2024 - The Winter of the Hay Belly
My horse looks fat! But when I check his Body Condition Score, he is under 6: I can easily feel his ribs and there are little to no fat deposits along his neck, withers, shoulders, back or tail head.
My horse looks fat! But when I check his Body Condition Score, he is under 6: I can easily feel his ribs and there are little to no fat deposits along his neck, withers, shoulders, back or tail head.
An old dairy farmer told me that 2023 was his worst year for harvesting hay since 1992. I believe it. With a dry May, followed by record amounts of rain in June and July 2023, the harvesting of high quality, first cut hay was seriously challenged. We simply could not ”make hay while the sun shines” because we did not have the consecutive days of sunshine required to cut, dry and bale hay this summer.
Fleeing a troubled past, horse-enthusiast Pascale Vladek leaves her native Québec for the United States, where she hopes to start a new life working at a racing barn in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky.
There’s a new product on the horse show scene, developed by Ontario resident Sheri Roberts. Best Braid is a braiding wax that is 100% all natural and makes braiding or banding easier.
J & J Reining will be hosting their first show of the season June 2 -4 with a full day of paid warmups and open rides on Thursday, June 1!
Founded in October, 2022, Equi-Salt is the first to offer equine salt therapy, a new service in Canada - serving all of Canada and beyond. Equi-Salt is partnering with the top horse breeder, ranches, trainers, owners, and veterinarians to help improve the lives of horses by providing a safe and drug-free complimentary therapy to support and elevate the performance, well-being, recovery and health in horses.
From her first clever little bay pony, Stroller, to brilliant ribbon-winning Fletcher, Tamara Williamson recalls the many significant horses in her life, grappling with what it means to be horse-obsessed and what drives this desire to connect with horses. As Williamson discovers, during the tumultuous years of relationships with people and horses, these complicated equine creatures reflect back to us our best and worst selves.
In my mind, a bale of hay for a horse is like a buffet for a human - there is a lot to choose from and a tendency to overeat. When I am at a buffet, I look at the dessert table first and then plan the rest of my meal around that. I really need to be disciplined and mindful to eat my vegetables and not eat too much dessert.
The Rider recently spoke with equine artist and harness racing professional MICHELLE HOGAN who shared her love of the sport with our Glenda Fordham. This multi-talented equine professional shared her thoughts and artistic process….
The Triple Crown Draft Classic is set to become the greatest draft horse show to come to Ontario. Taking place October 28-30th at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, the show with feature the triple crown of the draft horse breeds; Belgians, Clydesdales/Shires, and Percherons. Get set to hear the rumbling of the one-ton horses as they compete in patent leather and chrome for champion titles. A full weekend of fun and excitement for the whole family to enjoy.