Horse Sense

The final item on Horsemanship 1 checklist is: 11. Demonstrate safety and common sense when working around horses This is something our examiners make note of during the whole of the horsemanship assessment. We want to see that you are calm, confident, and sensible while handling your horse. Most candidates are very good at staying…

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A Stable Situation: needs and habits of the horse

Aside from food, which was covered in last week's post, a horse needs shelter and security.  These topics were both covered in previous posts (see links). For the Horsemanship 1 test we ask about 10. Stabling: needs and habits of the horse Along with reference to food, secure fencing, and shelter, we want to see…

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Guest Archery post

Our Archery program formally launched in February of this year and has been cruising steadily along with high popularity (for those wondering we're aiming - Hah! - to add a second class in September).   Today's post is brought to you courtesy of the Head of the Archery Program, Patricia Gonsalves. She recently returned from…

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On the Right Tack

As with points of the horse, the nomenclature of the saddle and bridle varies from the obscure to the obvious. Item #6 on the Horsemanship 1 test is: Identify simple parts of saddle & bridle While it may seem a nuisance to memorize these terms, it is fairly important to know your billet strap from…

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Safe is sound

Needs of the Horse part III: Security In the first part of this series I stated that horses need food, shelter, and security.  At first glace creating a secure environment for a horse seems fairly straightforward.  After all, there aren't that many large predators left in most places where we keep horses (though losing a…

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What do Horses Need?

Like all mammals, equines have three core needs: food, shelter, and security.  In the grasslands of Eurasia, where the modern horse evolved, these needs were met quite differently than they are for most domesticated horses today.  A wild horse lives in a herd, travels many miles each day, grazes constantly, and seeks shelter from whatever…

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Open wide!

It was dentistry day at Red Colt yesterday. Unlike us, horses have teeth that grow throughout their lives.  In the wild equines forage constantly on tough plants, which causes them to wear their molars down.  Domesticated horses don't get the same chewing regime and can wear their teeth down unevenly, causing sharp hooks or points…

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Duelling Fun at the Grey Cup Parade

A crew of twelve braved the wet November weather this morning to duel through the streets of Vancouver in the Grey Cup Parade. In the gallery you can see a couple pre-parade shots. One in gleeful anticipation, the other a view of everyone crowding together for warmth under a shop awning.   The parade was…

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