The threat of communicable disease in horses is very real. To name just a few examples, it’s not uncommon to use public water troughs on trail rides or to share one rag to wipe the nose of every horse from one barn before they walk into the show ring.

Though “routine,” each of these practices—and many others—invite the spread of disease, potentially between hundreds of horses.

Though horses are often in the company of others and don’t become ill, what happens when a horse comes down with an infectious disease? How are horse owners alerted, especially if their horse may have been in contact with the sick horse? How do they know what information is real and what has been blown out of proportion? Most importantly, how do owners learn how to keep their horses safe?

These questions and others were the impetus behind the creation of the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC). Similar to how the Weather Channel broadcasts weather alerts, the EDCC alerts horse owners to infectious diseases that are reported in North America.

The Cutting Show in Utah

In 2011, a cutting horse show in Ogden, Utah, experienced a significant equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreak. With no means of organized information dissemination, rumors about the situation escalated rapidly, causing a state of near panic in some owners.

In total, over 2,000 horses were potentially exposed to the disease on 242 premises in 19 states. At the outbreak’s conclusion, 90 horses tested positive for the EHV-1 or equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), another name for the neurologic disease associated with an EHV infection. Fifty-four of the 90 had been at the Ogden event. Thirteen horses died or were euthanized.

During the outbreak, Facebook and X (then called Twitter) lit up with rumors, causing heightened anxiety over horse health and spurring the cancellation of equine events across the country, even though most events had no connection with any horses that attended the Ogden event.

Seventeen of the confirmed EHV-1 and EHM cases were in California; show organizers opted to cancel 142 of the 530 sanctioned shows that were to be held in the state that year. The economic impact of those cancellations was significant and would be felt for years.

Creating the Equine Disease Communications Center

It became clear that a unified industry response plan to disease outbreaks was needed—one that not only allowed for the dissemination of legitimate data, but that also provided vetted information on how to prevent disease transmission and how to handle disease outbreaks.

The American Horse Council, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) all collaborated to fundraise and launch the Equine Disease Communications Center, which went live in 2015.

Nathaniel “Nat” White, DVM, DACVS, professor emeritus of equine surgery at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., and director of the EDCC, organized the working model and gave the EDCC its moniker. In 2023, White won the Equine Industry Vision Award for this work at the American Horse Publications Equine Media Conference in Tempe, Ariz.

According to White, it was anything but a one-man show. State veterinarians, veterinary practices, horse-owner organizations (like breed and discipline associations), and individual donors helped—and continue to do so.

“Similar to the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], the EDCC seeks information about disease outbreaks, posts messages, and informs the equine industry about confirmed diseases, their location, and if there are potential risks to other horses,” White explains.

How It Works

Unlike a phone number or website where anyone can submit leads on suspected illness, the EDCC allows only specific people to report disease: an attending veterinarian or a state or federal official.

The veterinarian or official submits a confirmed or suspected disease through the EDCC website, which records the information in the database. The database then generates an alert, which is posted to the EDCC website and Facebook page.

Anyone who has become an alert subscriber via the EDCC website is also emailed. The reported disease is linked to an EDCC disease page, which has information describing the disease, the diagnosis and the treatment, says White. Downloadable disease fact sheets are also available.

All information regarding disease outbreak mitigation and how to handle an affected horse is reviewed for accuracy by the AAEP Infectious Disease Committee, which is populated by subject matter experts.

Reportable Diseases

Though the veterinarian or official can report a confirmed case of any equine disease to the EDCC, reporting of infectious diseases is of the most importance, says Katie Flynn, BVMS, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s senior staff veterinarian. A confirmed “reportable” disease is submitted to the EDCC by the state veterinarian, who is made aware of a confirmed diagnosis by the testing laboratory.

A reportable disease is one that is deemed to have a potential for significant impact on the equine industry, both on the health of the United States equine population and economically. When a reportable disease is diagnosed, the veterinarian or laboratory employee is required to report the disease to state or national veterinary health officials.

The list of reportable disease varies by state and may include:

◆ Equine Herpesvirus-1 neurologic (Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy)

◆ Equine Herpesvirus -1 abortion

◆ Equine influenza, Streptococcus equi (strangles)

◆ Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

◆ West Nile virus (WNV)

◆ Equine infectious anemia (EIA)

◆ Equine piroplasmosis (EP)

◆ Equine viral arteritis (EVA)

◆ Rabies

◆ Vesicular stomatitis (VS)

Many veterinarians, state horse councils and other horse-health organizations rely on the EDCC to inform horse owners of disease outbreaks. The alerts are posted in real time—the same day they are reported.

However, this doesn’t mean that the alert comes out the day the horse becomes ill; the alert is posted the day the veterinarian receives positive confirmation that the horse is ill with a specific disease.

The alert system can provide information about disease risk to horses at a specific location or at the location where the horses intend to travel, like to a horse show or trail ride.

“As the Equine Health and Biosecurity Veterinarian for the USEF, I encourage all horse show managers to visit this site frequently to keep informed of disease occurrences in the area,” says Flynn. “[This way] they can be prepared to implement stricter biosecurity measures, such as requiring shorter-dated health certificates or mandating temperature-taking for horses at their event.”

The EDCC alert system isn’t just for equine event managers or those who travel with their horses.

“This is also a beneficial tool for boarding facility managers,” says Flynn. “If a disease is detected in the geographic area of their facility, they can implement enhanced biosecurity measures, such as requiring every horse to have its temperature taken twice daily to quickly identify and isolate any potential sick horses to protect the rest of the herd.”

But Is It Working?

Though the EDCC is working as intended (as a warning system that can help prevent the spread of infectious equine diseases), more reporting of diseases is necessary. Submission of any disease to the EDCC is voluntary—whether it’s considered reportable or not.

“Reporting to the EDCC is voluntary, but strongly encouraged as a means for increasing awareness of equine infection diseases in the U.S.,” says Flynn. “Horse owners want to know if there is disease in the area that could put their horse at risk, so it’s important for horse owners to support and encourage reporting of equine infectious diseases cases by their veterinarian to the EDCC.”

The EDCC is a unique resource that serves to protect horses and the horse industry. All horse owners should sign up for EDCC alerts so they can be informed and aware of possible infectious disease in their area.

“Vigilance is necessary to ensure we’re adequately prepared for the storm—horse health, weather, or otherwise,” says White.

You can do your part by promoting the EDCC “as the trusted, accurate and verified disease alerts and biosecurity information,” says Flynn.

There is no fee associated with the use of the EDCC. However, donations to keep the service going are welcomed—and necessary.

Learn more at equinediseasecc.org.

This article about the Equine Disease Communications Center appeared in the September 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post How the Equine Disease Communications Center is Changing the Game appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The boss mare’s independence and leadership are what inspired a team of four powerhouse women in the equine industry to develop the nonprofit organization known as Boss Mares, Inc. The organization assists female entrepreneurs by giving them a leg-up in their careers and businesses.

The four women who founded the organization are Anna Morrison, Ph.D., co-founder and president; Kate Bradley Byars, co-founder and secretary; Patti Colbert, co-founder and treasurer; and Ellen Bell, member of board of directors. Each of these women present extensive resumes in the horse industry and connections that run deep. They came together with the same mission and goal of connecting women in agriculture.

The official kick-off of Boss Mares, Inc. took place December 1, 2023, in Weatherford, Texas.

Meet Anna Morrison

Founder Anna Morrison’s passion for horses developed during her childhood in Wisconsin. Anna pursued an education focused on horses first at Colorado State University (CSU) and later at Texas A&M University (TAMU), earning a Bachelor of Science in equine science and agricultural business, a Master of Arts in extension education, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration.

Her career path began in academics, teaching and developing curricula at CSU and TAMU. Later, Morrison served industry member organizations for the American Quarter Horse Association and the National Reined Cow Horse Association. Along the way, she received support and guidance from mentors and industry experts, which furthered her appreciation for just how important it can be to have a leg up.

“When I was going through a transition in my career, I had this feeling that there was a way we could work together to pay our experience forward to other women in the industry,” says Morrison. “Every single one of us who has been involved in the industry has had the help of other women, whether through mentorship, encouragement, or investment, and I thought there was a way we could work together to get those same opportunities to other women.”

Morrison knew who to call when the time came to present a proposal for Boss Mares, Inc. Ellen and Larry Bell have always been a part of charitable organizations, and they have started numerous businesses as well. In South Africa, they are involved with a project that empowers women to live life and provide for their families. Morrison recalls getting through just a few slides in her presentation, and the Bells were ready to kick off the organization.

“The goal is to help young women everywhere,” says Ellen. “We were involved in extreme situations in Africa, but to watch women have the opportunity to better themselves and their businesses and careers, and to learn how to do it properly, we were all in immediately.”

With the Bells’ experience with nonprofits and charitable organizations, they provided Morrison with the connections to begin forming Boss Mares, Inc.

Bringing on Kate Bradley Byars

As Morrison began thinking about who would make up the co-founders and board of directors, a few people came to mind. When Morrison asked Byars and Colbert if they would be interested in helping, they jumped at the opportunity.

Byars has a passion for telling people’s stories and making connections. Writing always came easily to her, and in college at TAMU, Byars pursued a degree in agricultural journalism. She rode through college, competing on the Texas A&M Equestrian Team and on the Quarter Horse circuit. After graduating with a Master of Science in agricultural leadership, education and communications with a focus on photography, Byars joined the Western Horseman magazine staff.

Since 2010, she’s worked extensively in the western performance horse industry as a writer and photographer. Working for western equine and lifestyle publications is Byars’ specialty, and she especially enjoys connecting with people in the industry.

“Boss Mares, Inc. is a passion project, and the mission and focus is something we all can easily get behind [to] help female business owners in the western industry,” says Byars.

Patti Colbert’s Extensive Experience

Patti Colbert’s resume in the horse industry and connection to the western lifestyle began through watching television. After moving to Texas in the mid-1970s, Colbert worked at horse barns and volunteered as a 4-H leader. She fell in love with the production of equine events.

Colbert began at the Texas Quarter Horse Association, managing the Quarter Horse racing and show industry. Her next move was to the AQHA, where she was responsible for raising millions of dollars for the American Quarter Horse Foundation’s scholarship, equine research, and preservation programs.

She then opened her own firm and worked with clients like the American Angus Association, the American Paint Horse Association, TAMU and more. She and her team took on the management of the Mustang Heritage Foundation, and in 2007 created the Extreme Mustang Makeover events, placing thousands of previously wild Bureau of Land Management Mustangs into private care.

Colbert received the 2014 American Horse Publications Innovator of the Year Award, the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Fern Sawyer Award, and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Currently, she is on the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame board of directors and serves as advisory board chair for the Ride on Center for Kids.

“I know that women are the decision makers in the majority of this industry,” says Colbert. “I think more than 76 percent of the members of the AQHA are female. The reality of it is that women are the backbone of the industry in the agriculture and western lifestyles, and we need to help one another to continue to grow and be relevant and current.”

Lead the Herd Workshops

Boss Mares, Inc. focuses on five pillars: accounting and finance support, continuing education, leadership and career coaching, legal counsel, and marketing expertise. The organization will host Lead the Herd workshops to meet western women where they are already gathering. At these workshops, the keynote speakers are experts in the fields of each pillar.

The purpose of each workshop is to bring powerful expertise from both inside and outside the western industry in a setting that supports high-impact learning and open dialogue between presenters and attendees.

“We are here to provide a leg up to cowgirl entrepreneurs in the professional and agriculture industry,” says Morrison. “We do that by providing access to business resources at our workshops and by providing grants through our grant application process that help women invest in and advance their small businesses or invest in themselves and their career through continuing education.”

The first workshop was held at the Art of the Cowgirl in Arizona from January 19-20, 2024. With more workshops in the future of Boss Mares, Inc., the organization offered grants through an application on their website through March 31, 2024, for people in the agriculture industry.

“I hope that the women who have seen it now and have heard the speakers will want to be a part of it by giving financial aid or by participating in grants, whatever fits with their lifestyle,” says Ellen. “I hope they will be encouraged and say, ‘You know what, I can do this, this is something I’ve wanted to do, and I’m not going to let something get in my way because it is available to me.’ That is what’s exciting and what I hope to see in the future for us.”

This article about Boss Mares, Inc. appeared in the May 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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How Equine Nonprofits Have Gotten Creative

In December 2023, the Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue of West Virginia came up with a creative plan to appeal to existing donors and attract new ones without breaking the contributor bank.

The campaign asked donors to send the organization a Christmas card containing between $1 and $5. In response, photos of all the cards and the collective amount of the donations they contained were to be posted on the organization’s website.

As of press time, the rescue had received dozens of cards in the days leading up to Christmas, with more pouring in.

“They have been coming in every day, and they all contained between $1 and $5,” says Suzanna Johnson, Heart of Phoenix education officer. “This was a way to appeal to people who don’t have a lot of money, but everybody likes to send Christmas cards.”

Covid and Inflation

According to the website of the RKD Group, Dallas-based consultants who use data-driven strategies to help animal welfare nonprofits find connections with donors, 2023 donation revenue is down over the past 12 to 18 months largely because givers have been hard hit by inflation.

Meanwhile, the organization predicts that continued inflation and rising interest rates will stifle efforts to attract new donors this spring.

That’s not news to Grace Purdom, president of the California-based Hope 4 Horses.

“We have been in the horse business a long time, both the nonprofit and for-profit parts,” says Purdom, whose husband Scott is a trainer and clinician. “We’ve traveled all over the country and seen horse rescue after horse rescue close—not just in the east, but in the west, too.”

According to Purdom, some of those organizations folded after Covid-connected business grants dried up.

“Some never came back,” she says.

More recently, as financial support has deteriorated, the cost of keeping horses has escalated.

“The same night we had a board meeting and were told that private funding was down between $30,000 and $40,000, we had just gotten a $25,000 hay bill,” Purdom recalls.

She adds that farrier and veterinarian fees have gone up this year as well.

The rise in operational costs all threaten horses’ chances of getting the rehabilitation and aftercare they need.

“We see horses in need from owner surrenders, and there still is indiscriminate breeding out there,” Purdom says. “There were 140 horses from one animal control [agency] out there—where do you put 140 horses?”

Failure Is Not An Option

As a result, rescues have been forced to re-evaluate their own criteria for helping horses in need.

“It has made us focus more on ‘desperate need’ cases, where in years before we could help before things [got] bad,” explains Heart of Phoenix Founder and Executive director Tinia Creamer. “As it is now, if a horse isn’t in dire shape, donors do not step forward, so we have had to get more creative.”

Altogether, the circumstances have created a perfect storm for equine welfare organizations who have adopted whatever tactic they could to meet the challenges.

Most are taking to social media to share the journeys of individual horses as they transition from rescue through rehabilitation to readiness for adoption. They are also engaging the local and online communities to assume a stake in the organization’s success, and they’re cultivating a pool of volunteers to do everything from handling horses to office work.

Whether the current economic circumstances challenging equine welfare nonprofits will subside any time soon is anybody’s guess. But even if the economic picture changes, Creamer says equine welfare organizations will always be challenged to make the most of existing or potential resources at their disposal because failure is not an option.

“I don’t see the economy improving in the short term, and a rescue has to adapt to the world we have,” says Creamer. “Having said that, we’ve made changes and continue to make them to try to be here next year and the year after. Horses depend on us here, and we owe it to them to be here.”

Successes in the Face of Challenges

We reached out to the ASPCA Right Horse program to ask how their equine adoption partner network has fared despite recent economic conditions, and asked for some suggested action items you can do to help.

◆ Multiple factors are converging simultaneously, impacting shelter and rescues’ ability to provide care. Despite challenges, partner organizations of the ASPCA Right Horse program saw more than a 5 percent increase in adoptions in 2023 compared to 2022.

◆ Data from ASPCA’s adoption site shows there is a demand for adoptable horses, including older horses, as evidenced by more than 2 million page views for adoptable horses in 2023 and over 4,000 adoption inquiries.

◆ Additionally, the ASPCA, alongside a rising number of other animal welfare organizations, are focused on services, including subsidized veterinary care and resources, to help keep equines safely in their homes and out of shelters and rescues.

◆ The ASPCA encourages anyone interested to support their local animal welfare organizations by adopting, volunteering their time, donating supplies, or becoming foster caregivers. To find an organization in your area to support, visit myrighthorse.org.

Equine Nonprofits That Help People

For equine assisted services (EAS) nonprofits, humans depend on the horses, too.

The Connected Horse launched in 2015 as pilot projects at Stanford University and the University of California at Davis. It pairs senior horses, some rescued or surrendered, with people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their caregivers to help them manage stress and navigate the flood of physical and emotional ramifications connected with the conditions.

Through the program, human participants connect with the horses as they brush, walk, and visit with them under the watchful eyes of program personnel.

“The horse is really the teacher,” says Paula Hertel, Connected Horse co-founder.

More than 60 pairs of patients and caregivers connected with equines during the first three years of the university pilot programs. Another 186 people took part in Connect Horse programs at private partner barns, including those that rescue, receive surrenders and place adoptable horses.

According to co-founder Nancy Schier Anzelmo, Connected Horse programs are supported by grants, donations from program participants and their families, and private supporters. And while she admits that the recent economy has affected the fundraising outlook for almost all nonprofits, the mission of equine-focused organizations is critical for the horses and for the humans involved.

“Horses, especially older horses, need purpose just as people do,” she says. “Our country needs to support programs to serve [people] in need right now as well as older horses, or horses who cannot be used for sport anymore. It’s very personal, and making connections in nature and with others is a key to building a community that serves each other.”

Make the Most of Your Donation to Equine Nonprofits

This year a simple trip to the supermarket was an economic shock for many across the country. At the same time, the nonprofit organizations that help horses are experiencing the same trauma every time they order hay, purchase grain, or call for the services of farriers and veterinarians.

But many of those who are challenged by the economy themselves still want to support horses in need however they can.

Grace Purdom, executive director of Hope 4 Horses, shares her best advice for doing that.

“First, we always recommend that people donate locally,” she says. “Visit a local rescue organization and learn about what that organization does and how it does it.”

For that, Purdom recommends that prospective donors sit in on an orientation session that many organizations host for new volunteers, new donors, and members of the public.

“Operators use orientation sessions to talk about the organization’s mission, its facility, how many horses they have, who they have on staff, and how many volunteers it has,” she says.

Then take a tour of the facility. Horses onsite at effective rescues should appear to be in various stages of rehabilitation and look happy and healthy under the staff’s care.

During the tour, ask the staff guide lots of questions, especially if a horse appears to be thin.

“The staff could say that the horse just arrived 30 days ago and is in rehab,” says Purdom. “The point is to ask open questions and expect honest answers; a legitimate rescue is an open book.”

Finally, do a bit more research before making that donation. First, make sure that the organization is a legitimate 501(c)(3) under federal tax rules. That designation recognizes the organization as a nonprofit, which means it is exempt from federal income tax. As a result, contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible for donors.

Finally, just before writing that donation check, visit charity evaluation websites, such as GuideStar, which allows nonprofits to share information such as address, mission, key leadership, employee identification numbers, tax status and Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (IRS form 990) forms for three fiscal years.

“No matter how large or small they are, donations are very important to all of us,” says Purdom.

Further Reading: Dealing with Inflation as an Equestrian

This article about the state of equine traffics appeared in the March 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The State of Equine Nonprofits appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The arrival of a new foal is the culmination of planning, hopes and dreams—unless something goes wrong.

Only about 5 percent of mares experience foaling difficulties, but it happens. Sometimes a mare dies during or shortly after foaling. Some mares reject their foals, while others don’t produce adequate milk or get seriously injured and can’t care for their babies.

In any of these scenarios, prompt intervention is needed to give the foal its best chance for survival.

Raising a “bottle baby” is certainly possible, but not the best option for a foal, who ideally needs to be raised by a horse to be properly socialized.

Enter the nurse mare.

In the traditional nurse mare business, mares are bred to have a foal each year so they’re available for lease if needed to raise another mare’s foal. When that nurse mare is called into duty, her own foal is left behind to be raised on milk replacer. Often called “throwaway foals,” some of them end up in the slaughter pipeline.

The nurse mare industry has long been a reality, but not one that people spoke of with pride. It’s a tragic irony that a business created to save valuable foals makes orphans out of others.

Using a More Ethical Option

As a young woman, Laura Phoenix worked in the traditional nurse mare business, but grieved over the brutal truth of those foals left behind.

“It was always sad,” she says. “I didn’t like coming home to the orphans.” She later left the business because of that aspect.

Decades later, she learned about the concept of hormonally induced lactation (HIL). With HIL, mares are safely brought into milk production without being pregnant and having a foal.

In 2011, Phoenix gave it a try with two of her mares. After finding demand for the service, she started adding more mares. Today, Phoenix owns and operates Nursemares of the Northeast at her home base in Walton, N.Y., and Nursemares of Kentucky in Paris, Ky.

Raised on a working horse farm in Virginia, Bronwyn Watts became a professional groom, working at the highest levels of eventing competition for years.

She’d worked in the horse industry her whole life, but learned about the traditional nurse mare business by reading an article in 2017. This inspired her to look for a more ethical way to help orphans.

After researching HIL, she got her first two mares and in 2018, launched ColdSpring Nurse Mares, LLC, in Ocala, Fla.

Although their businesses are totally independent, Phoenix and Watts are both driven by the same passion.

How HIL Works

With HIL, mares are given hormones for a short period to mimic late-stage pregnancy and stimulate milk production, explains Alan Riggs, DVM, a veterinarian with Peterson Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala, Fla.

After a brief hormone protocol, the mare has mammary gland development. It typically takes anywhere from five to 10 days for her to come into milk. Hand milking encourages further milk production until a foal is nursing her.

“Once the mares come into milk, they are milked at least twice a day to keep up the milk production. This is done until a foal is on them. It’s completely safe for the mare and safe for the foals,” notes Riggs, who specializes in reproduction.

Each mare is different, and the protocol can be adjusted for each individual.

“With [HIL], lactation can be timed to when the mares will be needed,” he adds. “By far the biggest benefit is not having a foal that becomes an orphan.”

Phoenix and Watts each have their own unique protocols they’ve developed over time and personal experience.

“The mares have 21 days of hormonal support protocol, and then they’re treated just like any other mare,” says Phoenix. “They dry up after weaning just like a mare who’s had her own foal.”

Because one never knows when a nurse mare will be needed, Phoenix and Watts both keep mares ready in different stages of protocol throughout foaling season.

Bonding with the Foal

The traditional nurse mare leaves her own foal at home, and must often be sedated, blindfolded, hobbled and forced to accept the orphan foal. That trauma is never part of the process with HIL nurse mares and proper pairing.

But just having a lactating mare doesn’t ensure success. The strategy is pairing the right mare with the orphaned foal so they can bond quickly and thrive together.

“There’s a lot of misconception that any lactating mare will make a nurse mare,” says Watts. “It’s a very delicate situation. You have to really know the mare and know what you’re doing bonding mare and foal.”

Great care goes into matching mare and foal, taking into consideration size, personality, history, and health of the foal.

If the foal is having health issues on top of being orphaned, it takes just the right nurse mare to fill the spot. Sometimes the foal is sick and already in the clinic. This situation requires a mare who is not only going to bond with the baby, but whose personality can handle the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) setting.

The mare is hauled to the foal’s location. Every effort is made to ensure that conditions are optimal for bonding. The less distraction, the better. A team of two people is optimal: one to safely handle the foal and one to handle the mare.

The mare is brought into the stall with the foal and the handlers stay in place until the foal is nursing, which helps cement the bond.

“The bonding process is dictated by the mare,” says Phoenix. “Safety is the No. 1 thing, so we take every precaution.”

Pairing can take only minutes with very young foals but can take a little longer if the orphan is older when he loses his biological mother.

What Makes a Good Nurse Mare

What makes a good nurse mare? For starters, she must previously have had her own foals and proven to be a doting mother with good milk production.

Personality is a crucial factor. Nurse mares are sent to both small farms and large breeding operations. Either way, they need to be easy to catch and handle.

Vices like stall walking or weaving will disqualify a mare, as will aggression or serious lameness issues, such as laminitis.

“If a mare is cribber, that’s not a deal breaker if she’s a good mom, but she will wear a crib collar,” says Phoenix.

Since most nurse mares are on the older side, averaging late teens to 20s, age isn’t a negative factor, providing the mare is healthy.

Both Phoenix, who has 220 mares, and Watts, who has 80, have built their herds through donations. Mares often come from clients who want their retired broodmares to have great homes.

Although many are retired Thoroughbreds, there are plenty of other breeds in the mix, including warmbloods, Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Arabians, Standardbreds, and draft crosses.

For most nurse mares, raising orphans is their third career.

“In the beginning, we said we were saving a life,” says Phoenix. “However, we quickly realized we’re saving three: the unwanted broodmare, the client foal, and the throwaway foal.”

Situations with Unusual Orphans

Not every client who calls needs a nurse mare for a horse foal. On occasion, baby equines of different species need a mom.

In 2023, Nursemares of Kentucky came to the rescue when a zebra foal lost its mother. In addition to their dramatic stripes, zebras don’t vocalize like horses, so it required just the right nurse mare to adopt this unusual newborn.

“The client was licensed to have exotic animals, but they didn’t have the facilities to keep them in for bonding, so they brought the zebra foal to us,” says Phoenix, who had prepped two mares for the unlikely orphan.

The first mare took to the zebra immediately and the two were able to return to the owner’s farm within four days.

ColdSpring Nurse Mares has provided nurse mares for three donkey foals. One of these was a Poitou, a rare long-haired French donkey breed that is considered endangered.

Watts says her nurse mare who raised the Poitou donkey foal was known for her powerful mothering instincts and had even nursed a calf.

Lease Arrangements for Nurse Mares

Nurse mares are leased for a flat fee plus delivery charge, which varies depending on distance. Between Phoenix and Watts, their nurse mares have been sent to clients in the entire eastern half of the U.S. and beyond.

Foal owners lease the mare for as many months as needed to nurse the baby. During that time, the lessee is responsible for all mare care (feed, hoof care and deworming), as well as shipping the mare home after weaning.

In the traditional nurse mare business, the lessee is required to breed the mare back, but obviously, this isn’t required with HIL nurse mares.

“What these mares do is so special,” says Watts. “We’re giving these older broodmares a job they love to do, helping an orphan foal, and not contributing to the population of unwanted horses. You can’t go wrong with this.”

Phoenix agrees.

“Even with us putting out this many mares, I’m still shocked to find out so many people don’t know about this option,” she says. “These nurse mares are heaven sent. When we can fill that need without having an unwanted foal, everybody feels good at the end of the day.”

This article about the improving practices of the nurse mare industry appeared in the March 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post How the Nurse Mare Industry is Changing for the Better appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

As he opened the 2025 Annual Meeting general session, President Tom O’Mara explained why the horse should be put above all else as the focus. “The theme of this year’s Annual Meeting is quite simple, but also quite powerful. It’s all about the horse,” he stated. “Our industry is completely dependent on the horse. It is the reason we are all here, and the reason we were all drawn to this sport.”

In today’s social-media-filled world, a righteous and very public spotlight shines on the treatment of equines by their owners, riders, trainers and caretakers. It was reported in a recent Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI, the international governing body for equestrian sports) Ethics and Well-Being Survey that 52 percent of the non-equestrian public believes that the welfare of horses used in sports needs improving. When asked the same question, 78 percent of equestrian stakeholders stated that they think horse welfare standards need to be higher. View the study here.

So, while the general public definitely thinks that horse welfare should be better, those in the horse world are even more passionate that change needs to happen. “There is no question that horses, horse welfare, and safety need to be our top priorities,” stated Bill Moroney, US Equestrian Chief Executive Officer during the general session.

Education & Horse Welfare Sessions

Prominent on the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting agenda were two days of “It’s All About the Horse” workshops moderated by Olympic gold medalist and US Equestrian Chief of Sport David O’Connor. Day one of the workshop included an insightful panel discussion on sympathetic training methods with FEI dressage competitor Katherine Bateson-Chandler, noted horsemanship trainer Dana Glass (and husband of Olympic dressage rider Kasey Perry-Glass), and Olympic jumper Beezie Madden.

Each equestrian on the panel shared stories of how they have approached training challenges using ethical methods designed to fit the way a horse thinks. Tidbits of wisdom filled the room as they spoke. These ranged from Madden’s “The slower you go, the faster you get there” to Glass’s “The reward side [of training] for me is the ability to get there together; the horse seeks out that reward and any try they make gets rewarded” to Bateson-Chandler’s sharing that she regularly uses groundwork with the horse wearing a simple rope halter to establish trust and communication.

Day one of the “About the Horse” workshop ended with a report by Keith Dane of the Humane Society of the United States in regards to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Horse Protection Act requirement changes for 2025. The HPA is federal law prohibiting “soring” (the applying of mechanical devices or caustic substances to an animal with the intent to artificially enhancing performance) of horses at shows. The act was created to prohibit these practices at Tennessee Walking and racking horse shows.

During the second day of the “About the Horse” workshop, O’Connor challenged the various breed and sports discipline representatives in the room to outline what their groups are doing to promote equine welfare and humane training practices. One by one spokespersons from the Western Dressage of America, the Arabian Horse Association, the United States Dressage Federation, the American Morgan Horse Association, the United States Hunter Jumper Association, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America, and others, stood and listed their action points.

Eventually the workshop discussion led to certification of equestrian trainers and coaches. “I’m a full-on believer that our coaches should be educated and licensed, but how do we get that done?” posed O’Connor as he invited attendees back later that day for a presentation on how to be an effective coach by Dr. Cam Kiosoglous, Assistant Professor at Drexel University and long-time U.S. Rowing National Team and Olympic coach.

Other engaging educational sessions during the first two days of the convention included:

◆ “Pictures (and video) say 1,000 words―and they all matter. Viral news, social license, and the importance of communications” by Sarah Hamilton, a specialist in political campaign management and strategy, crisis communications, media relations, and message and policy development. View her full presentation here and here.

◆ “Biosecurity and medications, an explanation of microchipping and the new biometric-measuring microchips and how they safeguard horses by aiding in biosecurity and health care” by Dr. Katie Flynn, US Equestrian Senior Staff Veterinarian Equine Health and Biosecurity. Watch her presentation here.

◆ “Biosecurity and medications, a presentation on the use of pharmacology (the science of drugs and medications, including a substance’s origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic use, and toxicology) to improve the health of equines” by Dr. Stephen Schumacher, US Equestrian Chief Veterinary Officer. View his presentation here.

Watch for posting of additional videos from the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting workshops and educational sessions as they become available here.

Nuts & Bolts Review

A statistics-packed general session, chock-full of colorful slides and upbeat videos and led by President O’Mara and CEO Moroney, rocked the house on the second afternoon. Among the impressive growth measurements cited from 2023 to 2024 were an 8 percent increase (to over 500,000) in memberships (a combination of competing, subscriber and fan membership categories), and the total number of followers on US Equestrian social media platforms (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X) passing the 1.65 million mark, up 22 percent. Another impressive increase was the more than 73 million video views across all US Equestrian platforms, up more than 189 percent.

Also included in the general session was a “Journey to Gold” presentation by the US Para Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor Michel Assouline about the team’s unprecedented success at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games (their first team gold and four individual golds, plus an individual silver and bronze). The depth of the seven-year strategic plan for the U.S. Para Dressage Team leading to Paris was stellar. His “Midas touch” is well-worth noting since he guided not only the U.S. team to gold in Paris last year, but before that the British Para Dressage Team to gold in all the other Paralympics offering para equestrian competition. Thankfully, Assouline’s contract to lead the U.S. Para Equestrian Team has been extended through the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

Catch up on other 2024 US Equestrian benchmarks, and Assouline’s entire “Journey to Gold” presentation included in the US Equestrian USEF General Session video here or read the US Equestrian General Session news release here.

Additionally, a PDF document of the US Equestrian’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2028 may be downloaded here.

The International Disciplines Council meeting (which includes representatives from all of the FEI sports), held on the first day, also highlighted the U.S. Equestrian Team’s performance from Paris 2024, and other world championships from last year. Hallye Griffin, US Equestrian Director of FEI/High Performance Sport, opened with an overview of 2024 accomplishments and plans for the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, plus upcoming world championships in driving, endurance and vaulting.

US Equestrian Managing Director, Sports Logistics, Steven Morrissey followed with an explanation of, among other tasks, the logistics of booking athlete and staff lodging and transportation for upcoming Games. Then, individual reports for the various FEI disciplines for the coming four-year competition cycle were delivered by the US Equestrian Managing Directors for dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, show jumping and vaulting and by Assouline for para dressage. Will Faudree, U.S. athlete representative to the FEI Eventing Forum, also gave a quick report. A National Breeds and Disciplines Council meeting was held the same day.

The final session on day two of the Annual Meeting was a rule change forum allowing attendees to weigh in on the proposed rule changes before they were presented at the Board of Directors meeting the next day. Most of the rule changes were either horse welfare or human athlete safety related.

US Equestrian Paris 2024 Media Campaign Skyrockets

Another presentation jam-packed with impressive accomplishments was “Measuring Media Success from the Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games” presented by Griffin and Carly Weilminster, US Equestrian Senior Director of Sport Communications and Social Media. During their presentation they displayed the tools and media platforms used to engage and inform the public about the US Equestrian Teams competing in France. The fan participation and views stats for Paris 2024 easily topped previous Games. One example was that US Equestrian TikTok video views increased by a whopping 965 percent.

In addition to clever use of behind-the-scenes reports and athlete spotlights, US Equestrian was able to take advantage of several celebrity visits and endorsements for their Paris media campaign. The fact that NBC sent Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg to the equestrian venue at Versailles gave a huge, positive boost to the sport. And when NFL football great Tom Brady and his daughter Vivian visited the U.S. stabling in France, US Equestrian benefitted from Brady’s huge fan base as well (95.7 percent of Brady’s followers were not US Equestrian members, so this exposed horse sports to a whole new audience). Another NFL player, Devin White who is a horse owner, sent well wishes to the the team via his social media, bringing more attention and his fans on board too.

Board Embraces New Technology

A US Equestrian Board of Directors meeting capped the convention on the final day with two sessions open to the public. Along with the normal business of running the Federation, these four newly adopted technology tools were introduced:

◆ EquiRatings: A comprehensive data analytics and content plan focused on the fan experience for the new US Equestrian Open competition.

◆ Black Horse One: A US Equestrian platform of sports data designed to give breeders, buyers, sellers, and fans information on performance and bloodlines.

◆ EZ Entry: Currently in development for proposed rollout in 2026; designed to provide a free, user-friendly, centralized entry system for organizers and members to use.

◆ USEF App: New features will be included in a rebranded US Equestrian mobile app this year.

Find an expanded report of the Board of Directors meeting actions, including adopted rule changes, and these new tech tools here.

2024 US Equestrian Equine & Human Honorees

The US Equestrian Annual Meeting features two awards banquets, one to honor the accomplishments of human equestrian athletes called the Pegasus Awards on Thursday, and the other to recognize outstanding equine athletes called the Horse of the Year Awards on Saturday. Evening wear and a festive atmosphere were the order of the day for both events. Check out this brief, very cool video review of the 2024 US Equestrian breed and sports discipline group National Champions here.

US Equestrian’s newest equine honor, the Heart Horse Award presented to a horse serving the public at one of the US Equestrian’s community outreach partners, was bestowed during the Pegasus dinner. The winner of that inaugural award, sponsored by Neue Schule, was Kilcarna French Fancy “Arnie”, a 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding from Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs in Aiken, S.C. Learn more about Arnie in this video and read more about him here.

Mette Larsen from Neue Schule Bits USA, explained why they decided to sponsor the award, “We are all about the connection between horse and rider. I have known many service horses in therapeutic programs and I’m always amazed how much they give to people, both physically and mentally. Recognizing our Heart Horse nominees, and of course, our winner, just seemed like a good fit. It’s our way of saying thanks to these amazing animals.”

Other 2024 US Equestrian Heart Horse finalists were: Bear, a 1996 Haflinger gelding from Special Equestrians, Warrington, Pa., Buck, a 1998 Paint gelding from Prancing Horse Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship, Southern Pines, N.C., and Tigerlily, a 2002 Welsh Pony from Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship, Chatsworth, Calif.

During the Pegasus banquet, among the many award recipients, US Equestrian recognized 11 Equestrians of Honor and from that pool a National Equestrian of the Year and International Equestrian of the Year were chosen. Winner of the National Equestrian of the Year was hunter rider Nick Haness of San Clemente, Calif., and of the International Equestrian of the Year was Olympic eventer Liz Halliday of Lexington, Ky.

Among the many other top honors given during the Pegasus banquet, notable were the USEF/Equus Foundation Humanitarian Award won by Mary Elena Moran, the Junior Equestrian of the Year won by hunter rider Paige Walkenbach, and the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Lendon Gray.

For more about the Pegasus Award winners, visit here and see a video from the Pegasus banquet here.

For Saturday’s Horse of the Year dinner, riders, trainers, horse breeders and owners turned out in droves to celebrate the accomplishments of their favorite horses with a treasure trove of trophies. Chief among these prizes were the two National Horses of Honor, with one of those being named the National Horse of the Year, and the four International Horses of Honor, from which the International Horse of the Year was chosen.

National Horse of the Year was McQueen, a 10-year-old KWPN hunter gelding ridden by Lanie Walkenbach and Nick Haness. “There is no horse quite like him,” Walkenbach remarked, “[He] has without a doubt created a special place in my heart and I am so thankful to be his owner.”

The final award of the evening, the International Horse of the Year, went to the 2024 Olympic jumper Caracole de la Roque, a 12-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Signe Ostby and ridden for the U.S. Jumping Team by Karl Cook of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. In her acceptance speech, Ostby shared that the mare is known as “Roly Poly” around the barn and, as feisty as she is in competition, she is the opposite at home, often laying down in her stall or pasture for naps.

She said that Caracole normally jumps barefoot, but they had to use custom-made 3D-printed, glue-on plastic shoes and titanium studs milled by Cook for some pre-Olympic competitions which were held in grass arenas. She also explained that the mare competes in a bitless hackamore after warming up in a bitted bridle. “It’s an incredible honor to own a horse like Caracole,” Ostby remarked, “I am full of joy and thrilled to be her owner.”

See more about the 2024 USEF Horse of the Year winners here and watch a video of the awards program here.

2026 US Equestrian Annual Meeting Dates

Next year’s US Equestrian Annual Meeting will be held January 15-18, 2026 at the Omni Hotel in Louisville, Ky. For more information, visit here.

This article about the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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If you’re looking for a job working at a riding stable, you’re in luck. There are countless openings for stable help and qualified instructors across the country—it’s a job-seeker’s market right now due to working shortages affecting riding stables. The United States is not alone in its struggle to keep a full workforce; the UK’s Horse and Hound magazine reports that a number of riding schools have decreased offerings due to a shortage of workers, horses and funds. The recent headline: “Looking for Work? Canada’s Horse Industry Has Endless Opportunities” from the American Horse Publications newsgroup describes worker shortages in Canada.

But why the shortage? Can it be solved? And how will it affect the future sustainability of riding stables?

Shortage of Young Workers

Colleges with equine programs receive requests for graduates by riding stables. Marny Mansfield from SUNY Cobleskill indicates that “on the average, I receive one request a week for either barn help or a therapeutic horsemanship instructor. There is an unmet demand, since most of my students get swept up after their internship.”

The same has also been said by many equine vet practices looking for recent graduates to add to their staff. Younger people value their time and question if the longer hours and hard work of a stable or veterinarian job meets their need for work-life balance.

In addition to the decreased supply of workers, stable employers report a decrease in the knowledge and skill level of applicants. Where do potential workers obtain the needed knowledge and skill sets?

Years ago, many kids would be a “barn rat”—someone who would spend long hours working at a stable in exchange for saddle time. That option is less available today. Robin Brueckmann, dressage professional and a former barn rat, extolls the value of that immersive experience and points to the German saying, One only learns riding by sweeping.

Kids also gain equine knowledge and skills by participating in 4-H, Pony Club, camps, et cetera. If there are fewer qualified staff available, who will train the next generation?

Creative Solutions for Riding Stables

Equine Affaire in Massachusetts in November 2023 provided hope, however. A large number of youth were in attendance and clearly articulated that they wanted to continue to work with horses.

A few indicated that they would pursue a non-horse career to afford horses as a hobby. Teachers described equine classes that have been added to their high school curricula, along with kids participating in Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) riding programs.

Creativity is the key to possible solutions. Work-to-ride programming, like the old barn rat programs, are popular.

One such program is offered by Kim Gundersen at Equine Journey in Lakeville, Mass. The average age of kids in Gundersen’s program is 7 to 12—before they tend to lose interest or take up other activities.

Interestingly, there is a resurgence of adults over the age of 35 that participate in the work-to-ride program. Participants gain knowledge and skills, and Gundersen gains assistance in caring for the horses.

“The world is different now,” she says. “I don’t know where the teenagers are, but I wish they’d come back to the barn.”

Hours, Pay, and Benefits

Stable owners need to have business management skills to help make sound decisions. Kris Young of Touchstone Farm in Lyndeborough, N.H., says that flexibility is needed to meet the needs of workers.

To increase worker supply, the horse industry must promote why a position at a riding stable is a sound career choice. Kitty Stalsburg, executive director and instructor at High Hopes therapeutic riding center in Old Lyme, Conn., indicates that the horse industry tends to be myopic and needs to look outside of the box for solutions.

The pay scale also needs to be competitive. Stable owners must not overwork their staff. If four staff are required to run the stable, but only two are hired, the temptation to overwork and burn out the two is high.

Stable managers need to support their staff and provide additional incentives, such as benefits, time off, education, and other perks. Stable owners should be ready to step in and continue training employees to fill the knowledge gaps. Home-grown instructors can provide solutions.

Focusing on the benefits of the horse and human connection can be a powerful selling point. Following the work of organizations, such as Horses and Humans Research Foundation, which supports research and provides webinars about why horse connections are powerful, can provide sound, useful data.

Key Takeaway

With high overhead, lots of hard work, and a decreasing work force, there is a concern for the future of stables and horseback riding as we know it. So why work in this industry?

“I love the connection with the horses and how I feel around them, and I love sharing it with others,” says Gundersen.

A youngster puts it in more current terms: “A horse connection is chill!”

The working shortages across our riding stables are a troubling phenomenon, so put on your thinking cap to help our industry find creative solutions.

This article about the worker shortage affecting riding stables appeared in the March 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Horse owners who live in the United States, are 18 years of age and older, and currently own or manage at least one horse are invited to complete the survey. The survey, conducted every three years, will gauge participation trends and management practices in the U.S. equine industry, identify critical issues facing the equine industry as perceived by those who own or manage horses, and better understand issues on horse health.

The survey is sponsored by Zoetis™ and will launch in early 2025. Information will be available on the AHP and member media channels. For more information, visit www.americanhorsepubs.org.

The purpose of the AHP Equine Industry Survey is to gauge participation trends and management practices in the U.S. equine industry. In addition, it seeks to gather information regarding the most important issues facing the industry.

Those eligible to participate in the survey are men and women, 18 years of age and older, who currently own or manage at least one horse and live in the United States. This survey is anonymous. No one, not even members of the research team, will be able to associate information with responses. When the survey results are tallied, only aggregated results will be presented.

The survey is being conducted for American Horse Publications (AHP). AHP is a nonprofit association that promotes excellence in equine media; members include equine-related publishing media, media professionals, students, organizations, and businesses. Dr. C. Jill Stowe is providing consulting services for data collection and analysis to the AHP; Dr. Stowe is currently a professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky. Zoetis, Dr. Stowe, and American Horse Publications have partnered on all six surveys in 2009-2020, 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2025.

The final report and survey supplemental data are only available to the sponsor and the current members of American Horse Publications.

Results of previous surveys are also available to current AHP members on request. Contact Amy Sales at amy.sales@easterassociates.com.

— Edited Press Release | Source: American Horse Publications

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Beginning in 2025, which also marks the 10th anniversary of the Thoroughbred Makeover’s move to Kentucky, the Finale Championship event will be replaced by individual discipline championships, welcoming back the top ten highest-placed horses after preliminary competition. Discipline championships will take place in the same locations as preliminary rounds, and will call back twice as many horses to participate as the current Finale format; horses will go into the championship round on a clean slate score. Prize money previously awarded to the overall Thoroughbred Makeover Champion will be divided across all ten disciplines, allowing the RRP to pay out through sixth place.

“Over the past decade, the Thoroughbred Makeover has directly supported the transition of over 5,000 horses. While our Finale format has served us well, we felt it was time to freshen things up in a way that enhances the experience of our trainers,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “We’ve always been cognizant of what a commitment it is to get a horse to the Thoroughbred Makeover, and we want to recognize that commitment by opening up the path to the top for more participants. Logistically, this change also allows us to better showcase a greater number of talented horses to the public than previously possible via the Finale. We’re excited to kick off this new format on our 10th anniversary year in Kentucky.”

The 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, will be the final competition year to take place in the current format. This year’s event takes place October 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, with 353 horses having made a final entry. The event is free and open to the public: learn more about the Makeover at the RRP.org.

—Edited Press Release | Source: American Horse Publications

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“The team at Horse Illustrated is thrilled and honored to receive these prestigious awards—the undisputed ‘Oscars’ of our industry,” said Horse Illustrated Editor in Chief Holly Caccamise. “As always, it’s thanks to the tremendous talent of our freelance writers and photographers and our art director, who make the magazine a delight to read and look at from cover to cover. The hard work that AHP puts into the conference leading up to the awards is also worth mentioning, as it brings us lots of innovative ideas to energize our work over the next year until it’s time to meet up with our peers again!”

Horse Illustrated captured the following awards out of entries that were submitted by the publication:

◆ 1st place in Self-Supported Publication Editorial Design for “Journey to Iceland,” Cynthia Kassebaum, graphic designer, Shelley Paulson, writer and photographer, in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine (out of 16 entries)

◆ 1st place in Personal Column for “1,200-Pound Pill” by Kimberly Ann Harrison in the October 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine (out of 11 entries)

◆ 2nd place in Personal Column for “Smelling Like a Rose” by Courtney S. Diehl, DVM, in the September 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine (out of 14 entries)

◆ 2nd place in Editorial Photograph for “Frosty Eyelashes” by Frank Sorge in the November/December 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine (out of 11 entries)

◆ 3rd place in Self-Supported Publication Horse Care Article for “Golden Days” by Abigail Boatwright in the October 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine (out of 23 entries)

◆ 3rd place in Instructional Article for “Backing with Ease” by Daniel Johnson in the March 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine (out of 11 entries)

Freelance contributors can also join AHP as members and submit their own work. This year, Kate Bradley Byars received the following honor for her work published in another EG Media title, Western Life Today:

◆ 2nd place in Freelance Writer Personality Profile Article for “Cowgirl to the Core” by Kate Bradley Byars in the Summer 2023 issue of Western Life Today magazine (out of 10 entries)

About EG Media Investments LLC

The EG Media stable of equestrian titles includes Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, and Western Life Today magazines. Other EG Media periodicals include Hobby Farms, Chickens, Cottages & Bungalows, Atomic Ranch, American Farmhouse Style, COINage, and Rock & Gem magazines.

Click here for a complete list of awards won by Horse Illustrated and Young Rider over the years.

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Are you in the market for a new career? Equine assisted services (EAS) centers across the U.S. are reporting job openings for qualified applicants.

“I would encourage anyone who wants to pursue this industry; it is growing, and it’s very rewarding,” says Carol Young, CEO of Healing Strides in Boones Mill, Va.

What are Equine Assisted Services (EAS)?

People are often surprised to learn the depth and breadth of EAS. The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) describes EAS as an umbrella term that includes offerings in therapy, horsemanship and learning.

Therapy can only be provided by licensed physical, occupational, or recreational therapists, speech and language pathologists, and counselors or psychotherapists. The requirements for these careers are spelled out in their specific education and licensing requirements.

These licensed professionals either have equine skills or team with someone who has equine skills. They are the only ones who can use the term “therapy” in the descriptions of what they provide.

To pursue a career in therapy, you first must attain a degree and licensure in your chosen profession. If you’re interested in any of the therapy careers, explore which ones might be a good fit for you. The American Hippotherapy Association can provide more information on how to combine those degrees with horses.

Horsemanship and learning are non-therapy activities.

Horsemanship is provided by qualified therapeutic/adaptive riding instructors and can include mounted or unmounted activities. These non-therapy options could include riding, competitions, therapeutic driving, interactive vaulting, and ground lessons.

Learning focuses on mounted or unmounted experiential activities provided by trained professionals, such as teachers and life or executive coaches who are also therapeutic/adaptive riding instructors, or team with someone who is. These non-therapy options could include focuses on education, corporate organizations, leadership or personal development.

Support Careers

The saying “it takes a village” applies perfectly to EAS. Many roles help bring people and horses together in an EAS program. These support career opportunities are equally in demand.

“Barn staff is challenging to keep,” says Lynnette Stuart, CEO of Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “The positions that are most difficult to fill are those that require certification or equine experience, because everyone’s interpretation of equine experience is very different.”

Kitty Stallsburg, CEO of High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, Ct., has also noted that some roles are harder to staff than others.

“Volunteer management positions are the most difficult to fill for our program,” she says.

A wide range of job titles can be found on websites of EAS centers across the country. A quick search to look at staff job titles provides a sampling of career opportunities in equine management, volunteer management, program management, training and education, communications, fundraising, grant writer, or CEO/Ed.

New titles, such as digital marketing director or equine well-being monitor, are also appearing. Each of these positions requires a specific skill set.

Skill Sets

Horses, donkeys, mules, ponies, and Miniature Horses are all equines that can be found making a difference, and without them there would be no programs. The people who partner with these special equines require broad knowledge and horsemanship skills.

These skills can be obtained through life experience and/or obtaining education at a university in an equine field of study. Universities offer degree programs, minors, and concentrations in EAS, in addition to a variety of equine degrees. 4-H, United States Pony Clubs, horse camps and riding lessons all help educate a knowledgeable and skilled horse person. It can’t be stressed enough that in-depth equine knowledge and horsemanship skills will make for a stronger job candidate and a more effective and safe EAS program.

Therapeutic/adaptive riding instructors require skills in equine management, horsemanship, instruction, teaching methodology, and disabilities. Detailed requirements can be found at pathintl.org.

Specific criteria can also be found for interactive vaulting, therapeutic driving, and equine specialist in mental health and learning (ESMHL) instructors. These criteria can guide you on your career journey.

The more diverse your skills, the more marketable you will be. Often two skill sets can be paired into one position. Examples of staff with a diversity of skills include a barn manager or volunteer coordinator who teaches several EAS classes; a caretaker covering the receptionist role on weekends; or a head instructor who is also the grant writer.

“A career as a therapeutic riding instructor was sustainable for me because I had the education and experience to begin in the EAS industry as a head instructor and then program director,” says Lili Kellogg, CEO of Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship in Dallas, Texas.

Where to Start

Since EAS has more opportunities than most people realize, where should you start? First, learn by doing and volunteer at a local EAS program. Shadow different personnel and experience a program in action. Participate in lessons as a horse-leader or a side-walker, assist a volunteer coordinator, or participate in a fundraiser.

Be prepared to relocate to find your dream job and best culture fit.

“Potential candidates need to be open to relocation, plan for it, prepare for it, and ask for help,” says Amy Tripson, logistics manager for ROCK Equine Therapy in Georgetown, Texas. “Centers are motivated to find staff and you’re motivated to find a job, so work together to reach that goal. Be flexible, talented and driven.”

Join professional organizations to keep abreast of this fast-paced industry. Examples of organizations to follow are the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF), PATH Intl., the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), and Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI).

Being current will help you follow the industry trends.

“Lots of Baby Boomers are retiring,” says Lynn Petr, CEO of Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR) in Lenoir City, Tenn. “Many of the Boomers hold top positions with higher pay rates. Focus on adding needed skills for those positions to your portfolio.”

Additionally, you can check out educational offerings through organizations, colleges, and universities to help decide a professional course of action.

Dana Butler, CEO of the Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., sums it up:

“A career in equine assisted services is answering a call. That call is to service, to excellence, to the horse and its innate power, and to be of service to persons who need what we offer as a profession. You will change people’s lives for the better.”

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