PREVIOUS READER POLL RESULTS FAMOUS HORSE POLL (October 2007) If you could ride any famous horse, past or present, who would it be? Most Mentioned: Scamper Runner-Up Most Mentioned: Rugged Lark Honorable Mentions: Big Ben, Dash For Cash, Doc Bar, Dual Rey, Hollywood Dun It, Man O War, Secretariat RIDING VACATION POLL (July-September 2007) . . . Given the choice, what riding vacation would you choose? Dude Ranch Vacation: 18% Organized Camp/Pack Trip or Cattle Drive: 18% A Clinic of Your Choice: 23% Overseas Riding Adventure: 36% Bed and Breakfast and Bales Tour - 5% AUCTIONS POLL (June 2007) We asked how you what time of year do you visit auctions. Here's what you said: Spring: only 10% Fall: only 30% Year round; whenever there's an auction: 60% RIDING TRAILS POLL (June 2007) We asked how you what the riding trails were like in your area. Here's what you said: Forests, meadows, fields, mountains; my horse and I can wander everywhere: 26% Trails that equestians share with ATVs and other recreations: 31% Fields and ditchs, with a real trail here and there: 12% No trails really, just the ditch, dirt roads, or my pasture: 31% SUMMER ACTIVITY POLL (May 2007) We asked how you what was your favourite summer activity with your horse. Here's what you said: Horse Sports (penning, roping, etc): 30% Trail Riding: 50% Showing: 20% HORSE PURCHASE POLL (April 2007) We asked how you when you what the least amount you ever paid for a horse. Here's what you said: Free: 27% Traded something for a horse: 7% Under $500: 40% $500-$1000: 6% I've never paid under $1000 for any horse: 20% BREED POLL (February/March 2007) We asked how you when you breed your mares. Here's what you said: June: 44% May: 40% April: 8% March: 4% Later than June: 4% WINTER POLL (January 2007) We asked how you winter your horse. Here's what you said: In a cozy stall, with no exposure to the elements: 3% In the barn in adverse weather/evenings, with daily turnout: 26% A paddock where I can keep a close watch: 45% Kicked out to the back 40, where a horse can be a horse for the winter: 26% CLONING POLL (December 2006) We asked how you think the practice of cloning will affect the horse industry. Here's what you said: Adversely: 82% Positively: 18% RODEO EVENT POLL (November 2006) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding what common vice would dissuade you from purchasing a horse you were interested in. Here's what you said: Cribbing: 42% Biting/Bucking/Attitude: 26% Wonąt Trailer Load: 16% Pull Back: 16% RODEO EVENT POLL (October 2006) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding your favorite rodeo event. Here's what you said: Barrel Racing: 30% Saddle Bronc: 30% Bullriding: 15% Tie-Down Roping: 10% Wild Horse Race: 10% Bareback: 5% ALTERNATIVE EQUINE PRACTICES POLL (August-September 2006) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding alternative/complementary equine practices. Here's what you said: Do you think alternative/complementary equine practices should be more tightly monitored? Yes: 40% No: 60% FALL HORSE SALE POLL (June-July 2006) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding fall horse sales. Here's what you said: TAre you planning on attending a fall horse sale? Yes: 83% No: 17% SADDLE POLL (May 2006) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding saddles. Here's what you said: Through what means did you purchase your last saddle: Tack/Saddlery store consignment: 10% Tack/Saddlery store new: 60% Through E-bay or Internet: 10% I had one custom built: 20% Comments: I belong to a Yahoo saddle group and saw an ad for the private sale of just the saddle I wanted. E-mailed the lady and had it bought in minutes.This is not a classified ad site but a message board for discussing saddle topics and occasionally some one will post a saddle for sale. I purchased a saddle at Frontier Western Shop and was very pleased. HORSE VACCINATION POLL (April/May 2006) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding horse vaccinations. Here's what you said: What do you plan to vaccinate your horses against this year? Tetanus: 88% West Nile Virus: 76% Encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness): 68% Influenza: 68% Equine Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4): 48% Strangles: 28% Rabies: 16% Potomac Horse Fever: 4% I don't vaccinate my horses: 8% Comments: I feel supporting a healthy and strong immune system is better protection and gives you a healthier horse, able to mount appropriate response to virus and bacterial infections. Since my mare doesn't travel away from home I dont do the flu shots, but if she did, and was around other traveling horses I would include these vaccines as well. BROODMARE POLL (February/March 2006) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding broodmares. Here's what you said: Do you own a broodmare? Yes: 85% No: 15% How many? 1-2: 43% 3-6: 29% +6: 28% Do you plan to breed her/them this year? Yes: 96% No: 4% What most influences your breeding decision? Most Influential Factor: bloodlines Second Influential Factor: stallion advertising Third Influential Factor: cost of breeding fee Fourth Influential Factor: location of stallion Other factors in your breeding decision: Conformation Disposition Performance record or lifetime earnings Offspring performance record and conformation Incentive programs the stallion is subscribed to HORSE MEAT POLL (January 2006) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding horse meat in Alberta restaurants. Here's what you said: Horse meat has recently found its way to a restaurant menu in Alberta. In other regions of Canada, it is offered as a matter of choice. Would you order horse meat in a restaurant? Technically, horses are livestock. I don't see a problem with it: 10% I wouldn't go out of my way to order it, but I might try it to see if I like it: 12% I would order it occasionally: 2% Never. I would consider it akin to eating my dog: 76% Here are some of your comments: "I've tried it. It's not bad, but certainly does not compare to barley fed Alberta beef." "I hate the horse slaughter industry and all you have to do is drive by Fort Macleod or Summerview to see why. Thousands of healthy horses including babies that haven't even had a chance at life are waiting there for slaughter. The plants are all owned by foreign interests and as always money talks. I would like to think Canada has more moral sensibility than this. I am ashamed. I wouldn't support any industry that caters to cruelty to horses and I hope everyone boycotts this restaurant." "I would never eat horse meat. Just shows you what this world is coming to now, to have that food in our menu now." "It's time to expand the menu! I bet it is good." "Horses are raised as companion animals - not human food. Cattle are raised in feedlots for this purpose." "Absolutely. Higher in protein, way lower in fat and cholesterol, and no implants like beef, pork and chicken." "Horses do not have a cloven (split) hoof. By religion you are not supposed to eat anything that does not have a cloven hoof." "It's disgusting, I love horses, I would never eat one." "Why on earth would one eat a horse? Apparently it tastes much like beef - so why don't you just eat a cow?" "I live in a small town and I know that it would mean the end of business for that restaurant because of the amount of horse lovers." WINTER WEATHER POLL (December 2005) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding winter weather. Here's what you said: How does the winter weather affect your riding frequency? I ride nearly every day, no change from the rest of the seasons: 20% I move my horse to an indoor arena and continue to train/ride, though not as often as in warmer weather: 33% I get out for the occasional ride/arena session: 40% Ride in the winter? Not! My horses and I take a long break: 7% BARN CHORES POLL (July - September 2005) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding barn chores. Here's what you said: What's your favorite barn chore? Feeding the horses: 80% Cleaning tack: 10% Groundskeeping: 5% Cleaning/Tidying up: 5% BROODMARE POLL (May - June 2005) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding Broodmares. Here's what you said: Do you own a broodmare? Yes: 88% No: 12% If yes, how many? 1-2: 47% 3-6: 47% Over 6: 6% Will you breed her this year? Yes: 82% No: 18% Most important criteria for basing stallion choice on: #1: Bloodlines #2: Stallion Advertising #3: Location of Stallion #4: Cost of Breeding Fee DISEASE VACCINATION POLL (April 2005) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding vaccinations for your horse(s). Here's what you said: What diseases do you/will you vaccinate your horses against? Equine Influenza: 85% Eastern/Western Encephalomycelitis: 79% Tetanus: 86% Rhinopneumonitis: 71% Strangles: 43% Potomac Horse Fever: 29% Rabies: 29% The disease 100% of respondents will or have vaccinated their horses against: West Nile Virus EQUINE ID READER POLL (January - March 2005) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding the Equine Identification program. Here's what you said: Have you heard about Equine Canada's proposed Equine Identification program? Yes: 94% No: 6% If yes, would you say you are sufficiently versed on the subject? Yes: 29% No: 71% Did you hear about or were able to attend any of the Equine Canada information sessions on equine ID? Heard About: 30% Attended: 11% Neither: 59% Do you think Equine Canada should spend more time gathering information from the horsepeople of Canada before proceeding with the implementation of an equine identification program, particularly in view of the fact, you as a horse owner will be mandated to pay for it? Yes, more evaluation and input is needed: 96% CHRISTMAS READER POLL (December 2004) You recently responded to our web site survey regarding special wishes and traditions you share with your equine friends. Here's what you said: Does your Christmas Day celebration involve your horses in any way?    Yes: 66%      No: 33% If yes, how?    I go for a ride/sleigh ride: 55%    I spend part of the day with my horse: 18%    I give my horse a gift: 12%    All of the above: 15% Number one Christmas Wish List item asked for:    New saddle WINTER RIDING READER POLL (November 2004) Do you plan to ride in the winter?    In the great outdoors: 19%      Inside and arena: 69%      I take the winter off: 12% Do you compete with your horse in the winter ­ either jackpots or winter series?    Yes: 38%      No: 62% Did you head south to ride?    Yes: 0%      No: 100% PMU HORSES READER POLL (October 2004) Do you or have you ever owned a PMU horse?    Yes: 74%      No: 26% IF YES... Do you (did you) compete with this horse?    Yes: 57%      No: 42% Did the NAERIC Incentive Program affect your buying decision?    Yes: 39%      No: 61% HORSE SALES READER POLL (September 2004) Do you regularly (once or twice a year) attend horse sales?    Yes: 52%      No: 48% Have you purchased a horse(s) at a horse sale?    Never: 52%      Once or Twice: 28%      Regularly: 20% Will you be attending a horse sale this fall or winter?   In Canada: 88%      In United States: 4%      Not attending: 8%