Although 17-year-old Avery Langley hasn’t been in the game quite as long as her fellow competitors, this spunky, savvy, smart, young woman is using all of the skills at her disposal to make a name for herself, and she has big plans for the future.
Continue reading …Many horses suffer breathing problems, airway or lung impairments due to dust, allergies, or disease. Just like humans, horses can benefit sometimes from breathing aids like nasal strips, inhalers and nebulizers. Dr. Larry Overly, known to most people as ‘Dr. Ricky’, is a track veterinarian at Los Alamitos. He says nebulizers and chelated silver products are often utilized to deal with lower airway disease and inflammatory issues in the lungs such as IAD—inflammatory airway disease. “There are various ways we combat IAD but first we need to find out what is actually causing the inflammation,” he says. It is important to pinpoint the source rather than just treat the symptoms.
Continue reading …Today, as we watch a class full of horses compete in the show pen, it’s no longer a surprise to see full siblings, often the same age, competing against each other. Because of modern scientific advances, we’ve become totally accustomed to raising horses very differently than our ancestors, who used live cover. In fact, acronyms like “AI” or phrases like “pull an embryo” are frequently used within casual conversations since we know our horse cohorts will understand that, nowadays, we can produce horses using stallions from afar, or without a mare ever carrying her own foal.
Continue reading …Months, if not years of work, are at stake when an exhibitor enters the arena with their horse. Are we on track with goals or ready to set new ones? In mere minutes, the judges decide. Yet, how those decisions are communicated to the masses varies greatly between shows. Some strive to celebrate accomplishments center stage for all to see. At the World Shows, Congress, and Championship shows, horses are lined up under each judge before overall placings are announced from last to first. Smaller open or weekend shows seek to maximize the fun and excitement of having placings announced in the arena. Other shows focus on efficiency, moving each class out quickly to load in the next. Most find some middle ground, balancing the need for recognition with keeping the show day a reasonable length.
Continue reading …This year, I was invited to speak at the American Youth Horse Council’s Virtual Symposium on the topic of “Unique Equine Liability Risks Involving Minors – What They Are and How to Protect Yourself.” This article summarizes my remarks.
Continue reading …The search is finally over. You’ve made countless phone calls, watched videos, communicated with the buyer, and probably taken a test ride. You’re convinced that you’ve found “the one.” This is the horse you’ve been waiting for. But there is one crucial, final piece of the puzzle… the pre-purchase exam.
Continue reading …The 2021 Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit exceeded all expectations while delivering the biggest horse show in its 47 year history. The nine day equine extravaganza was held February 27th through March 7th at the expansive WestWorld facilities in Scottsdale, AZ. A perfect storm of pent-up desire to show, a tremendously diverse slate of classes, and a destination-worthy location drew exhibitors from all corners of the country to this event. Returning exhibitors joined many who made it to their bucket-list show for the very first time. The dramatic increase in attendance was apparent before the first classes even started. Additional stalls were erected, more trailers filled the parking lots, and more horses were acclimating to the mild Arizona weather as they casually exercised in a dozen arenas.
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