horse welfare

Horse with runny eye

Focus on Vision Care for Equine Guelph’s Senior Horse Education Month

As horses age, their needs evolve—and so should our understanding of how to care for them. This September, Equine Guelph is shining a spotlight on eye health in senior horses as part of their annual Senior Horse Education Month. Horse owners are invited to explore this year’s theme, ‘A Clearer View,’ through two resources: the free  Senior Horse Challenge and…

First responders pull together during a Large Animal Emergency Rescue drill

First Responders in Bruce County Receive Specialized Large Animal Rescue Training

Next Stops: Nova Scotia and PEI Under the weight of high humidity and soaring summer temperatures, firefighters from across Bruce County and beyond gathered in Mildmay, Ontario, for a demanding training session in large animal emergency rescue. Hosted by Equine Guelph and funded by the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture (BCFA), the July 12 workshop…

Equine Guelph launches new website

Equine Guelph Launches New Website Serving the Global Horse Community

Equine Guelph is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, aimed at providing an enhanced user experience and easier access to its world-renowned equine education programs and research news. This new platform will be an invaluable resource for horse enthusiasts, equine industry professionals, and students worldwide. A Legacy of Excellence in Equine…

bay horse laying in snow

Equine Guelph’s “Colic Prevention Month” Serves Easy-to-Digest Tips

February is Colic Prevention Month at Equine Guelph, when all horse owners are encouraged to raise their awareness about colic, the number one killer of horses.   Take 10 minutes and visit the FREE interactive Colic Risk Rater (TheHorsePortal.ca/ColicTool).  Valuable feedback is provided on the risk of colic to your horse(s) based on your current management practices.  Horse owners that…

Riding student ready for a lesson

Study Looks at Welfare of Lesson Horses

University of Guelph researchers share preliminary results of a study suggesting bigger may not necessarily be better when it comes to riding school programs and equine welfare.  Other researchers have shown that riding lesson horses have poorer welfare compared to pleasure horses, when comparing incidences of abnormal behaviours, physical injuries, health issues, aggression towards humans, and “depressed-like” postures. The variability…

World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day ‘One Health’ Approach and the Horse Owner

On September 28, 2024, Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) coordinates World Rabies Day and this year’s theme is ‘Breaking Rabies Boundaries’.  In the ‘One Health’ approach, every sector takes responsibility in the effort to tackle rabies.  Rabies is a viral infection of the nervous system known to be problematic in carnivores and bats, although…

Senior Horse Challenge

Senior Horse Education Month Features Arthritis and Pain Recognition

Chronic pain and lameness resulting from osteoarthritis (OA) and other musculoskeletal conditions are the most common causes of poor quality of life in senior horses.  In the month of September, Equine Guelph promotes Senior Horse Education, increasing awareness of ways caregivers can be the best advocates for the health and welfare of their senior equines. …

Dana Willett Equine Guelph Student

Equine Studies Online: Transforming Dreams through the Power of Education

Originally posted Aug, 12, 2024 by Open Learning and Educational Support, University of Guelph Dana Willett’s lifelong passion for horses transformed over many years, evolving into a dream both simple and profound. At an early age, Dana’s love for horses began with riding. She quickly became a “barn rat” as she put it, doing every…

Stacey Iverson, Equine Guelph online studies student

Advocating for the Underdog through Education in Equine Welfare

Originally posted by Open Learning and Educational Support at the University of Guelph – July 12, 2024 Imagine if a dedication to the underdogs became a life mission. Meet Stacey Iverson, one of OpenEd’s Equine Studies Online students. Stacey is currently completing the Certificate in Equine Welfare–a program that challenges students’ perspectives with six unique courses. In her…

Firefighter rescuing horse from barn

Stepping Out of the Dark with a Study on Blindfolding Horses

If you are a Black Beauty fan, you will recall the scene where Beauty is being led from a burning barn and he’s scared.  James puts the blindfold on to instantly calm him down, and then he’s able to be rescued.  Written in 1877 by Anna Sewell, the novel was based on how horse handling…

Pictured with her horse Milo, Shelby Dennis receives the 2023 Roger L’Heureux Memorial Equine Award. Photo by: Carleen Giesler

From Passion to Profession: Shelby Embraces Equine Science

Shelby Dennis’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of education. Her journey with Equine Guelph’s Online Science Certificate program and the Roger L’Heureux Tuition Award is a narrative of triumph over traditional expectations and a celebration of lifelong learning.

Equine Guelph 20th anniversary logo

20th Anniversary Feature with Alumni Holly Heartz

Alumni, Holly Heartz has a real appreciation for horse behaviour and the prevention of stereotypies thanks to Equine Guelph’s online 12-week courses. Of great interest was learning what causes stereotypies in horses. The following downloadable information sheet examines what causes sterotypies and how they can be prevented through implementing best stable management practices.