by Audrey Pavia

While many adult riders were fortunate enough as kids to have a wonderful pony who took care of them as they were learning, there are plenty of other former-children out there who have less-than-fond memories of that first mount.

Many of these kids from a few decades ago are not even involved with horses anymore –that’s how unhappy their pony recollections are.

You may have run across these people in your travels. They have no shortage of pony horror stories to share. Tales of being bitten, kicked and stepped on by their ponies are common. And they have even more details of being dumped from the saddle at a young age than you can even imagine.
continue reading "Your Child’s First Pony: Making the Experience a Good One"

For the past 25 years or so, the round pen has become a very effective tool for training horses. First we need to determine the size we need. Here’s what I prefer: approximately 55 ft (anywhere from 40 to 60 ft will do).

A hotter horse needs a bigger pen, a lazy horse a smaller pen. Some folks like their pen 8 ft high with solid walls. I don’t. I like open walls and like it to be only 5 ft high.
continue reading "The Round Pen: by Bernie Nikkel"

How do bits affect a horse’s mouth? Gordon J. Baker BVSc, PHD, MRCVS, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons says, “There is a lot of fairly wide misunderstanding about where the bit is placed in the horse’s mouth and if it engages on the horse’s teeth. I don’t believe the teeth are tremendously involved in where the bit is.”

He notes that bits can cause mouth trauma if they’re in the wrong position or some discomfort if the teeth have points. “But when a bit is positioned correctly, it does not come in contact with the teeth. The bit engages the corners of the mouth. It’s not against the teeth at all.”
continue reading "Bits & Teeth"

To better understand human behaviour, tracking the social habits of zebras may be a good place to start.

Tracking zebras is part of a research plan by a multi-disciplinary group of researchers led by University of Illinois at Chicago assistant professor of computer science Tanya Berger-Wolf.
continue reading "Scientists to Study Zebra Interaction"

by Marcia King

There they are: your two best friends. “Fred” has been your buddy since you were a teenager, sharing your victories and disappointments, always steadfast and reliable. “Bonnie” has only been part of your life for a couple of months, but you’ve hit it off in a big way and look forward to a long and active friendship.

Now you want them to meet and be best buds, too, so the three of you can share pleasurable times together. But like all relationships, it’s hard to predict how this is going to go: Fred is your middle-aged Quarter Horse; Bonnie is your Border Collie puppy.

While you’ve seen many agreeable horse/dog combinations amongst your friends’ animals, you’ve also seen dogs that are relentless about chasing horses or clueless about avoiding horses’ legs. You’ve also witnessed horses that are unreasonably terrified over dogs, as well as the occasional horse that actually runs after and attacks any dog hapless enough to stray into her pasture.

How can you help foster a safe, compatible relationship between your animals?
continue reading "Dogs and Horses: Getting a safe relationship"

Olds College is buzzing with excitement, as students from the Equine Science program celebrate multiple wins from their first international competition.

A team from the English Horsemanship major competed at the second Annual Intercollegiate World Equestrian Cup in Pennsylvania from May 30 to June 1. The Olds College team of students in the two-year diploma program were competing against students in four-year degree programs from the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Italy, and England.
continue reading "Olds College Equine Students in the Winners’ Circle"

by Caroline O’Jay

As a professional in the horse industry, I put my integrity on the line every time I’m asked to help a client find the perfect horse.

First of all I need to identify my client’s goals, which sets the stage for beginning this process. Do you want to pleasure ride, compete in the show ring, or become an Olympic rider?

Another consideration is to know how much knowledge and experience the rider has in regards to understanding the true nature of horses. Talent, dedication, riding experience, and physical condition play an important role in my decision-making.

I would also like to mention something that is often overlooked: a client’s personality. Are they timid, confident, assertive, or bold? Choosing a horse that best suits their personality will go a long way in forming an ideal partnership.
continue reading "Matchmaking 101"