Cassie - Not Just a Hunt Horse

Hunt horses often do not just carry their riders in the hunt field. They may participate in eventing, parades, polo, or teach young riders. My horse, Cassiopeia, known as Cassie, took on a new role in 2015 - she travelled 2500 km from Ontario to Newfoundland with the Communities for Veterans Ride Across Canada.

Paul Nichols and his family left the Pacific Ocean, British Columbia, on April 13, 2015, and 11,000 km later arrived at the Atlantic Ocean, Newfoundland November 9th, 2015. Paul is a veteran of the war in Croatia/Bosnia, and he and his family experienced the effects of PTSD. They found that the Canadian community was not aware of the experiences and needs of the contemporary veterans returning from serving our country around the world. They set out on a trek on horseback across Canada in the hopes of changing that and sharing in the stories of other veterans.

I admit, when I heard ‘veteran’, my mind turned to my father’s generation, those elderly veterans in our lives who fought in WW1, WWII, & Korea, although fewer of those veterans, but still prominent on Memorial Day. When I listened to Paul one night, I realized I knew nothing of younger veterans from more recent wars and peace-keeping missions, let alone how they and their families deal with the trauma and horrors of what the veterans have gone through and seen. What could I do?

In conversation with Paul and his wife Terry, Paul mentioned that they were in need of solid horses to make the trip. Two of the horses who had travelled from Alberta were heading back home, this left them short a couple of reliable horses. Paul travelled approximately 32 km most days. Veterans were trained by Terry, as most were not riders, and after a couple of lessons, they rode with Paul for usually half a day. The horse had to have a good head, be generous, be able to deal with inexperienced riders, and travel comfortably. The veterans and Paul rode trails, highways, and downtown streets (Toronto, Ottawa, Charlottetown). They would have to walk for hours and miles, stand patiently during ceremonies, accept pats from a myriad of people, experience sirens, trucks, loudspeakers - the list goes on. I knew Cassie could make a contribution, but the question was: could I let her go. My husband decided he could set aside time to go with them; having an experienced horseman helping to transport horses would be an asset.

Still curious about the challenges facing Paul, his family, and his colleagues, I asked Paul what had changed to create that gap in understanding his issues. He explained that in the past men from a community were usually assigned to the same unit, and came back home together providing a support network in the community. In recent years a unit could be made up of soldiers from all across the country and when they returned they went back to their homes, where they often did not have the communal understanding of their experiences. He found the ‘contemporary veterans’ were not recognized by most individuals, groups or organizations for the contribution they had made, nor did the veterans have the support services they needed to make the transition. Terry told her story of the sheep where the moral was we could step out of our comfortable space, recognize there is a need and do something to make a difference, or we can stay in our ‘safe’ space. What would or will happen to that safe space if people such as the veterans had not/ do not step up? I was convinced – I would step up, or, more literally, let Cassie go on the trip in early August, on a trial basis.

Paul and Terry were not familiar with the hunt horse type and weren’t too sure how she might fit in. That is to say, Cassie is a Clydesdale/Thoroughbred cross, 16.2 hands tall, home raised, a solid mare who likes to jump. She stepped into her new role and won their hearts and those of the veterans she met. Paul said, “I knew she was a keeper when we rode across an overpass while an emergency truck with lights and sirens going passed underneath us, and she was steady as could be.” Terry rode her to give lessons. Veterans rode her and learned to let go, release the tension from years of pent-up memories. Her calm demeanour allowed them to realize they could talk as they rode, and talk they did. Their stories are being listened to and being told through the Communities for Veterans Foundation work.

Cassie came home in November healthy and fit. Cassie carried 83 veterans, travelled 2,500 km, took the ferry to Newfoundland, and helped bring awareness to the Canadian community that contemporary veterans need us. I am so proud of her! We will be back in the first field to foxhunt this fall, but she’s NOT just a hunt horse.