Horse Speaker & Pres Page | GreyBruceFarmersWeek

Horse Day Presentations

Updates for the 2025 program will be made in the fall of 2024.

What is Your Horse Telling You? Understanding Horse-Human Interactions

Presented by: Dr. Katrina Merkies, Associate Professor at the University of Guelph.

Horses have shared our lives for thousands of years but over time our expectations of them have changed from work animal to partner. To develop a successful relationship we must be knowledgeable of their ethology to recognize and understand their emotions, their likes, their dislikes and their reactions to us. This presentation will explore how horses and humans communicate with each other and how that can impact the horse-human bond.

Dr. Merkies received her PhD in animal science from the University of Guelph before taking a faculty position at Lake Erie College in Ohio. She later returned to Canada to develop and implement Canada's first and only equine degree program – the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management degree in Equine Management. Dr. Merkies teaches undergraduate courses in equine event management, equine reproduction, equine trends and issues and equine industry topics. She has a small research program focusing on equine behaviour, particularly relating to horse-human interactions, equitation science, and equine welfare. Dr Merkies is the current president and trustee of the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES). She has trained and competed up to international levels in dressage, earning the title of Canadian National Champion in 1999. She also avidly applies learning theory in dog training, teaching at a local obedience school and competing in obedience, rally obedience and dock diving with her Australian Shepard.

Presentation begins Sunday January 7th, 2024 at 10:00 am.

Know Hoof, Know Horse

Presented by: Steve McConnell, Farrier.

This presentation will cover basic hoof health and biomechanics, as well as the importance of proper hoof care and its correlation to overall horse health and performance.

Steve McConnell has been a farrier for 37 years. He graduated from the Seneca College Farrier program in 1986. After graduation Steve completed a 4 year apprenticeship and successfully competed in international farrier competitions for 10 years. He is certified through the American Farriers Association (AFA) and the Farrier International Testing System (FITS) which is a therapeutic based certification program, and an APF-I with the International Association of Professional Farriers. Steve has had 2 research papers published and is currently working on a third. He works on horses of all disciplines and levels but his practice consists mainly of performance horses (dressage, hunter/jumper) with a large component being veterinary referrals for therapeutic/lameness cases. He is very active in continuing education, upgrading his skills through attending clinics, seminars and conferences and is an internationally recognized clinician.

Presentation begins Sunday January 7th, 2024 at 11:15 am.

Liberty with Horses

Presented by: Lindsey Partridge, Founder, Harmony Horsemanship

Welcome to the world of boundless connection and freedom with horses! Join us for an unforgettable live event featuring the renowned Lindsey Partridge, an international champion in Mustang and Thoroughbred makeovers. Discover a revolutionary approach to liberty with horses that emphasizes mastering your body language and understanding your equine companion on a profound level – no tools required. Lindsey Partridge will unveil three key tips that empower you to establish a bond with your horse without relying on traditional aids like whips. Dive into a unique methodology that prioritizes communication through subtle cues, fostering a deep connection that transcends the need for external tools. Feel the transformative power of true liberty, where your horse willingly chooses to be by your side. Explore the world of liberty approaches, emphasizing connection and creating an irresistible allure for your equine partner. Lindsey, a seasoned horse trainer for feature films such as "Unbridled," where liberty scenes abound, brings her expertise to this live event. Gain insights into the art of liberty as a freestyle performer at various equine expos. Avoid common mishaps with Lindsey's guidance and learn to navigate the intricacies of liberty with horses seamlessly. Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a journey of liberty with horses, guided by Lindsey Partridge's wealth of experience and passion for creating meaningful connections. Join us for an enriching event that will deepen your understanding of equine communication and strengthen the bond between you and your horse.

Harmony Horsemanship focuses on passive leadership & positive reinforcement. No more whips, chasing, round pens or feeling like a bully. It is a training program designed to build the best relationship with your horse and is beneficial for all disciplines. It was founded by champion trainer, Lindsey Partridge, in the fall of 2015 and combines years of studying with top professionals, reviewing science and evidence based training methods, as well as Lindsey’s decades of personal experience. Lindsey is an accomplished student, trainer, and competitor. She has been called ‘Canada’s Horse Whisperer’ by the Toronto Star and ‘The Queen of Thoroughbreds’ by The Rider. She is a Horse Human Relationship Expert.

Presentation begins Sunday January 7th, 2024 at 1:15 pm.

Hands on Demo: Saddle Making and Repairs

Presented by: Ernie and Jodi Wilson, Owners, Wilson's Tack & Saddle Repair

This presentation will be a Q&A discussion on custom western saddle making and repair, along with leather repairs and overall maintenance.

Ernie Wilson of Wilson’s Tack and Saddle Repair located in a quaint little hamlet outside of Atwood, in southwestern Ontario, has been in the business of building custom western saddles for over 30 years. Ernie specializes in those custom made saddles, bridles, and rodeo equipment that are hard to find over the counter. In 2008 in response to an ever growing business Ernie’s daughter Jodi joined her father as an apprentice saddle maker. Together they serve the needs of the working cowboys and cowgirls not only in Ontario but parts of western Canada as well. One of a very small number of saddle shops in Ontario they are dedicated to keep the cowboy traditions alive in Eastern Canada!

Presentation begins Sunday January 7th, 2024 at 2:00 pm, in the upper level of the hall.
The audience will be split into two groups, each viewing one of the hands on demos for 40 minutes before switching stations and viewing the other.

Hands on Demo: Fall Safety

Presented by: Heidi Martin, Owner & Coach, Maple Rock Stables

This Fall Safety session will cover building muscle memory, basic roll progressions, controlling the fall, emergency dismounts and a “buck off” simulation. The audience is welcome to join in hands-on, or just sit back and observe. Heidi started putting her Fall Safety program together as a personal project. Coming from many riding injuries over the years and watching others, she wanted to teach her students how to protect themselves. When she teaches vaulting, one of the most important things she starts with is how to fall. Why should riding be any different? We all know it’s not a matter of if you fall; it's more when and how badly. With training we can make the how bad a whole lot less.

Heidi is a former trick riding enthusiast and Ontario vaulting coach, with around 15 years of coaching experience and a lifetime of riding, showing and training horses. Horses are my passion and I love sharing that with people and helping them learn and grow with their horses.

Presentation begins Sunday January 7th, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the lower level of the hall.
The audience will be split into two groups, each viewing one of the hands on demos for 40 minutes before switching stations and viewing the other.

Panel: Equine Metabolic Syndrome

This panel will discuss the types, causes, risk factors, prevention and management of Equine Metabolic Syndrome from the perspective of a vet, nutritionist, and farrier.

Panelist: Dr. Tee Fox, Veterinarian, Markdale Veterinary Services

Biography coming soon!

Panelist: Steve McConnell, Farrier

Panelist: Scott Cieslar, President, Mad Barn Inc.

Scott is the founder and President of Mad Barn Inc. An equine nutrition company focused on fundamental horse nutrition research, developing technology and feeding solutions, and providing education and support to horse owners. He grew up on a mixed animal/cash crop farm near Wyoming, Ontario. His interest in animal nutrition and physiology took him to the University of Guelph where he graduated with a Master of Science. The research focused on the regulating factors of mammary blood flow. He had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Queensland, Australia, where he participated in a study on seasonal protein depression in dairy cows and helped to refine the methodology for determining microbial protein production in ruminants. During his time at Guelph he had the opportunity to work with some of the top equine researchers in exercise physiology, focusing on fluid and electrolyte balance in exercising horses and testing novel hardware for a non-invasive method for measuring hydration status. Scott has worked in the feed industry as a nutrition and management consultant for feed companies in the Maritimes and Ontario and most recently with Alltech Canada. Scott’s interest in horses developed at a young age when his father purchased their first standardbred broodmare. From there, he pursued his interest in horses - working with the local veterinarian; grooming and training racehorses; and working at one of the largest standardbred breeding farms in Ontario.

Facilitator: Jeff Gilkinson, Bayshore Country Feeds