Equestrian Nova Scotia

09/08/2026

Many owners assume weight loss is simply part of aging, but that's not always the case. Subtle changes in body condition can be early signs that a horse needs a closer look.

Common reasons senior horses lose weight include:

1) Difficulty chewing due to dental changes
2) Reduced ability to digest and absorb nutrients
3) Underlying health conditions such as PPID (Cushing's disease)
4) Competition for feed from pasture mates

The sooner these changes are noticed, the sooner management strategies can be adjusted.

That's why regular body condition scoring, monitoring eating habits, and routine veterinary and dental care become increasingly important as horses age.

Aging is inevitable. Unexplained weight loss shouldn't be.

Support your horse through every stage of life with 's Senior Horse Online Course .ca

https://thehorseportal.ca/course/the-senior-horse-fall-26/

Sept 21 to Oct 10, 2026
Flexible format | Certificate of Completion | Expert-led
15% discount for ENS members - an education partnership with Equine Guelph. Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/ENS

09/07/2026

We are pleased to announce our 2026 Annual General Meeting and Awards Reception on November 22nd at the Brightwood Golf Club in Dartmouth. Nominations for board positions and member awards are currently open. Hope to see you there!

https://conta.cc/4gFYBwb

Email from Equestrian Nova Scotia AGM 2026 Notice   NOTICE of Annual General Meeting Sunday, November 22nd, 2026 Please join us for our 2026 Annual General Meeting of Members at Brightwood Golf Club,

09/01/2026

Did you know? Retirement isn't always the healthiest option for a senior horse.

While some seniors need lighter workloads, many benefit from continued activity.

1) Regular movement helps keep joints lubricated
2) Exercise helps maintain muscle mass and balance
3) Activity supports digestive health and mental wellbeing
4) Appropriate work can help senior horses stay engaged and comfortable

The key is adjusting expectations, not necessarily stopping altogether.
Every senior horse ages differently, and understanding how to adapt management can make a significant difference in quality of life.

Support your horse through every stage of life with 's Senior Horse Online Course .ca
https://thehorseportal.ca/course/the-senior-horse-fall-26/

Sept 21 to Oct 10, 2026
Flexible format | Certificate of Completion | Expert-led

15% discount for ENS members - an education partnership with Equine Guelph. Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/ENS

09/01/2026

🐴 Did you know? Retirement isn't always the healthiest option for a senior horse.
While some seniors need lighter workloads, many benefit from continued activity.
▪ Regular movement helps keep joints lubricated
▪ Exercise helps maintain muscle mass and balance
▪ Activity supports digestive health and mental wellbeing
▪ Appropriate work can help senior horses stay engaged and comfortable
The key is adjusting expectations—not necessarily stopping altogether.
Every senior horse ages differently, and understanding how to adapt management can make a significant difference in quality of life.
Support your horse through every stage of life with ’s Senior Horse Online Course .ca
https://thehorseportal.ca/course/the-senior-horse-fall-26/
Sept 21 to Oct 10, 2026
▪ Flexible format | Certificate of Completion | Expert instructor-led
▪ 15% discount for ENS members - an education partnership with Equine Guelph
▪ Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/ENS

Get set for this amazing course by checking out the FREE Senior Horse Challenge https://thehorseportal.ca/healthcare-tools/senior-horse-challenge-tool/

08/25/2026

🐴 Did you know? Horses don’t laugh the way people do.

That classic curled upper lip often called a “laughing horse” is usually a Flehmen response.

When a horse encounters a new smell, they may raise their head and curl their upper lip to help analyze scents using a specialized sensory organ. It’s a normal behaviour—but it isn’t a joke or a smile.

There’s another type of lip curl horse owners should know about.

▪ A horse that curls the upper lip without raising the head may be showing discomfort or pain.
▪ This subtle expression can sometimes be associated with dental issues, ulcers, abdominal discomfort, or other sources of pain.
▪ Repeated lip curling should never be dismissed as a horse being "funny" or "silly."

Good horse care starts with understanding what horses are trying to tell us through their behaviour.

Learn how to recognize and interpret behaviours that can impact welfare in ’s Horse Care & Welfare online course .ca

https://thehorseportal.ca/course/on-demand-horse-care-and-welfare/

Oct 19 – 30, 2026
Flexible format | Certificate of Completion | Expert-instructor led
▪ 15% discount for ENS members - an education partnership with Equine Guelph
▪ Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/ENS

08/24/2026

There's only one week left to support the Performance Athletes in August and have a chance to win the 50/50!
You can purchase tickets at rafflebox.ca/raffle/sportns/3281 - don't forget to select a program athlete in the drop down menu to support their performance goals.

08/20/2026

This week, we've added results from the Hunters Creek Farm Summer Show and the NSPE Light Horse Show to the standings! We've gained new athletes on the English Flat, Jumper, and Hunter leaderboards. 🏆

Updated leaderboards will be posted throughout the season as more results are finalized. Athletes won't show in the standings until they have met the minimum qualification standards, so we look forward to seeing more athletes across all divisions as the season progresses! Be sure to check the list of Scotia Series sanctioned competitions slide for qualifying events!

Curious about your own Scotia Series results? Check out our results page at https://equestriannovascotia.ca/results to view all Year-End Award Divisions and search results by athlete or equine.

Please note that the Hunters Creek Farm Summer Show results for Open Equitation Over Fences #1 & #2 are not currently available on our website. We thank you for your patience!

More information on Scotia Series is available on our website and in our rulebooks!

08/18/2026

🐴 Did you know? A communal water trough can become a disease hotspot.

When horses drink, they don't just leave water behind. Saliva, nasal secretions, feed particles, and pathogens can all end up in shared water sources.

Simple prevention steps can help reduce risk:

▪ Avoid sharing water buckets at events whenever possible
▪ Clean and disinfect buckets and troughs regularly
▪ Use your own buckets when travelling
▪ Monitor water sources for contamination

Biosecurity isn't only about avoiding sick horses—it's about recognizing the everyday ways disease can spread.

Learn how to identify and reduce disease risks with 's 'Sickness Prevention in Horses' on-demand course .ca

https://thehorseportal.ca/course/on-demand-sickness-prevention-in-horses/

▪ Flexible format | Certificate of Completion | Self-paced (1-year course access)
▪ 15% discount for ENS members - an education partnership with Equine Guelph
▪ Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/ENS

08/14/2026

Today is the last day to enter in time for this month's early bird draw! August’s Early Bird Prize is a Halifax Tides Getaway, and you'll stay in the draw for the 50/50 prize on September 1st! Purchase tickets before August 15th to be in the early bird draw!
You can purchase tickets at rafflebox.ca/raffle/sportns/3281 - don't forget to select a program athlete in the drop down menu to support their performance goals.

08/11/2026

🐴Caring for a Senior Horse

As horses age, their care needs evolve. Paying close attention to the following can help support comfort, mobility and overall well-being:

1. Nutrition - Recognize evolving nutritional needs, make gradual changes in feed, monitor weight and condition closely
2. Fitness - Movement and turn-out benefit senior horses
3. Dental health - Watch for non-circular chewing patterns, which may indicate that dental attention is needed and consult with your vet
4. Joint health - Arthritis is responsible for approximately 60% of lameness cases so keep joints lubricated through regular, slow-to-moderate exercise and consult with your vet for joint-support strategies tailored to your horse's needs

Small adjustments to your senior horse's management routine can make a big difference in maintaining health and quality of life throughout the aging process.

Support your horse through every stage of life with ’s Senior Horse Online Course .ca

https://thehorseportal.ca/course/the-senior-horse-fall-26/

Sept 21 to Oct 10, 2026

Flexible format | Certificate of Completion | Expert-led

▪ 15% discount for ENS members - an education partnership with Equine Guelph
▪ Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/ENS