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AEF EQUINE CONFERENCE
The AEF is planning our next Conference and we would like Members input regarding topics and events to include.
Please complete this short survey to help us bring you what you want to see at an Equine Conference. |
Sponsorship Opportunities
with the AEF
The AEF has been expanding its programing with many new initiatives in 2012 in response to our memberships' expectations. The AEF strives to support the equine industry by ensuring that high quality programs in education, recreation or sport related areas are available to throughout the Province and delivered by experts in their field.
We are actively seeking sponsors for our programing. We are encouraging organizations to invest in the future of the horse industry through the AEF. It is our mandate to represent all breeds and activities that not only our members, but all equine enthusiasts benefit from.
As a sponsor we will acknowledge your support through our website, enews and magazine, Alberta Bits. We are eager to work with your Organization to help serve the equine community better.
Please review each package to discover which will best meet your needs. If you have questions please contact the Office 1-877-463-6233 or email |
Ride & Drive Hour Rewards Extended!!
We have now extended our Ride and Drive Program to reach 2000 hours. New Hour levels and prizes have been added for those that reach 1300, 1600, and 2000 hours!
Participants whom have already achieved the 1000 hour level are welcome to continue their venture with the Ride and Drive program from the 1000 mark to reach these levels.
New members joining the Ride and Drive Program, are encouraged to begin and continue their venture with new great prizes being added to the program and a higher landmark to reach, extending the programs fun and enjoyment!
For those whom need additional log book pages to record hours and new hour submission forms, they can be accessed on our website at the following link: https://www.albertaequestrian.com/Recreation-Ride-Drive
For any questions regarding the program, please contact the Coaching Administrator at coaching@albertaequestrian.com or 403-253-4411 ext3.
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ATTENTION:
AEF Business Members
Provincial Associations
Affiliate Organizations
The AEF is always exploring ways to bring educational clinics to local riders throughout Alberta.
The AEF welcomes the opportunity to partner on an existing clinic or to support a new clinic. The AEF can help with developing ideas, registering participants, providing educational handouts, promoting the event and so on. As members, your event will be publicized to thousands of AEF members.
Please contact Wendy in the AEF Office if you are interested in a mutually beneficial partnership in support of education.
Help the AEF enhance the well-being of Alberta equines and their riders.
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Infectious Disease Management At Equine Canada Shows
Any acute disease process which is thought to be highly infectious or threatening to the immediate population of horses at that show, or is of public health significance.
In the interest of protecting the competition horses at Equine Canada competitions, Health and Welfare recommends the following proposals:
- Responsibility of competitor not to bring sick animal to horse show and to isolate, quarantine or remove horse from grounds should it become sick. - Responsibility of competitor to have horses adequately vaccinated to prevent the carrying or spread of contagious or infectious disease. - Competitors horses should be parasite free to prevent seeding show grounds with parasite ova or ectoparasites - Responsibility of competition to provide isolation stable or facilities for transport to quarantine facility and provide traceability of competitors for notification of infectious disease outbreaks on the competition premises. - Competitions where horses are stabled should have a biosecurity protocol including isolation of infected horses and / or shipping affected horses off site. - Vaccination requirements and Guidelines:
- FEI requires influenza vaccination as per FEI Vet Regs.
- Canada currently has no vaccination requirements
- Institute minimum vaccination requirements
1. manufacturer's guidelines 2. veterinary consultation 3. AAEP core vaccine requirements - AAEP - Core Vaccine : - Tetanus
- EEE-WEE
- West Nile
- Rabies
- Traceability in case of infectious disease - Coggins test requirement for horse stabling
Healthy horses arriving:
- Competitor responsibility that horses arrive disease free and parasite free through good management including vaccination and deworming programs
- Early identification - competitor and/or vet to notify show management of infectious disease
- Competitor to isolate or ship home where possible
- Competition to have isolation stalls available and/ or ability to ship such horses to quarantine or referral center
- Competition to be able to trace competitors should infectious disease outbreak be confirmed to be highly infectious
- Competitors responsibility to bring healthy horses on site, free of contagious or infectious diseases.
- To this end institute requirement for influenza vaccine and follow AAEP recommendation for core vaccines and other diseases as per advise of veterinarians considering endemic or high risk diseases
In the interest of protecting competitor's horses at Equine Canada shows from infectious diseases, Health and Welfare recommends the following proposals:
- Equine health and welfare is the (competitors, / owners, / leesors) responsibility. To that end they should consult with their veterinarian regarding infectious disease control through vaccinations and other biosecurity methodology.
- "Core vaccinations" that protect from diseases that are endemic to a region, with potential public health significance, may be required by law, virulent, highly infectious and /or those posing a risk of severe disease should be the minimum standard of care for responsible management practices.
- The following equine vaccines meet this minimum standard according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners:
- Tetanus
- Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis
- West Nile Virus
- Rabies
Not included in core vaccines but of special interest to competition horses because they are highly infectious and virulent are equine influenza, equine herpes virus and strangles. These diseases can spread through a population of stressed horses in close proximity very quickly and be devastating in terms of sickness, days lost competing and poor performance.
Competitors should consult their veterinarian and consider American Association of Equine Practitioners Guidelines in consideration of their responsibility to bring horses that are healthy and not carrying infectious diseases to Equine Canada competitions.
The FEI had required influenza vaccination for many years and it has been shown to reduce significantly the incidence of infectious respiratory disease at FEI competitions. Equine Canada will advise competitors follow the manufacturer's recommendations on Equine Influenza vaccination and will institute mandatory influenza vaccination to be documented in Equine Canada passports by a veterinarian within 365 days of competing.
Equine Canada advises competitors to consult their veterinarians regarding vaccination for other lightly infectious respiratory diseases and follow manufacturer's protocols (EHV and Strangles).
Equine Canada also will require certification of a negative coggins or Elisa test for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), taken after the previous insect vector season. Since EIA is carried by certain types of mosquitoes and horse flies, testing must be done within the previous six months or during the preceding winter or spring.
EIA test to be valid for 6 months, or up to 1 year if taken during winter or spring of current calendar year (January 1 - May 31).
Competitors should be advised that horse owners have been sued in Europe for precipitating an outbreak of infectious disease in the horse population. |
Equine Health Alert - Travelling with your horses
One new case of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) has been confirmed and one horse has been euthanized in connection with the current outbreak in Orange County, CA, according to a statement from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
The CDFA is reporting that one EHV-1-positive horse, which previously had only exhibited a fever and limb edema (fluid swelling), became recumbent on 18 Jan 012. The horse was euthanized as a result, and necropsy results are pending, the statement read.
On 11 Jan 2012 a gelding residing on a "large multidiscipline facility with no movement of horses on or off the property" tested positive for the debilitating virus. He was quarantined on the farm and is receiving veterinary care.
On 12 Jan 2012 testing confirmed that 2 additional horses on the property were EHV-1-positive. Those horses were also isolated and quarantined on the same farm and are receiving veterinary attention.
On 13 Jan 2012, 2 additional horses on the premises tested positive for the virus, and on 18 Jan 2012, 3 additional cases were reported.
The CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture) indicates that only one horse has displayed neurologic signs; however, all affected horses have been quarantined on the property and are receiving veterinary attention.
"All exposed horses on the property are being monitored, and enhanced biosecurity measures have been implemented," the statement read. "The source of the outbreak has not been identified."
Although it's not transmissible to humans, EHV-1 is highly contagious among horses and camelids, and it is generally passed from horse to horse via aerosol transmission (when affected animals sneeze/cough) and contact with nasal secretions. The disease can cause a variety of ailments in equines, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form).
Myeloencephalopathy is characterized by fever, ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs, and incontinence. Should a horse with potential EHV-1 exposure display any of the aforementioned clinical signs, a veterinarian should be called to obtain samples and test for the disease. TheHorse.com will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available. |
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WCVM research survey targets Cushing's disease
Cushing's disease is considered one of the most commonly diagnosed endocrine disorders of horses - especially as the equine population continues to age. But just how common is the disease internationally? It's one of the questions that researchers at the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) are addressing through a 16-question survey of international equine practitioners. The online survey, which was launched in January 2012, is available at www.wcvm.com/veterinarians/cushings_survey.php for the next six months. "Our objective is to determine the true prevalence of Cushing's disease worldwide, because until now, previous surveys were only based in the U.S.," explains Dr. James Carmalt, an equine surgeon and associate professor in the WCVM's Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. Carmalt is also a PhD student in equine neurophysiology through the veterinary college's Department of Veterinary Pathology. He and his graduate supervisor, veterinary pathologist Dr. Andrew Allen, are beginning to explore a new treatment methodology for equine Cushing's disease. Carmalt and his colleagues at the western Canadian veterinary college will use practitioners' responses to the brief survey to determine the incidence of the disease and the most common treatment protocols being used by practitioners in countries around the world. The WCVM researchers also want to evaluate the need for developing new treatment methodologies. "Right now, the only available treatment for Cushing's disease requires daily dosing of medications for the rest of the horse's life. It's onerous, time consuming and a huge management challenge," says Carmalt, who urges horse owners to inform their veterinarians about the survey. "If the responses from this survey reflect our impression that practitioners need a new option to offer their clients, our ultimate goal is to develop a one-time treatment for the disease so daily medications for Cushing's disease become unnecessary." For more information about the Cushing's disease survey for equine practitioners, please contact Dr. James Carmalt ( james.carmalt@usask.ca). As part of the survey, practitioners can also provide their email addresses if they wish to receive a copy of the survey results. |
Equine Biosecurity
Workshops
Protect your horses by developing and implementing a disease control and prevention program. Attend a free AEF Equine Biosecurity Workshop to learn the importance of risk assessments, complete a risk assessment form and discuss risk management strategies with a veterinarian.
Workshop participants will be entered to win a Mobile Biosecurity Kit, stocked with supplies to help you manage disease risk. Click here for more information and to view the workshop schedule and register.Funding for this project was made available through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Together, the governments of Canada and Alberta are investing $273 million over five years (2009-2013) for flexible and innovative programs for Alberta's agriculture industry.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
AEF Annual AGM: March 17, 2012
AEF Wildrose Ride: Sept 22, 2012
AEF Annual Conference: Nov 16-18,2012
Happy Trails! |
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Alberta Equestrian Federation
Suite 100, 251 Midpark Blvd SE
Calgary, AB T2X 1S3
403-253-4411
1-866-463-6233
Fax: 403-252-5260
www.albertaequestrian.com
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"The Journey is the Reward" Credit: Unknown |
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Help us Grow our "Herd" of Programs
Please consider a donation to the Alberta Equestrian Federation in any amount. Each year, the AEF can apply for the Alberta Community Spirit Donation Grant to match your donation.
The donation grant provides an opportunity for eligible non-profit organizations to receive a provincial grant. The grant is based on total annual cash donations from individual Albertans that have been received by an eligible organization over a 12-month fiscal period. The grant can be used to support an organization's operations, programs and/or capital projects. The maximum grant available is $25,000 up to a maximum of $50,000 over three years. A minimum total of $1,000 in eligible cash donations needs to be received prior to applying for a grant.
This grant goes toward supporting our programs and educational scholarships given out each year to AEF members.
The AEF will apply for a matching government grant, which effectively doubles any contribution from an individual. Help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 in cash donations this year.
Help us grow our "herd" of great programs. Together we can make a difference in Alberta for our equine community.
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The Alberta Equestrian Federation needs you!
We are seeking individuals wishing to actively serve on the Executive Board and as Individual Directors of the AEF.
The AEF has grown significantly over the past few years and covers a wide range of equestrian interests in the Province of Alberta. In 2011, the AEF embarked on dozens of initiatives that have connected more people to the AEF.
* The website was updated to assist members connect with one another in the equine world and provide valuable resources for members and non-members
* We have continued liaisons with universities and agricultural societies, everyone is part of the industry in some way or another and we are proud to foster those relationships
* With active participation in the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada, we again have been able to grow our communications, educational resources and sharing of ideas across the country
* Biosecurity continues to be a very important issue that we continue to promote and educate to all equines
Some of the initiatives for 2012 will again provide growth for our organization:
* The AEF has set a goal to raise $10,000 in individual donations; these funds are used for educational purposes including, but not limited to, AEF Scholarship fund, Live Outside the Box youth program, Trail Supporter program, Wild Rose Ride (September 22, 2012) and the 35th AEF anniversary celebration (2013). Donations can be made at our website or on your membership form
* September 22, 2012 will be our first Annual Fundraising Trail Ride! Join us for the Wild Rose Ride where you can ride it or drive it at West Bragg Creek, Kananaskis Country. Visit with old friends and meet new ones! This day will be full of adventure and fun for the whole family. The proceeds from the Wild Rose Ride will go to support programs for under-represented groups
* A NEW annual conference, November 16 - 18, 2012, will provide more educational resources for members and non-members as well as opportunities for equestrian related businesses to connect with potential customers of the AEF. Be sure to join us at the Delta Calgary South for this exciting weekend
* Continued partnership projects with AFAC, AVMA and the University of Calgary
* Promote and educate our members on Trail Riding in Alberta and trail projects
* Include equestrian education related courses and information from our web site
The Executive Board meets approximately five times each year and the entire Board meets approximately 4 times a year. Most in person meetings are held at the AEF office in Calgary or at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in Red Deer Alberta, many meetings are scheduled via conference calling to save on travel, budget and precious time.
If you or someone you know, wants to make a difference and assist in the progressive growth of our vibrant organization, please contact Sonia Dantu, Executive Director at execdir@albertaequestrian.com
Download your Nomination form or you can obtain a form by visiting our website and clicking on business and bylaws. All nominations must be accepted no later than March 9, 2012. |
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What's New and Exciting
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP ONLINE It's easy, convenient and FAST! You can renew your membership and print each family member's card immediately. Click here to login and sign up now. Remember that your 2011 membership expired on December 31, 2011.
AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE USERS:
The AEF is pleased to announce that the Alberta Horse Trials Association (AHTA) and the Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association (AEVA) have partnered with us in a new one-year membership processing pilot program for the 2012 membership year. Now Available! AHTA and AEVA memberships are available to purchase through the AEF online system. This program is designed to facilitate the process of purchasing multiple memberships, offering a one-stop membership option for members of these organizations.  
Individuals wishing to either purchase or renew a membership with either the Alberta Horse Trials Association or the Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association will have the opportunity to do so through the AEF online membership system. Individuals who wish to use this system, must either have a current AEF membership or be purchasing one at the time of purchasing either additional association membership option.
Individuals with access to the AEF membership verification database will be able to verify not only an individual's AEF membership status, as before, but soon, also AEVA and AHTA memberships that are purchased through the AEF.
Alberta Bits Member Magazine
Watch for the Spring issue coming to your mailbox in March! Want to reach over 15,000 AEF members? Alberta Bits can meet all your advertising needs PLUS AEF members recieve reduced advertising rates.
If for any reason you have not received your copy please contact Wendy at the Office.
AEF members save! Click on the logo to take you to the listing of AEF business members that offer great discounts for AEF members. Help support our business members and save money at the same time!
New for Business Members - the AEF is now offering membership for your business to run year to year vs calendar year memberships! This is a very exciting addition to the membership benefits. For more information and to start receiving your member benefits, contact Wendy at
We have also made shopping with the AEF easier for you and are excited to launch our improved Online Store!! Watch for new products coming soon.
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AEF Educational Scholarship Are you interested in pursuing an equine-related post secondary education? The AEF offers $750.00 Scholarships to active members who exemplify the objectives, vision and mission of the AEF. Application deadline is April 27 this year, applicants will be notified by August 1 of each year. With thanks to additional financial support from Capri Insurance, the AEF has been pleased to be able to offer an increased number of scholarships to AEF members annually. Please click here to access the 2012 AEF Scholarship Application. |
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Kidsport - so ALL kids can play! We believe that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sports. KidSport™ provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport. For more information on how this program works click here.
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NCCP Equestrian Specific Theory Course
Alberta Equestrian Federation is pleased to be holding a NCCP Equestrian Specific Theory Course for 2012 in March and September. This course is highly recommended prior to Coach Evaluation and is a requirement prior to Instructor Evaluation. The course will include the following topics:
Teaching and Learning
Lesson Planning
Analyzing Performance
Making Ethical Decisions (MED)
Course dates are March 3 & 4 and September 29 & 30, 2012 at the AEF office located in Calgary.
If you are interested in registering for this course please contact Erin Lundteigen, Coaching Administrator, at coaching@albertaequestrian.com or 403-253-4411 ext 3 for more information.
We look forward to your participation! |
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Livestock Care Alert Line
The Livestock industry working together for responsible animal care - Call if you have livestock care concerns.
The Livestock Care ALERT Service is:
- A confidential alternative for producers and the public to report any concerns regarding the care of livestock.
- Involved before neglect becomes abuse; thus preventing an incident from becoming a crisis.
- Available for self-reporting to assist and counsel producers who are experiencing management problems.
- Working with Alberta SPCA and RCMP.
- Working to reduce the number of cases of inhumane treatment of livestock. (Situations involving obvious neglect and abuse are handled by the Alberta SPCA).
The Resource Team Members are:
- Trained volunteers, producers and an on-call veterinarian, who offer solutions to help producers and their livestock.
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RBC Insurance Proud Sponsor of the Canadian Paralympic Committee's 2012-13 Recruitment Program Fund
New grants now available to help people with a disability get involved in sport
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is pleased to announce that RBC Insurance will sponsor the 2012-13 Recruitment Program Fund.
The Recruitment Program Fund (RPF), also supported by the Government of Canada, awards grants of up to $10,000 to sports organizations to financially support the creation of a new sports program, or the expansion of an existing successful program that provides a positive introductory sports experience for participants with a disability. Funds may be used towards enhancing program options, such as facility rental space, coaching, volunteer training and more.
"RBC Insurance is thrilled to join the Canadian Paralympic Committee in helping grow the Paralympic Movement in Canada and enabling more people with a disability to become involved in sport," said Neil Skelding, president and CEO, RBC Insurance. "Since many grassroots sports programs have limited resources and rely on volunteer contributions, this Fund will help increase those resources to offer quality introductory sports programming for Canadians with a disability."
Applications for the 2012-13 RPF will be accepted starting January 25, 2012 and remain open until February 29, 2012. For more information or to apply, go to Paralympic.ca/funding.
An optional interactive webinar on the application process is scheduled for Monday February 17 at 7 p.m. EST. To register, email lferris@paralympic.ca.
Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, warmly welcomed RBC Insurance to the Canadian Paralympic Movement.
"It's certainly encouraging to be announcing a new sponsor and, even more so, to have the good fortune to link that sponsor with the Recruitment Program Fund," said Storgaard. "Quality introductory parasport programs are at the very heart of a strong Paralympic sports system and are a key component in our goal of becoming the world's top Paralympic nation. We greatly appreciate RBC Insurance's support of this important initiative." |
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Alberta Horse Breeders and Owners Conference Re-Cap
It may have been Friday the 13th, but superstition did not deter horse enthusiasts from all over the country to attend the 30th Annual Horse Breeders and Owners Conference in Red Deer. A total of over 520 people were onsite from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan and the exhibit hall hosted over 60 booths sponsored by equine businesses and organizations.
The weekend kicked off with the Stable Owners Seminar on Friday afternoon. The four sessions were specifically designed for the stable industry. Topics on biosecurity, bits, positive networking and social media were presented by Dr. Darrell Dalton, Ron Anderson, Nettie Barr and Andrew Campbell, respectively.
On Friday night, the "Open Barn" Welcome Reception was hosted by Pfizer Animal Health's Equine Division. Delegates had their first opportunity to see the sponsor booths set up in the exhibition hall, shop, mingle, and enjoy drinks and cheese. Early bird draw prizes were distributed to the lucky winners and delegates entered into 15 additional bucket draw prizes, generously donated by sponsors.
Saturday began with Terry Grant, famous for appearing on the popular reality TV show Mantracker, who spoke about his life experiences in an interactive session sponsored by Alberta Equestrian Federation. After the coffee break, generously sponsored by Western Horse Review, delegates had the choice of attending a trailer loading session given by Dr. Andy Anderson, Susan Harris speaking about athletic movement in horses and Dr. Frank Andrews educating people about preventing the risk of colic. Thank you to break-out session sponsor Canadian Horse Journal.
The hour and a half lunch break gave delegates more time to visit the sponsor booths after grabbing some food, and then returning to the educational sessions. Ron Anderson shared his knowledge about bits, Dr. Connie Larson spoke about feeding the equine foot and Dr. Charles Briggs examined the use of medications in the competition horse. Sergeant Derrick McGougan presented to a full audience about how the Calgary Police Service selects and trains their horses, Dr. Vern Baron presented common sense information about the fructans in Alberta's grasses, and Katie Tims, editor of Quarter Horse News, spoke about the evolution horse market in recent years.
The News Hour session is the last session of the day, offering information on current issues in the horse industry. Dr. Duane Landals from the ABVMA updated the audience on biosecurity initiatives and antimicrobial resistance, Dr. Greg Andrews from Moore Equine Veterinarian Centre spoke about the outbreak of nEHV-1 that occurred earlier in 2011, and Jody Wacowich from AFAC spoke about the ALERT Line.
Saturday night, sponsored by Horse Racing Alberta, offered live music by Randi Boulton, a host wine bar and cheese and dessert, and an equine sporting event. This year, teams were organized and competed at pole bending on a scooter, which was provided by Sparks Innovations. Team mates had to exchange funny costumes before the next team mate could start on this timed event. Competitors were organized into different teams including, a breed group, speaker, veterinarian, newbies, long-time conference attendees, and an all-star team. Ron Anderson announced the relay race and Pete Fraser had the difficult job of judging. However, the speaker team won with the fastest time, and likely got the most laughs as Terry Grant, Mantracker, ran the race in a red sequin gown. All participants received prizes provided by Horse Racing Alberta.
Dr. Andy Anderson took the stage again on Sunday morning; his session was sponsored by Farmfair. Running concurrent to Dr. Anderson's session was Dr. Lori Warren speaking about conditioning principles and Andrew Campbell educating about the world of social media. Following the final coffee break, sponsored by Horse Publications Group, Dr. Lori Warren presented again, this time on nutrition, Dr. Jason Bruemmer spoke about stallion breeding options and technologies and Dr. James Carmalt updated delegates about new diagnostic technologies.
The final session of the conference is always the very important SPCA Fred Pearce Memorial Lecture dedicated to the welfare of the horse; this year, it was presented by Dr. Ed Pajor from the University of Calgary who spoke about the changing social ethic in regards to animal welfare not only equine welfare, but of production animals as well.
The Horse Industry Association of Alberta thanks everyone who attended and sponsored the event as well as the 20 presenters who brought their expertise and experience to Red Deer, Alberta.
Photos can be viewed on the HIAA web site at: http://www.albertahorseindustry.ca/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=8&Itemid=319 |
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About Us The Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) is a member driven, nonprofit Provincial organization responsible for organizing, coordinating, sanctioning and administering equine sport and recreation in Alberta since 1978. Membership is in excess of 12,000 individual members as well as over 100 member equine Provincial organizations and industry partners. The AEF is the only Equestrian Body recognized by Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation. As such, we are the only body to directly receive funding and to have a voice within the Alberta Government on behalf of all equestrians in Alberta.
Vision
The Voice of Equine Alberta. The premier source for education, information and support for Alberta's entire equine community.
Mission
To assist in creating a positive environment for the enjoyment of equines through leadership and a proactive approach we promote, facilitate, and coordinate equestrian related activities in Alberta. |
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