Keeping it simple
The pandemic at its peak was a complicated time for everyone. The restrictions and shutdowns, on the other hand, freed up time to reflect, re-evaluate, and reset. Many of us came out of it with a desire to simplify our lives, and alter the way we do things. We have a few examples in this issue. Unfortunately, just as we were starting to breathe a sigh of relief and process life on the backside of the pandemic, post-tropical storm Fiona roared through our region.

Fiona caused significant damage to Nicole Kitchener’s own Prince Edward Island farm. She shares stories of how other Island horse owners are faring a few months post-Fiona in “Just like starting over.” I drove through P.E.I in October and was shocked to see the damage visible from the road, and the overwhelming number of downed trees.

Our Atlantic Canadian population grew in part because of the pandemic. Erica Saunders introduces us to two of many equestrians who left other parts of Canada to settle here with their families. In her story “Moving in the right direction,” both cited the area’s “beauty and pace of life” as reasons for the move. Melissa Jewell and Natasha McDonald are breathing new life into existing facilities outside of Windsor, N.S. We welcome them, and wish everyone who made the move to the East Coast all the best in their new ventures.

Keeping things simple with horse care has always been encouraged. Kaitlin Knox’s “Simplifying your horse’s diet for optimal nutrition” outlines the principles of good nutrition and why complicating the feeding of your horse can sometimes lead to more harm than good. Even renowned hunter judge Randy Roy likes to keep things simple in the showring, as Laura Kelland-May discovered in “Hunter judging with Randy Roy.” There is nothing uncomplicated about producing spectacular hunters fit to compete at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, but little details such as forgetting to remove rein stops, bridle charms, and brass plates can detract from the horse’s performance and get the wrong kind of attention from the judge.

2023 is Atlantic Horse & Pony’s 37th year in print. HP is the only dedicated equestrian magazine for Atlantic Canadians. Navigating the fallout from the coronavirus has been difficult for business, including this one. While you’re enjoying the stories, please take note of the loyal advertisers you see on our pages and remember them when making purchases. Storytelling strengthens community. We hope to be telling your stories for years to come.