First, let me introduce myself. My name is Liz Galletta, and I’ve been a member of the Horse Illustrated team since 2024. This is my second time attending Equine Affaire and every year it seems to get better! I want to take you with as I experience the event this year. 

Our western brand, Western Life Today, is the sponsor of Cowtown in Cooper, so our booth was the highlight of the Western Life Today Alleyway. We had seven wonderful booth sponsors, including PetKORE, Stud Muffins, AnimaSol, Chewy Equine, Boomerang Rubber, Sentinel, and Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

Our booth at Equine Affaire Ohio 2026. Photo by Madison Wintrich/MW Creative & Photography

Parelli set up at one end of our booth, and we were so thrilled to have them with us this year. 2026 was the start of a new partnership with Parelli, in which Pat and his team write a training column in each Horse Illustrated issue and select Young Rider issues. Not only were the Parelli team members so amazing to hang out with, but the energy and excitement that Pat Parelli brings wherever he goes is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. He draws crowds and captivates his audience so effortlessly — it’s no wonder how he’s developed such a large fanbase. He did daily giveaways at 4 p.m. at our booth, and every single day he drew a large crowd. 

Equine Affaire Ohio 2026: Day 1

Day 1 of Equine Affaire was filled with the excitement and anticipation of what was to come. We saw hundreds of people come through our booth in the Bricker Building, and we had the chance to see seminars and demos from some of our favorites, including Pat Parelli and Sam and Kellie Rettinger of Whispery Pines Percherons. I also got talked into riding a mechanical bull – check out how that went below! 

Equine Affaire Ohio 2026: Day 2

Friday was the first day Cooper in Cowtown was open, so we got to watch things get western during clinics by Mike Bednarek, Zoe Woodland, and Joe Sansone. My favorite part, of course, was the adorable young cows being used in these clinics. We also got to see additional clinics in other rings by Horse Illustrated Webinar guests Dan James, Jason Irwin, and of course our friend Pat Parelli.  

Friday also brought about the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, which is the ultimate test of horsemanship and training. Riders and their horses must race through a timed obstacle course, created to test horsemanship skills and athleticism. Though, timing is not the only criteria, and points are awarded for a positive horse attitude, overall performance, and more. After a close competition, Brenda Hanson and Ace reigned victorious and took home the first-place prize. 

I also had the privilege of being able to “Drive A Draft” with Kellie Rettinger, which was an incredible experience that I am sure to never forget. Check out that experience below. 

Equine Affaire Ohio 2026: Day 3

Day 3 was an incredibly busy day all around, but we made sure to watch some clinics as well as swing by some of our partner’s booths, including Equi-Analytical, KENT, Wild Animal Sanctuary, Farrier’s Magic, GG Equine, Tyler Shupe Leather, and the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption barn (spoiler alert — by Sunday evening, all but two horses had been adopted!) 

After watching more presenters (including our friends Bronwyn Irwin and Reese Koffler-Stanfield), we got to watch the hilarious Cowboy Challenge, emceed by the one and only Hayden Kristal. This on-foot challenge had competitors complete a series of farm-related tasks, including moving hay, setting up jumps, and scooping grain, to see who would be crowned the ultimate cowboy. This was insanely entertaining and, in our eyes, everyone was a winner for being brave enough to tackle those tasks in front of an audience.

Saturday was also the biggest day for Parelli’s giveaway, and we easily had over 100 people flooding our booth to get a chance to win big! 

Equine Affaire Ohio 2026: Day 4

Sunday was a bittersweet ending to a wonderful weekend. My favorite part of the day was taking advantage of the sales the shopping booths were putting on – the whole Horse Illustrated crew brought home solid clothing hauls for an incredible deal.

Another touching outcome of this weekend came from Boomerang Rubber – they graciously provided the flooring for our booth (which saved our backs from hours of standing on straight concrete) and at the end of the weekend, donated the mats to two different ASPCA Right Horse partners. We could not be more thankful for Bobby and his team, and we’re glad they could make a difference in the lives of adoptable horses through their donation. 

Over the course of Equine Affaire, we got to meet thousands of amazing people, introduce dozens of new readers to Horse Illustrated, and celebrate our 50th Anniversary with readers who have been with us for years.  

If you attended Equine Affaire this year, we were so glad to get to meet you and get to know you. If you didn’t attend, I hope you consider stopping by next year so you can experience the magic of this event. 

This article about Equine Affaire Ohio 2026 is a web exclusive Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The good news is that there are answers, and the more knowledge you have, the more power you have to make the right decisions for your horse.

We sat down to chat with Ann Andrews, DVM, CVA, of Park Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., to answer your most-asked questions.

Photo by Christiane Slawik

Q: Does my horse need vaccinations?

As modern-day horse owners, it’s easy for us to take for granted the health advantages that vaccines now offer our equines. Not too many years ago, horses died from tetanus, rabies, Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, and other diseases.

Nowadays, horses can be protected from these diseases with vaccinations; if not completely, at least with the resulting illness being less severe. The key is developing a program alongside your veterinarian that meets the individual needs of your horse.

Q: Is there a safe and essential minimum of vaccinations required?

Like many equine veterinarians, Andrews follows the guidelines of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), which recommends a few core vaccines for all horses.

“The AAEP is a great resource for horse owners, and not just for vaccinations, but many health issues,” she says.

There are five diseases the AAEP’s core vaccines protect against: EEE, WEE, rabies, tetanus, and West Nile virus. Photo by peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock

Here’s a brief description of the diseases core vaccines protect against, and their recommended frequency.

◆ Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE) are viral diseases spread by mosquitoes that cause neurological damage or death. Vaccine frequency is annual in spring prior to the rise in vector season.

◆ Rabies is a fatal neurological disease that affects all mammals; it can be transmitted by raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Vaccine frequency is annual.

◆ Tetanus is a bacterial disease that is often fatal; it can be contracted through wounds or punctures. Vaccine frequency is annual.

◆ West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurological disease transmitted by mosquitoes; it can be fatal, and recovered horses may have abnormalities in behavior and gait. Vaccine frequency is annual in spring prior to vector season.

“Depending on your geographic location, regional prevalence, exposure risk, stabling environment and other factors, your vet may also recommend certain additional risk-based vaccinations,” says Andrews.

Commonly recommended risk-based vaccines include:

◆ Equine herpesvirus (rhinopneumonitis/EHV): EHV-1 and EHV-4 are viral diseases that can cause abortions in broodmares, neurological issues, and respiratory illness. Horses that travel, compete, or are kept in high-density environments are particularly susceptible.

u◆Equine influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral disease that causes respiratory illness and impacts performance. Horses involved in activities that involve contact with other horses are at highest risk.

◆ Potomac horse fever (PHF) is a disease caused by the bacteria Neorickettsia risticii and transmitted to horses drinking from water sources where parasitic worms have infected aquatic insects. Vaccination is recommended in areas where the disease is prevalent, as well as for horses traveling to or through those areas. 

◆ Strangles (Streptococcus equi) is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes swollen lymph nodes and respiratory issues. Horses in high-risk environments (for example, where new horses arrive frequently) are most susceptible.

Flu/rhino and strangles vaccines are a good idea to add to the list for horses that travel to competitions. Photo by Janet/Adobe Stock

Other risk-based vaccines include:

◆ Anthrax

◆ Botulism

◆ Equine viral arteritis

◆ Leptospirosis

◆ Rotaviral diarrhea

◆ Snake bite

◆ Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE)

Q: Do vaccinations differ for horses that compete or are stabled in a large boarding facility versus a small herd or retirees that never travel?

“Even for older horses and those that live in a closed environment with no interaction with outside horses, the four core vaccines are always advised,” says Andrews. These provide protection from common diseases and illnesses, especially those that are spread by mosquitoes or chance encounters with wildlife.

“For horses that travel to competitions and/or live in large barns where lots of horses come and go, I’d also recommend additional vaccines to cover their exposure, including flu/rhino at least annually and perhaps a booster every six months, and strangles,” she adds.

Q: If my horse has reactions to vaccines, what can help minimize them?

Common reactions include swelling at the injection site, lethargy, going off feed, and sometimes colic and laminitis. The best solution might seem to be spreading out vaccinations over several days or weeks to avoid bombarding the horse’s system with multiple antibodies at the same time.

“The problem with this approach is that each vaccine can cause a reaction, even if it’s minimal,” says Andrews. “Then the horse’s system has to process, and potentially react to, each vaccine spread over many days instead of one episode with multiple vaccines.”

However, there are ways to work with your vet to help minimize reactions:

◆ Vary the injection sites for each vaccine, such as different locations on the neck and hip. “This also helps identify reactions to certain vaccines if there’s swelling at the injection site,” says Andrews.

◆ Allow the horse free movement after vaccinations to help his system process the antibodies.

◆ Devise a proactive approach, such as treating with Dexamethasone or Banamine the day before the injections, the day of, and a couple days after.

◆ Another benefit of having a client/vet relationship is the ability to dig deeper to find solution (see more below).

“One client’s horse had severe reactions to vaccines,” she recalls, despite trying the ideas above. “I decided to switch the brand of vaccines, and for whatever reason, that worked for him. Now we have an established protocol that we follow every time, and it’s helping keep his side effects as minimal as possible.”

If your horse has severe reactions to vaccinations, you might consider asking your vet about checking titers—the level of antibodies in the horse’s blood that are specific to a particular pathogen.

Q: Are there any differences for vaccines based on geography, weather, et cetera?

Certain diseases or illnesses can be more prevalent in some areas of the country than others, and your vet’s vaccination recommendations will reflect that.

For example, Potomac horse fever was first discovered in Maryland near the Potomac River. It’s since been reported in numerous states (including California), and it seems to peak in summer and fall in areas with bodies of water, like lakes, creeks, rivers, and ponds.

Botulism, a potentially fatal neurologic disease, is not a regional disease per se, but it’s more commonly found in horses that eat from large round hay bales as well as fermented haylage and silage feeds. If these forage types are common in your area and consumed by your horse, your vet may recommend this vaccination. 

Botulism is more commonly a threat for horses that eat from large round bales. Photo by pimmimemom/Adobe Stock

Horses in Florida and other areas with higher mosquito populations or longer mosquito seasons may be recommended to have boosters for Eastern/Western equine encephalomyelitis and West Nile virus.

Quarantine and Biosecurity Imagine this. After years of searching, your dream horse had finally arrived. You smile as he steps off the trailer and into his stall in the big barn.  A couple days later, he’s lethargic and has stopped eating. When you go to halter him, you notice the area under his jaw was swollen. You call the vet, sure that he has an abscessed tooth. The vet arrives and peeks over the stall door. “Your horse doesn’t have an abscessed tooth. He has strangles.” Within days, every horse in the barn is sick. The following weeks of treatment, mess, stress, and expense could have been avoided with a simple quarantine and biosecurity program. “I believe every horse owner should quarantine any new horse that comes to their property,” says Andrews. “At the client barns where we have a quarantine protocol, I’ve seen numerous times how it prevented huge outbreaks of illness and confined it to one horse.” Setting up a quarantine system is simple and well worth the time. Here’s how: ◆ Use portable panels to set up a corral that’s away from the barn and pasture fence lines. ◆ Keep the new horse in this area for a minimum of two weeks, and up to three. Monitor daily for elevated temperature and other signs of illness. ◆ Avoid cross-contamination with feed and water buckets, grooming tools, et cetera, and be sure all handlers wash their hands after contact with the quarantined horse. ◆ If the quarantined horse gets sick, use biosecurity measures when treating the horse, including separate (or disposable) clothing/gowns, gloves, hats, boots, and masks. ◆ When the horse is released from quarantine, thoroughly clean the area with a 5-10 percent bleach solution and allow to dry. If you don’t already have a separate area, use portable panels to set up a corral away from other horses during the quarantine period. Use brushes and water buckets that aren’t shared with any other equines. Photo by Christiane Slawik

For more on recommended vaccines, visit the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

This Q&A about vaccines for horses appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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When you practice at home with distracting obstacle additions, you’ll help prepare your horse for anything he may see in a judged event.

Photo by Becky Ruehle/Ruehle Photographix

What to Expect

Trainer Nancy Nemmers keeps her trail course changing so that her horses see new additions and distractions during each ride. When it comes to the poles, she practices at home with tree trimmings lining the path and even places a tarp under the poles—all to help her mount be aware of his hoof placement and stay willing to move forward, even with distraction.

“A lot of poles in competition have cut-off stumps and brush; they may [also] have a real tree placed around the logs,” she says. “That’s something horses will look at and may be leery about approaching. There also isn’t a set distance between the poles. So, as you’re riding, you have to focus and tell your horse where to place his feet. These are all different from typical show-trail classes.”

Nemmers says it’s important to practice with different pole setups and to practice your horsemanship at home. When you know that your horse will pick up his feet and cross any obstacle, you’ll feel confident when being judged.

“Your horse won’t always have a chance to look at the obstacles before a competition,” Nemmers says. “It’s important to work your horse with different obstacles and create that trust that you can cross anything together.”

Pole Presentation 

Nemmers has a full trail course at her training facility in Longmont, Colo. She says she moves the course obstacles around at least every two weeks—presenting new scenes and placements so the horses don’t get used to the course. If the family trims a tree or does yard work, she drags the big branches and brush to decorate her pole placements. After the holidays, old Christmas trees line the poles or serve as a pole to drag.

“You can use anything you have,” says Nemmers. “If your horse doesn’t have shoes on, you can put a tarp under the poles. That tarp makes a sound and gives your horse something different to look at around the poles. The horse may flutter when they hear that sound. You must keep encouraging him to look forward and make him move forward.”

The distance of the poles is at the discretion of the show committee. Practice at home with the logs spaced differently, and not always measured precisely as you may do for other types of practice.

The distance of the poles is at the discretion of the show committee. Practice at home with the logs spaced differently. Photo by Heidi Melocco

The Forward Position 

“Once your horse places that first foot on the tarp or over the poles, you’re going to encourage him to move on and take the next step,” Nemmers says. “If you let up and give him a chance to notice more and resist, he may take the ‘out.’”

Placing a tarp under the poles gives the horse something different to look at. Keep your reining hand forward and look where you want your horse to go. Photo by Heidi Melocco

To encourage your horse to move forward, Nemmers says to move your upper body slightly forward and keep your legs gently pressed on the horse’s ribcage to keep him balanced and engaged. Nemmers says she pulses her legs and feet on the horse’s sides as she looks forward. Your body position and leg cues combined will encourage your horse forward.

Nemmers recommends that you look ahead and know where you want your horse to go next. As you approach the poles, you may be able to ride straight forward or may need to pick a path through a serpentine or other obstacle that forces you to approach the poles at an angle. Keep your reining hand forward and your horse well-balanced between your legs so that you can guide his path.

Keep your legs gently pressed with your horse balanced between them to encourage forward movement toward a scary obstacle. Photo by Heidi Melocco

With a bigger log, make sure the horse’s leg moves up and over the top without brushing. Keep your hand forward and encourage the horse with your legs.

“It’s difficult for your horse because he’s trying to judge how high he needs to move to get his hind leg over. Once the horse’s first leg is over, encourage and use your cues to move the horse forward. If you stall, it’s hard to get that impulsion back.”

If the horse resists or moves sideways, Nemmers says to pick up your reining hand to get him focused on your leg cues again. If he gets a little bit sideways, think about moving forward and getting back on the tarp or back in the middle of the poles that you need to cross.

If you practice with many course configurations, keep your horse moving forward, and look where you want to go, the horse will continue to move forward over any pole obstacle you’ll see.

This article about pole work in ranch classes appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Photo by Gudrun Braun

What we often forget is that we humans send a wide range of signals to the horse with our body language. Body language is the interplay of posture, movement, direction of the gaze, and gestures, in combination with facial expressions. We are often not aware of these nonverbal cues and tend to give them unknowingly.

During groundwork, you must learn to use these cues deliberately. That’s the only way you’ll be able to apply your aids in a manner precise enough for the horse to understand your request and respond willingly.

You shouldn’t underestimate the fact that your moods can be easily detected by your horse. Tone of voice and body language are strongly influenced by stress, unhappiness, restlessness, anger, agitation, and fear. Naturally, these emotions can be mirrored by the horse, with obvious tension or insecurity in response to the aids, and this often results in poor performance of the task at hand.

Therefore, it’s essential that we as equestrians learn to practice self-awareness and self-reflection. When handling a horse, you must remain calm and mentally balanced, and must act controlled and level-headed, even in stressful situations.

Posture

Walk naturally and give a competent, self-assured impression that the horse is drawn to and which he follows respectfully and trustingly. Photo by Pauline von Hardenberg

◆ During groundwork, you should walk naturally upright and with light tension through your body. A deliberately straight, tense posture is as bad as a lax, sluggish one.

◆ Your head should be carried upright, with eyes forward.

◆ Your shoulders should be set parallel to the direction of travel.

◆ Most of the time, your body should be positioned at a right angle to the horse.

◆ The horse should always maintain a distance of about half an arm’s length from you.

◆ You should walk naturally, with self-confidence, and give a competent, self-assured impression that the horse is drawn to and which he follows respectfully and trustingly.

Keep your body at a right angle to your horse. Keep your head up and your shoulders square to the direction of travel, with the horse about half an arm’s length away. Photo by Pauline von Hardenberg

Movement

◆ Your movements should be smooth and uniform, not hesitant or faltering.

◆ Your pace should clearly match the rhythm of the horse’s gait.

◆ There shouldn’t be any rushing in the movement of your arms or legs.

◆ Especially while you’re walking, your arms need to be kept still; otherwise, they become driving aids.

◆ Your overall appearance to horse and observers alike should radiate self-assuredness and confidence in handling equines.

The Direction of the Gaze

◆ Your eyes should be looking ahead in the direction of travel, not at the ground.

◆ Even on bending lines or over obstacles, always look where you want to go.

◆ Try to avoid looking directly at your horse. Particularly in tense situations, this can make him feel threatened. Only in relaxed situations do horses appreciate direct eye contact.

Look ahead in the direction you want to go. Avoid looking at your horse, as this increases tension. Photo by Gudrun Braun

Gestures

◆ You should avoid unintentional movement of your arms and hands; it unsettles the horse.

◆ Your leading hand should be relaxed and slightly open. Closing it into a fist gives the horse an impression of tension.

◆ The guidance of the lead rope or the whip should always be applied in a controlled manner and slowly increase in intensity. The horse can tell which direction he’s supposed to go based on your body language. He must be able to understand the application of the aids. The aids should not suddenly startle the horse, and they should always be given with soft pressure at first.

◆ You should only apply specific cues, not create continuous noise.

◆ You should always apply touch precisely—in front of the shoulder joint, on the shoulder, on the back, or on the hindquarters, but never around the head.

◆ You should move only as much as you need to in order to act clearly and consistently, with the necessary inner calm.

The guidance of the lead rope or the whip should always be applied in a controlled manner. Photo by Gudrun Braun

Tarp & Slalom Game

Now you’re ready to try your first ground game! This sample exercise is executed at the walk.

Equipment:

◆ 5 cones

◆ 1 tarp

◆ 3 ground poles for the walk pole section

◆ 1 ground pole for the halt

◆ 11 ground poles for the U-shaped maze

◆ 30 ground pole anchors

Setup:

◆ Weaving section: cones 23 feet (7 meters) apart

◆ U-shaped maze: sides 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 meters) apart

◆ Walk poles: about 2.5 feet (0.8 meters) apart

How-to:

1. Enter at a walk, leading with the right hand on the left side of the horse.

2. Walk, tracking left, weaving through the cones on the long side.

3. Halt over the pole, and then walk off.

4. Proceed through the U-shaped maze of poles.

5. Change direction across the long diagonal, and then lead the horse over the walk poles.

6. Walk across the tarp.

7. Halt and end the exercise

This excerpt from Ground Games for Horses by Waltraud Böhmke is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books and originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Welcome to your home away from home to relax, enjoy a trail ride or lesson, and soak up life on a one-of-a-kind farm. It doesn’t hurt that it’s lavishly and whimsically designed with equestrians in mind.

Photo by L.A. Berry

Your Host, Cari Swanson

The wind beneath the wings at Windrock Farm is Cari Swanson.

A U.S. Dressage Federation silver medalist and graduate of its “L” education program, Swanson applies her experience as an international-level dressage and national-level eventing competitor, trainer, and instructor to the entertainment industry. She’s put good seats and hands on inexperienced actors like Farrell, Beyoncé, Russell Brand, Russell Crowe, Hillary Duff, Jonathan Groff, Ethan Hawke, Salma Hayek, and Tim McGraw, all while training horses to perform complicated stunts and action scenes. Hollywood horses must hit their mark with the acuity of a Spencer Tracy.

Cari Swanson on the horse that inspired a mission: Red, the namesake of Red Horse Rescue. Photo by Swanson Productions

“Cari gets the shot every time,” said Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee about working with her on Taking Woodstock. “Her horses hit their mark for each take, even when the human actors do not.”

“Cari trained me for The Magnificent Seven,” said actor Haley Bennett. “I started out fearing [horses], and learned not just how to ride, but ride with gracefulness and integrity. She treated horses as equals. I found that a rare and dignified trait.”

Swanson-trained horses have contributed to the production of films Arthur (2011), H. (2014), and Echo Valley (2024); the video game Red Dead Redemption II (2018); miniseries Orange is the New Black, The Knick, The Plot Against America, and White House Plumbers; and commercials for E*Trade, the New York Knicks, New York Lotto, and Ralph Lauren.

“The horse’s wellbeing and joyful attitude are the most important criteria for training,” says Swanson, whose own story of finding Listo, owned by Ashley Waller, reads like a script. She had flown across the country to see an Andalusian for sale, only for his owner to warn her that the stallion was “too dangerous” to purchase.

“I’ll take him,” she said.

Fast-forward to the fall 2016 Unbridled Spirit campaign, projected from the windows of Ralph Lauren’s flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York City, where the “dangerous” Listo is seen at liberty in a slow-motion video sequence across eight windows, connected by an invisible thread to Swanson’s every ask.

“I was proud of that one,” she says. “The stage was maybe three strides. It was super hard because he had to run, rear, and jump a 1-foot pole, but we had to make it look like 5 feet!”

Windrock Farm

You don’t enter just a house at Windrock; you enter another world. It’s one of trompe-l’oeil countryside and celestial landscapes; of chandeliers, oriental rugs, and visits from four-legged friends.

Two beds and a balcony view can’t be beat as you overlook the horse pastures. Photo by L.A. Berry

“Can you trust your horse to come in the house and behave?” asks Swanson, who trains horses to go through doorways and into rooms to build confidence. “It’s vital to working with a horse on set, where there are distractions and strange footing.”

As you follow the incense through the foyer toward the staircase to your room, don’t forget to look up to appreciate an artful cosmos—and winged white stallion, an homage to Listo—painted overhead.

Each room offers a pastoral view (nothing like going to sleep to the northern lights or waking up to a horse grazing below), private bath, and ample closet space, including an extra riding helmet and boots in case you forget yours.

Windrock Farm’s carousel horse promises a magical ride at this Amenia, N.Y., Airbnb. Photo by L.A. Berry

Red Horse Rescue & Movie Nights

Ever wonder what it’s like to train horses for the movies or teach actors to ride? To benefit Red Horse Rescue and horses finding haven there, Windrock Farm regularly hosts cozy screenings for up to two dozen guests of Winter’s Tale. These include a visit from Listo before the curtain goes up, après film stories about the production, and a lively dinner by firelight.

You don’t just enter a house at Windrock: You enter another world. Photo by L.A. Berry

“The rescue has placed dozens of horses and continues to follow their careers, with a clause written in that a horse can be returned at any time,” says Swanson. “There can be six to 10 rescues at the farm [at any given time] being retrained so they can find a special human to love them in a new career.”

To help them—like you—feel at home.

To book or learn more about Windrock Farm and services offered by Swanson, visit cariswanson.com or Instagram @cariswanson17. Help horses get a second prance at redhorserescue.org.

This article about Windrock Farm appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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“It is a very wide range of things,” says Libby Hanon, equine adoption and marketing specialist at the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center (ETAC) in El Reno, Okla. She says that the term can mean late teens and onward in terms of age. Horses younger than their late teens that are experiencing issues typically associated with senior horses, such as PPID and arthritis, may also be called senior.

Boundless Potential

But labeling a horse as a senior is not about defining him by his potential limitations. Hanon describes senior horses as “amazing,” and enthusiastically relates that they have a lifetime of experience behind them to share.

“They can offer a lot of teaching,” she says. “They are a great option for beginners or people who have not had a horse in a while.” In these situations, Hanon says that it’s often ideal if the horse comes with a wealth of experience behind him.

“They can also offer a calming effect on younger or high-strung horses in the pasture,” she says, adding that they can also provide a much-needed confidence boost to their companions.

Versatile and diverse, Hanon says that senior horses can be great candidates for riding, too, particularly trail riding. She says that having a suitable job often helps senior horses stay healthy and feel young.

“Likewise, horses keep us young and healthy,” says Hanon. “It works both ways.”

Despite popular myths, many of the adoptable senior horses available on MyRightHorse.org do not require medical maintenance or even extra budgeting to maintain their health.

But if this isn’t enough to convince you, there is a feel-good benefit that adopters often experience when they provide a senior horse with a wonderful, stable home in their final years.

Overcoming Emotions

If you are considering adopting a senior horse, it might be easy to get caught up in the fact that you will have a finite amount of time with your horse.

Hanon, however, counsels adopters to think more positively.

“On several occasions, we’ve had a horse that we would consider ‘late in life,’” she says. “We felt they might only have a few years left.” But she says that when a match with the right person is made, they often see these horses flourish and live more years than originally expected.

With a good routine, positive interactions, and gentle exercise, such as liberty work and hand-walking, Hanon says that senior horses often see an improvement not only in their quality of life, but in the quality of life of their adopters, too.

Rather than focusing on how much time you have left, she says it’s more important to focus on what you can make of the time you have.

Preparing for the Future

While it’s important to note that not all senior horses will come with extra expenses, potential adopters should be aware that as their adopted horse continues to age, extra expenses can arise.

To help compensate, some My Right Horse Adoption Partners provide incentives for adopting senior horses. While not guaranteed, some of these incentives may include reduced adoption fees and temporary stipends to help with medication costs.

Even so, because senior horses need to have long-term, stable homes, Hanon says that if you’re considering adopting a senior horse, it’s important to take an honest look at yourself and your budget to determine what is sustainable for you, adding that it’s OK to go in a different direction and consider more affordable choices.

Success Stories

And senior horse adoption success stories abound. Nicole Walters oversees the West Virginia Horse Network in Charleston, W. Va. She has helped facilitate some wonderful senior horse adoption experiences.

“When I look at senior horses, I think of what they can do,” says Walters. “I don’t think of what they can’t do.”

She describes many adoptable senior horses as being excellent friends and entertainers and a joy to be around. The enthusiasm Walters exhibits toward senior horses is often contagious, so much so that people who have adopted a horse through her organization have realized that age is just a number, and have fallen in love with these horses as individuals.

For example, each year, Walters and her team take adoptable senior ponies to the Adoption Affaire at the Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio. In 2023, one of those senior ponies, Fiona, was adopted by a little girl who was very active in taking lessons and showing.

“Her family could very easily have gotten her a riding pony,” Walters says. “But she fell in love with this senior pony, and now she sends us pictures of the pony dressed as a unicorn, Christmas pictures, Easter pictures, that kind of thing. The pony is the light of her life. The family doesn’t look at Fiona as a consolation prize. They look at her at the Grand Prize.”

Though she could have looked for a riding pony, Riley fell in love with senior pony Fiona at Equine Affaire.

This year, the organization took another senior pony, Noelle, to the Equine Affaire. Initially, a veterinarian was interested in adopting Noelle, but ended up walking away. However, another family soon followed.

The family was grieving, the child having lost her father, and needed something to heal her. While the family was discussing the possibility of taking Noelle home, completely unaware of what was unfolding, the veterinarian reached out and said that while she could not adopt the pony for personal reasons, she would like to donate the cost of the adoption fee. Her donation made the decision even easier for the family to adopt Noelle.

Harper had recently lost her father and found that adopting senior pony Noelle helped her with healing.

Now the withdrawn pony who prefers children to adults has the perfect home, and her new owners are equally as thrilled.

“Senior horses are a gift to us,” says Walters. “We offer them not as an apology, but as an opportunity.”

This article about senior horse adoption appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Adopting a Senior Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“Horses are in my life because I don’t think I could be without them,” she says.

Her mom brought her into riding at a young age, and soon she was a working student so that she could pay for lessons and horse shows. That hustle has come in handy while juggling a 14-year career in automotive advertising, a full clothing line, two small children, and the very active Instagram account that started it all.

Taryn Young says her success wouldn’t be possible without the support of her family. Photo by Stacy Tierman Photography

Beginnings

Young’s Instagram, @warmbloodsandwine, came about when she went to social media to share her equestrian journey after she started leasing her current show horse, Rayne, whom she would later purchase.

“My friends and family who weren’t into horses would never understand what I was talking about,” she recalls. “But the working woman equestrian [journey] was so relatable to so many people and gained traction.”

It certainly has, as the account has over 21,000 followers, and has led to many other opportunities. Young has done takeovers of social media pages for US Equestrian, USEF Network, USA Dressage, and PS of Sweden, to name a few. She credits the power of networking, and then taking the leap.

“It was all about me approaching and asking,” she says.

Breeches, Belts, & More

Her social media persona is also what led to her getting a foothold in the equestrian fashion space with her company, Novella Equestrian. After testing lots of different clothing items designed for riders, both through paid collaborations and her own personal purchases, Young kept finding herself imagining minor tweaks that would improve the pieces.

“Novella felt like a natural progression,” she says.

Young started her Novella Equestrian clothing company after testing much of what was already out on the market. Photo by Taylor Pence

The networking her social media presence allows has continued to be beneficial to the brand, as it makes finding models relatively easy with so many equestrian women at her fingertips.

“There are top riders I’ve been able to work with, which has resulted in some ‘pinch me’ moments, like when [2016 Olympic team dressage bronze medalist] Kasey Perry-Glass followed me,” says Young. “I just approached her and said, ‘I have a red, white, and blue shirt, would you be interested?’” (If you’re curious, Perry-Glass can be found on shopnovella.com sporting the “Team” shirt.)

Even though Young has had these opportunities, she doesn’t take them lightly.

“It’s very important to take your time with something like this because it’s your own idea,” she says. “You must have a vision and drive for it. You have to start out on the right foot and make the best lasting impression. People will give you a chance, but if that product isn’t up to their standards, they aren’t going to [buy again].”

Babies!

Novella was started soon after Covid hit, when Taryn found herself at home more due to working remotely and not needing to travel out of town to advertising meetings for her day job.

It also opened up the window to a new possibility: starting a family. She has since been blessed with two bundles of joy: her son Dunham and her daughter Parker. Young made sure to hammer home the point that she would not be able to accomplish all that she does without the assistance of those around her, which allows her to go out and attack her dreams full force.

“I have the most supportive and amazing family and husband,” she says. “They challenge me to go out and live my dreams, which has allowed me to get to where I am today.”

Barn Girl

After hearing about her full-time advertising job, being at the helm of a new fashion company, having two small children at home, and actively posting daily, you would think Young doesn’t get much saddle time—but you’d be wrong. She has carved out the time to pilot Rayne through eight show seasons, riding from Training Level to Grand Prix in dressage.

“He has the best brain, not the best movement, but his heart is so big,” says Young. “I think it says everything when you see a horse and a rider go from Training to Grand Prix because you know it’s the partnership that got them there.”

Young has piloted Rayne through eight show seasons, bringing him from Training Level dressage through Grand Prix. Photo by Fire & Earth Photo

Getting Resourceful

You may be wondering how Young balances it all.

“I like to be busy,” she says. “It doesn’t scare me when another thing is added to my plate, because I somehow just figure out how to be resourceful. I think horse girls are the most resourceful people I’ve ever known, because many people don’t have this demanding of a hobby. We’re taking care of a living thing, working, competing, juggling families, et cetera. But if it’s important to you, you figure it out.”

This article about Taryn Young appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Meet Taryn Young of Warmbloods + Wine and Novella Equestrian appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

You might be thinking, “Strength training can have that much impact on my riding?”

Yes! Incorporating exercises that maintain and build strength, improve mobility, and enhance stability can counteract the march of time. Riding is one of the few sports that you can do forever, allowing you to continue enjoying your passion with confidence, safety and vitality.

Bent-over dumbbell rows help improve strength and endurance in the saddle, as Ifa Simmonds and the model demonstrate. Photo by Jamie Isaacs Photography

Age-Related Muscle Decline

If you’re over 50, the natural decline in muscle strength is roughly 1.5 to 3 percent annually. This decline affects stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina around the barn, as well as in the saddle. Strength training, such as bodyweight movements and especially weightlifting, plays a vital role in mitigating this muscle loss. This training stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which helps you enhance muscle growth and maintenance.

For riders, muscle loss leads to reduced balance, slower reaction times, and greater difficulty maintaining good posture in the saddle. Strength training helps to maintain core strength and stability, both essential for staying balanced during transitions, turns, and unexpected movements from the horse.

Routine strength training has not only helped my clients preserve muscle health, but also promotes a higher quality of life and longevity in the saddle.

Bodyweight exercises like squats are ideal for building foundational strength and require no equipment. Photo by Jamie Isaacs Photography

Performance & Injury Risk

Riding places unique physical demands on your body. Core strength, leg endurance, and back stability are critical to maintaining proper alignment and posture while communicating effectively with your horse. When you’re weak in these areas, it leads to compensatory patterns, increasing the risk of overuse injuries and discomfort.

Stronger muscles help to reduce the strain on joints, tendons, and ligaments during rides. This is particularly important for mature riders, who may experience joint discomfort or back pain. Strengthening the lower body also improves your ability to absorb the horse’s movements without compromising balance, especially during activities like posting or sitting deeper in the canter.

Strength training can also improve grip strength, essential for holding reins and giving precise control without excessive tension. Combined with flexibility training, strength work enhances overall coordination, helping you feel more secure and harmonious with your horse.

Exercises like the marching press help develop the endurance, coordination, and stability used in the saddle. Photo by Jamie Isaacs Photography

Flexibility & Balance

Stability and suppleness are foundational to effective riding. Tight muscles with a limited range of motion negatively impact the horse’s way of going, often leading to stiffness or a lack of fluidity in the horse’s stride. Flexibility is just like the other things—if you don’t continue to practice it, you’re liable to lose it. Incorporating exercises like dynamic stretching, Pilates, or yoga can improve your suppleness and overall comfort while riding.

The center of gravity in an older rider is slightly different than in younger riders. To be centered and properly positioned in the saddle, it’s important to practice joint stability and balance exercises.

Simple exercises like standing on a balance pad, single-leg stands, balance pod balance, and stability ball exercises can improve proprioception (your awareness of body position). These exercises enhance reflexes, which are essential for quick adjustments in challenging situations like spooks or sharp turns.

Single-leg stands on a balance pad or balance pods increase proprioception and enhance reflexes, great for riding a spook or sharp turn. Photo by Jamie Isaacs Photography

Hormonal & Recovery Benefits of Strength Training

As riders age, the natural production of hormones like estrogen, testosterone and human growth hormone declines, which typically means greater loss of muscle mass and slower recovery times. Strength training stimulates the release of these hormones, promoting muscle repair, bone density, and overall vitality. This is especially important for equestrians who want to maintain their riding fitness over the long term.

Older riders may notice recovery from rides or training sessions takes longer than it used to. Training improves both physical resilience and enhances recovery rates, allowing you to get back in the saddle quicker with less soreness.

Recommended Strength Training Exercises

1. Bodyweight

Simple yet effective, bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups strengthen key muscles used in riding. These exercises are ideal for building foundational strength and require no equipment, making them accessible to everyone.

2. Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are an excellent tool that don’t place undue stress on your joints. You can do the same dumbbell exercises with bands instead. 

3. Dumbbells

Light dumbbells or kettlebells can gradually build strength in the upper body, particularly in the arms and shoulders. Exercises like overhead presses and bent-over rows help develop the endurance needed for rein control and proper riding posture.

4. Stability Exercises

Incorporating dynamic balance-focused exercises, such as the marching press, enhances coordination and stability.

5. Low-Impact Cardio

Adding low-impact cardio like swimming, walking, or cycling complements your strength training by maintaining cardiovascular fitness without over-stressing joints.

Taking It Slow

For anyone just getting started, it’s important to ease into strength training. Starting with light resistance and focusing on proper form minimizes the risk of injury. Gradually increasing the intensity by adding more reps, resistance, or weight gives your body time to adapt and grow stronger over time.

Listening to your body is equally important. If an exercise feels uncomfortable or causes pain, adjust the movement or reach out for help. Recovery is also key—allow ample time for rest between training sessions, especially after a tough or long ride.

Strength training will not only enhance your physical performance, but your mental confidence as well, allowing you to feel more in control and capable both on and off the horse. Investing in your health and fitness is an investment in your riding journey.

Find more fitness tips at ifafit.com.

This article about strength training for senior equestrians appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Strength Training for Senior Equestrians appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Lexington, KY – World #1 Harry Meade (GBR) and #2 Boyd Martin (USA) head an impressive list of entries for the CCI5*-L division at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN (K3DE). Meade, who finished third last year aboard Et Hop Du Matz and fourth aboard Grafennacht, and Martin, who placed second with Commando 3, sixth with Fedarman B, and seventh with Luke 140, will head the field that features 37 total athletes from five nations vying for top honors at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26.

View the full list of entries here.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 during their second-place finish at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

The Event is produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level. EEI is dedicated to creating opportunities for riders, horses, and equine organizations while advancing the United States’ strength and competitiveness on the international stage.

K3DE  features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN for the U.S. athletes. Expanding its world-class offerings, the event also features the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S, a U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifier, alongside the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Co-organized with Major League Show Jumping, the CSI5* brings an exciting team-based format to the week, culminating in a highlight Grand Prix. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” K3DE draws more than 90,000 attendees annually.

Meade, whose accolades include the team Silver medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, has four horses entered in the 2026 K3DE, including his 2025 podium partner, Et Hop Du Matz, and fourth-place finisher, Grafennacht. Et Hop Du Matz was the only horse to finish on his dressage score last year, but Meade and his mounts will still have their work cut out for them as they compete against the likes of World #2 Boyd Martin (USA), World #4 Tim Price (NZL), World #6 Tom McEwen (GBR), World #11 Tom Jackson (GBR), World #15 Austin O’Connor (IRL) and World #20 Will Coleman (USA).

Harry Meade and Et Hop Du Matz, third-place finishers at last year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

One of the American favorites, Martin, has extensive championship experience under his belt, having competed in four Olympic Games and three World Equestrian Games. He helped the U.S. earn team Silver at the 2022 World Championships and is a three-time Pan American Games Gold medalist. In Kentucky, he placed second in 2019 and 2025 and fourth in 2021. He also placed second in the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S in 2024.

Coleman, Martin’s 2022 World Championship teammate, has also competed in the Olympic Games (2012), World Equestrian Games (2018), and podiumed on multiple occasions at the K3DE. He won the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S in 2024 and 2025 and took third place in 2024.

Additionally, World #36 Caroline Pamukcu (USA), Martin’s 2024 Olympic teammate, will be looking for her first podium at the K3DE. Her résumé includes individual Gold and team Silver at the 2023 Pan American Games. Other familiar faces from the U.S. include Jennie Brannigan, Mia Farley, and Buck Davidson, who placed third in Kentucky in 2014 and was the Highest-Placed Sole Owner/Rider in 2023 and 2024.

Leading the international contingent alongside Meade are Price, O’Connor, and Meade’s fellow Brits, McEwen and Jackson. Alongside his double-Bronze appearance at the 2022 World Championships, Price has competed in three Olympic Games, two World Equestrian Games, and multiple K3DE – earning second place in Kentucky in 2015 and 2021 and third in 2019. Four-time Olympian O’Connor is entered in the 2026 K3DE with his 2022 World Championship mount, Colorado Blue.

McEwen, a three-time Olympic medalist and 2018 World Equestrian Games team Gold medalist, finished in second place at the K3DE in 2023 and 2024. Jackson helped Team Great Britain earn medals in three of his four European Championship appearances.

With so many world-class combinations entered in this year’s Event, Kentucky will celebrate one of its highest-rated fields on record. There are four 5*-winning riders in the lineup: Martin, McEwen, O’Connor and Price, who will be looking for his seventh victory at this level. Price also has the highest-rated horse, Vitali, on the entry list, with both Vitali and Colorado Blue ranked among the world’s top 10 eventing horses.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: World #1 Harry Meade and #2 Boyd Martin Head Impressive List of 5* Entries appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.