I used to be one of those people who thought the racing industry folks were insensitive and cruel. How could they start horses under saddle at just 18 months old?! How could they race them at two?!  Don’t they know horses don’t mature skeletally until at least four or five-years-old? Of course, they know, they’re just greedy!  I thought. I had started a couple horses under saddle myself. The first was a young POA pony who turned out well despite my fumbling attempts as a 16-year-old, but then he was basically born broke. And lazy. But he loved to…

  See those lovely labradors in the photo?  You might think they belong to me.  They don’t.  They belong to the trailer parked next to me at a horse trial, and were tied up on a cable about 25 feet long.  Tied to the bumper of the truck, parked about 25 feet from my trailer.  Most of the morning, I didn’t see them (though I certainly heard the barking).  However, right as I was tacking up for show jumping, the dogs ran out past the rear of my horse trailer as another leashed dog walked by, stretching the cable to…

  Each year, lots of racing thoroughbreds find their way into new homes and new careers. There are two schools of thought when a horse steps off the racetrack: turn ’em out, or get on with riding Prior to my experience in the Thoroughbred industry, I was a member of the “turn ’em out” crowd. I figured it would be best for the horse to “detox” and enjoy a month or more of turnout, relaxing and just being a horse. I assumed all the horse knew was running, and I wanted to put some distance (time) between that association before…

  So, you’ve identified a potential owner pool and developed a syndicate package.  You’ve spent time marketing yourself, distributing promotional materials, having “Open House Day” at the barn, and bringing extended family members to horse shows.  With all your effort, your support team has grown and your have proud new owners in your horse’s syndicate.  Success!  Now just sit back and let the cash flow, right? Wrong.  You aren’t on your own anymore. You may be the “boss” of the operation, but you now have clients that deserve your respect and attention.  They are providing you with financial support to…

  Some horses are easy: they wear the same tack for dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. It makes for an uncluttered tackroom, less leather to clean, and simplicity. And then there are the others – fire-breathing dragons on cross-country, heavy lugs who pull, root, or fling their head in your face as you desperately try to maintain some semblance of control. You pull up (eventually) after the finish flags, and cross another bit off your list. French link snaffle Slow twist Waterford Pelham Bigger pelham Gag 3-ring 3-ring with curb strap Myler D port with hooks It seems the quest…