Recreational Riding

Recreational Riding Grants

Manitoba Horse Council established a fund to help promote recreational programs and projects throughout the province of Manitoba. Since the inception of this program in 2010, many projects have been supported throughout the province, which have included trail development and construction, improvements to corrals and equine camp sites, educational clinics, equine safety and welfare.

Who can apply? Member Clubs of MHC that have been members in good standing of MHC for a minimum of 12 months and whose members are MHC members Committees of MHC whose projects meet the required criteria Individual MHC members having sufficient support and resources to ensure projects are achieved

What will grants be awarded for?

Projects or programs which are for the benefit of Manitoba’s recreational riders or Manitoba’s horse owners as a whole. All capital projects must be situated on public or publicly contracted lands e.g. municipal, regional or crown lands.

The following would be considered for ...

Horse Week

Horse Week is held annually to promote and celebrate Manitoba's thriving horse industry. A wide range of activities are held across the province, including trail rides, horse shows, charity events and open houses to allow horse enthusiasts and the public alike to celebrate horses! Everyone is encouraged to participate.

All events, regardless of size, take place in the first two weeks of June can apply for Horse Week status and be promoted through MHC.

MHC Horse Week objectives:

Create Awareness

Promote economic impact and significance of Manitoba’s horse industry

Endorse horse welfare

Promote the variety of breeds and disciplines

Provide Education

Identify the benefits that horses and riding provide

Teach the importance of safety around horses

Recognize the importance of recognized riding schools and certified instructors/coaches

Increase Participation

Encourage and increase the practice of equestrian sport and recreation activity in Manitoba and ...

Recreational Trail Maps

Riding Mountain National Park - Central Trail Area Riding Mountain National Park - North Escarpment Trail Riding Mountain National Park - Ochre River Trail Riding Mountain National Park - South Escarpment Trail Souris River Bend Equestrian Trails Spruce Woods Provincial Park Turtle Mountain Provincial Park Trail BIRD'S HILL PARK TRAILS

In 2019 there were changes as to which trails are assigned for horses in Bird's Hill Park as some trails have become less usable over the years,.

Please download and use The Bird's Hill Park Trails Plan Booklet as the current reference and check back regularly in case it is updated again!

To use the Trails Booklet to plan your ride:

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Recreational Riding in MB Events

Ride and Drive Rewards Program

FOR RECREATIONAL RIDER/DRIVER MEMBERS OF MANITOBA HORSE COUNCIL: DO YOU WANT TO GET REWARDED FOR SIMPLY RIDING OR DRIVING YOUR HORSE?

The Manitoba Horse Council (MHC) Ride & Drive program rewards riders and drivers of horses for the hours they spend with their horses. It is open to all MHC Recreational members*. Even those who rent/lease or part-board a horse are eligible to participate.

There is no age restriction - it’s for the young and the young-at-heart! All that is required is your yearly MHC Recreation membership, and your registration lodged at the MHC Office. Then start counting the hours of fun and relaxation riding/driving your horses. The hours accumulate and continue to build up even if you have to re-register (this means you never lose your hours).The ultimate goal of 4,000 hours is worth striving for.

Rewards are progressive, starting with the 25 hour level and ending at the 4000 hour level. Hours spent riding or driving should be recorded on a regular basis. Use your Garmin, ...

What To Look For When Selecting A Coach

Manitoba Horse Council recommends that you research qualifications of potential coaches before you select one. The Manitoba Horse Council implements its coaching program under the instruction and umbrella of the National Equestrian Canada / National Coach Certification Program (NCCP). NCCP

The National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) is a coach training and certification program for all coaches in nearly 70 sports and is the recognized standard for coach training and certification in Canada. The NCCP is implemented by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). The NCCP is the only coach program accepted by Coaching Manitoba – the Sport Manitoba unit for coaching in Manitoba – as required under the CAC. Equestrian Canada/NCCP

The Equestrian Canada (EC) coaching program is the nationally recognized certification program for equestrian coaches and instructors, developed in partnership with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and ...

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Manitoba Horse Council

Manitoba Horse Council (MHC) is a not-for-profit organization representing clubs and individual members involved in equine activity in Manitoba. MHC is the recognized governing body for equestrian sport in the province; providing support, leadership and resources to develop athletes and protect the interests of Manitoba's equestrian enthusiasts. Read more: Why your PTSO is important to you as a horse owner, rider, driver etc. _____________________________________

Manitoba Horse Council welcomes Diane David to role of Executive Director

Winnipeg, Manitoba (October 4, 2021) — Join us in welcoming our new Executive Director (ED), Diane David.

The selection committee and MHC board of directors chose Diane for her extensive experience working in the horse industry and for non-profit organizations. She joins us from the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre Association in Edmonton, where as Executive Director she expanded the scope of the centre from a small members-only ...

Coaching Certifications

NCCP

The National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) is a coach training and certification program for all coaches in nearly 70 sports and is the recognized standard for coach training and certification in Canada. The NCCP is implemented by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). The NCCP is the only coach program accepted by Coaching Manitoba – the Sport Manitoba unit for coaching in Manitoba – as required under the CAC. Equestrian Canada/NCCP

The Equestrian Canada (EC) coaching program is the nationally recognized certification program for equestrian coaches and instructors, developed in partnership with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and Sport Canada. Equestrian Canada certification approves and acknowledges equestrian coach/instructors’ teaching and coaching skills as meeting professional, nationally, and internationally recognized standards for coaching practice.

The EC coaching program is the only Canadian ...

Athlete Development

Athlete Development Grants Athlete Development Resources

Horses inspire, motivate, engage and reward us. The Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) & Long Term Equestrian Development (LTED) models strives to cement the lifelong relationship between horse and athlete. As models, LTAD and LTED provides the Canadian equestrian community with a vision to help us improve our infrastructure, programs and initiatives to ensure the best opportunities are available for all athletes and participants – whatever their personal goals or stage of development. It serves as our true north. Long-Term Athlete Development

Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is a systemic approach being developed and adopted by Equestrian Canada to maximize a participant/athletes potential and involvement in our sport. The LTAD framework aims to define optimal training, competition and recovery program based on biological age rather than chronological age. It is athlete centered, coach driven and administration, sport science and ...

Becoming a Coach

How to become an NCCP Certified Equestrian Coach or Instructor STEP 1 - Identify the certification you are best suited for

Instructor : Specializes in introducing beginners to non-competitive or recreational riding and/or driving.

Available certificates: Instructor English Western Driving Saddle Seat

Please note : NCCP Certified Instructors may maintain amateur competitive status while receiving remuneration for instructing.

Coach : Specializes in working with athletes actively competing in equestrian sport. This stream allows a coach to progress through competitive levels and specialize in a discipline.

Available certificates: Competition Coach English Western Competition Coach Specialist Dressage Eventing General Performance Jumping Reining Speed Events High Performance 1 Coach Dressage Eventing Jumping Reining STEP 2 - Complete the admission requirements

The general admission requirements for all certification programs are as follows. Once completed, please submit the originals ...

Getting Started

LEARNING TO RIDE – FIRST STEPS

So your child loves horses and has expressed a desire to ride? Or maybe you as adult want to start the sport of equestrian and you are not sure where to begin? You don’t have to incur the expenses of buying and boarding a horse to learn to ride. Taking lessons at a facility which offers school horses can be the best way for you and yours to begin their equestrian journey. Choosing a riding facility can seem like a daunting task but there are things you can look for and questions you can ask to help you make an informed decision.

For a listing of some facilities which offer lessons in Manitoba, you can go to www.manitobaequinedirectory.com and look through the businesses listed there to see which ones offer school horses or beginner programs. (MHC cannot recommend any particular facility - see our Help Me Find a Coach page for more tips on choosing a riding facility)

Find out about the lesson program and the credentials of the instructors/coaches teaching ...

Recent News and Notices

LATEST NEWS

Watch this space for the latest News and Notices on horse happenings in Manitoba and Canada. Frequently Asked Questions: The September 3, 2021, Covid restrictions

The object of the current Public Health Order is to keep people safe through inclusion, not shut down businesses by exclusion.

As of 12:01 a.m. September 3, 2021, all adults (over age 18) will be required to be fully vaccinated to enter an indoor facility, regardless of their reason for entering: ie. Coaching, volunteering, employment, parent/guardian, spectator, etc.

Those allowed entry include the following: persons who produce proof that they are fully immunized persons who produce proof from the Government of Manitoba that there is a medical reason for the person not to receive a vaccine for COVID-19; persons under 18 years of age. Throughout this guidance piece, the word “vaccinated” refers to those in a) and b).

Youth Under 18 are not required to be vaccinated and are allowed entry with a fully ...

What is Equestrian…?

Equestrian is the encompassing term for all activity involving the horse or other equus species (eg. mule). The term equestrian describes both recreational and competitive riders, handlers, and drivers. Equestrian includes all disciplines or activities participated in whilst mounted on the horse, as well as unmounted disciplines or activities. It is the partnership of horse and human and, in some disciplines, horse to horse.

Mounted equestrian disciplines are commonly divided into two categories: English disciplines and Western disciplines. As a general rule of thumb, the classification of English or Western describes the type of “tack” (equipment) used on the horse. The type of tack used is the most easily distinguishable factor in the division of English and Western disciplines. Other disciplines that do not fall under the categories of English or Western include driving, halter (in-hand), and vaulting (gymnastics on horseback).

Certain breeds of the horse are often favored and are more ...

Membership Benefits

Did you forget to renew in 2021?

We are now offering a special Extended Package: for only $10 more, purchase a membership which will take you from the day of application right through to December 31, 2022!

Packages are available on our website: login now!

If you have forgotten your login details and are unable to login, please don't make a new membership :) Call the office and we will check it for you.

Insurance products to be added to your membership will start January 1, 2022. If you require any additional insurance products for the remainder of 2021, please call the office. Experience the benefits of membership

Horse enthusiasts know that Manitoba Horse Council adds value to their equestrian lifestyle.

That’s because 2000+ horse enthusiasts are MHC members who reap the benefits of belonging. From services and information to benefits not found anywhere else, MHC represents individual members and clubs from all sectors of the horse industry.

For professionals, amateurs, ...

Manitoba Horse Council Equestrian Facility - Bird's Hill Park

Manitoba Horse Council owns and operates its Equestrian Facility in beautiful Bird's Hill Provincial Park, Manitoba.

Interested in booking the Facility for an event, competition, clinic, or camp?

See our Facility Rentals page or contact the Manitoba Horse Council office at (204) 925-5719 or email [email protected]

Road Safety Handbook

Horse riders promote safe road sharing

According to Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act, horse riders and drivers of horse-drawn carriages have the same right to use the road as other users and must follow the same rules, but many motorists, bikers, cyclists and other road users are unaware of their own responsibilities in road sharing.

With increased development in rural areas and the reduction in off-road trails, road users are more likely than ever to encounter a horse/rider or horse/cart on the roadway.

The Road Safety project includes a brochure for the motorist “Sharing the Road with Horses” and a Road Safety Handbook for riders.

A copy of the "Sharing the Road with Horses" brochure PDF can be downloaded here.

For bulk supplies please contact the MHC office 204-925-5718.

The Road Safety Handbook for Equestrians is free from the MHC Office, or download PDF here .

Trail Education

Equestrian Canada Trail Riding and Tourism

Take a Peek - http://issuu.com/equinecanada/docs/basichorsemanshiptrailriding_teaser

With this learning program, Equestrian Canada is presenting a discovery tool and a reference guide intended for anyone wishing to learn to share the world of horses in playful harmony. What are the feeding principles, how does one care for his horses, what are the trail riding techniques and practices that allow riders to safeguard the horse's physical and mental health while experiencing an unforgettable adventure in the great outdoors?

This Trail Riding and Tourism training program contains all the necessary basic information needed to enjoy trail riding while remaining safe. It also contains everything required to prepare for certification as an Equestrian Canada Trail Rider, Trail Guide or Instructor.

Trail Rider Levels

This program provides basic training to any person wishing to acquire the skills needed for outings on horseback outdoors safely. Those who ...

About Us

Manitoba Horse Council (MHC) is a not-for-profit organization representing clubs and individual members involved in equine activity in Manitoba. MHC is the recognized governing body for equestrian sport in the province; providing support, leadership and resources to develop athletes and protect the interests of Manitoba equestrian enthusiasts.

MANITOBA HORSE COUNCIL - the voice of equine advocacy, accessibility, welfare, sport and recreation

Manitoba Horse Council By-Laws - Revised April 2019

Minutes of the 2021 Annual General Meeting

Powerpoint from the 2021 Annual General Meeting