6 Ways to Up Your Social Media Game

By Tania Millen, BSc, MJ

The gap between amateur and professional competitors is common in Canadian sports. Weekend skiers have significantly less skills than athletes on Canada’s ski team. Amateur hockey players don’t make Canada’s Olympic team. It’s the same in horse sports. Tiers of riders have developed as equestrian sports have become more technical. Upper-level horse sports are primarily the purview of professional and elite riders while amateurs play at lower levels.

There are gadgets and gismos used for countless applications when it comes to handling or training horses. Some are of the gentlest nature, others stem from a long history of proper horsemanship, and some still exist that maybe never served much purpose other than to inflict pain. Regardless of how we may personally feel about a certain training tool, there is one constant piece of equipment that is used in many different areas of the horse world: the chain.

Examining the Relationship Between Humans and Horses - Recently, discussions about the treatment of animals have gained momentum, especially as animal rights activists spotlight the well-being of the creatures we share our homes and planet with. While these organizations have made significant progress in many sectors, their focus is increasingly turning to the equestrian community. Groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are voicing concerns about the ethics of riding horses.