Equine Guelph

Caleigh Copelin with Polly

Lesson Horses in Canada: A Closer Look at Care, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

Lesson horses are the heart of equestrian education in Canada. They teach beginners how to ride, help build confidence, and often serve as the first connection between people and horses. For many riders, these horses are the gateway to a lifelong passion—and for researcher Caleigh Copelin, they were the reason she entered the field of…

Julie Walker Standardbred driver

Industry Ambassadors Return to Champion Free Online Racing Courses

Equine Guelph is thrilled to announce the return of its Industry Ambassador program this winter, featuring two respected voices from the horse racing community.  Julie Walker and Renée Kierans will lead the charge in promoting free online training and acting as peer helpers in racing-exclusive courses designed to advance racehorse health and performance This year’s initiative offers…

Horse on treadmill

Free Online Courses for Racing Industry include New Conditioning Course

Equine Guelph is excited to announce two free online courses for the racing community again this winter, developed in response to industry demand and supported by our education partners. In a recent poll, 49% of industry stakeholders voted for Racehorse Conditioning as the next priority topic. We listened—and we’re delivering! NEW! Conditioning the RacehorseFebruary 23…

Equine Emergency Rescue at the Races

Firefighters, emergency managers, veterinary professionals, and community stakeholders from across southwestern Ontario gathered at Grand River Raceway in Elora for a specialized Large Animal Emergency Rescue course, from Equine Guelph.   Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) provided foundational funding for the program back in 2014 and was proud to support the full-to-capacity one day hands-on workshop…

Horses playing in the paddock

Why Did My Horse Just Do That?

Understanding Horse Behaviour and Stable Safety – A Course for Adults on TheHorsePortal.ca You’re leading your horse to the paddock. It’s a quiet morning, birds chirping, nothing unusual in sight. Then bam !— your horse spooks sideways, nearly knocking you off your feet. You look around, baffled. What just happened? If you’ve ever asked yourself…

a horse under anesthesia

Rate of Penicillin Administration Affects Arterial Blood Pressure

Veterinarians often give penicillin to horses during surgery to prevent infection, but the speed of injection may influence how the horse’s cardiovascular system reacts. In a study of 29 horses under general anesthesia, researchers compared two methods of giving penicillin: a fast injection over one minute and a slower one over ten minutes. Both methods caused…

Horse loading into trailer with safety gear. Photo Credit: Linda Shantz

Tackling Trailer Safety

Hit the Road with Husted – Be Ready Before You Roll Whether you’re hauling horses to a show, a trail ride, or an emergency evacuation, transporting equines safely is a responsibility that demands preparation, knowledge, and confidence. That’s why Equine Guelph is once again offering its highly respected Horse Trailer Safety course on TheHorsePortal.ca, led by internationally recognized expert Dr.…

Equine Guelph offers tuition award

Ontario Racing Industry Scholarship from Equine Guelph

Equine Guelph is proud to support Ontario’s racing community through education and a scholarship that empowers individuals to improve horse welfare and safety. The Roger L’Heureux Memorial Equine Award, honours the legacy of the respected Standardbred driver and trainer by supporting students who demonstrate a passion for equine care and learning.  Equine Guelph offers this tuition…

World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day 2025  – Protecting Horses and Humans

On September 28, this World Rabies Day, the equine community is joining the global movement to prevent rabies by taking action—together. The 2025 theme, “Act Now: You, Me, Community,” announced by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), highlights the power of individual and collective responsibility in preventing this deadly disease. Legal Requirements for Horse Owners in Ontario…

A lady and her horse in the sunset

August is Make a Will Month: Planning Ahead for Your Horse’s Future

If you’re a horse owner, August is a timely reminder to think about your legacy—and the future of your equine companions. Horses are more than pets; they’re partners, athletes, and family. And just like any dependent, they deserve a plan for their care if something happens to you. Who Will Look After Your Horse? It’s…

Kids Day Camp at Ontario Racetracks

Ontario Racing Expands Youth Education with Horse eCamp and Kids’ Day Camps

Summer is in full swing, and horse-powered fun has begun! Ontario Racing, in collaboration with Equine Guelph, is moving at full stride with its commitment to youth education by offering two exciting, free programs:  Horse eCamp, an online learning experience, and a Kids’ Day Camp series at eight racetracks across Ontario.  These initiatives aim to spark curiosity, build…

Equine Guelph Annual Report

2024/25 Year in Review From international student engagement to groundbreaking research and career-building programs, it’s been a year of impact and innovation! Check out our Annual Report infographic for a snapshot of the highlights—including awards, 36 research projects supported, triple last year’s video views, and over 700 students taking our award-winning online courses around the globe. Explore…