History & Heritage

Quarter Horses - Rich in Genetic Heritage

Updated:

August 27, 2020

The Quarter Horse is renowned for its agility, speed over short distances, and calm disposition. Not only are they enormously valued as working animals on ranches and farms, Quarter Horses excel in competition where their nimbleness and responsiveness are the skills that put them on top, especially in events like reining, cutting, barrel racing, and calf roping. So where do these skills come from?

Investigating the Arabian Horse Genome

Updated:

August 3, 2020

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Genetic Study Challenges Common Beliefs - A study involving Arabian horses from 12 countries has found that some populations maintained more genetic diversity and that the breed did not contribute genetically to the modern-day Thoroughbred, contrary to popular thought.

To Serve and Protect: The Death of Brigadier

Updated:

June 7, 2020

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Note: This article was originally published May 2006

By Karen Briggs

4-H Canada - Learn to do by doing

Updated:

May 14, 2020

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For over 100 years, 4-H Canada has been one of the most highly respected and widely known youth organizations in the country, offering activities and projects to nurture members’ talents and abilities, and developing leaders who impact their communities. Its core values embodied in its pledge define the profile of 4-H at every level.

The Cutting Horse: From Ranch Work to Equestrian Sport

Updated:

May 12, 2020

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Sorting cattle was an essential part of ranch work on the 19th century open range, where herds from different outfits regularly mixed together while grazing. During large spring and fall round-ups, hundreds of cattle had to be gathered, identified by brand, and returned to their respective ranches. For cowboys whose work also included guarding cattle, moving them to fresh range, and driving them long distances to market, having the right horse for each job was critical.

Salute to Saddle Makers

Updated:

May 5, 2020

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Creators of Functional Art - Two of the most intriguing questions about our relationship with horses are when were they first domesticated, and when were they first ridden. We will never know for sure, but some of the most fascinating evidence comes from the ancient Botai culture in northern Kazakhstan. Almost 6,000 years ago, the people living in a community of villages were foragers and hunter/gatherers. While the abundant wild horses were a staple part of their diet, the Botai came to see the horses as valuable working stock.

The Bishop Family Business: 100 Years of Wild West Shows

Updated:

March 31, 2020

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Ordinarily, when you’re talking about a family business that has been passed down through the generations, with the parents eventually handing the reins over to their children, the “reins” are figurative. But then, the Bishop family business – consisting of daring feats on horseback, fancy roping tricks, and knife throwing – is anything but ordinary.

EC Coach Licensing - Answers to your Fundamental Questions

Updated:

March 16, 2020

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The Equestrian Canada (EC) Coach Licensing Program is preparing for its official launch in early 2020 and represents a great step forward for equestrian sport in Canada: the opportunity to make our sport safer for children, athletes and coaches alike.

Animal Welfare in Ontario

Updated:

March 2, 2020

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“Continuity and change in animal protection work and policy” was the topic presented by Dr. Kendra Coulter at the University of Guelph on January 22, 2020. Coulter is the Chair of the Department of Labour Studies at Brock University and holds the Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence. Her research projects have studied humane jobs for both people and animals.

The Kelpie - Mythological Water Horse of Scotland

Updated:

November 26, 2019

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Folk tales of the legendary water horses have abounded for centuries. The name “Kelpie” may have come from the Gaelic word “cailpeach” or “colpach,” meaning heifer or colt. The legends are thought to have served the practical purpose of keeping children away from dangerous rushing waters, or warning adolescent girls to be wary of attractive strangers. And maybe the stories arose from the long-ago time when horse sacrifices were practiced in ancient Scandinavia. In historical times, when superstition was at the centre of many pagan cultures, demons and water spirits were a possible way of rationalizing the drowning of young children who had accidentally slipped on dangerous riverbanks.