On a Sooke farm resides a unique animal named Moose, a three-month-old steer that is being trained by his owner Kristy Sivorot, who has one thing in mind.
She wants to ride him.
“That’s correct yes, absolutely,” smiles Sivorot.
Sivorot grew up riding horses on a farm just outside of Winnipeg.
After moving to British Columbia and starting a family, she wanted to get back in the saddle, but there was a problem.
“Realistically looking at the land we have here we couldn’t easily keep horses here,” said Sivorot. “So, I started doing some research about riding cows and I’d kind of heard of this before and thought why not, why can’t I.”
As it turns out, steer riding isn’t that uncommon in places like Texas.
“Texas Longhorns, the cows with the big horns, are what a lot of people are training to ride, says Sivorot.
“So it is pretty common, I just haven’t heard about it happening here,” adds Sivorot.
Enter Moose, one of many steers Sivorot has raised on her small hobby farm.
He’s a curious little guy who is a bit too small to ride just yet. So Sivorot is getting him acclimated to life outside of the barnyard.
“My goal right now is just to get him out on the trails, get him used to the trails, horses, dogs, and people,” says Sivorot.
While it might be two years until Sivorot can ride Moose, the pair will still be out for walks on the Galloping Goose.
For Sivorot, the training experience and public reaction has been a bright spot amidst the pandemic.
“Despite what’s happening in the world you can still live your dream and that’s what’s happening here,” smiles Sivorot.
So if you see them on the Goose, make sure to stop a safe distance away and say hi.
Moose, a three-month-old steer that is being trained by his owner Kristy Sivorot. (Cole Sorenson/CHEK News)
Kristy Sivorot says she wants to be able to ride a steer on public trails. (Cole Sorenson/CHEK News)
Cole Sorenson
