In the first-ever research of its kind, a new study by a Brock University Labour Studies professor has examined labour issues for Ontarians working with horses.<\/p>\n
The result is a very mixed picture of this province\u2019s equine industries, with half of stable staff respondents saying they\u2019re paid minimum wage \u2014 or less.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will be a wakeup call about the severity of some problems,\u201d says Brock Professor Kendra Coulter, Chancellor\u2019s Chair for Research Excellence and Chair of the Labour Studies Department. \u201cMy hope is that the report shines a light, inspires new conversations and adds fodder to those that are underway about how to improve job quality in stables.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Oct. 25, Coulter released her report, Work in Ontario Horse Stables<\/a><\/em>, which presents key findings from a survey of 1,000 people including stable owners and operators, and current and former workers.<\/p>\n Coulter says it sheds much-needed light on a widely misunderstood workforce.<\/p>\n \u201cThe results provide empirical evidence of certain trends horse people knew informally were happening, as well as some new and promising insights,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n