In response to Jenn's letter to the editor regarding O.E.F. insurance being required:

I can understand the plight of many that another $50 is another $50 to spend that could be going elsewhere. And yes, it is tough to afford a horse, but on the same hand - if $50 means the difference between showing and not showing - I think there might just be a few other things to consider.

Addressing which shows require O.E.F. insurance: Currently to my knowledge, sanctioned Equine Canada shows require O.E.F. membership to participate. O.E.F. membership for local level schooling and club horse shows, is at the discretion of the organization operating the show. Yes, more and more clubs and show hosts are requiring O.E.F. membership or some type of proof of liability insurance for their shows.

Why? To protect themselves and those participating at the event. Being friends with someone is not always a fail-safe against being sued. Friendships change quickly in the event of a costly (health or property damage) accident. If it is your horse, you are responsible. Paying the mere $50 is a pitance compared to what a lawsuit cold cost you.

A few years back, there was an accident at a local show. A lady was trampled by a horse. She sustained bruises, cuts, a hospital visit, was off work for awhile and had many medication bills as a result of the accident. The horse owner was not insured. This lady and her family had to deal with the consequences of this event, the outlay of money for the medications and the loss of money from not being able to work - due to no fault of her own. The club this event took place at, was not sued and to my knowledge, neither was the lady that owned the horse. However, they could have been.

Think about it. If you have insurance - isn't that $50 much cheaper than paying for a lawsuit. You could lose everything you own if not insured. I will do an article in an upcoming issue to see which clubs are making insurance mandatory and which are not for a better outlook on the situation.

I personally believe that being a member of the O.E.F. has great benefits, not only for insurance purposes, but for the discounts you receive for being a member and all the other information and opportunities the organization has to offer. To find out more visit www.horse.on.ca .

As a barn owner that offers western and english lessons, public trail rides, public appearances with our horses as well as attending shows and other horse related events, I am dually covered. We have a major liability insurance policy as a public stable, insuring our horses on and off our property and at events. I am personally an O.E.F. member to insure my own personal horses at the stable, as does my partner and his son.

As for my lesson students: They are required to purchase O.E.F. insurance if they are showing. I make that mandatory to protect them. My boarders are also required to have O.E.F. insurance - again mandatory (why - to protect them if their horse injures someone here at my farm). My trail guides - the people I hire for helping with the public trail rides: again mandatory - to protect them.

So yes, $50 might seem like a lot, but in the long run - it is well worth it.

Watch for a followup to this in a future issue of Equine Niagara News. In the meantime, this and the original article will be posted on the ENN fan page on facebook for discussion. Let's here your comments.

I watched with horror on yesterday's news a barn fire. But not any old barn fire. This one was deliberately set by the fire department and put out by three Toronto area fire departments.

Why?

A training exercise!

My goodness - couldn't they find something else to burn down. Why an old barn. These old barns represent our history, our heritage, our way of life. Think of the years of history in the walls of that barn. Think of all the good wood that could have been better served on the floor of a new home or made into furniture - all having a history. What a waste of a barn.

I love old barns. I could spend hours walking around them, looking for trinkets of history, imagining what the walls could tell. The animals that once lived in them. They are a pleasure to look at - no matter how run down, and falling apart they are. They are part of the country scenery. They should stay there.

My ex-husband was a cabinet maker. We specifically went in search of an old barn to buy the barn board to make the floor in the landing of our home. He took enough to make smooth, tongue and groove it and make the landing and stair case. We left the wood complete with nail holes, and marks from the barn - that is what we wanted.

If I had it my way, I would find an old barn to restore and make into a home. I think the way in which they were built is intriguing and would make for a great home if planned correctly. A dream of mine, that will probably never happen, but.... what are dreams for.

So a sad day for the barn in Cobourg. I hope no more go down this way. At least make use of the wood they have - in many cases the wood is still salvagable if you have the time to do it. Please take the time....

Okay, enough is enough. First Giant changes from country to hits, and now the New Country 95.3 also changes to 60s,70s, & 80s hits. What goes on? Are there no Canadians that like country music any more? I can't believe that one.

Now just because we have horses, doesn't necessarily mean our taste in music is country. But.... for many of us it is. Now we're forced to listen to U.S. stations if we want country music consistently. I like local stations. I want to know what's going on in the communities around me - not 100s of miles away. But not only that - I like my country music.

So why did they change venues? Why without notice? why? why? why? No warning, no nothing. Simply at 3pm on Nov. 13th the change over was made. Now the radio station is called - get this! "The NEW 95.3". They simply dropped the word "country". How original.

So now what? Buffalo - XM maybe - oops - forgot my truck doesn't have XM - satellite is good at home if I'm in the living room (which is rarely). I guess I'll be forced to buy more cds. Ugh - hate that!

I know - I've started my own magazine. What next? My own radio station? Now there's an idea - Internet Only radio? Can I do it? I doubt it. I wouldn't know where to begin. LOL.