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Valiant Equestrian

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Valiant Equestrian

Our experienced professionals are dedicated to assisting you every step of the way, whether you are new to the horse world or are a seasoned rider.
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11/07/2024

Before training any horse, it can be very useful to gather a training history, informally or formally.

It might take the form of a simple question and answer or a written document.

This may reveal that one or some of the horse's hard-wired needs are not being fulfilled.

Isolated, confined or under/over fed horses are likely to be compromised in their ability to engage in training.

Another often unconsidered or 'unseen' factor may be that the routinely isolated horses will not be properly rested as they are lacking companions to stand sentry while they sleep, and the security that group housing provides.

Recent research into sleep in horses shows that they will have less REM sleep if they cannot see other horses. Further evidence shows that REM sleep is important for learning and laying down long term memories.

Therefore, it is an advantage to trainers to provide optimal sleep conditions for horses, including social housing.

This is a sneak preview from MODERN HORSE TRAINING, Equitation Science - In Practice, Volume 2, Training In-Hand and Under-Saddle, by Andrew N McLean which will be available at Equitana later this month.

11/06/2024

🚫 Stirrup November Continued - All about feet...

If you only read this one post about learning to do sitting trot better, this is the one. It can be an absolute game changer.

Have a look at the photo below. Would you squash my fingers when you ride? If the answer is yes, you have too much weight in your stirrups.

Why is having too much weight in your stirrups detrimental to sitting the trot, or canter for that matter? Try this experiment at halt in your saddle. You can even start to get a sense of this right now in your chair. Consciously push your weight into the stirrup(or floor) and feel how your glutes and hamstrings contract, popping you up. You may have been doing this for so long it’s difficult at first to feel the contraction. Go back and forth between pushing down into the stirrup and just resting your foot. Really sense into what changes in your underneath when you push down into the stirrup.

Additionally, notice how this pushing into the stirrup jams up the joints of the ankle, knee and hip. All of which must stay soft and mobile if we are to sit the trot effectively. I can guarantee you, if you put too much weight in your feet and it is not diagnosed by yourself or your coach, you will bounce unnecessarily when using your stirrups. This is one of the primary reasons no stirrup work makes you feel like you're sitting better and more connected to your horse.

In my travels, I see many riders put excessive weight into their stirrups in hopes of helping themselves follow their horses movement in all the gaits: rising and sitting trot and canter.

Begin noticing how pushing in your stirrups disconnects you from the saddle and your horses back. It's a big deal. Not using your stirrups, sadly, will not help you learn to ride with them and ‘foot light’ is often the fix.❤️

More on 'feet' tomorrow...

10/25/2024

HUNTER/JUMPER/SHOW JUMPING CLINIC

Ride with Canadian Olympian & WEG Rider IAN ROBERTS

Date: Sunday, November 17th 2024

ABOUT IAN ROBERTS
A Level 3 Equine Canada coach, Ian is a passionate horseman. He brings a rich history of competitive accomplishments to everyone he teaches. Representing Canada internationally in three-day eventing, his credits include competing at the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games and the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in man show jumping and hunter/jumper shows. Devoted to lifelong learning, Ian is currently pursuing new competitive challenges in the 1.40 jumper ring. One of Ian’s most recent wins was at the World Equestruan Center in the $10,000 Futures Prix aboard “Copper Cove”.

Renowned for his professionalism and recognized coaching abilities, Ian draws students from around the globe to train at Dreamcrest. He has been a past coach of Ontario Young Riders teams at several North American championships, and many of his former students have gone on to become top Canadian riders. He is a past Coaching Chairman for the Canadian Eventing Committee and former coach of Costa Rica’s National Eventing Team. At the team’s first international competition, the Central American Games, his riders earned team bronze and individual silver.

Rider/Horse Levels:
Green horses/riders to the advanced level combinations are welcome and will be grouped according to level.

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS - LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE

Organizer: Emily Rabba

https://valiant-equestrian.yourwebsitespace.com/clinics

07/01/2024

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

📝 Kimberley Reynolds

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

06/04/2024

I read a theory about why so many riders lack a deep command of basics, and it was explained like this---

Correct basics are hard to master because there is an enormous amount of repetition involved, and if someone has tried something hundreds, possibly thousands of times, and still can’t do it, it is easy for the person to conclude that he/she is taking on an impossible challenge.

In his book “Mastery,” George Leonard wrote that on the quest to become good, there will be long stretches of “seeming non-improvement.”

Like watching grass grow, change is happening, but so slowly that it can’t be measured daily, weekly, or even monthly. But at some point, for those who stick with it, “suddenly” they can do things that before they couldn’t do.

The issue is giving up in frustration before putting in those many many many many months of practice.

That is ONE theory. I am sure there are many others, but this one does ring true.

05/31/2024

Horseback Riding Day Camp ☀️

Registration to the public is officially open!

Our primary objective is to deliver an exceptional and all-encompassing hands on equestrian experience! We still have a handful of spaces available!

Valiant Equestrian Camp Summary:
The week is meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive equestrian encounter. Undoubtedly, the pinnacle of the week is the highly anticipated daily group riding lesson, meticulously tailored to match the skill level of each participant.

The program encompasses practical responsibilities such as horse care, horsemanship, stable management, and showcases by experienced farriers and veterinarians whenever possible. Moreover, participants will engage in captivating activities like goat playtime, invigorating nature hikes, physically stimulating games, and the creation of equestrian crafts. The program also includes leadership activities and an educational workbook in the style of Pony Club.

Additionally, we have heated restroom facilities furnished with a proper handwashing sink in addition to two lounges. In the summer months, we often play water games. Safety, fun and memorable camp experience is our goal!

Ages: 5-15 years old are welcome.
Camp hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm with before and after care available as early and late as 6:30am and 6:30pm at special request.
- ��Week Fee: $430.00
- ��Day Fee: $87.00

Location: 1110 Huron Road Petersburg
(Located in the heart of the triangle cities of Kitchener/waterloo & Cambridge!)
To register, send the team an email to:
[email protected]

For more information visit our website:
https://valiant-equestrian.yourwebsitespace.com

05/08/2024

University of Guelph - Strangles Awareness Week

🦠TESTING🧫
When a veterinarian examines a horse that is suspected of having Strangles, they will usually test the horse in one of the following ways.

☢️ If there is pus draining from the nose or abscessed lymph nodes, they may take a direct swab for S. equi polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (DNA) testing and/or bacterial culture.

☢️ If the lymph node is large but hasn’t ruptured, the veterinarian may use a needle to aspirate the pus from the lymph node for testing. If there is no nasal discharge or the abscesses haven’t started draining, they may take a sample from the back of the throat using a very long swab or inserting tubing to the back of the throat and infusing fluid to wash the area and catch it as it comes out the nose. Some horses will have to be sedated for these latter procedures. The sample from the back of the throat is generally sent for PCR testing with or without bacterial culture.

Once Strangles is confirmed, the horse should be isolated for at least 4 weeks AFTER the resolution of clinical signs. If the horse is tested too soon after clinical signs have resolved, it is more likely to be positive and increase the costs associated with repeated testing. After this time, it is recommended to test the horse to determine that it has cleared the infection.

The 2018 ACVIM Consensus Statement on S. equi infection provides the following science informed recommendations for determining that a horse is negative for S. equi infection;

✅ 3 negative PCR-tested nasopharyngeal swab/lavages one week apart OR a single negative PCR-tested, pooled guttural pouch lavage.

Some veterinarians are using a combined guttural pouch/nasopharyngeal lavage which is also appropriate. Carrier horses are those horses that have had Strangles at one point in time and never cleared the infection from their guttural pouches. These horses show no clinical signs of infection. They are thought to be significant contributors to the spread of Strangles. They generally shed low numbers of bacteria from the nose, and they may do this intermittently. It is likely that some factors, such as environmental stress, cause these horses to shed more bacteria at certain times leading to an infected horse appearing in the herd. The dynamics of S. equi shedding in these carrier horses is still unclear. It is possible for these carrier horses to live in herds for months to years without a Strangles outbreak occurring. The only way to detect these carrier horses is through testing.

PCR testing of guttural pouch lavages is the most sensitive way to detect carrier horses but PCR testing of nasopharyngeal swabs/lavages can also be used, but may miss horses as it is not as sensitive a technique. Carrier horses should have their guttural pouches evaluated by endoscopy to determine if there are chondroids present (pebbles of pus) and/or pus which would need to be removed. Most often the guttural pouches need to be treated directly with antibiotics to clear the infection.

Testing horses for S. equi should only occur after a comprehensive discussion with the veterinarian about what a positive test will mean for the horse and the facility, such as:

🔅The availability of isolation areas for positive horses
🔅 Cost of testing and the possibility for repeated tests and treatment
🔅 The risk assessment - is there a significant risk of exposure to S. equi to require testing?

What is the risk generally for S. equi infection for the horses on the premises? Do they compete? Are they vaccinated? If you test all horses on the property and clean up any S. equi positives, are you prepared to then test every new horse coming on the property? and what about competition horses that come and go?

📧 Should you have questions, email the clinic at [email protected]

📖 Read the full PDF at
https://thehorseportal.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Strangles-FAQs-1.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1k73gFOtNwLRBTwC_jF4u6Rw3tof431K7CYjdtShDR_rt6tdEj_fHL8Tc_aem_AYih4BgfQDZc9aeLVZcEGf2C8GBlajzL2gXZAyNEWymtvKSm9RNVdFWHeZETWiguGIyxln0Nnghyy5eg87i51Iv7

04/29/2024

Super day out for some of the members of the Valiant Equestrian show team with a warm up at for the season!

Very proud of our team!

01/29/2024

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 2024 SHOW SEASON ?

We will be conducting 2024 show season meetings individually this year on Saturday February 3rd 2024 with an assigned appointment time in the office with your coach and possibly the show coordinator and Coach Emily where available.

Bring with you to the meeting:
1. A copy of the show guide with you to the meeting
(Review this prior to the meeting! https://valiant-equestrian.yourwebsitespace.com/valiant_equestrian_show_team)
2. Bring a list of questions the rider, parent or guardians have.

To book a show meeting, please send us an email addressing your coach.

If you are looking to show .80 or 2’6 ft. and above, you will need to lease or own as this is more demanding on the horse putting on more miles and requires 4 or more rides a week to ensure progress and safety of horse and rider

Ft. .eq aboard Valiant Calum

01/26/2024

STABLE GROOM WANTED

Location: Kitchener/Petersburg

Days: Saturday, Sunday, Thursday, Friday (additional hours are available)

Hours: 6:30am - 10:30am

Salary: will pay competitive wages for the right employee and can provide training as needed.

Stable Grooms are people whom are responsible for the management, maintenance and care of the horses and entirety of the facility. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to handling, feeding, basic first aid, mucking, grooming, light exercise, assisting the veterinarian, farrier and overseeing all aspects of the horses and facility.

We are primarily a riding school facility, with a philosophy of cultivating equestrians not mere passengers. Every horse has a stall with comfort mats & quick pick shavings. We presently have all 21 stalls full. There are multiple Stable Grooms working together during the shift. Lessons running Tuesday-Saturday. Our horses range 3 - 34 years old. Two stable hands work each morning together with 4 hours each.

✅ Specific Duties Include, But Not Limited To:

- 6:30am feed & medications
- Turn in/out
- Stalls (quick pick shavings on comfort mats)
- Blanketing
- Leg care (wrapping, poultice, sweating, first aid, etc.)
- Sweeping, raking arena sides in
- Pm grain preparation
- Locker room, washroom & office general clean
- Jump setting
- Water trough and bucket cleaning
- Paddock picking
- Watering plants
- De cob-webbing
- General Tidying
- Lunging
-Wrapping horses

✅ Requirements:

- Physically fit and able bodied

- Previous horse employment experience is required!

- Attention to detail

- Team player

- Reliable transportation

- Punctual to a T

- Clean and professional

- Can take constructive criticism

- Dressed for the job

Please Email the office with your resume, availability, and dates/times that work to come for a working interview between the times of 10:00am & 3:00 pm.

Website:

https://valiant-equestrian.yourwebsitespace.com
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Salary: will pay competitive wages for the right employee and can provide training as needed.

Expected hours: 20 per week

To apply, please email your resume to:
[email protected]

01/19/2024

Indoor Board Availability
(limited spaces)

For equestrians who desire top-of-the-line care, a tidy facility, and a quality team of equine professionals, we provide exactly that. We treat each horse with the same level of love and care as we do our own personal horses.

---> Some of the exceptional amenities our facility provides:
- A state-of-the-art 21-stall barn.
- A spacious main aisleway measuring 12ft wide.
- An open concept barn with brand new lighting installed as of late November 2023.
- Stalls measuring 12 x 10, equipped with comfort mats and shavings.
- An impressive 200 x 84 indoor riding arena with brand new footing and dust control facilitated by magnesium. This well-lit area is equipped with fresh jumps and dressage letters.
- An inviting viewing room with a cozy fireplace and seating
- Every stall features a large window with secure bars.
- A well-designed outdoor riding ring boasting quality footing, jumps, and dressage letters.
- A heated tack room with spacious individual lockers to store your equipment securely.
- A dedicated heated blanket room with ample space for your horse's blankets.
- A heated washroom that is meticulously cleaned on a daily basis.
- A convenient horse shower (wash stall) inside the barn, equipped with hot and cold water.
- A secure heated feed room to ensure the quality and preservation of your horse's feed.
- An on-site heated office for administrative convenience.
- Picturesque hacking trails for leisurely rides.
- Diligent and knowledgeable chore staff to tend to the daily needs of the horses.

---> Indoor board starts at $830.00 a month.
Please See our website for more detailed information by following the link below.

https://valiant-equestrian.yourwebsitespace.com/boarding_and_facility_specs

01/13/2024

Lessons 7-8pm & 8-9pm are cancelled due to inclement weather. Please email the office for a make up lesson date if you ride in either of those groups please.

10/19/2023

🤏🏻

09/30/2023

💡Exciting News 💡

The new light fixtures are here and going up shortly!! All new lighting threw out!

Next it will be too bright we are sure 😅

09/23/2023

TACK SWAP!

This Sunday 9:00 - 4:00 !!

https://fb.watch/ndWXEkzLBR/?mibextid=qC1gEa

09/21/2023

SCHOOL YOUR HORSES / CLIENTS WITHOUT THE PRESSURE OF THE SHOW RING. A GREAT WAY TO PREP FOR A SHOW, SCHOOL YOUNG / GREEN HORSES OR TO TAKE SALES VIDEOS.

200 x 84 Indoor riding arena (well lit, full course of jumps & dressage letters)
(Hunter & Jumper courses are available for schooling, please indicate which type of course you'd like to school).

Schooling is now available for $40.00 !

09/06/2023

Ride with Canadian Olympian, WEG Rider and course designer Ian Roberts!

Date: Sunday September 24th 2023

Ian has a unique eye and ability to determine just how hard to push horse and rider combinations to advance their skills and focus on areas for positive growth and development. Think of it as a very fancy lesson from someone of stature in the equestrian world of Show Jumping, Hunter/Jumpers & Eventing, full of knowledge you would not normally have the opportunity to learn from. The focus of the clinic will be working through flat and jump exercises and or courses to improve flat and over fences.

See our website for more details!

Limited spaces available!

Address

1110 Huron Road
Kitchener, ON
N0B2H0

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 9pm
Tuesday	9am - 9pm
Wednesday	9am - 9pm
Thursday	9am - 9pm
Friday	9am - 9pm
Saturday	9am - 9pm

Website

https://valiant-equestrian.webstarts.com/index.html

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Videos

@eq_elisahorsegirl on “Our Sweet Jenna” 💪🏻 #showjumping #showjumper #jumper #ottb #thouroughbred #liverchestnut #chestnut #marr #hunterjumper #derbyhorse #eq #equestrian #equestrianlife #equestriantiktok #horse #horseriding #horsesoftiktok #horseshow #equestriantiktok #ontario #canada #canada_life #kitchener #kitchenerwaterloo #cambridgeontario

@abbycritchley.eq & “Valiant Calum” schooling for the 2025 season! 🏆 #quarterhorse #quarterhorsesoftiktok #lazylou #perlino #cremello #hunterjumper #derbyhorse #eq #equestrian #equestrianlife #equestriantiktok #horse #horseriding #horsesoftiktok #horseshow #equestriantiktok #ontario #canada #canada_life #kitchener #kitchenerwaterloo #cambridgeontario

Less than a week to November 1st 2024!

Equestrian Gymnastics 💪🏻 With @keira_flanny & “Valiant Calum”. #quarterhorse #quarter #lazylou #perlino #cremello #hunterjumper #derbyhorse #eq #equestrian #equestrianlife #horsesoftiktok #horseshow #equestriantiktok #ontario #canada E #canada_life El #kitchener #kitchenerwaterloo #cambridgeontario

!!Its Grid Week !! @abbycritchley.eq on “Sky Candy”. @at14010 on “Valiant Despereaux” #ottb #warmblood #equestrian #equestrianlife #horsesoftiktok #horse #hunterjumper #derby #derbyhorse #hunterhorse #equestriantiktok #welshpony #showjumping #showjumer #horsesoftiktok #horse #horseriding #horsesoftiktok #dressage #horseshow #horseshowlife #ontario #canada_life🇨🇦 #canada🇨🇦 #kitchenerwaterloo #cambridgeontario

Come for a hack with us on our trails 🍂 Ft. @keira_flanny @ Calum, Desi, Mary, Rascal & Esme. #hackingout #trailride #falltrails #hiking #horses #goats #goatsoftiktok #horsesoftiktok #hunterjumper #jumpers

Sky Candy thinks Kyra’s Hay is better. Anyone going to tell her its rhe same hay? Thank you @mimmc78 for the video ! #ottb #warmblood #equestrian #equestrianlife #horsesoftiktok #horse #hunterjumper #derby #derbyhorse #hunterhorse #liverchestnut #horsesoftiktok #dressage #horseshow #horseshowlife

Talia and Woah Jubey Woah placed in each class of their 18’ 11 and under class! 💕 @marie20230101 @meadowlarkenorth #poniesoftiktok #hunterponies horsesofinstagram #hunterjumpers #hunters #jumpers #jumper #horsecanada #horsebackriding #kitchener #petersburg #ontario #canada #horseshow #equestrian #equestrianlife #appendix #mare #chestnut #welshpony #ottb #tb #derby #quarterhorse #horseshow #horseshows #equestrian #equestrianlife #horseshowlife #equestrian #poniesoftiktok #ponies #hunterponies #toocute

Ainslee and Princess 👸 schooled several really beautiful 18’ courses last sunday! @youloveeAinslee2 @Lisa Pipher @meadowlarkenorth #poniesoftiktok #hunterponies horsesofinstagram #hunterjumpers #hunters #jumpers #jumper #horsecanada #horsebackriding #kitchener #petersburg #ontario #canada #horseshow #equestrian #equestrianlife #appendix #mare #chestnut #welshpony #ottb #tb #derby #quarterhorse #horseshow #horseshows #equestrian #equestrianlife #horseshowlife #equestrian #poniesoftiktok #ponies #hunterponies #toocute

We are now on the 2024 fall schedule!

Great Schooling day @meadowlarkenorth ! Show day tomorrow! 👏 Schooling was fantastic! @shantelle.eq @equine._lilly @mnwprt @marie20230101 @lisa_pipher #ottb #tb #horsesofinstagram #hunterjumpers #hunters #jumpers #jumper #horsecanada #horsebackriding #kitchener #petersburg #ontario #canada #horseshow #equestrian #equestrianlife #appendix #mare #chestnut #welshpony #ottb #tb #derby #quarterhorse #horseshow #horseshows #equestrian #equestrianlife #horseshowlife #equestrian #poniesoftiktok #ponies #hunterponies #toocute

🍂 Get ready for an amazing opportunity coming up this week! 🍂 Starting this Tuesday, our students who have reached the appropriate riding level will have the chance to explore and go on an adventure along our newly groomed and absolutely stunning trails. After mastering the art of hacking your horse out during lessons and the okay from your coach has been given, our part-boarders, leasers, and boarders will have the opportunity to explore our scenic trails at their own pace independently! #trailriding #horsebackriding #equestrian #ontario #canada #kitchenerwaterloo #kitchener #cambridge