FAQs

Cavalia answers FAQs about the four-legged stars:

DO THE HORSES ALWAYS PERFORM ACCORDING TO PLANS?

For our horses, the stage is a big playground. There is a choreographed routine for them to follow but they are also allowed the latitude to express themselves. Because of the strong communication established between trainer and horse, the trainer can sense when a horse does not feel like doing something and he will not force the animal.

The essence of Cavalia is to highlight the natural bond between human and horse. In their natural environment, horses move approximately 10km per day to feed themselves, find water, manage their herd and have fun. At Cavalia, we recreate the balance that the horses need and were put on this earth for.

Horses are built for movement; the mechanics of their system requires them to move to ensure a healthy blood flow. Horses instinctively are aware of their surroundings and regularly walk and move around in their natural environment. Just like an athlete, a horse needs to move around and be active to stay in shape. The performance aspect of each horse lasts roughly 12 minutes; the rest of their daily activities include warm-up and recoup, just like an athlete getting ready for their next performance.

HOW ARE THE HORSES TRANSPORTED?

For short journeys (a few hours), the horses travel in six trailers specially fitted for them and equipped with surveillance cameras. Prior to transport, the horses are given a chance to exercise and be horses to ensure that they are relaxed and in a peaceful state of mind. Before, during and after transport, a 20-person stables team including a Health Technician, grooms and Ferrier is dedicated to caring for these four-legged athletes, making sure they are comfortable, in perfect health and top performance conditions. They also make sure that the horses have fresh water and hay at all times, even during their travels.

WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE TRAVEL OVERSEAS?

When long distance travel is required, the horses travel by air, in which case they are accompanied by a transport team and a veterinarian. When we travel overseas we charter our own plane for the horses.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE A HORSE TO LEARN ITS PART?

Training a horse for Cavalia can take anywhere from one to four years depending on the discipline practiced. For Trick Riding, if the horse is not too apprehensive at the start, the training can be done in about a year. For a horse in Haute École dressage or dressage at liberty, the work can take several years.

HOW ARE THE HORSES CARED FOR?

The well-being of the horses is the primary concern of Cavalia, a fact that is apparent during the show. The horses find pleasure in being on stage and we allow them to express their natural tendency to play. A team of 20 people, including a stable manager, two health technicians, a Ferrier and several grooms take care of the horses' well-being on a daily basis. Together they provide a balanced and personalized diet, a training program, care for their hooves, etc. Every day horses get their share of pampering, including a shower, grooming, massage, regular outings to the paddocks and workshops with their riders.

Once in their stables, the horses always have the same neighbour to ensure that their environment is familiar and comfortable in each city. The horses’ stalls are 10 x 10 ft., which gives them ample space to stretch, lay-down, sprawl out, roll and relax. The stalls are cleaned 5 times a day to further ensure the utmost of comfort for our four legged friends. The stables, just like our warm-up tent (where we train), are kept at a constant temperature of 20 degrees Celsius; we use a portable evaporative cooling unit or a heater to regulate the temperature.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE A HORSE TO LEARN ITS PART?

Training a horse for Cavalia can take anywhere from one to four years depending on the discipline practiced. For Trick Riding, if the horse is not too apprehensive at the start, the training can be done in a about a year. For a horse in Haute École dressage or dressage at liberty, the work can take several years.

HOW ARE THE HORSES CARED FOR?

Once in their stables, the horses always have the same neighbor to ensure that their environment is familiar and comfortable in each city. The horses stalls are 10 x 12 ft., which gives them ample space to stretch, lay-down, sprawl out, roll and relax. The stalls are cleaned 5 times a day to further ensure the utmost of comfort for our four legged friends. More over the stables, just like our warm-up tent (where we train) are kept at a constant temperature of 20 degrees Celsius; we use a portable evaporative cooling unit or a heater to regulate the temperature.

HOW ARE THE HORSES TRAINED?

There is a real bond and communication between the trainers and the horses. Talking, using finger and body gestures, and clucking their tongues, the trainers make a game out of the routines. This approach is more time-consuming than other methods, but it gives better results.