Northernhorse.com Blog

The 4-H Provincial Equine Advisory Committee (PEAC) is set to distribute its four-DVD horsemanship video set to all Alberta 4-H equine leaders.

“Two years ago an idea, which would change how members and leaders interacted and experienced the 4-H equine project was discussed, approved and set into motion for production,” says Janet Kerr, 4-H specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Stettler. “The goal of the project was to produce a video for 4-H equine project leaders that demonstrates the Alberta 4-H level one to seven mounted and dismounted assessments.” Continue Reading »

The horse who sticks out for me the most was a big quarter horse gelding named Idaho.  He was 16.2 and palamino and he was patient enough to teach me all about horses the summer of my 15th year.  I spent 3 blissful months learning how to ride my patient teacher.. loping circles, barrel racing. roping cattle, branding.. Idy was awsome.  I am sure he is long gone now, he was 13 or so when I knew him.  He was an actor and was a horse used in the Dances with Wolves movie.  He was a great embassador to the horse breed… I don’t think I would know half of what I know now if it weren’t for that great big golden boy…

Adrienne Herron, a livestock welfare extension specialist with Alberta Agriculture, recently attended a livestock welfare conference in Belgium, where she learned about some trends and interesting connections between the attitude of care-givers and the welfare of their animals. You can hear what Adrienne had to say here.

Although we have heard quite a bit of negativity form the horse sales this fall (and not all of them as some sales went pretty good actually) we were pleased to hear that our websites are still working for our clients. Tracy Patterson from Caballos del Rio Ranch sent us the following comment.

Just wanted to let you know too that we sold two horses this fall off of our website which you host – they’re obviously having no trouble finding it – thanks for the great website!

This is a fun and interesting video. I think the camel is so impressive. I really didn’t realize that they could be so well trained. I always thought they had a lot of attitude that limited their trainability.  So much for what I thought.

This is quite a beautiful little video with some humor thrown in. Both give a lovely demonstration.

I see one of my favorite clinicians is going to share some of his knowledge and understanding of people and horses with us at the Horse Breeders & Owners Conference in Red Deer in January. I just put the info on the events section. The dates are January 9 – 11, 2009.

Although I have only taken one clinic with Josh, I keep telling myself I must go back for another. He really impressed all of us who attended his clinic. He helped us all feel a little more comfortable in where ever we were at while helping us reach out a little bit to do things we didn’t realize we could do. Each of us was communicating much clearer with our horses at the end of the clinic. Both my mare and I really enjoyed and benefited from the experience.

From “Matching horse to the job” to “Hoof Trimming” to “Insights on Equitation Over Fences” there is something for every horseperson at this event. A great learning resource and one of my favorite social events of the winter. It gives us something to look forward to in the short, cold days of January. See you there.

The young filly needed to be freed from the tree after curiosity got the better of it and it wedged its head between separate sections of the trunk.

The horse, called Gracie, was unable to free itself and could have been in danger were it not for a passer-by who was able to come to the rescue after he heard the horse whinnying .

Jason Harschbarger, a neighbour in the town of Pullman, West Virginia, USA, arrived at the scene which resembled the image of Winnie the Pooh getting stuck in the honey tree.

Read more at Telegraph.co.uk

A story of an old race horse who went on to teach youngsters to ride.

Forty some years ago I was fortunate enough to befriend a old race horse called Mac Scott. I was visiting a friends house. They raised arabian horses but out of the pasture I noticed a 18 year old Standardbred. I was informed that he had raced and their family had saved him from the track when he was too old. We got along just fine and before long I had convinced my dad and I rode him home the nine miles. I remember paying 85.00 for him. I learned how to ride on him and my parents knew that he could be trusted. Eventually I outgrew his slowness and got a younger horse.
One day a family came looking to purchase cattle. Along with them was a young girl, who took to Mac Scott right away as I had done a few years before. By the end of the afternoon they loaded him in their trailer, paying the same 85.00 that we had paid for him a few years before.
I was very sad to see the old guy go but I knew that he was going to a great home. Well this little girl learned to ride on the old fellow too. I found out that he lived until the ripe old age of 26. Mac Scott was truly a great horse!!!!

Char Spanjer
Moose Jaw

We have a sneak preview of Martin’s new DVD.