Alberta Bits 2024 Summer Edition

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SUMMER 2024; VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2

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 Di Benedetto INDIVIDUAL Brooke Hartwick INDIVIDUAL Edna Kaiser INDIVIDUAL Cailin Kopetski 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

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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

Summer office hours, June 21 to Sept. 13: Mon. to Thurs. 8:30 to 4:30, Fri. 8:30 to noon.

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FOR EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES CONTACT: ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Webster ART DIRECTOR Kendra Roberts PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

Sonia Dantu • Monique Noble • Kenda Lubeck CONTRIBUTORS

After the Rein, Kim Anderson Riley Brandt, Victoria Klassen Nikki Knopp, Mādahòkì Farms Katie Matthews, Tania Millen Monique Noble, Sandy Sharkey Bonnie Timmons Helen Wilson ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

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6 PRESI DENT ’S MESSAGE 6 EX ECUT I VE DI RECTOR’S MESSAGE 8 BI T S & PI ECES Introducing the 2024 newest AEF board members. Charlotte Holloway

reaches the 2,000-hour milestone achievement and news from the Alberta Back Country.

10

HOW TO BR A I D MA NES & TA I LS Professional braider, Victoria Klassen, gives us some advice for competition braiding.

14

TRAILS If you’re planning an epic summer trail ride this year, Tania Millen has some advice

before you go.

18

AEF ANNUAL AWARDS Congratulations to these deserving AEF members who have made positive

impacts throughout our community!

20

A HORSE’S LEGACY There is a special herd of horses who are training the next generation of

veterinarians at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

22

BREED PROFILE Rich in history, the Lac La Croix Indigenous Pony is indeed, a special breed.

28

ASK ABOUT INSURANCE Are you insured to haul that horse? Mike King answers all your questions.

29 30 31

CLUB & BUSINESS LISTINGS HOLD YOUR HORSES KID’S CORNER

ADVERTISING SALES DEADLINES Fall 2024: August 26, 2024 FOR A MEDIA KIT AND/OR RATE CARD PLEASE CONTACT ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM All material is copyright 2024. 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

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SUMMER 2024

A Beginner’s Guide to

BRAIDING

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Message from President, Jason Edworthy As the newly appointed President of the Alberta Equestrian Federation, I am both honoured and humbled to step into this role as of March this year.

Each day is a learning journey about the intricacies of this position, our exceptional programs, our dedicated members, and our talented staff. The seamless operations of our board, a testament to Sandy Bell’s thoughtful leadership before me, continue to inspire me.

As we embrace the warmer days and increased activities with our horses, both outdoors and in the arena, your AEF Board of Directors is diligently focusing on pivotal areas such as executing our strategic plan and ensuring exemplary governance within the federation.

Our goal is to ensure that every member sees the tangible benefits of their membership, which spans from coach certification, Wild Rose sanctioned competitions, and educational seminars to liability insurance, advocacy for accessible safe trails, and support for our member clubs and businesses.

A cornerstone of our strategy is to

offer robust, valuable, and accessible learning opportunities. Initiatives like ‘Meet a Horse’ are designed to bolster our membership, particularly among youth and underrepresented communities.

We are committed to leading in environmental and social responsibility.

Our vision includes making barns and stables more sustainable, implementing safe sport practices, embracing inclusion and diversity, and promoting the highest standards of horse welfare to maintain our sport and work’s social license.

With a blend of fresh and seasoned voices on our board, we are enhancing our learning, onboarding procedures, and annual evaluation practices to ensure continued robust leadership for our organization.

Our efforts hinge on a responsible and sustainable financial framework. We are dedicated to growing our membership, seeking grants aligned with our values, and listening intently to our members to enhance their experiences.

However, the role of your Board of Directors isn’t all about work. Keep an eye out for them at shows and

Jason Edworthy, President

events; they might be observing or even competing. They’re also likely to be found enjoying trail rides and other forms of recreation, just like over 75 per cent of our members do with their equine partners.

I wish you all a delightful summer filled with opportunities to work, compete, and play with your equine partners. Stay safe, have fun, and here’s to a season of memorable achievements and connections.

Warmest regards. AB

Message from Executive Director, Sonia Dantu I trust this message finds you relishing the warmth of summer and embracing the days of peak sunshine.

As we immerse ourselves in the heart of our summer programming, I am delighted to share some updates and insights from our operations, which guide us as we navigate forward.

First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who joined us in celebrating our Annual Provincial Award winners at Stride With Us on March 23! Your unwavering support means the world to our deserving recipients. A special acknowledgment goes out to Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor, Tyler Smith, for graciously sharing his inspirational journey. Tyler’s resilience and triumph over adversity, as 6 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

he shared his story, ‘Perspectives After Trauma’, serves as a beacon of hope and connection for us all.

We also extend a sincere thank you to the dedicated volunteers who lent their time, energy, and a few late nights to our fundraising casino in Calgary on April 16 and 17. Your invaluable contributions truly make our initiatives possible.

At the heart of our operation lies a commitment to quality and transparency. Every interaction with our members is another chance to add value to our industry. We strive to highlight key milestones, challenges, and opportunities that shape our journey together. Your engagement provides us with important insights

Sonia Dantu, Executive Director

that will help shape future planning and development.

As we press onward to fulfill our strategic objectives, our aim is not only to meet, but to exceed the expectations of you, our members. Your support helps us realize sustainable growth and deliver experiences that meet the needs of every member in our community.

Some highlights from recent activities include: Grant overview and funding: We continue to secure vital funding to reinforce our initiatives, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Member funding applications: Your passion and dedication provide a basis for us to allocate resources where they are most needed, supporting your aspirations and endeavors.

Online store performance: Our online store continues to flourish, offering a seamless shopping experience and a diverse range of products to cater to your needs. If you haven’t already, I

encourage you to explore the array of products available.

Ongoing policy creation: Our commitment to excellence remains as we foster an environment where all members feel safe, included, and respected.

Communications and engagement: From website management to social media outreach, we remain dedicated to enhancing member engagement and amplifying our industry’s voice.

Athlete and officials development: We are invested in your growth and development, providing comprehensive training programs and opportunities for advancement in your respective roles.

In our journey we remain committed to excellence, innovation, and collaboration. I look forward to meeting you on the trails as you enjoy summer.

Make the most of it and stay safe.

With warm regards. AB

Work with a Train Your Seat rider biomechanics coach to elevate your riding.

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ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

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BITS & PIECES

WARM WELCOME to Our Newest Board Members

The Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) held its annual general meeting in March, welcoming new leadership, and positioning for ambitious strategic goals for the upcoming year.

During the meeting, new board members were elected and the previous President-Elect, Jason Edworthy, assumed the role of President. Joining Edworthy are newly elected board members Louise Caplan, Alisa Di Benedetto, and Ally Penic.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new board members and are confident they will help lead the AEF toward a future of continued growth and success,” said Edworthy.

“Their diverse backgrounds and passion for delivering on our mission will be invaluable as we work to fulfill our shared strategic goals.”

The AEF extended its deepest appreciation to outgoing President Sandy Bell for her transformative leadership over the past three years. Under her guidance, the board evolved significantly, focusing on future planning, competency-based governance, and implementing crucial policies. As Sandy transitions to Past President, the AEF celebrates her legacy of resilience and dedication to the equestrian community, expressing gratitude for her ongoing mentorship.

The AEF also took the opportunity to express sincere gratitude to outgoing board members Mary Bell, Brenda Spanier, and Nicolas Brown for their years of dedicated 8 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

service and contributions to the organization.

Reflecting on the past year, the AEF highlighted several achievements, including increased clinics, the expansion of the Wild Rose Competition Program, and certification of 25 per cent of Canada’s new NCCP licensed equestrian coaches in 2023.

Looking ahead, the AEF outlined key areas of focus for the upcoming year, including: • Emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the equestrian community.

• Introduction and promotion of the Safe Sport Policy Suite to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.

• Rollout of a new strategic communication and engagement plan to better connect with members and stakeholders.

• Advancing technological capabilities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of AEF operations.

• Implementing a balanced and diverse approach to clinics and events to cater to the needs and interests of all members.

“We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and are committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive equestrian community in Alberta,” said Edworthy.

“Together with our dedicated board members, staff, volunteers, and members, we look forward to achieving our vision for the future of the AEF.” AB

BITS & PIECES

RIDE AND DRIVE 2,000-HOUR MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT Ride and Drive 2000 Hours - Charlotte Holloway. Photo: Kim Anderson

Charlotte Holloway has been a loyal participant in the Ride and Drive Program since 2016. Prior to signing up for Ride and Drive, Charlotte took part in the free youth activity program, Live Outside the Box. She says she has found the Ride and Drive program enjoyable

as it provides a log and captures precious memories of time spent with her horses and friends.

Charlotte began riding around the age of six, and joined Pony Club when she was eight. One of Charlotte’s most memorable moments was at the Cochrane Dres-

sage Show where she competed under the guidance of her coach, Kelly Carter.

Charlotte also enjoys riding with Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society where she is a volunteer with the program.

Congratulations, Charlotte! That’s quite an achievement. AB

ALBERTA BACK COUNTRY

Efforts are progressing toward the creation of a province-wide association of riders and drivers keen on preserving and enhancing equestrian trails and campsites in Alberta and ensuring our ongoing ‘right to access.’

Volunteers from throughout the province have formed a group currently operating as Alberta Back Country Horsemen. The group has sent an application into the province requesting official society status. The group’s principal purpose is to safeguard equestrian access to wilderness trails. This includes physical maintenance of existing trails, equine camp facilities, and staging areas on public land.

The group is encouraged by an outstanding response on social media – a Facebook page created in January attracted more than 2,400 followers by April.

The interim volunteer board of directors has established a set of bylaws, opened a bank account, purchased insurance, and will soon start accepting members. (Contributions towards start-up costs would be

Kelsey Noland and her daughter, Jody Mills, enjoy a wilderness ride in Kananaskis Country. Photo: Katie Matthews.

gratefully accepted.)

Within its bylaws, the group has laid foundations to build a network of regional chapters whose members will focus on local trail maintenance and access, as well as fundraising and social events.

Alberta Back Country Horsemen has become a member of the Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF), and its interim board of directors welcomes the encouragement expressed by the AEF board and

staff. This new group is modelled after the Back Country Horsemen Society of BC, which was established in 1991, and similar groups formed across the USA since the early 1970s.

The ABCH website is under construction, however, you may keep track of their progress by following their Facebook group. For more information, email albertabackcountryhorsemen@ gmail.org. AB ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

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HOW TO BRAID MANES & TAILS A beginner’s guide to some common braids.

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

Victoria Klassen of Calgary, AB, has been riding since she was 12-years-old and has always been passionate about the hunter/jumper circuit. She began learning how to braid horses in her barn when she was 16. Developing her skills as a braider came out of necessity, as it was a requirement to help pay for her lessons.

“I think my parents got one braiding bill and they were like, ‘Uh... no!’ And it was probably only $25 at the time,” chuckles Klassen. She explains that coming from a middle-class family meant if her horse needed to be braided to attend shows, so be it. She wasn’t 10 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

about to let anything stand in her way of achieving the time on horseback she craved as a teenager.

“I had to figure it out,” she says.

“There was a client in the barn who helped me learn to braid well enough to get paid for it – she taught me that under no circumstances would there be sick days, and I needed to commit.

When you’re learning, the braids don’t always look great, but it’s all about practice, practice, practice and the commitment to it.”

Klassen says that there weren’t many braiders in the barn when she was growing up, therefore, she was taught

how to braid as part of her regular horse husbandry duties.

“I learned how to braid my own horse, the trainer’s horses, and I was teaching beginner riding lessons. And then I started getting good enough to braid client’s horses,” Klassen tells. “I became the ‘barn braider’ and other barns began hiring me to braid their horses as well. That’s how I got my start.”

Fresh off the $25,000 United States Hunter Jumper Association International Hunter Derby held at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, B.C., Klassen took time out to chat

with us about some common braiding practices. She explains how she helps deliver polished, well-turned-out appearances for horses, and extends some of her best bits of braiding advice.

HUNTER BRAIDS

Braiding often relates back to tradition. There are purposes and historical rituals as to why equine braids have been utilized – and the practice varies from breed to discipline.

“Typically I braid mostly for hunters and jumpers,” Klassen explains.

“However, I can do dressage horses, drafts, Lusitanos, etc.”

Braiding for the hunter ring is meant to compliment a horse’s good conformation and accentuate its topline.

“Hunters are judged on their appearance. It’s like figure skating over fences,” she says. “The turnout, the form over fences – everything is judged based on appearance.”

Historically, hunters were braided to keep the mane from getting tangled in the riders’ hands and in the brambles, especially during fox hunting. Tails were also elegantly done in a French braid, to show off the hindquarters, and then one braid finished up the forelock.

Braiding (or “plaiting”) was a status symbol and provided an elite, polished look.

Today, hunters usually sport 30 to 50 tiny, neat, little braids on the right side, completed with “loops” tied with yarn or string that bring the finished mane up close to the crest of the neck.

The yarn typically matches the color of the horse’s mane, like cream colour in a flaxen mane, or brown in a chestnut.

Although lately, Klassen reports that clients are requesting more “fun” colours.

“I’m having so much fun lately, having grown up with traditional colors and now I can use burgundy, navy, and some pastels. It gives the mane that extra bit of pizzaz!” Klassen states.

Additionally, some braiders are incorporating cute charms into manes.

Back in the day, grooms would often craft one braid with a different color from the rest and call it a “lucky braid.”

As such, in today’s hunter rings the

This image shows the contrast of using different coloured yarn on a horse’s dark mane. The trend is becoming very popular in the hunter ring these days.

charms are deemed to be lucky.

“Braiding – especially with the charms – is becoming more of an art form. It gives us something ‘a little extra’ to add to our work, without incorporating anything too obnoxious!

The charms are very dainty and subtle,” she tells.

“It’s really neat the next morning when some of the pony kids run in to see their mounts. They are excited to see what kind of charm they got that day.”

For special occasions like Easter, clients may even request pastel colours.

They are also asking for different types of tail braids. This may include a French braided tail with wrap, a French braided tail with pinwheel, or a Dutch braided tail.

“The tail is about creating a tidy look for the horse’s hindquarters,” Klassen says. “The braid goes all the way down to the end of the dock and creates a nice, linear appearance when the horse jumps the obstacles. The braid is always secured at the bottom of the dock and not left long in a braid. This creates a lovely flow and prevents a ‘whipping effect’ as the horse jumps.”

Fake tails or “wigs” are also sometimes added to give more volume and “flow” to the horse’s movement.

DRESSAGE BRAIDS

Similar to hunter braids, dressage braids are meant to accentuate and show off the horse’s topline, and, more specifically, the neck. As dressage horses often have more “crestier” necks than those of the refined hunter, competitors want the judge’s eye to be drawn to the roundness and consistency of the neck.

As such, rosettes, or braids that are larger and more widely spaced than traditional hunter-style button braids, are often observed. Taped mane loops, running braids, and the odd diamond-braided mane may also be seen in dressage competition, depending on the breed.

“Dressage clients most often request the rosettes from me, as opposed to other types of braids,” Klassen relays.

“These braids are small, lie flat against the neck in a ball and create a very neat appearance.”

Klassen explains that dressage horses usually have no more than ten braids spaced evenly down the neck, with the ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

11

Before and after. The top image shows one of Klassen’s client horses with the braids “down,” in the first step. The bottom image displays how she “buttons them up” to finish. Victoria Klassen

goal of accentuating the horse’s well-built topline. Additionally, the tails of dressage horses are usually left unbraided.

“They used to shave down the sides of the horse’s tail dock, so it would be streamlined and not so bushy at the dock. Then they would leave the tail flowing. In any grooming book I had growing up, this was standard practice.”

Lusitanos and Andalusians frequently utilize a running braid or a diamond braid.

“They have very thick manes, therefore, these types of braids are more commonly a ‘breed thing.’ It helps to keep the horse’s mane from flying everywhere because many times these horses have hair that extends past the point of their shoulder,” she says.

“The riders don’t want to cut the manes – they want to maintain that wild look. So, to clean it up, they’ll do a running braid or a diamond braid for competition.”

BEST PRACTICES

Here are some of Klassen’s best tips and pieces of advice for braiding success – either if you are doing the job yourself or employing a professional to help you.

12 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

Top: from an unpulled mane. Middle: to a pulled mane. Bottom: to a fully braided mane. Victoria Klassen

you give the braider 1 Ensure the correct stall information for your horse. Many times, braiders

will be working in the wee hours of the morning and, if they are given an incorrect stall number, someone else’s horse might end up with your hunter treatment.

using slinkies overtop 2 Avoid of braids.

Klassen says there is nothing more dangerous than asking a professional braider to put a slinky overtop of a braid job – especially if the horse has never worn one before. It’s not a braider’s job to train a horse to wear a slinky for the first time, particularly in the middle of the night.

“I have had to rescue people from horses that were so upset wearing a slinky, that it became dangerous for everyone involved.

I have also seen horses require surgery after catching themselves on buckets, hooks, or nails in the stalls because the slinkies catch and then they stretch. The horse may become physically stuck and then they panic,” she says.

Bottom line is, use a high-necked blanket to help protect the braids instead. “Often we work at night or in the early morning

and it’s cool then, so the horse probably won’t become overheated before you get there,” Klassen explains.

“A little higher-necked blanket is usually the best bet for protecting the braids, better than anything else.”

Make the braids tight and 3 look after them accordingly.

Horses don’t necessarily have nerve endings in the mane bed. However, as most professional braiders will make the braids very tight in order to maintain a neat appearance and ensure they stay in, Klassen recommends taking the braids out after you are done competing for the day.

“Keeping the braids in for too long can cause the horse to become itchy and uncomfortable. I suggest that people take them out every day.”

4 Avoid scissors!

Horses with pulled manes are beautifully functional. Pulled manes are usually three to five inches long, evenly all the way down the horse’s neck. A pulled mane – which is achieved by thinning out the mane with a comb – is easier and more even to braid. If your horse

A “wild” unmade, straight-out-of-bed look. Klassen put rolled jumper braids in to show off this horse’s neck. This technique can also be done for dressage horses to show off the crest of their neck. Victoria Klassen

does not have a pulled mane, it will take much longer for a professional braider to get the job done as scissored ends don’t tie up well nor do they sit comfortably on the neck.

However, if your horse does not have a properly pulled mane, do not try and achieve a short mane with clippers and/or scissors! The end result will be a hideous, sharp, and uneven line – we promise!

It’s always best to prepare your horse for a pulling comb well before competition time, and if this is not possible, again, put the scissors away and let your braider work their magic.

Remember, there is a fee 5 associated with professional

braiding services. An average braiding bill usually runs around $100 to $110 for a set ($80 for the mane and $30 for the tail,) depending on where you are showing and the experience of the braider. This may seem expensive at first but considering you won’t have to be the one up with your horse at three in the morning to braid, and the fact that the job usually requires a good hour – plus a considerable amount of expertise – it’s a very reasonable fee.

Klassen starts here with a longer, blunt cut mane. “I don’t recommend scissors; it’s so much harder to make the braids sit straight!” she exclaims. Still, Klassen works her magic, and the bottom picture shows the result. Victoria Klassen

Klassen says that if her clients are interested in learning how to braid, she is more than willing to help them.

“With the amount of information on the internet these days, there’s absolutely no reason a person can’t learn how to do this themselves,” she says. “It takes a lot of practice, and it is a very physical job, but I’m always proud of the job I do once it’s done. Owners don’t realize how well we know their horses; we take pride in making them as comfortable as possible and it’s such a compliment when they snooze during their beauty treatment.”

Klassen relays that she loves the solitude of braiding at night. “It is so meditative.

You just hear the horses munching on overnight hay, some are having vivid dreams like big dogs, and the snores are so cute!

“Sadly, it seems like there aren’t many people who want to learn about the technique of braiding these days. We used to have to braid our horses first, in order to then be able to ride. But that’s not the case anymore. And while this is only what I do on the side, people underestimate the amount of work that is involved – we make it look so simple!” she tells.

“People show up in the morning and

it’s like ‘voila!’ Magic! It’s too bad. I feel as though braiding is an art form that we have to preserve. Pride in your horse’s turnout is showing pride in your horse, yourself, and work ethic, as well as respect for the judge in the ring.” AB

This image showcases Klassen’s tail braiding work. Shown here is a French braided tail with a pinwheel finish.

ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

13

TRAILS

SUMMER TRAILS: Are You Prepared?

B Y TA N IA M I L L E N

As summer approaches, many of us are planning trail rides throughout Alberta. As with most things, preparation can prevent a fun adventure from turning into an unpleasant, epic experience. Training, conditioning, and forming a strong relationship with your horse will help you stay safe and enjoy the ride. So here are some training suggestions and possible responses to unexpected experiences that may occur on the trails this summer.

BEARS

Unfortunately, bears come out of hibernation around the same time that riders start hitting the trails. That means it’s possible you’ll bump into a mama bear and cubs. Preparing for this potential encounter ahead of time is key. Here are some suggestions.

1. Take a Bear Aware course to learn about bears, what to do when you encounter them, and how to use bear spray correctly.

2. Create a black plywood bear cut-out and set it up in and around your horse’s pasture so they can investigate it at their leisure. Once they’ve overcome their fear, use it in your groundwork sessions.

Then place the fake bear in different locations where you ride to help train your preferred under-saddle response.

Preparation, training and conditioning for the trails are key success components.

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TRAILS

3. Attach a cowbell to an old English stirrup leather to create a bear bell for your horse. A slot through the tail end of the leather can be used to ‘turn the bell off ’ by sliding the slot over the dinger. Train your horse to accept the cowbell buckled around its neck. Horses often don’t like the noise so introduce it slowly. When riding trails where bear encounters are possible, ensure your horse is carrying the bell and turn it on or off, as needed.

4. Leave your dog at home. Even dogs with exceptional recall can forget their lessons, plus, mama bears are particularly protective.

So having a dog with you could result in a mama bear charging you, your horse, and dog in an effort to protect her cubs from a wolf look-alike. That gets very dangerous, very fast.

BEES

Encountering bees or wasps while trail riding is distinctly unpleasant. Sometimes horses hear the buzzing biters and refuse to continue down the trail. So if your horse suddenly stops and appears worried, it’s wise to respect their opinion.

However, the most common way that horses encounter wasps is by inadvertently threatening them – stepping on a

ground nest or upsetting a nest in a rotten log. When riding in a group, the first rider may pass unaware, the second rider’s horse may be worried by the buzzing noise, while the third horse often gets stung repeatedly (and sometimes creates a rodeo).

So pay attention to this possibility when group riding and leave the area promptly if a nest is encountered.

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TRAILS

MOOSE & DEER

BICYCLES

It’s easy to imagine how a cyclist could look like a strange predator to a horse. They move quickly in straight lines, make little noise, and their legs go around in circles. So it’s wise to teach your horse about bikes at home. One method is to simply ride a bike around their pasture, talking in your normal voice, handing out treats when they approach. After that, ask a friend to ride their bicycle alongside you while you ride. Once your horse accepts that, your cyclist could ride toward you and come up behind you, in preparation for what may occur on trails and roads.

If you’re trail riding and a cyclist approaches, engage them in conversation and ask them to stop. A stationary cyclist is less threatening, plus the sound of a human voice will reassure your horse. If a cyclist is coming up behind you, do the same but turn and face them so your horse is less worried about a potential predator attacking from behind.

Many horses have seen deer wandering through their pastures, so a deer sighting usually doesn’t cause horses to react. However, deer carefully tiptoeing through the bush adjacent to a forested trail where you’re riding, can make horses nervous. Encountering a moose or hearing one crash through brush can trigger a flight response in horses.

One way to train your horse for this experience is to ride with a partner and take turns either riding along a trail or busting through the adjacent bushes. This will help your horse get used to the sound of crackling brush and potentially reduce its reaction when it hears a large animal in the bush.

BUGS

Mosquitoes, black flies, deer flies, horse flies, and other biting bugs can irritate horses. A common solution is to douse your horse with fly spray for a buggy ride and carrying spray on longer rides. It’s easy to train your horse to accept fly spray using water in a spray bottle and positive reinforcement.

Before spraying your whole horse, test the spray on a small area to ensure it doesn’t irritate your horse’s skin.

HIKERS

Hikers carrying large backpacks and trekking poles can look threatening to horses. So, when encountering hikers on the trail, engage them in conversation and ask them to stop.

As with the cyclist, a stationary hiker is less threatening, plus the sound of a human voice will reassure your horse. Horses also seem to dislike the ‘clicking’ sound of trekking poles on rocks, so when the hiker stops, this noise disappears and horses become less worried.

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PORCUPINES

Porcupines aren’t a threat to horses, however, the scratching noises they make when climbing trees often upsets them. So train your horse to accept odd noises before traipsing into the woods.

Dogs are also drawn to these prickly beasts. It’s wise to either leave your dog at home or ensure they have perfect recall. It’s no fun for a dog, or their owner, to deal with a snout full of quills.

These are only some of the potential threats that horses and riders may encounter on the trails this summer. So while it’s impossible to prepare for every conceivable encounter when on riding trails, specific training and building a strong connection with your horse will go a long way toward keeping you both safe when you come across something unusual. AB

TRAILS

Leave your dogs at home and build a strong connection with your horse before heading out on the trail.

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2023 Annual Provincial Award Winners CELEBRATING SUCCESS

OUTSTANDING STABLE/FACILITY

Milestone Farms At Milestone Farms, safety and horse care are paramount. Horses are treated as individuals, hay is tested, fences are pristine, and the facility and grounds are impeccable. The barn family operates on the foundations of communication, inclusivity, and respect. You can’t help but feel at home at Milestone Farms.

OUTSTANDING HORSE

Sweetheart, owned by Joyce Enders This little horse is simply amazing! She has done more to grow equestrian sport than any other horse, she has raised kids and given countless others wonderful introductions to the world of equines. She has competed at Spruce Meadows and taught hundreds of kids to ride. Sweetheart is a favourite of everyone she encounters.

OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTOR/COACH

Gabriele Klotz Gaby is an outstanding coach for so many reasons. She keeps her students focused and supports them to keep going when they need encouragement. She never lets them leave a lesson without ensuring they fully understood the lesson.

She does so many “extras,” always making people feel at ease and motivating them to continue improving. Her students are not only friends, but part of her extended family.

OUTSTANDING EQUINE SUPPORT PERSONNEL

Mollie Ferris Mollie demonstrates an unwavering passion and commitment to horses, the equine industry, and equestrian sports in Alberta. She maintains an Alberta Veterinary License, and with her equine expertise, Mollie is not only able to serve as a caring and efficient groom, she also effectively monitors the horses’ health and happiness. At competitions and clinics, she is always the first to step up and help work with other grooms and owners to aid in the success of all horse and rider combinations.

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Congratulations!

Special thanks to our official Annual Provincial Awards program partner, Acera Insurance.

SPORTSMANSHIP EXCELLENCE

Dolly Lehne This young lady exudes sportsmanship excellence. She places the welfare of her horse at the forefront, showing a deep understanding and respect for her equine partner. In response to challenges faced by her peers, at the age of 16 Dolly took a remarkable step by establishing the Love, Dolls Equestrian Society to promote mentorship and connection between members. Dolly has volunteered countless hours to many non-profit organizations in her community. She maintains a selfless attitude, embodying the true essence of sportsmanship.

OUTSTANDING ATHETE/RIDER

Daniel Klotz-Dedora Daniel is a disciplined and driven vaulter who trains tirelessly and always takes time to support his teammates, mentor new vaulters, and ensure the horses get the best care possible. In 2023 Daniel competed in vaulting as an individual and in squad, representing Canada at the FEI level in both, at the World Junior Championships in Sweden. This level of competition requires an immense amount of dedication and training, not only for the human athlete but also the horse, to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared.

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER

Daphnine Di Lillo Daphnine is the Calgary Stampede Showrider Committee Chair. She loves being a part of this amazing group and she is the biggest cheerleader and supporter.

The group can count on her professionalism every time. She is always available to answer a question or lend a helping hand; she truly goes above all expectations to help bring out the best in everyone. She selflessly devotes many, many volunteer hours to the program.

ABOVE & BEYOND EXCELLENCE

Christine Collins Christine always goes above and beyond what is expect of her duties as a judge, coach, and volunteer in the equestrian community. Her services, donations, and mentorship among the equestrian community have encouraged all ages of riders in and out of the show ring. Christine ensures educational opportunities and fair judging are affordable and accessible in all corners of the province. Many years of her dedication and guidance have enabled the sports of dressage and eventing to flourish in Alberta.

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HORSE KEEPING

A HORSE’S LEGACY B Y N I K K I K N OPP, U N I V E R S I T Y OF C A LG A RY FAC U LT Y OF V ET E R I NA RY M E DI C I N E PH OT O S B Y R I L EY B R A N DT, U N I V E R S I T Y OF C A LG A RY

Teaching the next generation of veterinarians at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Have you ever watched your vet work with your horse, and wondered, how did they learn that?

Well, I can tell you how.

Often when we think of vets, we think of cats and dogs, and I’m betting that everyone reading this thinks of their horse as well. But the scope of a veterinary practice goes further than that. Of course, in Alberta, it includes 20 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

cattle, but it also includes exotics like pet parrots and bearded dragons, and the lions and tigers at the zoo, too.

Don’t worry though, vet students aren’t performing surgeries on tigers.

Not initially anyways.

Rather, vet students learn on simulators. By simulator, I don’t mean a computer; I mean a life-size, anatomically correct model. Pick

up our foal simulator, and you’ll be surprised at its weight, and the tough, furry texture of its “skin.” Open it up, and you’ll find a life-sized heart, lungs, and brain. The detail on these simulators is awe-inspiring.

But they aren’t perfect. They don’t get startled and they don’t kick. They also don’t whinny at a good scratch. This is where the University of Calgary Faculty

HORSE KEEPING

During their time as a teacher, every horse in the UCVM teaching herd are cared for by a team of experienced equine veterinarians and technicians, as well as the students.

A UCVM graduate with cross-sectioned equine nasogastric tubing simulator.

lameness, dental, or medical issues that are of interest for teaching. The average age of a UCVM teaching horse is 22 years, and most horses spend three years in the herd. During their time, they participate in labs, teaching topics such as handling, anatomy, and lameness. When they aren’t working with students during the school year, they are ambassadors for aspiring vets in our summer vet camps. And, of course, they spend a lot of downtime munching on the grass in their hundred-plus acre pastures.

During their time as a teacher, they are cared for by a team of experienced equine veterinarians and technicians, as well as the students. They receive all

of Veterinary Medicine’s (UCVM) teaching herd comes into play. At the Spyhill campus, a herd of teaching mares and geldings work to educate the next generation of veterinarians, and support advancing research on equine health and care.

Each year, UCVM intakes a select few horses nearing the end of their life.

The majority of horses in the herd have

necessary veterinary care ranging from dental, joint injections, physicals, and annual vaccinations. Their comfort is UCVM’s utmost priority.

Once a horse is showing signs of no longer being comfortable, a team of veterinarian experts decides if it is time for a humane euthanasia. These horses will continue to contribute through use of their body, tissues, and organs to advance treatment, care, and knowledge in equine health.

UCVM’s teaching herd is an invaluable tool in providing handson experience to future veterinarians, while providing a meaningful quality of life to horses in their retirement years. AB

The UCVM teaching herd on summer pasture.

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BREED PROFILE

THE LAC LA CROIX INDIGENOUS PONY B Y MON I QU E N OB L E , I M AG E S B Y S A N DY S HA R K EY, M Ā D A H ÒK Ì FA R M

Spirit Horse of the Ojibwe The history of the Lac La Croix Indigenous Pony, also known as the Ojibwe Spirit Horse, is as interesting as the history of the First Nations people so strongly connected to this resilient little horse. Like the people, this pony has defied many odds and is slowly reclaiming its heritage.

Herds of Lac La Croix (LLC) ponies used to dwell in the lush forests surrounding the lake country of Lac La Croix, which is located along the border 22 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

between Ontario and Minnesota.

Foraging like deer on sparse vegetation and branches, the hardy little horse lived a life in tune with the seasons and the bands of Ojibwe First Nations people who also lived in the area. Naturally friendly and inquisitive, legends say that the horses were never really tamed or “owned” by people. Instead, they would happily co-exist with “the people.”

Particularly in the winter, the horse would help them gather wood by pulling

small sleds or being ridden along trap lines. At the end of winter, some of the ponies would be herded across the icecovered lake to a small island called Pony Island. While on Pony Island, the horses lived a semi-wild summer where they safely foaled and mated until they were collected again the next winter. Other ponies not herded to the island would return to their quiet existence in the forest, freely crossing the Canada/U.S. border. This sort of

Almost eradicated by colonialism and uprooted from its historic lands for safety, the Lac La Croix Pony – Spirit Horse of the Ojibwe and once wild denizen of the Canadian forests, is making its way home.

Displaying traditional LLCOSP coloring and markings Mizgi (Eagle) and Gwiingwiishi (Grey Jay) were two of the first ponies that joined Trina Mather-Simard and her daughters at Mādahòkì Farm in Napean, Ottawa, Ont.

Herds of Lac La Croix (LLC) ponies used to dwell in the lush forests surrounding the lake country of Lac La Croix. unorganised existence did not bode well for the small horses as the advancement of colonials, government treaties, and borders changed their easy going way of life forever.

Too small, in comparison to the larger European horses favoured by colonials, to do a heavy workload, the little horse – then known simply as an “Indian” pony – was seen as a nuisance and deemed of little use by government officials. Indian ponies that could be ridden were often confiscated by government officials to limit movement off and between reservations, and were

often rendered into glue and horse meat. Tragically hunted and shot for sport or a food source, herds dwindled.

While there were herds on the U.S. side of the border, they were not safe from persecution there, either. The last herd of LLC ponies in Minnesota were destroyed by missionaries who felt it was a moral dilemma to have half-wild animals mating within the sight of missionary children. By the 1970s, after a hunting mishap killed the last viable LLC stallion, there were only four mares left of an indigenous breed that used to number in the thousands. It was decided

in 1977 by the Canadian government that the last four small mares were a “health risk” and they, too, were slated to be destroyed.

However, if history has taught us anything, it’s that horses inspire heroism in people, no matter their race, religion, or place in the world. The four remaining mares were well known by the Ojibwe First Nation that spanned the Lac La Croix region, and while they were three separate villages and reservations, they were all related and felt strongly that the four remaining ponies needed to be saved. Before Canadian health officials could follow through with their plans to euthanize the mares, two Ojibwe men, along with two other horsemen from Minnesota, planned a bold rescue.

Ojibwe tribesman, Fred Isham, knew that while the Ojibwe Elders agreed the horses should be saved, the Elders were helpless against the government agents.

Isham organised a daring rescue known as the “Heist Across the Ice” with a roper named Omar Hilde from Minnesota, who offered to help capture the wild mares. Minnesota rancher, Walter Saatela, offered the mares sanctuary at his ranch across the border. Isham, ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

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BREED PROFILE

The LLCOSP is as unique as the area they came from. The Boreal forest and rocky lake country of the Ontario, Minnesota border is as harsh as it is beautiful.

Lac La Croix, image open domain, provenance unknown.

Hilde, and Saatela, along with their friend Wally Nelson and with the help of many villagers from the Lac La Croix village, managed to capture the four horses. With some difficulty, they loaded them up into a horse trailer and drove them across the frozen lake at night, over the border from Canada into the United States and to safety.

It is because of the help and determination of the Lac La Croix villagers to save these small horses that, when they were spirited away to safety, they became known as Lac La Croix ponies. Many people prefer to call them Ojibwe Spirit Horses, as the breed is connected to the lore and spirits of all Ojibwe people. Out of respect to both the Lac La Croix and the Ojibwe preferences, from here on in the breed will be referred to in this piece as the Lac La Croix Ojibwe Spirit Pony (LLCOSP).

With only four mares in existence, it seemed that this small breed would 24 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

“Like the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, the Indigenous ponies are resilient, strong, noble and deeply linked to history.” - Hannah McIntyre.

Cîpiyak Nîmehitowak - Northern Lights “the ghosts are dancing” is the newest member of the LLCOSP herd in Onoway, Alberta. He is called “Ghost.”

Photo courtesy of After the Rein, Onoway, Alta.

Surprisingly elegant and smooth movers for an equine of smaller stature, they have great dexterity and agility. become extinct, but with due care, the remaining mares were bred to a Spanish mustang stallion and their progeny were carefully bred to maintain the characteristics of the LLCOSP. Careful husbandry and excellent stewardship preserved the distinctive characteristics of the LLCOSP, now the only existing North American breed of horse

developed by Indigenous Peoples.

The LLCOSP is very well adapted to its historical environment. Surviving sparse vegetation, rocky terrain, biting winds, fierce winters, and the legendary “blackfly” requires a creature of fortitude.

Small in stature, the ponies rarely reach over 14.2 hands high, which classifies them as a pony. They do, however, maintain the appearance of a small horse as they are still quite proportionate and balanced. Their hooves are correct and small but incredibly tough and rarely do they require shoes. Shapely but thick cannon bones lead to smooth knees, strong shoulders, and sturdy hindquarters. Short, straight backs are supported on either end by a sloping croup with low set tail and unobtrusive withers. Their necks tie in neatly and strongly, with a depth to the chest and a graceful arc to the head.

The head of an LLCOSP is where the magic happens. When you look into the

BREED PROFILE

While there is some hope that one day LLCOSPs will be rereleased to the wild in their ancestral territory, for now they will stay safeguarded by the many people working hard to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

eyes of an LLCOSP, you get a sense you are meeting a special being. Bright, lively, and kind, the eyes of an LLCOSP have a thick fringe of lashes and are set into a broad forehead that tapers down to a small, elegant muzzle. This muzzle harbours a secret, concealing one of their most distinguishing features.

It’s no surprise the LLCOSP’s nostrils may seem a little meatier than some horses, because inside the nostrils a small, distinctive flap sets the LLCOSP as a breed apart. Unique to the breed, the extra nose flap is thought to help warm cold air in the winter while they breathe and may also help prevent biting insects from getting further up into delicate nasal tissues.

Crowned with another differentiating feature, LLCOSPs have petite, yet profusely haired ears, which are comically alert and endearing. The dense hair within the ears, again, protects them from biting insects

LLCOSPs are well suited to the Equine Assisted Learning programs Ashinaabe artist and writer Rhonda Snow hosts Mādahòkì Farms. Snow is dedicated to reuniting the Ojibwe horse and the Ojibwe people to their cultural heritage.

Photo courtesy Mādahòkì Farm.

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Small, kind and strikingly beautiful, it is easy to understand why so many people were determined to ensure the breed’s survival.

Image by Sandy Sharkey, courtesy of Mādahòkì Farm.

and harsh climates. Their equally thick winter hair fortunately slicks out in summer to a glossy coat that comes in a variety of colours.

Surprisingly elegant and smooth movers for an equine of smaller stature, they have great dexterity and agility.

Keenly aware of their environment, they are precise and sure-footed in all their gaits. An earnest and intense intelligence emanates from the LLCOSP; it is easy to see why so many people feel they are in the presence of a spirit animal. There is something ethereal, yet playfully enigmatic about the gentle aura of these small creatures. Despite their difficult past, they have a sense of calm about them. Perhaps they knew they were not alone; they were just waiting to be rediscovered. Maybe they knew they 26 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

had not been forgotten.

Many Ojibwe elders remembered the ponies. It was their stories that inspired Rhonda Snow to try and find out if there were descendants of the original four mares. When she found them, she brought some back to Canada and started sharing their stories. An Anishinaabe artist, Rhonda has received a lifetime achievement award from Rare Breeds Canada for her work in preserving the LLCOSP. As an artist and advocate for the breed, Rhonda has also personally cared for them. She was an integral part of the formation of the Ojibwe Spirit Horse Society, and worked hard to establish equine assisted learning programs, a career that perfectly suits the quiet and inquisitive ponies.

Trina Mather-Simard, also Ojibwe

and a horse lover with two horse-crazy daughters, was introduced to the breed

by Snow. Mather-Simard knew she needed to learn more about the spirit horse of her people. Mather-Simard, an indigenous tourism pioneer, jumped at the chance to establish a farm and return some LLCOSPs back to Canada.

Now the proud stewards of a herd of LLCOSPs at Mādahòkì Farm, MatherSimard and her daughters are dedicated to reintroducing the Ojibwe Spirit Horse to the Ojibwe people and the world.

While still critically endangered, the LLCOSP, with determined advocates and responsible breeders, has recovered from four original mares to over 200 horses throughout Canada, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Athletic and friendly, LLCOSPs are proving to be lovely riding

This young LLCOSP displays the thick winter coat and deeply furred ears that help this breed survive harsh northern winters. Photo courtesy of Helen Wilson, Onoway, Alta.

Titled “Trailering,” This painting by LLCOSP advocate and Ashinaabe artist Rhonda Snow depicts the “Heist Across the Ice.”

horses, companions, and gifted teachers.

Hannah Laureen of After the Rein Animal Assisted Wellness in Onoway, Alta., has a small, but growing, herd of LLCOSPs in their Ojibwe Horse Breeding and Cultural Program that promotes healing through connection. Relating that the “Ojibwe Spirit Horse,” as Laureen prefers to call them, faced near destruction through colonialism, they are now on a journey of recovery, much like the people to which they are so connected.

As DNA and archeological findings are challenging the history of horses in North America, the history of the LLCOSP may be more deeply linked to the history of our continent than we were originally taught.

Dr. Gus Cothran from the veterinary college at Texas A&M has research that declares the LLCOSP to be genetically distinct. That distinction, when supported by the oral histories of the Ojibwe First Nations people and the presence of ancient petroglyphs, may suggest that the LLCOSP was present, and a large part of indigenous life, long before North America was “discovered” and horses were “reintroduced” by Europeans.

There is some hope that, once reestablished, a herd of Lac La Croix Ojibwe Spirit Ponies will be rereleased to the wilds they once roamed. After years of domesticity, it may not be the easiest transition for them as their stomachs would have to adjust from hay and domestic feed to the almost deer-like bark and forest grass-based diet of their ancestors.

However, like their eponymous people, they are resilient, connected to the land, and true to their roots. So maybe it wouldn’t be that hard of an adjustment after all. AB

Celebrating Mother’s Day, the newest member of the recovering breed is a little colt born at Madahoki Farm, March 12, 2024. The colt, named Ayaabe (Buck), pictured here with his mother Kitagokons (fawn/young deer), is a sprightly and energetic example of the LLCOSP breed and is the third foal to be born this year at the farm.

ANSWER KEY FOR WORD FIND PAGE 31

Prone to obesity when on rich forage, LLCOSPs require a lot of exercise to keep their weight in check. Grazing on grass pastures for too long can also cause issues as they struggle to process the sugars present in the grass.

Image by Sandy Sharkey.

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ASK ABOUT INSURANCE

AM I INSURED TO TRANSPORT HORSES?

This is a question we hear frequently, particularly when horse shows and travel with horses increase during the summer months.

As a member of the Alberta Equestrian Federation, you are automatically provided with a personal liability insurance policy that covers many facets of horse ownership and use.

The coverage protects you if the horse you own, lease, or borrow causes bodily injury or property damage to a third party and they initiate legal action against you.

Several years ago, we enhanced the liability coverage to accommodate the temporary and non-commercial care, custody, and control of non-owned horses, recognizing the many circumstances where this can occur, and it includes sharing resources to transport horses.

To be clear, if you transport someone else’s horse in a noncommercial environment, and if that non-owned horse is injured while under your care, custody, and control, the AEF member liability policy will provide some protection to you as the responsible person.

For those who charge a fee for transport (even a small amount), the policy provided through AEF membership will NOT respond, as the exchange of fee for service triggers a commercial activity that must be insured under a different type of policy.

Another very important and separate element of this subject is the liability associated with the operation of the towing vehicle. We have heard many stories over the years 28 ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2024

of folks “innocently” transporting non-owned horses, and, after an accident involving the vehicle, being told by their auto/truck insurer that there is no coverage. If you haul horses – owned or non-owned – make certain that you have discussed your planned activities with an insurance professional to avoid any gaps. It’s better to be prepared than left with no protection.

Acera has a custom insurance program for horse trailers which provides physical damage coverage to the unit itself.

Rates are very low, coverage is excellent, and it is a great option to protect the investment you have made in the equipment.

Follow the link below for more information and a short, fillable application to get a quote. capricmw.ca/personal/farm-equine-insurance/equine-andlivestock-trailer-insurance If you have any questions, just let us know. Insurance for horses and their people – it’s what we do!

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

MEMBER ORGANIZ ATIONS AS OF JUNE 1, 2024 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 Alberta Back Country Horsemen................ facebook.com/groups/albertabackcountryhorsemen Alberta Carriage Driving Assocation.......................................................... albertadriving-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............................................................char@albertaflares.com Alberta Horse Trials Association......................................................albertahorsetrials@gmail.com Alberta Outfitters Association.......................................................................albertaoutfitters.com Alberta South Region Pony Club......................................... canadianponyclub.org/AlbertaSouth Alberta Trail Riding Association......................................................................................... atra.ca Alberta Walking Horse Association............................................................................awha.ca/dir American Saddlebred Horse Association of Alberta............................ saddlebredsofalberta.com Aurora Arabian Horse Association..................................................................auroraarabian.com Banff Light Horse Association.................................................................secretary@banfflha.com Bear Valley Rescue Society.......................................................................bearvalleyab.org/index Beaverlodge & District Agricultural Society.........................................beaverlodgeag@gmail.com Beaverlodge Pony Club...................................................................................canadianponyclub Bow Valley Riding Association..............................................................sites.google.com/bvra.ca Bragg Creek Trails Association..................................................................... braggcreektrails.org Calgary and Area Alberta Dressage Association........................................................ ca-ada.com Calgary Regional Appaloosa Club (1997)......................................................... pl1umb@telus.net Calgary Regional Trail Riders Association........................................calgaryregionaltrailriders.com Canadian Bridlehorse Association.........................................................canadianbridlehorse.com Canadian Eventing Development Foundation........................... canadianeventingfoundation.com Canadian Horse Association Rocky Mountain District (CHARMD)............................... charmd.ca Canadian Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse....................................................... crtwh.ca Canadian Sport Horse Association - Alberta Chapter................................................ c-s-h-a.org Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association - Alberta........................................................ ..............................................................................canadianwarmbloods.com/alberta-chapter-2 Central Alberta Adult Riding Club..............................facebook.com/centralalbertaadultridingclub Central Century Team Ropers Association....................................centralcenturyteamroping.com Chinook Country Dressage Association.........................................albertadressage.com/chinook Cleardale Riders Club........................................................................ sandyrich2323@gmail.com Clearwater Horse Club....................................................................cwhctreasurer@outlook.com Cottonwood Corral Association................................... cottonwoodcorralassociation@gmail.com Cochrane Horse Trials...........................................................................cochranehorsetrials.com Cochrane Roping Club......................................................................... cochraneropingclub.com Cooking Lake Saddle Club...............................................................cookinglakesaddleclub.com Cottonwood Corral Association................................... cottonwoodcorralassociation@gmail.com Coulee Winds Saddle Club........................................................................ kheapy@outlook.com Davisburg Pony Club............................................... facebook.com/groups/1112757248823019 DeWinton Pony Club...............................................................facebook.com/dewintonponyclub Diamond Willow Vaulting Club.......................................................... diamondwillowvaulting.com East/West Chapter of the Alberta Carriage Driving Association.................................................... ................................................................... albertadriving-acda.ca/chapters/chapter_east_west Eastgate Saddle Club...............................................................................eastgatesaddleclub.ca Endurance Riders of Alberta......................................................... enduranceridersofalberta.com Extreme Cowboy Alberta......................................................................extremecowboyracing.ca Fort Calgary Wheel and Runner Association Outriders................ fortcalgaryoutriders@gmail.com Friends of the Eastern Slopes....................................................................................... foesa.org Fun Country Riders of Strathmore..............................................................funcountryriders.com Garden Valley Pony Club...................................................................gardenvalleypc@gmail.com Grande Prairie Gymkhana Club............................................................gpgymkhana@gmail.com Great Divide Trail Association.........................................................................greatdividetrail.com Greater Edmonton Polocrosse Club........................................ greateredmontonpolocrosse.com Happy Valley Ag and Recreation Club.........................................happyvalleyagrec@outlook.com Hastings Lake Pleasure Horse Association................. hastingslakepleasurehorseassociation.org Hay Lakes Riders Club......................................................................haylakesriders@yahoo.com High Country Carriage Driving Club.............................................................................. hccdc.ca High Country Pony Club..................................................... facebook.com/Highcountryponyclub Irricana AG Society.................................................................................... irricanaagsociety.com Journeys Therapeutic Riding Society................................................................................. jtrs.ca Jump Alberta Society........................................................................................jumpalberta.com Kakwa Sherman Trail Society Group.......................... facebook.com/groups/945578150503938 Kansas Ridge Riders.....................................................................kansasridgeriders@gmail.com Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association ...................................................................littlebits.ca Meadow Creek Vaulting Club..........................................................................................mcvc.ca Millarville Musical Ride......................................................... facebook.com/MillarvilleMusicalRide Northern Trails Riding Club...............................................................northerntrailsridingclub.com Okotoks Polocrosse Club..............facebook.com/groups/389241199900459/?mibextid=c7yyfP Opening Gaits – Therapeutic Riding Society....................................................... openinggaits.ca Over The Hills Trail Riders............................................. facebook.com.Over-the-Hills-Trail-Riders Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society................................................................... pards.ca Peace Draft Horse Club.................................................................. thepeacedrafthorseclub.com Peace Region Alberta Dressage Association............................................... albertadressage.com Performance Standardbreds........................................................................p-standardbreds.org Ranahan Polocrosse Club.........................................................................ranahanpolocrosse.ca

Ridgeview Riding Club........................................................... ridgeviewridingclub@gmail.com Rimbey Sleigh Wagon and Saddle Club................................facebook.com/RimbeySWSClub Rundle Riders Therapeutic Riding Association..............................................rundleriders.com Saddle Seat Canada...........................................................................saddleseatcanada.com Shortgrass Riding Club.........................................................................lwaynemu@eidnet.org Skills of the Outfits - East of the Rockies..........................................canadianbridlehorse.com Society of Tilt and Lance Cavalry................................................................................joust.ca South Country Team Penning Association (SCTPA)..........................sctpa.entries@gmail.com South Peace Horse Club..................................................................southpeacehorseclub.ca Southern Alberta Trail Riders Association................................................................... satra.ca Spring Fling Society Inc............................................................................. springflingshow.ca Springbank Pony Club..................canadianponyclub.org/AlbertaSouth/branches/springbank St. Paul Agricultural Society.................................................................... stpaulagsociety.com Stone Bridge Carriage Driving Club.................facebook.com/stonebridgecarriagedrivingclub Strathcona All-Breed Horse Association.......................................................sahaalberta.com Trail Riding Alberta Conference ........................................................................... trailriding.ca Traildusters Horse Club of Smith.................................................. traildustersclub@gmail.com Trail Riding Alberta Conference ........................................................................... trailriding.ca Uplift Therapeutic Riding Association............................. facebook.com/uplifttherapeuticriding Valley Riders Saddle Club.............................................................sandyrich2323@gmail.com Vermillion Agricultural Society ......................................................................... vermilionag.ca WEALTA - Working Equitation Canada Alberta Region.......................................workingeq.ca Western Canadian Wagon Train.......................................................... gsissons@hotmail.com Whitecourt Horse Club........................................................ whitecourthorseclub@gmail.com Wildrose Ranch Roping Association.....................................wildroseranchroping@gmail.com Xtreme Wild Rose Club......................................... sites.google.com/view/xtremewildroseclub Youth Development - Alberta Dressage Association............................... albertadressage.com

BUSINESS MEMBERS Acera Insurance Services Ltd...............................................................agri@capricmw.ca Athabasca Ranch Ltd..................................................................................... 780-865-2454 Clipped N’ Ready Equine Services............................................................clippednready.com Copper Pony Poles + Equestrian Sporting Equipment....................................copperpony.ca Coulee Equine..............................................................................................couleeequine.ca Creekside Equestrian Centre Ltd............................... creeksideequestriancentre@gmail.com Dee Jay Performance Horses (DJPH)................. facebook.com/DeeJayPerformanceHorses Digger’s Place........................................................................................ digbits@msn.com Duplo Composite Horseshoes Canada.....................................................duplo-canada.com Dusty Boots.................................................................... facebook.com/Dustybootswildrags Eastwind Horse Transport................................................... eastwindhorsetransport.com Eckwood Rider Biomechanics Coaching............................................eckwoodequine.ca Equine Connection - The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning.equineconnection.ca Eric’s Homes Inc.....................................................................................www.ericshomes.ca Full Stride Equine Performance............................facebook.com/fullstrideequineperformance GPC Smart (Syneroid Technologies)..........................................................gpcsmart.com Grassroots Equine Essentials................................................................................................. ..................................... facebook.com/p/Grassroots-Equine-Essentials-100078958620061 Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch Equipment........................................................................ hi-hog.com Horse Expo Canada..................................................................................... horseexpo.ca Keys to Hope Counselling Services.................................................... healinggrounds.ca Lasso Lady.................................................................................. lassolady22@gmail.com Lawton & Co, LLP.............................................................................................. lawtonco.ca Little Creek Equine...........................................................facebook.com/LittleCreekEquine22 Miles Maldaner Photography.............................................................................. milesfoto.ca Moose Hill Ranch Equestrian..................................................................moosehillranch.com Mountain Equine Therapeutics.................................................................... cj1neilson@gmail.com No Scope No Hope Equiscope Inc................................................................................................. ................................................facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552543385783&mibextid=uzlsIk Paddock Groomer...............................................................paddockgroomer.ca@gmail.com Paramount Equestrian Centre Ltd....................................... paramountequestriancentre.com Regency Equine Equestrian Center..........................................................regencyequine.com Reverence Horsemanship Centre........................................................ reverencestables.com Rewind Equine..........................................................................................rewindequine.com Rocking Heart Ranch.................................................................... rockingheartranchltd.com Shadowlands Ranch........................................................................... shadowlandsranch.ca Summer Sonnet Stables..............................................................marionjankunis@gmail.com Synergy Solutions Inc. ....................................................................... synergyapparel.ca The School of Equine Massage and Rehabilitation Therapies......................... equinerehab.ca The Tack Collector.................................................................................... thetackcollector.ca The Xibition Inc...................................................................................................xibition.ca Wildhorse Ranch....................................................................................wildhorsecamp.com Woywitka Farms........................................................................... erniewoywitka@gmail.com YKnott North...................................................................................................yknottnorth.ca

ALBERTA BITS SUMMER 2024 BE SURE TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS MEMBERS! THOSE LISTED IN BLUE PROVIDE DISCOUNTS TO AEF MEMBERS. VISIT OUR LIST OF EQUINE FACILITIES ON IOUR WEBSITE!

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

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