Equine Consumers' Guide 2015 - SAMPLE

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CONNECT TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY | www.HORSEJournals.com 7

INSIDE

10 Editor’s Desk

78 How To Horsekeeping Step-by-stepinstructionsforfivetasksevery

horsepersonshouldknowhowtotackle.

101 Index to Advertisers

FEATURESCAREERS WITH HORSEPOWER12 Making a Living with Horses Exploringsevencareerpathsthatledfrom

passiontoprofession.

24 Knowledge is Power EquineGuelphmakeseducationaccessiblewith

flexibleoptionsforallhorseowners.

HORSE HEALTH28 The Dangers of Medicating Improperuseofcommonlyadministereddrugs

canimpactthehealthandsafetyofourhorses.

32 New Research Projects at WCVM ThelatestprojectsincludeEquineCushing’s

disease,septicar thritis,bacterialinfections, andlaminitis.

CONTENTS 2015CANADA’SHORSEINDUSTRYATYOURFINGERTIPS

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CONTENTS 2015

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FEATURES cont.

HORSE INDUSTRY40 Options in Equine Insurance Identifyyourneedsandchoosetherightpolicyfor

youandyourhorse.

46 How to Reduce Boarding Stress Writtenboardingagreementshelpprotectthe

rightsofbothhorseandstableowner.

54 OEF and HCBC… At Your Service Canada’sequinefederationsarethehubofthe

horse industry.

WELFARE64 New Approaches to Wild Horse

Management Game-changingstrategiesforpopulationcontrolin

Alberta.

68 The Edible Horse… What If? Exploringthecontroversialimplicationsofthinking

outside the box.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

87 The Marketplace Yourcomprehensivesourceforproducts,

services,breeds,stallions,andmore.

91, 93, 100, 102 New & Noteworthy Products & Reviews Acollectionofproductsavailable inCanadafrom horse industry businesses.

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8 Equine Consumers’ Guide 2015 | CANADA’S HORSE INDUSTRY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS


Making a Living with Horses By Margaret Evans

Many people with a passion for horses dream of one day turning that passion into a career in the horse industry. Today, there are many opportunities to pursue a horse-related occupation, from the more traditional career paths, to jobs that combine equine knowledge with non-horsey skills and experience, to professions in new areas of specialization. Opportunities for the training, education, and experience to prepare for a horse industry career are more accessible than ever before.

This feature explores the career paths of several equine professionals who are making a living in today’s horse industry.

Tara Reimer, who operates Cloud 9 Ranch near Steinbach, Manitoba and her husband, Derek, sees opportunity in every challenge.

Tara and Derek ReimerRIDING FACILITY OPERATORS

Tara Reimer and her husband, Derek, operate Cloud 9 Ranch near Steinbach, Manitoba. There they offer group, semi-private, and private riding lessons; therapy rides; vaulting; birthday parties; boarding; training; clinics; and judging. They are also looking at adding equine assisted learning and parents/preschool lessons.

“I have been riding all my life and started teaching younger 4-H members while I was a member myself in my teens,” says Reimer. “I taught 4-H as a leader for five years (then) pursued my university degree and took my first job travelling in sales. Once I took the time to teach and train again, the business grew steadily as clients spread the word. Cloud 9 Ranch has been operating since 2003. We had over 140 regular lesson students in 2014, averaging 65 a week in our different

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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Yes, we are talking about how to best care for your equine friend.

Horse ownership can be a source of great joy and companionship, but it can also be frustrating and taxing if you are stocked up with passion and lean on education. Owning a horse requires a much larger commitment compared to other family pets, not only in literal size but also in planning ahead. Gaining horse sense will save you more than a few cents in the future. Lack of knowledge can result in thousands of dollars spent on vet bills or land maintenance costs, and your horse may pay a price, too.

Evidence-based education “Newcomers to the industry are chomping

at the bit to learn, and Equine Guelph offers the educational pathway to increase their

knowledge and confidence,” says Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph.

Education has been identified by the equine industry as a high priority. In response to this need, Equine Guelph developed an approach to learning that encompasses the needs of the beginner through to the industry veteran, modeled on evidence-based research, industry input, and technology.

The statistics available from the Census of Agriculture (2006) showed that the number of horses in Canada has increased 28 percent over the previous ten years. The 2010 Canadian Horse Industry Profile Study by Equine Canada put the estimate of horses in the country at 963,500 with the horse industry contributing more than $19 billion annually to the Canadian economy, with $9.3 billion in direct on-farm expenditures.

Separating fact from fiction“Every time I asked someone for an

opinion on something to do with my horse, I got different answers and I was getting confused.” Sound familiar?

Scholars of Equine Guelph’s program are impressed with the confidence they gain through the education program. The evidence based courses separate myth from science. Equine Guelph focuses on the five interrelated areas of research, education and training, performance, health care, and industry development. These core areas support the horse throughout its lifespan by providing a comprehensive continuum of care that optimizes health, addresses performance issues, and fully supports the diagnosis and treatment of sick and injured horses.

To build this continuum of care, Equine Guelph brings all of the resources at the

Knowledge is Power… HORSEPOWER By Jackie Bellamy, Equine Guelph

n CAREERS

The horse industry’s contribution to Canada’s economy and quality of life is huge, yet often underestimated. To nurture growth and encourage those not currently involved with horses, the industry needs to promote itself as accessible and attract new participants. Equine Guelph has recognized this need and expanded their programs to meet increasing industry demand.

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University of Guelph together in partnership with the equine industry. Equine Guelph’s efforts in the areas of performance and health care continue to support both the horse athlete and the beloved backyard pony with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

New programs Since 2002, Equine Guelph’s award-

winning programs have expanded tremendously to meet the increasing industry demand. Equine Event Management teaches the skills required to plan, initiate, host, and evaluate a successful event in the equine industry. Stewardship of the Equine Environment explores the importance of properly managing the natural environment and man-made facilities to optimize the health of your horses and reduce your environmental hoof print. Marketing and Communications is perfect for those interested in learning how to select marketing strategies and improve communications with customers. Advanced courses are now offered for students who have completed the ever-popular Anatomy, Behaviour and Nutrition courses.The new Equine Welfare Certificate courses explore important issues which have, or continue to have, a profound

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In the management of horse health, injuries and disease, conscientious horse owners would never put their horse at risk; however, improper use of some commonly administered equine drugs can impact the health and safety of our horses more than we realize. Seldom does a month go by when media attention doesn’t focus on a positive drug test in the horseracing world. The news leaves many in the horse industry shaking their heads and wondering how trainers or owners could do such a thing to their animals. But did you know that the majority of these positive drug test results involve some of the more commonly used drugs that we administer to our horses on a routine basis, and which can produce some unsettling results?

Under Diagnosis and Over Treatment

Used to relieve pain, allow or promote healing, and control or cure a disease process, therapeutic medications can be effective when they are used properly, but are quite dangerous when misused. Phenylbutazone or “bute” is one of the most commonly administered prescription drugs in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) family. When used properly, NSAIDs offer relief from pain and help in the reduction of inflammation and fever. Found in the medicine kits of many horse owners, bute can be prescribed for a plethora of ailments, including sole bruising, hoof abscesses, tendon strains, sprained ligaments, and arthritic joints.

NSAIDS are invaluable as a medication, says Dr. Alison Moore, lead veterinarian for Animal Health and Welfare at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Guelph, Ontario. “When used appropriately, they are very safe; however, some horse owners tend to give too much of a good thing,” she says. Dr. Moore goes on to say that this form of drug (bute) is both economical and convenient, and available in either injectable and oral formulations

n HORSE HEALTH

Drugs & Your HorseTHE DANGERS OF MEDICATING

By Barbara Sheridan, Equine Guelph

Horse owners should be familiar with the correct use of common drugs, which should be administered with the guidance of a veterinarian. The horse should be closely monitored during treatment.

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— but is most likely to cause problems if given for too long or in improperly high doses, especially in horses more sensitive to NSAID toxicity.

“If you look at the chronic use of bute, there are certainly known ramifications from it,” says Dr. Moore. “There are health derived issues including gastric and colon ulcers, as well as renal impairment. Renal impairment is more prevalent in older horses that have developed issues with their kidney function or with equine athletes that perform strenuous exercise and divert blood flow from their kidneys. Chronic or repeated dehydration is also a risk factor for renal impairment. Chronic exposure to bute is more likely to cause signs attributable to the gastrointestinal tract.”

Clinical signs of toxicity include diarrhea, colic, ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract (seen as low protein and/or anemia on blood work or as ulcers on an endoscopic examination), poor hair coat, and weight loss. If such symptoms occur, the medication should be stopped and the vet called for diagnosis and treatment. And while a different type of drug, flunixin meglumine (trade name Banamine), is found in the same NSAID family, “It’s not typically used as chronically as bute because it’s more expensive and mostly used for gastrointestinal, muscular or ocular pain, but if misused, especially with dehydrated horses, kidney and digestive tract toxicity can occur similarly to bute,” Dr. Moore notes.

Because of the deleterious effect chronic NSAIDS can have on your horse, it is even more important not to “stack” NSAIDS. This is the process where two NSAIDS, usually bute and flunixin, or bute and firocoxib (trade name Previcox), are given at the same time. Not only does the dual administration

create gastrointestinal and renal problems as listed above, but bute and flunixin given together can cause a severely low blood protein that may affect interactions with other medications.

That Calming EffectThe list of tranquilizers, sedatives, and

supplements intended to calm a horse can be extensive, including some that can be purchased online or at your local tack shop. For example, Acepromazine, known as “Ace,” is commonly used as a tranquilizer to keep a horse calm and relaxed by depressing the central nervous system. It is available as an injection or in granular form and does not require a prescription. If given incorrectly, it can carry a risk of injury or illness for the horse.

“Tranquilizers can be used to keep horses quiet for training purposes or for stalled

horses due to injury, but it can be difficult to control the dose when given orally,” states Dr. Moore. “The difficulty with chronic administration is you don’t know how much you’re dosing your horse or how the horse is metabolizing it. Since it is highly protein bound in the bloodstream, a horse with low protein may develop side effects more quickly or react to a lower dose. Side effects include prolapse of the penis, which is more of a problem in stallions, and low hematocrit, a measure of red cell percentage in the blood. At very high doses, the horse will develop ataxia [a wobbly gait] and profuse sweating.”

As every horse is different, and the correct dosage needs to be calculated based on the horse’s weight and other influences, Dr. Moore stresses the importance of having a vet oversee any tranquilizer use. It is also important to inform the veterinarian of any

Phenylbutazone or “bute” is one of the most commonly administered prescription drugs in the NSAID family. It can be given orally or by injection and when used properly, it relieves pain and helps reduce inflammation and fever. However, health problems can occur if bute is used for too long or in high doses, or if given at the same time as another NSAID.

Calming agents are used for training purposes, or to keep stalled horses quiet to allow recovery from injury.

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For the 2014-2015 year, the EHRF awarded nearly $69,700 toward 19 scientists working on six horse health-related research projects.

“The Equine Health Research Fund has been a wonderful asset to this university for nearly 40 years. Its financial support allows WCVM researchers to conduct high quality, clinically-relevant research,” said Dr. Baljit Singh, Associate Dean of Research for the WCVM.

This year, the funded projects span a range of topics including equine Cushing’s disease, septic arthritis, bacterial infections, and laminitis.

“The WCVM boasts a very collaborative research environment and that is certainly reflected in the projects that were submitted this year,” added Singh. “Many projects include researchers from diverse backgrounds who provide the expertise required to conduct meaningful research. These projects will ultimately result in improved animal health.”

In addition to research grants, the EHRF supports opportunities for advanced education and research to students through fellowships and undergraduate summer student awards. For the 2014-2015 year,

the EHRF provided more than $70,000 to renew research fellowships for Drs. Keri Thomas and Andres Sanchez, surgical residents (combined Master of Veterinary Science-residency program) at the veterinary college.

Rebecca McOnie, a second-year veterinary student from Armstrong, BC, was the EHRF’s undergraduate summer student in 2014.

2014-2015 EHRF-Supported Research Projects

Septic ArthritisFor several years, WCVM researchers have been

investigating potential options for treating septic arthritis. Caused by an infection within a joint, septic arthritis is a common condition that can end a horse’s career, or even its life. The disease results in inflammation, degeneration, pain, and loss of function of the affected joint.

n HORSE HEALTH

Current Equine Research Projects at WCVM

By Sarah Figley

Researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan are working on a number of valuable equine health projects thanks to annual funding from the

regional veterinary college’s Equine Health Research Fund (EHRF).

WCVM scientists aim to determine if SAA levels can be used to assess through-and-through lavage, a less expensive procedure than arthroscopic lavage.

Joint fluid was removed from horses to investigate the levels of SAA protein, a possible marker of septic arthritis.

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Understanding Horse Insurance

n HORSE INDUSTRY

Although many horses in Canada have high performance, breeding, and emotional value in the eyes of their owners, few of the animals are covered under an equine insurance policy.

Horse insurance can help owners with the cost of treating these horses.

“We are often dealing with horses that are injured or sick, and owners are facing the choice of a treatment that may be very expensive,” says Dr. Steve Manning, an equine field service clinician and an associate professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

“There is a lot of stress associated with not just the injury or illness, but the financial implications of that [treatment].”

Horse insurance initially began as protection against horse theft. Today, it has evolved into a service that offers horse owners a variety of choices from basic mortality policies to loss-of-use packages for high-end athletes. With all these options, choosing a policy that is right for you and your horse can be challenging, says Manning.

TYPES OF HORSE INSURANCE Mortality

“If people insure their horses, by and large they are purchasing mortality insurance,” says Manning. Two types of policies are typically offered: full mortality and theft, or limited mortality. Full mortality and theft is comparable to a term life insurance policy. It insures against financial losses from death for any reason, and proven theft. Limited mortality will cover the death of a horse due to specified perils such as fire, natural disasters, or vehicle accidents.

Equine insurance today offers horse owners a variety of options from basic mortality to policies covering loss-of-use for high

performance athletes.

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By Hayley Kosolofski


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SurgicalSurgical policies are purchased as an

addition to mortality policies. “It insures you against any financial losses incurred as a result of any surgery that has to be performed by a licensed veterinarian to save an animal’s life, to better its health, or to treat an injury,” says Manning. Often, it will also cover medical costs associated with the surgery.

Major MedicalMajor medical insurance, like surgical

insurance, can be added to a mortality policy. It will provide coverage for your horse’s medical needs such as hospitalization and long-term medical therapy.

When the horse is injured or ill, the horse owner must deal with the stress associated with their horse’s health crisis. To cope with the financial implications of the treatment, surgical and major medical insurance can be added to a mortality policy.

Major medical, which can be added to a mortality policy, covers hospitalization and long-term medical therapy.

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Boarding a horse can be stressful. Horse owners want to ensure their horse is safe and well-taken care of, while stable owners want to ensure their boarding fees are paid and their property is respected. To address both sides of this equation, consider the following when dealing with boarding situations.

PUT IT IN WRITINGMost successful businesses operate

through written agreements. A stable is in the business of horse boarding and should use a written boarding agreement setting out the terms upon which board will be provided. Written agreements protect both the horse and stable owner and lessen the chance of disputes by ensuring that each party’s rights

and obligations are clearly stated. A written boarding agreement may also

encourage compliance with the agreement’s terms, as the parties should be aware of their respective obligations.

To ensure the boarding agreement is properly worded and legally enforceable, a stable owner may wish to invest in having a lawyer draft the agreement. Although there is a cost associated with using a lawyer, such cost may be a fraction of the expense that can arise from a dispute or court action where the respective rights and obligations of the parties are not clearly defined.

SUGGESTED TERMSThe following terms should be included

in a boarding agreement:

1. IDENTIFYING DETAILS: (a) The names of each party to the

agreement, i.e. the horse owner(s), horse boarder (if different from horse owner), and stable owner, and each party’s contact information, including cell phone numbers to allow contact in an emergency;

(b) The operating name and address of the stable;

(c) The name of the horse(s) to be boarded; and

(c) The date of the agreement.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE HORSE(S) BOARDED: Sex, breed, age, height, registration number, colour, markings, and any other identifying details.

n HORSE INDUSTRY

Horse BoardingTHE VALUE OF WRITTEN BOARDING AGREEMENTSBy Karen Weslowski Miller Thomson, LLP, Vancouver, British Columbia

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3. BOARDING FEE: Specify the boarding fee, frequency of payment (i.e. per week, month, etc.), whether federal and/or provincial sales tax is included, date board is due (e.g. first of each month), and how board is to be paid (i.e. cash, cheque, etc.).

4. TERM: Specify the start date of the agreement, the term, and the end date, if known.

5. SERVICES INCLUDED: Specify what services are included in the boarding fee. For instance, if blanketing is not part of the stable’s standard service, specify if that service is subject to an additional cost or not included. Specified services may include providing a stall, turnout (provide details as to when, where, frequency, etc.), hay and grain provided, and feed schedule.

6. EXERCISE: Is exercise included? If so, the agreement should specify the type of exercise, frequency, and duration as well the names and qualifications of riders.

A boarding stable should use a written boarding agreement which sets out the obligations of each party, and lessens the chances of disputes later on.

The horse owner should provide the stable owner with instructions regarding the veterinary care and assistance the stable owner is permitted to provide in an emergency situation, and if the owner cannot be reached.

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Austin Bradbury, accompanied by his mother, competed in driving with their miniature horse, Ezras Sumber déjà vu, at the 2014 BC Heritage Circuit Finals in Maple Ridge, BC.

n HORSE INDUSTRY

Equestrian Federations

By Margaret Evans

The Hub of the Horse Industry


Years ago, if someone wanted to start riding they would visit a local riding school and ask about lessons or a

one-hour hack. Or maybe a friend would give them a quick ride on the backyard horse. The experience would nurture a natural fascination with horses and a growing curiosity about riding. The aspiring horse person would want to learn more, do more, and become involved in the world of horses. This could lead to a long term interest in recreational riding, to a desire to compete, or to the dream of becoming a horse owner. But where would the inexperienced horse person turn to learn the basics of proper horse handling and safe riding and driving?

Today, finding helpful information about the horse industry and ways to become involved is easier with the help of Canada’s provincial equestrian federations. Over almost four decades, these federations have grown to become the go-to organizations, providing valuable information about services, lessons, coaching, teaching, ways newcomers can get safely started in riding and driving, as well as opportunities offered within the horse industry.

All provinces have equestrian federations, but the two largest are Horse Council of British Columbia and the Ontario Equestrian Federation.

“Horse Council BC was established in 1980 to provide a coordinating body to serve all equestrian and equine interests except pari-mutuel racing,” said Kelly Coughlin, manager, industry and agriculture. “HCBC credits Bill Archibald and Sherman Olson as the founders of our organization. (It) has a membership of over 23,000 people, effectively making us the largest and one of the most successful equestrian provincial sport organizations in Canada. We have membership representation on our board from all the FEI disciplines as well as thoroughbred racing, harness racing, breed associations and recreation through Backcountry Horsemen. There were 60,801 horses owned by HCBC members as of 2004. (However), the 2009 industry-wide survey concluded that 22,000 households owned approximately 100,000 horses.”

The industry continues to grow, although its diversity is making it more challenging to collect province-wide data. The same is true in Ontario where the Ontario Equestrian Federation formed in 1977 and represents over 22,000 individual members from all industry sectors.

“Our membership base includes professionals, amateurs, competitors, and recreational enthusiasts of all ages and disciplines,” said Melissa Monardo,

above: Lisa Laycock (shown) is the Executive Director of Horse Council BC, the largest and one of the most successful multi-breed, multi-discipline provincial equine organizations in Canada.

below: A competitor at the 2013 BC Heritage Competition Circuit Championships gets her number pinned. Forty percent of HCBC members compete in local and provincial competitions.

A great time was had by all including the “horses” at OEF’s annual Member Appreciation Party, which this year was held during the Royal Winter Fair on November 11th.

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In November 2014, the Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) entered into an agreement with the Alberta Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD). The five-year agreement allows WHOAS to work in collaboration with ESRD to humanely manage the wild horse population in the Sundre Equine Zone which contains the greatest concentration of wild horses in the province.

They will keep populations at a sustainable level in two ways. First, WHOAS will use a contraception method administered through a vaccine to prevent mares from becoming pregnant. Mares will still cycle as usual and stallions can still mount mares. The vaccine surrounds the egg so that sperm cannot fertilize it. This system of population control has been

extremely successful in the United States, and it will be the first time in Canada in which wild horse populations will be controlled with the same vaccine.

Their second strategy will be an adoption program. Horses that stray onto private land or get into trouble will be rescued, managed, and placed for adoption into forever homes. Last year WHOAS volunteers built a facility where horses that needed managing could be humanely corralled. Last summer they rescued nine horses that were eventually adopted out.

“WHOAS was formed in 2001 to protect wild horses,” says Bob Henderson, president of the society. “The provincial count last March was 880 from Kananaskis country all the way north (to the Brazeau Equine Zone). In the Sundre area we have created our own database, and it is about 380. But our aerial

count revealed some 420. We lost a lot of horses in last year’s winter.”

The provincial count in 2014 was approximately 448 horses in the SEZ. The number is a sustainable one given that the zone covers thousands of acres. The management objective is to keep those numbers balanced, and that is where the vaccine program will play a huge role.

“We are working with the University of Calgary researchers who have come on board,” says Henderson. “We will use the PZP vaccine. We went to The Science and Conservation Center in Billings, Montana, to take the course on how to use it.”

Fertility control for horses through the use of immunocontraception has been in play for over two decades and it has proven to be arguably the most effective, the most

n EQUINE WELFARE

Managing Alberta’s Wild HorsesThere’s a game changer happening in

wild horse management in AlbertaBy Margaret Evans

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humane, and the best long term solution for their management.

The system was pioneered by Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick, reproductive biologist and senior scientist with the Science and Conservation Center at ZooMontana. With his colleagues, he developed the program in the late 1980s. And in 1994, the PZP program was first put in use by the National Parks Service to manage wild horses on Assateague Island. Over the next several years, the program proved to be an astounding success, as births were reduced to the target population number.

The PZP program is a vaccine made from a protein in pig oocytes (eggs). It stimulates a mare’s immune system to produce antibodies that prevent a stallion’s sperm from fertilizing her egg. The vaccine is administered with a dart gun, and does not interfere with a current pregnancy. It has no side effects, does not affect a band’s complex social behaviour, and can be maintained each year with a booster. It is also reversible, meaning the mare can be returned to fertility.

The PZP vaccine as a wildlife contraceptive has been used for 29 years, and deemed a success in altering entire populations by reducing growth rates, attaining zero population growth, or reducing populations. This has also been achieved with urban deer, African elephants, wapiti (elk), and bison, as well as 85 exotic species in zoos.

“For the Sundre conservation program, we’ve come up with a targeted number and we worked on that with Dr. Kirkpatrick based on the population we had given

Cimmaron snorts a warning at us as we photograph him and his two mares.

Dakota, an eight year old stallion, protects his herd.

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n EQUINE WELFARE

Should restaurants offer lukba on the menu? What about basashi? Or sauerbraten? And what about the celebrated French dish countrefilet? Other dishes they could offer might be kazy, umido, charqui, or sate jaran.

In November 2013, Princess Ann, the Princess Royal, was delivering a speech at the annual conference of the World Horse Welfare charity of which she is president. During her speech she made a remark that turned everyone on their heads, caused just a bit of an uproar in England, and was widely reported in the national media.

She was referring to a horse welfare crisis in the UK. Winter was approaching and it was

estimated that some 7,000 horses were at risk of abandonment, severe neglect, or starvation. Equine aid agencies were already bulging at the seams as they tried to cope with horses that owners no longer wanted or could no longer afford. Stabling, pasture, feed, farrier, and veterinary needs were all huge expenses that were becoming more and more difficult to meet. So Princess Anne tossed out this one-liner as a possible solution:

“Owners might take better care of their horses if they believed they could sell them for meat,” she is reported to have said.

Rather than scorning her words that seemed counter to cultural values, some

animal welfare charities viewed her suggestion with an open mind. The highly controversial topic was at least worthy of debate. The RSPCA and other equine charities needed answers as to what to do with so many neglected horses. Perhaps a domestic horsemeat market would not only alleviate the chronic welfare crisis, but also serve UK’s multicultural population with an alternative food choice.

Princess Ann, a gifted equestrian and former Olympic competitor, knew the consequences of her words in horse-crazy England. Historically, horses had always been more valuable alive as working animals and

The Edible Horse Would a market for horsemeat reduce a welfare crisis?

By Margaret Evans


used for exploration, settlement, and war. They are still used on farms and ranches and as draught animals for hauling goods. And, of course, horses have been used in competition for centuries. Among many cultures, horses remain deeply iconic, and they symbolize the growth and expansion of civilizations.

But in recent years, horse values have plummeted to rock bottom lows and the blunt fact, known to many in the horse world, is that a horse is worth more as meat.

Princess Anne decided to put the idea out there, for what it was worth. It was time to think outside the box. She said in her speech that British attitudes toward

horsemeat may have to change, and that the whole cultural acceptance of eating horses was at least worthy of a conversation.

The question she posed was: Should we consider a market for horsemeat, and would that reduce the number of welfare cases if there was real value in the horsemeat sector?

That question could just as well be floated in Canada. In 2014, the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) seized over 100 horses. But according to Marcie Moriarty, SPCA chief prevention and enforcement officer, there are possibly thousands of horses in the province that are neglected or abused, and

the SPCA simply can’t reach them all.Those numbers are likely reflected right

across the country. Neglect comes not only from sheer lack of care or lack of concern, but it can also come from people thinking they can make money breeding backyard horses, only to find they have produced mediocre, unsaleable horses that still need to be fed. The offspring is often doomed to an uncertain future.

Backyard breeding sources unknown genetics, horses poorly matched, or simply bad luck. The practice can put too many horses on the market, plunge horse values, and result in too many unwanted and

right: Horsemeat from horses slaughtered in plants inspected by the CFIA is widely fed

to zoo animals in Canada and the US.

below: Backyard breeding contributes to the number of unwanted horses by producing mediocre horses for which there is no market, and leaving the resulting offspring to face an uncertain future.

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Dr. Bri Henderson, assistant team vet for Canada’s endurance team at 2010 WEG says, “Hydration is everything. The correct balance of water and body salts controls everything from the brain to the gut. As dehydration develops we risk our horse’s health and welfare by stressing their hearts, kidneys, and gut function. From the polished show horse to the race horse to the beloved pasture horse, we must ensure access to clean drinking water and CORRECT replacement of electrolytes lost through sweating.”

Two simple ways you can check your horse for proper hydration are the capillary refill test and the skin pinch test.

Mucous Membranes/Capillary RefillLift the upper lip of the horse and look at the gums

above the teeth (also called the mucous membranes).Mucous membranes should be a healthy pink, shiny,

moist and slippery. If they are pale, dry, or tacky this can indicate dehydration. Colours such as pale white, jaundiced, brick red, bluish, purplish, or muddy are indicative of a serious problem.

Next, press your thumb or finger on the gum to “blanch” the area (push the blood out from under the finger) to determine capillary refill time. Upon release of the pressure, count the seconds that elapse while the

colour returns. Normal time is up to 1.5 seconds. Delays for two to three seconds are cause for concern.

Delays beyond four seconds are serious. Delayed capillary refill time is an indication of reduced blood circulation due to reduced volume (blood loss or dehydration) and/or decreased blood pressure (shock).

Skin PinchWhile dehydration leads to changes in a number of

the areas examined, the most common means to quickly check hydration is the skin pinch test. As the animal becomes dehydrated, the skin elasticity decreases due to loss of water from the skin. When the skin on the neck just above the shoulder is pinched and pulled gently away, it should snap back quickly upon release.

Take a fold of skin between the thumb and forefinger, lift it away from the underlying tissues, twist slightly and release. A skin fold or “tent” that remains for over two seconds indicates dehydration. A delay of five seconds is serious. It is important to know the normal skin pinch results on your horse as there can be a variation due to age and breed. For this reason it is important to test the same area of the skin each time to maintain consistency of results.

Printed with the kind permission of Equine Guelph. www.equineguelph.ca.

How To HorseKeeping Have you ever wondered how to check your horse’s vital signs, what to do about mud fever, or how to tell if your horse is dehydrated? Do you want to start regular fecal egg count testing to reduce parasite drug resistance in your horse… but are unsure of what to do? And would you like to know the keys to keeping your leather tack in tiptop shape?

The step-by-step instructions in our collection of How To articles will help you perform these basic horsekeeping tasks with confidence and ease.

HOW TO…

Test Your Horse for Dehydration

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88 Equine Consumers’ Guide 2015 | Visit the Marketplace at HORSEJournals.com/marketplace

ADOPTION

BEAR VALLEY RESCUEwww.bearvalleyab.org

CIRCLE [email protected]

LONG RUN THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT SOCIETYwww.longrunretirement.com

NEW STRIDE THOROUGHBRED ADOPTION SOCIETYwww.newstride.com778-985-5673

RESCUE 100 [email protected]

CARTS, CARRIAGES & HARNESS

NEWBERT EQUINE ENTERPRISES“Everything for Driving.” Equipment for all sizes of equines. Diamond N custom lightweight balanced driving whips. Consignment section for lightly used driving equipment.www.newbertequine.com403-946-5194

CLUBS—ASSOCIATIONS

ALBERTA EQUESTRIAN FEDERATIONSuite 100, 251 Midpark Blvd SECalgary, AB, T2X 1S3www.albertaequestrian.com/[email protected]: 403-252-5260Phone: 403-253-44111-877-463-6233

CLUBS—ASSOCIATIONS CONT.

EQUINE ASSOCIATION OF YUKONPO Box 30011Whitehorse, YT, Y1A [email protected]

EQUINE CANADA308 Legget Drive, Suite 100Ottawa, ON, K2K [email protected]: 613-248-3484Phone: 613-287-15151-866-282-8395

FÉDÉRATION ÉQUESTRE DU QUÉBEC4545, av. Pierre-De CoubertinMontréal, QC, H1V [email protected]: 514-252-3068Phone: 514 252-30531-866-575-0515

HORSE COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA27336 Fraser Hwy.Aldergrove, BC, V4W [email protected]: 604-856-4302Phone: 604-856-4304800-345-8055

MANITOBA HORSE COUNCIL145 Pacific AvenueWinnipeg, MB, R3B [email protected]: 204-925-5703Phone: 204-925-5719

MARKETPLACECanada’s Horse Industry at Your Fingertips

You can find Princess & over 100 more horses at

www.bearvalleyab.org

AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTIONPrincess is a stunning '96 registered QH Palomino mare (Rich MS Poco Doc). This girl has a lot of potential for a more experienced handler as she has not been handled much.Please consider adopting an older horse — there are many mature, unhandled horses who need homes and have just as much potential as a youngster!

Like us on Facebook!Bear Valley RescueBox 19, Site 6, RR 2, Sundre, AB T0M 1X0

Thoroughbred Retirement SocietyFinding Permanent, Loving

Homes for Retired Racehorses.

Donate Today – Help a Retired Racehorse!

www.longrunretirement.com

Do you have room in your heart and home for a new friend?See our web page for horses available for adoption.

Volunteers are always welcome!

Hail The Band, LongRun Adoptee

Circle F Horse Rescue

Caring for horses, old or young, that have been abused or neglected, and providing an alternative to auction or slaughter. We place horses in screened,

loving adoptive homes and provide follow up.Abbotsford, BC • www.circlef.ca • 778-858-7301

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