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Discover the Musical Ride
Seeing the Musical Ride is an iconic Canadian experience, not to be missed!
Discover the Musical Ride
Transcript - Discover the Musical Ride
(Image of horses and riders in Red Serge. Two rows of horses and riders on the outsides are facing away from the camera, while two rows are facing the camera.)
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It's a show known around the world.
The Musical Ride performs both at home in Canada and internationally.
(Image of horses and riders in Red Serge performing in an indoor riding arena at Windsor Castle.)
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They've even performed for Her Majesty The Queen of England at Windsor Castle.
(Image of the Commissioner petting a horse.)
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After five months of training, every tour starts with an inspection by the RCMP Commissioner in May.
(Image of a female rider with her horse.)
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Each police officer is matched with a horse for the tour season.
(Image of a male rider wiping his horse's face.)
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The horses are known for their dark colouring, but each rider can recognize their horse by its unique markings and even by their behaviour.
(Image of horses and riders in Red Serge in the charge formation.)
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The Musical Ride tours across Canada performing in approximately 40 to 50 locations a year between May and October.
(Image of a male rider in Red Serge on his horse, leaning down to high-five a young child who is held by her mother.)
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The Musical Ride offers a valuable way to connect with the communities we serve, promote recruiting and help raise funds for local charities and non-profits.
(Image of horses and riders in Red Serge gathering in an outdoor riding arena with their lances raised.)
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Why should you see the Musical Ride when they're on tour? To see for yourself this truly unique Canadian experience.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2020.
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The life of a Musical Ride horse
What qualities does a horse need to join the Musical Ride? More than just good bloodlines and the right coloured coat.
The Life of a Musical Ride Horse: Part 1
Transcript - The Life of a Musical Ride Horse: Part 1
(A woman walks away from the camera on the farm grounds.)
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Spring is a busy time at the RCMP breeding farm,
(A creek with trees and rocks in the background.)
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which is located just outside Ottawa.
(A foal and mare stand in the pasture, while the mare grazes.)
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It's foaling season!
(A female farm worker pets a foal.)
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First, our foals get their names from kids across Canada through a contest
(Two female farm employees pet two horses in the pasture.)
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that runs every spring.
The foals born in the same year have names that begin with the same letter.
(Multiple foals roam around in the pasture. One of them walks up to the camera.)
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Within a few days of being born, the Hanoverian colts' and fillies' personalities emerge.
(Three foals stand in the pasture.)
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Foals spend the first three years of their lives at the breeding farm
(Multiple foals and mares stand and graze together in the pasture.)
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before moving to the Musical Ride Centre.
(A female staff member at the farm pets a foal.)
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The farm staff works closely with the young horses.
(A male staff member walks towards the camera in the pasture with two horses on reins.)
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They get the youngsters used to being handled,
introduce them to new experiences,
(Three foals stand near a female staff member in the pasture, who pets one of them.)
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and teach them new abilities like loading onto a trailer.
(Multiple foals and mares walk around a paddock.)
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The rest of their time is spent learning from mom until they are weaned,
(Multiple foals and mares stand and graze in the pasture.)
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playing, eating, and resting with their herd in the pastures and paddocks.
(A chestnut foal grazes in the pasture.)
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While the farm breeds horses bound for the Musical Ride,
not all foals are the right fit, like this little one.
(Multiple black horses run through the pasture.)
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All the mounts in the RCMP are black.
(A black horse gallops towards the camera.)
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Some have a little white on their face or feet.
The RCMP also looks at size, temperament and conformation.
(A chestnut horse on a lead rope stands in the pasture.)
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Horses that don't make it to the Musical Ride are sold in an on-line auction in the fall.
(Multiple foals and mares stand and graze together in the pasture.)
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But for those who do make the cut, their next step is training for the Musical Ride.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2020.
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The Life of a Musical Ride Horse: Part 2
Text description - The Life of a Musical Ride Horse: Part 2
(A female trainer adjusts a horse's tack, while a male trainer pets the horse.)
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At three years of age, horses move from our breeding farm to the Musical Ride stables.
(Multiple horses, mounted by riders, train in an indoor riding arena.)
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They're ready to start training for the Musical Ride.
(Riders walk their horses on reins in single file down a hallway.)
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Remounts, or "replacement mounts," are horses between the ages of three and six.
(Two horses, mounted by a male and a female trainer, move towards the camera.)
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They train for at least three years before going on tour.
(A trainer adjusts a horse's saddle.)
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They get used to basic riding aids, crowds and noises, and performing close together.
(A Musical Ride instructor holds two lances, while a male and a female trainer are mounted on horses in the background.)
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They're exposed to many experiences during their training.
(A horse trotting around a pen.)
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Their early training includes: round pen work
(A horse lunging around an outdoor riding arena, led by a female trainer holding a rein.)
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and basic moves like "lunging."
(With the camera filming from the point of view of the trainer, a horse walks through trees.)
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The horse and handler get used to each other.
(A male and a female trainer on horses doing lance work.)
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And the horse gets used to the equipment in a safe environment.
(Two horses, mounted by a male and a female trainer, trot across an indoor riding arena.)
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It also improves the horse's gait, balance and rhythm.
(With the camera filming from the point of view of the trainer, a horse double lunges while the trainer holds the reins.)
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Next, they learn double lunging.
This introduces the harness and rein aids required for driving a carriage.
(With a rider in Red Serge seated on a carriage holding their reins, two horses pull the carriage. Two riders in Red Serge follow on horseback in behind.)
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Specially chosen remounts will further develop in this area.
They pull the carriage a few times a week.
This ensures the paired horses develop routine and discipline.
(A slow motion shot of a horse jumping while mounted by a rider.)
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Finally, jumping helps both the horse and rider. It builds confidence and balance.
(A group of horses runs into a paddock and towards the camera.)
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And lots of free time outside is important to our horses' health and happiness!
(A group of riders in Red Serge on their horses perform in a previous Musical Ride show.)
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After their training is complete, the remounts are ready to move on
to become performers on the Musical Ride.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2020.
Canada wordmark
The Life of a Musical Ride Horse: Part 3
Text description - The Life of a Musical Ride Horse: Part 3
(A horse trotting around a pen.)
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Our horses are just about ready for the spotlight of the Musical Ride
(Multiple horses in a paddock.)
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when they're at least six years old, and typically fully grown.
(Multiple riders stand side-by-side with their respective horse.)
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But before they can perform, they first need to be paired up with a rider.
(A female rider pets her horse and gives it a kiss.)
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Once they find the right fit, the riders and horses stay together for the year.
(A male rider brushes his horse.)
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Caring for the horses is their number one priority.
(Multiple riders sweep the floor of the stables in unison.)
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They make sure the stables and stalls are clean and tidy,
(Multiple horses stand in their stall, drinking and eating.)
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and the horses always have a comfortable place to rest
with fresh bedding every other day.
(A horse eats out of a rider's hand.)
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They feed them four times a day,
making sure to meet any unique dietary needs.
(A male rider brushes his horse.)
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They regularly groom the horses -
(A female rider wipes her horse's face.)
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every morning, before and after they ride and,
(A female rider washes her horse.)
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for those hotter days, a cool down in the showers.
(Multiple horses, mounted by riders, walk towards the camera.)
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But being on the Musical Ride doesn't mean our horses' training is over.
(Multiple horses, mounted by riders, trot around an outdoor riding arena.)
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In fact, at this stage, horses and their riders train twice per day, five days a week,
from January until May.
(Slow motion shot of a horse jumping, while mounted by a rider.)
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This allows them to build their muscle mass and stamina,
(Two horses, mounted by a male and a female trainer, move towards the camera.)
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helping them continue to develop and prepare for their summer tour.
(Aerial shot of multiple horses and riders training in an indoor riding arena.)
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They do everything from equitation training to troop drills.
(Horses and riders in Red Serge perform in a previous Musical Ride show.)
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As May rolls in the horses are now truly ready for their days as performers on the Musical Ride,
(A close-up of a horse in his stall.)
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where they'll perform for years as long as they're happy and healthy.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2020.
Canada wordmark
A day in the life of a Musical Ride member
When our riders aren't on tour, they're in the stables caring for the horses. See what their typical day looks like from start to finish.
A day in the life of a Musical Ride member
Text description - A day in the life of a Musical Ride member
(Multiple male and female riders work together to pull hay through the stalls and feed the horses.)
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Teamwork.
(A rider polishes a boot.)
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Initiative.
(A rider cleans out a horse's stall.)
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Hard work.
(Multiple riders get their horses prepared to ride.)
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These are characteristics needed to be part of the RCMP Musical Ride.
(Multiple horses, mounted by riders, walk towards the camera.)
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At the centre of it all are our horses and our riders.
(A horse, mounted by a female rider, walks up to the camera.)
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Here's what a typical day for a rider is like when they're not on tour.
(A male employee drives a tractor through the stalls and stables to clean the floor.)
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07:00 - First up: clean and refresh the stalls.
(A rider sweeps the floor of the stalls.)
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First up: clean and refresh the stalls.
(Two riders wash their horses.)
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07:30 - It's time to groom the horses to keep them healthy.
(A male rider brushes his horse.)
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It's time to groom the horses to keep them healthy.
(Multiple horses, mounted by riders, walk on a path.)
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08:00 - Let's ride!
(Horses training in an outdoor riding arena.)
(Multiple riders work together to give hay to the horses.)
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09:30 - After the ride, it's time to get the horses their breakfast.
(Multiple riders sweep the stables.)
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And keep things clean.
(A female rider walks to the break room.)
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09:45 - Break time!
(Multiple riders clean their horses' tack.)
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10:00 - Taking care of our equipment.
(A horse eats hay in its stall.)
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10:45 - Hay! It's time for the horses to have a snack while we sweep up.
(Horses walk in an outdoor riding arena.)
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11:30 -- After lunch, we do it all over again . . .
(Shot of the area above the door to the Riding Centre building reads: RCMP 1939.)
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15:00 - Time to call it a day!
(A male rider exits the building and nods to the camera.)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2020.
Canada wordmark
Discover the Musical Ride farrier shop
Farriers look after horse's hooves. When the Musical Ride is on tour, one farrier travels with the troop to maintain high quality hoof-care throughout the season, while a second farrier provides the same care for our horses that aren't traveling. Learn more about our farriers' important role.
Discover the Musical Ride farrier shop
Text description - Discover the Musical Ride farrier shop
(A male farrier strikes a horseshoe.)
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Welcome to the farrier shop at the RCMP stables in Ottawa!
(The farrier leads a horse out of its stall.)
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Take a look at how the farrier shoes a horse.
(The farrier lifts one of the horse's legs.)
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The shoe is set with special nails which are secured through the hoof outer wall.
(Resting the hoof on his leg, the farrier aligns the horseshoe to the horse's hoof.)
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The horse doesn't feel them.
(The farrier secures the horseshoe to the horse's hoof by hammering in nails.)
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Not just anyone is qualified to do this job.
(The farrier works on a horse's hoof.)
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A farrier is a specialist in horse hoof care.
(The farrier trims a horse's hoof.)
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Our farriers trim, balance and place the horseshoes on a horse.
(The farrier secures a horseshoe to a horse's hoof by hammering in nails.)
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Hoof care is crucial to our horses' health, which is our top priority.
(Horses and riders in Red Serge in the charge formation, moving towards the camera.)
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A horseshoe prevents injury to the foot or uneven wear on the hoof.
(Images of the RCMP's two farriers: Dwayne Hay and Gordon Nesbitt.)
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There are two farriers with the RCMP.
(A horseshoe glows, as the farrier heats it up over hot coals.)
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They have to have years of experience before they can work for the Musical Ride.
(The farrier strikes the glowing horseshoe.)
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They must also pass a written and a technical exam.
(The camera pans from the back to the front of the outside of an RCMP trailer.)
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When the Musical Ride is on tour, a farrier travels with them to tend to the horses.
(A shot from inside the trailer of multiple horses being transported.)
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On average the farrier sees six to eight horses in a day.
(Aerial shot of a Musical Ride show at an outdoor venue.)
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Each horse sees the farrier every four to six weeks.
(Resting a horse's hoof on his leg, the farrier secures a horseshoe to the hoof by hammering in nails.)
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The horses go through 1,200 to 1,500 horseshoes in a year.
That's a lot of horseshoes!
(The farrier dips a glowing hot horseshoe in a bucket of water, causing steam to rise.)
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Come see the farriers at work at the Musical Ride Centre in Ottawa.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2020.
Canada wordmark
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