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Triple Trouble: What Makes a Horse Next Level? 29 Aug 2025, 9:03 am

“How do you know when you have one of the great horses? It’s not when the trophies stack up, or when people stop you at shows to compliment their beauty. You know you have a next-level horse when…they cover for you instead of exposing you. When they steady your ride on the days you can’t steady yourself.”

In the horse world, there are countless ways people try to measure greatness. Some will tell you it’s about training; if your horse has been under the guidance of the best in the business, then you must have something special. Others will point to cashed checks and buckles stacked on the shelf as proof of a horse’s worth. Then some will point to an allure of beauty — a horse that looks like it stepped straight out of a movie scene, bold color and mane for days.

All of that can be impressive, but none define what truly makes a horse next level. For me, a horse’s greatness isn’t proven by what they can do when the circumstances are perfect. It’s proven by what they give you when you’re anything but.

A good horse can shine when the rider is strong, balanced, and focused, and when they’re well-conditioned and ready to perform. That’s when the horse can show the peak of what they’re capable of. But those moments, as thrilling as they are, don’t reveal the heart of a horse.

A great horse is the one that carries you when you don’t deserve to be carried. They’re the ones who read between the lines of your sloppy cues and try anyway. They’re the ones who keep you safe when your mind is elsewhere, when your body is weak, or when your emotions are overwhelming. They’re intuitive enough to know you’re not at your best, and instead of exposing that, they cover for you.

They change their body stance ever so slightly to keep you upright. They ease their pace so you don’t lose balance. They make subtle adjustments that you may never even notice until you look back on the ride and realize how much they gave you. That is the dividing line between good horses and truly great ones.

Photo by Mollie Himes

I obtained this understanding from my own mare, Hot Sauce. Five years old, and true to her name, she’s usually full of fire. She’s forward, spicy, and the kind of horse that lets you know she has opinions — she’s the type of mare people see and are immediately intimidated.

Her greatness, while obvious in her willingness to give her person 200%, showed itself more clearly in the most humbling of moments. This past weekend, I was battling one of the toughest stretches of illness I’ve ever faced. I had leptospirosis, a brutal infection that affected several of my organ systems. I was struggling with colitis, cellulitis in my arm, a urinary tract infection, and a flu-like fatigue that made me weaker than any other sickness I’ve ever contracted. My body was insanely weak, my energy was depleted, and my mind was foggy.

In that state, most people would have stayed home. And honestly, maybe I should have. But I had a competition lined up, and I chose to go. Part of me wanted distraction, something to take my mind off the relentless misery I felt in my body. Riding has always been my reset button, my therapy, and my escape. So despite how sick and drained I was, I saddled up Hot Sauce and entered the arena.

Photo by Tim Frank Photos

From the very first stride, I knew I was not myself. My legs were weak and barely offered support. My hands felt clumsy and heavy. My posture was extremely forward no matter how hard I tried to correct it. Every cue I gave was delayed, sloppy, or nonexistent. It was, without a doubt, one of the worst performances I had ever ridden in competition.

Anyone who has worked with a young horse knows how quickly they can mirror your weaknesses. They pick up on nerves, inconsistency, and imbalance. At five years old, Hot Sauce had every excuse to unravel under the weight of my poor riding. She could have ignored my cues, rushed through the patterns, or gotten frustrated with my lack of direction. And truthfully, I wouldn’t have blamed her if she had. Instead, Hot Sauce did something I hadn’t anticipated — she took care of me.

Photo by Genevieve Burnett Photography

She slowed her stride — not in a way that made the run look off, but just enough to keep me balanced. She softened through her movement ever so slightly when I began bouncing all over her back. She adjusted her turns, made them a little rounder, a little steadier, so my lack of strength wouldn’t pull me off. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable to anyone watching from the outside. But from the saddle, I could feel it — gentle, intentional adjustments she was making to keep me safe.

She carried me, not just physically, but emotionally. She glided through those patterns with a grace that was more than physical ability. It was an act of partnership, of awareness, of choosing to fill in the gaps where I fell short. When we finished, I wasn’t proud of my riding, but I was deeply proud of my horse. And in those ugly moments, I knew: this wasn’t just a talented mare. Hot Sauce had proven herself to be something far greater.

Photo by Tim Frank Photos

What she did wasn’t about training. It wasn’t something drilled into her through repetition or correction. You can’t train a horse to take care of you when you’re weak. That’s a choice they make from the depth of their own character.

Hot Sauce could sense I wasn’t okay, and instead of reacting to my sloppiness, she chose to steady herself. Horses are prey animals by nature; flighty, reactive, quick to respond to instability. The great ones override that instinct. They don’t just follow your cues; they watch over you. That’s something no championship buckle, polished pattern, or high-dollar check can replace.

Photo by Genevieve Burnett Photography

It’s easy to get swept up in the glamour of wins, scores, and polished performances, but greatness isn’t about what a horse can do on its best day. It’s about how they carry you through your worst. For me, that competition with Hot Sauce will always stand out; not because it was flawless (it was so far from it), but because it revealed the kind of horse she truly is. She showed me she’s not just fiery and fun when I’m strong. She’s reliable, steady, and caring when I’m weak. That’s the real definition of a next-level horse.

Photo by Genevieve Burnett Photography

How do you know when you have one of the great horses? It’s not when the trophies stack up, or when people stop you at shows to compliment their beauty. You know you have a next-level horse when they become your anchor when faced with it. When they cover for you instead of exposing you. When they steady your ride on the days you can’t steady yourself.

Those are the horses worth their weight in gold. I know, because I have one. Hot Sauce, my fiery mare, proved it to me in the quietest, most humbling way possible; by carrying me through the weakest ride of my life with more grace, softness, and care than I ever could have asked for. That is something no buckle will ever outshine.

2025 Hampton Classic Horse Show: 50th Anniversary Grand Prix Preview 29 Aug 2025, 8:48 am

Olympians, past champions, and international stars return to Bridgehampton as the Hampton Classic celebrates 50 years with its biggest Grand Prix yet.

By Dr. Gregory A. Beroza, aka HorseDoc®

Longines Horse. Photo by GBeroza.

The 2025 Hampton Classic Horse Show returns to Bridgehampton, Long Island, from August 24–31, marking the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s premier equestrian events. The week-long competition will culminate on Sunday, August 31, with the $400,000 Longines 5 Grand Prix*, an internationally renowned show jumping highlight that consistently attracts Olympic-caliber riders and global stars.

This milestone edition promises to be the most competitive yet, with 13 Olympians, riders representing 22 nations, and all three podium finishers from 2024 returning to contest the intricate courses designed by Nick Granat (USA).

Kent Farrington (USA) winning the Hampton Classic Grand Prix in 2013. Photo by ESI.

A Stellar Field of Champions

Reigning champion Rene Dittmer (GER) will attempt to defend his 2024 Hampton Classic Grand Prix title. Standing in his way is a formidable roster of rivals, including:

• Kent Farrington (USA), World #1 and two-time Hampton Classic Grand Prix winner (2012, 2013). Farrington is a two-time Olympian with a silver Olympic team medal (2016), a World Championship bronze (2014), and Pan American Games gold (2011) and bronze (2015).

• McLain Ward (USA), a six-time Olympian and seven-time Hampton Classic Grand Prix winner. Currently ranked #8 in the world, Ward has collected five Olympic medals, was the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Champion, and last year secured his second Hampton Classic Longines Rider Challenge victory.

• Daniel Bluman (ISR), three-time Olympian and three-time Hampton Classic Grand Prix champion. Ranked #21 in the world, Bluman will look to reclaim the title after his 2023 triumph.

• Mario Deslauriers (CAN), four-time Olympian and 2019 Hampton Classic Grand Prix winner.

Daniel Bluman’s 2023 win on Ladriano Z. Photo by Kind Media.

Other top contenders include Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam (World #22), Darragh Kenny (World #11), 2021 Olympians Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Uma O’Neill (NZL), 2024 Olympians Thaisa Erwin (AUS), Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN), and Isabella Russekoff (ISR), as well as past Hampton Classic champion Karen Polle (JPN). Rounding out the field are 2024 podium finishers Mimi Gochman (USA) and Alex Matz (USA), who finished second and third behind Dittmer last year.

More Than Just the Grand Prix

While the Longines 5* Grand Prix serves as the crown jewel, the Hampton Classic week offers much more:

• Over 200 competitions across six rings, including FEI CSI5* and CSI2* show jumping and USEF Premier hunter divisions.

• More than $1 million in prize money on the line.

• The Agneta Currey Boutique Garden, featuring 70+ luxury vendors, diverse dining, and entertainment for all ages.

• Spectacular showgrounds enhanced with extensive landscaping and amenities, welcoming 50,000+ spectators, including celebrities and equestrian enthusiasts.

Photo by GBeroza

Media Coverage

The ‘Talking Horses’® YouTube Channel, hosted by Dr. Gregory Beroza (HorseDoc®), will feature previews and recaps of the Grand Prix, including highlights of past winners and coverage of this year’s competition. Dr. Beroza will also provide special reporting on the 50th Anniversary Grand Prix Finale in partnership with Dan’s Papers, Long Island’s premier East End publication.

For full schedules, ticketing, and updates, visit www.HamptonClassic.com. Fans worldwide can also follow the action via ‘Talking Horses’® on YouTube at YouTube.com/@TalkingHorses/videos.

Dr. Gregory A. Beroza, DVM, DACVS, DABVP has been a practicing veterinarian and consultant for 42 years; and HorseDoc® ‘Talking Horses’® media host, author, and consultant since 2007. Dr. Beroza is a multimedia host and broadcasts his productions, including a new Podcast, via his WuzUpDoc Media website: www.WuzUpDoc.com. He can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and other social media sources.

Thanks to ‘HorseDoc’ Sponsors:  Alex Nichols Agency; BMB IT Solutions, Chestnut Vale Feed, Cosequin Joint Health Supplement, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Great American Insurance-Equine Division; Hopscotch Air Taxi; Jaguar; JSR Farriers-Equine Transport; Land Rover; Nutrena; Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate; Ramard Nutraceuticals; Range Rover; Supporting Strategies; Ultravet Medical Devices; Dan’s Papers

Reader Photo Challenge: Back to School 28 Aug 2025, 5:11 pm

Enjoy these three back to school photos of some of our youth riders!

This week we asked to see our youth riders’ back to school photos. Enjoy these three photos of exactly that!

Photo by Brianna King

Photo by Kelsey Gibson

Barn chores don’t stop because it’s the first day of school. Photo by Mollie Himes

Keep an eye out for next week’s photo challenge! We announce challenge subjects on Monday around the end of the day on both Instagram and Facebook

Why October to December is Big for Cheltenham 28 Aug 2025, 5:06 pm

Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, England, taken from Cleeve Hill. The town of Cheltenham is seen beyond the racecourse. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in June 2006 and placed in the public domain. Wikimedia Commons/CC.

Cheltenham Racecourse is widely regarded as the home of National Hunt Racing. While the Cheltenham Festival grabs most of the headlines, the season truly begins in earnest during the final months of the year. From October to December, Cheltenham hosts a series of prestigious meetings that shape the storylines, establish early-season form, and highlight the trainers, jockeys, and horses destined to make waves later in the campaign.

The October Showcase – The Season Opener

The excitement begins with The Showcase, held in late October. This two-day meeting marks Cheltenham’s first action of the season and gives fans an early look at returning Festival heroes and up-and-coming stars. The races are competitive, with many runners having their first outings after the summer break, and trainers use the event to test their horses’ fitness ahead of bigger targets.

Key contests include valuable handicap hurdles and chases, often used as stepping stones toward bigger Grade 1 events. For fans, it’s the first chance to feel the unique Chelsea atmosphere that will build steadily towards March.

November Meeting – A Three-Day Spectacle

The November Meeting, formerly known as the Open Meeting, is one of Cheltenham’s marquee events before Christmas. Spread across three days, it features races that attract top-quality fields and provide early clues for Festival betting.

The highlight is the Gold Cup, a fiercely competitive handicap chase that often produces future Festival winners. The Greatwood Hurdle, run on the Sunday, is another standout race, showcasing speedy hurdlers who can go on to compete at the highest level.

For trainers like Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, and Dan Skelton, the November meeting is an opportunity to lay down a marker. Jockeys such as Harry Cobden and Harry Skelton will aim to make their presence felt, with big wins here boosting confidence.

The December Gold Cup and Christmas Meeting

As December arrives, the quality continues with the Christmas Meeting. This two-day fixture is headlines with the December Gold Cup, another fiercely competitive handicap chase run over the same course and distance as the previous month’s Gold Cup. Horses that ran well in November often return for another crack, making it an intriguing contest for all involved.

Another highlight is the International Hurdle, a key trial for the Champion Hurdle at the Festival. Over the years, this race has produced stars that have gone on to bigger and better things.

Handicap chase. Photo by Carine06 from UK. Wikimedia Commons/CC.

Trainers, Jockeys, and Storylines

Between October and December, Cheltenham provides a stage for some of the sport’s biggest names to begin shaping their seasons. Trainers carefully plot campaigns, often bringing horses back at these meetings to test their form against quality opposition. Jockeys also know the importance of riding winners here, as it builds momentum and trust heading into the Festival.

This period is also a chance for fans and horse racing betting enthusiasts to take note of form, track performance, stable strength and more, all of which can influence proceedings for the months ahead.

Why It Matters

While the Cheltenham Festival may be the pinnacle, the groundwork is laid well before. The October to December meetings offer excitement in their own right, with competitive races, early-season storylines, and the chance to see stars emerge. They set the tone for the National Hunt season, reminding everyone that Cheltenham isn’t just about four days in the Spring.

Thursday Video: We’re All Distracted by the New Hire 28 Aug 2025, 6:24 am

When HR finally hires someone everyone likes…

There’s a new face in the office, and everyone’s already smitten. He’s tall, dark, and neigh-borly, with a jawline strong enough to open a feed bucket and hair that looks like it was styled by the wind itself. Forget LinkedIn endorsements — this guy shows up with four hooves, a swishy tail, and the kind of charisma that makes even the coffee machine nervous about being replaced.

Sure, he may not know how to file a spreadsheet or answer emails (unless chewing on the keyboard counts), but let’s be honest — who cares? He’s already boosted morale by 200%, made “mandatory carrot breaks” a thing, and somehow convinced HR to install a salt lick in the break room. If this is what onboarding looks like, we’re hoping every future hire comes with a mane.

 

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Happy Thursday, Horse Nation. We hope your new hires are as dreamy as this guy.

From Ranch Roots to World Finals: The Rise of José Antonio Sigala Peña in Cutting 28 Aug 2025, 5:30 am

This young rider from a centuries-old ranching family rose through Texas futurities, NCHA circuits, and AQHA world stages to become one of cutting’s brightest new talents. Read on for the full story.

Photo by EM Photography

For José Antonio Sigala Peña, horses have never been just a passion—they are part of his DNA. Born into a ranching family with more than two centuries of equine breeding history, José Antonio grew up surrounded by horses, cattle, and the daily rhythms of ranch life. From his earliest memories, the barn was his playground and the saddle his second home.

As a child, he explored a variety of western sports, but his life took a defining turn in December 2006 when his father introduced the family to the NCHA Futurity in Texas. Though he didn’t yet understand the nuances of cutting, the sport’s intensity and athleticism sparked a fascination. By 2008, after his father purchased a ranch in Weatherford, Texas, and began building a broodmare program, José Antonio found himself drawn deeper into the discipline.

His early years in the show pen were marked by steady progress and determination. By 2013, after finishing high school, he committed to a summer season of competition in the United States. In just six months, he entered 11 events, made the finals in all, and earned notable top-five finishes at both the Summer Spectacular and the Waco Cutting Futurity. That year, he was named Rookie of the Year, cementing his place as a rising talent.

Photo by EM Photography

Though university studies in Spain temporarily pulled him away, José Antonio’s competitive fire never dimmed. Whenever he returned to visit his family in Texas, he found opportunities to compete—earning a string of top-three finishes in 2010, 2017, and 2019 that proved his consistency even with limited preparation.

Breaking into the U.S. Cutting Elite

In late 2021, José Antonio was granted his P-1 visa, allowing him to base his career in the United States. By early 2022, he had launched a focused training program, not only refining his own skills but also developing promising cutting horses.

Photo by Seth Petit Photography

Since the start of his full professional campaign in 2024, his record has been nothing short of impressive:

• NCHA World Finals: Competing in the $5,000 Novice Non-Pro class, José Antonio attended 51 sanctioned shows, earning nearly $15,000 and finishing the season ranked #13 in the world. He was also named Reserve Champion of the Red River Circuit, one of the sport’s most competitive regions.
• AQHA World Show: Earning 5 qualification points, he secured spots in both Amateur Level 2 and Level 3—the latter reserved for the sport’s elite. He closed the season as the Top High Point Amateur and ranked #9 worldwide in his division.
• NCHA Limited Age Events (LAE): Despite splitting time with the World Finals circuit, José Antonio left his mark with podium finishes at some of the sport’s most prestigious showcases. His highlights include 4th place at the NCHA Super Stakes, 4th place at the NCHA Summer Spectacular, and Champion titles at both the Breeder Invitational and the Non-Pro Class in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He also collected 2nd and 3rd places at the West Texas Show in Amarillo.

Photo courtesy of Sigala Ranch, LLC

A Competitor with Staying Power

What sets José Antonio apart is more than talent—it’s resilience and commitment. In just his first year on the professional circuit, he demonstrated the ability to balance consistency with breakthrough wins, all while managing the demands of horse development in one of the most competitive disciplines in equestrian sport.

From the ranch life of his childhood to the bright lights of the NCHA World Finals, José Antonio Sigala Peña has proven that his path is defined by grit, heritage, and a deep connection to the horse. With momentum on his side, he is poised to continue his ascent among the elite ranks of cutting.

Photo by Emily Coffeen Photography

Garmin Blaze: The Future of Equine Training and Performance Tracking 27 Aug 2025, 9:50 am

Garmin Blaze represents a new era of equine training technology. By blending advanced sensors, intuitive app design, and community-driven features, it empowers riders and trainers to make smarter, data-backed decisions about their horses’ health and performance.

In the equestrian world, training methods have traditionally relied on a rider’s intuition, careful observation, and years of experience. While those skills remain invaluable, technology is stepping in to provide data-driven insights that elevate training to a new level. Enter the Garmin Blaze, a cutting-edge equine performance tracker designed to revolutionize the way riders, trainers, and horse owners approach conditioning, recovery, and overall health monitoring.

From real-time biometric feedback to stride analysis and recovery tracking, Garmin Blaze doesn’t just give you information, it gives you actionable insights. With its sleek design, powerful app integration, and customizable sharing features, it’s set to become a staple in modern barns everywhere.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

What Is Garmin Blaze?

Garmin Blaze is a wearable sensor system designed specifically for horses. Compact and durable, the device attaches securely to the tail with a low-profile tail wrap that ensures comfort and freedom of movement. Its design ensures it won’t interfere with tack or training, and the sensor’s placement under the tail establishes reliable performance in all conditions; from sunny show grounds to rainy trail rides.

At its core, Blaze collects an impressive range of data, including live biometrics, kinetics, and recovery stats. The device pairs seamlessly with the Blaze App, where riders can start sessions with a simple tap of their phone, then view and analyze every detail in real time or later for reflection.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Key Features

Biometrics

Garmin Blaze provides live biometric monitoring that goes far beyond a basic heart rate tracker:

• Heart Rate (HR): Continuous live heart rate monitoring during activity.
• HR Zone Tracking: Clear breakdown of the horse’s time spent in different heart rate zones, essential for conditioning programs.
• Skin Temperature Change: Helps riders understand thermoregulation, a key component in preventing overheating.
• Heat Score: A unique metric that combines exertion and environmental conditions, offering insight into the horse’s ability to handle training stress.

Kinetics

The device is equally impressive in motion tracking:

• Stride Frequency and Total Strides: Analyze rhythm and workload during a ride.
• Live Gait Recognition: Automatically tracks walk, trot, canter, and gallop in real time.
• Time in Each Gait: See how long your horse spends in each gait during a session.
• Speed and Distance (GPS): Track mileage on trails or laps in the arena with pinpoint accuracy.
• Location and Weather: Log the exact conditions under which each session occurred.

Recovery

Post-ride, Blaze shifts focus to recovery and rest:

• Recovery Period Length: Automatically calculates how long your horse takes to return to baseline.
• Heart Rate Goals with Pass/Fail Indicators: Simple benchmarks to ensure your horse is recovering effectively between training sessions.

Connectivity & Social Training

One of the most innovative features of Garmin Blaze is its ability to connect riders and trainers in the same space:

• View live sessions of others training nearby, whether in the same arena or on a group trail ride.
• Choose to broadcast your horse’s metrics or keep them private.
• Compare efforts in real time for motivation, group conditioning, or collaborative training goals.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

The Blaze App

The Blaze App serves as the command center for the entire system. Riders simply tap their phone to the Blaze sensor to start a session, no fussing with buttons or complicated menus. From there, the app offers:

• Real-Time Monitoring: Watch your horse’s heart rate, gait, and stride metrics live as you ride.
• Historic Data: Organize past activities by horse, date, or month to spot trends.
• Comparisons: Correlate biometrics with kinetics — does your horse’s stride frequency change as their heart rate increases? Does recovery time improve over months of conditioning?
• Recovery Insights: Track how your horse’s fitness improves over time with detailed recovery data.
• Community Features: Share or view live sessions in your immediate location. Perfect for group lessons, clinics, or team practices.

This integration between hardware and app makes Garmin Blaze not only a monitoring tool, but also a full training ecosystem.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Cost and Where to Buy

Garmin Blaze is positioned as a premium equine training device, with pricing that reflects its advanced technology. The unit is expected to retail around $599 USD for the starter package, which includes the sensor, strap, and access to the Blaze App. Additional straps or replacement mounts are available separately.

You can purchase Garmin Blaze directly from Garmin’s official website by clicking here.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Pros of the Garmin Blaze

1. Comprehensive Data Collection: Unlike single-function heart rate monitors, Blaze tracks everything from biometrics to gait dynamics.
2. User-Friendly App: Starting a session is as easy as tapping your phone, and data visualization is intuitive.
3. Versatility: Suitable for arena training, conditioning on trails, indoor work, transport, and monitoring recovery.
4. Real-Time Feedback: Immediate insight helps riders adjust training intensity on the spot.
5. Community Features: The option to broadcast or keep sessions private adds flexibility and social engagement.
6. Durable and Comfortable: Designed to withstand sweat, weather, and movement without interfering with performance.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Benefits of Real-Time Training

The Garmin Blaze isn’t just about collecting numbers, it’s about transforming training through actionable insight.

• Outdoor Training: With GPS and weather integration, Blaze logs exactly how environmental factors influence performance.
• Trail riders and endurance competitors will love the distance, location, and speed tracking.
• Indoor Training: For arena work, gait and stride analysis give riders the tools to refine rhythm, balance, and conditioning.
• Recovery Monitoring: Blaze ensures riders know when their horse is ready for the next session, preventing overtraining. Pass/fail heart rate goals make recovery tracking simple yet effective.
• Transport Tracking: Horses expend energy and experience stress during transport. Blaze’s biometric tracking during travel helps identify horses that struggle with hauling, ensuring better care and recovery at the destination.

By combining all these modes, Garmin Blaze gives riders a complete picture of their horse’s health and performance.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

The Look and Feel

The device itself is sleek and minimalistic, about the size of an Apple AirTag. The sensor is secured with an elastic, breathable wrap that snugs around the tail area; out of the way of tack and rider while staying close enough to monitor core metrics accurately. The design reflects Garmin’s experience in wearable tech: reliable, subtle, and built for performance.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Who Is Garmin Blaze For?

• Competitive Riders: Perfect for any equine event who need or want precise conditioning.
• Trainers: Gain real-time insight into multiple horses and track progress across weeks or months.
• Recreational Riders: Even for casual riding, Blaze provides peace of mind by monitoring heart rate and recovery.
• Veterinarians and Rehab Specialists: The device’s data can support recovery programs after injury or illness.

 

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Garmin Blaze represents a new era of equine training technology. By blending advanced sensors, intuitive app design, and community-driven features, it empowers riders and trainers to make smarter, data-backed decisions about their horses’ health and performance. No longer do we have to guess if a horse is overworked, if they’re improving in conditioning, or if recovery is sufficient. The data is right there, live, in the palm of your hand. For equestrians who want to bring science into the saddle, Garmin Blaze is more than a product. It’s a game-changer.

Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Over at the Knee 27 Aug 2025, 9:37 am

“Over at the knee” — conformation flaw or functional detail? Read on for what it really means for soundness and performance.

Welcome to the next installment of Thoroughbred Logic. In this weekly series, Anthropologist and trainer Aubrey Graham, of Kivu Sport Horses, offers insight and training experience when it comes to working with Thoroughbreds (although much will apply to all breeds). This week ride along as Aubrey shares her logic on what it means if a horse is over at the knee. 

In this fun day and age, the fates and careers of off-track Thoroughbreds often are determined by two things: how they jog in a straight line and how the look from the side. Jog video gives us soundness (hopefully) and movement, and the conformation shots provide well… conformation.

A lot of folks look at those images and see “is it pretty?” or does it “look like a_(insert discipline)_ horse?” And then they’ll send it to their trainers. That’s good. Do that.

Tobi (JC Fernando) has pretty textbook legs and makes taking conformation photos easy. Photo by Lily Drew.

Trainers with a good eye will take in the whole horse and its body’s angles and alignment, its eye, and then they’ll begin looking from the bottom up. Who cares if it’s the most stunning thing you have ever seen if it might have issues in the feet or legs? So they start there. They’ll look at hoof angles. Yes, you can fix those, but good feet never hurt. They’ll look at the ankles and see if they can see edema or rounding, look up the tendons for bows, and then look at all visible joints for any swelling or abnormalities. That’s all a totally fair exercise.

Horses straight from the track are often “track fit” and slicked out like a greyhound, so it’s easy to see the literal bones and muscles on which you will build their second career.*

*I’m not saying track horses are skinny. Some are, but most are in proper, athletic running condition. There’s a difference.

But the point here is that when they’re race fit, you can really see the foundation you’re getting, and if you squint, you can imagine it let down, with a softer more full topline, and a bit more of a dad bod, ready to head out and gallop around a cross country run (or barrel pattern, or canter down the hunter lines… you get my point).

Indy (Star Player) doesn’t have absolutely perfect conformation (he’s slightly over at the knee), but he always has been easy to imagine into the role he now successfully plays as an eventer. Photo by Lily Drew.

One of the things that arises while looking these horses up and down and assessing how their various bones and muscles and tendons are put together is the way in which their front legs appear from the side. When taking a look at the knee, there are a few options:

• Normal (forearm lines up nicely to the cannon bone)
• Behind -or back- at the knee (rare in racehorses but where their knee buckles backwards a bit)
• Tied in at the knee (where the cannon bone is narrower towards the knee than it is at the ankle),
• Over at the knee (where the leg does not fully straighten).

Knee alignment from the side. Visual from The Equinist.

Back at the knee horses contain risks for high impact careers, so they’re relatively rare in racehorses. Under severe physical stress and exercise (running and jumping), the condition can cause issues for the tendons and ligaments attaching at the knee, thereby creating knee chips, ligament strain and other issues in the forelegs. I’m certain there are horses who are mildly ‘back at the knee’ with a totally fair prognosis, but that depends both on the severity of the angle behind vertical and on the level of physical stress in the second careers they happen into.

On the flip side, over at the knee (or buck kneed) horses might look a little odd, but most of the time, they’re totally fine and can carry on through long, healthy careers. Currently in the barn right now, I have three who are over at the knee — two only slightly and one with a clear “yep, that’s unavoidably there.” The great thing is that largely it usually doesn’t really matter other than impacting the type of movement and length of stride.

Platypus (Ripe for Mischief) is congenitally over at the knee but raced very well (25 times, $68,937 in earnings) and is expected to have a successful second career. Photo by Lily Drew.

Toss the over at the knee thing out to the internet and you’re going to get a lot of “the best jumper I had was over at the knee” and such things. They are unlikely to move like daisy-cutting show hunters due to the lack of full extension of the limb, but they usually can run and jump without any issues. And the legs might not look textbook pretty, but sometimes pretty and functional aren’t always found in the same box.

When Q (Quality Step) came off the track, he was reasonably over at the knee — though hard to see it under the bandages. Photo courtesy of Nations Racing Stable, Q’s former track connections.

Technically speaking, over at the knee horses are either a) born that way (most of the cases) or b) develop this condition from an injury to the ligaments at the backside the knee, where healing has restricted their movement (far less common). For most, the congenital condition is caused by slightly tighter tendons/ligaments on the caudal (back side) of the joint or a tighter joint capsule. Sometimes it is the check ligament that is a bit tighter relative to their bones than average, or sometimes their superficial digital flexor tendon. These foreshortened ligaments/tendons keep the leg from being able to fully straighten and lock straight.

At times, Q’s legs would tremble, but he was sound and quite capable. Photo in the fall of 2022 by Alanah Giltmier.

In moderate cases, this isn’t really an issue. Sometimes, it is barely noticeable in how a horse travels. Even in more serious cases, the prognosis is usually quite good and can be improved with proper shoeing (consult a knowledgable farrier here — it is about bringing the toe back and heel down, yes, but also about controlling where break-over occurs so that they don’t simply knuckle over the shorter toe). In certain cases, horses who are over at the knee will have front legs that tremble. The inability to lock the leg straight means standing for long periods requires constant use of the muscles around the knee to control the position. While not necessarily normal, there’s not a lot of literature out there that finds this symptom to be indicative of a career-ending or limiting condition.

With some muscling, time, and shoeing built around his second career as a general riding horse, Q’s ‘over at the knee’ improved significantly. Photo in the fall of 2023 by Alanah Giltmier.

Sure, there’s info out there that over a the knee horses might stumble more or toe into the dirt when traveling. In severe cases, it could place more strain on the suspensories, sesmoid bones, and DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon). And while none that have come through my barn have been noticeably challenging to keep sound (owing to this conformation), sure — like all things, I bet it is possible.

Importantly, it is worth remembering that when they have raced successfully, they have already been tested. The track has assessed their ability to function on those knees more than any second career will. And if they ran well, flexed fine, and have no visible soundness blips in that jog video, they have already proven that there is speed, stability, and soundness, despite the less-than-beautiful alignment at the knee.

Like any horse, they might need a little more attention to their feet to keep them going at their best. But, the good thing is that while over at the knee conformation can be glaring in a side-focused photo where decisions get made, it does not necessarily impact the quality or athletic ability of the horse you’ll get.

So go ride folks. Here’s hoping the horses are sound and bring joy, despite the alignment of their limbs.

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The Idea of Order: The Merits of Good Groundwork… 27 Aug 2025, 7:19 am

#1. You lower your odds of being yeeted into the sun.

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While flying the Baby Dragon kite can get a little stale as far as fun activities go, it is significantly *more* fun than visiting your local ER or ending up in traction.

Milona DG and I. Photo (c) Q2 Photography.

Tuesday Video: Bottle Service 26 Aug 2025, 8:07 am

View some unhinged first world champagne problems in this Tuesday video!

The horses in this video clearly aren’t into bottle service. The pop of the corks has them acting like they’ve just spotted Big Foot. Forget champagne showers; these guys think fizz is a full-on apocalypse. Apparently, their idea of fine dining doesn’t come with a cork.

 

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Pop bottles and go riding, Horse Nation!

Training in the Right Way: Let’s Discuss Self-Carriage 25 Aug 2025, 7:15 am

Or, why it isn’t always “bad” that your horse anticipates.

Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier it is to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Although competition dressage training often is more focused on training for the dressage test, that is not what the original intention (and original judging requirements) were for competitive dressage. Initially, it was designed to give riders and trainers a way to determine how their training measured up to the theoretical ideal of the training process. That said, it is critically important to understand the meanings and reasons for some of the terms we use to describe dressage training and what to look for when observing training and competition (and videos and photos), regardless of whether you intend to compete or just train your horse to be a better whatever you do with him. That, ultimately, is the main purpose of my articles. To provide education and knowledge for riders to understand and improve their eye and understanding of what dressage training is supposed to be. While there will always be some differences in practice and theory, good horse training is always recognizable to the educated eye. That said, it absolutely is necessary that we remember and understand that limited knowledge is limited judgment.

* * *

How many times have you been told that you shouldn’t practice your dressage test because your horse will learn the test and anticipate the movements? Similarly, you have probably been taught to correct a horse that anticipates an exercise that you did not ask for. Both of these are real training challenges and must be addressed to have success both in training and in the competition arena. That said, having your horse anticipate a movement is not always bad.

Without question, we do not want a horse to perform an exercise that we did not ask for, or that we are trying to prevent as the horse is blowing through our aids. But we DO want a horse to know his job (be trained) well-enough that he can anticipate what is expected of him and be ready to perform the movement that he knows is coming next. There is a very important distinction between the two types of anticipation that makes one acceptable, and the other undesirable.

Shades of self-carriage can be seen at lower levels in horses that have achieved proficiency at that level. But true self-carriage is only seen in the fully trained upper level horse. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson

When the horse anticipates an exercise and ignores the aids we are giving to prevent it, we say that “the horse is not on the aids,” and in dressage training (all training, really) we do not like our horses to be “not on the aids” because it means we are no longer in control of the exercise (or the animal, or maybe our immediate life-expectancy). But, when the horse is “on the aids” and is anticipating a movement but is waiting for the rider to cue the start of the movement, we call that “self-carriage.”

The term self-carriage covers a lot of territory and cannot simply be defined as the horse anticipating an exercise but waiting for the aids to be given for it. However, that is the part of self-carriage that we are going to focus on in this article. Briefly, for the sake of understanding, self-carriage (of any kind) does not occur with a horse that is:

• Not educated (has not been taught the exercises he is being asked to perform)
• Not on the aids/on the bit
• Not balanced (on the forehand)
• Not supple
• In the wrong contact

Self-carriage is not fully developed until the horse is capable (has been trained to do) all of the Grand Prix movements proficiently, with confidence, in appropriate collection and in the right contact. Some would argue that even that does not fulfill the requirements of self-carriage, but we can’t get into that right now. But with it in mind, it’s key to note that horses can learn a degree of self-carriage that is appropriate to their level of training. This is what we look for to gauge whether a horse has achieved proficiency in an exercise or a level of training.

Practicing the dressage test at home helps both the horse and rider be better prepared for the competition arena IF the horse is on the aids. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson

Another way to say that is that the aids for an exercise or exercises (and suppleness, balance and contact) are so familiar that the horse is confident in what they are preparing him to do, so that he anticipates what is coming next but (through consistent, disciplined repetition) knows to wait for the aids to tell him when to start it. This is literally why we do dressage training. To make educated horses that recognize that specific aids mean to do specific things and therefore do not require strength aids to “make” them do the things.

If you have been following along with some of the previous articles, you will recall that suppleness is crucial to putting a horse on the aids and that training is the careful application of the same aids meaning the same things, over time (days, weeks, months, years-not for just 30-60 minutes). This is the process of developing the good kind of anticipation. This process teaches the horse to look to the rider for guidance when he is uncertain and develops the horse’s confidence in what your aids mean (what his response is supposed to be) and confidence in what he is supposed to produce every day. This process of putting the horse on the aids, when done correctly, creates the balance (collection) suppleness, contact and confidence to create self-carriage.

So. Is it okay to practice your dressage test? YES — if your horse is on the aids and waits for you to tell him when to start the movements. This actually improves your test riding because your horse is actively participating in getting ready for the next movement because it is familiar and he can anticipate what is coming next.

If, however, he takes over and anticipates in a not-so-desirable way (does the exercise without your aid, or against the aids that are specifically telling him not to do it), you know that he is (at least for that movement) not on the aids and not supple enough. This gives you a direction of what needs to be done to make his understanding better rather than just trying to correct or punish him out of doing the exercise before you gives the aids for it. Think about it — do you want him to NEVER do the exercise/always avoid or be afraid of it? Or do you want him to wait for you tell him when to start it? And, yes, this is a place where having a very well-trained teacher help you train the self-carriage into the movement is not just helpful, but necessary.

The trained dressage horse has confidence in what is expected of him and looks to his rider for guidance when he is unsure. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson

The term self-carriage describes a complex intertwining of characteristics that effect the communication of the horse and rider, and it is the pinnacle of top quality training. One important piece of it is the development of the horse’s confidence in the rider’s aids and what is expected of him when he feels those aids. This form of anticipation must be developed and nurtured in the education of any horse, but specifically in a competitive Grand Prix dressage horse. Knowing that anticipation is not always undesirable helps the rider teach the horse to have confidence in his job and become a partner in the training and competition process.

Remember: limited knowledge is limited judgment.

Gwyneth and Flair in competition at Grand Prix. (c) flatlandsfoto.

Gwyneth McPherson has over 35 years experience competing, training, and teaching dressage.  She began her education in in the late 1970s, riding in her backyard on an 11 hh pony. Her first instructor introduced her to Lendon Gray (1980 and 1988 Olympian). who mentored Gwyneth for a decade during which she achieved her first National Championship in 1984, and her Team and Individual Young Rider Gold Medals in1987.

In 1990 Gwyneth began training with Carol Lavell (1992 Olympian) who further developed Gwyneth as an FEI rider and competitor. Gwyneth achieved a Team Bronze in 1991 and a Team Silver in 1992 in the North American Young Riders Championships, and trained her stallion G’Dur to do all the Grand Prix movements while riding with Carol.

In 2008, while Head Trainer at Pineland Farms, Gwyneth began training with Michael Poulin (Olympian 1992). Michael was trained by Franz Rochowansky (Chief Rider for the Spanish Riding School 1937-1955). Michael has shared much of Rochowansky’s knowledge and wisdom with Gwyneth, completing her education as a Grand Prix rider, trainer, and competitor.

Gwyneth’s teaching and training business, Forward Thinking Dressage,is based in Williston, FL. In addition to teaching riders and training, Gwyneth also loves sharing her knowledge of the sport and art of dressage as well as discussing relevant topics pertaining to the training itself and the current competitive landscape.

Why Horses and Sharks Are Basically the Same (Kind Of) 22 Aug 2025, 9:07 am

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the classic horror flick Jaws. Of course, I’ll be seeing it in the theaters. But it got me thinking — horses and sharks might not be all that different…

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws, the movie that forever made us think twice about getting into the water. While Spielberg’s shark, affectionately known as Bruce, became a pop culture icon, it got us thinking — and of course, when we think, we think about horses. Horses and sharks actually have more in common than you’d expect. So, in honor of half a century of cinematic shark terror, here’s a funny look at how horses and sharks are basically the same (kind of).

1. Constantly need snacks.
Horses want hay 24/7, sharks want… well, everything that moves.

2. Big teeth = big drama.
Whether it’s a nibble on your sleeve or a Hollywood feeding frenzy, those chompers get attention.

3. They spook easily.
Horses: “A plastic bag!!”
Sharks: “What’s that metal cage??”

4. Sleek, powerful, and oddly aerodynamic.
Horses on land, sharks in water—they both look like they’re built for race mode.

5. They make humans nervous.
Ride a horse for the first time = “This is terrifying.”
Swim with a shark for the first time = “This is terrifying.”

6. They don’t like when you touch their faces wrong.
Horses pin ears back. Sharks? …You might lose a limb.

7. They’re the stars of dramatic movies.
Horses = War Horse, Seabiscuit
Sharks = Jaws, Sharknado

8. Both have fan clubs.
Some people dream of galloping across fields; others dream of swimming with sharks. Both sets of people think the other is insane.

10 Things That Drive Farriers Crazy 21 Aug 2025, 1:39 pm

Canva/CC

I’m sitting in my barn aisle on my computer, idly gossiping with my farrier — probably my favorite person when it comes to my horses’ upkeep. Because I run a boarding barn (and have Thoroughbreds), we see each other pretty regularly. Today is about the perfect day for it — it’s cool (finally!), a little overcast, there’s even a breeze, and even the flies seem less intent on bugging all of us (pun intended).

For years, my farrier and I have joked about starting a farrier confessional — and we’ll get to that. But for today, here is a list of 10 things that drive every farrier crazy (try not to be one of them).

1. Horses that act like angels… until the rasp comes out.

2. Owners who swear their horse was “just trimmed” (six months ago).

3. Mud, mud, and more mud — because clean hooves are a myth.

4. Horses leaning like they’re auditioning for the Tower of Pisa.

5. Owners who insist their horse is never bad… while it tries to kick your head off.

6. Shoeing in 95° heat while the horse decides now is the time to dance.

7. Lost shoes right before a big show—  bonus points if it’s midnight.

8. Being asked to “just do a quick trim” on a draft horse — or a mini.

9. Hooves packed with mysterious substances you’d rather not identify.

10. People who think shoeing takes “just a few minutes.”

What else drives farriers up the wall? Let us know!

Reader Photo Challenge: All Attitude 21 Aug 2025, 9:24 am

Enjoy these four horses that are full of ‘tude!

This week we asked to see the sassy horses. Enjoy these four photos of horses who are full of ‘tude.

Bentley and Lace: one was excited for snow; the other, not so much. Photo by Starr Strother.

Photo by Jeffrey Lesitsky

Photo by Sara Yarger. Sara states that Graham didn’t want to work after napping and eating all day so he decided to lay down.

Holly sticking out her tongue. Photo by Emily Parmenter

Keep an eye out for next week’s photo challenge! We announce challenge subjects on Monday around the end of the day on both Instagram and Facebook.

How Horses Are Helping Children Overcome Speech and Language Disorders 21 Aug 2025, 9:09 am

Horses aren’t just partners in the arena—they’re also helping children find their voices. A new pilot program in Ohio is showing how equine-assisted therapy can boost confidence and improve speech and language skills for kids with communication challenges.

A pilot program in central Ohio is offering new insight into how equine-assisted activities may complement traditional speech and language interventions for children with communication disorders.

According to NBC 4 out of Columbus, OH, the program, hosted at Benson Oaks Farm, brought together licensed speech-language pathologists, graduate students from The Ohio State University’s Department of Speech and Hearing Science, and local school clinicians. Designed as a weeklong camp for children ages five to ten with speech and language challenges, the initiative integrated evidence-based therapeutic strategies with structured activities involving horses.

The camp explored whether the sensory, motivational, and emotional benefits of interacting with horses could enhance engagement and accelerate progress in speech therapy. Children participated in activities such as grooming, leading, and playing games with the horses. Speech-language pathologists embedded therapeutic targets into these sessions, from articulation drills to expressive language practice.

For example, when teaching sounds that require the tongue to move to the back of the mouth, clinicians paired movement with horse-related gestures. “If they need to get their tongue back, we can put our hand toward the tail so they see, ‘My tongue goes back, my hand goes back,’” explained speech-language pathologist Christina Mneimne. By combining physical cues with animal interaction, children gained a clearer sense of how to produce difficult sounds.

Clinicians reported striking improvements in just a few days. “Some of the kids barely spoke and would not come near the horse on Monday,” said speech-language pathologist Jackie Soler. “By the end of the week, they were walking the horses, grooming them, and projecting their voices confidently. We observed increased verbal output, louder speech, and a willingness to initiate communication.”

Children with a variety of diagnoses, including motor speech disorders and developmental delays, showed growth not only in speech production but also in self-confidence and social interaction. The tactile stimulation of grooming and the motivation of working with a responsive animal appeared to reduce anxiety, encourage participation, and create a positive feedback loop for learning.

While this was the first camp of its kind in central Ohio, equine-assisted therapies have been studied for decades. Research in hippotherapy — the clinical use of horse movement by licensed therapists — has demonstrated benefits for children with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental delays. Studies published in journals such as Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology and The American Journal of Occupational Therapy have found improvements in motor control, balance, and social engagement through equine-based interventions.

Though less common, applications for speech and language disorders are gaining interest. Horses provide a multisensory environment that can help children generalize speech skills beyond a clinical setting. The combination of physical activity, animal interaction, and social engagement creates conditions that align with current evidence on effective speech therapy: high motivation, varied contexts, and consistent reinforcement.

Camp founder and speech-language pathologist Karen Carver highlighted the relational role of the horses. “The horses are highly intuitive, and they seem to connect with the children as individuals. That bond enhances the therapeutic environment and keeps children motivated.”

Parents echoed this sentiment. Dr. Sarah Leopold, a research scientist at Ohio State and mother of a five-year-old camper with a motor speech disorder, observed changes in her son that were not evident in traditional therapy settings. “He resists typical speech therapy, but in this context, he was fully engaged. The biggest change I’ve seen is a boost in his confidence. Being around peers with similar challenges, patient clinicians, and in an outdoor setting made a substantial difference.”

While still in the pilot phase, the program’s success suggests that equine-assisted speech therapy could serve as a valuable complement to conventional interventions. Organizers plan to expand the camp into a year-round clinic at Benson Oaks Farm, offering families an innovative therapy model that blends clinical expertise with equine partnership.

“This program demonstrated that children who are reluctant in conventional therapy environments can thrive when evidence-based techniques are paired with equine-assisted experiences,” Carver said. “The outcomes underscore the potential for this model to complement traditional clinical approaches.”

You can watch a video showing how the kids benefit from this ABC affiliate:

Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Thin-Skinned 20 Aug 2025, 8:52 am

“Ten years ago, I would not have been out there at that stupid hour with stupid sheets in August … I didn’t fully grasp just how thin-skinned they can be about weather, flies, and changes.”

Welcome to the next installment of Thoroughbred Logic. In this weekly series, Anthropologist and trainer Aubrey Graham, of Kivu Sport Horses, offers insight and training experience when it comes to working with Thoroughbreds (although much will apply to all breeds). This week ride along as Aubrey shares her logic on how to deal with the varying levels of thin skin in her Thoroughbreds.

Let me set the scene… It is currently not quite dawn. It’s pouring rain (we do need the rain…) and it is 61-degrees. There’s a shelter in the field that is annoyingly unoccupied, and from my office window, I can see four Thoroughbreds who have tucked their tails, nosed away from the wind and look woefully miserable.

Yep, rain and cold in August. Gross. Photo by author.

I think the only good thing about this situation (besides that we need the rain) is that they’re in sheets. Because at 11:00 last night I finished up the barn, dragged hay-strewn turnout sheets off their hooks and hiked out to the fields to get them on the kids known to be a bit less tolerant of the wet and cold (it was still high 60s at the time). This storm could have been a drizzle all night, or it could have been what it is. I can’t bet on the weather around here, so I bet on their thin skin.

In the herd of four that I can currently see, I have my upper level prospect (Neil – Lute’s Angel), my soon-to-be Novice horse (Indy – Star Player), a former hunt horse (Gimlet – Thirsty’s Pride), and Platypus (Ripe for Mischief), a fresh-off-the-track who hasn’t experienced rain during turnout, in oh…. I don’t know… likely four to five years. Each of them need those sheets for their own reasons. Neil is sensitive sally, Indy is red and will break out with hives in the rain, Gimlet simply gets cold and runs around letting me know he’s cold, and Platypus has a slicked out track coat and ample muscle, but he’s currently not set up to withstand pretty much any elements except those he would encounter in a stall.

Recently off-the-track and experiencing turnout for the first time in a long time, Platypus (Ripe for Mischief) is not a thick-skinned kid. He’ll take some time to adjust to the elements. Photo by Lily Drew.

Sure, they are unlikely to die without the extra effort and extra layer, but they are likely to make my life harder this morning bringing them in, and then kick repercussions down the road in the form of skin reactions. Ten years ago, I would not have been out there at that stupid hour with stupid sheets in August. Because even though I had trained Thoroughbreds for years, I wasn’t yet directly in charge of their care. And I didn’t fully grasp just how thin-skinned they can be about weather, flies, and changes.

Indy (Star Player) has become pretty tolerant of flies, but his skin still doesn’t manage the rain well. Photo from GVRDC Area 1 Championships by Lily Drew.

When Forrest was three and fresh off the track, Georgia had an odd cold blast in October. My heat failed in my taped-together shoebox of a house and he came in shivering. Those two things were of course unrelated, but we were both cold. The other horses at the boarding facility? Meh — they didn’t really seem to notice. The other humans weren’t grad students living in rental hovels, so they, too, were fine. But it took me a minute to learn that Forrest wasn’t like the other horses yet. He didn’t have the coat, the physical seasonal awareness and survivability. Tossing him out on night turnout when it dipped down into the 20s exposed those differences.

Forrest (Don’t Noc It) working out for Tropical Racing at the track in Florida. Photo courtesy of Tropical Racing.

So with a farm of 20 or so Thoroughbreds currently, it is their “thin skin” that dictates my care decisions. Who gets turned out during the day with the flies (and who wears a fly sheet — hint: that would be everyone outside when the sun is up), who gets a sheet in August when it might rain overnight, and who goes out in the heavy blankets in the winter storms and who stays tucked in a stall. Many of them might have proverbial thin skin, but I do the best I can not to compromise on their time in turnout. So we adjust, blanket, fly gear from head to tail, nose to hoof (if out during the day), and get on with it.

As an aside, let me note that I’m not really reactionary about these things. I would have read this from Georgia and thought overkill. Hell, for the whole time I was there, my one fly sheet mostly gathered dust in the loft. But there’s something exceptional about the flies up here in New York that has me and the horses rethinking any daytime turnout options. Survival (and not letting them completely run out of their shoes) comes from masks, sheets with necks and fly boots. Shoot me.

No day turnout in the flies for this sensitive kiddo. Artie (Reunion Tour) is both extremely red and extremely opinionated about getting bitten by flies. Photo by Lily Drew.

And while I doubt they’ll grow more tolerant of the damn flies, over time, they do get used to the seasons. They let down from the track, gain fat and let their muscle soften and reshape. They become more cold-tolerant and acclimate to their climates. But for a while there, they’re likely going to let you know how they feel if left on the same blanketing schedule as other boarders or as even the Thoroughbreds who have been off the track and happily clicking around their second careers for years.

Yeah, all four of these kids had fly masks on when they went out… Photo by author.

That said, even for fresh off-track Thoroughbreds, their thin-skinned-ness does vary, of course. And some of that has to do with how they spend their off-seasons. Many hang out in stalls in local-to-the-track facilities. They rest, relax, but largely don’t see any turnout. Others places pull their shoes and toss them out in a herd in a sizeable field, feeding daily but letting them fend for themselves against the abscesses, rain and cold. They figure it out and have a few humans to pack feet and make sure they’re hanging in there. Before being brought back to the training track, they are clipped, their rain rot is resolved, and they get their shoes back. I don’t actually have an opinion on which route is better, and I’m sure there are happy mediums there, too.

Winter fields at Winchester Place Farm in Paris, Kentucky. Photo by author featuring now warhorse, Twoko Bay.

So when the weather changes, the flies get worse, or one simply hits the colder seasons, it’s probably worth thinking through the thin-skinned stereotype… and letting your horse tell you just how accurate it is or is not for them.

Go ride, folk. And apparently if you live in upstate New York, just you know, never store your blankets, you might need them mid summer.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

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Omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to reduce skin inflammation and mitigate allergic response. Contribute delivers both plant and marine sources of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Feed one to two ounces per day, depending on severity of the allergy.

Need tips on how to manage allergies? Check out this KPP infographic: Got Allergies?

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. KPPusa.com

The Idea of Order: The Mare Stare, Take 2 20 Aug 2025, 8:32 am

Because rejection at a distance is a life skill.

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Just another reason I love mares.

Milona DG and I. Photo (c) Q2 Photography.

Tuesday Video: Unruly Horse Walkers 19 Aug 2025, 9:07 am

Things can get a little wild around the farm!

While the backwards-walking horse steals the spotlight in this video, we couldn’t help but notice the spirited horse rearing in the background. It must’ve been an exciting day at the farm. Clearly, the horses were feeling full of energy and personality!

 

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Try to keep them tame and go riding, Horse Nation!

Mythbuster Monday: Shoulder Stress Lines Are Due To Improper Saddle Fit 18 Aug 2025, 9:22 am

On Mythbuster Monday, we tackle a variety of equestrian myths to either bust or confirm. Today’s discussion: Are shoulder stress lines due to improper saddle fit?

It’s Mythbuster Monday, where Horse Nation dives into different equestrian myths and provides research-based evidence to either bust or confirm those myths. Today’s topic: Are shoulder stress lines due to improper saddle fit?  What causes shoulder stress lines? What makes the musculature show the stress line? Read further to find out!

Myth: Shoulder stress lines are due to improper saddle fit

Myth or Fact: Both

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Shoulder stress lines on horses are visible indentations or hollow lines that appear along the shoulder region, typically running just behind or across the scapula. They represent an alteration in the normal contour of the horse’s musculature, often giving the appearance of a distinct groove or depression where the shoulder muscles should otherwise appear smooth and full. These lines can be identified by their linear, sunken presentation compared to the surrounding tissue. They may vary in severity and depth making them an important clinical observation for equine professionals.

But are they solely due to improper saddle fit?

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

An article by Animal Wellness Academy states that shoulder stress lines in horses can be linked to saddle fitment issues, particularly when an unbalanced saddle or incorrectly fitted gullet plate puts prolonged pressure on the trapezius muscle. This causes the horse to go into defensive contraction, leading to muscle tension, circulation restriction, and ultimately muscle atrophy or abnormal muscle definition. However, the article also emphasizes that not all narrowing or changes behind the shoulder are due to atrophy. Normal muscle biomechanics, such as lengthening of the longissimus dorsi during use, can mimic the appearance of atrophy or stress lines. Additionally, the article notes that spinal issues, nerve damage, cartilage injuries, and rider position influenced by saddle design can also contribute to stress lines in the shoulder region. While poor saddle fit is a significant contributor, it is not the sole cause of shoulder stress lines, and a comprehensive evaluation involving equine professionals is necessary to determine the true underlying factors.

Photo courtesy of Animal Wellness Academy

Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CSE states in her muscle atrophy article that, although an ill-fitting saddle is often a significant cause of stress lines in horses, it is not the sole explanation. Poor saddle fit can create constant pressure on muscles like the trapezius, leading to defensive contraction, ischemia, and eventual muscle wasting or negative muscle definition. However, Schleese emphasizes that muscle atrophy can also arise from many other conditions. These include natural aging, disuse atrophy from stall rest or reduced activity, neurogenic atrophy due to nerve injury, and even genetic conditions such as polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM). Additionally, stress lines or narrowing behind the shoulder may sometimes be mistaken for atrophy when, in fact, they simply are the result of normal muscle biomechanics and lengthening during exercise. Historical conditions such as Sweeney shoulder, once common in working horses due to nerve compression from harnesses, also illustrates that nerve injury independent of saddle fit can cause atrophy. Schleese concludes that although saddle fit is a critical factor to examine and address, shoulder stress lines cannot always be attributed to it alone; therefore, a comprehensive evaluation involving veterinary diagnostics and professional assessment is essential.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Further, Kentucky Equine Research states writes that shoulder stress lines and muscle loss in horses can often be linked to muscle atrophy, a condition in which muscle tissue decreases in size and strength. Dr. Stephanie J. Valberg of the University of Minnesota emphasizes that identifying atrophy requires a detailed history, physical exam, and sometimes advanced diagnostic testing to distinguish between myogenic (muscle-cell related) and neurogenic (nerve-related) atrophy. These distinctions are important because the causes, treatment options, and prognosis differ widely. Diagnostic tools such as ultrasonography, radiography, nuclear scintigraphy, electromyography, and muscle biopsy can help determine whether the atrophy is due to direct muscle disease, malnutrition, disuse, or nerve damage. Treatment strategies may include nutritional support, medications for conditions like Cushing’s disease or equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), physical rehabilitation, and vitamin supplementation. The article highlights that while stress lines may suggest a saddle fit problem, they can also signal broader health concerns tied to neuromuscular or systemic disease, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy for horses showing these signs.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

The Horse writes that muscle atrophy in horses is a common issue with many potential causes, ranging from aging and disuse to systemic disease, neurologic conditions, and myopathies. Poor saddle fit is identified as one key factor, as an ill-fitted saddle can create painful pressure points on the muscles near the shoulder and withers. This discomfort leads the horse to avoid using those muscles correctly, resulting in visible stress lines, reduced muscle mass, and difficulty lifting the back or engaging the hindquarters. However, the article emphasizes that saddle fit is only one contributor—atrophy and shoulder stress lines may also result from conditions such as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), equine motor neuron disease (EMND), pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), nutritional deficiencies, and general inactivity. Because of this wide range of possible causes, proper diagnosis requires veterinary evaluation to distinguish whether muscle changes stem from saddle-related pressure or broader systemic or neuromuscular disease.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Mad Barn shares that improper saddle fit can lead to shoulder stress lines in horses, which often appear as visible indentations or atrophy behind the scapula. These lines reflect changes in the underlying musculature and can negatively impact comfort, performance, and long-term soundness. Beyond saddle fit, muscle wasting in horses can result from various underlying health conditions, some of which are more serious than others. Once the root cause of muscle atrophy is identified, owners should work with a veterinarian, equine nutritionist, and trainer to support muscle recovery and long-term strength.

The following are some of the most common underlying causes of muscle wasting in horses:

• Equine Motor Neuron Disease (EMND)
• Vitamin E Responsive Myopathy (VEM)
• Nutritional Myodegeneration (NMD)
• Myosin Heavy Chain Myopathy (MYHM)
• Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM)
• Myofibrillar Myopathy (MFM)
• Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)
• Traumatic nervous system injuries such as Sweeney
• Amino acid deficiencies
• Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)
• Sarcopenia in older horses

These conditions vary in severity — some are manageable with dietary and exercise adjustments, while others involve progressive neurodegenerative disease requiring medical treatment.

By monitoring early changes in muscle mass and posture, horse owners can identify problems sooner and pursue diagnostic testing, including bloodwork, genetic screening, or muscle biopsy where appropriate. Treatment approaches depend on the underlying condition, but nutritional support, targeted supplementation, medical therapies, and tailored training programs are all critical in restoring and preserving muscle mass in affected horses.

While improper saddle fitment can contribute to the development of shoulder stress lines in horses, it is not the sole cause. Stress lines may also result from underlying muscular weakness, genetic predisposition, repetitive strain, conformation issues, or training methods that place uneven pressure on the shoulder region. Recognizing that shoulder stress lines are multifactorial underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach, including veterinary assessment, targeted conditioning, and thoughtful riding practices, rather than attributing them exclusively to saddle fit. Addressing the broader context of the horse’s health and workload ensures more effective prevention and management of shoulder stress injuries.

Do you have an equine myth you’d like us to tackle? If so, send it our way! Email your suggestions to deann@horsenation.com. Put Mythbuster Monday in your subject line.

Standing Ovation: Durango® Boots Awards Second Annual $30,000 ‘National Day of the Cowgirl’ Scholarship 15 Aug 2025, 10:21 am

Scholarship Recipient Laurel Cox is an Undergraduate Animal Science and Journalism Student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Nelsonville, OH (August 15, 2025) – Celebrating American cowgirls nationwide, Durango® Boots, in partnership with the Dude Ranch Foundation, awards its second annual National Day of the Cowgirl $30,000 scholarship to University of Tennessee Knoxville student, Laurel Cox. The National Day of the Cowgirl holiday, celebrated each year on September 15^th, honors the spirit, strength and contributions of cowgirls across the country. Applications for the 2026 scholarship will be open September 15 through December 31, 2025. Eligible undergraduate students pursuing degrees in the Western industry are encouraged to apply. For more information or to apply for the scholarship, visit https://nationaldayofthecowgirl.com/.

“The Western industry is rooted in traditions such as faith, hard work, and community, and these principles are the foundations of why we created the National Day of the Cowgirl holiday and scholarship” shared Erin DeLong, marketing manager at Durango Boots. “Our second annual scholarship recipient, Laurel Cox, embodies these strong values and we are thrilled to be part of her journey and support system aiding her future as a cowgirl.”

Scholarship recipient Laurel Cox is from Bell Buckle, TN and is currently an undergraduate student at University of Tennessee Knoxville where she studies animal science and journalism. Through her focus on agricultural journalism and broadcasting, Laurel wants to share the stories of the Western industry with the rest of the world, advocating for the industry and making an impact on the next generations of cowgirls.

“There are so many passionate people with powerful stories that need to be shared,” said Laurel Cox. “I want to be the connection between people within the Western industry and the rest of the world. My goal is to tell the full stories of people’s lives and encourage cowgirls everywhere to chase their dreams.”

The National Day of the Cowgirl scholarship, presented by Durango® Boots, will be awarded in the amount of $30,000, distributed over three years of continued education. Each year, the scholarship will be awarded to one undergraduate female student currently in their first year of college who aspires to contribute to the western way of life through the passionate pursuit of a career within the western, agriculture, farm and ranch, equine, or western sports industries.

Continued Laurel, “It means so much to me as a cowgirl who is finding my place in this industry to know that others believe in me. I am so grateful to Durango for creating the National Day of the Cowgirl holiday and its scholarship to help me pursue my educational goals. I am honored to add my name to a hopefully long list of cowgirls who will continue to change the world.”

About Durango® Boots
Founded in 1966, Durango^® Boots manufactures and markets quality-crafted western and fashion footwear for men, women, and children. It is a division of Rocky Brands, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ^® under the symbol: RCKY. For more information visit www.durangoboots.com.

About the Dude Ranch Foundation
The Dude Ranch Foundation preserves the heritage and advances the future of America’s dude ranching industry by funding scholarships for higher education, conducting horse safety programs, stewarding a free Western Museum, and protecting millions of acres of historic ranchlands. The Dude Ranch Foundation is a duly incorporated nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Service code 501(c)(3).

Here at Horse Nation we love to recognize individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to deann@horsenation.com. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.