6/ AUGUST 2023 THE RIDER MY SPIN: Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone


Reinersue @KISS Reiners


Photo Credit Pixabay About Susan Dahl


Susan Dahl, ORHA/NRHA past multi- ple champion, writer, blogger, author and clinician, retired certified profes- sional horse trainer. Owner of Founda- tion Reining Training Centre in Durham, ON. She specializes in effec-


tive horsemanship, and reining. For more information on her services: judg- ing, clinics or resale horses, please contact her on facebook, her website: www.reinersuehorseman ship.com or reinersue@hotmail.com


OEEEP: Working with Horses


© Courtesy of Ontario Horse Harness Association


Have you ever felt a By Susan Dahl.


Why do we do this to ourselves? Remember that first day of high


school or college? Nervous. Excited. Anxious. Hopeful that you’ll fit in. Phew! Got over that one. Here we go again. Remember that


first day on the job. That new job that you spent tons of time and worry that you nailed the interview and celebrated when you got the job offer. I remember that. Nervous. Excited. Anxious. Hopeful that this will be a long successful career. Time goes on and you’re good with


that one. But that’s not enough. We do it again.


Over and over (for most of us anyway). Remember that first day at the first


horse show you’ve ever been to. Newness. Feeling like a ‘grade 9ner’ all over again. Nervous. Excited. etc. You get the picture. But can you feel that feeling in your stom-


ach as you recall your experiences? That’s the feeling of steeping out


of your comfort zone for what we hope will be a successful result. And expe- rience has shown that sometimes it works our well and sometimes it does- n’t. But that’s life. I just started a big adventure. I’ll


talk about it later if it works out. :) But right now I’m nervous. Excited. Anx- ious and yes a bit queasy in the stom- ach.


I’ve won many horse showing


awards in my day and yet I still get that feeling when I start a new big - out of my comfort zone - projects or adven- tures. Sure keeps us going! Hope you have many successful


adventures in and our of the show pen! Putting my spin on Out of Our


Comfort Zone


deep connection with horses and dreamed of working in an industry that revolves around them? If so, you’re not alone. Many people share this passion, but few know where to start or how to get involved. Luckily, the On- tario equine agricultural in- dustry


offers a


multi-billion-dollar proposi- tion with exciting career op- portunities, and the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) is taking steps to address the human resource challenges it faces. As Ontario becomes in-


creasingly urban and less rural and family farms give way to factory agricultural enterprises, fewer young people are exposed to ani- mals and their needs. Amidst opportunity, there exists sig- nificant human resource challenges. Simply put, there is a


need for more skilled work- ers able to hit the ground run- ning. That was the starting


point for the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) when we introduced the On- tario Equine Education and Employment


multiple Program


(OEEEP) concept to Premier Doug Ford and Minister Monte McNaughton in 2021. We gratefully acknowledge their unwavering support for the rural Ontario agricultural equine industry. Funded by the Ontario


Ministry of Labour, Immi- gration, Training and Skills Development and delivered in partnership with Equine Guelph and VPI Working So- lutions, OEEEP addresses the skills training and resource gap in a highly labour-inten- sive industry. If you have ever thought about working in an outdoor, fresh-air envi- ronment with lots of opportu- nities and the personal freedom to advance quickly, then this is the program for you.


The Ontario Agricultural


Equine Industry is virtually limitless in scope. From pleasure and performance horses to therapeutic riding to equestrian, eventing, and


breed racing,


OEEEP prepares candidates for an exciting and rewarding career in a short period of time. We start by offering on- line classes delivered by Equine Guelph, as well as ca- reer preparation and place- ment conducted by VPI in association with OHHA. Participants are exposed


to a number of careers asso- ciated with the equine indus- try, including but not limited to groom, vet, vet tech, trainer, farrier, hot walker, rider, jockey, driver and all the agricultural, administra- tive and ancillary positions associated with the industry. If you can envision it, we will help you accomplish it. Best of all, you will be competi- tively compensated for your education, training, and sub- sequent full-time employ- ment.


Working with horses is a


unique experience, and it re- quires more than just knowl- edge and skills. As the quote goes, “horses do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” These majestic ani-


mals are loving, trusting, and gentle giants that always give back more than they take. They will test you until they trust you, but once that bond is formed between horse and human, it’s unbreakable. The journey of connecting with these equine friends is one that will change your life for- ever.


The OEEEP program


provides an opportunity to start this journey and pursue your passion for working with horses. With OHHA’s support, you can take the first step towards a fulfilling ca- reer in the Ontario equine agricultural industry. Don’t let your dream of working with horses go unfulfilled— unbridle your potential and explore the career opportuni- ties that await you. Interested participants


can sign up at vpi- inc.com/equine


Potential employers should contact Brian by e-mail at brian@ohha.ca


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