MAY 2023 THE RIDER /15 OEEEP Returns: Training Employees for Horse Industry Careers The Ontario Equine Educa-


tion and Employment Program is in its second year of preparing interested participants for equine jobs – for free. Program participants in


2022 were appreciative about the training they received, and the help in finding employment. (pikselstock - stock.adobe.com) The Ontario Equine Educa-


tion and Employment Program got an encouraging start last year and is back for 2023, providing barn and business owners with a pool of knowledgeable, well- prepared potential employees and helping keen graduates find suitable employment within the horse industry. The unique program, cre-


ated by the Ontario Harness


Horse Association (OHHA) in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigra- tion, Training and Skills Devel- opment and supported by Equine Guelph, is absolutely free. Dur- ing an interactive six-week train- ing course taught by industry experts in a variety of fields, par- ticipants learn about horse health, grooming, management and welfare, all topics they will need to function effectively in a horse-related career. Also imple- mented this year are virtual/live “class meetings” where short presentations on subjects such as Social License to Operate for the horse industry and how human behaviour impacts it, exploring career paths, and so on will be offered. Assistance in finding a


Foundation Reining Training Centre “Better trained horses to western riders.”


Susan Dahl B.Sc. Computer, Math


Retired Certified Professional Horse Trainer Myler Bit Certified,


judge, clinics, horse sales, writer 315538 Highway 6, RR1


Williamsford, ON N0H 2V0. 519-369-4631, reinersue@hotmail.com www.reinersuehorsemanship.com


relevant job is offered at the end of the course. And it is not only the students


who benefit from OEEEP. Industry employers – boarding barn owners, Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing outfits, show stables, breed- ers – are encouraged to sign up and mentor keen new employees. In addition to filling positions with in- creasingly hard-to-find employees, this year employers are eligible for wage subsidies of 50 per cent of the salary of the candidates, up to a maximum of $5,000. Brian Tropea, OHHA general


manager, spoke of the importance of investing in the future of the horse industry. “We all have a re- sponsibility if we want to see the equine industry succeed, to ensure


there is a work force to support the horses. It’s not enough to sit back and say there is a lack of qualified people to work. People need to be willing to spend the time to invest or we are going to continue to struggle. “There is a barrier to getting


into the industry, with employment ads saying that you need to have experience to apply. Those who are willing get discouraged and ask how they are supposed to get the experience they need to be part of the industry. Lots of people want to learn, so we have to make it as easy as possible to educate them.” Last year’s grads have high


praise for the program. Candelaria Baigorria took the OEEEP course, “so I could have more knowledge


Ontario Reined Cow Horse Association Werner Bohner, President, 519-209-8196


Craig Black, Vice President, 519-874-1294 ORCHA Sponsors


To promote the reined cow horse in Ontario through education, participation, and mentorship Or visit us at our website: www.orcha.ca


about horses and be better prepared for finding a job working with horses, and for job interviews. I really enjoyed it! I learned so many interesting things about horses, how to take care of some injuries, anatomy, the digestive sys- tem, and why it is so im- portant to feed them a healthy diet.” She later got a job she loves at a board- ing and training facility. Program alum Ihab


Elmeniawi said, “I didn’t have any professional or work experience with horses” but he took the course and found mean- ingful employment at Woodbine Racetrack. “For someone just getting started in the equine field, the information in the pro- gram was just right and not overwhelming. The way it was structured made it easy to go through the program which was composed of reading ma- terials, audio and videos, and the instructors were very supportive.” Equine Guelph direc-


tor Gayle Ecker com- mented on how rewarding it has been to get positive feedback from the students


ORCHA NEWS MAY 2023 The


2023


ORCHA season is on its way and we started out with a great weekend on April 22 and 23 with two clinics. Saturday was all about herd holders and turn back help. The im-


portance of these helpers became quite apparent as each volunteer cutter worked. Brian Kelly, the clinician for the week- end, is a cutting horse trainer and instructor as well as NCHA judge.


– “their excitement about finding a guided pathway into the horse industry by a trusted source, knowing that there is support for them to find placements and prepare them for a job in the industry. The excite- ment about learning about horses and knowing that we teach from a welfare- and evidence-based plat- form. Plus meeting our students from the last run and their excitement about how things are going for them in their jobs!” Ecker


concluded,


“Equine Guelph is proud to be an integral part of the OEEEP program as it helps to connect newcom- ers to industry, which is so needed, and bring them to- gether with equine facility owners who are needing to add more staff to their teams for horse care. Working together, this is a win for the students, a win for the facilities, and a big win for our equine indus- try and its future.” Three more cohorts


will take place this year, spaced seven weeks apart. Space is limited; register at www.ohha.ca


Brian emphasized how to be in the proper position to help the cutter and to keep your eye on the cow. As the day pro- gressed, the riders real- ized how much their jobs could assist the cutter. We


Calendar of Events: Clinic May 27, Shows May 28, June 25, July 23, August 20, September 10


Sponsor


Spotlight:


must thank Ron Stelzl for the use of his beautiful arena on such a rainy day. Sunday was for people that wanted to get into the herd work class and how they could advance. Again, with a full line up of riders in the clinic, Brian worked on how to


make their cut and how to try to stay in position with their cow. From the morning work to the af- ternoon, we saw im- provement in all the horses and riders. Thank you Brian Kelly for a job well done and remember his words, “keep your


eye on that cow!” Next up will be


our cow horse clinic on May 27 with Jess Cofell and Greg Crispin. The clinic will be followed by our first show of the sea- son on May 28. Come on out and have some fun!


Schira Trades Services Ltd.based in Brantford, Ontario offers full mill- wright and electrical services for the industrial sector in Southwestern Ontario www.schira- trades.ca (519) 750-0352.


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