There are a few facts about the horse industry that are undisputed. Every horse has an owner. Every horse owner has varied expectations of what they will get from the endeavor. However, you can be assured that everyone who has ever owned and shown a horse has done it because they wanted some enjoyment from the sport. They wanted to experience the competition, as well as the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.

The lore of unicorns depicts a steed with a flowing mane, and an exceptional presence, surrounded by an aura of magic. The 2016 cremello AQHA gelding by Shiners Voodoo Dr Dam and out of Wimpys New Pal (by Wimpys Little Step), aptly named Magic Mann, certainly lent that charisma to the reining pen in his career.
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Between tack trunks packed to capacity, trailers stacked full, over-stuffed suitcases, over-flowing grooming kits, and enough feed to survive a small apocalypse—we created the ultimate Congress packing list. We gathered in-depth expert advice from professional packers, online resources, trainers, amateurs and youth exhibitors to cover every essential, every overlooked detail, and every ‘just in case’ item you could possibly need for your time at Congress.
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Crime can happen anywhere. It can even happen at horse shows, especially the upscale kind, which have been a target for thieves for a long time. Unfortunately, the atmosphere of a horse show makes it an appealing target for thieves with the presence of expensive tack, busy and distracted exhibitors, and an atmosphere of community and trust.
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There are an enticing array of high profile horse shows scattered across the country and the calendar. As a result, it can feel as though you must be at your absolute best for every show. Yet that can take a toll on the physical and mental well-being of both horse and rider. This overtraining phenomenon often leads to a discouraging show experience and can unwittingly spur on even more overtraining, perpetuating the cycle.
Continue reading …When it comes to tracking a horse in the halter pen, everything seems pretty self-explanatory. Walk to the judge or judges, trot to and past the cone, and continue trotting around the cone to the lineup. The purpose of this portion of the class is to give the judges an opportunity to evaluate both soundness and quality of movement.
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In Hunter Under Saddle classes, it can be hard to know if you’ve positioned your horse in the arena in a way that shows them to the judges in their best possible light.
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Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious, debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system of a horse. The infection causes an inflammation of the animal’s brain and spinal cord. The organism causing the infection is the single-celled protozoan Sarcocystis neurona.
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