The Lingfield Instructor Group

This news piece is from Catherine Humphrey a student who has recently moved to Ontario, Canada. We hope soon to hear from her again with news on how the move itself went.   Thanks Catherine for your input, it is good to know how things work in other countries.

Keeping Horses In The Canadian Climate.  

When I first arrived in Canada, I realised that keeping horses here does not vary greatly from keeping horses in the UK. The same discussions and diverse opinions are held on most horsey issues, however I have found a few fundamental differences.

Shelter & Stabling

I was amazed to find out how many people leave their horses out all year, even given the amount of snow, ice rain and - 30 degree temperatures we sometimes experience.  As in this country, many people believe very much in horses living naturally outside, and here they rely on thick rugs with necks, and a well constructed shelter with deep bedding to ensure horses can live out and get out of the wind and rain/snow when it’s falling. 
Some owners bring their horses in from the field in the evening to feed and the horse will stay in overnight when the temperature is at its lowest.
Unfortunately, again as in the UK, some people believe that horses cannot be turned out for any length of time in the winter – particularly those who pride themselves on very expensive horses, and these owners keep their horses stabled for much of the winter with only short periods of turnout.  
Stables are often built within a barn, and this makes the environment more social for horses as they can see more of their friends than in a conventional straight stable block. The environment is also more protected from the elements and therefore can have an impact (depending on the time they spend stabled in the winter) on the growth of their winter coat.
During the summer, the key difference to the UK is the sustained heat and greater number of mosquitoes and other biting insects, such as horse and deer flies. Shade in a field is very important to allow the horses refuge from the sun. Also sun protection cream is important for fair skinned horses. Stabling during the hottest part of the day is often a favoured option.

Water Supply

In Canada, more frequently than in the UK, the water will freeze. Water taps often freeze too, and require insulation, deep piping and constant monitoring. In the summer, due to strong sun and high temperatures, water troughs are often placed in the shade or protected with a shelter to avoid excessive algal growth.

Hooves

With a lot of snow on the ground, it can ball up in hooves and it’s therefore particularly important to check hooves frequently over the course of a day. Some people believe their horses get less snow build up in the hoof when they go barefoot, and also some put Vaseline in the hooves to prevent the snow sticking. The issue is sometimes dealt with by getting the farrier to put a protective membrane across the foot when shoeing (though this requires careful monitoring and can lead to foot problems). Also shoes with studs are often used in the winter to help prevent slips.  
Many people choose not to ride in the winter. If snow is light and fluffy, most believe it is ok to ride out in. When snow has a frozen crust, or there is ice on the ground it is more hazardous and can cause slips, falls and strains. Ice is like concrete to fall on – for both you and your horse!

Fencing and Gates

Many different fencing options are available, and the key difference with the UK is where post and rail is used; fence posts in Canada are sunk to a depth of 3.5 – 4 feet to ensure they are below the frost line, or the water in the soil (when it freezes) can force the fence posts up out of the ground.  
Rails between posts (particularly the top one) are mounted high so that when snow builds on the ground, the fence is not dwarfed and no longer effective at containing the horses! Also, gates are mounted high, so they will open over the top of snow.
Canada has large areas where the Canadian Shield (a huge shield of surface bedrock) creates a problem for fencing as the posts cannot be sunk into the rock. Here fencing stands on the surface; fence posts being three-legged, pyramid structures with rails running between them.