Classic Eventing Nation

A Letter to Me – Max Corcoran

By on Jun 13, 2020 9:32 am -

If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say? That’s the topic of an ongoing series by Equestrian Marketing Firm Athletux. Today supergroom/USEA President Max Corcoran shares her letter.

Previous letters: Tamie Smith | Jennifer Wooten | Katy Robinson | Natalia Gurmankin | Joanie Morris| Will Faudree | Jan Byyny | Sara Kozumplik Murphy

Photo courtesy of Max Corcoran.

Dear Max,

Wear more sunscreen, drink more water, start practicing yoga, count to ten before answering … the advice I wish I had listened to when I was your age.

Get ready for a bumpy ride girl … you will have so many opportunities and adventures, but also heartbreak and tears. You will learn from them all – maybe not at first, but you will be stronger for it.

School will continue to be hard for you – you will struggle taking tests your entire life – sorry, but it’s true. Eventually, you will be diagnosed with a learning disability which will relieve you and justify the fact that you “just don’t work hard enough” isn’t who you are. You just learn a bit differently.

Your high school experience will be ever important – the foundation of your core soul will be created there – not only because of the age that you are during that time but because of the people there who will never give up on you. You will find yourself … it will be a bit blurry at the time, but that is life. It always makes more sense after the fact. The friends you make in high school will remain your friends 30 years later. This is something incredibly rare, so be sure to cherish all of your moments with them.

Sports will help keep you focused … you will play Ice Hockey at Northeastern – four years of travel on buses, late practices, and fabulous women. They will be stronger mentally and physically than you and you will try very hard to keep up with them. You will be plagued with injuries and you will battle back – you will have scars to prove it.  You will watch your teammates go on to play, coach, and become doctors for Olympic teams … Women’s Ice Hockey in the Olympics – yup, it happens!

Through all this, horses will keep your interest. You will spend summers wanting to be at the barn ALL THE TIME – but let me tell you – that will change, LOL. Your friend and coach, Bobby Costello, will go to the Olympics … and guess what, so will you — but as a groom, not a rider. Your summer crew will continue to live in Hamilton and they will get married and have kids. They will be jealous of the fact that you get to live every little girl’s dream of going to the Olympics … even though you are there grooming – for one of the best riders in the world – more on that later….

Marriage and kids won’t seem to suit you – and that’s okay, don’t let anyone tell you differently. You will have your share of boyfriends, and your heart will be broken and you will break some hearts too … it all ends up pretty great.

You will work in Boston for five years – you won’t ride for three of those years… but you will enjoy the challenge of this job and meet some really great people. One day, you will be ready for a change … and you won’t eat, and you won’t sleep, and you won’t know why. It will be February in Boston and the daylight will be slim – and just like that you will quit your job and go back to horses.

In the summer of 2001, you will get to travel with Jim Stamets and his quirky mare Bally-Mar. You will learn a lot from Jim about being a good horseman – and the mare will have a great year. You and Jim will laugh until you can’t breathe, drink Heineken, and enjoy the journey of the summer. In the blink of an eye, he will be gone. His failing heart will finally give up and you will be left with no job, no friend, and no thought of what to do next.  This will start your biggest adventure yet.

Because you took care of that mare like she was your own (Bally-Mar) – John and Dianne Pingree will believe in you and ask you a HUGE favor. You will drive your ailing Ford Escort station wagon to Middleburg, VA, following the trailer with Bally-Mar in it after packing most of your apartment and belongings and putting them in storage for what is supposed to be six months. Those six months will turn into 11 years … here’s why –

You are going to look after Bally-Mar for Karen O’Connor (you know her as Karen Lende). You will struggle when you arrive from intimidation as you try to break into the cult. Just keep your head down and keep working. Do what the bosses tell you. Ask questions, be honest, and don’t stop learning from every horse. You will meet a lifelong friend who will be your only friend for a while there. Slowly you will be let into the group and all will be good. These people will still be your best friends 20 years later – advice on horses and life will forever be a phone call away as a result.

Make sure your passport is always up to date because you will travel the world and get to go places and meet people you have only seen in magazines. Attention to detail will become paramount and years will appear to fly by. Hours on the road, set up and take down, braids, trot ups, finding the balance – always striving to be better so your rider will be more successful.  You will know your vet and farrier’s number by heart, and they will become like family. You will all stick together in triumph and tragedy … and you will have your fair share of both.

Your family of fellow grooms – they are irreplaceable. You will call each other when you have good news or bad news – you will travel and live in bizarre places. These will become adventures for a lifetime. You will learn to cherish every sleepless, hungry hour.

Through all this, your family will remain right behind you … they will joke about not hearing from you and looking at Facebook to know what state or country you are in. They love you and are proud of you and you will know that they are what makes your heart continue to beat. They are the energy in your soul.

After 11 years, you will leave everything you know once again. You will be very sad and confused, and it will feel like all your work was unacknowledged.  It will hurt and you will be angry – but this too will pass and you will learn from it.

It will be time to recreate you – it is scary and lonely and humbling and tough on the bank account.

The man that you fall in love with will have supported your journey for several years, and it will be your turn to support his. His new business will flourish and even though you will both travel in different directions; you will always be there for each other. People may not always understand him as he is fantastically unique – his heart is so good.

The good people in your life will give you opportunities. The not so good people will let you down. This is how the world works. It’s up to you to figure out who those people are… sorry – can’t make it too easy for you! You will find your balance.

Suddenly, with no warning at all, you will be standing in front of 400 people in Boston making a speech, sweating in nerves. Everyone will be staring at you. You are supposed to be saying something smart and thought-provoking … and of course, your family will be there.

You will be on this stage, with all eyes on you because you are now the president of what you know as the USCTA – it becomes the USEA a few years ago now. Somehow, you will make your way up in the governance world, which you may never understand because I still don’t. I guess your New England honesty is a curse and a blessing.  You will have great people around you – lean on them – it’s OK. The conference calls will get easier … and one day you will get one completely right!

Keep stretching – mentally and physically.

Wear a hat – cold or hot weather – they will serve you well in different capacities.

You will go grey early.

Coffee is your friend.

Be kind even when it’s hard.

Dance.

Laugh.

Learn.

Love.

Take a deep breath – it’s an amazing ride.

 

Love,

Max

Equestrian Marketing Firm Athletux is proud to be one of the longest running agencies in the business, working exclusively with equestrian brands, athletes and events. Athletux understands your audience, utilizing innovative and creative ideas to build your brand and image. By integrating a passion for all things equine with drive and knowledge, you will achieve unparalleled results. Think of Athletux as an extension of your team, providing highly specialized tools to take your business to the next level. Learn more about how Athletux can help you revolutionize your business today. Visit athletux.com for more information, or follow along via social @athletux. 

Carolina Horse Park’s War Horse Event Series Steps Up to the Plate With Recognized Divisions

By on Jun 13, 2020 9:31 am -

Usually a schooling series, in the wake of so many canceled 2020 events Carolina Horse Park’s popular War Horse Event Series (WHES) applied for USEA licensure to offer more opportunities for riders to compete at recognized competitions. New USEA divisions, offered at Beginner Novice/Novice/Training/Modified/Prelim levels, provide riders additional opportunities to gain qualifying scores for the AEC, USEA/USEF year-end awards and WHES November Championship qualification points.

WHES, whose title sponsor is Southern Pines Equine Associates, is continuing to offer its signature schooling show opportunities alongside the USEA recognized divisions, including a schooling horse trials (Maiden – Prelim), dressage ride-a-test (any level) and combined tests (Maiden – Advanced).

The first WHES in the 2020 series takes place this weekend in Raeford, North Carolina. Saturday is earmarked as schooling day; open to anyone, show jumping courses will be set in the Overly and Meadow Arenas that are different from that of Sunday’s competition. Likewise, cross Country schooling will allow access to water complex and other jumps but not in the same sequence as the competition. What an awesome opportunity to knock off the rust and build confidence.

The recognized competition follows on Sunday. Five dressage arenas will come to life at 7:30 a.m., with judges Sue Smithson (r/Eventing), Jan Jacobson (R-Dressage), Janie Malone (R-Dressage), Heather Hamilton Boyer (L) and Kris Hamilton (L) officiating. Riders will head off to tackle show jumping and cross country from there. If you’re a fan of one-day events, 2020 is your year!

Looking over the entry list, it looks like a lot of riders are looking to WHEAS to get back in the show ring. The first rider up the centerline today is local Will Faudree with Pfun, riding the 5*B test, followed by Ariel Grald with Leamore Master Plan, who was minted a five-star horse last year with 12th and 10th place finishes at Kentucky and Burghley respectively — they’re doing the Advanced combined test. Next in for an Intermediate combined test we’ve got Canadian team rider Dana Cooke with her 2019 Pan Am Games mount FE Mississippi, among several more we’d be excited to watch!

Sitting this weekend’s WHES out? The series continues through this summer:

Upcoming dates with links to USEA calendar listings include:

You can find info about the accompanying schooling horse trials, etc. at the Carolina Horse Park website. There’s plenty more on the Park’s calendar for this summer, too, including Dressage at the Park I & II at the end of June.

Helpful links for this weekend’s WHES Show:

Welcome back, everyone. Best of luck to all, and have fun! Go Eventing.

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Let’s go schooling!!!!!

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Happy to be back at it 🙂

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Saturday Links from Nupafeed USA

By on Jun 13, 2020 12:01 am -

As someone who is inherently privileged and truly wants to contribute to the world being a better place, I, like many others, have been making an attempt to read and educate myself about systemic racism and see how I can do better and be better. I am trying not to be silent, because I understand how silence is complacency. Silence is part of the problem (see: There Is No Such Thing As a Silent Ally) but I don’t fancy myself as eloquent of a writer as some of my amazing colleagues here at EN and have a tendency to clam up.

As a first step in speaking out, I’m going to make a public confession here and I challenge you to think about whether you have experienced this as well: I didn’t hesitate to buy myself a new helmet this week, but when a few calls for donations from friends on social media to charities benefitting the Black Lives Matter movement directly or indirectly appeared across my social media I realized that I scrolled past. As I thought about contributing, I caught myself hesitating.

Why? Am I so selfish that I can drop a cool bit of cash on something nice for myself (not that a helmet not an important and necessary piece of safety equipment — it for sure is — but, let’s be honest, there are many cheaper, just as good helmets I could have opted for) but not to a charity that could do some fantastic greater good in the world? That is a discomfort that I needed to really sit with and digest, leading to the realization that yes, I am that selfish, I am that privileged, and, after further rumination, realization that I am not OK with that about myself.

This is one of my first steps to recognizing where I am at and trying to help right the wrong that has been done to fellow humans for so long. How many of my fellow white equestrians have done the same selfish thing? I dare you to admit it to yourself and then I dare you to determine how you’ll do better too.

National Day Calendar: National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day

U.S. Weekend Action: 

Waredaca H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

War Horse Event Series June H.T. (NC): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm June H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entry Status] [YEH Ride Times]

Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (WI): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Saturday Links: 

Life As A Black Equestrian

I Would Like to Introduce Myself

Whether Hunt Field Or Cross-Country, This Appaloosa-Akhal Teke Shines

Feeding Thousands of Horses As Owners Lose Jobs

Calendar shuffles and new fixtures as British Eventing prepares to re-start

Queen Elizabeth Reveals Her Favorite Horses — and Why She Only Rides Ponies Now

Saturday Video:

 

@muddymayhemMy fellow ##eventers do you feel the pain? ##fyp ##equestrian ##equestrianproblems ##equestriancheck ##teachersoftiktok♬ original sound – biblegrrl

#FlashbackFriday Video from SmartPak: British Eventing’s Back – So Let’s Revisit London 2012

By on Jun 12, 2020 7:56 pm -

The updated British Eventing fixture list for this summer has been released ahead of a planned return to competition in the first week of July, and that’s definitely worth celebrating. And how better to do so than by settling in for the binge of the century, reliving all 6+ hours of the cross-country action at the spectacular London Olympics in 2012 — a glorious and glittering ode to the creme-de-la-creme of sport in the UK.

Sit back, relax, and get ready for an evening very, very well spent. Have you got your entries planned yet? Let us know — and Go Eventing!

 

What’s Happening This Summer? Your Weekly Guide to Clinics, Shows & More [Updated 6/5]

By on Jun 12, 2020 11:00 am -

Featured Event of the Week: The Show Must Go On Socially Distanced Jumper Show, June 1-7 in Sutton, MA. More info here.

“What’s Happening This Summer,” presented in partnership with Strider (formerly Event Clinics), is your complete guide to clinics, schooling shows and other riding and educational opportunities.

Want your activity listed? Register it with Strider, a mobile friendly, user-controlled services platform that connects organizers with riders. It’s easy and free to post your listing — click here to get started.

Here is what’s happening in your USEA Area this summer.

Location Quick Links: Area I | Area II | Area III | Area IV | Area V | Area VI | Area VII | Area VIII | Area IX | Area X

Area I

Area II

Area III

Area IV

Area V

Area VI

Area VII

Area VIII

Area IX

Area X

Go Eventing.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Time to Start Again

By on Jun 12, 2020 10:00 am -

Our sport’s first events back after a COVID-19 induced hiatus took place last weekend so we’re all itching to start getting out there again if we haven’t already. It’s a bit like a reset to the season, but think of it in the same way as you think of coming back into work after a winter off-season break.

Speaking of time to start again, there are always off-track Thoroughbreds out there looking for a new beginning no matter what time of year it is. Here are three adoptable OTTBs that caught our eye this week:

Sweet Hall. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.

Sweet Hall (GRAEME HALL – SWEETTAY, BY CRAFTY FRIEND): 2012 15.3-hand Florida-bred mare

“Louise” last raced in September 2019, retiring after 54 starts, and has been with her current owners since October 2019 living out on pasture 24/7 and generally enjoying life. She’s undergone the beginning of being restarted and is entered in the 2020 RRP. Her owner says she is curious and “will zip right up to you in the pasture for scratches.” She can be a bit anxious and therefore needs a more of a confident owner, though she is quite bold and not spooky.

Located in Georgia.

View Sweet Hall on the Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.

Step Ten. Photo via Second Stride.

Step Ten (BLAME – TWICE TOLD TALE, BY TALE OF THE CAT): 2017 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

This pretty boy is a truly good-looking prospect and is priced as such in hopes that he’ll pave the way for a couple more horses to find fresh starts through Second Stride. Step Ten raced just once and retired sound but slow. He did have throat surgery in the past but trained fine afterwards and could have a future as a sport horse.

Located in Prospect, Kentucky.

View Step Ten on Second Stride Inc.

Smart Russian. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project Horse listings.

Smart Russian (SMARTY JONES – RUSSIAN CLASSIC, BY REGAL CLASSIC): 2013 16.0-hand New York-bred gelding

No wonder this good-looking chestnut is a smart-looking guy — he’s a son of 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones. Smart Russian raced 36 times between 2016 and 2019, earning a total of $83,370. Since coming off the track he’s had some downtime and has more recently been working in a Pessoa lunging system. He’s a quick learner and is ready to be restarted in earnest.

Located in New York.

View Smart Russian on the Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jun 12, 2020 12:03 am -

Dressage at Great Meadow. Photo by Mary Pat Stone.

Ah June, the time at which my tan lines really start to become the star of the show. Each year I claim that I will finally make my legs tan, but, every year I fail. Maybe 2020 will be the time? Although considering how the rest of the year is going, perhaps not.

National Day Calendar: National Peanut Butter Cookie Day🍪

U.S. Weekend Preview: 

Waredaca H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

War Horse Event Series June H.T. (NC): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm June H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entry Status] [YEH Ride Times]

Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (WI): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

Entry update: Surefire Horse Trials (June 19-21 in Purcellville, VA) is on! Make sure all paperwork and payments are made by the end of today! Check the website for continued updates. [Surefire Eventing]

Video worth watching today: the Cowboys of Color Rodeo, and the founder Cleo Hearn. Cleo has spent the majority of his life as professional cowboy — he began his career in 1959. As a professional Black cowboy, he’s faced racism and significant challenges that White cowboys have not. [Cowboys of Color Rodeo]

It’s the one we’ve all been waiting for, a letter from Max Corcoran to herself. As one of the staples of Eventing for decades, Max is synonymous with success at the upper levels. Don’t miss this inspirational blog. [A Letter To Me]

We’ve heard from both sides of the equestrian take on racist structures, but both of them were from white women. Now it’s time to hear it directly from the POC perspective, as we do here from Tyler St Bernard, a 21-year-old queer black woman who competes in the hunter world. Worth the read. [A Black Equestrian’s Perspective]

Hot on Horse Nation: #TBT: 12 Obsessions Non-Riders Don’t Understand

Just in on Jumper Nation: Thoughts on Inequality and Racism

What We’re Listening To: In the latest edition of The Coaching Show, by the Equiratings Eventing Podcast, Sam and Gear talk about bringing a purpose to coaching and training. [Listen]

Watch This: Kristina Whorton and her own Finnigan jumped clear with time around the Prelim course at River Glen H.T. in Newmarket, TN, last weekend. It was their second outing at the level together and the horse looked to gain confidence the whole way around.

A Pane of Glass: The Problem of Diversity in Equestrian Sport, Part I

By on Jun 11, 2020 4:22 pm -

Photo by Dr. Shekina Moore.

It’s a damp, slate-skied October day at Tryon International Equestrian Center. I’m sitting at a table with six other panelists, hailing from around the world, for the 2019 Tom Bass Seminar for Diversity in Equestrian Sport. We’re here to discuss an issue that has long troubled me, and many other otherwise die-hard devotees of our sport: its overwhelming whiteness.

I look out the window into the big jumper ring, flanked by Adirondack style buildings and a jumbotron. There’s a sushi restaurant and a steakhouse across the way, and a promenade of boutiques with designer sunglasses and custom shadbellies in their display windows. Glossy, six-figure horses canter into the arena, one after the next, to have a crack at the labyrinth of colored poles.

Seminar attendees file into the small wood-paneled room. A few curious locals have shown up; others have traveled great distances to be a part of this discussion. It’s an unprecedented moment: Incredulously, it’s the first time an industry-wide representation of experts have sat down together, in one room, to address diversity — or rather, the lack thereof — head-on. And it’s long overdue.

I’m no expert, but I do have a platform and a voice that isn’t afraid to ask hard questions. I’m one of few journalists who have dared poke a stick at the subject of diversity, which is the low-bar reasoning behind my invitation here today. As one of three non-black panelists, I can’t speak to the experience of being the minority in a majority white sport. But what I can do is listen. I can show up.

The other panelists include moderator Melvin H. Cox, Managing Director of SportsQuest International, LLC and a Lecturer at the University of California, Santa Cruz; Julian Hyde, a show jumper representing the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica; Stanford Moore, Publisher of Black Reins Magazine; Julian Seaman, Media Director of the Badminton Horse Trials; and Hillary Tucker, Equine Services Specialist & Territory Sales Manager at McCauley Brothers, an Alltech company. Together, our varying experiences cover a lot of ground. One thing we all have in common, Julian Seaman notes, is that none of us were born into the horse world. We charted our own courses to where we stand today, upstream or downstream, and more likely a mixture of both.

After some polite introductions, we dive right into heated discussion about the “problem” — which is more like an everlasting gobstopper of layers upon layers of problems, plural. (I dig into a few of them here: “Where Is the Diversity in Eventing?“)

On the surface there is lack of access, lack of inclusiveness, lack of resources, lack of representation, lack of interest. Underpinning that are vestigial socio-economic barriers, i.e. not everyone is in a financial position to invest in the training, equipment and competition costs required to participate, much less excel, in certain sports — particularly equipment sports like archery, canoe/kayak, cycling, rowing, modern pentathlon, sailing, shooting and triathlon (which are, not surprisingly, the least diverse Olympic sports). And yet another frustratingly impenetrable layer below is rooted in a deeper structural racism of who has access to what, entrenched in years<decades<centuries of racial inequality.

It’s a lot to unravel, much less dismantle. I understand systemic racism logically, but it’s a whole different thing to come eye to eye with it, in person. Enter David Staley, who arrives at the seminar with a crew of black youth.

David raises his hand between panel questions and stands up, his frame tall, his brow furrowed. “I was afraid to speak, because I was afraid I would get emotional,” he begins. He says he is from the non-profit organization Unity in the Community of the Foothills, located right down the road from TIEC, dedicated to a mission statement of “empowering people to recognize their potential and use the power that exists within each of them to reach their potential.”

Their summer camp has 45 to 50 kids, he says, nodding toward those he’s brought along today: “This one lives not even a mile from here. This one lives two miles from here. This one, two miles. We’ve had the opening of our summer camp right over there for the past three years.”

Outside the window, it looks like rain. A snow-white horse is gliding around the course, its rider a picture of singular focus, one jump to the next. They’ll leave the ring, and the rider will hand his mount off to a groom, who statistically speaking is of Hispanic or Latinx ethnicity. And then another horse will canter into the ring, take its turn, and get handed off to a groom. The cycle continues.

“I have tried to get these kids access to a horse, up close and personal. I could not do that until I met Mr. Cox,” David continues. “I didn’t know how to … there was a missing link to the equestrian world, even though we were close. You’ve heard the phrase, so close yet so far away. That’s what we’re dealing with.”

So close yet so far away. I glance out the window again. Another horse, another rider. Depending on your perspective, a pane of glass can feel shatterable or as wide and gaping as an ocean.

TIEC, to its credit, has taken community involvement seriously. The venue’s popular Saturday Night Lights series is free and open to the public, attracting a diverse crowd of spectators during its May-October season. There are carousel rides, fire twirlers, acrobats, magicians, mechanical bull riding, sand-castle building and craft beer, all set against the backdrop of a Grand Prix show jumping competition. It doesn’t get an underserved black kid on a horse, or even anywhere near a horse, but it’s a start. As I said, the bar is low.

Storms are on their way in, so tonight’s Grand Prix has been bumped up to the afternoon. Outside, the jump crew is hurriedly raising fences to dizzying heights. Riders walk their courses, counting strides and memorizing lines, focused on the daunting test ahead. They aren’t paying attention to the discussion in this wood-paneled room. Maybe they don’t realize it exists. Maybe they don’t think it concerns them. After all, when it comes to matters like racial inequality, it’s easier — certainly, more comfortable — to just stay in your lane. Or maybe they just don’t care.

There are hundreds of riders on the TIEC grounds this weekend, taking their turns in the ring. Despite being well publicized, and despite being the first meeting of its kind in our sport’s history, and despite being an issue upon which the fate of our sport as an Olympic discipline arguably hinges, not one competing rider is in attendance for the 2019 Tom Bass Seminar.

David himself jokes that he had to “drag” some of his Unity kids to the seminar. Not all of them are into horses. Some are. Some might be, but they don’t know it yet because they haven’t ever been in the physical presence of a horse before. He’s “dragging them” to two more meetings out in the community today. “We made an effort to get these kids out here so they could, and so I could, hear it. I don’t know if they took it in and they heard it, but at least they were here.”

At least they were here.

“We need a dialogue,” David says. “I think you need to start right here, and work your way out.”

You can listen to a complete recording of the 2019 Tom Bass Seminar for Diversity in Equestrian Sport here. 

 

Thursday Video: A Flat Lesson with Beezie

By on Jun 11, 2020 12:44 pm -

The Madden Method is back with a new flat lesson straight from the queen herself. Take a virtual flat lesson with show jumping superstar Beezie Madden as she works with “Coach”, owned and ridden by Katherine Strauss. Beezie starts off the lesson with some flatting on Coach herself, followed by some support from the ground while Katherine rides.

Who says learning has to be expensive all the time? There are boundless opportunities such as this to take a “lesson.” Save this for your next time you need some inspiration to go work on those pretty circles.

Farrier Etiquette – The Most Bang for Your Buck: Brought to You by Banixx

By on Jun 11, 2020 10:45 am -
Jim Clemente at work in Southern Pines, NC

Jim Clemente at work in Southern Pines, NC. Photo courtesy of Shellie Sommerson.

Do you dread picking up your horse’s feet? Do you wrestle with him to get studs in and out? Just think how your farrier feels when he/she shoes your horse!

Your farrier is a key member of the team that keeps your horse at his best. Here are some tips on how to make the process more pleasant for everyone involved!

As one farrier told me, “You will get more bang for your buck if your horse stands still for the farrier.”

Foals/Youngsters – Handle your youngsters early on and often! Run your hands down the legs, pick up the feet, get them used to being touched and handled. Bring the youngster into the area where the farrier is working on other horses and have the farrier ‘introduce’ him/herself to the youngster before working on him.

Older horses or injured horses – Consult with your veterinarian AND farrier together on how to best prepare your horse so he can be the most comfortable for the farrier session. And, let your farrier know about the issue(s). For a horse that cannot bend his knee/knees fully you can work with him to stand one front foot on a block while the other foot is being trimmed and worked on. It may take a little time to teach this ‘pedestal trick’ but it can make the farrier process easier for both your horse and your farrier.

Difficult and energetic horses – Turn out, lunge, or ride before the farrier session. Plan ahead! If your horse has been in the stall all night, get to the barn early enough to burn off that extra energy via exercise rather than expecting your farrier to provide stellar workmanship on a moving target!

Very difficult horses — Make a plan well in advance. Talk to both your veterinarian AND farrier for the best approach. NEVER sedate your horse for farrier work without your farrier’s knowledge. Keep everyone safe! Be honest, but do not belabor the point, if your horse has behavioral issues during farrier work – let your farrier know ahead so that he/she can be prepared. In between farrier visits, work with your trainer to resolve the issues.

Work area

  • A covered area (rain or shine) is optimal, with level and dry footing.
  • Good lighting is very important. Set up additional lamps if regular lighting is not sufficient.
  • Fans can help keep the air circulating; however, if the fan is too strong or at the wrong angle it can throw dust in your farrier’s eyes, etc.
  • Clear the work area of obstacles and debris. Reduce, or better, eliminate traffic of people, dogs, cats, other horses, and vehicles (golf carts, gators, etc.).
  • Avoid deliveries like feed and hay.
  • If farrier work is unavoidable during feeding time, giving your horse a handful of grain, while the others are being fed, may de-escalate the situation.
  • Set your phone down! The farrier session is NOT the time to multi-task! Help keep your farrier and your horse safe. If your farrier gets hurt, then usually he/she cannot work.
  • Do not feed treats while the farrier is working on your horse. Your horse will be distracted and may not keep his feet where they need to be.

Additional points:

Have your horse prepared, you have an appointment, so be sure that you and your horse are organized. Do not expect your farrier to catch the horse! He/she is a farrier, not barn help.

Run a light brush or towel over your horse, no need to groom for the show ring; however, your farrier will appreciate not getting slimed and grimed. But do NOT bathe your horse right before the farrier comes! Wet horse legs make your farrier wet.

Do not oil the feet, and when fly spray is needed use a non-greasy/non-oily spray. Yep, a perfect time for that cheaper fly spray or some of the home remedies. Greasy/oily legs make the farrier’s tools slippery, difficult to use and unsafe.

Such a simple idea, but often overlooked – have you asked your farrier for his/her preferences? This may seem superfluous, especially if you have been working with your farrier for quite a while, but when was the last time you asked what he/she prefers regarding work space, lighting, airflow, cross-tied or held, etc.? While you are at it, offer him/her something to drink — water or coffee/tea.

And, be sure to pay at the time of service; you know the appointment is coming and should plan accordingly. Your farrier is a small business owner and has already paid for the materials and tools used on your horse. Just pay at the time of service.

Lastly, do not tell your farrier how to do his/her job; you hired a professional, let him/her work.

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