Equine Assisted Therapy for Operational Stress Injuries

 

 

RCMP Veterans’ Association

Members Helping Members


This information is being provided to all Association Members


Saving A Calf

Dear Association Members,

The message regarding the availability of equine-based therapy for OSI / PTS Injuries brought some memories back for one of our Association members.

Sgt. Lindsay W. Sipley (rtd), Reg # 19888 of Saskatoon Division has shared a story from his youth that I thought we might all enjoy.  The photo was added for colour and is not Lindsay.

A big thanks to Lindsay for taking the time to put this together!

James Forrest
Director of Communications
RCMP Veterans’ Association



Reg. #19888 rtrd. Sgt. Lindsay W. SIPLEY.

My reply is a brief story relating to HORSE SENSE.

I was born and lived on a mixed farm in south west Manitoba.  I liked animals.  We had a young horse , a cross between a Belgian and a Hackney Mare.  He had never been ridden.  One day my Dad decided to ride TINKER,  put a saddle on him , climbed on but TINKER refused to move.  Dad told me if you can ride him you can have him.

When the saddle was removed I mounted TINKER bare back.

He immediately responded to my demands.  I never used a bridle, only his halter and a bit in his mouth.  We immediately became pals.  He was treated much the same as our other horses, except he received more attention from me.

Every opportunity I had I went riding.  We milked cows and had a herd of cattle as well.

Like most animals cows will try to hide their new born calves. When a milk cow was missing we knew she had a new calf.  Riding TINKER I would go search, accompanied by another Pal, the farm dog NIPPER.  When I found the calf I dropped the lines, get off and depending on the amount of bush carry the calf to where I had left TINKER. He was always waiting for me.  I would put the calf on his withers, he never resisted. and climb on, again bare back.

My pal NIPPER. had a heavy coat of hair and did not like to get wet.  When we had to go through water NIPPER also learned to ride  TINKER.  He would jump up to my knee where I could pull him on up.  Many times we rode, along with the new born calf, the mother cow following.

TINKER never resisted at anytime.  He knew his name and learned  my every request.  When he was out in the pasture and I called him he would toss his head twice in response and come in on the gallop.

I had to leave him and my other pal when I joined the Force in April/57.

I did two part training, Depot, then  N  Div.  I was then transfered  to E div.  I received  holidays in Sept/58 and went home.

TINKER was driven in the winter, otherwise he would not co-operate for Dad or my brothers.  When I got home he was out in a pasture.  When I called his name TINKER responded as though I had never been away.  He was  a one man horse,  smarter than most horses and after serving 35 years I believe much more talented that many human beings.

Sad to say I had to leave both of my animal pals on the farm.

Lin SIPLEY.  

 

 

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