BarnManager Q&A With: Camille Guntrip

BarnManager Q&A With: Camille Guntrip

Camille Guntrip, Show Groom for Spencer Smith, a young professional show jumping athlete based in Belgium and Wellington, FL, who is a rider for the New York Empire team on the Global Champions League

What are three things that are always in your ring bag?

I always carry a towel, sticky spray, and a hoof pick.

Photo by LC Ruas Photography

What is the most helpful habit that you practice at the barn?

I think it is important to organize everything as you go. I try to put things back where they belong the moment I am done using them. This keeps the barn tidy and moving at a better pace since you know everything is where it’s supposed to be when you reach for it.

How do you foster a great team environment in your business?

I’m very lucky to be part of the team that we have with Spencer. We are all like a family. Communication is a huge part of keeping the environment positive.

What’s your best tip or hack for grooming and horse care? Where did you learn it?

Photo courtesy of Camille Guntrip

My best tip would be to keep things as simple as possible. Elbow grease, a curry comb, and attention to detail are my favorite ways to keep a horse looking their best. It’s easier to keep a horse clean than it is to make a horse clean.

What is your favorite equestrian competition and why?

I love Spruce Meadows or the Dublin Horse Show. The atmosphere at both of those shows is incredible.

If you were a horse, what would you be and why?

I think anyone who knows me would agree when I say I would be a Shetland pony. The height and the attitude match me very well!

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

DIY Equestrian Holiday Gift Ideas

The holiday season can be an expensive time of year, especially when shopping for equestrians. Instead of buying lots of pricey, store-bought items, consider making personalized gifts for your horsey friends. Read on for some DIY equestrian holiday gift ideas from BarnManager.

Homemade Horse Treats

If baking is your specialty, then gifting your friends, trainers, managers, or grooms with homemade horse treats is a wonderful option. For an extra-special touch, put the horse treats in a decorative box or mason jar and add a bow. This is a great gift to pair with a card and maybe a few chocolate treats for your human friends to enjoy.

Ornament

Deciding to make horse-themed ornaments gives you the flexibility to try lots of creative approaches. One option is to cut a horse figure or head out of felt and decorate it. If you are good at sewing, you could add stuffing between two pieces of horse-shaped felt to create a stitched ornament. Constructing a horse figure out of corks and decorating it with materials such as yarn and craft pipe cleaners is also another way to make this present. If you would like to make it more personal, buy a tiny picture frame, insert your friend’s favorite photo of their horse, and glue it on a string to make it an ornament.

Horseshoe Wall Hanger

Try out your woodworking skills by making a homemade horseshoe wall hanger. Start by collecting a few old horseshoes and nail them to painted wooden boards. This gift can be as simple or creative as you choose depending on how crafty you feel and how decorative you want it to be.

Wooden Grooming Box

This DIY present is also best for those who enjoy woodworking. If you have some time and enjoy making things, this is a great gift for your favorite groom. If you are not skilled enough to make your own, consider buying a premade one and painting or decorating it for a personal touch.

Decorative Picture Frame

If you are not the best at arts and crafts, consider buying a plain picture frame to decorate. You could paint the frame and even add your friend’s horse’s name at the top or bottom. Paint little horseshoes or ribbons on the frame, or glue on a few tiny equestrian-themed items from the craft store. If you purchase a larger frame to hang on a wall, consider adding a string to the bottom where ribbons can be hung.

Photography Session

If photography is your art of choice, a personal photography session can be a very special gift for your friends, trainers, managers, or grooms. After the session, choose a few special photos to print out and frame for them. If you photograph several people at the barn, you could even make a scrapbook for everyone.

Instead of buying run-of-the-mill presents this year, go the extra mile and gift your friends, trainers, managers, and grooms with homemade and personalized goodies.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

Holiday Gift Guide for Your Horse

The holiday season has officially arrived, so it is time to start searching for the perfect present for your horse. While horse treats are an obvious choice, you may want to give your favorite equine partner something a little more special this year. Keep reading for a horse holiday gift guide from BarnManager.

Massage Gun

Help your horse feel their best by gifting them a hand-held massage gun. While a full massage blanket may be too pricey of a present, massage guns are a more affordable option. Although mainly marketed for human athletes, massage guns can also be very beneficial to horses before and after exercise. Bonus, you can use it too!

Coat Conditioner

Investing in a quality coat conditioner for your horse is an excellent choice. There are several options you can find online or at your local tack store. Check the ingredients before purchasing to make sure there is nothing harmful or drying in the product. Also, take a quick look at online reviews or ask your barn friends which coat conditioning products they like best.

Quarter Sheet

If you stay in a colder climate during the winter, a quarter sheet is a great present to help ensure your horse stays warm during exercise. This extra layer while you ride can make a big difference in keeping your horse comfortable during those freezing days. Some online tack shops allow you to customize your quarter sheet so you can purchase it in your barn’s colors.

Grooming Gloves

Grooming gloves are a terrific gift if your horse loves being brushed. While many people use mitts and curry combs, these actual gloves help you work comfortably on every part of your horse’s body, which is also a nice way to give your horse a little massage treatment before and after riding.

Hanging Stall Toy

If you have a horse that gets bored easily, they may really appreciate a hanging toy for their stall. While some toys are edible, others are designed for them to chew on and play with. This gift can come in handy to help keep your horse occupied when turnout time is limited because of snow or ice.

Horses are always there for us on good days and bad, so finding them the perfect holiday gift is a must. Happy gifting and happy holidays from BarnManager!

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

Tips for Being a Working Student

Becoming a working student is an exciting step in a young equestrian’s riding career. These positions provide great opportunities to learn both in and out of the saddle. As in any new job you may be a little nervous at first, so BarnManager came up with some helpful suggestions.

Have an Open Mind

The two most important things you can do as a working student are to have an open mind and be willing to learn. The main goal of being a working student is to absorb as much information as you can about the equestrian industry. Whether you are riding, grooming, helping with horse show entries, cleaning stalls, or turning out horses there is always something to learn. You should also be open to learning new ways of doing tasks you may already know how to do. Even if a procedure is different than you are used to, learn the new way and understand why the barn prefers it. Also, never be afraid to ask questions. Working students are not expected to be experts so questions are expected, especially when you are still learning the routine of the barn.

Watch Everything

Watching is one of the best ways to learn in a barn. You can gather so much information by watching people ride, lunge, and do tasks such as bathing, grooming, or putting on polo wraps. This is a great way to pick up on small details about how the barn prefers tasks to be completed.

Photo by Jump Media

Keep a Positive Attitude

Working student positions can involve a lot of physical work and include long hours. During those extra-long and tiring days, remember to keep a positive attitude. Remaining upbeat at all times does not go unnoticed and can also help encourage other employees to act the same way.

Go the Extra Mile

Always aim to go above and beyond in your work. For example, if you are asked to sweep the barn aisle, go ahead and wipe off the tack trunks and wall boxes and remove visible cobwebs. Make sure you complete every task to the best of your ability, and if possible, do a little extra. This may mean applying hoof oil and wetting over the mane with a brush when you tack up a horse. Going the extra mile could also mean being the first person at the barn in the morning and the last to leave, ensuring daily tasks have been completed.

Manage Your Time

Although it is important to go the extra mile, it is also necessary to understand time constraints. While you definitely want a horse to be beautifully turned out when you groom it, you cannot spend hours cleaning one horse. If you are given several tasks to complete, you should prioritize each job in order of importance and also have a general idea of how long each chore will take. Additionally, if you finish your tasks early, be proactive and jump in on other tasks or ask for additional jobs.

Although working student positions require hard work and dedication, they are a terrific way to gain insight into the equestrian industry and what it takes to run a barn. If you are planning to be a working student, try to soak up as much information as you can while also having fun and enjoying the experience.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

A Day in the Life of Eliza Heyl

Eliza Heyl is a groom for Coco Fath of Hillside Farm LLC, located in Wellington, FL, and Greenwich, CT. Keep reading for a day in Eliza’s life during Tryon Fall 6 show at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC.

6 a.m.

I have a few alarms go off in the morning starting around six a.m. I’m not the type of person who gets up early with plenty of time to work out, make breakfast, and get going. I usually roll out of bed with just enough time to brush my teeth, get ready, and head out the door with my dog Penny.

7 a.m.

This week we are at Tryon where I have three horses showing at the FEI level and one horse at the national level. Gaucho is the national horse and Aventador 5, Chellasco Z, and Exotik Sitte are the three FEI horses. Coco’s trainer Vasco Flores of Highport Stables is showing Exotik Sitte, or “Scotty,” today and Coco is showing Aventador 5, or “Avi.” I start my day by giving all the horses their stomach pastes and beginning chores. We wait 30 minutes after giving their paste to feed them hay, and then wait another 15 minutes before giving their grain. After I give our national horse, Gaucho, his paste I head to the FEI stabling to start chores there. My manager, Lauren, helps me when the horses are split up like this. She will do Gaucho’s chores and get him out for a hand walk while I focus on the FEI horses. Once I get to the FEI stabling, I clean stalls, dump and refill waters, and sweep the aisle.

8:30 a.m.

Photo by Shelby Phillips Photography

After chores are completed, I tack up Avi for Coco to ride before his class. Chellasco Z, known in the barn as “Chewy,” isn’t showing today so he will just hand walk before being ridden later. Vasco will ride Scotty around 11:30 a.m. After Avi and Scotty are finished being ridden, they will each get a bath so they are extra beautiful for their classes, and Chewy will just get groomed again.

I don’t like to wash manes on the days that horses are showing because it makes them too slippery to braid. My grooming routine is simple but thorough. Before pulling the horses out of their stall I always pick their feet to minimize the mess in the aisle and grooming stall. I start by spraying show sheen in their tail and letting it sit while I do everything else. I like to curry them with a grooming mitt because it allows me to get every inch of their body while also being gentle. After currying, I comb the mane before brushing the body so any sort of dirt or shavings in the mane does not fall on a clean coat. I then use a thick flick brush to get dust and dirt off followed by a soft face brush to bring out the shine. Lastly, I gently comb out the tail and clean the nostrils and eye area with a baby wipe.

11 a.m.

We feed lunch hay at 11 a.m. so I head over to feed the three boys in FEI and check their water. Lauren is over in National stabling getting Gaucho ready for Coco to ride so she will take care of his lunch for me.

Avi and Scotty are both showing in the $37,000 Welcome Stake CSI2* today and that starts at 1 p.m. Both horses are clean after their baths, but I still need to braid Avi and put flipped bands in Scotty’s mane. Avi’s neck is quite long with a thick mane, so I like to give myself as much time as possible to braid him so it looks neat and tidy. Before Vasco gets on Scotty at 11:30 I quickly band his mane and flip it so that all I need to do is quickly bathe him before he shows.

1 p.m.

Photo by Shelby Phillips Photography

The welcome class starts and Avi goes early in the order, so I bring him to the ring about 15 minutes before the start of the class. For Avi, I do the boot check as soon as we get up to the ring. I also readjust the saddle, put Coco’s stirrups to jumping length, and remove the cooler so he is all ready for her to get on. I like to keep those last few minutes at the ring quiet and calm so both horse and rider are relaxed and focused going into the warm-up.

After I put Coco on Avi, I go back to the barn to get Scotty ready for Vasco. Lauren will stay with Coco to help in the warm-up and bring Avi back to the barn for me. Before I left with Avi, I made sure that Scotty already had grab boots and front boots on to save a little time. All I need to do is quickly brush any last-minute dust off, put the tack on him, and head to the ring.

Avi and Coco did not make it to the jump-off so when Lauren brings him back to the barn she quickly pulls his tack and boots off, puts him in his stall with a cooler, and wraps him in four ice boots before coming back up to the ring.

Vasco likes to warm up on Scotty before doing the boot check, so I wait a bit before asking a steward to watch while we put hind boots on him. Scotty jumped great but unfortunately had the last fence down, so he does not make it to the jump-off either. When my horses come out of the ring, I always give them a cookie and a pat. I then hold them while the stewards perform the post-boot check.

2 p.m.

By the time I come back to the barn it’s time to take off Avi’s ice boots. While Scotty relaxes in his stall with ice boots, I take care of Avi. It’s chilly today and he didn’t get very sweaty, so I just groom him really well and wipe in between his hind legs with alcohol to remove any sweat and sand. Next, I apply Tendonil to all four legs and wrap them. On their final day of jumping for the week, my horses will be wrapped with poultice up over their hocks, but for today Tendonil and wraps are all they need. I then remove his braids, wet his mane, and comb it out so it dries straight. I apply the same process to taking care of Scotty. My last step is to pick out their feet to remove any ring sand and pack them with hoof packing.

Once I’m finished with Avi and Scotty’s care, I groom Chewy and take him out for a hand walk. Normally I like to give them all time to have a bit more of a relaxed walk where they can graze but unfortunately there’s no grass at Tryon this time of year that’s available to the FEI horses.

3 p.m.

Photo by Ashley Neuhof Photography

Now that all of my horses are put away, I start afternoon chores. Everybody gets hay at 3 p.m. and then I clean their stalls, top off water buckets, and sweep the aisle. Dinner is fed at 3:30 p.m. While they are eating I clean tack, tidy up the grooming stall, and make sure everything is neat and in order.

4:30 p.m.

Today I am heading home around 4:30 p.m., which isn’t so bad for having two horses in an afternoon class! Some days I can finish up as early as 3:30 p.m. but some days it can be much later. It all just depends on our schedule.

8:30 p.m.

Once I’ve been home to shower, eat dinner, and decompress with some Netflix while snuggling my dog, I head back to the barn for night check. Tonight the temperature will drop to the mid-30s so my freshly clipped horses will get heavy and medium-weight stable blankets and the furrier ones will just get heavies. They all get a hefty flake of hay at night check, and I top off their water again. Before leaving I double check their doors are locked and wish them all a good night’s sleep!

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

Six Halloween Costume Ideas for You and Your Horse

Halloween is just around the corner, which means it is time to finalize a fun costume with your horse. Whether you are attending a Halloween-themed horse show, dressing up with friends at your barn, or just putting on a costume for fun, BarnManager has you covered with easy and creative ideas.

101 Dalmatians

Photo by Jump Media

If you have a grey horse, dressing up in a 101 Dalmatians-themed costume is a perfect option. All you need to do is paint black spots on your horse or go to a craft store and purchase big felt dots with adhesive on the backside that you can stick on your horse’s body. Also, you can put a red ribbon around their neck as a collar. The rider can put a wig on under their helmet and wear black, red, and white to be Cruella De Vil.

Harry Potter

Dressing up as Harry Potter is a classic and fun costume choice. If your horse is a light color you can paint a lightning bolt scar on their forehead. Your horse can also wear a red and gold scarf around their neck. If you want to get creative, you can make glasses for your horse out of wire or pipe cleaners. The rider can wear a cloak, tie, and use a crop as a wand if your horse is not too sensitive for that.

Winne the Pooh

Photo by Jump Media

Winnie the Pooh is a cute and comfy costume. The rider can wear a Pooh or bear costume with a red t-shirt. Your horse could dress up like Tigger or even Piglet. There are plenty of horse Spandex that come in a variety of colors and patterns such as tiger stripe for Tigger or pink for Piglet. Your horse can also wear a matching saddle pad and ear bonnet. For Piglet, you could put a pink ribbon in their tail as well.

Unicorn

Although dressing your horse up as a unicorn for Halloween may seem like an obvious option, there is plenty of room for creativity. Start with a unicorn horn and lots of glitter. You can put glitter in the mane and tail, on your horse’s body, and also on their hooves. Purchase a few fake flowers to braid or tie into your horse’s mane and tail. Add in a few pink and purple ribbons as well. Your horse could also wear a pink or purple horse Spandex to really boost up the look. The rider’s outfit can be decorated with glitter along with a flower crown attached to their helmet.

Ghostbusters

Dressing up as a ghostbuster is a great costume for fans of classic movies. You can purchase Ecto Goggles to put on your horse’s browband and tan horse Spandex if they are not palomino. The rider can purchase a ghostbuster jumper from a costume store or wear all tan and add on a Proton Pack.

Photo by Jump Media

Wicked Witch of the West

If you prefer to dress up as a villain, the Wicked Witch of the West costume might be for you. The horse can wear green and black polos and horse Spandex. Find long green and black striped socks, cut holes at the ends, and pull them over your horse’s legs. You can also put green and black ribbons in your horse’s mane and tail. The rider can wear a witch’s hat on their helmet along with green and black clothing.

Photo by Jump Media

Dressing up for Halloween is even more enjoyable when you can do it with your horse. Although these are only a few of the many options out there, they will hopefully give you a creative costume idea to try out with your horse this spooky season.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

The BarnManager Q&A With: KJ Pearson

The BarnManager Q&A With:

KJ Pearson, Manager and Rider at Hunt Tosh Inc, located in Milton, GA

What are three things that are always in your ring bag?

I normally do not have a ring bag, however my dirt bike always comes to the ring with me. Three essentials that are in my trunk are Advil, hairnets, and candy that Maddie Tosh and I always keep close by.

What is the most helpful habit that you practice at the barn?

Photo by ESI Photography

The most helpful habit that I practice at the barn is starting early. I like everything super organized. Getting the horses ready and the barn organized early helps the day go a lot more smoothly.

How do you foster a great team environment in your business?

We do a lot of things together as a team. Whether it’s going to a horse show, or finishing up daily barn chores at home, everyone always pitches in. The Toshes are like family to me, so we are a very close team. Maddie and I do things like getting everyone lunch or having ice cream parties and game nights when we are at home to show how much we appreciate all that our team does.

What’s your best tip or hack for grooming and horse care? Where did you learn it?

The best hack I have is probably for fixing blemishes such as a spur rub or covering up stained white knees and socks. White chalk, black chalk, and baby powder can make magic happen when you are trying to cover up a stain or rub. Ruben Cruz, who is Bobby Braswell’s head groom, taught me that a few years back and I still do it to this day.

What is your favorite equestrian competition and why?

Photo by Jump Media

My favorite horse show hands down is the Bluegrass Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park where the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and Green Hunter Incentive Championships take place. It’s my favorite week of the year, and the entire team looks forward to it. USHJA puts on such a good show for the young horses and asks them all the right questions. “Derby Finals” has such a special place in my heart; there’s no feeling like walking down the ramp during the final round at night.

If you were a horse, what would you be and why?

If I was a horse, I would for sure be an endurance horse. My friends all joke with me that I am the energizer bunny because I’m always going.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

What To Know at an FEI Show: Post Competition Examinations

Stepping up from the national level to the international level at a Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) show comes with additional checks to insure the fairness of sport and welfare of the horses. In all disciplines, the post-competition inspection of the horse and equipment is mandatory for the result to be made official. Understanding this process will help you feel more prepared at the show. For more information about regulations in the warm-up arena read part two of BarnManager’s What To Know at an FEI Show blog here. Part one regarding the FEI stabling area can be found here.

Post-Competition Procedure

Immediately after competing, the rider must stay on their horse and walk over to the post-competition horse examination. This is true for international dressage, show jumping, and eventing competitions. A steward uses a gloved hand to check the equipment on the horse to ensure all tack is legal to use, changing the glove for each competitor to avoid any cross-contamination.

Dressage

For dressage, the FEI steward looks over the horse’s body with special attention to a few key areas. The steward looks at the athlete’s spurs and the horse’s side to make sure the spurs are legal to use and that they have not drawn blood. They also use their fingers to confirm the noseband is not too tight. If the horse is using a bonnet, the steward will ask for it to be removed or remove it themselves. This allows them to check in the horse’s ears to make sure the athlete has not used earplugs, which are not permitted in a dressage test. Blood in the horse’s mouth or on the body as caused by the rider results in immediate elimination of the athlete.

Show Jumping and Cross-Country

In addition to the body examination and checking of the noseband, the use of boots or bandages in show jumping and cross-country presents an additional measure that needs to be checked carefully by the FEI stewards. The steward will remove boots and/or bandages on the legs and make sure they are compliant with FEI regulations. They will also check the horse’s legs to make sure they have not been injured or scraped by the equipment. Once the steward gives the “okay,” the boots or bandages can be reapplied, if desired, before the horse finishes cooling out and heads back to the stabling area.

For show jumping and cross-country, if a steward sees blood in the horse’s mouth, they can authorize wiping of the mouth. This is to help determine if the horse has bitten itself in or on the mouth accidentally or if there is a bigger issue. If the bleeding persists, the athlete will be eliminated. When a steward finds blood on the body caused by the evident overuse of spurs or a whip, the athlete is eliminated in this case as well.

Being aware of the intricacies of participating in an FEI show from arriving at the stabling area to completing competition will ensure you and your team are well prepared for a smooth and successful week. While it might seem like a lot to manage at first, knowing the rules, having a plan, and delegating responsibilities will help keep everything on track. For more information about entering an FEI show, read BarnManager’s FEI Paperwork blogs with part one about horse passports here, part two regarding registrations and entries here, and part three pertaining to the check-in and jog here.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

The BarnManager Q&A With: Kimberly Graves

The BarnManager Q&A With:

Kimberly Graves, Manager and Flat Rider at Hesslink Williams, located in Wellington, FL

What are three things that are always in your ring bag?

Click above to learn about what Kimberly Graves keeps in her ring bag.

That’s a hard one because I practically have a whole wall box in my backpack. I have everything from hairspray, zip ties, and seam rippers to lip balm, sunscreen, and Band-Aids.

Click below for a closer look at what is in Kimberly’s ring bag.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CaP_1XxpdMp/

What is the most helpful habit that you practice at the barn?

I think one of the most helpful habits is organization. I love when everything has a place. I’m a big fan of containers and label makers. I want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to know where everything is. It really helps with efficiency in the barn, especially on show days.

How do you foster a great team environment in your business?

Kimberly Graves and Babylon at the 2021 Capital Challenge Horse Show. Photo by Jump Media

I think that communication is key to a happy and successful team. Making sure that everyone is on the same page and knows what’s going on leads to fewer mistakes and more success. I also believe that equality is very important in creating a great team, especially in the horse world. You’re never too good to help with the horses or daily chores.

What’s your best tip or hack for grooming and horse care? Where did you learn it?

I’m a big believer in “no hoof no horse.” I like to keep the horses’ feet dry and as hard as possible. I don’t like to use hoof oil because it softens the feet. Instead, I use a hoof sealer called Kevlar Tuff. The farrier that I used for my personal horses for more than 15 years instilled his philosophy on hoof care in me when I was young. He always told me to keep the horses’ feet dry and hard to protect them inside and out against all the elements and surfaces our horses face. Stronger hooves equal better hoof growth.

What is your favorite equestrian competition and why?

I would have to say the Capital Challenge Horse Show is my favorite because it brings out the best hunters in the country. I love that hunters really get to take center stage, especially with the World Championship Hunter Rider classes. The ribbons and awards are always beautiful. I enjoy the pomp and circumstance.

If you were a horse, what would you be and why?

I would definitely be a hunter. A chestnut hunter with chrome to be exact. Chestnuts have been my favorite color since I was a child. I like the jumpers, but my heart truly lies with the hunters. I obsessively follow the discipline.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!