New Riders Handbook

New Riders Handbook Handy tips for first time horseback riders of All Ages

CONTENTS Horse Council & You ....................................................3 Why Ride? Benefits of Riding ........................................4 Different Riding Disciplines ..........................................5 Choosing A Riding Facility ............................................9 Why Choose A Certified Coach? ..................................11 Types Of Certification ................................................12 Parents Checklist For Coaches ....................................13 Setting Goals With Rider Programs ..............................14 What To...? ..............................................................16 Realistic Expectations For Rider Progression .................19 Safety Tips ..............................................................21 Understanding A Horses Body Language ......................22 Are You Ready To Own Your Own Horse? ......................23 2

Who Are We?

Horse Council & You

Horse Council BC is a member service organization that collaborates with business, industry, and government on behalf of equine welfare, sports, recreation, and the individual rider/driver.

Horse Council BC strives to represent all horse people in BC regardless of discipline, breed orientation, or sport. We endeavor to be an association that anyone active in the horse industry is proud to be a part of.

Why Become a Member?

Basic HCBC membership includes: • $5,000,000 Liability Insurance • $30,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance • Transportation insurance for non-owned horses • Enhanced/Incidental/Emergency liability for the care custody of non-owned horses • Access to scholarships for youth, towards education and athlete development

HCBC Programs & Events • BC Heritage Circuit Competition • BC Equine Education Summit • Annual Awards • Ride & Drive Rewards Program • Annual HCBC Horse Day • Online BC Trail Guide • Equine Learning Programs • Equine Canada Rider Development Programs • High School Credits Program • High School Achievement Program • Bookstore & Lending Library • Membership Discount Program 3

Why Ride?

the benefits of horses 1. IT’S A GREAT PHYSICAL WORKOUT - It’s a general misconception that riders just sit on the horse while the horse does all the work. A one hour ride has similar calorie-burning benefits as a 30-minute jog or bike ride. Benefits include: • Improved balance and muscle strength • Improved coordination, faster reflexes, and increased motor planning • Stretching of tight or spastic muscles and decreased spasticity • Increased range of motion of joints • Improved respiration and circulation • Stimulated sensory integration • Improved visual-spatial perception • Improved hand-eye coordination 2. IT GETS YOU THINKING - It takes a lot of mental energy when you ride a horse. As prey animals, horses are constantly finding ways to get into trouble and it’s the job of the rider to observe the environment and anticipate potential problems.

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Increased vocabulary application and recall Increased verbal integration and participation Improved attention and concentration Improved sequencing and planning skills Improved judgement and critical thinking skills Improved flexibility in thinking

3. IT MAKES YOU HAPPY - It has long been acknowledged that horses are highly therapeutic. The emotional benefits can equal the physical benefits by reducing stress and increasing your over-all general sense of well-being. It’s also extremely rewarding to establish and build a bond with a horse. Learning to control and care for an animal much larger than yourself can have a profound affect on your confidence and is a great feeling.

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Improved self-confidence Improved assessment abilities Development of patience Improved emotional control and self-discipline Improved expansion of control Development of respect and care for animals

What To Do? The different disciplines

Agility

A non-mounted event where horse and handler go through an obstacle course similar to dog agility.

Barrel Racing

A western event where horse and rider attempt to go around three barrels in a clover leaf pattern as fast as they can.

Carriage Driving

An activity where a horse is hitched to a cart or carriage and pulls it.

Competitive Pleasure Driving has light breeds of horse or pony hitched to a 2- or 4- wheel cart and driven at the walk and trot.

Combined Driving tests the skills of multiple disciplines including dressage, marathon, and cones.

Recreational Driving includes distance driving, TREK, and enduance driving.

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Coaching refers to specific vehicles pulled by four horses

Cutting

A western event where a horse and rider are judged on their ability to separate a calf from a cattle herd and keep it away for a short period.

Dressage

An english style of riding established to develop a horses natural athletic ability and willingness to perform. Riders typically perform predetermined tests that demonstrate the movement at the walk, trot, and canter. Higher level competitions also include movements above the basic level.

Endurance

An event where the focus is on condition and stamina of the horse.

Horses are ridden over distances of up to 160 kms in one day over challenging terrain. Horse and rider teams are evaluated on time as well as results from vet checks conducted at different points throughout the ride.

eventing

An english event that tests horse and rider in three distinct tests over the course of three days. The dressage test is followed by Cross-Country, a timed event that includes a series of solid jumps set in natural terrain. Stadium jumping is held on the final day.

Hunter

An english style of jumping where the focus is on conformation, temperment, manners, and their ability to clear a course of jumps.

Mounted Games

A series of games played on horseback that requires multiple horse/ rider teams to work together to achieve the desired result. Some game examples are the “Egg & Spoon,” “Two Flag,” and “Bang-a-Balloon.”

Pole Bending

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A western event that requires a horse and rider to weave through six poles arranged in a line as fast as they can.

© Marion Cox Photography

Polo

A team sport played on horseback where one team tries to score goals against the opposing team by hitting a small, white plastic ball into the opposing goal using a long-handled mallet. Teams typically have four riders and polo is usually played on a field up to 300 yards in length.

Reining

A western event designed to show the athletic ability of the horse by riding a set pattern that includes movements such as small, slow circles; large, fast circles; flying lead changes; roll backs; 360 degree spins done in place; back ups; and sliding stops.

Roping

A western event that features a calf and mounted rider. The goal is to catch the calf by throwing a loop of rope around its neck, dismount from the horse, run to the calf, and restrain it by tying three legs together as fast as possible.

Saddle Seat

An english style of riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds such as the Saddlebred.

Show Jumping

An english event that requires a horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles. Penalties occure for exceeding the allowed time, knocking down poles, or refusing an obstacle.

Team Penning

A western event where the object is for three team members on horses to collect three head of cattle that have the same number on them from a herd of 30 cattle located at one end of an arena. The team then attempts to put these specific cattle into a small pen at the opposite end within 90 seconds.

therapeutic

Geared toward individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities. Individuals ride a horse as a way to increase balance and

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coordination, confidence, muscle tone, and many other physical and psychological benefits.

trail riding

Riding outdoors on natural trails and roads as opposed to riding in an enclosed arena. Trail rides can be informal or competitive; individual or group activities; or even led by a professional guide outfitter.

vaulting

The performance of gymnastic and dance-like movements to music on a moving horse.

Western Pleasure

A western style of riding that focuses on a horses manner and the suitability of the horse for a relaxed but collected gait cadence and relatively slow speed of gait, along with calm and responsive disposition.

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making the choice tips on choosing a riding facility

Choosing a riding facility may seem daunting, but there are things you can look for and questions you can ask to help ensure you’re at the place for you.

Q Is there an age restriction?

A Many schools will take children as young as three but some prefer

them to be at least five or six. They usually teach in small groups to ensure each pupil receives a good level of attention, but you may be able to book individual lessons if preferred.

Q Does the facility & lesson program look professional, safe, and well-managed?

A The area where the horses are being handled before and after lessons should be clear of hoses, buckets, and other trip hazards. Riders should be supervised by a qualified person while handling the horses, including grooming, tacking, mounting, and dismounting. The instructor or coach should also do a safety check of the rider’s tack before the lesson begins.

Q Is the instructor certified to teach riding lessons?

A Find out about the lesson program and the credentials of the instructor(s) teaching lessons. They should have experience teaching beginner riders and should be certified and active. HCBC highly recommends working with certified coaches who maintain their active status

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to ensure their first aid certificate and training is current. All active Equine Canada certified coaches are listed on the HCBC website at www.hcbc.ca.

Q Do the school horses look healthy and wellbehaved?

A It’s normal to find a range of breeds and sizes of horses and ponies

used in schooling lessons. The primary talents of a good beginner school horse are good manners and an even, forgiving temperment. You don’t have to be a veterinarian to recognize a healthy horse. To the average person the horse should appear well-fed, relatively clean, and with no untreated cuts or wounds. They should walk freely and willingly without lameness.

Q Are there rules about parent involvement, such as watching lessons?

A Stables and coaches will have different rules about how closely a parent or friend is involved during tacking up, lessons, and untacking.

You should expect to be asked to stay outside the ring or arena during the lesson. Some facilities will have a viewing room or an area outside the ring/arena where you can watch the lesson.

Q When observing a beginner lesson, how does the instructor or coach interact with the riders? Do they explain the goals of the lesson?

A There is a broad range of

teaching styles among coaches.

They won’t all appeal to everyone, but a good coach or instructor will recognize the needs of their students and make adjustments to help them learn and be successful. You should discuss your expectations with your prospective coach and, when watching their lesson, look for a theme or goal in the lesson. Some coaches will be more explicit than others, but it helps the students if they understand the goals of the lesson and how the exercises help achieve that goal.

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Reasons To Choose A Certified Coach

1. Safety & First Aid

Trained in procedures, coaches hold a valid First Aid certificate which must be kept up to date for the coach to stay current.

2. Criminal Record Check

Every Equine Canada certified coach must have a criminal record check to help ensure the safety of the students.

3. Professional & Accountable

Certified coaches are professionals who are expected to adhere to strict standards of the profession. Written complaints about coaches are addressed by the Coach Discipline Committee of HCBC.

4. Commitment

Becoming certified requires significant time and financial commitment on the part of the candidate.

5. Consistence and Upgrading

Through the evaluation process they are taught and are evaluated on consistent skills. Coaches must upgrade their knowledge to stay active therefore keeping skills fresh and current.

6. Knowledge and Technical Competence

Coach & Instructor candidates are evaluated and tested by qualified personnel. Applicants are required to show their technical ability as well as having theoretical knowledge.

7. Stable Management

Coaches have learned and been evaluated on more than just technical skills, they are capable of teaching every aspect of horsecare.

8. Sport Specific

Coaches are evaluated and certified in the area of their expertise.

9. Theory

Certified Coaches know “how� to coach. Coaches support all aspects of 11

the sport, not just the technical skill. Successful completion of National Coaching Certification Program is a requirement at each level.

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Certified coaches have all the resources at the EC & HCBC available for them to upgrade, educate and learn.

Types Of Certification Instructor of Beginner

These instructors primarily teach children and adults just starting out on their equestrian adventure. The focus for these instructors is establishing foundational riding skills with an eye on safety.

Competition Coach

This certification focuses on improving basic skills up to and including competition. Skills for performance analysis and mental preparation for competition are required to become certified at this level.

Competition Specialist Coach

Coaches with this certification usually focus on riders competing at the provincial and national levels. Beyond the Competition Coach level, this level requires a working knowledge of the Equine Canada competition rules for the level and discipline they’re teaching.

High Performance Coach

These coaches specialize in developing athletes through refining basic sport skills, developing more advanced skills and tactics, and preparing for performance in national to international level competitive standards.

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parents check list for coaches

Here are some questions to ask yourself when evaluating a potential Coach for your child.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Is this Coach Certified?

Is this Coach Insured?

Does this Coach ask that the student carry insurance?

Is this Coach well respected in the community?

Does this Coach practice risk management?

Does this person coach as a hobby or a business?

Does the Coach know First Aid, and is able to use it?

Is the safety of the student a prime concern?

Is the lesson area safe, contained and free of clutter?

Is he/she punctual and reliable?

Do you get the full lesson time?

Do they constantly cancel lessons on short notice?

Does this Coach practice good business procedures?

Does this Coach provide supervision at all times?

If there are lesson horses, are they in good health and condition?

Are the horses in the barn well fed on a regular basis, and subject to sound feeding practices?

Does this coach have a zero abuse policy towards all horses?

Does this coach have a zero abuse tolerance in regards to drugs and medication for horses?

Are the lesson horses well mannered and appropriate for your child’s ability?

Does the Coach use correct, well-fitted tack which is in good condition?

Does this Coach encourage Goal Setting for his/her students?

Does this Coach follow lesson plans?

Is this Coach able to demonstrate what they teach?

Does this Coach regularly update their knowledge?

Does this Coach understand different learning styles and teach accordingly?

Does this Coach use teaching aids, such as VCR’s, blackboards, diagrams, or use a microphone when needed?

Is rider fitness, nutrition and mental skills training part of the program?

Does this Coach relate well to the student with positive feedback?

Is this person neat, clean and business-like?

Is this Coach able to communicate well?

Does this coach challenge the student appropriately?

Does this coach explain clearly what the student should do?

Does this coach use warm-up and cool-down procedures for horse and rider?

Has this coach produced good riders with correct skills?

Is this coach a good role model for your child?

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setting goals

with rider programs Horse Council BC offers a number of different programs for riders at different stages of their experience.

Pony Tails Kids Club

HCBC’s is for kids 12 years old and younger. You don’t need to own your own horse or pony, or have a Horse Council BC membership to join, and it’s free!

In addition to receiving lessons from a certified instructor or coach, goal-oriented riders who want to measure their knowledge and test their riding skills might be interested in participating in a certification program.

P’tit Trot is an introductory program for children

ages five or older who love horses and want to learn about riding and caring for horses. The P’tit Trot book is fully illustrated throughout and introduces readers to the basics of English and Western riding, and how to care for a horse or pony. Parents and instructors/coaches can use this entertaining and educational presentation to introduce children to horses, to prepare and support activities offered at riding camps, and as preparation to begin the Equine Canada Learn to Ride program.

Learn to Ride

is a national program with national standards that was developed to teach English and Western riders safe horsemanship and practices. Through this non-competitive certification program, both recreational and competitive riders are rewarded with Certificates of Achievement for advancing their learning. There are also Learn to Ride programs currently under development for the disciplines of Saddle Seat, Driving, and Endurance, as well as a Learn to Trail Ride & Guide program.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs please visit www.hcbc.ca, email reception@hcbc.ca, or call 1-800-3458055.

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lots to learn!

HCBC’s Access to Education Online Courses

HCBC is big on learning! Members and non-members can check out courses covering topics such as buying your First Horse, Hoof Care, Road Safety, and basic Nutrition. These courses are free for HCBC members.

We also have a selection of “Equine Quick Courses” that are free mini courses offering basic information. The five topics covered in these mini courses include: • • • • •

Blankets Explained Approaching, Catching and Haltering a Horse Trail Etiquette and Safety Best Practices Equine Law Water Filtration in the Back Country

The Five Minute Video Project

HCBC started the “Five Minute Video Project” as a way to have short, single subject videos available on the HCBC YouTube channel that will provide meaningful, correct, safe, and appropriate equine education to our members and potential members.

HCBC Library

We’re proud to have a province-wide lending library! Our members can borrow from our extensive list of books on pretty much any topic you may be interested in. We’ll send them to you as long as you send them back.w Check out the list of books on our website at www.hcbc.ca, email reception@hcbc.ca or call 1-800-345-8055.

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What To Wear?

how to dress for Your first lesson

So you’ve booked your first riding lesson. After the initial excitement, you may be left wondering what you should wear. While there are a few must-have items, you won’t be expected to have a fully stocked riding wardrobe at this stage.

Helmet

The most important item that you cannot ride without is an ASTM certified riding helmet. Approved ASTM riding helmets must be properly fitted to the rider so they do not slip on the head, and they should have a chin strap that prevents the helmet from coming off. Riding helmets are designed to protect against the types of head injuries a rider could experience, without interfering with their ability to ride safely.

While it’s tempting to buy a used helmet, it’s essential to purchase a new helmet that you know has no structural damage that may compromise your safety. A reputable tack shop will carry certified helmets and will be able to assist you in selecting a properly fitting helmet that 16

meets your needs.

Footwear

While investing in a pair of riding boots is a good idea, it’s not essential for your first few lessons. However, make sure that the footwear you ride in has a half-inch or one-inch heel to prevent your foot from becoming caught in the stirrup. Also, make sure the shoes or boots you wear do not have a wide, thick sole, as these can make it difficult to remove your foot from the stirrup.

Legwear

Fitted jeans, preferably with no inseam that can rub your legs, will be sufficient when you are first starting out. It can be tempting to wear shorts during the hot summer months, but they offer no protection to your legs, which will be pinched and rubbed by the saddle. You should also avoid thin or loos fitting pants, such as leggings or jogging pants, which can be slippery on the seat of the saddle.

Other

It’s advisable to avoid loose fitting clothing, hoodies, jewelry or scarves, which could get caught up while working around the horse or mounting and dismounting. Shirts should be tucked in for both safety and an overall neat presentation.

It’s also worth noting that riders who wear glasses should secure their glasses with a strap and should avoid the use of contacts, which can irritate eyes due to the dust at barns and inside riding arenas.

Some riders will wear other equipment such as protective riding vests, riding boots, or half or full chaps. This additional equipment is something you may choose to purchase at some point, but is not required to start.

Riders who follow these guidelines will have a safe and comfortable ride - essential ingredients to have fun and learn new skills!

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What will i learn?

The skills you will learn with beginner horse riding lessons are the fundamentals of the sport. Whether you continue with your riding or stop at this level, the skills you learn are vital.

Mounting

In order to ride a horse, you have to know how to get on! Your instructor will teach you the correct and safe way to mount and dismount a horse, and how to hold the reins and adjust the stirrups.

Balance and Control

Once you’re on the horse, you’ll work on the balance and control of your body. In order to ride and be one with the horse, you have to develop your seat and centre of balance.

The Aids

You’ll learn how to ask the horse to move forward and halt, and how to properly steer the horse. Stopping and steering are essentials to correct and safe riding.

Basic Horse Care

Horse care is just as important as riding and is one of the essentials that you’ll need to know about. Part of the lesson may be taken up with leading the horse, grooming, and tacking up. Learning these skills will prepare you for the realities of taking care of a horse.

What will it cost?

Horse riding can be a more expensive activity than some other sports, but the benefits and level of enjoyment it offers do make it worth the expense. You’ll probably find lesson prices vary depending on the school, area, and type/length of the lesson, so if budget is essential to you, look around until you find a school that offers more cost-effective options.

Rates tend to vary depending on the location, the number of students riding together, and the standard of the instructor.

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Realistic Expectations for

Rider Progression Many people wonder when they begin a new sport or activity how fast they should be progressing with their training and skills development.

While it is difficult to put exact timelines on learning, as each person should be allowed to learn at their own pace, there are some general guidelines you can use to manage your expectations.

Western riders taking one lesson per week can expect the following: First Month: • Working with horses from the ground: proper rider clothing, safety rules, basic skills to prepare horse to ride • Riding skills: mount and dismount, correct body position, how to ask the horse to walk, stop, turn, and jog • Simple patterns to practice skills • Basic horse/equipment care and riding theory Up to 6 Months: • Continue rider position improvement and balance • Riding skills: how to ask horse to trot and lope, beginning of lateral work • Patterns to practice and new skills • Continue to learn horse care and riding theory 6 Months to a Year: • Improving rider “feel” for the horse’s movements and reactions • Riding skills: improving previously learned skills, rider controlled changes of speed, riding with one hand • Patterns • Skills for safe trail riding • Horse care and riding theory One Year and Beyond: • Learning to balance the horse to gain increased responses to rider aids • Intermediate and advanced movements • Introduction to showing, if desired • Horse care and riding theory 19

English riders taking one lesson per week can expect the following: First Month: • Rider should gain competency in starting/stopping the horse and develop posting at the trot Up to 6 Months: • Rider should have good control of start, stop, posting, and basics of cantering (large and 20m circles). Two point position will be introduced.

6 Months to a Year: • Rider will gain confidence in control of horse, posting and sitting trot, two point position over small jump or line, and good control at canter (full seat and two point).

One Year and Beyond: • Rider should have solid basics established at walk, trot, and canter, and be able to jump a small course of fences (knowing how to turn to a diagonal correctly, straighten the horse between jumps, and make appropriate corrections on course).

These guidelines will vary from individual to individual. Factors such as frequency of riding lessons and opportunities to practice between lessons can also impact how fast a rider progresses. Riders with above average athletic ability may also progress more quickly.

It’s important to remember that you should be challenged, but not pushed beyond your mental and physical limitations. A good riding instructor will know what’s best for you and will tailor a lesson program to your abilities and goals.

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Safety Tips Being around horses can be loads of fun, but even a quiet horse can accidentally hurt you. Here are a few important things to remember when you’re at the stable: • Move quietly, and try not to startle the horse • Always wear a helmet when you ride • Always wear protective footwear when around a horse - no sandals or going barefoot • When working around a horse’s legs, don’t sit or kneel. If the horse moves you will not be able to get out of the way fast enough • Don’t wear necklaces or earrings that dangle and can get snagged when you’re working around horses • Tie your horse, with a safety quick-release knot, to a solid object that will not break or move if the horse pulls back • Tie a horse at the height of its withers and short enough that he can’t get a leg over the rope • When leading your horse, walk on the left side between the head and shoulder, and always turn your horse away from you • Never wrap a lead rope or reins around your hand, arm, or any part of your body - if the horse spooks you could be dragged or badly hurt • Allays be calm around your horse. Speak quietly and firmly.

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Do You Speak Horse?

Understanding their body language Horses and ponies are herd animals and are used to living as part of a group, feeling secure in the company of other equines and familiar surroundings. They are timid by nature and their natural reaction to danger is to flee. The horse’s sense of hearing is very acute and its sense of smell is also good, enabling it to sense danger some distance away. A horse is a very sensitive animal and able to pick up on the feelings of its riders and handlers, particularly hesitation, fear, confidence, and anger.

Ears Alert & Forward: Ears pricked alert and facing forward indicates the horse is happy and interested.

Ears Flat & Back: Ears laid flat back against the neck show the horse is unhappy or annoyed.

Ears Lowered: Ears lowered slightly to the sides show the horse is relaxed, bored, or could show that it feels unwell.

Flickering Ears: Flickering ears indicates that the horse is listening and attentive.

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Owning A Horse

are you ready?

So, you’ve been taking riding lessons. The next step is to buy a horse, right? While every new rider dreams of one day owning their own horse, it’s not a commitment to be taken lightly or a decision to be hurried into.

Horses are a lot of work and responsibility and owning one costs considerably more than just taking riding lessons. And even if you are ready to invest the time and money into owning your own horse, you must also have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely handle and properly care for it.

For riders taking lessons who want a taste of horse ownership without the long-term commitment, other options are available, such as partand full- leasing.

What does it mean to lease a horse?

The arrangement is essentially a formal rental agreement between an owner and a rider (you) for a horse’s use. Leasing is an arrangement in which you pay either a fixed fee or a portion of the horse’s expenses in exchange for riding time on that horse. Leasing allows a rider to pursue equestrian interests without making a full-time commitment.

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The full lease:

In the full lease situation, the lessee pays for all of the horse’s boarding costs in addition to routine farrier and veterinary care in return for being able to use the horse whenever you’d like. The full lease does not restrict riding times and days, and also does not restrict access to the horse for special events such as horse shows.While the total cost may seem like a downside to leasing, it gives you a chance to see what these types of services will cost you when you do buy horse.

The part lease:

The share-lease situation is less expensive than leasing a horse completely, but still allows you an average of 3 days per week to work the horse. In the part lease, boarding expenses are split, in exchange for the lessee to care and ride for the horse 50% of the time. Partial leases are common in lesson barns, where the leased horses are used for lessons on the days not included in your lease.

Why lease instead of buy?

The most common reason a person would lease a horse instead of buy one is that leasing allows you to experience the joys and responsibilities of horse ownership without actually having to buy a horse, and without having to deal with certain liabilities.

During your scheduled lease times, you will be responsible for grooming, riding and caring for the horse as if it were your own. A lease gives you a chance to hang out at the stable, get to know the other riders and get some much needed riding time in without depending on formal lessons as being the only access you have to a horse.

What kind of commitment is required?

Whether you decide on a full or part lease a minimum commitment may be required for a specific length of time. You may also be required to stay in a lesson program as well, if the horse is at a boarding facility.

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What age or skill level is required to lease a horse?

If your child demonstrates a sustainable interest in horses and you find that weekly riding lessons do not provide enough “horse time� for your child, consider a full or part lease of a horse. Ask your child’s instructor or trainer to recommend a leasing situation for you. For children riders, a parent must be present to help supervise with grooming and tacking up the horse and to keep an eye on the child when he/she is riding.

Owning a Horse

Before you are ready to bring your new horse home, you must consider where you are going to keep it. Are you planning on boarding the horse at a stable and letting the owners of the facility take care of it, or do you plan to keep him at home? Boarding a horse may cost from $250.00 up to and exceeding $800.00 per month depending on the services you require. It is a good idea for new owners if they know nothing about horses to board at first so that they can learn before taking the horse home and providing all its care. Boarding also makes horse ownership possible for enthusiasts living in the city and those who do not have the land to keep one at home. Make sure you sign a boarding agreement and retain a copy for yourself If you are keeping your horse at home, you will need a paddock, barn or shelter, a grassy field, secure fencing and gates. You may want a riding ring and access to trails. Be sure to check with your municipal zoning to see the minimum amount of land you need and any restrictions regarding the keeping of horses on property.

Horses require a lot of time and attention. They should be fed 3 or more times a day, a diet of grain and hay, which depends on what type of work they are doing.

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Due to the delicate nature of the horses digestive system they must be fed at regular intervals and at the same time every day. They require free access to clean fresh water at all times. Grass is the best choice of food for a horse (in addition to hay and grain), so good pasture is a bonus.

Horses should be provided shelter from prevailing winds and rain and lots of room to roam and exercise. Horses like company, so if they are kept with other horses they are happier, goats, cats or other farm animals can help them from becoming lonely.

If you put your horse in a stall at night he will need shavings or straw as bedding. Stalls and paddocks must be cleaned out daily and kept clean.

You will find that you will need a composting and disposal system for all the manure your will produce. The average horse produces 26 litres of manure per day, averaging 720 cubit feet per year.

You will have to have a farrier trim or shoe your horse every 6 to 8 weeks and a veterinarian come out at least once a year for a check up, vaccinations and to check the horses teeth.

Horses should be de-wormed approximately 4 to 6 times per year. You can assume that monthly care costs for a horse kept a home will be in the neighbourhood of $150.00 and more, 26

with you providing all the labour.

Horses need halters and lead ropes for daily leading in and out with or to hold them with. You will need to have shovels, wheelbarrows, pitchforks and manure forks. Buckets, grooming brushes and towels are always needed.

Depending on what type of riding you do, you will need a saddle, bridle, and saddle pad. Safety when riding is important so make sure you have an approved hard hat and boots with a heel to wear whenever you ride.

Some horse owners blanket their horses in the winter, so you may chose to have stable blankets, warm waterproof turnout blankets, and coolers. In the summer fly masks to protect your horse from flies and fly spray are necessary. Some of these are expensive items to purchase, but quite often you can find good deals on used equipment. The equipment you buy, new or used must be in good repair and fit the horse correctly.

Owning your own horse is a rewarding experience. We can derive so much joy from interacting with these wonderful animals. Horse ownership is a great responsibility as they are entirely dependent upon us to provide for all their needs. Making the decision to own a horse should be done only after lots of research and preparation.

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Horse Council BC gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Thank you to the Ontario Equestrian Federation for permission to use some of their content.