Northernhorse.com Blog

Jos Mottershead, my favorite equine reproduction specialist has published the following news article about happenings with equine cloning.

Charmayne James’ multiple world-champion gelding “Scamper” cannot of course sire foals himself, but his clone – “Clayton”, foaled in 2006 – has proven fertile, with two mares being bred, embryos flushed, and maintained pregnancies identified in the recipient mares. This exciting new development for North American breeders offers future potential for perpetuation of genetics from stallions that have been gelded – something that Professor W.R. “Twink” Allen has been promoting for over 10 years, with his recommendation being that all prospective quality geldings have semen frozen before they are gelded! The “after the fact” technique of cloning means that Scamper’s genes have now been passed on, and it will be interesting to watch the resulting foals in barrel racing performance in the future. Continue Reading »

Here is another story in our Horses we have loved series. Lana Bollers writes: The most memorial horse I can honestly say was the twin, Striker we lost. Striker was born on March 26, 2008 shortly before 4pm. I obtained a call around 4:10 with my daughter saying, “MOM! Mischief had two babies!!” I was in shock, immediately calling my husband and our vet. Continue Reading »

Mandy has disappeared from the family’s field near Okotoks, Alberta.  She was discovered missing early this morning (Wednesday August 20).  Mandy was not in her field this morning and upon looking further the family discovered the wires on their fence had been cut.

Mandy is a black, 14.2 Welsh, arab, quarter horse cross.  She has a pronounced hernia on her right side just behind her ribs.

The family lives South of Okotoks on the 434 by the dump road.

Reward offered

Please call Pat Baxter 403 995 1765 403 968 1765

Becky Snow @ 403-995-2072  – 403-938-0500 – 403 467 2572

Please put the word out to any of your equine friends and at the facilities you ride at.

Just finished watching Eric Lamze win personal gold at the 2008 Olympics. What an exciting jump off. What an inspiration to see someone who has overcome a less than supportive youth and some antics of his own to become one of our best athletes. And what a horse he has in Hickstead. And all this after being a part of our Silver win in the Show Jumping Team event.

The Globe & Mail has this quote:

“There’ve been some difficult times,” he said. “But when you finally get here, you think about the moments you’re not proud of, that didn’t go well in your life, and it shows anyone can come back. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”

Now Canada has a gold medal in this event.  We are proud too.

He says he is a great example of why you should never give up on people who make mistakes. In a sport that is often populated by privileged young people it is a story of success coming to an underdog with many personal challenges to overcome on the way.

Isn’t it nice when we see someone overcome big odds and turn their lives into something wonderful and special? And for me it is even more special because of the help of a horse (or horses). Horses were a big part of my own less than easy childhood and many times my little pinto mare was the bright light in a dull day.

A big congratulations to Eric and Hickstead.

The Rocky Mountain Challenge 2008 Canadian Nationals saw over 170 entries from the United States and Canada compete over five days at Red Deer River Ranches west of Sundre, AB in the sports of endurance, competitive trail and ride n’ tie.

Sunny and partly cloudy skies accompanied the Open competitive trail riders over their two-day, 80-mile bid to become Canadian Champions. The terrain offered a challenging test including hard climbs, long flats, lots of technical riding, plenty of water, and some bog.  Many seasoned competitors found the terrain and the time frame challenging and had to push their limits to achieve finishing times. Continue Reading »

Auto body shop owner, Dave Getzinger of Drayton Valley, AB had the ride of his life in the 50-mile endurance competition at the Rocky Mountain Challenge – 2008 Canadian Nationals August 2, 2008 held at Red Deer River Ranches, Sundre, AB The event requires riders to negotiate the 50 miles of Rocky Mountain foothills terrain in the fastest time all while being monitored at veterinarian manned checks along the way to ensure their horses’ fitness to continue. Continue Reading »

After a successful run in the fall of 2007, the Horse Industry Association of Alberta is launching its 2008 “Hoofin’ Around” tour with seminars for new or prospective horse owners in six Alberta locations.

The evening seminars cover the topics: Myths, Mysteries and Miseries; Choosing Your Path; What a Horse Needs; What a Rider Needs; Stable Selection; Keeping Horses at Home; and Buying the Right Horse. Presenters for the evening seminars are four well-known horse industry professionals: Ron Anderson, Les Burwash, Muffy Knox and Kippy Maitland-Smith. Continue Reading »

I’m sure lots of you know of Martin Black. Many who see him work say Martin is the one they would like to have start their colts. Coming from 5 generations of ranchers he has grown up with horses and adapted his traditional training with the influence of other present-day horsemen.

Martin is currently in Alberta participating in the largest modern day Colt Start in North America. On August 23 & 24 you can watch him demonstrate his techniques at the Rocking G Ranch near Redwater, AB. If you would like more information about this event check the Northernhorse.com Events section.

We are also pleased to announce that Martin has offered to let us publish some of his writings on our blog. We are starting today with “Get With It”.

For the most part, horses are relatively calm, quiet animals when they are left to maintain themselves. Free roaming grazers spend the biggest percent of their time relaxed and quiet, but when confined and fed high energy feed they can develop physical and mental issues. When we start riding and working these animals, it seems that controlling the energy level is the root of many problems people have with their horses. But given half a chance, a horse is willing to maintain their natural disposition. Continue Reading »

Canada was the proud host country of the 2008 AQHA Youth World Cup, an educational, leadership-based equine competition showcasing skills learned in an atmosphere of friendly competition. AQHA Youth World Cup competitions take place biennially, alternating between an international host country and Amarillo, Texas, AQHA’s home city. The Canadian Quarter Horse Association and provincial/regional AQHA affiliate associations were the co-hosts of this year’s world class event, which took place July 6th to 13th, at the Western Fair Agriplex in London Ontario. Continue Reading »