42/ OCTOBER 2022 THE RIDER


Exploring impacts of vet shortage in rural and remote communities across Ontario


By Ethan Wallace, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture


Rural and remote communities in


Ontario are experiencing a shortage of veterinary access. What does this look like? It looks like waiting four hours or more for a veterinarian to come out to your farm – if they can come at all. It looks like being forced to euthanize live- stock to uphold animal welfare stan- dards, even though the animal could be treated if timely service were available. It also looks like veterinarians are ex- hausted, overworked and doing their best to provide farmers and their live- stock the quality service they require and deserve. Animals and animal-related agri-


culture are crucial to the economic sta- bility of Ontario’s rural communities. Livestock farmers require reliable ac- cess to veterinary services to ensure strong health and welfare for their ani- mals. The Ontario Federation of Agri- culture


(OFA) recognizes and


acknowledges that veterinarians play a critical role in the stability and viability of the agri-food system. Vets are vital to ensuring farmers have access to the help


and support they need for raising healthy livestock. Reliability and timeliness are key to the health and welfare of both the animal and the farmer. On my dairy operation, our vet


and dairy nutritionist are an integral part of our operation and necessary pillars to raising a healthy herd. Plain and simple, an operation is at an extreme disadvan- tage with a lack of access to veterinary services, which we see as a much larger issue in northern and remote communi- ties. As farmers, we feel the pain that our animals feel, especially when we cannot find a solution to the problem or cannot access the services we need to be able to treat the discomfort our livestock are feeling. My livestock work hard for me, and in return it’s my priority to make sure my herd is comfortable, content and healthy. Farming yields many stressors,


especially during the intense growing season, and having sick livestock is the last thing you want to add to this list. It takes a huge toll not only financially, but also mentally. It can result in significant mental and emotional stress for the farmer. I’m lucky enough to feel a great amount of support from my vet who un-


derstands the surmounting pressures of farming and how difficult it is to see one of your animals suffering. As farmers and caretakers of our livestock, we do our best, but we don’t know everything about animal health, which can lead to anguish and extreme frustration. Bring- ing in a specialist to find a solution to the issue can be tremendously rewarding during these difficult times. However, if you cannot get access to a vet and you’re left waiting and wondering, that frustra- tion escalates. Generally, there has been a chal-


lenge in both attracting and retaining new veterinarians to work out of large animal clinics. Among a variety of other factors, the rural lifestyle may not offer the same level of attraction or amenities to a young professional as an urban cen- tre. Unfortunately, these service gaps have resulted in a higher demand being put on the vets currently working in rural, remote and northern communities. Specifically in northern Ontario, this problem continues to grow. Clinics are spaced out across the region resulting in vets travelling long distances to visit farms, isolation and burnout trying to meet the demand needed to care for the


animals. The shortage puts a strain on the entire agricultural community in these areas. The Livestock Veterinary Innova-


tion Initiative, which was announced by the Ontario government in 2021, was developed to help address the shortage issue and provide farmers with better ac- cess to veterinary services. The intent was to address the gap in veterinary care, particularly for large animal vets working in rural and remote communi- ties across Ontario. To help address the issue moving


forward, it’s important that farmers, in- dustry stakeholders, government, insti- tutions and veterinarians work together to find a suitable solution. Identifying existing gaps, working on attraction and retention strategies for large animal clin- ics and exploring investment opportuni- ties may be options to consider. A lack of veterinary care can be detrimental to rural communities and can leave farm animals, and ultimately the food system, at risk. The industry encourages and welcomes new veterinary professionals to fill a growing need and support farm- ers across Ontario. For more information, contact:


Eathan Wallace


Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stake- holder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca


Daniel Bluman Scores Big in MLSJ Kubota Grand Prix Daniel Bluman (ISR)


and Gemma W were the definite ones to beat during MLSJ Toronto at Angel- stone Tournaments. After clinching the qualifier ear- lier in the week, Bluman and Gemma W, an 11-year- old KWPN mare (Luidam x Unaniem) owned by Blue Star investments ended on a high note by winning the $214,300 Kubota CIS5* Grand Prix. After Kent Farrington


(USA) pulled a jump-off rail on Creedance, the door was open for Bluman to take the victory as the last to return in a seven-horse second round. But, he had to best the blazing time of Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace first. Bluman and his “special mare” did just that, taking the win by a full second after crossing the final


Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Gemma W. Photo © Mackenzie Clark / MLSJ timers. Erynn Ballard (CAN)


rounded out the top three for the home nation riding Nar-


cotique van het Dingenshof, owned by Ilan Ferder.


A Word From The Winner “Having to go last al-


ways give you an advan- tage, especially when you have a horse that can go as


Podium finishers Daniel Bluman, Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Erynn Ballard (CAN) Photo © Mackenzie Clark / MLSJ


fast as Gemma. Kristen rode a beautiful jump-off but I think my horse is faster and I did one stride less to the


(USA) had only competed Quinn 33 at two other shows before arriving for MLSJ Ottawa at Wesley Clover Parks. Their new partnership is off to a win- ning start, however, with a victory coming in the $74,000 CSI5* Saniton Plastic 1.50m. Korotkin put Quinn


Tanner Korotkin Finds Winning Partner in Quinn 33 Tanner Korotkin


is his type of horse and the two have clicked very quickly. Vanderveen (USA)


and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili settled for second, while Callie Schott (USA) took third aboard Garant for owner Southern Arches, LLC.


33’s hot-blooded tempera- ment and natural desire to win to good use in a 12- horse jump-off where he bested fellow U.S. rider Kristen Vanderveen. After only acquiring Quinn 33, a 12-year-old HOLST gelding (Quidam de Revel x Con- tender) owned by Rupert Winkelmann, as part of his string earlier this season, Korotkin admits the mount


sanely quick. To be honest, I didn’t know Kristen was in the lead and she’s a very fast rider. So, I had my plan, I let go with my hands and let Quinn do his job. He wants to win and probably has the biggest heart out of most horses I’ve ever ridden.” ~ Tanner Korotkin (USA)


Tanner Korotkin and Quinn 33. Photo © Ashley Neuhof / MLSJ


A Word From The Winner “My horse is so in-


Send us all of your news for the next issue of The Rider.


The November Issue Deadline is


October 25th!


combination. This year, we have collected the experi- ences from previous seasons and we know our strengths


and weaknesses. It was good jumping tonight and she felt in great form. “ ~ Daniel Bluman (ISR)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44