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38/ SEPTEMBER 2020 THE RIDER The Positive Side COVID-19 bringing horse communities together in an unforgettable way


By Amanda St Onge The Equine Information Source


(EIS), is a team of undergraduate re- search assistants dedicated to re- searching, creating and providing information to equine communities across Canada about how to deal with and protect against COVID-19. Throughout the summer, our team has spoken with many people from equine communities, all of whom have their own stories to tell. Living through this pandemic has been hard for a lot of people, and the media has done its part in documenting the hardships of those in our community, but our team wants to share the positive stories and changes that have emerged from this. A sense of community was al-


ways a large part of the horse world, as everyone who is in it knows. When tragedy hits, we come together and make each other stronger. Take for ex- ample barn fires or natural disasters that have proven this in the past. But a global pandemic has brought this to an entirely new level. People from across the country and the world are coming together to support and help each other through these hard times. This support comes in many forms, such as feed donations, volunteered land use for grazing, fundraisers and even simple tips and tricks videos or articles. Our community has never pulled together more than it has over the past few months and hopefully we can continue this trend. The For The Herd campaign is a


FEEDERS


great example of a local fundraiser that was created to raise money to feed and house school horses in Ontario. This fundraiser was initiated by Jen Sweet, and run through Ontario Equestrian, who saw the struggle of school horse barns to support and feed their animals. To date, the campaign has raised over $190,000 in donations that will be used to make sure that the horses who dedicate their lives to teaching our young horse lovers to ride, will be safe, well cared for, and fed throughout the tough months that await them in the winter. MASCARA is another cam-


paign that has taken a bit of a different approach to raising money for our horses in need. Red Scarf Equestrian


PUSLINCH, ONTARIO – Sunrise is excited to announce new programs es- pecially suited to these challenging COVID times. Little Breeches Club (ages 4-7)


& Mini Moments (ages 7-11) will be offered on weekdays and Saturdays for children to run and play in Sun- rise’s wide open spaces. These pro- grams work with Sunrise miniature horses Sundance, Faline and Buddy


representative Susan Jamieson and Dunrovin Ranch SuzAnne Miller, cre- ators and supporters of the MAS- CARA campaign, teamed up with a fashion house in Paris, France, Her- mès, to create stunningly beautiful silk scarves, whose proceeds go directly to the campaign to help horses in North America. The scarf is a unique cre- ation featuring a magnificent Cana- dian Clydesdale whose lashes are dusted in snow, as though mascara has been applied. The MASCARA cam- paign is quickly turning into a brand as projects such as makeup lines, and partnerships with big brand names such as Coca Cola, Revlon and P&G are in the works. Partnerships such as these could change the lives of mil- lions of horses and horse owners in North America. While fundraisers and cam-


paigns are doing their part to help our horses in these unprecedented times, the EIS team thought it would impor- tant to ask members of horse commu- nities what positive impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic they experienced. Their answers were enlightening, cit- ing thoughts of being given the chance to reconnect with the importance of horses in their lives, given that many competitions are cancelled, and barn time is restricted. This pandemic has stripped most of the horse community of its competition goals and has brought us back to the main reason we got involved with horses in the first place, because no one enters the horse world thinking, “I want to win rib- bons”; we come into the horse world thinking “I love them, and I want to care for them.” Many barn owners spoke about


the opportunities this enforced time off has presented them. Revisiting their books and finances has allowed them to make economic changes to improve their business plan, conse- quently benefitting the lives of the horses they care for. Projects that have been on hold for ages are now being completed along with new improve- ments or renovations. Some barn own- ers have installed outdoor hitching posts and wash racks for their board- ers as they have seen benefits of uti- lizing outdoor areas in the past few months. Less crowding and more


on the ground, teaching horse skills and allowing children to learn how to communicate, bond, and work effec- tively as a team even in these socially distant times. A maximum of 6 chil- dren will enjoy the therapeutic bene- fits of being with animals and nature and share the experience with their peers. For children with or without a diagnosis, these programs will be pro- vided by Lydia Prabucki, CanTRA In-


space to maneuver are a plus when it comes to tacking up horses. While people took mandatory breaks from showing, competing, and lessons, the horses received a well-deserved break from their usual long days of riding or training. With all the negative impacts of


COVID-19 in the horse communities, we are proud to showcase the positive aspects that have come out of this pan- demic. While one may not outweigh the other, there is no point in focusing on only one side of the story. We as a community can focus on the positive side as we come together to help one another. This pandemic is a learning curve for us all and if we remember that we can all make a difference no matter how small the gesture; we as a community will be stronger for it. Re- member not to judge those in need and lend a helping hand instead, because you never know if one day you will be the one in need. Look at people through the eyes of your horse, with love, patience and compassion. The Equine Information Source


is partnered with Equine Guelph and Equestrian Canada to disseminate in- formation across multiple platforms as well as our YouTube channel where you can find video interviews with in- dustry professionals, such as vets, far- riers, and equestrian business owners providing insight on pandemic chal- lenges. For more information, contact Dr.


Katrina kmerkies@uoguelph.ca


Links: For


the Herd


https://www.fortheherd.ca/ MASCARA https://redscarfeques- trian.ca/products/red-scarves-riders- rses-signature-silk-scarf-mascara BBRM


Youtube


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC -HNGCcKgnQ4PKVCrkhzQqg


Caption for photo at left: The Equine Information Source is a group of ded- icated students in the BBRM Equine Management degree program who, under the supervision of Dr. Merkies, are working to provide resources to horse owners and facility managers to help navigate through the pandemic.


New Programs On Sunrise’s 100 Acre Farm Starting In September 2020


structor and Sunrise’s Inclusive Recre- ation Coordinator. Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)


is an empowering method used to de- velop effective personal development through the use of the horse. This fun new program of unmounted activities is for young people (12+) and adults. Those in their own social “bubble” such as Family Groups, Ladies Night, Youth Leadership, Sports Teams, and Corporate Groups will all enjoy some fun “on the ground” activities with the horses that teach team build- ing, communication and leadership skills in a light- hearted, stimulating and safe environment. Suzy Bender, EC Coach 1, CanTRA Coach, and a Certified EAL Facilitator, will lead this program together with trained Sunrise staff. Sunrise’s large arena and


dedicated program spaces ensure


adherence peutic.ca to


COVID-19 protocols in- cluding physical distancing. Visit www.sunrise-thera-


Merkies,


channel


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