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horse conditioning, horse fitness, equine conditioning, equine fitness, Jec A. Ballou, horse conditioning without hills, horse strength training, equine strength training, horse fitness exercises, conditioning horses on flat ground, horse hill work alternatives, horse rehabilitation, equine rehabilitation, horse rehab exercises, horse core strength, horse coordination, equine proprioception, horse ground pole exercises, raised trot poles, horse aerobic fitness, equine cardiovascular fitness, horse stamina

No Hills? No Problem: Horse Conditioning Without Hills

Finding Alternatives for the Conditioning Goal - Many riders worry that their lack of access to hills means their horses will miss important conditioning benefits. But before charging up hills, or fretting about their absence, riders should first consider the specific gains they were hoping to make. A horse recovering from injury, for instance, will use and benefit from hills differently than a moderately fit horse aiming to improve stamina or performance. After specific goals are identified, relevant substitutions can be explored. Whether you need hills depends on what you hope to achieve.

Horse and rider representing Canada’s diverse equestrian community and organized horse sport.

Equestrian Canada and PTSOs: Who Does What in Canada’s Horse Industry?

Navigating provincial and national equestrian organizations - No single organization supports all things “horse” across Canada. Coaches, trainers, riders, drivers, owners, breeders, and the horses themselves are represented by myriad organizations.

Hyperion Stud, horse breeding Canada, mare breeding decisions, horse breeding tips, Canadian horse industry, warmblood breeding, broodmare management, equine genetics, selecting a stallion, horse breeding costs, sport horse breeding, breeding soundness mare, Hyperion Stud LLC

Horses: To Breed or Not to Breed?

Navigating the Mare Owner's Dilemma - So, you’re contemplating breeding your mare. As a seasoned breeder of top-notch warmbloods and the owner of Hyperion Stud, LLC, Vicky Castegren knows all about that decision.

Canadian Working Equitation team riders Kerry Marit, Pam Esteves, Susanne Zimmermann, and Ilona Berbekar at the 2026 World Championships.

Canada Competes at Working Equitation World Championships

In August 2026, four Canadian team riders and one alternate travelled to Europe to represent Working Equitation Canada at the 2026 Working Equitation (WE) World Championships in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain from September 8 to 13. It was the first time that Canadian riders had participated in the WE World Championships, which is hosted every four years by the World Association of Working Equitation (WAWE). Four of the five riders were riding leased horses.

Horse named Northern Dancer, little Canadian horse Northern Dancer, exceptional Canadian horses, iconic Canadian horses, famous horses from Canada, Best horse in Canadian history, Norther Dancer

Remembering Northern Dancer

Northern Dancer was an extraordinary horse who captured Canada’s spirit and inspired immense national pride. Northern Dancer, whose heart and spirit transcended his size, remains one of the greatest Thoroughbreds in history — a legend whose legacy continues to inspire generations.