Give a Horse a Forever Home

Are you or someone you know looking to adopt a horse? OSAS is now waiving all adoption fees on their standardbred horses.

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is a charitable organization that focuses on the adoption and relocation of retired/non-racing horses within Ontario. Founded in 1996, OSAS aims to match horses with compatible families with the goal of giving each horse a forever home.

There are many remarkable horses who are in need of a good home, and we wanted to introduce you to just a few!

Meet Millie!

At age 13, Millie has plenty of years with saddle experience and a solid walk/trot/canter. Millie connects well with her rider and is incredibly responsive. She is best suited for trail riding, dressage and english or western riding. Millie gets along with other horses and enjoys both the indoors and the outdoors.

More on Millie.

Bullwinkle Anderson

Better known as "Andy", this lovable horse loves getting attention from his owners and enjoys being affectionate. While he doesn't want to be a rider, Andy is the perfect horse for someone who wants a companion for casual riding and who would benefit from horse therapy.

More on Bullwinkle Anderson

The Night Owl

This mare is one of the sweetest horses! She prefers to be called Molly and gets along great with horses and people alike. She enjoys leisurely, casual weekend riding and loves to please her rider and owner by being cooperative.

More on The Night Owl

For more horses, visit the OSAS Adoption page!

The Song to your Horse's Heart

There are plenty of methods to reduce your horse's stress levels. Humans and horses react to stress in very similar ways. Stress can cause illness and make it harder to recover from injury. Ulcers may form and social anxieties can develop. Clearly, it is very important to reduce your horse's stress levels.

 A recent article on TheHorse.com looks at how horses react to the therapeutic tactic of listening to music.

In a study, horses remained balanced and calm when classical or country music played. Their welfare was even more evident than when the horses were surrounded by silence, indicating that these types of music are beneficial to integrate into the horse's life.

Other musical genres such as jazz and rock did not yield the same results. Listening to the music, the horses tossed their heads, stomped, snorted and whinnied which displayed their stress. Their eating style changed from being peaceful and calm to being strained and nervous.

The difference in music may be due to the amount of high and low frequencies in particular songs. The classical and country music may have had frequencies that existed in the center of the horses' sensitive hearing range, allowing them to enjoy themselves.

When using music to remedy your horse's stress, researches recommend playing music at 21 decibel volume. There are CDs and albums specifically designed to play at balanced frequencies for horses' ears.

When used properly, music has proven to be beneficial to equine well-being  Have you used music to calm your horses? 

Sources: TheHorse, Getty Equine Nutrition

Top 5 Horse Movies

For those who live and breathe anything equestrian, here is a list of the top 5 movies starring horses.

5. War Horse 

War Horse is a classic story of the love between a boy and his horse, which endures through war, hardship and separation. Like most horse movies, War Horse will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. This flick is a must-see for those who love stories about horses, friendship and history.

4. Hidalgo 

Set in 1890, Hidalgo is loosely based on a true story of a man and his mustang, Hidalgo, who journey across the Arabian Desert in a cross-country race. The race becomes a journey of pride, honour, endurance and survival.

3. Secretariat 

Secretariat tells the true story of a housewife and mother, Penny Chenery, who takes over her father’s stables. The movie is about overcoming the odds and taking on challenges – whether it be the lack of knowledge of horse racing that Penny had, or being taken seriously in a male-dominated business.

2. Black Beauty 

In this classic horse movie, Black Beauty tells the story of his life and his series of owners. Black Beauty looks at the relationship between man and horse, and while sometimes heart-wrenching, there is also happiness and contentment.

1. The Black Stallion 

After forging a strong bond on a deserted island, Alec and his horse return to the USA to train. His goal is to challenge two of the fastest racehorses in a match. The story is about the love and friendship between horse and human. Suitable for the whole family, The Black Stallion is a timeless movie, filled with beautiful
scenery and suspenseful action.

[Source: Squidoo]

Reindeer 101

Since horses are not a common symbol for the holidays, we wanted to take a closer look at our hoofed friends, the reindeer.

Photo by Medieval Karl

Reindeers first appeared as Santa’s sidekick in 1821 in The Children’s Friend: A New Year’s Present, to Little Ones from Five to Twelve.  In this early emergence, Santa only had one lone reindeer pulling his sleigh.

The number of reindeers helping Santa out increased to eight in the poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” by Clement Clarke Moore. 

In this poem, we learn the names of the reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen. One famous reindeer has not yet been included: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Rudolph first appeared in 1939 in a promotional giveaway for Chicago’s Montgomery Ward department store, created by Robert Lewis May. He created a story about a rejected reindeer that Santa would turn to on Christmas Eve. Before deciding on the name Rudolph, Rollo and Reginald were considered.

Rudolph’s song was written by Johnny Marks and performed by Gene Autry in 1949, selling two million copies in its first year.

Today in Canada, the eight reindeers and the addition of Rudolph has stuck in most popular culture. Other countries have tried substitutes such as Australia’s use of six white boomers, Louisiana’s alligators and red-nosed werewolf, and the Netherland’s tall white horse.

(Source: The World Encyclopedia of Christmas by GerryBowler)

Equine Therapy

Horseback riding isn't just for the thrill of the race – it also offers the rider therapeutic benefits. Equine therapy is becoming increasingly popular as the advantages from time spent with horses are recognized.

Horses are gentle animals that have the ability to sense the needs that people have. Horses can adapt to try to meet those needs. Known as one of the most understanding, non-judgemental and tolerable animals, horses make for great therapists.

Bonding and interacting with horses can help with a number of mental and emotional disorders. For those who having difficulties trusting others, animal therapy is a great starting point. Equine therapy is proven as an efficient way to re-strengthen interpersonal relationships.

Those with anxiety and depression can benefit from spending time with horses. Horses are a calming animal and simple tasks such as grooming and employing relaxation techniques while riding can reduce anxiety and provide the individual with a role model. Horses help individuals to identify how depression is affecting their wellness, while also creating a safe environment to heal.

As horses are gentle, genuine and loving, individuals with low self esteem and poor body image are recommended to try equine therapy. Experiencing a connection with a horse that accepts one for who they are is particularly remedial for those who have not been able to accept or believe the love from people around them.

Many stables in Manitoba offer therapeutic horseback riding. Check Manitoba's Equine Directory for a stable nearby you.

Source: Healing Hooves

Georgian Downs November Race Nights

Relax on your weekends and get ready for the excitement during the week We are adding two new nights of racing. We invite guests to join us on Wednesdays and Mondays (starting Nov 19) for a chance to watch these magnificent stallions compete. Whether you like the racing or not, there is always something to do at Georgian Downs!

So join the excitement or just use the races as an excuse to enjoy our second to none delectable drinks, fabulous food and incredible atmosphere! Hopefully see you soon!

November Schedule

For some of the best horse racing in Canada come to Georgian Downs where everyone leaves a winner!

More Horsepower Than Ever Before!

Xtreme Fan Night rolls into Georgian Downs this Saturday and one lucky race fan may wheel-out with a new Ford Mustang GT500 Shelby.  After race 11 someone at Georgian Downs will get the chance to win the Super Charged V8 Sports Car that delivers 650 -horsepower.  Georgian Downs will also feature the Xtreme Fan Night ATV giveaway draw.  Ballots for the POLARIS Sportsman 500 All Terrain Vehicle will be available in the Georgian Downs race program.