WELLINGTON COUNTY – A flying lead change is the equestrian term for a natural gymnastic movement done by some horses.
It encompasses changing up the lead leg mid-air, while the horse maintains its balance and stride.
This is similar to what the horse industry is being required to do right now, during the pandemic.
While this has been a particularly difficult time, many horse businesses have found a way to continue.
Christine McDougall and her husband, Doug, own a team of Clydesdale heavy horses and provide wagon and sleigh rides for community and private events.
Windy Acres Wagon and Sleigh Rides’ farm is just outside Arthur, but they travel with their horses to events all over the region.
“We had to cancel all of our fall and winter events. Christmas and weddings are our big seasons, so we are hoping things start to clear up and we can start booking weddings for fall 2021,” said McDougall.
“We have built up our business over ten years, and our horses still need to be exercised and maintained every day, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.”
Holly Jacks-Smither has qualified for Canada’s national equestrian team, for three-day eventing. Jacks-Smither is located in Erin, where she is a coach and trainer.
In Florida, where she continues to compete, train and work her horses, Jacks-Smither was positive and energetic, stating, “The horse world is continuing on as before (in Florida) despite COVID. People are taking necessary precautions, but otherwise, things are moving forward.”
Jacks-Smither was excited about qualifying as a member of the national equestrian team and credits horse Morris (More Inspiration) for his fantastic showing last summer. She has set her sights on the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
Jacks-Smither looks forward to supporting her Erin and area students when she returns in the spring.
Sonja Oakes and her family breed and show rare, hypo-allergenic Bashkir curly horses. Oakesmuir Farm and learning centre is located just east of Ponsonby.
Sonja is a teacher working in the Peel District School Board and is also certified in equine-assisted learning for youth and adults.
Sonja plans to continue with Oakesmuir’s summer programs and intends to offer a new program called “COVID relief therapy” using her horses.
Emily Oakes is keeping busy helping her family with the care and management of 50 horses while finishing her university degree at home.
Emily recently developed a new craft by re-purposing Breyer horse models into customized miniature horses. She began this activity last fall when the farm sold a horse and Emily created a “one-off miniature replica’” for the new owner.
Travis Hall Equestrian stables 40 horses. It owns 18 that are used for lessons and the rest are boarding horses with owners who come to ride. Owner and coach Cindy Johnson stopped offering lessons due to COVID-19 restrictions, eliminating a large portion of their income.
On top of the pandemic, this year has been particularly difficult because Johnson’s father and business partner passed away last summer.
Johnson said she has to do many things her father used to do on the farm, like blowing snow out of the driveway and she finds it difficult.
Johnson also noted some of her younger students got together and ran a lemonade stand as a fundraiser. Their efforts added up to $186, which they donated to Travis to buy hay for the horses.
When horses are moved around for training and competition, they are often transported by commercial carriers.
The Horse Limo is based out of Hillsburgh and trailers horses locally, nationally and internationally. Owner and driver Mitch Hampshire says her business has had to evolve and adapt after being hit with cancelled shows and fewer owners taking their horses to Florida.
Hampshire expressed concern that some owners are using unregulated shippers to move their horses, in order to save money.
She is very concerned for “the little guys” who continue to struggle to get through the pandemic.
Patricia Reeves and her daughter Charlotte Palmer-Benson own Weybread Hill Farm, a riding, coaching and boarding stable located near Marsville.
Reeves offered a silver lining, noting that during the pandemic their clients seem to have more time to spend with their horses and they have noticed an increase in interest in horses for sale.
Some of their boarders are frontline workers who are finding great relief from time spent with their horse companions.
Angelstone Show Jumping Tournaments is located in the southern portion of Erin.
It is one of the premier show jumping sites in Canada.
Angelstone is open to the public all summer and attracts world class competitors and many tourists, as they host special events and audience activities between shows.
Last year was the operation’s 10th anniversary and they continue to build and support the show jumping industry.
“We are confident with the vaccine rollout that 2021 will be a great year. We are all systems go at Angelstone,” said president (and competitor) Keean White.