Ollie (the grey horse) seen here with several other of his equine pals.

Comment: Our complicated relationship with horses

I’ve recently decided it’s time to euthanize my old horse, Oliver — everyone calls him Ollie for short. He’s almost 28 years old, and growing increasingly arthritic. Winter is coming, and if I don’t have him put down before the miserable season begins, he may slip on ice and be unable to get up. Even […] Read more

A Welsh pony trotting in a field. For some reason, more ponies were infected with Western equine encephalitis in Dr. Clarke’s experience, but all horses, and humans, are susceptible.

Sleeping sickness in horses

Veterinary Case Study: Symptoms of Western equine encephalitis and tips for preventing the disease

Jane’s desperate phone call came after school Monday afternoon. She had noticed something different with Sisco last night when she groomed him. Sisco, a Welsh-cross, failed to eat his oats, seemed restless and wanted to lay down. Getting up when urged became difficult. Her hunch something might be seriously wrong with her new pony turned […] Read more


File photo of wild horses running on grasslands in Nova Scotia’s remote Sable Island National Park Reserve. (Photo by Sarah Medill/Parks Canada/Handout via Reuters)

Wild horses face unruly storms as Fiona nears East Coast

Damages feared to buildings, utilities, crops

Ottawa | Reuters — Shaggy, long-maned wild horses grazing freely on the sandy grasslands of the crescent-shaped Sable Island in the North Atlantic are expected to come under the swipe of a powerful storm forecast to hit Eastern Canada this weekend. Hurricane Fiona, tracking northward after carving a destructive path through the Dominican Republic and […] Read more

File photo of a roundworm larva. (Dotana/iStock/Getty Images)

Health Canada warns people not to take livestock dewormers

No evidence that drug is effective against COVID-19

“Concerning reports” of people in Canada seeking out veterinary-grade dewormers for personal use have led Health Canada to formally advise against doing so. News reports in Western Canada in the past week have described increased demand from non-farming consumers for veterinary-grade ivermectin, whether at livestock supply retailers or online. While ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug […] Read more


Thomas G. Stewart. who spent 27 years as a fieldman in the employ of the Federal Live Stock Branch, came to Canada after serving in the South African war. One of his first jobs in Canada was as horseman for the Douglas Lake Cattle Company.

History: Early horse breeding at Douglas Lake

Reprinted from the May 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Early horse breeding at Douglas LakeBy T.G. (Tom) Stewart As is generally understood, the Douglas Lake Ranch was started in the very early 1880s by Charlie Beak, who had a ranch in Oregon, and who when he heard that a railroad was coming through British Columbia, came up to get a foothold in the prospective […] Read more

History: Pulling Horses

Reprinted from the July 1953 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Pulling HorsesBy N. G. Stanford, Rosemary, Alta. ‘Whenever “pulling horses” are mentioned I recall with nostalgia my first experience with horses drawing heavy loads. First, because of the remorse I felt at the time, and second, because my father’s admonition to me was worthy of the wisdom of Confucius and may help many young people, […] Read more


Chokecherry.

Vet Advice: Not all that’s green is edible

Plant poisoning is a common problem throughout North America, causing significant losses from sudden death, reproductive failure, poor growth rates, tainting of animal products (milk, meat) and physical damage. Recognizing toxic plants and understanding the effects of toxins on animals is an important aspect of good range management. Plant poisoning can be largely avoided. Plants […] Read more

A horse on a property at Goulais River, north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (Davidfillion/iStock/Getty Images)

Ontario backs ‘horse experience’ businesses for horse upkeep

Trail ride operations, riding schools, others eligible

Ontario horses whose jobs with riding schools, camps and trail rides were lost or cut back during the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for funding toward their upkeep. The province on Thursday announced a $3 million equine hardship program would launch starting Monday (Jan. 18) help “horse experience” businesses cover animal maintenance costs. The program […] Read more


File photo of goats on display at the Hanover Agricultural Fair in Grunthal, Man. in August 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. transport regulators reject ’emotional support animal’ status

Service dog status still protected; 'support' goats, turkeys, others up to airlines

Washington | Reuters — Only trained dogs qualify as service animals on U.S. airlines, as regulators rejected requests to extend legal protections to miniature horses, pigs, turkeys and other species, under final U.S. Transportation Department rules issued Wednesday. Airlines can still choose which other species to allow on board, but the rules issued on Wednesday […] Read more

History: Blue Blood and Boot Straps

Reprinted from the August 1952 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Blue Blood and Boot Straps By Doreen Runciman, High River, Alta. ‘While it is my intention in no way to take exception to the article, THE BLOOD IS NEEDED IN ALL LANDS, by Linore Wilson, Canadian Cattlemen, May 1952, for no one will dispute the quality and influence of the Arabian, at the same time […] Read more