MAY 2010 THE RIDER/ 5 The Gallop By Lauren Sereda (16 yrs old)


We run like ghosts from a rabid storm. The trees are green shadows and the grass is liquid glass. The racing wind roars in our ears like a lion singing to its pride, a glorious battle cry TO VICTORY we charge. Time slows as the world envelopes our unity and blankets us with its wild ten- derness. Pounding hoof beats are echoes of our hearts. Ba da de dum… the earth sings for our pleasure and dances to the rhythm of freedom. We are insane to attempt to breach sound and become immortal, to be slow forever engrained in our own legend. The wings of speed inspire us to fly, the taste of fear so long forgotten. It is our devoted passion that becomes the miracle of our ability to escape from ourselves, and morph into something entirely new, as one. We rush by the wonders of the earth, her beauty a hurried dream warped by con- scious effort. The air is brisk with smells of sweet fragrances, fresh from winters calm. Bright colours of green, golden yellow and blue are blinding to newborn senses. There is a wild peace that surrounds this place,


Equine Canada’s Position on


Alleged Abuse Ottawa, Ontario — Equine Canada was noti- fied on March 30, 2010, of allegations of abuse at two horse processing plants in Canada. While recognizing that no aspect of these allegations is confirmed, Equine Cana- da immediately contacted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which is the federal government agency responsible for ensuring that humane practices are fol- lowed in Canadian animal processing plants. Equine Canada has been assured that the CFIA takes allegations of abuse very seri- ously and that their officials are investigat- ing this case.


but only in a growing memory of imaginations gift. We keep on running, bad a de dum… We surge forward in a lust for speed that could surely beat the cheetah, a bullet sent strait for its target. This is an experience of joy with- out thought, blindly charging for- ward, tuned to the thrumming rhythm of hoof against earth. We are the metronome for heavens symphony, the constant in a changing world. The beat grows old and we die. Shapes around us become solid and we are once again thrown into captivity. Trees


stood like soldiers, their leaves a cage for the sun. A river in the distance is now a moat, filled with sharpened rocks. Flowers in the tall grass seem to materialize before us, a warning in vivid colours of red, purple, yellow and pink. We are surprised to find the breeze a gentle whisper to our ears, a soft melody in light mono- tone of the moment. In limbo there is only the quite desire to be free. We yell to our souls and leap into oblivion once more. Ba da de dumb a da de dum…


Lauren galloping 16 year old Starbuck 1


The CFIA has further assured Equine Canada that their routine surveillance indi- cates that most producers, transporters and processers in this sector are committed to treating the horses in their care humanely. In those rare cases when abuse is deter- mined, the CFIA has a range of enforcement options at their command.


Equine Canada will monitor the pro- ceedings and provide an update when find- ings are available.


identifies that: “…the welfare of the horse is paramount.” With respect to the specific allegations, we state that horses destined for processing must be


· treated humanely and with dignity, · transported to the production facility according to current national regulations, and


· euthanized in a humane manner in accor- dance with the guidelines adopted by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. Equine Canada has worked with gov- ernment, professional bodies and its mem- bership to establish guidelines for the care, handling and use of horses. It strictly enforces these standards in areas of its juris- diction, and looks to other respective author- ities to enforce standards elsewhere. As the voice for the horse, Equine Canada requires timely action where abuse is alleged.


About Equine Canada


Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism. A mem- ber-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for eques- trian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national associa- tion for equine welfare, breeding, and indus- try. Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadi- an Olympic Committee as the national orga- nization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.


The Equine Canada mission statement


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