Equine Special Edition April 24, 2015

Holly Jacks-Smither Hillsburgh rider has sights set on Pan Am, Olympic Games Wellington facilities part of Horse Experience showcase during Pan Am Games Special feature of The Wellington Advertiser - April 24, 2015

EQUINE

Pan Am connections

PAGE 2 | EQUINE APRIL 24, 2015

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Carriage driving association offering June 7 showcase at Elora raceway

by Mike Robinson ELORA - Organizers hope a carriage driving show this June at the Grand River Raceway here will draw in more spectators and spark more interest in the sport.

Andrea Friedman explained the Ontario Carriage Driving Association strives, through clinics, pleasure shows, combined carriage driving shows and social days, to advance the enjoyment of carriage driving in the province.

“On Sunday, June 7, the Grand River Raceway will take a step back in time to showcase, challenge and appreciate what we now know as carriage driving, and what was once not a sport, or leisure activity, but rather a way of life, and means of transportation,” Friedman told the Advertiser.

“We are excited to be having the show here in Elora, which is a great town to appreciate the equines,

Alexis Clark of Elora, recent junior champion at the Walnut Hill Show in Pittsford, NY. submitted photo ambiance of the tradition and art.”

The morning will consist of driven dressage tests, judged similar to riding dressage, as well as a cones course testing accuracy.

“Some of these turnouts (the combination of an equine, its harness and carriage) will know how to turn on a bit of speed, while navigating through some tight

turns, twist and bends meant to challenge the fitness and agility of the equine,” Friedman said.

“The afternoon is meant to show respect to the tradition of carriage driving ... (and) offer a chance to see some turnouts that this generation may have never gotten the experience of seeing, and the older generation may have thought

of as extinct. The public is encouraged and welcome to come and watch, and learn.”

Organizers will have information for anyone wanting to get involved, with or without a horse. Carriage driving can be performed by horses of any size, shape, breed and history.

Laurie Bruder of Windy Knoll Farm in Ariss explained combined driving “is very similar to three-day eventing, under saddle. The first day is dressage, second marathon (cross country), and third day cones (stadium jumping).

“While it is not possible to do a marathon at the (Elora) racetrack ... if the show is well received, we will consider doing a derby, a shortened marathon, which is very entertaining to the spectators in the near future,” Bruder added.

For additional information Bruder can be contacted at laurie@windyknollfarm.ca or 519-820-9693.

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EQUINE APRIL 24, 2015 | PAGE 3

Local event rider has sights set on Pan Am, Olympic Games

by Chris Daponte HILLSBURGH - Local event rider Holly Jacks-Smither is hopeful she will be selected to compete for Canada in this summer’s Pan American Games.

“I would be thrilled to be selected to ride for our country,” she said.

Jacks-Smither, 29, and her horse, More Inspiration, are eligible for the PanAm Games and she hopes they are one of four rider-horse pairings selected in June by Equine Canada’s high performance committee to represent the national eventing team at the Toronto games (equine events will be held in Caledon and Mono).

“When you’re growing up you dream about it and you definitely want to live that dream,” Jacks-Smither told the Advertiser.

She explained the selection process is already ongoing and riders and horses will be evaluated right up until the first week of June.

But regardless of the out-

come, she has her sights set on even bigger goals.

“I’d love to go to the PanAms but I’m really trying not to make that my sole focus,” said Jacks-Smither, who is taking aim at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In eventing, riders use the same horse to compete in three different events over the span of two or three

level, there is greater opportunity for More Inspiration to do what he does best: jump.

“The jumping phases in Rio are much tougher than the Pan Ams, and I think a horse like More Inspiration, who is a full thoroughbred, will be able to handle the heat and the length of the cross-country phase.”

Jacks-Smither, who is originally from British

Inspiration’s first career discipline.

Jacks-Smither purchased the thoroughbred gelding now nine years old and one of the youngest horses competing at high-level eventing - five years ago for $2,000 after a successful racing

career at both Woodbine and Fort Erie racetracks.

“I couldn’t be happier with More Inspiration,” JacksSmither said, adding she has worked hard with trainers in both Canada and the U.S. to develop the horse.

“He’s matured a lot, and

is proving himself in ways I had never dreamed of,” she said.

For more information and updates on Jacks-Smither’s results visit www.hollyjacksequestrian.com.

(Cover photo by Shannon Brinkman).

DIGITAL X-RAY IMAGING!

When you’re growing up you dream about it and you definitely want to live that dream.

-Holly Jacks-Smither days: dressage, cross country and show jumping. At the Pan Am level, there is a much stronger emphasis on the dressage portion of eventing, Jacks-Smither explained.

“Being a full thoroughbred, that has been our weakest phase,” she said, adding that at the Olympic

Columbia, has operated an equestrian training facility near Hillsburgh with her husband Bruce Smither for the last three years.

That she is even thinking about participating in the PanAm and Olympic Games, may come as a surprise to some when they find out eventing is not even More

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PAGE 4 | EQUINE APRIL 24, 2015

EQUINE APRIL 24, 2015 | PAGE 5

Wellington locations featured in Horse Experience 2015 showcase during Pan Am Games

by Jaime Myslik WELLINGTON COUNTY Local horse facilities are set to shine this year, capitalizing on an international presence during the 2015 Pan American Games.

As part of Horse Experience 2015, organized

by Equine Canada, horse facilities within an hour’s drive of the OLG Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park and the Pan Am Cross-Country

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ERIN | ACTON | ROCKWOOD INDOOR & OUTDOOR ARENAS • OUTDOOR WATERERS IN PADDOCKS MATTED STALLS • 10 GRASS PADDOCKS • NO RIDING SCHOOL QUIET ATMOSPHERE • HACKING & TRAILS ON 88 ACRES QUALITY HOME GROWN HAY • INDOOR BOARD $495 5192 Third Line, Acton 519.362.6664 whitneystables@gmail.com www.whitneystables.ca

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Centre (Caledon/Mono) have been asked to host events to showcase the best of what the country has to offer and take advantage of the expected 10,000 international visitors for the games.

Three facilities in Wellington County were on board at press time to host Horse Experience 2015 events.

Forest Gait Farm The first event in the county will take place at Forest Gait Farm in Centre Wellington. Nestled along the Eramosa/Garafraxa Townline, Forest Gait is home to paso fino horses, including a world champion mare and a Canadian and U.S. champion stallion.

Paso fino horses have Latin American roots, making their showing during the Pan Am Games fitting. The breed is unique in its gait; instead of having the more traditional walk, trot, canter, gallop movements, the paso fino has a four-beat gait, instead of the trot that’s faster than a walk and is akin to speed walking for humans.

“They’re like an equine sports car,” said Forest Gait Farm owner Marijean Harris.

“They are people oriented, they like to go forward, and they have all these gears and you can ride them all day because of the smooth gait.”

On July 11, as part of

Horse Experience 2015, Forest Gait Farm will host a free open house from 11am to 5pm. Harris said the day will be like a party.

“I want to introduce the breed to anybody who wants to come and find out about them and they’ll have free test rides, there will be some Latin music, food, festivities,” she said. “Basically showing what the horse can do and there will also be horses for sale.“ Harris is anticipating the event will be a hit because of the countries participating in the games.

“A lot of the Pan Am countries are Spanish speaking or Latin countries, so there will be a lot of interest in the paso fino because of that,” she said.

Due to their smooth and even gait paso finos are especially appealing to young riders just learning and to older riders who may shy from the somewhat bouncier trot, Harris said.

If a rider is aspiring to show in the Pan Am Games or in the Olympics, a paso fino does not have the size or ability required to compete at that level. They do, however, excel in endurance competitions Harris said.

For those interested, Harris offers lessons with qualified coaches at Forest Gait Farm and, though she

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The event will cost $25 per person and adult participants will also receive a $10 slots gaming voucher. To purchase tickets (sales close July 6) call 519-846-5455 x247 or email bookings@ grandriverraceway.com.

Myrddin Equestrian Centre Taking place just after the Pan Am eventing competition, Myrddin Equestrian Centre will host a grassroots eventing showcase on July 22 from 9am to 3pm at the Town of Erin farm.

The day will feature an eventing competition between teams from stables in the area, explained head coach Margaret Godson.

“I would like six to eight stables to bring a little team of riders … and they will be participating in the competition,” Godson explained.

“So the competition will basically be the riders of the coaches that are available on the ground so people can see the riders and if they see somebody and think ‘oh that’s really a nice rider’ ... they can go and talk to the coach. That’s the whole point is that people will be able to actually link up with the people on the day rather than just gather pamphlets.”

The competition will not be a full course; riders will complete a dressage test and then a combined show

is slowing down on breeding, she does have horses for sale.

Grand River Raceway Elora’s raceway is also on board for Horse Experience 2015 and offering an exclusive night. The Horse Racing Dinner and Tour Experience at Grand River Raceway will take place on July 13.

Ticket holders will be served dinner in the raceway’s tiered dining room and will be able to watch the racing while enjoying their meal.

Once finished, participants will be treated to a behindthe-scenes look at the paddock building, where horses prepare for races and return once the race is complete.

“Aside from seeing the horses and the people involved, it’s also a good opportunity to see the real nuts and bolts of what happens on a race night behind the scenes,” said Kelly Spencer, manager of marketing and communications for the raceway. “It’s a unique opportunity.”

Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with horses, drivers and trainers.

In addition, participants will receive a DVD of the biography of Cam Fella, the Secretariat of harness racing, Spencer explained.

A rep from the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame will also give a presentation.

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Enjoying the sun - Taylor Richardson, a Paso Fino Equestrian Academy coach, rides Marchi, a Forest Gait Farm stallion and national champion. photo by Gord Harris

jumping and cross country course. In conjunction with the competition, coaches will be making presentations throughout the day, providing information for those hoping to try the sport.

“For instance, how to ride a jump up and down hill as opposed to riding on the flat, how you would correctly gallop the horse, how you would ride a dressage test,” explained Godson. “It’s basically a full day of information for people that might want to get into eventing or who are already sort of involved in

the sport but want to know more at the lower levels.”

She said she hopes the Pan Am Games pique the interest of eventing spectators and they come to the Myrddin event to learn more.

“If people actually go to the Pan Ams just out of interest and then they think, ‘gee I’d like to get involved,’ but they don’t know how, this offers the opportunity,“ Godson said.

The Myrddin competition is open to all spectators and is free to attend.

Possible additions Though unconfirmed at press time, Strategic Equine representative Kelly Counsell mentioned the Angelstone International Show Jumping Tournaments in July will likely join the ranks of Horse Experience 2015.

She added the Ontario Veterinary College may also be participating.

Horse farm tours At the same time Equine Canada is facilitating Horse Experience 2015, Headwaters Horse Country is offering farm tours during the games.

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One of two farms participating in Wellington County (as of press time) is Hidden Meadows Farm located in the Town of Erin. The stable exclusively breads and raises the Canadian Horse. Owner Brenda Pantling offers tours to bring awareness to Canada’s national horse.

“We usually have a wagon pulled by a team of Canadians just giving rides around the field,” Pantling said. “There’s plenty of people here to answer questions.” The barn tour is free and the dates had not been set as of press time.

The other county barn participating in the Headwaters Horse Country farm tour is Rustic Meadow in Hillsburgh, which primarily features reigning techniques and riding sidesaddle, explained owner Joanne Milton.

The farm tour will vary from day to day.

“It depends on who comes,” Milton said. “I’ve always done these kinds of things kind of by the seat of my pants … and I try to answer any questions that anybody comes with and I usually have students here that will do demonstrations at any time.”

Rustic Meadow Farm will have stable tours on July 18, 19, 25 and 26 and will be open from 10am to 4pm each day.

“I’ll have a saddle rack set up where you can sit on a sidesaddle and see what it feels like and I’ll have some costumes set up because I have a couple of period costumes,” Milton said.

Horse Experience 2015 and the Headwaters Horse Country farm tours will be occurring concurrently with the 2015 Pan Am Games and additional venues may still be added before July.

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PAGE 4 | EQUINE APRIL 24, 2015

EQUINE APRIL 24, 2015 | PAGE 5

Wellington locations featured in Horse Experience 2015 showcase during Pan Am Games

by Jaime Myslik WELLINGTON COUNTY Local horse facilities are set to shine this year, capitalizing on an international presence during the 2015 Pan American Games.

As part of Horse Experience 2015, organized

by Equine Canada, horse facilities within an hour’s drive of the OLG Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park and the Pan Am Cross-Country

HORSE BOARDING

ERIN | ACTON | ROCKWOOD INDOOR & OUTDOOR ARENAS • OUTDOOR WATERERS IN PADDOCKS MATTED STALLS • 10 GRASS PADDOCKS • NO RIDING SCHOOL QUIET ATMOSPHERE • HACKING & TRAILS ON 88 ACRES QUALITY HOME GROWN HAY • INDOOR BOARD $495 5192 Third Line, Acton 519.362.6664 whitneystables@gmail.com www.whitneystables.ca

rs: Filling the Nutritional Gap

Druif Veterinary Services

he Nutritional Gap

ted for inactive adult and performance horses, d miniature horses tive adult and performance horses,D.V.M.

Jack Druif

23 Duby Rd. ted for broodmares Actonand growing horses, includ-

orses

ature mares and foals. dmares and growing horses, includand foals.

519.929.9612

n and talk to one of 24 hr. Service talk to one of d staffwww.druifveterinarymobileservices.ca members. members. per bag until May bag until May Balancers Ration

Centre (Caledon/Mono) have been asked to host events to showcase the best of what the country has to offer and take advantage of the expected 10,000 international visitors for the games.

Three facilities in Wellington County were on board at press time to host Horse Experience 2015 events.

Forest Gait Farm The first event in the county will take place at Forest Gait Farm in Centre Wellington. Nestled along the Eramosa/Garafraxa Townline, Forest Gait is home to paso fino horses, including a world champion mare and a Canadian and U.S. champion stallion.

Paso fino horses have Latin American roots, making their showing during the Pan Am Games fitting. The breed is unique in its gait; instead of having the more traditional walk, trot, canter, gallop movements, the paso fino has a four-beat gait, instead of the trot that’s faster than a walk and is akin to speed walking for humans.

“They’re like an equine sports car,” said Forest Gait Farm owner Marijean Harris.

“They are people oriented, they like to go forward, and they have all these gears and you can ride them all day because of the smooth gait.”

On July 11, as part of

Horse Experience 2015, Forest Gait Farm will host a free open house from 11am to 5pm. Harris said the day will be like a party.

“I want to introduce the breed to anybody who wants to come and find out about them and they’ll have free test rides, there will be some Latin music, food, festivities,” she said. “Basically showing what the horse can do and there will also be horses for sale.“ Harris is anticipating the event will be a hit because of the countries participating in the games.

“A lot of the Pan Am countries are Spanish speaking or Latin countries, so there will be a lot of interest in the paso fino because of that,” she said.

Due to their smooth and even gait paso finos are especially appealing to young riders just learning and to older riders who may shy from the somewhat bouncier trot, Harris said.

If a rider is aspiring to show in the Pan Am Games or in the Olympics, a paso fino does not have the size or ability required to compete at that level. They do, however, excel in endurance competitions Harris said.

For those interested, Harris offers lessons with qualified coaches at Forest Gait Farm and, though she

We Always Have...

Filling the Nutritional Gap

about 300 good, new & used

Equilizer is formulated for inactive adult and performance horses, including pony and miniature horses

SADDLES IN STOCK

Elmira 519-669-5502 10 Maple St.

Fergus 519-843-2451 285 Beatty Line

Committed to Our Customers Needs

Save

$

show & working tack

3

$

Everything you need for your horse!

per 25kg bag until May 2

GREAT PRICE & EXPERIENCED ADVICE!

Moffat Freelton 905-854-2242 905-659-3341 2150 15 Side Rd. 234 Freelton Rd.

www.sharpefarmsupplies.com

350 to 4,500

$

s Plua HUGE selection of

and growing horses, including pony and miniature mares and foals

Guelph 519-837-0510 7707 Mill Rd.

from

For all western disciplines

Optimal is formulated for broodmares

Come in & talk to one of our trained Equine staff members

The event will cost $25 per person and adult participants will also receive a $10 slots gaming voucher. To purchase tickets (sales close July 6) call 519-846-5455 x247 or email bookings@ grandriverraceway.com.

Myrddin Equestrian Centre Taking place just after the Pan Am eventing competition, Myrddin Equestrian Centre will host a grassroots eventing showcase on July 22 from 9am to 3pm at the Town of Erin farm.

The day will feature an eventing competition between teams from stables in the area, explained head coach Margaret Godson.

“I would like six to eight stables to bring a little team of riders … and they will be participating in the competition,” Godson explained.

“So the competition will basically be the riders of the coaches that are available on the ground so people can see the riders and if they see somebody and think ‘oh that’s really a nice rider’ ... they can go and talk to the coach. That’s the whole point is that people will be able to actually link up with the people on the day rather than just gather pamphlets.”

The competition will not be a full course; riders will complete a dressage test and then a combined show

is slowing down on breeding, she does have horses for sale.

Grand River Raceway Elora’s raceway is also on board for Horse Experience 2015 and offering an exclusive night. The Horse Racing Dinner and Tour Experience at Grand River Raceway will take place on July 13.

Ticket holders will be served dinner in the raceway’s tiered dining room and will be able to watch the racing while enjoying their meal.

Once finished, participants will be treated to a behindthe-scenes look at the paddock building, where horses prepare for races and return once the race is complete.

“Aside from seeing the horses and the people involved, it’s also a good opportunity to see the real nuts and bolts of what happens on a race night behind the scenes,” said Kelly Spencer, manager of marketing and communications for the raceway. “It’s a unique opportunity.”

Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with horses, drivers and trainers.

In addition, participants will receive a DVD of the biography of Cam Fella, the Secretariat of harness racing, Spencer explained.

A rep from the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame will also give a presentation.

www.ionsonssaddlery.

14 Bruce Road 30

|

Chesley, Ontario

|

519.363.5598

Enjoying the sun - Taylor Richardson, a Paso Fino Equestrian Academy coach, rides Marchi, a Forest Gait Farm stallion and national champion. photo by Gord Harris

jumping and cross country course. In conjunction with the competition, coaches will be making presentations throughout the day, providing information for those hoping to try the sport.

“For instance, how to ride a jump up and down hill as opposed to riding on the flat, how you would correctly gallop the horse, how you would ride a dressage test,” explained Godson. “It’s basically a full day of information for people that might want to get into eventing or who are already sort of involved in

the sport but want to know more at the lower levels.”

She said she hopes the Pan Am Games pique the interest of eventing spectators and they come to the Myrddin event to learn more.

“If people actually go to the Pan Ams just out of interest and then they think, ‘gee I’d like to get involved,’ but they don’t know how, this offers the opportunity,“ Godson said.

The Myrddin competition is open to all spectators and is free to attend.

Possible additions Though unconfirmed at press time, Strategic Equine representative Kelly Counsell mentioned the Angelstone International Show Jumping Tournaments in July will likely join the ranks of Horse Experience 2015.

She added the Ontario Veterinary College may also be participating.

Horse farm tours At the same time Equine Canada is facilitating Horse Experience 2015, Headwaters Horse Country is offering farm tours during the games.

CARSON’S COUNTRY MARKET FEED & SUPPLY

•

TACK

•

LOCAL PRODUCTS

GIFTWARE

Beef, Pork, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Relishes, Honey, Maple Syrup, Eggs and Cheese. Homemade Frozen Dinners, Soups, Meat Pies and Baking Contact Information Phone: 519-291-1094 Toll Free: 1-800-663-9820 Fax: 519-291-1471 Email: carsonscountrymarket@bellnet.ca Address: 5531 Perth Line 86 RR#3 Listowel, Ontario N4W 3G8

One of two farms participating in Wellington County (as of press time) is Hidden Meadows Farm located in the Town of Erin. The stable exclusively breads and raises the Canadian Horse. Owner Brenda Pantling offers tours to bring awareness to Canada’s national horse.

“We usually have a wagon pulled by a team of Canadians just giving rides around the field,” Pantling said. “There’s plenty of people here to answer questions.” The barn tour is free and the dates had not been set as of press time.

The other county barn participating in the Headwaters Horse Country farm tour is Rustic Meadow in Hillsburgh, which primarily features reigning techniques and riding sidesaddle, explained owner Joanne Milton.

The farm tour will vary from day to day.

“It depends on who comes,” Milton said. “I’ve always done these kinds of things kind of by the seat of my pants … and I try to answer any questions that anybody comes with and I usually have students here that will do demonstrations at any time.”

Rustic Meadow Farm will have stable tours on July 18, 19, 25 and 26 and will be open from 10am to 4pm each day.

“I’ll have a saddle rack set up where you can sit on a sidesaddle and see what it feels like and I’ll have some costumes set up because I have a couple of period costumes,” Milton said.

Horse Experience 2015 and the Headwaters Horse Country farm tours will be occurring concurrently with the 2015 Pan Am Games and additional venues may still be added before July.

PROVIDING EMERGENCY AND PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE FOR YOUR HORSES, PETS AND FARM LIVESTOCK

150 Church St. W, Elmira

519-669-5672

Colt Starting | Training | Sales 519-591-8728

martin-ranch@hotmail.com | www.martinranch.net

Chets custom colts

PAGE 6 | EQUINE APRIL 24, 2015

Feed analysis: Is hay alone enough?

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by Debra Ottier FERGUS - It’s a known fact horses require 2 to 2.5 per cent of their body weight in good quality forage, which for a 1,000-pound horse is approximately 20 to 25 pounds of hay a day.

From a nutritional standpoint, 80% of maintenance horses will survive on this amount of hay alone, some even less, but will they thrive? Some believe that a horse that has good flesh, a decent coat and appears healthy is thriving - but this is surviving. A more suitable definition is the horse has a great coat, dapples showing if they have them, a brown ring around the eyes and, most importantly, a strong immune system verified by visits from the veterinarian.

How can we achieve this? First and foremost, we need to have a starting point which can be determined using a simple hay analysis.

This gives us an estimate of the nutrients found and in what balance. Vitamins do

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not survive in our hay making process, so important vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E and K are required to be supplemented in the horse’s diet. Calcium and phosphorus are minerals found in hay, but very often in the wrong balance for horses, as they require a 2:1 (calcium:

The rule of thumb is if you are not feeding at least a bag a week of a complete feed, you need to change your program ... phosphorus) ratio in order to have good bone development and to keep strong. A very important point is that mineral blocks are 99% salt, with a trace amount of minerals, which does not meet a horse’s requirements.

This past year, hay has been low in protein, with averages around 6 to 7%; the normal range for first-cut hay is 10 to 12%. The colder growing season seemed to stunt plant growth and

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Hay was cut late last year, so grasses are more mature and more difficult for horses to digest. A “hay belly” will signify this deficiency.

How can we help? Ration balancers are supplements that can be fed as a sole ration for horses. There are a variety of balancers available in the market from all the feed companies. Which one to choose will depend upon your hay analysis and your preference for feed.

Since 80% of maintenance horses only require a good ration balancer with hay, one of these products should be in abundance in your barn.

The rule of thumb is if you are not feeding at least a bag a week of a complete feed, you need to change your program to meet the nutrient requirements as you are not feeding enough vitamins and minerals. We see people feeding a handful of a complete feed but how could a handful help a 1,000-pound horse? Ration balancers do not need to be fed in large amounts to help. Most are designed to give all that a horse needs in about 800 grams or (1.5 pounds) a day.

Some horses will still require a higher-calorie feed, or a combination of balancer plus feed, to meet maintenance requirements, and those horses fall into the other 20%.

Deb Ottier, BSc, (Agr.), MSc. works in Sharpe Farm Supplies’ equine division.

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a combination of hay cut later than normal has led to lower protein values. How will horses fair with this deficiency? Most horses will show a protein deficiency along their topline. The muscle along their spine will start to disappear giving it a more pronounced appearance.

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Health tracker app assists owners with management of vital data

GUELPH - The ability to track vital derful feature,” said equine practitioner health data in real time on a smart Laura Frost. “The Horse Health Tracker phone or tablet is now a reality with makes it easy for the horse owner to a new Horse Health Tracker App from systematically collect vital health data and provide this information in real-time Equine Guelph.

“The app empowers horse owners to a veterinarian. This app ensures that to give the ultimate in care to their important pieces of the puzzle are not animals,” officials state. “Owners can missed when communicating health assess a horse’s vital health data, body concerns regarding a sick horse.” condition score and body weight with a few simple clicks and easily share the information with their health care The ability to share team.” pertinent information Upgrades allow for keeping track of information such as heart rate, temwith your veterinarian is perature and respiration for up to 50 a wonderful feature. horses and graphs plot the data over a 13-month period.

- Dr. Laura Frost Instructional videos are also included in the upgrade to show how to properly A user guide is available at perform assessments, and appointment reminders sync with smart phone cal- EquineGuelph.ca and the app can 9-3/4-In. StraightatAviation Snip and Health tracker - Equine Guelph has be downloaded the App Store endars. The app accommodates multiple checks per day, allowing users Accomplish to Google Play. launched a new app for horse caremost home craftsman metal-cutting Purchases will support Equine givers to assess and track vital health monitor sick horses as well as healthy needs.(6504690)(M3R) animals. Built-in email capability allows Guelph in its mission to “Help horses data. submitted photo owners to share data with veterinar- for life,” as proceeds will be invested back into education programs. ians. eral-provincial-territorial initiative. The IN FOR“The A ability COFFEE The project is partially funded Agricultural Adaptation Council assists to share pertinent information with your veterinarian is a won- through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a fed- in the delivery of GF2 in Ontario.

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PAGE 8 | EQUINE APRIL 24, 2015

Coins honour Canadian horse

by Jaime Myslik ERIN - After about six years of lobbying by an interest group, the Canadian horse, the country’s national breed, is being honoured this year on two coins produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.

That the coins were released on the 350th anniversary of the breed’s arrival in Canada was just a coincidence, said Brenda Pantling of Hidden Meadow Farms in the Town of Erin.

She was one of the Upper Canada District Canadian Horse Breeders who put the original proposal together.

“We started working back in 2008, 2009 ... when we were doing the initial proposals and stuff,” she said.

“We had hoped it would be out long before this but it was complete coincidence that it came out this year.”

The group originally began the proposal to bring more attention to the Canadian horse.

“Because it’s the national horse and it’s about time it got some recognition,” Pantling said. “People don’t

The face of the coin was designed by Canadian artist Michelle Grant and shows three Canadians running through a cascade of maple leaves, with a stallion prominently placed in the foreground.

People don’t even know we have a national horse.

- Brenda Pantling even know we have a national horse.”

The mint has produced two coins featuring the Canadian horse breed. One coin (right, top coin) is worth $1,000 and that’s the largest denomination the mint has ever produced, Pantling said. According to the mint website, 1,000 coins were produced.

The other coin (bottom coin) holds a $100 value and according to the mint’s website 97 per cent of the 45,000 coins produced were sold at press time. The designer of this single-horse coin was Claudio D’Angelo.

Both coins are made from 99.9% pure silver.

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