Lifestylefall2017 final no bleed

The Official Member Magazine of Horse Council BC

BC’s

Equine Lifestyle

Fall/Winter 2017 www.hcbc.ca

It’s Back!

Travel Insurance Returns to HcbC for 2018 Animal Disaster Relief Fund

Thank You

Age is just a number

55+ BC Games Rider Participates in his first horse show at the age of 95

F

E! E R

We protect what we love.

Insurance for horses and their people – it’s what we do.

Capri Insurance is the industry leader when it comes to insuring horses and their people.

We have a long-standing partnership with Horse Council British Columbia, and our team of consultants are always available to provide you with the expert risk management advice you need to best protect you and your horse.

Call our equine and agricultural insurance experts today for all your insurance needs: – Equi-Care – – Equine business liability for coaches, trainers, business operators – – Farm Property –

Equine risk management and insurance solutions.

1-800-670-1877 l agri@capri.ca l www.capri.ca

In This Issue

BC’s

Equine Lifestyle is published biannually by HORSE COUNCIL BC 27336 Fraser Hwy., Aldergrove, BC V4W 3N5 T: 604-856-4304 | F: 604-856-4302 Toll Free: 1-800-345-8055 www.hcbc.ca

HORSE COUNCIL BC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LIZ SAUNDERS President 250-359-7293

SUSAN HARRISON VP Competition 250-416-0094

CAROLYN FARRIS Treasurer 250-546-6083

TERRE O’BRENNAN VP Recreation 604-940-6958

LISA MANDER Secretary 604-719-1989

TBA VP Membership & Marketing N/A

SUSAN THOMPSON VP Education 604-943-8155

STAFF

LISA LAYCOCK Executive Director administration@hcbc.ca ext.1008 KELLY COUGHLIN Senior Program Director Manager, Industry & Agriculture industry@hcbc.ca ext.1006 WENDY SEWELL Manager, Coaching & Education coaching@hcbc.ca ext.1004 ALI BUCHANAN Manager, Competition & Sport competition@hcbc.ca ext.1005 NANCY SPRATT Recreation Coordinator recreation@hcbc.ca ext.1009

4

President’s Message

NEWS 2018 Zone & HCBC AGM Dates New HCBC Membership Just in Time for Renewal Season 6 It’s Back! Travel Insurance Returns to HCBC for 2018 7 Animal Disaster Relief Fund Thank You 8 2017 HCBC Awards Nominations 8 2017 HCBC Scholarship Recipients 9 Carol McDonald - HCBC’s Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient 10 Community Talks Travelling Road Show Wrap 5 6

LYNDA ATKINSON VP Industry 250-747-3700

COACHES CORNER

JOCELYN ADAMS Membership Coordinator membership@hcbc.ca ext. 1002

17 Creating Your Emergency Action Plan

COMPETITION

SANDY UNDERWOOD Community & Sport Development development@hcbc.ca ext. 1010 TBA Marketing & Communications Coordinator communication@hcbc.ca ext.1003 LYNN WALLDEN Finance & Grants finance@hcbc.ca ext. 1007 LYNDA ECKSTEIN Reception reception@hcbc.ca ext. 1001

FOR A MEDIA KIT AND/OR RATE CARD PLEASE CONTACT COMMUNICATION@HCBC.CA. All material is copyright 2016.

All photographs that depict riders without helmets were taken in competition settings where helmets are not traditionally worn and all riders are over the age of 18. HCBC supports the wearing of approved helmets in all equestrian activity. Ideas and opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the idea or opinions of HCBC. BC’s Equine Lifestyles reserves the right to accept, and/or edit material submitted for publication. HCBC 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 results of the information contained in BC’s Equine Lifestyles, or arising therefrom, is the responsibility of the parties involved and not of HCBC. We welcome signed letters to the editor, but reserve the right to publish, edit for grammar, taste and length. For reprint information please contact communication@ hcbc.ca.

UPCOMING PUBLICATION DATES Fall/Winter 2017 | October 2017 Spring/Summer 2018 | April 2018 Horse Council BC gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Photo Credit: Carolyn Dobbs

Spring/Summer 2017

19 55+ BC Games Photos 20 Age is Just a Number

FUNDING 11 More Than Just Sprinklers - A Core Funding Story from the Creston Valley Horse Assoc.

SPOTLIGHT 12 Manure Composting: How Do You Do It?

INDUSTRY & AGRICULTURE 15 Premise I.D. - Safeguarding BC’s Horses

TRAILS & RECREATION 22 Ground Wars

On the cover: The two horses gracing our cover this issue were emergency evacuees from the wildfire crisis in the BC interior this year. These two were evacuated to the Prince George Exhibition Grounds (where this photo was taken) and well looked after by a plethora of volunteers until they were given the all-clear to go back home. Photo credit to Steven Dubas. www.hcbc.ca | 3

President’s Message

horses were in need of hay, grain, buckets, etc. etc. Kelly Coughlin, Sandy Underwood, Lisa Laycock and the rest of the staff took up the challenge and developed a safe means by which people could donate towards the fire emergency fund and then judicially provided help where it was required.

Kelly even took time out to visit some of the equine evacuation centres in the interior to see what was happening and what was needed. This is the first time that evacuations of equines on this magnitude has occurred and Horse Council wanted to see what was working and how things could be improved both now and for future reference.

Thank you to everyone for your above and beyond actions this summer. Your dedication is so appreciated.

Hi Everyone!

As always Horse Council’s first concern is for the safety, care and welfare of equines and their humans and this was echoed by our members as they responded to the emerging fire situation this summer.

So I begin this message by thanking all those who have helped out during this summer of fire and smoke. As always, emergencies bring out the best and worst in people…let’s concentrate on the former.

Thanks to those who have so generously donated to the Animal Disaster Relief Fund; those who have transported horses and other livestock; those who have taken in evacuated equines and people; and those who have been and continue to fight the fires. To those of you who have suffered directly due to the fires, we offer our heartfelt good wishes, so many of us living in rural BC understand how close we all are to these potential and real disasters.

Globally and provincially the weather and natural disasters seem to be taking over and changing how we live our lives. How quickly we moved from floods to fire this year. The unusually hot temperatures that began in June lead to super dry conditions and the resulting fires. I realize that the fire situation has not affected everyone or the entire province, but it has affected much of the province; there have been cancellations of events owing to fire, smoke, road closures and people just being cautious.

The supersized fires in central BC have had many negative effects on humans and animals not the least of which is evacuation of property.

It’s the stress of being on evacuation alert day after day and the smoke, which makes one’s eyes burn, throat sore, head ache, and breathing sometimes difficult. So that’s the effect on humans but what about our horses, they are definitely more sluggish in the heat and must feel the effect of the smoke.

During this difficult summer the Horse Council staff really stepped up their game as the enormity of the developing disasters became obvious and the phone calls to the office increased. People looking for information, wanting to help, wanting to donate, haulers called the office with their concerns on the movement of horses, people trying to track the movement of their horses, places taking in evacuated 4 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

And yes, life went on for many, events occurred and again our BC Young Riders performed exceptionally well with Tosca Holmes-Smith winning gold at the North American Young Riders Championships in eventing at Rebecca Farms in Montana and Julia Madigan with gold at the North American Young Rider Jumping Championships held in Saugerties, New York.

Meanwhile, the southern interior just held a very successful 55+ BC Games in Armstrong. Thanks to Ali Buchanan and Carolyn Farris for all their hard work putting on the biggest equestrian content at these games yet.

With regard to the community in general (that’s most of us), this year will see the launch of a new website sponsored by Horse Council called Discover Riding. This is being designed to attract and introduce new people to horses and riding. It will include information on two programs; one for pre-teens and another for teens and adults.

The “Community Talks” program has been very successful and has received very positive feedback. The program visits smaller communities throughout the province and provides a day of educational presentations. I attended the one in Creston along with about 50 other people. The speakers were excellent and as a result I now have an Environmental Farm Plan courtesy of King Campbell. If you would like to see a “Community Talks” in your area please contact Sandy Underwood at the office for a chat.

To all who enjoy time with equines you have an amazing choice in activities - there seems to be something for every taste and ability, although for many it is about hanging out with your horse or simply having a pleasant and quiet ride. The quest is to stay safe and keep your equine(s) healthy and well cared for while loving and enjoy the privilege of being around a horse.

In closing, thanks again for caring.

Liz Saunders HCBC President

2018 Zone AGM Dates Get additional information about teleconference numbers or venue locations online at www.hcbc.ca

HCBC AGM

Date: Saturday, April 7, 2018 Time: 4:00 PM Location: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Magnolia Room, 8750 - 204 Street, Langley, BC V1M 2Y5

ZONE 1 KOOTENAYS

Due To Elect Position: East Kootenay - Arlene Ridge Time: 10:00 Pacific Time / 11:00 Mountain Time Date: Sunday, February 4, 2018 Location: Teleconference - Phone numbers available online

ZONE 5 VANCOUVER - SQUAMISH Due To Elect Position: Vacant Position Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Teleconference - Phone numbers available online

ZONE 6 VANCOUVER ISLAND CENTRAL COAST Due To Elect Position: Selena Pellizzari Time: 1:00 PM Date: Sunday, February 18, 2018 Location: Saanich Fairgrounds, Oak Room, 1528 Stellys Cross Road, Saanichton

ZONE 2 THOMPSON OKANAGAN

ZONE 7 NORTH WEST

ZONE 3 FRASER VALLEY

ZONE 8 CARIBOO - NORTH EAST

Due To Elect Position: Lynne McPherson Time: 1:00 PM Date: Sunday, February 18, 2018 Location: Kelowna Riding Club, 3745 Gordon Rd. Kelowna,

Due To Elect Position: Nancy Olson Time: 7:00 PM Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Location: HCBC Meeting Room, Aldergrove, BC

ZONE 4 FRASER RIVER

Due To Elect Position: Debbie Rogal and Vacant Position Time: 6:00 PM Date: Saturday, January 20, 2018 Location: Teleconference - Phone numbers available online

Due To Elect Position: Erin Rowsell Time: 7:00 PM Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Location: Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge, 3251 East Highway 16, Smithers. Teleconference numbers will also be available

Due To Elect Position: Carolyn Dobbs Time: 1:30 PM Date: Sunday, January 21, 2018 Location: Civic Centre, Prince George, 808 Civic Plaza, Prince George. Meeting room TBA. Teleconference numbers will also be available.

www.hcbc.ca | 5

NEWS

New HCBC Membership

Just in time for Renewal season

Horse Council BC’s online membership renewal system went live on September 1st! You can now renew for your 2018 membership.

As a Horse Council BC member you have exclusive access to our various equestrian programs, funding, and educational resources in addition to the liability insurance provided by Capri Insurance.

Did you know that if you renew early (before January 1st) your membership cost for the year works out to only about 16¢ per day? It pays to renew early!

Go to hcbc.ca to renew online or to print out renewal forms for 2018.

Horse Council BC has launched a brand new type of

membership that was introduced in September 2017.

HCBC has released the brand new 2017/2018 Membership. In previous years, this membership was only available to people who had never before been members of Horse Council BC, but this year it has been opened up to everyone.

This membership is designed to be purchased any time after September 1st and starts the day of purchase in 2017, continues throughout the New Year, and all the way until December 31st, 2018.

The price for this membership for a senior is $75.08 (including tax), which is only a $17 difference from a regular 2017 or 2018 Membership. This new product has proved to be quite popular since its launch at the beginning of September.

It’s Back!

Travel Insurance returns to HCBC for 2018 Horse Council BC worked with Capri Insurance provider to put together an all new travel insurance option with the 2018 individual and family membership. Read about it below: 2018 Out of Province Travel Insurance Provides $2,000,000 out of province/country coverage for emergency medical/hospitalization. Trips up to 90 days in duration, any number of trips per year, worldwide including participation in and/or preparing for equine activity/competition.

Must be under the age of 75. DEPARTURE from Province or Territory of residence must be ON OR AFTER JAN 1, 2018 6 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

THANK YOU! Horse Council BC would like to Say thank you to everyone who donated to HCBC’s Animal Disaster Relief Fund. Your Efforts helped in the evacuation and housing of displaced equines throughout this devastating wildfire season in BC. we would love to be able to thank each donor individually, But due to the overwhelming number of people that donated, we understand that we simply cannot. THank You everyone!

Thank you to the volunteers, haulers, and evacuation centres, for Your phenomenal effort and sacrifice to help during the wildfire situation.

We have already been able to spend over $36,000 of the Animal Disaster Relief Fund to help wildfire efforts & We are fully prepared to keep helping throughout this coming winter.

All photos credit to: Steven Dubas

www.hcbc.ca | 7

2017 HCBC AWARDS

DOES SOMEONE YOU KNOW DESERVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION?

Nominations are being sought for the following Horse Council BC provincial awards.

Athlete of the Year-Senior

Athlete of the Year-Junior

Horse Industry Professional

Awarded to an adult member of HCBC who has shown outstanding athletic performance in a recognized equestrian discipline as part of a team or as an individual at either the provincial, national and/or international level(s) during the year.

Awarded to a Junior member of HCBC who has shown outstanding athletic performance in a recognized equestrian discipline as part of a team or as an individual at either the provincial, national and/or international level(s) during the year.

Presented to a professional individual or equine business that has provided over-and-above service or products to BC's equine community on a one-on-one basis or overall.

Coach Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, leadership, and mentoring skills in a coaching role overseeing a team(s) or individual(s) at any level in any recognized equestrian discipline during the year.

Bob James Volunteer Presented to an individual within BC’s equine community who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to their community and/or equestrian sport in any recognized discipline.

Deadline for submitting nominations is December 30, 2017

Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement The recipient of this prestigious award must be a BC resident having achieved prominence through commitment and hard work, in turn positively impacting BC’s equine industry and inspiring others.

This award is only awarded when warranted and is not necessarily awarded every year.

hcbc.ca

Visit the HCBC website for further criteria for each award listed above.

2017 Scholarship Recipients The HCBC Scholarship program awards five $1000 scholarships to current HCBC members in good standing each year. The students that apply live all around the province, are BC graduates from grade 12 and are entering into accredited Colleges or University Study programs.

Each year we receive large amounts of applications to the scholarship program, making the decision to choose only 5 all the more difficult. Successful applicants must have a minimum B average on their high school transcripts, participation in equestrian events, volunteer experience at equestrian events within their community and proven leadership skills with an emphasis on contribution to equestrian sport.

In 2017, Horse Council BC would like to congratulate the following five BC scholarship recipients: 8 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

Cassandra Penfold Devon Heck Georgia Wilson Jordan Krywonos McKenna Liskii

NEWS

Nancy Olson, daughter of Sherman Olson and HCBC Board Member, presents Carol McDonald with her bronze award during the Campbell Valley HT. Photo: Marilyn Gregory

Carol MCDonald HCBC’s Sherman Olson LIfetime Achievement AWard Recipient The HCBC Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award was established and first presented in 1981 to honour individuals who have made exceptional contributions to BC’s equestrian community. These contributions, whether they have been through education, mentoring or leadership have made a lasting footprint, demonstrating a lifetime of commitment and dedication to the on-going progression of the equine industry in BC.

Management organizer, Treasurer, Director-at-Large and Branch Test Rep. Carol went on to Regional Test Chair for ten years and was very active in the National Testing Committee.

This year, Horse Council BC awarded Carol McDonald with the Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award. She has been a tireless volunteer in the equestrian community for over 30 years. She never says no, she does anything required willingly and competently and nothing is too much work. She exemplifies the saying, “ask a busy person if you want something done”. Everything runs smoothly when Carol is on the job. She does all this with a smile on her face and accompanied by her trademark laugh.

Carol has been President of Campbell Valley Equestrian Society for over 5 years and is fully involved with putting on the CVES Event every year, including doing the complex job of registration for 200 competitors at the Horse Trials and the smaller 2-Phase in September. She works tirelessly to maintain the equestrian facilities at the park. Carol maintains the excellent relationship we currently have with Metro Vancouver Parks.

Carol was first involved with Campbell Valley Pony Club and she was part of everything available - Quiz, Rally, PPG, Tetrathalon, etc. She was at various times, the Branch Stable

Carol was National Director for BC Lower Mainland for three years and served on the National Management Committee during that time. She has been the Regional Membership Coordinator since 2008.

Congratulations Carol! You have dedicated a lifetime of work to the BC equestrian industry and we are all truly thankful.

www.hcbc.ca | 9

We’ll

be bac

k in 2

018!

Thank You to everyone who came to one of HCBC’s Community Talks Travelling Road Shows in 2017!

The Community Talks Travelling Road Show debuted as a new Horse Council BC program earlier this year and has since completely taken off! This year the road show went to Kamloops, Creston, and Courtenay, bringing with it knowledgable speakers who talked about local horse care practices like nutrition, manure and pasture management and what your vet really wants you to know.

stay tuned for a survey early in 2018 asking where you want to see us.

The Road Show has proven to be so successful that we are planning on hitting the road again in 2018! We’ve had many requests from around the province to “come to us next!”, so

Thank you also to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Growing Forward 2 Program for helping to fund the Road Show.

Thank you to all the sponsors who made the 2017 Community Talks Travelling Road Show a success, especially our title sponsors, Otter Co-op, Langley Environmental Partners Society and Science Pure Neutraceuticals.

FUNDING

More Than Just SPrinklers A Core Funding Story from the Creston Valley Horse Association The Creston Valley Horse Association applied for a HCBC Core Grant in the Spring of 2017, to help install a sprinkler system in a local outdoor arena at Canyon Community Park.

It is an amazingly picturesque park with a long history of hosting equine events. The Canyon Community Association has been working very hard to upgrade the park, but there are many projects on their agenda. The Creston Valley Horse Association, as the primary arena user in recent years, saw an opportunity to improve the arena for all users, including a few that aren’t directly equine related.

Karen Czar, Canyon Community Association Executive Member, HCBC Member and Mounted Shooter.

The sprinkler system installation was largely done in June and a booster pump was added in August.

Canyon Park hosts the largest Canada Day gathering in our area including some demos in the arena. Everyone in attendance that day benefitted from the sprinkler system.

The Mounted Shooters did their demo early in the day to a large crowd of spectators and later the CVHA Saddle Sore Sweethearts Drill Team put on a very well received performance that was relatively dust free!

This summer there was also a small barrel racing event and a 4H show held there. There are already plans in the works for next year’s events. CVHA hosted a gymkhana at the Canyon Park Arena, but Mother Nature took care of the dust for us that day. One of our goals is to help Canyon Park attract more renters so they can have more income to help with their upkeep and improvement costs… so far it looks to be on the right track. One bonus of the sprinkler system that became apparent this year with the wildfires is the sprinklers can be redirected to save the buildings directly adjacent to the arena if need be. Hopefully something we never have to test out.

Without funding from HCBC this project would not have been possible…kind of cliché, I know, but it is the truth! Our club contributed $1500 plus approximately 100 hours of labour just for the installation portion of this project. We worked on this project for 2 years previously to get permission to use water from the local irrigation district and raising some funds for our

contribution. The Canyon Community Association contributed countless hours of labour and a member contributed the use of a skid steer and a tamper for the day. A fantastic local company donated use of two back hoes and the operators donated their time.

Another member brought all the volunteers a welldeserved lunch and cold Spouses were called into action, of course! drinks. The HCBC funding really helped us get the ball rolling and see the project through to completion.

This project brought a few different organizations together and really bonded some members of the community and opened the channels of communication in some innovative ways.

Spending hours on the business end of a shovel or rake filling in a trench together has a way of getting people talking about things; future projects, future events. One of my personal favourite parts of this project was seeing everyone working together in that way and talking about things to come. It made me very proud to be part of this community and project.

Tackling any project for the first time is a big undertaking, whether it be organizing a show or clinic or installing a sprinkler system. Creston Valley Horse Association is fortunate to be supported by very hard working, enthusiastic members.

Keeping an open mind, communicating with people and being persistent are some of the keys. We were dealing with quite a few different organizations, who are all powered by volunteers as well, so things didn’t always happen as quickly as we would have hoped. The project had numerous “evolutions” and probably didn’t end up looking anything like what we first envisioned, but that’s a good thing. We had amazing people who have years of irrigation and plumbing experience get involved and that probably saved us from making some big mistakes. With the input of some community members we added some additional faucets and electrical outlets to add another level of usefulness to the project.

Thanks again HCBC! Canyon Community Association has a Wall of Fame and HCBC, along with Creston Valley Horse Association, will be featured on it in the near future. www.hcbc.ca | 11

Manure Composting How do you do it?

By Sasha Lavigne Manure management is a major concern for horse farms of all sizes. Horse manure, along with any other type of animal manure, can have detrimental impacts on the local environment. It has also become significantly more challenging to find facilities to accept manure and costs around manure disposal have grown substantially. By investing in infrastructure up-front, a little bit of effort is all it takes to keep your mountain of manure turning into compost – a usable and desirable natural soil enhancer, turning waste into a valuable resource.

Find out why and how to get started.

How to build your own compost system Going through the process of composting your manure can seem daunting at first thought. However, it is truly a simple task that anyone can do, and is worth the effort in the long run both for yourself and for the well-being of our environment.

To build your own system is dependent on many factors such as the number of horses present, the size of your property, or the landscape. These are only a few factors out of all that will need to be evaluated, as there are many considerations when it comes to choosing your systems location.

12 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

Photo credits for this article: LEPS

Site The first step is choosing an appropriate site. The minimum setback distance from watercourses, wells and other sources of drinking water are of primary importance, and are laid out in the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation. The topography and slope of the land should also be considered due to potential leachate run-off (liquid nutrients that drain into waterways and pollute them). Bins should be located in areas that are high and dry, and free from any drainage run-through. Additionally, if the area is level and dry it will be much easier to access and maneuver around with heavy machinery. Also keep in mind the distance from your neighbours’ properties, as odours can be carried by the wind. Finally, consider potential future expansion of your system if you were to maximize the number of horses on your property.

System Once your location is determined, you must choose a system that suits your farm’s needs. Although there are a number of composting systems available, this article will be focusing on bin composting, as it is the most common method for horse owners and small lot farmers. This system involves the production of compost within a bin by active or passive aeration. The compost mix is turned by equipment or by hand, depending on the size and equipment available. This is a low technology, medium labour approach that produces a medium

SPOTLIGHT prevent rainwater from leaching pollution from the manure and washing it into nearby waterways. Most horse owners use tarps which are an economical option, but they do require a bit of work when moving compost and manure in and out. It can be also troublesome to keep a tarp in place during heavy winds and rainfall. A permanent option is a roof structure that is either stationary or can be moved when necessary; to spread out the costs of installing your compost system, you could postpone purchase of materials for a permanent roof for the second year.

quality product – a vast improvement over the nearly valueless pile of unmanaged manure! The manure composts fairly quickly and does not require a large amount of space.

Materials After you decide on whether you will be turning by hand or with mechanical means, you will need to choose what materials you will build your system with. The materials you choose are limited only by your budget and can be constructed with chicken wire (suitable for hand-turning), concrete, steel or wood (suitable for mechanical turning). Concrete or cinderblock is considered the best material as it is non-permeable and will prevent leachate from affecting the environment. We recommend building a foundation of concrete to contain leachate, while the materials above that point are less essential. Steel sliding is less expensive, but may be difficult to ensure complete leachate containment. Wood is another option, though it will degrade over time. Both of these materials work best as siding above a concrete base.

Size Concerns The final step is to determine the size of your compost system.

ManureLink.com provides an interactive calculator to estimate your horses’ waste production per day as well as a suggested manure storage size. Six months of storage is typically required for the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island regions. Other parts of BC may need seven months or more of storage. Total composting time varies depending on grass species in the area, soil type (nutrient rich versus nutrient poor or moisture content) and amount of local rainfall. Composting slows down dramatically during the winter and will stop completely if the air temperature is too low.

What to put in your compost system To ensure your manure is composting properly and efficiently, it is fundamental to understand that composting involves feeding live organisms. Compost microbes require carbon for energy and nitrogen for growth, so it is essential to ensure that there is an adequate balance of each. Materials that are high in carbon include dead leaves, straw, wood chips, paper and shavings. All of these materials are brown. Green materials like fresh leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable waste are substances high in nitrogen. The ideal Carbon : Nitrogen (C:N) ratio to support the microorganisms is between 25:1 and 50:1. Horse manure naturally lies between 20:1 and 40:1, so when bedding (such as those types listed as brown materials above) is added, the ratio is thrown out of balance.

A soil testing kit from a local garden retailer will help you to determine the amount of nitrogen in your compost. Reducing the amount of bedding material (or carbon) is key to producing high-quality, finished compost. However, if you do add too much clean bedding to your compost, causing your nitrogen content to be too low, you can add about an equal weight of grass clippings to your manure pile and mix thoroughly.

It is critical that your system is covered to protect the compost from heat and rain and maintain ideal moisture levels. The Agricultural Waste Control Regulation requires that all manure (whether in a compost system or an unmanaged pile) be covered in areas that receive a total precipitation average over 600 mm (24 inches) between October and April, which the Lower Mainland and coastal regions do receive. This is to

How to manage your compost system Now that your system is built and the materials are added, it is imperative to monitor the composting process. There are three main factors to keep in mind when composting: aeration, www.hcbc.ca | 13

SPOTLIGHT moisture and temperature.

Aeration It is critical that airflow is constant throughout the composting process. Oxygen must move freely into the system while carbon dioxide moves out. The correct amount of oxygen will also ensure that odours are eliminated and will help the system to reach the composting temperature. There are two methods to increase aeration in your compost: passive and active.

Passive aeration is effective in small-scale operations with one to six horses. It involves the use of perforated PVC drain pipes that are inserted vertically into the pile every two feet.

This method takes a bit longer than active aeration and the raw materials may not appear as broken down.

The second method is through active management. This is appropriate for larger farms or for “tractor-happy” people. A tractor with a front-end loader is used to mechanically turn over the compost pile at least once every three weeks. The manure will break down much faster, and in one to three months, your compost will be finished.

Moisture Moisture content of the compost pile plays an important role in the breakdown process. The optimal moisture content is between 40 to 60%. At this point, the compost should feel like a damp, wrung-out sponge. Check the moisture content weekly by doing the “squeeze test”. When a clump of compost is squeezed, it should be dry enough that nothing drips out, but wet enough that is doesn’t crumble apart. Fresh horse manure has an average moisture content of 70%, so a small amount of straw or dead leaves should be added to the first load that goes in your compost.

Temperature Heat is generated during this breakdown process. The optimal temperature range is between 55 and 65 degrees Celsius, which should be maintained for the first 21 days. A large composting thermometer is an invaluable tool for monitoring this, giving you information about your compost that can’t be obtained any other way, usually for less than a ten dollar investment. If the temperature is too high, your microorganisms 14 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

will not survive. If the heat is too low, it means the material is not composting. Composting during wintertime, especially in colder climates, can be a tricky endeavor for this reason.

For more composting management tips and guidance, including how to interpret unexpected thermometer readings and troubleshooting for common problems, you can refer to the Manure Link website at www.ManureLink.com. This is the official website for the Manure Management Program initiated

by Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) in 2006. It provides horse owners with other helpful resources to better their farm practices and also provides an exchange platform for composted manure. This allows horse owners to advertise their composted manure to gardeners and landscapers, a group that

LEPS is currently targeting with promotion efforts to ensure the demand for manure matches the supply.

Composting not only turns waste into a resource, but has many other benefits, now that there is a constant availability of natural fertilizer at your home. Paying for manure transportation and removal is no longer necessary, and purchasing fertilizers for your pastures or gardens will become a distant memory.

Composting manure can also help to reduce your carbon footprint by avoiding waste transferring and keeping it out of the landfill. With this abundance of positive outcomes for not only yourself, but also the environment, why not give manure composting a try?

INDUSTRY & AGRICULTURE

Premise I.D.

Safeguarding BC’s horses This past summer the tragic fires in BC have reminded us how important it is to register your property in the provincial Premise ID program. An up to date confidential database is used to plan and implement effective emergency response whether it is for an animal health concern, a public health emergency, or a natural disaster that affects animals and people. Registrants’ information will be kept private and only used in such emergencies.

Please take the time to register your property even if you only have a small number of animals – it is still important.

The British Columbia Premises Identification Program was established to reduce the impact of livestock disease or natural disaster emergencies by gathering and organizing information about the location of animals, the types of animals at each location and how to quickly contact those responsible for the health of those animals.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is currently developing regulations for both premise identification and animal movement which are expected to become mandatory in all provinces across Canada by 2018.

What is a Premise ID? A Premises ID is a unique nine character code assigned to a single legal land description or land use permit. In British

Columbia, all Premises ID numbers start with BC (for example: BC449GP7N). Use of the Premises ID eliminates confusion for emergency responders caused by multiple addresses, complicated legal land descriptions, and duplicate or changing farm names. These purposes are limited to animal disease responses or environmental disasters affecting animal health, and disclosure is only permitted to other government agencies involved in the emergency response.

Protection of personal information is a primary objective of the Premises Identification program. Per the Animal Health Act, personal information cannot be disclosed for any purposes except those prescribed in the Act. A premises is a parcel of land where animals, plants or food are grown, kept, assembled or disposed of and includes such places as: • • • • • • • •

Farms/stables Hobby Farms Feedlots Pastures Community pastures Auction/Livestock sale facilities Hatcheries Abattoirs

• • • • • • • •

Assembly yards Rendering plants Zoos/petting zoos Exhibition/fair grounds Race tracks/competition facilities Veterinary hospitals/labs Insemination centres Research facilities www.hcbc.ca | 15

INDUSTRY & AGRICULTURE

Premises Identification • • • • • •

Allows for rapid notification of livestock and poultry stakeholders Helps prepare for animal health, natural disaster and food safety emergencies (for example, livestock disease) Facilitates rapid evacuation of animals in a natural disaster emergency (for example, floods or fire) Helps track animals in an emergency Reduces the impact of an emergency Helps maintain or provide for greater market access

Livestock and poultry owners can provide basic land and contact information for their premises and will receive a Premises Identification Number that is unique to the parcel of land.

If you have Farm Status (for property tax purposes) your PID number can go right on your Famer ID card, keeping it accessible. You do not have to have Farm Status to register your property.

All properties with one or more horses (including donkeys and mules) on them must register. If you own an animal that is only kept at locations controlled by someone else (e.g. boarding stable) and that animal will never be kept at a premises under your care and control (e.g. your own farm or acreage), you are not required to register for a PID Account. However, you should ask for the PID Number from the operator of the boarding/ training facility and keep it for your own records.

If previously registered, make sure your details are up to date with new phone numbers or changes in the number or

16 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

type of animals on a site. This information is critical during an emergency when owners need to be informed and livestock may need to be moved.

How do I register my Premises?

You can register and update your premises online:www.gov. bc.ca/premisesidprogram You can also mail, email, or fax a paper registration form to the Ministry. Instructions and a link to download the paper registration form are available on the program website listed above.

What does it cost to register?

There is no financial cost to register your premises.

Premise Identification is a positive step for equines. The program’s benefits include mitigating loss from disease outbreaks and natural or man-made disaster. Some of the statistical data (how many horses are in the province, for instance) may be provided for researchers. This data will not include personal information about the premise owner. Accurate data on horse numbers is critical to maintain and receive support for continued access to facilities, trails, land use and the right to keep horses.

COACHES CORNER

Creating Your Emergency Action Plan

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a plan designed by Coaches, Instructors, Barn or Facility owners and their managers to assist them in responding to emergency situations. Planning ahead allows you to respond in a responsible and clear-headed way if an emergency occurs.

Knowing how to create an EAP is part of the process for Equestrian Canada Coaching and Instructor certification.

Before you write out your plan decide where it will be kept. It can be kept on a bulletin board near the phone, in the tack room, office or barn aisle. The important thing is to have the plan where everyone knows how to access it.

Now to begin writing the plan, here is what you need to address: Where is the phone? You can’t dial 911 if you don’t know where the phone is. There should always be a landline or telephone available for use in emergencies. Cell phones are great, but if there is no service or the battery is dead, you will have no way to call 911. Put the location of the phone on your plan and

include the phone number.

Next on the list is writing the Facility name and street address on the top of the plan. Attach a map and give clear directions to the facility for Emergency personnel. Make sure the map is clear. A photocopy of an intricate or small Google map sounds OK, but if a person new to the barn is not able to read and understand it, it serves no purpose. Carefully hand drawn maps and diagrams accompanied by turn by turn directions may get help to the barn a bit faster and it will also help a person from the barn drive to a hospital faster. Remember that anyone who is guiding Emergency Personnel to the barn is most likely not going to communicate well during an emergency. Keep the directions simple and clear. Include the maps in your EAP. An Emergency Action Plan should have the names and contact information for key personnel at the facility. This could be the barn owner, manager, helpers, coaches or a parent. The key people need to be put on the EAP with their phone number. A person who will be activating the EAP and coordinating help is the “charge person” and everyone will get their directions from www.hcbc.ca | 17

COACHES CORNER this person as well as report back to then. A “call person” is the designated person that will phone the appropriate agency for help. There should be alternate people named who can act as the charge person or the call person.

The EAP should include important information, including: • • •

•

• • • • •

The location of the human first aid kit, when it was last checked with a list of the contents attached.

The location of the equine first aid kit, when it was last checked with a list of the contents attached.

The location of the fire extinguishers, which should be marked on the facility diagram and when they were last checked. Make sure that barn staff, boarders, coaches and boarders know how to use them.

Where the rider, barn owners, boarders and staff profiles are kept, date last revised and it should include their phone numbers. This information should be stored in a location that ensures privacy of personal information.

The Emergency, Ambulance, Fire, Police and Poison Control. 911 is usually the appropriate number to call.

The main house phone number and the stable phone (landline).

The phone number of the nearest hospital, the veterinarian (alternate and after hours) as well as the farrier.

Clear directions to the hospital as well as directions to the veterinary hospital A diagram of the facility showing locations of all of the elements of the EAP.

Once the Emergency Action Plan is created, update it regularly, and make sure that everyone associated with your facility or barn knows what is contained in the plan and how to enact it.

You can post several copies of the key information such as, the address, phone number of the facility as well as the emergency number, in several areas of the barn.

18 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

LEARN SOMETHING NEW! Check out HCBC’s online store at

store.hcbc.ca to find great equestrian books, dvds, Equestrian Canada manuals, and safety gear!

COMPETITION

55+ BC GAmes BC equestrians were invited once again to be part of the 2017 55+ BC Games, this year hosted by the city of Vernon and the surrounding area. The 55+ BC Games was held September 13th-16th at the Armstrong Fairgrounds in Armstrong, B.C..

This was the most successful 55+ Games for equestrians that the 55+ Games has ever had! Equestrian sport had over 100 participants and was the only sport at the games to have competitors that represented all areas of the province. The

equestrian participants competed in the disciplines of dressage, western dressage, driving, and mountain trail.

Thank you to all the competitors, volunteers, Sport Chair, Carolyn Farris, and Armstrong Fairgrounds for making the 2017 55+ BC Games the best yet!

The photos from the games, seen below, kindly provided by Marilyn Connolly.

www.hcbc.ca | 19

COMPETITION

Age is Just A Number Pat Allen participates in his first horse show at the age of 95

This June, my father Pat Allen, came for a visit and to share pictures of his recent cruise through the Panama Canal. I was busy preparing a couple horses to compete in the Touch of Class Dressage Show and while working the horses I asked Dad if he wanted to have a ride on Nick, an 11 year old Hanoverian Gelding. He climbed up on the mounting block and onto Nick. For an hour, he walked, stopped, turned, and even did a leg yield or two. Chuckling, I asked Dad if he wanted to ride and compete in the 55+ BC Games in September. He chuckled and said he’d think about it and that’s where we left it.

Upon his flight home, he called to say, “Yes!” and that he would love to enter the show. He then exclaimed that in all the years of ‘horse show Dad’, volunteer, professional horse show announcer, etc. never had any of the kids ever asked him if he wanted to ride or show. The preparations began!

I should back up a bit now to introduce you to my Father – Patrick Michael Allen. This year, in December, Pat will be 96 years old. Yes, he was born in 1921! He was born in Calgary and entered the armed forces at 17. He was first in the army, then a member of Canadian Navy during World War II, fighting in the Battle of the Atlantic. Married soon afterwards to my 20 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

Mother, Jessie Zeen Kingscote, they had 5 children. Louise Allen (Garrard) Richard Allen, Tina Allen (Lloyd), Jacquie Allen (Burke), Carolyn Allen (Dobbs-Sutherland). Dad grew up in Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. If you ask him, he will reminisce about driving a Model T Ford over the lake in winters.

Give him some time and he’s happy to tell you all about working in early forestry, off road logging monstrous cedar trees and cutting and manoeuvring them all by hand; two men to a hand saw! He did whatever work that was available to him to keep employed when forestry was up and down. He worked as a professional painter for the school district on Vancouver Island and even as the school bus driver.

COMPETITION Island and enjoys driving his Mustang convertible (akaThe Grey Ghost) around the island. For Father’s Day 2016 (at age 94), he was given a chance to go sky diving - he thoroughly enjoyed it and is looking forward to his next jump.

Before beginning his riding lessons to prepare him for the 55+ BC Games, he enjoyed an Alaskan cruise. He was home two days, then to flew to my place for his ‘power learning’. He has never ridden except for the odd trail ride as a young man and certainly has never ridden dressage. The lingo, the diagram of the arena, the directives, and not only that, but the rhythm and coordination of riding aids was all new to him. A young Quarter Horse, Don’t Skip this Comet, ended up being his ride as he learned his western dressage walk/jog test. This horse is so ultimately smooth that Dad could manage the bounce of the jog while steering and listening to directions, all at the same time.

Our family has had one thread that has run through regardless of work or location and that thread is horses. My father’s closest brother (also born in 1921) was one of a handful of racehorse trainers who formed Exhibition Park, (now Hastings Park Raceway in Vancouver). Horses have been a foundation of our lives. My father loves to tell the tale of his entry into the horse show announcing ‘career’. It came about from necessity.

The scheduled announcer for a particular show the family was attending had ridden his horse to the Wheatsheaf Pub. After having a few too many drinks, he got on his horse to leave and head back to the show and promptly slid right back off again, passing out cold before the show even began. Dad came to the rescue, picked up the microphone and the rest is history!

For 50 years, Dad announced for horse shows throughout Vancouver Island and the mainland. Breed shows, open and jumping shows, Dad’s voice called the gaits. Many horses became so in tuned to his voice that they did not wait for the riders aids, they just did as he said. His final announcing venture was in Armstrong, BC during the Western Heritage Championships, not that long ago.

Nothing slows him down, he lives in his own home on Gabriola

At 95, his eyesight is not as good as it was when he was younger, so he had to pay close attention to where he was to be and what he was supposed to be doing when he got there.

He learned to keep his horse in a straight line (or a curved one, if that was what was needed), keep his toes up, chin up, legs long, and that circles are round despite what your horse tries to tell you.

“You can’t save time, you can only use it, so use it well.”

My sister Louise Garrard or Weeze as we called her, had a later in life goal to ride in the 55+ BC Games in western dressage.

Cancer sadly took her before she could realize this dream.

My father took it upon himself to do this for her and to ride in honour of her. He unfortunately pulled his back a day before the show, which rendered him fairly immobile. He said that if all he could do was enter at A, walk through and salute at X for Louise, he would finish. In September at the 55+ BC Games, he did just that. Even though he didn’t place top 3, it didn’t matter. He finished for Louise and in the process ultimately proved that you are never to old to try something new.

Ask Dad what his secret is, he will tell you if you want to do something, quit complaining and get it done. You can’t save time, you can only use it, so use it well. He is my Hero.

Story written and submitted by Carolyn Dobbs Photo credit Carolyn Dobbs www.hcbc.ca | 21

TRAILS & RECREATION

GRouND WARs

Recently, the Invasive Species Council of BC invited HCBC’s Recreation Coordinator to create a presentation as part of their ‘Wednesday Webinars’ series.

Our webinar, entitled Invasive Plants and Your Horse – What You Need to Know, aired September 20th and was well attended. The webinar, intended to be a high level look at the plant species with the greatest impact on BC’s pasture, range land and equine health, looked at the top 3 plants threatening 6 regions of BC; some methods to prevent infestation and ways to recover from it; and the toxic plants present in BC with the potential to harm your horse’s health.

Invasive Plants and Your Horse – What You Need To Know is archived and viewable on the Invasive Species Council of BC website - to have a look at it, go online here: http://bcinvasives. ca/resources/webinars/webinar-archive Invasive plant species have charged us enormous sums to take over our agricultural lands, in losses of forage production, habitat and time and money spent on eradication. Invasive species cost British Columbia millions of dollars yearly; crop losses alone cost ranchers and farmers 50 million dollars annually and several more million are spent by the government on herbicide and cultivation eradication efforts.

Invasive plants adversely affect forestry operations, and impact recreational activities, obscuring trails and ruining pastoral landscapes. They reduce property values, destroy ecosystems and can cause the extinction of native plants in particular areas.

Early detection and a rapid response is the most successful, cost-effective, and least environmentally damaging means of 22 | Equine Lifestyles Fall/Winter 2017

controlling invasive plants, but methods such as herbicides and tillage also have their place.

In March of 2017, the B.C. government announced that it is handing out over $1.8 million in new grants to help control the spread of invasive plants in the province, through Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Economic Development.

The 31 grants are being distributed to regional invasive species committees, local governments and the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia to support their ongoing work to deal with the unwelcome plants and to support the objectives of the provincial Invasive Plant Program.

Over the next three years, the B.C. government is committing over $20 million to invasive plant management.

Learn more about the program at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/ releases/2017FLNR0058-000914 It’s up to all of us to support the control and eradication of the invasive plants taking over our pastures. We can all do our part by monitoring the land we occupy closely, staying vigilant about weed-free hay, and taking steps to prevent spread wherever possible.

Did You Know? You can help by reporting invasive plant encroachment. Members of the public can report sightings of invasive species anywhere in B.C. by using the Report-A-Weed smartphone app, by calling 1 888 WEEDSBC or by using the online reporting tool at: reportaweedbc.ca

BC SUMMEr Games 2018 ARE YOU A BC RIDER OR VAULTER BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 & 18?

Be part of the Equestrian Team at the BC Summer Games in Cowichan! Qualify for the BC Summer Games at local qualifier shows around the province from now until June 2018.

19-22

July

2018

DRESSAGE - PARA-DRESSAGE - JUMPING - VAULTING Age Group: Minimum of 11 and a maximum of 18 years of age as of January 1, 2018.

Zone Team Composition: 4 Athletes per zone - 8 zones in total.

Wildcards: 16 wildcard spots in addition to the zone team spots For more information on the BC Summer Games, Visit: Horse Council BC gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

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