Careers with Horsepower

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Jerome Parsons
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Careers with Horsepower BY JESS HALLAS-KILCOYNE below: Registered equine massage therapist Lindsay Day and AJ, her Thoroughbred gelding who, at 21 years old, is still going strong, thanks in part to

1 Careers with Horsepower BY JESS HALLAS-KILCOYNE below: Registered equine massage therapist Lindsay Day and AJ, her Thoroughbred gelding who, at 21 years old, is still going strong, thanks in part to massage, together with good care, careful management, and, of course, AJ s own personality. It s not everyone who ends up with a career that provides them with joy, fulfillment, intellectual stimulation, and a paycheque they consider of adequate size (especially for a horse person whose paycheque has to support a pretty pricey hobby); in fact, such individuals seem to be relatively rare. But the lucky few who settle into a profession that satisfies both their job wants and needs, tend to be people who have, whether deliberately or by chance, turned one or more of their passions into their profession. If one of your passions is horses (and this seems a likely possibility given that you re reading these words), you may have dreamed about an equine-related career for years. Perhaps your long-standing interest in a particular sector of the horse industry will give you a specific goal to work toward, as it did for farrier Dean Sinclair. Or maybe a personal experience external to your enthusiasm for equines will shape your professional plans, as was the case for registered equine massage therapist Lindsay Day. Or, if you continue to pursue your interests and maintain an open mind, one day you might just fall headfirst into the answer to all your career direction dilemmas, as Pam Janssen of Hay Girl! can relate. Here to provide you with inspiration until you find your dream career with horsepower, are the stories of three equine professionals who turned their love of horses into a livelihood. PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDSAY DAY, Hands-on Promotion of Equine Wellness Lindsay Day Registered Equine Massage Therapist EQmassage.ca Horses were always a big part of my life, but I never thought I would pursue a career in the industry, says Lindsay Day. When I went away to university after high school, I stopped riding for the first time I was at Mc- Gill, without a car, and there aren t many horses in Montreal city centre. Then, by winter of my first year I started having serious knee pain. I couldn t get up from a chair without pulling myself up with my arms. Lindsay visited the student services health clinic, where the doctor prescribed Advil and ice, but to no avail. And x-rays with her doctor at home were similarly disappointing, failing to reveal the problem. Fortunately I was moved on to the physio department at McGill where I was given manual therapy and exercises to strengthen my quads in particular (which were no longer getting the workout they were used to with riding and working), Lindsay continues. I later was encouraged to explore yoga from another physiotherapist, who also used a lot of manual therapy and massage in her practice. My knees are still my weakest link but now I know how I need to take care of my body so I can be functional and pain free for the most part. It s an experience that forced me to look at how the whole body works together (not just the painful part) and I think that planted a 28 September 2013

above & right: Lindsay explains her methodology for massage as being very much a process of listening to the horse s response and feeling and adapting my pressure, approach, or technique based on

It wasn t until five years later, when I learned more about the equine massage therapy program at D Arcy Lane, that I considered a career in equine massage as a way for me to help horses in a similar

2 above & right: Lindsay explains her methodology for massage as being very much a process of listening to the horse s response and feeling and adapting my pressure, approach, or technique based on that. PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDSAY DAY, PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDSAY DAY, seed for me. It wasn t until five years later, when I learned more about the equine massage therapy program at D Arcy Lane, that I considered a career in equine massage as a way for me to help horses in a similar way. But that s why I decided to do it because I know how much that sort of approach has helped me. As a student in the two-year, 2200-hour equine massage therapy program at the D Arcy Lane Institute, in London, Ontario, Lindsay received an in-depth education in equine anatomy, physiology, pathology, conformation, kinesiology, and the theory of equine massage and related treatments, as well as plenty of hands-on instruction in the practical techniques of equine massage. After graduating from the program in 2008, she successfully completed the 100-hour veterinary externship and passed the International Federation of Registered Equine Massage Therapists (IREMT) board exams necessary to earn the title of registered equine massage therapist (REMT) before establishing her equine massage therapy practice, EQmassage.ca. Even after five years in practice, Lindsay remains committed to continuing her education. There is a lot to learn and understand, and I think that is ongoing and never stops, she says. It s important to keep up with the latest research and invest in professional development. I ve taken courses on myo-facial release, bowen, equine biomechanics, and thai yoga massage some for horses, some for people, but I find it s all relatable. I go to any equine health and science conferences I can get to. And I read a lot. I also try to spend time with other professionals, farriers, chiropractors, and vets, because they all have insights and ways of looking at things that help broaden my perspective. This broader perspective enables her to treat more effectively a wide range of equine clients. I have a pretty varied practice, says Lindsay. From young racehorses to older trail and companion horses to competitive dressage and show jumping horses, and across different levels right up to grand prix. Some come to me because there is a particular issue or concern, and some because their owners want to incorporate massage as part of their ongoing healthcare and maintenance. Lindsay s clientele varies in location as well; while based in Guelph, Ontario, Lindsay travels all over southern and central Ontario for appointments, which means spending a lot of time on the road. My truck is really my second home it s amazing what you can pack into a truck with a crew cab, she says. And getting home after her appointments doesn t always mean Lindsay s work for the day is finished. She may have bookkeeping or other paperwork to complete for her business, and the writing that she does for horse magazines also keeps her busy. But the long hours that are sometimes required haven t dampened Lindsay s enthusiasm for her job, an enthusiasm that is doubtless fueled by her genuine love of horses and belief in the benefits that equine massage can provide. I would like to see more people understand massage not just as a modality to use when something goes wrong. I think it also has a really valuable role in keeping things going right. My horse is 21 and he s still going strong. A lot of that has to do with his personality (don t tell him he s old!), but I think massage, together with all the other care and management, helps to keep the body, the musculoskeletal system, running smoothly. Lindsay continues to be inspired. The wonder of the body always impresses and amazes me. The way it adapts and adjusts, the way it heals, the athletic feats it is capable of. I am forever fascinated and in awe. Visit for more information about the services Lindsay provides and the many benefits of equine massage therapy September 2013

right: Since his appointment as head instructor and program coordinator at the Olds College Farrier Science Program in 2000, Dean Sinclair has divided his time between teaching in Olds, Alberta, and

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN SINCLAIR Guiding the Next Generation of Farriers into the Future Dean Sinclair, Certified Journeyman Farrier and Olds College Farrier Science Program Coordinator & Head

I was originally a city boy, he says, with no interest whatsoever in the farm or animal industry until I met a young lady in high school at the age of 16.

3 right: Since his appointment as head instructor and program coordinator at the Olds College Farrier Science Program in 2000, Dean Sinclair has divided his time between teaching in Olds, Alberta, and his mixed farrier practice in Kelowna, BC. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN SINCLAIR Guiding the Next Generation of Farriers into the Future Dean Sinclair, Certified Journeyman Farrier and Olds College Farrier Science Program Coordinator & Head Instructor Many of people who choose to pursue a career in the horse industry tend to be riders who developed an interest in horses as children. Not so with Dean Sinclair. I was originally a city boy, he says, with no interest whatsoever in the farm or animal industry until I met a young lady in high school at the age of 16. Her father kept his own horses and performed the farriery work on them himself, and he was happy to show Dean the basics. I was very interested, says Dean, and despite not really having been around horses, I was very comfortable around them. So I started trimming and shoeing horses just as I was graduating from high school, and [the girl s father] said, You obviously enjoy this. Why don t you look into a farrier school? So I applied to Olds College. Standing At Stud STARBUCK IS ALSO OFFERED FOR SALE GYPSY VANNER RANCH Starbuck GVHS Gold Cup Stallion Overall Champion, Feathered Horse High Point Performance High Point Gypsy Vanner High Point Driving Horse STANDING AT GRAND OAKS IN WEIRSDALE, FLORIDA September 2013

The farrier program at Olds College in Olds, Alberta, was already very popular at that point, attracting dozens of applicants on average annually and only accepting 16 students each year.

So I applied to NAIT the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology studied animal science, and got a diploma.

Dean threw himself into his studies, graduating from the program at the top of the class in 1979.

practicum component of the program, which requires them to be placed with an established farrier.

practicum well prepared for the more advanced classes in the fall. So when Art retired in 2000, he said to me, You know, you really should apply for this job.

I teach six months of the year out [in Olds] and then I have a farrier business back in Kelowna.

4 The farrier program at Olds College in Olds, Alberta, was already very popular at that point, attracting dozens of applicants on average annually and only accepting 16 students each year. The year he first applied, Dean was not one of the 16. I was quite disappointed, he says, but I was still doing a bit of trimming and shoeing, and still interested in animals and animal science. So I applied to NAIT the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology studied animal science, and got a diploma. Then I reapplied to Olds College and I still didn t get in, but at the last minute somebody cancelled and I got in. Dean threw himself into his studies, graduating from the program at the top of the class in From that time until 2000, he ran a mixed farrier practice in Kelowna, BC, and during that practice he accepted a large number of students from Olds College who were looking to satisfy the summer practicum component of the program, which requires them to be placed with an established farrier. It didn t take long for the head instructor of the Farrier Science Program at Olds College at that time, Art Gallais, to notice that the students Dean had taken on were returning from their summer practicum well prepared for the more advanced classes in the fall. So when Art retired in 2000, he said to me, You know, you really should apply for this job. I think you d be a good teacher, Dean remembers. He applied for the position, landed the job, and has been teaching and coordinating the program ever since. I commute back and forth, he explains. I teach six months of the year out [in Olds] and then I have a farrier business back in Kelowna. It s a little unusual but it works out well because shoeing the horses is seasonal for the most part when you get into the interior of BC, northern BC, and Alberta. The comprehensive program begins every year in January with an initial 14 weeks of instruction in basic farriery, including classes in equine anatomy and physiology, horse handling, trimming, and introductory blacksmithing and welding. This is followed by a 16-week directed field study during which students obtain valuable practical experience while working with an established farrier before returning to Olds College in mid-october for an additional two months of coursework in advanced forging and horseshoeing, performance shoeing, therapeutic and corrective shoeing, and small business planning and management. The quality of the program s curriculum is matched by that of the facility. The stateof-the-art farrier lab at Olds College fea- Natural Alternative Grazers Our nets are recommended and used by veterinarians. SLOW FEEDING... Aids in prevention of digestive issues, colic, ulcers, stall vices, cribbing and boredom See us at Spruce Meadows Equi-Fair & Canadian Supreme! 1, 1.5 & 2 knotless netting available in all sizes & feeders. September 2013 s Canadian Horse Journal 33

above: The Farrier Science Program at Olds College boasts a state-of-the-art facility with propane, natural gas, and cold forges, with room to shoe up to eight horses at a time.

to examine our students, they just walk in and go, Holy smokes, what a facility!

5 above: The Farrier Science Program at Olds College boasts a state-of-the-art facility with propane, natural gas, and cold forges, with room to shoe up to eight horses at a time. tures propane, natural gas, and cold forges, with space to shoe up to eight horses at a time. We really do have one of the top facilities in North America, says Dean. Examiners that come from the U.S. to examine our students, they just walk in and go, Holy smokes, what a facility! A student to teacher ratio of less than 6-to-1 is the cherry on top for this program, which, unsurprisingly, is consistently ranked as one of the top farrier schools in North America. In the last month of the program the students have the option of taking an exam for the first level of certification with the American Farriers Association, says Dean. Students from Olds College have one of the highest passing rates. Dean s pride in his students is obvious, as is his dedication to providing each of them with all the tools they need to succeed in a career in farriery. He s eager to share with them the knowledge he s amassed over his nearly 40 years of experience in the field that has seen him named to the Canadian Farrier Team five times. And he s excited about the direction in which the farrier industry is heading, and what it will mean for his students. For one thing, Dean points out that for years the farrier profession was dominated by men, but now he s pleased to be able to say that the gender gap is narrowing as more and more young women enter the field. For another, he says: Years ago, you did not share your trade secrets, but now people are, and there are all kinds of conventions. The industry in the last 25 to 30 years has come about tenfold. And it s an industry to which Dean is incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has provided to him as a farrier, yes, but even more as a teacher. It worked out perfectly for me, he says. Having the chance to still shoe horses and do what I love as well as share my knowledge. I wouldn t trade this career for anything; it s been awesome. Absolutely no regrets, that s for sure. To learn more about the Farrier Science Program at Olds College, visit PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN SINCLAIR above: Hay with a low sugar, or non-structural carbohydrate (NSC), value is critically important for horses with health problems such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome, insulin resistance, and Cushing s disease. Sourcing & Supplying Low Sugar Hay Pam Janssen, Owner & Founder of Hay Girl! It began for Pam Janssen, when her friend and fellow horse owner suffered the loss of her two horses in close succession. The first, a 25-year-old gelding, succumbed to Cushing s disease a not uncommon health problem in older horses. However, the second gelding was just 11 years old when he suddenly developed a severe case of founder that ultimately proved to be fatal. [The horse] wasn t overweight, he was ridden six days a week, and his owner always made sure to get the best quality hay she could, says Pam. So it was such a shock. We wanted to figure out why it happened. The answer remained elusive until Pam s internet research turned up information that led her to suggest to her friend that she get her hay tested for sugar content. The hay analysis indicated that the second cut Timothy hay Pam s friend had been feeding to her geldings had a non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) value of 18.4 percent. While the average mature horse in regular work might typically do well on hay with a NSC up to 18 percent, metabolically challenged horses (typically characterized by health problems such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome, insulin resistance, and Cushing s disease) should only consume hay with a NSC value of less than 10 percent. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAM JANSSEN, HAY GIRL! 34 September 2013

right: Pam Janssen s original quest for low sugar hay was fueled by her desire to ensure the good health of her beloved mare, Precious, and now, with the creation of Hay Girl!

is arranging transport of hay from Alberta and other parts of BC to the BC Lower Mainland.

6 right: Pam Janssen s original quest for low sugar hay was fueled by her desire to ensure the good health of her beloved mare, Precious, and now, with the creation of Hay Girl!, she s made a career out of helping other owners ensure the health of their horses. above: One of the biggest challenges Pam faces with Hay Girl! is arranging transport of hay from Alberta and other parts of BC to the BC Lower Mainland. The relatively high sugar content in the hay that Pam s friend had been feeding to her horses almost certainly precipitated the demise of her older horse and, if her younger gelding happened to have had an underlying metabolic disorder, would also explain his sudden case of founder. It was around this time that Pam also began to be more aware that something was not right with her own horse, a seven-year-old Quarter Horse mare named Precious. She was experiencing weight fluctuations, said Pam, and she had fat deposits and shelly hooves. Concerned, Pam sent her hay for analysis and learned that her mare had been eating hay with an NSC value of 24 percent. She immediately began seeking out a source of low sugar hay, but when she began asking around the local horse community, she was shocked to discover how many people experienced hay farmers and suppliers PHOTO COURTESY OF PAM JANSSEN, HAY GIRL! PHOTO COURTESY OF PAM JANSSEN, HAY GIRL! and knowledgeable horse people alike knew next to nothing about sugar content in hay and its implications for horse health. Even worse, she learned that the majority of suppliers don t have their hay analyzed, making it very difficult for an owner of a metabolically challenged horse to find the necessary low sugar hay. As Pam s hunt for low sugar hay continued, it began to occur to her that if she was having so much difficulty finding low sugar hay, other horse owners were likely struggling as well. And so what began as an effort to improve her horse s health, led to the creation of Pam s own business, Hay Girl!, in April For a year and a half now, Pam as Hay Girl! has been supplying horse owners across the Lower Mainland of BC with low sugar hay sourced from all over BC and Alberta. After confirming the low sugar of a batch of hay from a particular farmer by means of hay analysis, Pam arranges for its transport to Delta, BC, and its storage there, and then proceeds to market it for sale to local horse owners. The initiative has been wildly successful, but for Pam it s less about turning a profit and more about educating horse owners about the potential dangers of sugar in hay so that none of them will ever experience a tragedy like the one her friend suffered with the loss of her two horses. To this end, she has organized two informational sessions to date that featured lectures about the importance of hay analysis, the basics of equine nutrition, and health problems such as Cushing s disease, laminitis, and insulin resistance from a local farrier, equine veterinarian, and equine nutritionist. The first Hay Girl! informational session was held in January of this year, and a second session followed in May, with both attracting a healthy crowd of interested horse owners. I am glad to say that I did reach quite a few people that really got on board with the situation with hay testing, says Pam. She looks forward to organizing more sessions in the future, but sourcing new supplies of low sugar hay is doing a more than adequate job of keeping her busy in the meantime. Out of 20 or 30 hay analyses that go in, I might find one or I might not, she explains. There are so many different factors. But, for Pam, the work required by her new career is worth it to know that she is helping horse owners ensure better health for their horses. There s a problem here and we need to fix it, she says. Most people just don t know. They think if the hay looks good and smells good, it s good for their horse. And hay doesn t come with a nutritional label. The satisfaction is there for Pam on a personal level, too. She is pleased to report that Precious is currently thriving on her diet of low sugar hay, maintaining a healthy weight and exhibiting all the signs of good general health, a fact that thrills her to no end. Had I not made these changes for my mare, Precious, she would not be here today she had all the signs of becoming laminitic. But, she s my buddy and she brings such joy to my life on a daily basis, so when you get that all balanced and everything in ticks and checks, it s an amazing feeling! To learn more about Hay Girl!, please visit or b 36 September 2013

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