16/ DECEMBER 2025 THE RIDER


2025 Ontario Trail Riders Association Board of Directors


President Sonja Wyss 705-434-7947 info@barefoot-saddlecanada.ca


Secretary Catherine Dziedziejko catherinedz@outlook.com


Area Representative/ Treasurer/Membership Elaine Wiesner 519-940-1710 elaine.a.wiesner@gmail.com


Promotions/Advertisement Tina Kerst tiamiadart@gmail.com


Newspapers/The Rider Catherine Kennedy ckcatherine57@gmail.com


9045 20 Sideroad, Tosorontio, Lisle, ON L0M 1M0 • www.ontariotrailriders.ca Directors at Large


Cathy Togeretz, cathytogeretz@gmail.com Yvonne Taylor, yvonnet@live.ca


The Ontario Trail Riders Association Inc, estab- lished in 1970, is an equestrian organization which promotes recreational trail riding and the creation, development, preservation and safe use of trails.OTRA and its members represent the equestrian trail user with Ontario Equestrian and Equestrian Canada. We welcome your membership to help support the voice of OTRA on your behalf. Visit our Facebook Page.


How to Care for Your Horse from Summer to Winter A Personal, Slightly Frostbitten Opinion


Let me preface this by saying I am not a vet, a farrier, or a not dehydrated.


certified equine life coach. I’m just a horse-loving human who has spent enough time in muddy boots and hay-scented hoodies to offer some personal thoughts on helping your horse transition from sum- mer’s sun to winter’s “why is my water bucket frozen again?”


Step One: Survive Fall. Fall is nature’s indecisive phase. One day it’s 75°F and your


horse is sweating like it just ran barrels in a sauna. The next day, there’s frost on the manure pile and your horse is giving you the “Where’s my blanket?” look. Blanket management becomes a strategic game of “Guess the Weather.” I recommend keeping a light sheet for those brisk mornings and a medium-weight blanket for nights when the wind sounds like it’s auditioning for a horror pod- cast.


But don’t rush to bundle your horse like it’s headed to the


Arctic. Horses are hardy creatures. They grow their own sweaters— called winter coats—and they do it with gusto. One minute your horse is sleek and shiny, the next it’s a fuzzy marshmallow with hooves. Daily grooming helps manage the fluff and keeps skin healthy. Plus, it’s a great way to find burrs, mystery goo, and the oc- casional squirrel nest.


Step Two: Feed the Fluff. As pasture growth slows and temperatures drop, your horse


will need more hay to stay warm and maintain weight. Think of hay as the horse version of comfort food—except instead of pumpkin spice, it smells like dusty sunshine and regret. Monitor body condi- tion closely. If your horse starts looking like a woolly mammoth with a dad bod, maybe ease up on the buffet. Water becomes trickier too. Cold weather makes horses


drink less, which can lead to dehydration and impaction colic. En- courage hydration with warm water, salt licks, or a splash of apple juice (yes, they’re fancy like that). Just don’t be surprised if your horse sniffs the bucket like you’ve added poison. They’re dramatic,


Step Three: Hoof It. Fall and winter bring mud, snow, and the kind of hoof con-


ditions that make farriers sigh deeply. Pick out hooves daily to pre- vent thrush, snowballs, and whatever mysterious goo Mother Nature brews in the paddock. If your horse wears shoes, talk to your farrier about snow pads or traction options. If barefoot, rejoice—less slip- ping, fewer lost shoes, and more smugness.


Step Four: Move It or Lose It. Cooler weather can make horses frisky. One minute you’re


trotting peacefully, the next you’re airborne like a rodeo clown. Ease into fall and winter workouts gradually. Consider lunging before rid- ing to burn off the “I smell snow” energy. And remember: frozen ground is not your friend. Avoid hard gallops on icy terrain unless you enjoy vet bills and dramatic reenactments of Bambi on ice.


Step Five: Shelter and Shenanigans. Make sure your horse has access to a dry, windproof shelter.


Fall storms and winter blizzards are not the time to discover your run-in shed has a leaky roof and a family of raccoons squatting in the corner. Check fencing too—because your horse will absolutely find the one weak spot and escape to eat your neighbor’s decorative cabbage.


Bonus Tip: Embrace the Chaos. Fall and winter horse care is a blend of preparation, improv-


isation, and emotional resilience. Your horse may not thank you with words, but it might refrain from biting your jacket—and really, isn’t that love?


Until next time …. See you on the Trails! Catherine Kennedy Director at Large OTRA


New Standardbred Ambassador


with every day.” Renée Kierans,


returning for her fifth year as Thoroughbred Industry Ambassador, has worn nearly every hat in racing—from ex- ercise rider to broad- caster. “I’m excited to be your Thoroughbred Ambassador again, and we can all learn more about the horse to- gether,” says Kierans. As Ambassa-


dors, Walker and Kier- ans will serve as peer mentors, sparking dis- cussion and posing real-world questions to expert


instructors. Thoroughbred Ambassador


Their goal: to create a dynamic learning environment that bridges Thoroughbred and Standardbred sectors. Enrollment is free thanks to generous sponsorship from the


Central Ontario Standardbred Association, Standardbred Canada, and The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Both courses are fully online, flexible, and free for AGCO licence hold- ers and Standardbred Canada members aged 16+. Space is limited, and no prior online learning experience is required—just a passion for horse health.


Racehorse Injury/Lameness Prevention & Care Jan. 26-Feb. 6, 2026


NEW- Conditioning the Racehorse - Feb. 23 -Mar. 6, 2026 Story by: Equine Guelph


Web Link(s): Story web link: https://thehorseportal.ca/2025/11/industry-ambas- sadors-return-to-champion-free-online-racing-courses/?swcfpc=1


Racehorse Injury/Lameness Prevention & Care https://thehorseportal.ca/course/racehorse-injury-lameness-pre- vention-care-winter-26/?swcfpc=1


NEW - Conditioning the Racehorse https://thehorseportal.ca/course/conditioning-the-racehorse-win- ter-26/?swcfpc=1


About Equine Guelph: Equine Guelph is the horse owners’ and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph in Canada. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government - for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further infor- mation, visit www.equineguelph.ca.


Renée Kierans, Julie Walker,


Directors at Large Lynn Robershaw Gord Wiesner


Industry Ambassadors Announced for Free Online


Racing-Exclusive Training Program


Guelph, ON Nov, 25, 2025 - Equine Guelph is thrilled to announce the return of its Industry Ambassador program this winter, featur- ing two respected voices from the horse racing community. Julie Walker and Renée Kierans will lead the charge in promoting free online training and acting as peer helpers in racing-exclusive courses designed to advance racehorse health and performance This year’s initiative offers complimentary access to two highly practical courses developed by Equine Guelph:


Racehorse Injury/Lameness Prevention & Care (Jan 26 – Feb 6, 2026) NEW: Conditioning the Racehorse (Feb 23 – Mar 6, 2026)


These courses focus on industry-identified healthcare pri-


orities, equipping trainers, grooms, and owners with tools to help their equine athletes reach peak potential.


Julie Walker,


will return as the Stan- dardbred Industry Am- bassador, bringing a lifetime of experience in harness racing. “I have


taken these


courses from Equine Guelph and learned a lot of important les- sons,” says Walker. “I look forward to being your Standardbred Am- bassador and learning even more about the equine athletes we are lucky enough to work


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