Equine Guelph has partnered with 10 provincial equestrian federations across Canada to launch TheHorsePortal.ca.
The portal offers members industry training and education through a new online format.
From the Rockies to the eastern islands, the portal will bring together horse people like never before, officials state, providing them short, practical online programs to stay current on the latest information on equine care and welfare practices.
For any person responsible for a horse, it is essential to learn the national standards, officials say.
Each day, new scientific knowledge emerges on how to better care for horses and deal with emerging issues.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to stay current on best health and welfare practices and industry standards,” state Equine Guelph officials.
The inaugural short courses are “Equine Welfare – Canada’s Code” and “Equine Biosecurity – Canada’s standard.”
They will be offered March 6 to 24 and April 10 to 28, respectively.
The partnership between the equestrian federations and Equine Guelph enables the federations to offer the online training directly to their members: athletes, coaches, facilities, officials and horse caregivers.
Not only will federation members be entitled to discounts on the short courses, but they will earn continuing education credits and certificates of completion from Equine Guelph, the horse owner’s centre at the University of Guelph.
“Equine Guelph is pleased to partner with federations across Canada to provide a gathering place for horse enthusiasts,” said Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph in a press release.
“The Horse Portal provides a program for us to come together and learn as a community. Through the new portal, horse caregivers can access common sense, practical training that can be used on a daily basis.”
The Horse Portal is also available to non-federation members. From racing to performance to the backyard pony, the portal was developed to cater to and benefit all segments of the equine industry, officials say.
This project is funded in part through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of GF2 in Ontario.
For more information on The Horse Portal go to TheHorsePortal.ca
