Sharing Expertise – Reaching Out to Specialty Trainers
November 9, 2015 Comments Off on Sharing Expertise – Reaching Out to Specialty Trainers
Everyone is familiar with the motto, “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” Even athletes like superstar extraordinaire Michael Jordan knew he was a better player when he worked together with his team.
Continue reading …Recreating The Past – Giving New Life to Old Barns
November 8, 2015 Comments Off on Recreating The Past – Giving New Life to Old Barns
The smell of fresh cut hay, stacked and ready for winter. The warmth of steam rising from a horse’s back. Children playing on a rope hung high from the rafters. Each of these images hearkens back to childhood memories of a once treasured barn.
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Jim Chafin and Heather Graft have horses in their blood. Jim started out under the watchful eye of his parents, Jim and Sandy Chafin, owners of C Bar C Quarter Horses in Ohio. His success as a youth competitor included Top Five placings at the AQHA Youth World Show and national standings that gave him a solid foundation, responsibility, and work ethic that he parlayed into big wins as an adult at all of the major breed venues.
Continue reading …The Passing of a Legend – Zips Chocolate Chip
November 6, 2015 Comments Off on The Passing of a Legend – Zips Chocolate Chip
How many horses come with their own brand of cookie? Zips Chocolate Chip was a legend, not only for the indelible mark he left on the equine industry, but for the delicious, chocolate chip cookies baked and distributed at shows by his loving owners, Ann and Phil Myers of Myers Horse Farms in Ashland, Ohio.
Continue reading …Tax Matters – Importance of Advertising From the IRS’ Perspective
November 5, 2015 Comments Off on Tax Matters – Importance of Advertising From the IRS’ Perspective
In any IRS audit of horse activities, one issue will be the extent to which the taxpayer has advertised horses for sale. Advertising is considered to be an effective type of promotion to attract customers, and if you do not advertise or otherwise promote the sale of your horses, the IRS will argue that you are not engaged in a business because you don’t care about selling your product.
Continue reading …From The Publisher – Are You Having Fun Yet?
November 4, 2015 Comments Off on From The Publisher – Are You Having Fun Yet?
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.
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If you happen to be driving through West Texas and glance out across the open expanse of ranch land, you might catch a glimpse of a striking stallion, slick and seal brown, who looks a little out of place among the rangy cattle and miles of fence line. You’re not mistaken.
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Athletic horses in strenuous careers often suffer injury. Young horses in training are also frequently injured when too much stress and strain is placed on immature joints. Western performance horses are at risk for several types of joint injuries because of the stress and strain on limbs when sprinting, stopping quickly, turning and spinning off in another direction. Hunter-jumpers are at risk for injuries related to jumping. Every discipline has its own set of common injuries.
Continue reading …Hands-On Training – For the Next Generation of the Horse Industry
October 25, 2015 Comments Off on Hands-On Training – For the Next Generation of the Horse Industry
The AQHA Young Horse Development Program was established for youth members who are interested in being part of a hands-on horse training opportunity that focuses on teaching participants the basics of horsemanship and the significance of accountability, goal setting, and ownership in equine care.
Continue reading …Ponying 101 – Ponying Your Horse the Safe Way
October 24, 2015 Comments Off on Ponying 101 – Ponying Your Horse the Safe Way
A horseman’s time is valuable and limited. When multiple horses need to be exercised, and you have a jam-packed schedule, one way to double your efforts is by ponying. This practice is seen a lot in the early morning hours at horse shows—a trainer riding one horse while leading another. It’s also popular among halter horse trainers as a method of exercising horses that aren’t generally ridden under saddle.
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