Alberta Bits Fall 2023

FALL 2023

LEASING A HORSE

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SAFETY

Spotlight on the

Caspian Horse

2023

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FALL 2023; VOLUME 16, ISSUE 3 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 Sandy Bell PRESIDENT-ELECT Jason Edworthy SECRETARY Jennifer Dimopolous TREASURER Nicolas Brown INDIVIDUAL Mary Bell INDIVIDUAL Patrick Buffalo INDIVIDUAL Claire Goddard INDIVIDUAL Brooke Hartwick INDIVIDUAL Edna Kaiser INDIVIDUAL Cailin Kopetski INDIVIDUAL Brenda Spanier 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

Deb Smith-Jones finance@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 7

6 PRESI DENT ’S MESSAGE 6 EX ECUT I VE DI RECTOR’S MESSAGE 8 KID’S CORNER 9 BI T S & PI ECES Introducing the 2023 scholarship recipients and those who achieved the

2,000-hour Ride & Drive milestone!

12

TRAILER SAFETY Checklists for ensuing your vehicle and trailer are road-worthy – and your

horse is prepared for trailering.

14

TRAILS Tania Millen offers horse management advice for the swap of the seasons.

18

HORSE KEEPING Understanding the triggers that cause a horse to “tie up.”

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

BREED PROFILE The darling Caspian horse and its troubled history.

FOR EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES CONTACT: ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM

LEASING A HORSE Jessica Ray of Eureka Equestrian offers some of her best advice for

Closed December 25, 2023 - January 5, 2024 ALBERTA BITS IS PUBLISHED BY WESTERN PERFORMANCE PUBLISHING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AEF MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Webster ART DIRECTOR Kendra Roberts PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

Sonia Dantu • Monique Noble • Kenda Lubeck CONTRIBUTORS

Equine Guelph Natalie Jackman Tania Millen Monique Noble Bonnie Timmons ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

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

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lease scenarios.

28

ASK ABOUT INSURANCE Understanding some of the diverse insurance products Acera can offer to

the equine community.

29 CLUB & BUSINESS LISTINGS 30 HOLD YOUR HORSES

ADVERTISING SALES DEADLINES Winter 2023: October 30, 2023 FALL 2023

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.

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TRAILER SAFETY

ON THE COVER: Photo by Alicia Woperies Photography. www.alicianicolephotography.com P U B L I C AT I O N S MA I L AG R E EME N T # 4 0 0 5 0 2 9 7

ALBERTA EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION

LEASING A HORSE

Spotlight on the

Caspian Horse

2023

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Message from President, Sandy Bell Fall… it’s my favourite time of year.

Thanksgiving is my favourite gathering and dinner of the year. So, I head into autumn and early winter filled with appreciation for the fundamental things that make my life meaningful – family, friends, dogs, horses, and the great outdoors, among others.

For some in our Alberta equine community, you are heading into the cold months carrying more worry than usual on your shoulders. The hay situation and the harvests that you count on may be extremely difficult where you’re living.

The cost of having horses and livestock has risen considerably. You are potentially faced with tough choices.

I don’t have answers, but I understand.

I believe that Albertans will show our resilience again. I believe that we’ll muster our resources and support where we can. We have our differences, but when it comes to helping when needed, we step up without judgement. We make changes to benefit us all. We care.

One of the AEF’s core values is ‘caring and stewardship.’ This means that we prioritize the health, welfare, and safety of our equines and our members. As honest stewards, we know that the environment, animals, and people are interconnected.

As we head into the months ahead, you will notice the AEF showing our commitment to this value in more explicit ways. For example, the AEF Board, Governance/Board Development Committee, and the staff are working to put into place a suite of policies and practices related to the Universal Code of

Sandy Bell with her gelding Skye, a miniature Shetland Pony, when he passed his animal assisted therapy test in January 2023.

Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport.

This is a critical undertaking for us to demonstrate our commitment to a culture of caring. It’s of utmost importance for “advancing a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and safe sport experiences” (Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport, version 2022 [6.0]). The complex challenge – and the AEF is going to tackle it – is that our sport experiences also include non-human participants – our beloved donkeys, mules and horses.

As I write this message, I’m not sure of the timeline for implementing these new policies and procedures. If it has

not already begun by the time you read this, it will be soon. The first thing you will notice is a new AEF Member Code of Conduct. Our board, volunteers, staff, and members will be asked to agree to a set of principles. Our applied objective for this agreement is that our members can safely participate in AEF-related equestrian activities, and everyone will be treated with respect and fairness.

As always, we welcome your comments and questions. Together we make the AEF even stronger in our service to the entire equine community. As I consider my thanks at Thanksgiving, near the top of my appreciation list is how we care for others.

Take care of yourself, too! AB

Message from Executive Director, Sonia Dantu I know I’m not alone when I say how much I love fall. It’s a critical time of transition and reinvention. Let’s face it, summers can be hectic, and while some of us are scrubbing campers, and planning / replanning activities, others are frantically trying to source precious hay for the winter; all can be stressful.

The summer stress doesn’t exactly 6 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

finish when fall arrives. With the shorter days and holiday season around the corner, it’s important to ensure our own health, both mentally and physically. Take a moment, and maybe a pumpkin-spiced latte (if you’re into that kind of thing) to reflect. Whether out with your horse or in with a good read, make sure your own proverbial cup is full.

When we reflect and look back on our own summer, we can’t help but notice it’s been a busy one. · We launched our “Share the Trails” project to bring awareness to trail use etiquette and safety when horse users ride or drive on multi-use trails. For this we hosted two trail and recreation events and distributed over 30 ‘Share the Trail’

signs to be displayed on public trails across Alberta. · We continued to build on – and delivered – our Equine Emergency Disaster fund to help horse owners offset costs of disasters such as the wildfires that ravaged Alberta this year. · We developed a five-year operational plan to align with our five-year strategic plan that ensures we are on the path to increased performance and success in the coming years. · We facilitated a marked increase in our Wild Rose and Equestrian Canada sanctioned horse shows this season. · We’ve facilitated an increase in coaches and instructors becoming NCCP certified and licensed. Getting certified is now easier than ever thanks to advances in distance training and technology. · We have tapped into the power of online training and, together with four other provinces, launched the Provincial Foundational Officials Course through Equine Guelph. · Through the Return to Play program we have provided additional funding for therapeutic clubs to help offset the costs of providing programming to youth and those with disabilities.

And we’re not done yet. Still to come this fall: · It’s membership renewal season.

When you renew, not only do you retain your insurance benefits, but you also open the door to competitions, certification, funding opportunities, participation rewards (simply for riding), and more. · On that note, did you know if you refer a new member to AEF you can save on the cost of your own membership? Every referral will earn you $5 toward your next renewal. · We have an incredible lineup of clinics coming this fall. From coach, official, and rider training, we have something for everyone. Watch for information in our E-News and social

media posts and plan to join us. · As we wrap up our Share the Trails project, we will host an online networking opportunity to encourage ideas and communication between the many users of our multi-use, public trails. Watch for a date and more information coming soon.

Whether you are planning for winter, gathering information on leasing a horse, or nominating someone special who goes above and beyond, this issue of Alberta Bits has something for you. Take a seat, grab a beverage, and a blanket if it’s chilly, and give it a read. Relax and recharge.

Take time for you, and maybe even learn a few things that will help your horse. Maybe you will gain insights about your membership benefits, or how your feeding program contributes to the health of your horse’s muscles.

Maybe you’ll recognize a scholarship

winner. Maybe that will be you next year!

We hope you enjoy. AB

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S ’ D I K CORNER

8 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

Hey Kids!!

Contact us for an activity book and crayons!

Phone: 403-253-4411 • Toll Free: 1-877-463-6233 Email: info@albertaequestrian.com

BITS & PIECES

2023 Scholarship Recipients We are pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the AEF Educational and Industry Scholarships.

Educational Scholarship MAGGIE FRASER

Maggie has been a long-time member of the AEF. While in high school, Maggie completed the Green Certificate Equine Technician Program which focused on equine processes and practices, husbandry and systems, and operations and care. Through this course, Maggie was introduced to new opportunities and was able to apply for a position as an Animal Health intern and polo groom through Careers Next Generation. Maggie has also achieved her Level C in Pony Club and participated in regional quizzes through the DeWinton Pony Club.

Maggie will be attending the University of Alberta in the fall, enrolled in Animal Health – Food Animals. Her long-term goal is to become a large animal vet (DVM – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) specializing in equine.

The AEF wishes Maggie the best of luck in her future endeavors!

Educational Scholarship ANNA NELSON

Anna has been involved with horses since she was seven.

A long-time volunteer at Alberta Horse Trials Association (AHTA) competitions and clinics, she also loves helping at the barn with the horses. In 2022, Anna qualified to be a part of Team Alberta and compete at the United States Equestrian Federation’s Young Rider Championships in Tryon, North Carolina, and had the opportunity to learn from Canadian Olympian, Kyle Carter, in Florida. Anna joined AHTA’s High Performance team this year.

Anna will be attending the University of Alberta this fall in pursuit of a master’s degree in psychology. Her goal is to use education to make an impact on the mental health and well-being of horses and riders through equine therapy, mental health seminars, clinics and more.

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BITS & PIECES

Industry Scholarship HANNAH SHEEHAN

Hannah has had a passion for barrel racing from a young age and she is thankful that AEF supports its members to safely pursue their passions. Hannah has competed at Canadian and national finals through the High School Rodeo Association. Hannah also placed in the top three of the youth division with the Alberta Barrel Racing Association.

After Hannah’s horse suffered from an injury, she knew she wanted to become an Animal Health Technician and work with animals requiring care. She was inspired by her horse, as well as fellow rodeo athletes who came back from injury and were able to compete again. Hannah has been dedicated to prolonging the western way of life by volunteering with high school rodeos in her community, seeking sponsorship from local businesses, and helping to ensure rodeos run safely and smoothly.

Hannah will be attending college in the fall and is enrolled in an Animal Health Technology program. It is her dream to become a registered vet technician and work at rodeo events alongside the veterinarians to assist horses who have suffered from injury during competition and prepare others for competition.

Ride & Drive 2000-Hour Milestone Achievements Congratulations PAIGE DOMBROSKY!

Paige lives and breathes horses! She is one of AEF’s youngest (if not the youngest) Ride & Drive participants to reach the 2,000hour milestone with the Ride & Drive program.

Paige joined Ride & Drive in January of 2021 and hit the 2,000hour mark on July 27, 2023! She has been ridings horses since she was three, and started taking lessons when she was five. At the age of six she began endurance riding. Paige loves summertime because she can ride more. She loves riding at home, at the barn, during lessons and at endurance events – the sport that Paige loves the best.

Paige’s most memorable moment was at the age of nine when she participated in her first 100-mile endurance ride. Getting 10 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

BITS & PIECES

up at three in the morning for that ride, she and her horse, “Indi” (Nightwind’s Indigo Bey), began the ride in the dark.

Paige was wearing glow sticks and Indi was wearing an LED breast collar. They finished their ride shortly after midnight, after riding in the dark, the hot sun, pouring rain and then the dark again, arriving at the finish line to rounds of cheers

from her supporting fans and her coach, Colleen DeVry. When Paige is not endurance riding, she loves the trails – her favourite being in Bellis, Alta., where she first started endurance riding.

Congratulations Paige on this amazing accomplishment!

Congratulations JESSECA JOHANSON!

Jesseca joined the Ride & Drive program in 2018 and completed her 2,000-hour milestone on August 1, 2023.

Jesseca has a unique situation with the Ride & Drive program. She is a professional rider; however, hours spent in the saddle as a professional are ineligible for the Ride & Drive program. This made it challenging for Jesseca to find time to ride her own horses and accumulate the hours required. She found the Ride & Drive milestone goals really helped motivate her to spend time riding her own horses for ‘fun,’ and now she looks forward to this special time.

Jesseca has been riding as long as she can remember. As her family didn’t own horses, Jesseca would make friends with other horse owners so she could follow along with her dad at field trials. She also took English riding lessons with a bit of jumping when she was younger.

Jesseca now competes in Competitive Trail Riding with TRAC using her Tennessee Walker but also enjoys packing and riding in the mountains. Her most memorable trip was a gruelling two-week trip recently with friends, to the Ya-Ha Tinda Ranch and Willmore Wilderness Park.

Immediately following this two-week trip in the mountains, Jesseca and a friend competed in a Competitive Trail Ride in Water Valley. Considering the amount of riding completed during their trip, they were not sure how competitive their horses would be. Fortunately, they both placed in the top two on both days of competition. The vet was very impressed with the condition and attitude of their horses.

Congratulations again, Jesseca, on this amazing accomplishment! AB

Coming soon!

2024 Membership renewal notices go out in November.

Watch your inbox!

ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

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TRAILER SAFETY

All horse owners will need to trailer, or have their horses trailered, at some point in the ownership experience. This may be to move locations, head out for a trail ride, or in the unfortunate event of an emergency. Ensuring your vehicle and trailer are

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road-worthy and your horse is prepared – well ahead of time – may help you avoid a mishap. These safety checklists from our friends at Equine Guelph will help with some necessary safety precautions and, hopefully, get you and your horse safely down the road.

CHECKLISTS 3 TRAILER WALKAROUND I am within my gross vehicle rated capacity.

Tires are in good condition. The wheel bearings were serviced this year. Lug nuts are tight.

Check tire pressure on ALL tires (including inside ones.)

The trailer hitch is secured to the frame of the vehicle, not the bumper.

The ball size is correct and ball is tightly secured to the ball mount.

The hitch is in good condition, is lubricated, and is not showing signs of wear.

The hitch is seated properly on the ball and is locked.

You should be able to “feel” the clamp around the bottom of the ball when the coupler is connected.

Safety chains are properly connected UNDER the hitch.

Trailer jack is fully retracted or removed.

The electrical connection is the right one and is properly connected.

The emergency breakaway system is properly connected.

The breakaway battery is charged.

All trailer lights (brakes/turn signals/running/ perimeter) are working.

Interior lights have safety cages to protect them from horses’ heads.

The brake controller is working.

The trailer is sitting level with the tow vehicle.

The floor has been checked and is in good condition. Mats are tight-fitting.

Check trailer for any hazards – rough edges, chains that don’t open properly, loose wiring, door locks that are difficult to open or that don’t lock, butt bars/ chains that don’t close properly.

CHECKLIST FOR SAFE TR AILERING Please do a walkaround be fore every trip!

For your horse trailer:

Water

Buckets/sponges

Spare halters and lead

ropes

Broom, shovel, disposa

Emergency triangles or

2 spare tires

l bags flares

Wheel chocks (wedge s to prevent accidental movement) Hydraulic jack – capable of jacking your trailer wh loaded ile Lug wrench Spare bulbs for all ligh

ts 2 flashlights (one large Maglite flashlight or po rtable spotlight, one headba nd flashlight) Duct tape and electrica l tape WD-40 (or similar lubric ant) Knife First aid kit (equine/hum

Fire extinguisher

an)

Portable fencing or a rol

l of construction fencin

g

For your tow vehicle:

Vehicle and trailer reg

istration Proof of insurance and roadside assistance membership Gloves Jumper cables

Spare tire, jack and tire

iron Tool kit including wiring , fuses, spare belts an d hoses Tow chain Map book

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TRAILS

AUTUMN BRINGS CHANGE Riding and horse management tips for the swap of the seasons.

B Y TA N IA M I L L E N

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TRAILS

Tania Millen offers some advice for preparing for the cold weather ahead. Photo credit: Joyce Hall Taylor

Autumn is here; trees are changing colour, pastures have stopped growing, frost is appearing and horses are developing their winter coats. That means riders and horse owners may ride less or move indoors, need warm clothing, alter horse care, and need to winterize equipment and barns. Here are some things to think about.

AUTUMN RIDING

As summer winds down and winter approaches, it’s wise to make a plan for fall, winter and spring to ensure your horse is fit and ready to ride next year. For some, that may mean more riding; for others, less.

Autumn, winter and spring are great times to increase your horse’s skills and fitness so that they’re more competitive the following year. An indoor arena is almost imperative for practicing skills year-round. If you don’t have access to one at your home barn, contact local boarding stables and municipal facilities to find out whether you can drop in regularly.

This is also a great time to fill training gaps and correct things that didn’t go right during the competition season.

Consider hiring a trainer to ride your horse each week or for a set time period.

If you don’t get regular coaching, try to find a local coach to help you stay on track and develop skills during the slower fall and winter seasons. Both you and your horse will reap the benefits.

But regardless of whether you plan to ride or let your horse

rest until spring, pre-winter preparations will be needed.

HORSE & RIDER WEAR

Layered clothing may be needed to stay warm and dry while working and riding outside in autumn. So dig out your thermal underwear, insulated jackets, gloves, ear coverings, thick socks and warm boots before the temperature plunges.

If your winter riding boots are wider than your regular riding footwear, check that your stirrups are wide enough.

In cool weather, a quarter sheet will help keep your horse’s loins warm and prevent injuries. It will also benefit Working horses that have started growing their winter coats requires clipping or a longer cool-down time, so they don’t get chilled.

If shoes are no longer needed, pull them off and allow your horse’s feet to rest. But those hooves will still need trimming every six to eight weeks, so set up a schedule with your farrier.

HORSE CARE NEEDS

When pastures stop growing in fall, it’s crucial to ensure horses don’t nibble grass down to the roots or churn wet meadows into a morass. Plan to pull horses off pasture before they damage next year’s crop. If horses will be in pens or stalls, ensure they’re clean and in good condition.

Horses may also need additional layers to keep warm. Find your winter blankets, wash them, if necessary, repair holes, ensure they fit and plan to layer them on as needed.

This is the season when water starts freezing, too. Insulate ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

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TRAILS

Regardless of whether you plan to ride or let your horse rest until spring, pre-winter preparations will be needed. Photo credit: Bigstock

or place a heat tape on exposed water pipes, switch to heated automatic waterers, or find your insulated plug-in buckets.

Probably the biggest concern for any horse owner is having enough quality hay stockpiled to feed their horses through winter. Fall is the time to pick up and pay for that hay, stack it under cover, and slowly switch horses to their new forage.

Not sure how much hay you need? Simply measure the weight of your horse with a weight tape, multiply the horse’s weight by 1.5 to three per cent, and that is the weight of hay they need to eat per day. For example, a 450 kg (1,000 lb) horse will require seven to 15 kg (15 to 30 lbs) of hay to eat per day. So a 27 kg (60 lb) small square bale will feed two or three horses for one day. A 450 kg (1,000 lb) round bale will feed one horse for one to two months. Of course, there are many variables – the size, metabolism and amount of work each horse is doing, the actual weight of each square or round bale, the quality of the hay, any grain fed, how the horse is housed, and others. It’s better to err on having too much hay than scrambling for more – which may not be available – if you run out in spring.

Autumn is also a good time for deworming and ensuring your horse’s teeth don’t have sharp points. A routine veterinary appointment that addresses parasites and teeth will help ensure your horse gets maximum nutrients from their hay, potentially even reducing the amount of hay they’ll need to eat in winter.

If your horse has had an active summer, consider making 16 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

an appointment with an osteopath or other certified body worker to help correct physical imbalances your horse may have developed.

WINTERIZE EQUIPMENT & BARN

Preparing horse-related equipment and barns for winter helps ensure tools are serviceable and ready to use when needed. Start by completing repairs, cleaning gutters and ensuring water will drain away from pens and barns. Move outdoor training equipment under cover. Before freeze-up, drain lines in horse trailers, remove batteries if not needed, and transfer liquid horse products to a warm place. Change or replace vehicle tires, top up fluids, and do required maintenance. Make sure snow clearing equipment is ready and working and heaters are available for drying wet gear and horse blankets. This is also a great time to clean all your tack and put away equipment you won’t be using until next show season.

RIDER HEALTH

Finally, regardless of your riding plans for autumn and winter, plan how to maintain your mental and physical health.

Maybe now’s a good time to build strength and endurance in the gym, try a new sport that will benefit your riding, or invest in mental performance coaching. Just like horses, riders benefit from cross training and a change of pace.

Enjoy the changing season.

Southern Alberta Trail Riders Association Ride for HALO B Y K E L S EY G A R B E R

Photo Credit: Kelsey Garber

What is better than a gorgeous trail ride on a summer day on the Writing-on-Stone trails with an experienced guide? Going on that same trail ride knowing you are participating in an event that will literally save lives, that’s what!

On Sept. 9, 2023, the Writing-on-Stone Riding Association and the Southern Alberta Trail Riders Association (SATRA) hosted a trail ride fundraiser for HALO Air Ambulance based out of Medicine Hat, Alta. HALO is the only medivac air service available to many people in the most southern part of Alberta. It currently receives only 38 per cent of its funding from government sources. The rest comes from donations and events such as this trail ride.

Multiple individuals involved with the ride had a deep connection to the cause. They had personally needed the services of HALO in the past to save themselves or a loved one from dying.

They, like many others, realized that if HALO’s service wasn’t available, many more lives would be at risk. So, we came together as a united front and big things happened!

There were 45 riders and four guides on the trail during the ride. The day was stunning, the area breathtaking. Only a limited number of people and their horses ever see this area of the park because the trails are only accessible with the assistance of trail guide Lindsay O’Hara and his crew.

If you think the hoodoos at the park are great, you need to see these other hidden wonders of nature. There is nothing better than being on the back of a horse in the middle of a stunning coulee filled with history from the Blackfoot peoples, mounted police, settlers, and horse thieves. Writing-on-Stone Riding Association is very lucky to have their grounds with access to these trails.

During the ride, new friendships were built and the dedication for a great cause was evident – from the Aden volunteer Fire Department being on hand all day, to two lovely ladies coming all the away from Eckville, Alta. Families allowed access to their land, and a delicious meal was served by the local butcher and his wife.

Honestly, we couldn’t have asked for better hospitality!

Between SATRA, Writing-on-Stone Riding Association, amazing sponsors and trail riders who collected pledges from wonderful people, we raised $32,285. Yep, read that again: $32,285!! Having Paul Carolan, CEO from HALO on hand to speak at the banquet and accept the donations was the icing on the cake. Never in a million years did we think that this little trail ride would be so profound.

Did you miss out this year? Be ready next year because it is going to be bigger and better. For now, our hearts are full, our horses are happy, and we are grateful for the power of people who want to help others in their darkest hours. AB

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HORSE KEEPING

The condition of “tying up” should be viewed as a broad term or syndrome used to describe a variety of muscle disorders.

TYING-UP Understanding the triggers.

B Y K AT E R I N E PA R D, AG R . , S E N I OR E QU I N E N U T R I T I ON C ON SU LTA N T

The muscle condition in horses known as “tying-up” has perplexed researchers and horsemen for decades. Much of the confusion originates from the tendency to group all horses that show muscle cramping and soreness associated with exercise into one disease. In fact, tying-up, also known as Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER), should be viewed as a broad term or syndrome used to describe a variety of muscle disorders, much like colic is a syndrome for a variety of digestive upsets.

The major difference between sporadic ER and the two forms of chronic ER, in addition to what the names imply, is that sporadic ER is associated with intrinsically normal muscle function, but the horse is over-stressed and exercised to exceed its current fitness level. Sporadic ER may well be what we see in endurance horses as a component of the “exhausted horse syndrome.” With this form of ER, electrolyte imbalances and vitamin E and/or selenium deficiency may play a greater role. The chronic ER horse is exercising within his fitness level, even though the horse ties-up.

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One distinctive characteristic among all forms of tying-up is an elevated plasma creatine kinase (CK). CK is an enzyme that is in particularly high concentrations within muscle cells. It plays an important role in energy production for those muscle cells. Elevated plasma CK levels represent the leakage of CK from damaged muscle cells into the bloodstream. Generally, it takes four to six hours after a bout of tying-up for plasma CK levels to peak. However, these plasma CK levels will also drop as quickly as they escalate.

Though not proven in all breeds, there are implications that chronic ER is a genetic disease. Genetic research in Thoroughbreds has implied that susceptibility to Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER) is inherited as a dominant trait.

Horses that chronically tie-up, regardless of the type, need to be exercised regularly. The grain-based feed should be decreased, and the proportion of forage increased, especially for horses with Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM).

EPSM is very typical of “Monday Morning Disease” since

HORSE KEEPING

Muscle glycogen levels in EPSM horses are one and a half to four times higher than in normal horses, classifying this form of chronic ER as a glycogen storage disorder. Photo credit:Jenn Webster

Contributors: Cindy Cook, Senior Equine Nutrition Consultant - cindy_cook@cargill.com Keri Weir, Senior Equine Nutrition Consultant - keri_weir@cargill.com

Reference: Valberg.,S J., Muscling in on the Cause of Tying-Up, AAEP Proceedings 2012, v. 582012, p.85 – 123. Valberg.,S.,Tying up Syndrome, mastersonmethod.com/fieldwork/wp-content/ uploads/Tying_UP1.pdf, 2001.,University of Minnesota.

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the risk of an episode is considerably greater in horses exercising after a rest day. Muscle glycogen levels in EPSM horses are 1.5 to four times higher than in normal horses, classifying this form of chronic ER as a glycogen storage disorder.

Fundamental management of EPSM requires avoiding starch in the diet and providing strictly a fat and fiber diet with appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals. After an EPSM episode, exercise must be reintroduced very gradually, even if plasma CK levels are normal.

Horses with RER are more susceptible to tying-up as their fitness increases and muscle glycogen levels becomes normal. Horses with RER have abnormal calcium regulation within their muscle cells. This calcium regulation defect occurs strictly within muscle cells and at extremely low levels of calcium and is not influenced to any degree by dietary calcium levels.

Two factors of RER: susceptible candidate and a triggering factor causing the calcium channel to malfunction. Horses with RER should avoid straight oats or extruded feeds.

Therefore, feed as many feedings per day as possible. Horses with RER need to be fed a high-fat and high-fiber feed. Fat levels of six per cent or higher, super fibers such as soy hulls and beet pulp are recommended.

In conclusion, strained muscles can also be mistakenly diagnosed as tying-up, adding to the confusion surrounding ER. The greatest challenge when handling horses that demonstrate symptoms of tying-up is to determine the type of muscle disorder. Once the cause is established, the objective is to implement as many of the appropriate preventative measures necessary to reduce and, hopefully, eliminate the clinical expression of tying-up. AB

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BREED PROFILE

THE CASPIAN HORSE “Trotting serenely back into history…”

B Y MON I QU E N OB L E

Nadia Mah’s Albertan separate stud facility allows the studs to roam free and socialize a few miles away from mares and foals. Incredibly social creatures, Caspians do best when kept with other Caspians.

Photo Credit: Starizon Images.

The bas reliefs and hieroglyphs of ancient Rome and Egypt contain legends told by ancient voices that thrill with images of warriors, chariots and hunters along with small equine companions.

The horses depicted, while relatively petite, were detailed as being beautifully built with large, expressive eyes and distinctively shaped heads. It was clear they were neither donkeys nor ponies. The diminutive illustrations of horses that accompanied these legends were long assumed to have been done intentionally so that their handler, as a person of great importance, seemed larger than life. Other theories allowed for a horse’s size to be reduced so the image could be completed in a smaller space. While some scholars accepted these theories, 20 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

Nadia Mah’s herd of mares and foals are incredibly sweet and friendly.

Filly R6S Springs Last Rain shows that even at this young age, you can see the well-defined characteristics that have made this small horse a breed apart. Photo provided by Alina Leavitt.

others wondered if perhaps there wasn’t a small, brave, athletically built, and now extinct horse that had been lost to the ages. It appeared this would remain another mystery of the orient, until a small horse was discovered in 1967 in a remote mountain village by an American horse lover named Louise Firouz.

Louise, along with her Iranianborn husband Narcy Firouz, moved to Tehran in 1957 where she taught horsemanship for many years. It was difficult to find small, well-tempered mounts for her students in Iran and importation of such horses was difficult.

Undiscouraged, Louise followed rumours and old journal entries from the 1920s that mentioned an Iranian tribe that had bred “ponies,” located in

the Elborz mountains at the foot of The Caspian Sea. It was there she discovered a handful of small, distinct horses that had run wild in the region for centuries. A few of these horses had been caught by locals, trained and bred as work horses; they were referred to by villagers in the region as “Pouseki” or “Mouleki.”

At first glance, easily dismissed as overworked ponies under their blankets, loads of goods, or in front of small carts, Louise’s keen eye for horses noted the strong, elegant build, even conformation and distinct head of the Mouleki as separate from a pony. With only about 50 of these horses in existence, Louise brought three back to Tehran on her first trip. While travelling home

BREED PROFILE

Just a few of the Caspians that call Nadia Mah’s facility Rocky 6 S home. Photo Credit: Starizon Images.

with these horses, she was taken by their similarity to bygone horses carved into the ruined walls of an ancient Persian palace near her home. She had a feeling that these small horses were quite probably a near relative to the missing ancient horses of the royals. Louise was noted as whimsically stating that on that trip she watched the horse “trot serenely back into history.”

The abundant food and quiet pastures of the Firouz Tehran ranch rejuvenated the little horses. Louise named them Caspian horses for the region where they had been discovered. The Caspians quickly became favourites, proving willing and affectionate companions for children and small riders. In Louise’s own words, “They are built to carry the weight of a child with the gait of a horse, and, except at full gallop, the speed of a horse. They could, in fact, become perfect children’s ponies if steps were taken to preserve the breed, which, I fear, is in serious danger of extinction.”

Louise and her husband Narcy became devoted to preserving the breed.

She went back to Amol in the mountains and obtained six stallions and seven

The Caspians quickly became favourites, proving willing and affectionate companions for children and small riders. mares, establishing a foundation herd at their home in Tehran. This foundation herd remains the breed standard for Caspian horses to this day.

A true horse in miniature, Caspians have the same appearance and conformational beauty as larger breeds. Genetic testing has proven that they are closely related to, and are most likely the forebears of, Arabian, Turkoman, and Akhal-Teke horses. As the Caspian

Sea has been an area of crossroads since ancient times, this connection to the famed horses of the orient is not surprising. It is only because Caspian horses found refuge in the remotest parts of the mountains that is has remained so unchanged. Caspians are now considered one of the purest forms of the ancient horses of the orient.

Caspian horses have beautifully shaped heads with wide foreheads sloping into a refined and delicate muzzle.

Their ears are small and sweetly shaped, often pointed inward at the tips, giving their owners a happy, interested look. Eyes are large, dewy, and shine with a brightness that reveals a curious and intelligent mind, tempered with an easy-going spirit. Caspian nostrils are delicately shaped and, much like an Arabian’s flare, dramatic with exertion or the proximity of a treat. Heads are followed with a defined throat latch and gorgeously long necks with elegant carriage. Caspians have well defined withers that tie into long shoulders with excellent movement. Not incredibly wide horses, Caspians have well-spaced limbs, a deep chest girth, and nearly oval ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

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BREED PROFILE

CC Mocha displays her adaptable coat in winter finery. Caspians come in most typical colours found in other breeds except for paint colours or creams, as they lack the cream gene required for buckskins, palominos, or other dilute colours. Photo provided by Alina Leavitt.

ribs. It is partly due to this narrowness of body that they are such wonderful mounts for riders of smaller stature.

The breed’s bodies are generally short coupled with a well-defined, strong hindquarter resembling that of an Akhal-Teke, with a sloping croup graced with a low-set but spirited tail. A Caspian’s legs are slender yet strong with length of bone, flat knees, and slightly angled hocks due to their mountainous origins. Their hoofs are dense and incredibly strong; very few Caspians require shoes. The overall appearance of a Caspian is that of a well put together horse in a small package. Despite their small size – at the most 12.2 hands high – they have an aura of length, strength, and elegance that separates them from other small equids such as miniature horses and ponies.

The silky hair coat of the Caspian is another defining characteristic of the breed. Their coats are incredibly soft with fine hair in summer, often produc22 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

ing a lustrous, almost metallic sheen, very much like the Akhal-Teke. In winter, however, they grow a thick insulating and water shedding coat, allowing them to tolerate harsher climates.

Blessed with an immense amount of equally fine mane and tail hair that

The overall appearance of a Caspian is that of a well put together horse in a small package. grows to great lengths, Caspians somehow exude an air of refined wildness.

The tempered wildness of the breed is

what intrigued Nadia Mah of Calgary, Alberta. After an untimely death in her family, Nadia was left to manage a herd of Caspians with little knowledge of the breed. While the learning curve was steep, Nadia was embraced by the small Caspian community in North America, and they helped her through some difficult decisions. Nadia realised that she felt at ease with these little horses, who behaved like their larger cousins, but did not have the same intimidating size. With sweet curious minds and wild yet willing hearts they made an intensely difficult time in Nadia’s life a little easier, and her love for them became a passion to sustain and promote the Caspian breed.

Nadia’s Madden, Alberta facility now boasts around 40 Caspians and includes a separate stud facility where stallions can roam free together without incident. In an effort to ensure that potentially good Caspian stallions are not gelded while the breed is easing

BREED PROFILE away from extinction, Nadia encourages other stallion owners to keep their intact male horses with hers. She co-owns stallions with other breeders and has purchased studs to ensure that bloodlines are not lost.

Nadia and her efforts are in good company, as Caspians now sprinkle the globe due to people who share her love of the breed. One of the most influential people responsible for saving the breed was His Royal Highness, the late Prince Philip of Edinburgh. Prince Philip was gifted a Caspian stud and mare by the Shah of Iran in 1972. This royal gift, along with Mrs. Firouz’s passion for the breed’s survival, inspired Prince Philip to ensure the export of more Caspian horses to the United Kingdom, as he was concerned that the breed was nearing extinction.

Louise’s endeavours to sustain her small herd of endangered horses had been repeatedly thwarted by political turmoil and unrest. Her own herd had been confiscated by the Iranian government twice, followed by the imprisonment of both her and her husband. Once released from jail, Louise – having only been allowed to keep one stallion – for a third time rebuilt her herd of Caspians. For quite some time the Iranian Government made the exportation of Caspians illegal. Thankfully, Caspians from the horses Prince Phillip imported to the U.K. were exempt from this transport ban. U.K. Caspians have been exported to North America, Australia, and Switzerland where they have been bred with some success. Sadly, Louise lost her herd again with the passing of her husband in 1994. Undaunted, Louise began a fourth herd on the Turkoman Steppes in 1999 with help from fellow Caspian lovers around the world. She passed away in 2008 at the age of 74, leaving a legacy of untamed determination to prevail, just like the horses she so loved and brought back from the brink of extinction.

The efforts of Caspian horse breeders across the globe led to numerous Caspian breed associations being formed and studbooks established. In 1994 the first purebred mares, along

It seemed unlikely that war chariots, conquerors and kings would be harnessed to and astride such elfin horses, so the assumed reductions in size became accepted academically, as a matter of style. Bas relief of the “Lydian Horses of Persepolis,” Ancient Persia circa 500 B.C.

Showing an incredible aptitude for jumping, Caspians are quickly taking the youth equestrian world by storm with their athleticism and fearlessness. Here taking a triumphant first in competiton is Jonna Eriksson riding the Caspian mare, Astiz Inez. Photos provided by Sandra Eriksson.

with two studs, were shipped from the U.K. to the United States to secure an American purebred Caspian breeding program. To this day, political unease has made importing Caspians directly to North America from Iran impossible.

Despite international difficulties, North America now boasts about 500 purebred Caspians, their number still quite limited with just under 2,000 horses worldwide.

Despite their small numbers, Caspian horses are well on their way to becoming

a popular mount for petite riders and children. Displaying floating, athletic movement, a quick mind, and exquisite appearance, Caspians can perform a multitude of disciplines from dressage, driving, endurance riding, and, perhaps most surprisingly, jumping. Brave and endearing, this small horse that serenely trotted back into history is ready to jump off the ancient walls of Persia and Egypt into the future of equestrian sport with, once again, unforgettable style. AB ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

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LEASING A HORSE Leasing a horse is similar to owning a horse, but with fewer financial responsibilities. Here’s what you need to know.

B Y J E N N W E B ST E R

A leased horse is a living animal, so even if you are paying to use it, this shouldn’t change the fact that the horse’s best interests, care and training are the number one priority.

Horse ownership might not always be the best option for every equestrian.

For some riders, leasing a horse may be a step in the right direction, without taking over the entire commitment and risk of buying a horse. With over 20 years of equestrian experience and a desire to create the best riding partnerships possible, Jessica Ray of Eureka Equestrian has utilized lease agreements in her business. Here are some of her best pieces of advice for ensuring good outcomes for all parties 24 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

involved.

Originally from Australia, Jessica Ray has worked with high level horses and multiple Olympic riders in five different countries. She came to Canada in 2005 and started Eureka Equestrian in 2010.

Located ten minutes south of Calgary, Alta., Ray specializes in the English disciplines of dressage, jumping, hunter classes, and eventing.

“I believe that riders are never too young to learn about how horses think

and how to set clear and fair expectations for them to be the best riding partners they can be,” Ray explains.

In recent years, Ray has leased her own personal horses, ponies, or sales horses that have come into her program to be sold. She has experience with full and half-leasing, as well.

In this question-and-answer feature, Ray offers her suggestions for when a lease scenario may be the best option for riders and owners – and considerations that should be agreed upon, in advance.

“You can’t have zero risk and 100 per cent benefit. A lease is a shared risk and shared benefit.”

- Jessica Ray

Jessica Ray has over 20 years of experience in the horse industry.

LEASE Q & A WITH JESSICA RAY Q - In what scenario is leasing a horse a good option? (Can you please describe from both the owner of the horse’s and the lessee’s perspective?)

A - Benefits for the horse owner: A share in costs being covered (board, training, farrier, and vet fees can be split, or fully covered depending on lease situation).

The horse gains more experience that the owner might not have the time, nor the skills to develop – such as going to shows and participating in lessons.

Time: often people don’t have six days a week ride, so the horse can still get enough work and care, without the owner having to be there every day.

Benefits for the lessee: Use of a horse without having to purchase one. An opportunity to “dip your toe” into horse ownership, getting the “horse owning” experience without all the cost and time commitments. Getting to ride a horse and not having to go through the process of selling it at the end of the lease period.

I believe the success of leasing comes from the horse and rider being in a highly structured program. It’s not about getting someone’s horse and blazing around on it, unsupervised.

Every ride and lesson are carefully planned to add value to the horse’s training experience – not take away from it. Horses and riders need to be appropriately matched for successful partnerships and then given a lot of continued support.

Owners need to be trusting of the program that the horse is in and not micromanaging the process. If you don’t want to “let go of the reins” to a training program, don’t lease your horse. Make sure the training program is one that aligns with your own horse care ideas and training philosophies. It’s a give and take process and it needs to be fair and even so everyone – especially the horse – wins. Setting clear expectations ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

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Every ride and lesson on a leased horse should be carefully planned to add value to the horse’s training experience – not take away from it.

from the start and having a contract can help. The horse should always be treated with care and respect, and not be used carelessly because someone else owns it. It is still a living animal, so even if you are paying to use it, this shouldn’t change the fact that the horse’s best interests, care, and training are the number one priority.

Natalie Jackman

Q - What considerations should be kept in mind when leasing a horse?

Horses and riders need to be appropriately matched for successful partnerships and then given a lot of continued support.

26 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

A - You can’t micromanage everything when you allow someone else to lease your horse. It’s like renting out your house. You can’t show up every weekend, walk in the door and tell them where to put the couch then sit down and kick your feet up.

Choose someone that you know has had success with students and horses and has horses in the condition that you would like animals to be in. Maintain communication, but also be respectful of people’s boundaries. Don’t phone every day to make sure the horse had his daily carrot quota. Understand that it usually takes some time for everyone to get into

the groove of things with a new horse.

The main goal is that everyone’s number one interest is the best interests of the horse.

Have clear expectations about regular expenses and emergency expenses.

Is the horse insured? Who pays the deductible? How much notice for cancellation of the lease? Who buys the tack and equipment? Everything with horses carries some risk – but as long as the risk is shared between both parties, then it should be a fair situation. You can’t have zero risk and 100 per cent benefit. A lease is a shared risk and shared benefit.

Q - Is a lease something people can do from month to month? Or how long should the time frame for a lease be?

A - Yes. Leasing can be month to month.

A “care lease” means that there is no actual fee paid to get to use the horse.

Basically, you are responsible for the horse as if it were your own. A paid lease is usually for six or 12 months, and the industry standard fee for this is 30 per

cent of the horse’s value, annually. So if your horse is worth $10,000, someone would pay $3,000 for the lease for the year, or $1,500 for six months.

I have done paid leases with more experienced show horses. You are paying for the skills and experience that the rider gets to benefit from – and the horse usually has a fairly high value because it is trained and experienced.

With greener horses, I am of the opinion that it is of more value to the horse owner, because the time and effort to bring along a green horse and get it to shows, etc. is exhausting and expensive.

If someone is doing that for your horse, it is a huge benefit to you as the horse owner.

A lease-to-own can be something like a percentage paid every month until the value of the horse has been paid out in lease fees. When a horse is being leased a long way away, you can agree to a threemonth paid lease, like a trial period.

Then if the lessee decides to purchase, the three months of lease fee comes off the full asking price of the horse, and the lessee-turned-buyer, now pays the remainder.

Q - Who usually looks after the farrier / board / vet bills in a lease?

A - The lessee, typically.

Q - What other advice can you offer on the subject of leasing horses?

A - Make sure the horse will be in a consistent training program with a trainer who has the horse’s best interest at heart. Putting a horse in a situation that doesn’t have consistent support for the lessee or the horse, probably won’t end well. The progress should be on a consistent uphill trajectory – benefitting the horse, the rider, and the owner. It is a delicate balance but like everything with horses, you need to have realistic expectations and timelines. AB

BIO - Jessica Ray is the owner of Eureka Equestrian and, with over 20 yeas of experience, she specializes in English show disciplines – dressage, jumping, hunters and eventing.

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ASK ABOUT INSURANCE

Insurance Information Series One of the many benefits of being a member in good standing with the Alberta Equestrian Federation, is the wide range of insurance coverages that have been designed exclusively for members. In this series, we want to provide a look at some of the valuable features of the products to which you have access. #1 – LIABILITY Five million dollars of personal liability insurance is provided automatically when your membership is deemed to be in good standing with the AEF. This coverage protects you, the member, against legal liability that could be imposed if a horse you own, lease, borrow, or use causes bodily injury or property damage to someone or something else. The insurance is in force 24/7 and covers any number of horses.

Unlike your farm insurance or personal homeowner insurance, the policy is not restricted to a specific horse or any one premise. Coverage is in force worldwide.

Like all insurance policies, there are exclusions. The most notable exclusion is that the policy will not respond to claims surrounding commercial use of your horse. Examples of this include horses used for riding instruction, public trail rides, carriage rides, or any other activity where there is a charge or fee or trade of in-kind for service. This exclusion also applies to breeding or sales barns where the intent or objective of the operation/activity is to generate income.

This policy has been providing coverage to members across Canada for 25 years and has proven time and again to be a reliable safety net when horses behave badly. #2 – ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D) The other automatic insurance benefit for AEF members under the age of 90 is a $40,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) policy. This policy was specifically designed to respond if catastrophic injury or death is the outcome of an interaction with a horse. Like the liability policy, the AD&D coverage is in force 24/7 and is not restricted to any premises. Notable inclusions are coverage while travelling to or from an equine event and some outof-pocket medical costs not covered by government health plans. The policy limit is $40,000 and is defined in the policy as the ‘Principal Sum.’ Depending on the nature of the claim or injury sustained, the payment benefit is either a multiple or derivative of that principal sum.

Looking at a few examples, given the principal sum is 28 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

Insurance can give you significant peace of mind when it comes to horses. Photo credit: Bigstock

$40,000, the claim amounts for the following injuries would be: • Permanent paralysis – 200% of the principal sum; $80,000 • Death –100% of the principal sum; $40,000 • Loss of sight in both eyes – 100% of the principal sum; $40,000 • Loss of hearing in both ears – 66.6% of the principal sum; $26,640 * The above is a partial summary of the benefits provided. For more details of coverage, contact Acera.

Exclusions – The Basic AD&D policy does not include any fracture or dental injury benefits, loss of income, or disability benefits.

Note: coverage for fracture and dental injuries can be purchased separately under ‘Optional AD&D.’ After many years of service, the AD&D policy has helped numerous members manage difficult situations when injuries (or worse) occur. It is this included benefit that may provide the most significant protection and peace of mind to non-horseowners, such as students riding in lesson programs.

Don’t forget that in addition to these two important insurance coverages included in your annual membership dues, there are several optional insurance policies available, including optional AD&D coverage for members, horse mortality, equine emergency lifesaving surgery, tack, and more.

If you have any questions about the insurance benefits associated with your membership in AEF, please contact one of our specialists at Acera Insurance. Call us toll free at 1-800-6701877 or email agri@acera.ca. AB

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

MEMBER ORGANIZ ATIONS AS OF AUGUST 30, 2023 T O F I N D O U T M O R E A B O U T O N E O F T H E S E C L U B S , O R T O J O I N O N E , P L E A S E C O N TA C T T H E M D I R E C T LY 4:13 Therapeutic Riding Association.................................................413therapeuticriding.com Advocates for Special Kids.............................................................. conniehjalmar@gmail.com Alberta Carriage Driving Association (ACDA)........................................ albeartadriving-acda.ca Alberta Donkey and Mule Club.........................................................albertadonkeyandmule.ca Alberta Dressage Association..................................................................albertadressage.com Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association...........................................................vaultcanada.org Alberta Friesian Horse Association (AFHA).................................................................... afha.ca Alberta Gypsy Vanner Horse Club..................................................albertagypsyhorseshow.org Alberta Horse Trials Association............................................................. albertahorsetrials.com Alberta Morgan Horse Club........................................................... albertamorganhorseclub.ca Alberta Mounted Shooters Association..........................................albertamountedshooters.ca Alberta South Region Pony Club......................................canadianponyclub.org/AlbertaSouth Alberta Team Sorting Association................................................................albertasorting.com Alberta Trail Riding Association......................................................................................atra.ca Alberta Walking Horse Association............................................................................. awha.ca Alix Agricultural Society......................................................................alixagsociety.weebly.com American Saddlebred Horse Association of Alberta......................... saddlebredsofalberta.com Averill Saunders Vaulting..................................................................averill4canada@gmail.com Banff Light Horse Association . ................................................................................................

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Association................................................extremecowboyracing.ca Fort Calgary Wheel & Runner Association...................................fortcalgaryoutriders@gmail.co Friends of the Eastern Slopes................................................................................. foesa.orgm Fun Country Riding Club of Strathmore...................................................funcountryriders.com Grande Prairie Gymkhana Club........................................................ gpgymkhana@gmail.com Great Divide Trail Association..................................................................... greatdividetrail.com Greater Edmonton Polocrosse Cub...................................... greateredmontonpolocrosse.com Happy Valley Ag and Recreation Club............................facebook.com/HappyValleyAgandRec Hastings Lake Pleasure Horse Association.............. hastingslakepleasurehorseassociation.org Hay Lakes Riders Club........................................... facebook.com/groups/369030996443877 High Country Carriage Driving.................................................................................... hccdc.ca High Country Pony Club...............canadianponyclub.org/AlbertaSouth/branches/highcountry/ Irricana & District Agricultural Society...................................................... irricanaagsociety.com Journeys Therapeutic Riding Society.............................................................................. jtrs.ca Jump Alberta Society.................................................................................... jumpalberta.com Kansas Ridge Riders Club......................................................... kansasridgeriders@gmail.com Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association................................................................. littlebits.ca Meadow Creek Vaulting Club...................................................................................... mcvc.ca Millarville Musical Ride......................................................facebook.com/MillarvilleMusicalRide Miniatures in Motion...................................................collies72.wixsite.com/miniaturesinmotion Mount View Special Riding Association.................................................. mountviewriding.com Northern Trails Riding Club........................................................... northerntrailsridingclub.com Okotoks Polocrosse Club....................................... facebook.com/groups/389241199900459 Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society of Calgary...................................... openinggaits.ca Over the Hills Trail Riders............................................................................fjhorses@syban.net Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society (PARDS) ................................................. pards.ca Peace Region Alberta Dressage Association (PRADA).............................albertadressage.com Peace Draft Horse Club.................................................... facebook.com/peacedrafthorseclub Peace Region Pony Club.....................................................peaceregionponyclub.weebly.com Performance Standardbreds Association..................................................p-standardbreds.org Ponoka Riding & Roping Association.............................................gofasthorses13@gmail.com Polocrosse Calgary Society...................................................... polocrossecalgary.weebly.com

Ranahan Polocrosse Club.....................................................ranahanpolocrosse@gmail.com Ridgeview Riding Club.......................................................... ridgeviewridingclub@gmail.com Rimbey Sleigh, Wagon & Saddle Club.................................facebook.com/RimbeySWSClub Robinson Outreach at Rivercross Ranch...................................................................roarr.org Rocky Mountain Gymkhana Club..................................facebook.com/groups/98954016608 Rundle Riders Therapeutic Riding Association.............................................rundleriders.com St Paul Agricultural Society.................................................................... stpaulagsociety.com Saddle Seat Canada..........................................................................saddleseatcanada.com Shortgrass Riding Club........................................................................lwaynemu@eidnet.org Society of Tilt and Lance Cavalry...............................................................................joust.ca South Country Team Penning Association................................................................sctpa.ca South Peace Horse Club..............................................................southpeacehorseclub.com Southern Alberta Trail Riders Association...................................................................satra.ca Southern Century Team Roping Association............................ southcenturyteamroping.com Spring Fling Society.................................................................................. springflingshow.ca Stone Bridge Carriage Driving Club................ facebook.com/stonebridgecarriagedrivingclub Strathcona All-Breed Horse Association...................................................... sahaalberta.com Tennessee Walking Horse Association of Western Canada................................ twhawc.com Trail Riding Alberta Conference (TRAC)............................................................... trailriding.ca Traildusters Horse Club of Smith..................................................traildustersclub@gmail.com True Grit Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association............ facebook.com/tgmountedshooters Valley Riders Saddle Club............................................................ sandyrich2323@gmail.com Valleyview & Districts Agricultural Society.............................................valleyviewagsociety.ca Vermilion Agricultural Society.........................................................................avermilionag.ca Western Canadian Wagon Train..........................................................gsissons@hotmail.com Whitecourt Horse Club........................................................whitecourthorseclub@gmail.com Wild Rose Draft Horse Association.......................................................................wrdha.com Wildrose Ranch Roping Association.....................facebook.com/groups/768551003291321 Working Equitation Canada - Alberta Region.................................................... workingeq.ca Xtreme Wild Rose Club................................................................. xtremewildrose.webs.com Youth Development - Alberta Dressage Association............................................................... ....................................albertadressage.com/youth-development/youth-development-about

BUSINESS MEMBERS 3D Paints and Quarter Horses............................................................ northernhorse.com/3d Acera Insurance Services Ltd....................................................................agri@capricmw.ca Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health..........................................................bicanadaequine.ca CAECO Ranch............................................................................................caecoranch.com Canadian Institute of Equine and Canine Body Works Ltd...................... ciecbweducation.ca Clipped N’ Ready Equine Services.....................facebook.com/clippednreadyequineservices Copper Pony Poles + Equestrian Sporting Equipment....................................copperpony.ca Creekside Equestrian Centre....................................................................................mcvc.ca Crosshair Springs Equine Services................................................. kristacritch@hotmail.com Diesel Overhead Doors Inc............................................................dieseloverheaddoors.com Digger’s Place............................................................................................ digbits@msn.com DMC Stables............................................................................................... dmcstables.com Eckwood Equestrian.................................................................................eckwoodequine.ca Equine Connection - The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning...........equineconnection.ca Equine Haven Recovery Care and Equestrian Centre Ltd...............................equinehaven.ca Foothills Horse Transport.............................................................foothillshorsetransport.com Grassroots Equine Essentials.... facebook/Grassroots-Equine-Essentials-109575231658747 Gypsy Horses of Horn Hill............................................. facebook.com/gypsyhorsesofhornhill Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch Equipment........................................................................ hi-hog.com Horse Expo Canada.........................................................................................horseexpo.ca Horse In Hand Ranch Ltd.................................................................. horseinhandranch.com Kim Penner Equine Art........................................................................ kimpenner.com/about Paradise Acres Ranch.......................................................................paradiseacresranch.net Purina Canada.................................................................................................. equipurina.ca Rein It In................................................................................................................. reinitin.ca Rewind Equine..........................................................................................rewindequine.com Ride Fit Equestrian..................................................................................................ridefit.net Rivers Edge Camping Association.......................................................... riversedgecamp.org Rocking Heart Ranch Ltd.............................................................. rockingheartranchltd.com Rocking Star Ranch Equine.................................................................... rockingstarranch.ca Royal T Equestrian Inc................................................................. royaltequestrian.webs.com Saltaire Equestrian Haus..................................................................... saltaireequestrian.com Summer Sonnett Stables............................................. facebook.com/summersonnetstables Sunglade Ranch Ltd o/a BioEquine.com........................................................ bioequine.com Takoda Equine Therapy.................................................................takodaequinetherapy.com TD Equine Veterinary Group......................................................................... tdequinevet.com The Horse Store ...........................................................................................horsestore.com The School of Equine Massage and Rehabilitation Therapies......................... equinerehab.ca The Tack Collector Ltd.............................................................................. thetackcollector.ca Ti-DOX Enviro Tek LTD............................................................................................ ti-dox.ca Tyrrell Riding Academy Inc...............................................................tyrrellridingacademy.com Western Horse Review....................................................................westernhorsereview.com Whispering Equine Bodyworks Inc..................................... whisperingequinebodyworks.com Whitemud Equine Learning Centre Association........................................................ welca.ca Wise Equestrian..............................................................................wiseequestrianrentals.net Y’Knott Ranch Inc........................................................... facebook.com/YKnottNorthAlberta

ALBERTAON BITS FALL 2023 BE SURE TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS MEMBERS! THOSE LISTED IN BLUE PROVIDE DISCOUNTS TO AEF MEMBERS. VISIT OUR LIST OF EQUINE FACILITIES OURI WEBSITE!

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HOLD YOUR HORSES Nuggets of truth for people who love horses… no matter what.

B Y B ON N I E T I M MON S

HOLD YOUR HORSES available on Amazon

amazon.ca/Hold-Your-Horses-Nuggets-People/dp/0761115366

ACCEPTIN NOMINAT G IONS OCTOBE R1 TO DECEMB ER 31

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond in the equine community who you think deserves recognition?

• Sportsmanship Excellence • Outstanding Stable/Facility • Outstanding Equine Support Personnel • Outstanding Instructor/Coach

• Outstanding Volunteer • Above & Beyond Excellence • Outstanding Horse • Outstanding Athlete/Rider

ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023

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32 ALBERTA BITS I FALL 2023