue from overheating. Additional body fat will also increase oxygen needs due to the extra weight, but the ability to take in oxygen is also more restricted in obese horses. Extra weight may also induce joint problems in horses, which could shorten the career of a horse involved in a performance activity. Obesity may increase insulin resistance or dysfunction in some horses, which is called equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), and is known to be associated with a higher incidence of laminitis. Obese horses are also more prone to lipomas, which are fatty tumors that can develop in the abdominal cavity. The intestines can become entangled with a lipoma, resulting in strangulation colic. Strangulation colic is a serious, life-threatening condition requiring surgical correction.

Weight loss can only be accomplished by reducing the number of calories going in and increasing the number of calories expended. For best results, hay consumption must be fed in a limited amount and pasture access must be restricted to dry lot only to prevent overgrazing. To start a weight reduction program for an overweight horse, provide moderate to good quality grass hay (no pasture) at 1.5 per cent of the horse’s target body weight, not the current weight if the horse is overweight. To find the horse’s target body weight, subtract 50 pounds (22.7 kg) for every body condition score over 5.0 for good health. For example, a 1,200-pound (545 kg) horse with a body condition score of 7.0 would have a target body weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg). Provide

a diet ration balancer like Optimal or Equilizer to utilize a low-calorie source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to provide all the horse’s required nutrients for good health and maintenance of coat, hoof, and topline.

Diet ration balancers are low-intake, nutrient-dense horse feeds designed to be fed along with a forage-only (hay or pasture) diet. They are formulated with concentrated amounts of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to be fed at a lower rate than regular horse feeds (for example, one to two pounds per day (500 g to 1,000 g) per 1,000-pound (454 kg) horse). This minimizes calories for easy keepers and is suitable for horses requiring a low NSC diet.

If weight loss doesn’t occur in a few months and you have a horse with a history of chronic laminitis, consult with your veterinarian about medication to increase the rate of weight loss and reduce the possibility of recurrence. AB

130 years of trust, passion, and innovation.

TRUE NORTH STRONG AND… FERAL?

BY MONIQUE NOBLE

Wild horses are intrinsically romantic and have been since before the written word, from cave dwelling pictographs to chart-topping songs on the radio. Wild horses have been a global symbol of unrestrained freedom and movement throughout history – an unbridled and timeless testament to resilience that both captures and inspires the hearts of humanity. However, some groups argue against romanticizing wild horses and insist they are feral descendants of domestic horses. Some of these

groups consider them pests and an environmental burden. Which is it?

Globally, wild horses are quite rare, and to many people, they are considered feral, not wild. “Feral” animals are defined as once being domestic, and have either escaped or were abandoned and now living in a wild state. “Wild” animals were born free and have never been domesticated. By that definition the wild horses of Alberta (commonly referred to as Wildies) could be considered wild.

To clear up the ancestry debate, a DNA study of Wildies was done, and the findings were fascinating. There is no doubt that draft horses and riding horses have been interbred with Wildies, however, DNA studies conducted by the University of Calgary and corroborated by Texas A&M’s Juras Animal Genetics Laboratory discovered Alberta Wildies have a distinct DNA profile – making them unique and not found anywhere else in the world. Analysis of the horses’ DNA found they have genetic markers

for various draft breeds, the Canadian Horse, and a strong influence from Iberian and Andalusian (Spanish) breeds and Indian ponies. Recent findings published in a 2020 Science Journal report that archeological remains of horses in the Americas suggest that indigenous tribes had spread horses through western America long before they encountered Europeans in the 1600s. Indigenous legend and oral chronicals have long supported these findings that stand to rewrite the story of horses in North America and may help the Wildies find a small place in history, and the planet, to safely call their own.

If you are lucky enough to see a Wildie in its natural environment, it bears a few differences to today’s domestic horse. Iberian and Spanish influence can be seen in their alert head carriage and generously flowing manes and tails. Unlike their Spanish forebears, however, Wildies rarely reach over 15 hands high – though they look deceptively larger – and come in all coat colours. Wildie heads, while not refined, are noble and usually bear the scars of their harsh existence. Wide eyes and nostrils are accompanied by small, alert ears that are

Texas A&M’s Juras

Animal Genetics

Laboratory discovered Alberta Wildies have a distinct DNA profile.

often damaged by territorial skirmishes. Their jaws are prominent and powerful, leading to deep, short necks that tie into equally thick, barrel-like bodies. Wildies do not have a particularly prominent wither, but they do have incredibly strong and blocky shoulders. Thickly built, the shoulders are not overly broad, and neither is the back. Being as short and efficient in the back as they are in the leg, there is no doubt as to the strength and speed contained within these wary creatures. Legs are thick-boned and densely powerful with short pasterns set on large, formidable hooves, the appear-

ance of which is softened by bit of graceful feathering. Wildies’ hind quarters are not huge; they are well-muscled but not overly so. They do not have the round muscle mass of domestic horses but are lean and springy. Meant for speed to escape predators, and short bursts of it at that, the appearance of a Wildie can look like an unfit horse, but that appearance is deceiving. Compact and hardy, their bodies have an almost elastic ability to adapt to their seasonal needs. Despite their capacity to thrive on sparse forage, when adopted into a domestic situation where food is in abundance, Wildies are not prone to founder even if they do get quite heavy which is a unique testament to their metabolic hardiness and adaptability. Slow growing but quick thinking, Wildies take longer to mature than their domestic counter parts, however, when adopted to domesticity, adapt quickly once their trust is gained. Once willing to work with a human, Wildies are easily trained when it’s done correctly, as they are very smart and do not waste their energy lightly. When a Wildie decides that something is not a detriment to their survival, they relax to their natural eat-and-conserve-energy mode.

Aerial counts being conducted while this article was being written lean toward a decrease in numbers since the 2023 counts. This image of the Sundre EMZ counts currently underway by HAWS was taken Feb 12, 2024. On that day they only spotted 280 horses, 25 of which were sub adults (two and under). Photo courtesy of HAWS and by Debbie Gibeau.

Intelligent and aware, Wildies are ever vigilant against the dangers of predators on the eastern slopes of Alberta where they call home. These nomadic grazing animals roam a large expanse of territory stretching from the Brazeau Equine Management Zone (EMZ) to the Elbow EMZ. Within and outside of these territories they are subject to predation by black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, cougars, harsh environmental conditions, and human encroachment.

Luckily, unlike most wild horses in other parts of the world, Wildies are fortunate to have very informed and active groups advocating on their behalf. While each group has its own leaders and missions, they do work in harmony with each other when possible.

Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) is a non-profit group initiated by Bob Henderson and now helmed by Joe Nichol. WHOAS started in 2002 when the government sanctioned herd culls were done and

Wildies should not be auctioned or sent to slaughter, but rather adopted out to caring and capable homes, aware of the challenges of working with a wild horse.

most of the horses captured went to slaughter. While WHOAS agrees that some management of the Wildie herds are required, they want to ensure captures are discerning and done in a humane manner that allows for Wildies to be tamed and adopted out. For the most part, WHOAS works with what are

called “bachelor bands,” small groups of young, displaced stallions that have not yet found a herd of mares. When these bands cause problems, WHOAS will assess the situation and call Livestock Identification Services (LIS) whose agent will decide whether the animal is feral or a Wildie. If the animal is deemed feral, LIS will allow capture of the animal, take custody, and try to find its owner. If the owner cannot be found, the horse will be sent to auction. If the animal is deemed to be a Wildie, WHOAS will capture it, brand it with a WH brand and then work with it until it can be safely adopted out, along with adoption papers that state it cannot be auctioned or rereleased into the wild.

Help Alberta Wildies Society (HAWS) is a non-profit group founded in 2014, piloted by Darell Glover. HAWS’s approach to Wildie management is that they don’t need to be managed. With naturally controlled numbers over a large terrain, HAWS believes that the

WHOAS has gelded and adopted out many mischievous “bachelors” successfully.

Photo courtesy of Starizon Images.

Scott Phillips relates his Wildie gelding’s first experience with domesticity, “When Zeus first came to us, it took him days to get the courage up to investigate a bucket of water. He ran in terror when I threw a flake of hay over the fence.”

Photo courtesy of Scott Phillips.

Wildies are best left alone, admired but with as little human interference as possible. When contacted, HAWS will help distressed Wildies, haze off bachelor bands, and help build or repair secure fencing to keep them at bay. While HAWS prefers not to capture Wildies, if there is a foal that can be saved, they will step in. These foals are usually orphaned, wounded, or rejected and would not survive on their own.

Both HAWS and WHOAS consult with the Government of Alberta (GOA), as the GOA does annual counts and keeps track of Wildie herd numbers. While the discussion of wild versus feral continues, the Wildies are left in a vulnerable spot. If considered feral horses, they fall under the stray animal act which means they aren’t protected if they wander onto private land. If considered wild, they are the only wildlife species that do not have a management plan in place. However, once deemed wildlife they may be subject to the same rules of hunting and removal as other types of wildlife. Wildies do occasionally roam onto grazing lands of ranchers and can create problems for people recreationally using the back country. These groups would most likely benefit from some management of the Wildies.

After the counts of 2023, HAWS pointed out some discrepancies in the GOA counts (HAWS does their own group-funded counts every year), suggesting the GOA counts were overcalculated. There was a minimal count of around 1,500 wild horses over the six EMZs. This low number of Wildies, after hundreds of years, would seem to align with HAWS’s model of natural management. While there are some areas with more Wildies than others, it is hard to believe that a generouslyestimated 2,000 animals can have that much impact on areas that once supported massive herds of migrating ungulates.

If you’re a rancher, and Wildie territory is an area where you are grazing cattle, you may, however,

have a different opinion. Wild horses can upset fencing, harass domestic horses, and graze on some of the same areas as cattle. When a recreational area is saturated with Wildies, it can potentially be cause for concern. In 2023 there were allegedly Wildies chasing off people who had ventured too close to their herds, resulting in people sheltering in porta-potties.

Hopefully, the recently-formed Feral Horse Advisory Committee will be able to address all concerns. The committee includes stakeholders, experts, and relevant organizations, and have designated Wildies as feral animals. Some may say the designation is all semantics, but at this stage in the Wildies’ history, it’s an important distinction. It’s impossible to deny that, wild or feral, romantic or destructive, these horses have passionate detractors and protectors, all with valid concerns. While the removal of some Wildies may be necessary, most parties involved agree that no Wildie should be removed from their habitat unnecessarily. If removed, Wildies should not be auctioned or sent to slaughter, but rather adopted out to caring and capable homes, aware of the challenges

of working with a wild horse.

Scott Phillips, owner of Amazing Horse Country Ltd., has an incredible bond with his Wildie, Zeus, who came to him after struggling with his previous adopter. Scott explains Wildies have no perspective in a domestic situation.

“Capturing an older wild horse and using conventional horse training … they’ll struggle; and it’s not because they’re a different animal. They’re still a horse. The fact is that they can’t relate to – nor have any understanding as to –what is going on and what is being done to them.”

Literally and figuratively, it seems patience and understanding perspectives are key when it comes to working with Wildies on either side of the fence. Precariously balanced between being semantically designated as feral ancestors or scientifically being proven as a historical breed, there is some discussion of whether the wild horses of Alberta should be called the Alberta Mountain Horse or the more colloquial Wildie, a decision that could have an impact on their future. What’s in a name? Perhaps everything when you’re a horse living freely on the eastern slopes of the Alberta Rockies. AB

Photo courtesy of Starizon Images.

GRIT GLITTER

&

Piper Yule is a young, talented, fifth generation cowgirl with a long list of accomplishments. Here, she tells us how she keeps herself and her horses safe during her many trick riding performances.

BY JENN WEBSTER

As one can imagine, there are great risks associated with trick riding. When it is done improperly, or with a horse that cannot handle the discipline, trick riding can result in serious injury. That said, when the craft is honed by professionals who have spent many hours perfecting their skills, trick riding is thrilling and incredible to watch. That’s why these specialty acts are often the opening sequence of many top tier rodeos and western events.

Piper Yule of Wardlow, Alta. is a 14-year-old cowgirl with an incred-

ible list of accolades. She has been the Canadian Pro Rodeo Dress Act of the Year four times, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) National Finals Rodeo Opening Act in 2019, and one of the Calgary Stampede Entertainment Acts for numerous years. These are just a few of the credentials on her resume. Yule has additionally performed at some of the world’s biggest rodeos such as San Angelo, Pendleton and been the headline act for the Art of the Cowgirl. She jumps, ropes, Roman

rides, does liberty training, and is currently studying the disciplines of reining and cow horse.

While trick riding is centred around high speed and exciting maneuvers, safety is the number one concern. Trust in one’s horse, or horses, is imperative because many of the tricks are performed at a gallop. Finding a horse that likes to run, but also has a quiet mind is key to one’s success. After that – it’s all about practice. Yule has received extensive instruction over the years to devel-

Firecracker Piper Yule is an aspiring young performer. Here she is in a Roman riding performance – the lightning showed up with perfect timing Trinity Burke Photography.

op her abilities. (In fact, unless you are involved with a professional coach and have the chance to practice trick riding with an experienced mount, DO NOT attempt the maneuvers we discuss in this article at home.) Here is how Yule keeps herself safe, both in practice and during events.

CAUTIONARY MEASURES

“There are a lot of things we do, to keep ourselves safe during trick riding,” Yule states. “For one, having another person and horse in the arena during a practice is big.”

This helps ensure that if something were to happen, Yule is not alone. Someone is available to help her out of a bind and the extra horse gives her mount somewhere to run to and feel secure.

“During a rodeo performance, I will always have extra people around. Dur-

ing practice and the real thing,” she says. “This is so you’re not alone if something were to happen, or to help you get out of a wreck. I usually have another horse tied up in the corner, so if the horse I’m working with was to take off, it would go to that horse. It’s a mandatory thing!”

Secondly, Yule does not wear a helmet for her performances. Considering her young age, this is something people ask her about regularly.

“I used to wear a helmet when I was younger,” she tells. “And the young girls I’m teaching to trick ride now, will wear one.”

However, Yule got to a point where she started incorporating a lot of vaulting maneuvers into her performances. As such, a helmet limits the scope of vision a trick rider has, potentially hindering a rider’s eyes and visual orientation. Timing and the judging of

distances become two of a trick rider’s crucial skills and a helmet can throw this off. Additionally, Yule often has her head up against the horse’s body, upside down, etc., during some of her tricks. Therefore, it’s likely a helmet strap could catch on things – which would be disastrous.

Although equestrian vaulting is a completely different sport, this is something with which vaulters (also known as gymnasts on horseback) are very familiar. In fact, in the rules of Equestrian Canada for Vaulting, Article L206 Vaulter’s Attire, states the following, “Helmets are not permitted while vaulting.”

“I did wear a helmet for a few years when I was starting out and I then I took it off. By then, I felt like I had much more sense of what to do and how to keep myself from having a wreck,” Yule says.

Piper Yule Roman riding over flaming torches. Photo credit: Covy Moore

TYPES OF TRICKS

In Yule’s opinion, there are three main categories of tricks in trick riding. These include strap tricks, balance tricks, and vaults.

A strap trick involves the rider placing their feet inside a specialty strap on the saddle to support their weight as they execute a trick. An example of a strap trick would be the Hippodrome Stand. This is when a trick rider places both feet inside two straps located in front of the stirrups, to allow them to essentially stand up on the horse’s withers and stay there, while the horse lopes or gallops forward. This stand is often used when a trick rider carries a flag in opening ceremonies.

“One aspect of safety when it comes to strap tricks is to always inspect our straps,” Yule states. “If a leather strap is in poor condition or about to rip, that’s a recipe for disaster. Often, we have to twist these straps and lean our full weight into them, so I’m constantly checking my equipment.”

A balance trick includes things like

Roman riding – which not all trick riders do. This is a style of riding in which a person stands astride a pair of horses. It has a history dating back to the Roman Empire (hence the name). Holding the reins up high, this trick has been demonstrated with two, up to as many as five horses in a light harness, being ridden at a gallop, lope, and even jumped abreast. Yule’s specialty is to run her Roman riding team at speed, overtop (and with one horse on each side) flaming torches. One wrong move or miscalculation and someone could be going to the hospital.

“That type of trick takes a lot of experience and practice, for sure,” Yule chuckles. “It also requires a lot of trust in my horses. I have a special bond with them. I wouldn’t do anything like that if it weren’t for the fact that I trust them completely. I’ve put in a considerable number of hours of practice, before we get to a big event.”

Conditioning her horses to outside stimuli they may encounter at events is also essential.

“The type of horse I need must be

completely willing to put up with anything, especially because of the kind of work we do,” she says.

The interesting thing about Roman riding is that it’s actually one of the safer tricks Yule performs. She is not strapped into anything, so if something goes sideways she can jump clear. Secondly, her horses are never tied together for Roman riding. She simply controls them through the use of her reins and a crop. The gear worn by the horses is minimal, preventing Yule from getting caught up in anything. Additionally, Yule likes to do a fair amount of stretching with her own body before attempting Roman riding. She says the other tricks and practice have helped to develop her muscles overall. Roman riding gives her an amazing amount of balance to use through her entire routine and is one of her favourite things to perform.

Vault tricks involve things like jumping off the horse at a flat lope/gallop and jumping back on again. Sometimes these are performed sideways, sometimes backwards. There are many dif-

Yule at the 2023 CFR, performing her liberty act while Roman riding. Photo credit: Covy Moore.

ferent types of vault tricks and many techniques to go with them. Yule relies heavily on timing, upper body strength, and muscle memory to help her with vault tricks.

“There are many different techniques for vault tricks, but for me it’s about hitting with the right momentum,” Yule explains.

Timing and feel are hard to describe in words, but Yule has figured out how to bounce along with a horse in relation to its strides, in order to spring from the ground back up and onto the horse.

“If you hit with the wrong momentum and you don’t combine with your horse at the correct time, it sucks all the air out of your bounce – making it difficult to properly vault back up. When my horse takes a stride, I count 1, 2, 3, 4 and I should hit the ground on a number,” the trick rider relates.

“After a while, your technique turns into muscle memory. I’ve done vaulting since I was little, so I know how to save myself.”

SAFETY, SPEED & SPARKLES

Above all, Yule stresses the importance of a good-minded mount for trick riding, and the number of hours of practice that it takes before a first

performance.

“We put a lot of time in, ensuring things are as clear as possible for our horses, so the horse knows what they’re doing,” she says.

Yule explains that there are specific places in the arena that eventually mean different things to a trick riding horse. The “station” is where the rider starts. They can drop the reins there and stand. A “stop corner” is where the horse and rider will stop, but approximately five yards before they get there, the horse anticipates this and begins to halt down. A stop corner is one end of the arena (end fence), and the horse is taught to turn into the fence as another safety measure.

“We always want our horses on the left lead,” Yule says, “because a trick riding performance is always done to the left. If the horse is on the right lead, or counter canter, it’s hard to take a corner.”

“From the station, we cue our horse up into the left lead and put them in a small circle here. It’s here that we have a chance to switch leads if need be. Then we send them into a lap of the arena (going to the left) to perform our tricks. The horse can follow along the long side of the arena wall – and they’re meant to follow the fence – but they should be

just far enough away that you don’t get hung up on the fence.”

Yule explains that some trick riders also have other people holding up flags or a line (often a sparkly type of rope), to make sure the horse stays to the outside of the arena, has enough room to take the fence and corner, and ensure they don’t cut through the middle of the arena.

“We also do things called pattern laps, which is the same as a trick riding lap, but without a trick. This helps us see if the saddle feels good, or if they’re going to buck, etc. It’s kind of like a schooling lap, to get the feel of the arena,” Yule states.

Additionally, trick riders do backwards laps, to warm their horses up. This entails going in the opposite direction along the fence, to the right. A backwards lap is only ever executed at the walk or trot. A pattern lap is saved for the lope.

“We practice and practice to make sure our horses know the difference in direction and laps,” the young rider explains. “Many people don’t see the behind-the-scenes training. But we are working them at midnight, far away from the crowds and the bright lights and costumes. We school until our horses feel good.” AB

Aboard WHO, her mustang, Yule performs for the Calgary Stampede crowd. Covy Moore photo

GETTING READY

Unfortunately, experts are already predicting a tumultuous weather forecast for 2024. Here is one way you can help yourself mitigate the risk.

After a record-breaking year of wildfires across Alberta in 2023, the forecast for 2024 is, regrettably, not great. According to many experts, 2024 could set even more records in terms of weather-related events.

What is particularly troubling is that it was reported there are 63 fires still burning in the province (as of January 2024,) all of which began in 2023. With very low snowfall over winter, everyone should be on high alert as we approach what will be an exceptionally dry fire season.

Horse owners and herd managers need to be especially prepared so that if a fire threatens, a plan is in place to get out of harm’s way.

In 2023 our equine team fielded many calls regarding insurance during the fire season – what is covered, what is not covered, etc. Here is a sampling of questions and answers for your reference.

Q. If my horse is displaced due to fire, is the personal liability insurance provided through Acera Insurance under my AEF membership affected? Is it still in force?

A. Yes, you are covered by $5,000,000 of personal liability insurance – wherever the horse is.

Q. I have been asked by someone to stable their horse for a short time while the usual home for the horse is threatened by fire in their area. Am I covered?

A. Yes, under these emergency situations, you are covered for the temporary care, custody, and control of (up to four) non-owned horses. It is important that the owners of the horses being left with you confirm that they have liability insurance in force covering their ownership of the horses –ideally through membership in AEF.

Q. Is there any insurance offered through Acera to cover the horse itself against loss by fire?

A. Yes, one of the most cost-effective ways to cover your horse(s) is to purchase the optional Members Named Perils insurance coverage as part of your membership in AEF. Fire and many other causes of loss are covered. Separate to this, Acera provides insurance coverage for horses under the “Equi-Care” mortality program. Visit the AEF website or call the equine team at Acera for more information.

As part of your risk management plan, we strongly encourage you to talk to neighbours and colleagues in the horse community to see how you can help each other BEFORE there is a fire. Who has a trailer? Who has space for “extra” horses? Is there a Facebook page or other community forum where information can be posted?

Everyone wants to help where they can and having a strategy in place will minimize the possibility of loss if disaster strikes.

Finally, keep in touch with the AEF office and check their website often. They (and we) are here to offer resources to assist.

Taking care of horses – and their people – is what we (and the AEF) do.

Michael (Mike) A. King, Partner National Practice Leader – Equine

It’s best to have a plan in place, before fire threatens.

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