Have you noticed any cultural differences between your Canadian and American horses?

[Vesper Sparrow]

I dunno, maybe it's cultural, but my horse, who I brought to Canada from the States (born in Pa., raised in Ky, Il., Ga. and Florida) is so... American compared to the Canadian horses up here.

He's big, brash and a bit more entrepreneurial than the Canadian horses. As soon as he got into his paddock with the other geldings, he immediately had them kowtowing to him without so much as lifting a finger, just by his body language. Canadians can be so self-effacing.

Lately he's gotten even... shall I say it... a bit militaristic... Pinning his ears at the other horses in the crossties and in the arena when I'm riding him. I don't know what to do. Do you think the Canadian culture will eventually rub off on him?

Have you had similar experiences with your Canadian or American horses?

[propspony]

I'd recommend liberal dosing with poutine and timbits at least 4 times a day.

That should do the trick.

Perhaps some episodes of "Due South" as well.

[Wellspotted]

Add a Canadian Moose to your pasture herd. ;)

[Rebe]

I had a problem with my true blue American horse when my barn started importing Canadian hay. At first, my horse kept telling me that he was only getting 70% of what he should be fed.

But then the economy tanked, and he found he was expected to give 10% of his hay back!

We were forced to move to a new barn that buys good ole US of A hay so he wouldn't think he was starving.

[RedRazzle]

Clearly, you and your Canadian horses' passive-aggressive attempts at behaviour modification have been too subtle! Perhaps you should institute some sort of equalization payment so that he doesn't get too big for his britches and forget that everyone has be treated with the same basic consideration? That is, if he has anything other than TO-style hot air to give ;):D

[MHM]

Plus the Canadian horses want carrouts!

[Foxtrot's]

Coudy&Callie was just moaning that the usual meese threads had not popped up, so finally this Thanksgiving is not a complete bust - it's bash the Canadiens day - sigh.

However, I expect your horse is feeling a little chilly since he has not had time to acclimatize to the Canadian winters and grow his thick, shaggy winter coat.

[Blugal]

I had the opposite problem. I took my Canadian horse to California.

Once he got used to the paparazzi, he decided he actually liked the be in the limelight. Having his stall cleaned 6 times a day and 2 grooms on staff worked well for his new intended lifestyle. He was just about ready to purchase a second home in the 90210 district, when a small scandal concerning his addiction to treats surfaced, and he was forced into hiding to a rehab centre that insisted on a mellow lifestyle with lots of turn-out.

[PNWjumper]

Yes.

I had a serious problem.

My canadian mare and I headed up to Canada for a show several years back. She would. not. jump. the American flag jump. But no problems over the Canadian flag :lol:

She's obviously a loyal Canadian at heart even after all of her years in the states!

[pokesaladannie]

Our horses suffer from culture shock while competing in the U.S. Their typical Canadian demeanor ( e.g. Oh sorry... excuse me ... it's my fault... you go ahead... oh sorry again) takes American horses by surprise and is the source of many discombobulated warmups for both countries.

And then the Australians appear.......Bwaaa Haaaa Haaaa!

[allpurpose]

EH? :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Kairoshorses]

I had the opposite problem. I took my Canadian horse to California.

Once he got used to the paparazzi, he decided he actually liked the be in the limelight. Having his stall cleaned 6 times a day and 2 grooms on staff worked well for his new intended lifestyle. He was just about ready to purchase a second home in the 90210 district, when a small scandal concerning his addiction to treats surfaced, and he was forced into hiding to a rehab centre that insisted on a mellow lifestyle with lots of turn-out.

you know, I have a Canadian horse who went to Atlanta, and now he's the same way....though I had to actually TEACH him to eat treats. He's so friggin' stoic!

Now, I just got an Irish horse, and he's fascinating: FORGET about getting between him and his food. And he tries to boss everyone around, but the Canadians figured out that the Irish guy was all talk, no action....so they pretty much ignore him now.

[Vesper Sparrow]

Wow, this is a bigger issue than I thought! :eek::eek::eek: Now I know why my Yankee boy immediately wanted to hog the round bail for himself, while the Canadian geldings were politely waiting their turns...

There is a whole range of culturally based dysfunctional equine behaviour out there that I didn't know existed... ranging from Irish horses who rely too heavy on the charm and BS... to Canadian horses who go to Hollywood and end up going into rehab.

Speaking of jumping and other competitions, has anyone's horse had a hard time with the Imperial to metric conversion or vice versa?

Maybe some famous trainer type (what is that guy's name... is it Moose Parelli?) needs to look into this.

[BayHorseUK]

hahaha, can anyone explain why my bossy American mares suddenly went all docile and deferential when I brought them to the UK.... were they just impressed by their new pasturemates' posh accents??

[BelladonnaLily]

My Canadian Welsh Pony is a complete weirdo. He is scared of everything, has a wimpy whinney, and runs his teeth up and down the gates (think fingernails on a chalkboard :eek: ewwww). He tries to beat everyone up and manages to get his butt kicked whenever I let him in with anyone bigger than him. Men can't catch him but young girls can run at him with flare guns and he stands to be caught. He is too small for the kids that are actually brave enough to jump him, and he dumps little kids at jumps whenever he is expected to jump in the ring ALONE. He is basically useless, but my daughter (who is, of course, too big for him) loves him.

All of my American horses are normal ;) :lol:

[superpony123]

Friend at the barn has a canadian horse. He is way more than 17 hands, and i am 5'. When i am tacking him up for trainer to ride, he puts his head down for me. Such a gentleman! However, the fly spray system we have in the barn is absolutely terrifying according to him! He never got used to the mist that came on multiple times throughout the day in the stalls

[ME-AND-CISCO]

Wow, this is a bigger issue than I thought! :eek::eek::eek: Now I know why my Yankee boy immediately wanted to hog the round bail for himself, while the Canadian geldings were politely waiting their turns...

There is a whole range of culturally based dysfunctional equine behaviour out there that I didn't know existed... ranging from Irish horses who rely too heavy on the charm and BS... to Canadian horses who go to Hollywood and end up going into rehab.

Speaking of jumping and other competitions, has anyone's horse had a hard time with the Imperial to metric conversion or vice versa?

Maybe some famous trainer type (what is that guy's name... is it Moose Parelli?) needs to look into this.

I think you mean "Matt Morelli"?????

Yes, how many hectares do you need going up to the jump?

;)
M

[Vitriolic]

My Canadian Welsh Pony is a complete weirdo. He is scared of everything, has a wimpy whinney, and runs his teeth up and down the gates (think fingernails on a chalkboard :eek: ewwww). He tries to beat everyone up and manages to get his butt kicked whenever I let him in with anyone bigger than him. Men can't catch him but young girls can run at him with flare guns and he stands to be caught. He is too small for the kids that are actually brave enough to jump him, and he dumps little kids at jumps whenever he is expected to jump in the ring ALONE. He is basically useless, but my daughter (who is, of course, too big for him) loves him.

All of my American horses are normal ;) :lol:


You could have avoided this decent into depression for this poor pony by feeding him poutine and timbits. ;) Does he also grow fur by Labor Day?

[HelloAgain]

hahaha, can anyone explain why my bossy American mares suddenly went all docile and deferential when I brought them to the UK.... were they just impressed by their new pasturemates' posh accents??
Probably they were suffering from a severe tea deficiency, undiagnosed by American vets... BHS recommends 3 cups a day in such circumstances... breakfast, dinner & elevensies!