US Equestrian Magazine

Official Magazine of the United States Equestrian Federation | Fall 2026

HORSES ARE EVERYTHING

Introducing USEF’s New Campaign

CHROMATIC FUND RESEARCH PROJECTS Scientific Studies Help Horses

TRAILER SAFETY Haul With Care

horses are everything

Discover Why at HorsesAreEverything.com

CONTENTS

FEATURES 60 TRAILERING 101 Making travel safe and enjoyable for your horse

68 CUTTING COSTS, NOT CARE

60

and at shows

76 USEF

RESEARCH GRANTS Projects supported by the Chromatic Fund

DEPARTMENTS 8

Partners

10 Sponsors

68

14 Letter from the President

76

14 Seen & Heard Cover: Molly McLaughlin and Fly Boy at the USEF Eventing Young Rider National Championships.

Photo: Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian

18 I Am US Equestrian Official Magazine of the United States Equestrian Federation | Fall 2026

HORSES ARE EVERYTHING

Introducing USEF’s New Campaign

CHROMATIC FUND RESEARCH PROJECTS Scientific Studies Help Horses

TRAILER SAFETY Haul With Care

4 FALL ISSUE 2026

24 Horses First 30 Juniors’ Ring 36 Vet’s Corner 44 Mindful 52 Trending 85 For the Record

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THEAULT, PHOTO COURTESY OF KC BRANSCOMB, CHRISTINE RIVET/US EQUESTRIAN

Smart budgeting at home

where hopes and dreams

begin

horses are everything Discover Why at HorsesAreEverything.com

Official Magazine of the United States Equestrian Federation

US EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE Volume XC, Fall 2026 PUBLISHED BY The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. CHIEF MARKETING & CONTENT OFFICER Vicki Lowell | vlowell@usef.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Debbie Elliot | delliot@usef.org CREATIVE DIRECTOR Candice McCown | cmccown@usef.org ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kim Russell | 859 225 6938 | krussell@usef.org DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP & SALES Layson Griffin | lgriffin@usef.org

AWARDS The magazine staff is pleased to share these notable accomplishments it has received at the American Horse Publication Media Awards.

2025 First Place: Breaking News

2024 First Place: Advertisement Second Place: Editorial Design Honorable Mention: Editorial Design

2022 Third Place: Cover Design Honorable Mention: Feature Article

2021

ASSISTANT DESIGNERS Kendall Neubeiser, Kenzie Phillips, Kate Strom

Honorable Mention: Editorial Design

EDITORIAL STAFF Kim Russell

First Place: Advertisement Third Place: Editorial Design Honorable Mention: Editorial Design

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarah E. Coleman, Lauren Collora

2020

2019 Third Place: Cover Design

Equestrian Magazine (ISSN 1548-873X) is published five times a year: Horse of the Year Special Edition, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, by the United States Equestrian Federation®, 4001 Wing Commander Way, Lexington, KY 40511; Phone: (859) 258-2472; Fax: (859) 231-6662. (ISSN:1548-873X). NOTE: Effective Spring issue of 2018, Equestrian magazine will be published and provided electronically and only four editions will have printed copies and be provided by U.S. Mail. The Winter issue will only be provided electronically. The Horse of the Year issue will be mailed only to competing members as of the date of publication and the year immediately prior to the date of publication. USEF is not responsible for the opinions and statements expressed in signed articles and paid advertisements. These opinions are not necessarily the opinions of USEF and its staff. While the Federation makes every effort to avoid errors, we assume no liability to anyone for mistakes or omissions. It is the policy of the Federation to report factually and accurately in Equestrian and to encourage and to publish corrections whenever warranted. Kindly direct any comments or inquiries regarding corrections to Debbie Elliot delliot@usef.org or by direct dial 859-225-6941. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to US Equestrian, 4001 Wing Commander Way, Lexington, KY 40511. Canadian Publications Agreement No. 40845627. For Canadian returns, mail to Canada Express, 7686 #21 Kimble Street Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5S1E9. (905) 672-8100. Reproduction of any article, in whole or part, by written permission only of the Editor. Equestrian: Publisher, United States Equestrian Federation®, Chief Executive Officer, William J. Moroney (859) 225-6912. Director of Advertising, Kim Russell (859) 225-6938.

Copyright © 2025 Equestrian is the official publication of the United States Equestrian Federation, the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport in the USA, and is an official publication of USEF.

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6 FALL ISSUE 2026

2018 Overall Publication Winner First Place: General Excellence First Place: Editorial Design Second Place: Feature Article

2017 Second Place: Digtial Publishing

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horses are everything Discover Why at HorsesAreEverything.com

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8 FALL ISSUE 2026

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10 FALL ISSUE 2026

The only FDA-approved PSGAG for the treatment of equine arthritis proven to:1,2 • Reduce inflammation • Restore synovial joint lubrication • Repair joint cartilage • Reverse the disease process

Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. WARNING: Not for use in humans. CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a of a licensed veterinarian.

BRIEF SUMMARY: Prior to use please consult the product insert, a summary of which follows: CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. INDICATIONS: Adequan® i.m. is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. PRECAUTIONS: The safe use of Adequan® i.m. in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares has not been evaluated. For customer care, or to obtain product information, visit www.adequan.com. To report an adverse event please contact American Regent, Inc. at 1-888-354-4857 or email pv@americanregent.com.

Scan to see why adequan.com/horse-owners/talk-to-your-veterinarian 1. Kim DY, Taylor HW, Moore RM, Paulsen DB, Cho DY. Articular chondrocyte apoptosis in equine osteoarthritis. The Veterinary Journal 2003; 166: 52-57.

2. Burba DJ, Collier MA, DeBault LE, Hanson-Painton O, Thompson HC, Holder CL: In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondral defect model. J Equine Vet Sci 1993; 13: 696-703.

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12 FALL ISSUE 2026

( ah - mah - S AY )

ASPEN | SANTA FE | HAWAII | JACKSON HOLE | TELLURIDE | PARK CITY | VAIL THE HAMPTONS | STEAMBOAT | MONTANA | BELIZE | BAHAMAS | TEXAS

A M A S E S TAY S . C O M In alliance w ith

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Creating Strong Mindsets & Meaningful Partnerships Just as the trees shed their leaves, fall is a season for letting go. For many of us in the horse world, it marks a time of transition after a busy summer show season, when we reflect on our achievements, learn from our challenges, and set new goals for the year ahead.

While the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting cooler, there are still many exciting competitions to come before the end of 2026. The second thrilling US Equestrian Open Eventing Final returns to Morven Park in Virginia Oct. 8-11, and the US Equestrian Open Dressage Final will take place Nov. 13-14 in Thermal, Calif. If you can’t attend these events in person, then be sure to watch them streaming on the USEF Network or on ESPN. Our goal of the US Equestrian Open series is to bring horse sports to new and potential fans thanks to ESPN and other mainstream media.

Another way we’re looking forward to bringing the joy of horses to the public is our “Horses Are Everything” campaign, which was approved by the USEF board in June and which you will see represented on these pages.

If you spent the summer relying on other people to haul your horse to competitions and would like to learn to drive yourself, our trailer safety feature in this issue is packed with essential information on loading, trailer maintenance, and how to keep your horse happy and healthy on the road.

We were all heartbroken by the death of U.S.-bred show jumper Chromatic BF in 2024, but his legacy lives on through the Chromatic Fund. You can read more about the equine research projects supported by the fund — a collaborative initiative of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), US Equestrian, and Chromatic’s owner and breeder, KC Branscomb. In this special feature we talked with the scientific researchers who are working on studies that could improve horses’ health in the future.

Everything seems to be getting more expensive nowadays as the cost of living goes up across the country. Horse ownership is inherently expensive, but there are ways you can cut down on expenses without impacting the care and welfare of your horse or letting go of your competitive aspirations. From local shows to shopping consignment, our feature titled “Cutting Costs, Not Care,” is packed with wallet-friendly tips.

Mental preparation is just as essential as physical preparation in equestrian sport, which is why we have launched a new section called Mindful, which covers all aspects of mental health and sports psychology. In the inaugural column, former 5* event rider and sports psychology professional Ashley Johnson explains the concept of imposter syndrome, and how equestrians can combat feelings of not being good enough as they rise through the levels or take on new challenges.

Horse welfare is a topic close to all our hearts, which is why this issue’s I Am US Equestrian subject, Lauren Collora, and her off-the-track Thoroughbred, Romeo, almost brought me to tears.

Lauren rescued Romeo when he was nothing but skin and bones, and they are now working towards their USDF Bronze Medal together. Success stories like that are at the core of what we strive for here at US Equestrian!

Whatever this golden season of fall brings for you, I hope it is full of happy moments with horses making memories that will last a lifetime.

Tom O’Mara President

14 FALL ISSUE 2026

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN

Dear USEF Members:

FA LL / WINTER 2026 Proud Partner of US Equestrian

SEEN AND HEARD

In & Around the Ring “L

etting the horses strut their stuff and show off allows guests to see the true beauty, athleticism, and movement of Arabians.”

— Kathy Richardson, owner of Rusty Bar Ranch in Roy, Wash., discussing the Arabian Horse Association’s Discovery Farms.

“T

he people I compete

me. We’re part of the same community. It’s important to be more uplifting, kind, and remember to create good memories together.”

— USEF Interscholastic Student Athlete Hannah Kim. 16 FALL ISSUE 2026

Inset: Presley Wade gives her mare, Circa, some love after claiming the 3’6” Grand Championship title at the 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East.

Above: Tessa Divita went airborne at the FEI Vaulting World Cup Final 2026 in Opglabbeek, Belgium.

@HOWARD SCHATZBERG PHOTO

with the same passion as

PHOTOS: ISABELLE WHITESIDE/US EQUESTRIAN, @ANDREAS DANNER,

with are also people

“T

hroughout most of my childhood,

the people I went to when I had a problem or had the biggest influence on my life were the people who taught me to ride and those in the barn, and I think it’s really important.”

— Hilary Wilcox, saddlebred rider and trainer at Redwing Farm in Waterloo, Ill.

“E

ven though I hadn’t ridden in 40 years,

it’s like I had this sense of confidence. I didn’t really think twice about it. I just got on.”

— Adult amateur Teri Bohl, who returned to riding at age 60.

Top left: SSLLC Cover Girl GCH and Alyssa Peechatka in the Opportunity Road Hack at the Connecticut Morgan Horse Show.

Bottom right: After 130 years, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair remains the largest outdoor multi-breed show in the U.S.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 17

I AM US EQUESTRIAN

“He Was Underweight and That Little Spark in His Eyes Was Gone”

By Lauren Collora

18 FALL ISSUE 2026

Lauren Collora bought her horse, Romeo, for a dollar when he was underweight and in poor health. The pair are now pursuing their USDF Bronze Medal in dressage.

I was born and raised in the north of England in Warrington, Cheshire, which is between Liverpool and Manchester. My dad trained police horses for the Merseyside Mounted Police, where he was the head trainer and a serving officer. My mom was a police dog trainer and serving officer, and also was a 2* eventer, so horses were something I was always going to end up being involved with. There wasn’t really any other option for me! I was born into it, and it is in my blood. My mom was still competing when she was five months pregnant with me. The first time I ever sat on a horse was when I was four days old — my mom put me on the front of the saddle with her because she missed not being on her horse after having a baby.

We’re an eventing family, so my mom and dad grew up training me in eventing, and that’s what I competed in most of the time I was in the U.K. They got me my first pony when I was 10, and I kept him until the day he died when he was 26 and I was 23. My Irish Sport Horse eventer is still alive and well, he is semi-retired living with my mom and dad. My mom is one of the few people who I will trust to give me lessons. Whenever they come to visit, I tell her, “OK, you need to come kick my butt for a couple of days.”

I moved to Southern California four years ago to work in the film industry as I’m a trained special effects technician/special effects artist — I have a degree in making monsters for movies!

I went on a college graduation trip to Los Angeles and attended a horror movie and special effects

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANNIE MACALLER PHOTOGRAPHY

“I thought we’d maybe do some Training Level tests, but he kept offering more and more,” Collora said.

I AM US EQUESTRIAN

convention called Monsterpalooza. I instantly thought, “This is the place where I need to be.” Coincidentally, I also met my husband at the convention, as he is an independent filmmaker.

When I got to the U.S., it was at the end of COVID and the movie industry had slowed down a lot, especially in Los Angeles. I hoped it would recover, and jobs would come back to Hollywood, but they never really did, so it was a struggle to find work. I began to think about what else I was good at, and the obvious answer was horses. I reached out to local equestrian groups on Facebook and was contacted by someone who needed an assistant trainer to teach beginner lessons for kids, so I began working at the Anaheim Hills Saddle Club (now the Nohl Ranch Saddle Club). Through that job, I began to make connections in the equestrian community, and it slowly built from there.

I was working at another equestrian center in Orange County, Calif., when I first came across Romeo. He was in bad shape, and I was asked to ride him to get him ready to be sold. He was underweight and that little spark in his eyes was gone, but there was just something about him the first time I saw him, I knew there was a connection.

Romeo was nine when I met him (he is now 12). He had a pretty successful racing career under the name Tavasco Road, and retired injury free. He’s one of those horses who’s been everywhere, and everybody knows him. I believe he showed hunter/jumper for a little while, then his owner wanted to try Western, but he wasn’t interested in it.

There’s a period between when he was five and when I met him that I don’t know too much about. When he came into my life, he was basically like a hat rack with a head on. He was too skinny for me to ride or put a saddle on, so I would just walk him in hand and let him eat grass. I thought, “I need to help this animal,” so I started sneaking him food that I bought with money I didn’t have. He would call to me in the morning when he saw me, which just broke my heart.

His owner said she was going to sell him, and I had first right of refusal, but she was asking $10,000 and I simply couldn’t afford it. I was distraught and crying as I didn’t want to let him go. There weren’t any offers on him and eventually his owner texted me and said: “What if you just take him, and we’ll do the purchase price for a dollar? I know you love him and I know you’ll do what’s right by him.”

Sold!

That was how Romeo came into my life. Once I owned him, I then needed to figure out how to fix him, and I suspected there was a neurological issue because he wasn’t 20 FALL ISSUE 2026

acting right. I had Romeo tested, and he was diagnosed with EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis).

He also had other issues, such as his teeth and feet being a mess. I started a GoFundMe and made enough money for his treatment, then a friend offered me work at her barn in exchange for paying his vet bills. If I hadn’t had that support network, it would’ve been almost impossible, but we made it happen.

Three years later, here we are — his body is strong, and he’s enormous and healthy! He has some lasting effects f ro m t h e E PM, and stumbles a little every now and then, but he doesn’t h ave t he ac t ive infection in him anymore. Once the treatments started working and he began to feel better, it was almost like seeing him wake up. He started to have opinions about things, and I saw him grow and blossom. Romeo never used to play with other horses; he’d just stand there, but then he began playing and discovered he had a place in the herd hierarchy that he quite liked.

Romeo is one of those horses who just never says “no” Romeo has taught Collora to appreciate and to me. Anything I love dressage, she said. ask of him, he’s like, “OK, I can do that for sure.” He keeps surprising me every day. I think he’s a person in a horse’s body — he is so much like a human being, he’s very mellow and super sweet. I have some clients with special needs, and I use him to train them.

Some have severe autism, and others have cerebral palsy, or physical and mental disabilities. Romeo is the horse I use for those lessons because he has so much patience and understands that these riders are different and have

PHOTO: COURTESY OF LOLO PHOTOLOGY

“ROMEO IS ONE OF THOSE HORSES WHO JUST NEVER SAYS ‘NO’ TO ME.”

Above: Collora and Romeo are now working towards their USDF Bronze Medal.

Right: Romeo was skin and bones when Collora first met him as a 9-year-old.

22 FALL ISSUE 2026

additional needs. I didn’t know how he would react to one of my students who is disabled with a walker, as he doesn’t really like bicycles. She takes his rope, puts it on her walker, and off she goes with him following her like a puppy dog.

Romeo also has the gentlest mouth, so he is the horse I let all the little kids give carrots to, as he nibbles everything very gently and will never get their fingers.

However, when I’m riding him and I ask more of him, he will give it to me. He’ll puff his chest out and prance around with his tail up over his back, and be a Thoroughbred. He has the ability and is very good at knowing when that’s appropriate and when it’s not. Romeo benefits from being mentally stimulated as his body doesn’t get tired quickly. It’s like having a high-drive working dog — if you don’t wear their brain out, their body will go all day long.

My mom taught me the premise of clicker training, and I grew up doing that a lot. I have taught Romeo little tricks, like “target.” I throw him a pickleball anywhere in the arena, and he will go and put his nose on it. We play that game and it works his brain but not necessarily his body. If he ever gets little tweaks, aches and pains, and is off riding, then I have something I can do for him that keeps him stimulated so he doesn’t go stir crazy. He loves to work, likes having a job, and hates being unemployed.

I yearn to go back to my eventing roots at some point, but moving away from my parents, I don’t have necessarily the confidence to go take a horse out on cross-country for the first time without them here to support me through that. We have a beautiful full-sized dressage arena at my current barn, SJC Equestrian Center in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. I always hated dressage growing up, that was the part I had to get through to jump cross country, but Romeo has taught me appreciation for it and a love for dressage. Not only is it good for him, but it’s also really good for me as it keeps me fit and working.

I thought we’d maybe do some Training Level tests, but he kept offering more and more, so then I thought I could probably get my USDF Bronze Medal on this horse. Life is short and he’s not going to be young forever. I’m not one of those people who necessarily gets a horse with a goal in mind. I get a horse because I like the horse, and I want to work with the horse. I always said, if Romeo never amounts to anything other than a trail horse, then I’d be happy. I don’t need him to prove anything, but he gives and gives and gives.

Romeo is training and schooling Third and Fourth Level movements, so I decided I’d bite the bullet, and I registered him with everything, and now we’re actively on our journey to collecting scores towards our USDF Bronze Medal. I am hoping to get my First Level scores by the end of this year. I tend not to put too much pressure on myself with that type of thing — if I don’t get it, I don’t get it. This is my livelihood and it is how I make my money, but it also has to be enjoyable. I train, I make my money, I pay for my horse, and I follow my goals that I set.

If Romeo never does anything else ever again, he’s achieved more than I ever thought he could, and I’m over the moon with him.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF LOLO PHOTOLOGY, AND COURTESY OF LAUREN COLLORA

I AM US EQUESTRIAN

HORSES FIRST

Saying “Yes” to the Horse’s “No”

by Debbie Elliot

Trainer Mary Miller-Jordan of I AM HERD Mustang Sanctuary says truly listening to the horse opens a whole world of conversation.

24 FALL ISSUE 2026

She went on to say that it is incredibly important to refine this level of communication, because saying “yes” to your horse tells them they do not need to escalate their “no.” This shows the horse you are actively listening, and is the threshold to two-way conversation.

Just as she learned to interpret the millions of subtle signals Mustangs give her, Miller-Jordan encourages horse owners to really take notice of what their horse is telling them. “When I do relationship-building clinics with people and their horses, the goal is to be able to become better listeners so we see these things before the horse needs to buck, bolt, or any of those big and more dangerous ways of getting our attention,” she said.

“If we can learn to listen and show the horse we heard them, it really shifts everything in the relationship.”

What is a subtle “no” our horses might use that we often ignore?

One way horses communicate is by shifting their weight.

“Simply observe which leg they are loading,” Miller-Jordan advised. “A horse will often load more weight in the foot that’s away from you if they’re uncertain. It is a very subtle ‘no’ that is easy to see and easy to miss.”

Remember the ways a horse says “no” can be different from horse to horse. For example, a subtle “no” that Miller-Jordan

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN

Every moment we spend with our horse is an opportunity to start a conversation, and the tone of that conversation is essential for our ongoing relationship. Is it confrontational?

Is it passive? Are you actively listening to what your horse is telling you and responding constructively?

Mary Miller-Jordan, trainer and founder/executive director of the I AM HERD Mustang Sanctuary in Kelly, N.C., emphasizes the importance of noticing the subtle cues your horse gives you to indicate they are uncomfortable with or uncertain about a request, and then responding with patience and understanding to make the partnership flourish.

“If we want to have a better relationship with our horse, then we must learn to become better listeners,” Miller-Jordan said.

She describes her training method as “saying ‘yes’ to the horse’s ‘no,’” and she has used her decades of experience training wild Mustangs to educate equestrians on how to better communicate with their domestic horse partners.

“Wild horses see everything and they ignore nothing. No one knows ‘horse’ quite like a wild horse,” Miller-Jordan explained.

“Their ‘no’ can be as tiny as a shift in weight, or as sharp as a well-aimed kick. I had to learn to listen better to wild horses’ subtle ‘no,’ and then I had to learn to say ‘yes’ in a way they could hear me.”

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HORSES FIRST says her young Mustang partner, Abe, does is simply a tilt of his head. “I call it Abe’s ‘owl ears,’ as owls actually have asymmetrical ears, so one ear is higher than the other,” she said.

This helps them judge both the direction and height of a sound, allowing them to locate prey in darkness.

“Abe has struggled with a fear of tiny noises approaching his body,” Miller-Jordan explained.

“When he turned on his owl ears I knew to pay attention. If I missed it, he would follow with

How do we respond when the horse says “no”?

“This is the saying ‘yes’ part,” Miller-Jordan revealed. “This is how the horse knows you heard them. It’s saying, ‘I see there’s something going on that makes you uncomfortable, and I am recognizing that. You do not need to get louder, I am listening.’”

She explained that one way to say “yes” is to simply stop asking them to do whatever it is they were saying “no” to. “It can be that simple,

his big ‘no’ — a swift strike of his hoof with scary accuracy.”

It is important to recognize what your own horse’s subtle “no” action is, then you can learn to respond accordingly.

When a horse thinks you do not hear their initial “no,” they may escalate the situation.

This is not only dangerous but also makes it difficult for the horse to learn new things in that state of mind. When a horse is striking at a scary noise, they are reacting, they are defending, and they are using old, pre-existing neural pathways to make instant, reflexive decisions, Miller-Jordan explained. This is not a mindset where the horse can learn new things; it is a place where the horse is using old methods they learned in the past to survive.

Horses (and humans) need to feel safe to learn new things. When the horse is communicating within the subtle “no” — and they feel heard — they are in a state of mind where they can learn new things.

“If we only start listening after the horse is screaming ‘no’ then we are already behind in the conversation,” Miller-Jordan said.

but it doesn’t end there,” Miller-Jordan said.

“Now you move into the ‘maybe’ space. It’s in this space that the ‘no’ has the potential to turn into a ‘yes.’ This is also where the conversation becomes very dynamic.”

She advises paying attention to what the horse does after you say “yes.”

“Often, they will be holding a degree of tension,” Miller-Jordan said. “If so, then simply wait, be patient, remain present, and make space for them to release. You may see an eye blink, a shake of their neck, a touch of their muzzle to the inside of their knee, or an endless array of other releases.”

Sometimes the horse will begin to release but then they need the human to step further away to go deeper. “This is part of the conversation.

If you think you felt something, acknowledge it through creating a little more space between you and your horse,” she continued. At first, it may seem like searching in the dark, but trust your instincts. The horse is already aware of your emotions, and you can become aware of theirs too.

“They may have just needed a moment to process your request,” Miller-Jordan said.

Left: Turning their body away from you is a sign that your horse is saying “no” to the bridle.

Right: Saying “yes” can look like a horse engaging with what you are asking.

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See Guidelines

USEF has developed horse welfare guidelines based on the stoplight system to help us recognize acceptable or unacceptable interactions between horses and humans

GREEN horse friendly The horse appears happy, willing, and content.

The connection between horse and human is harmonious and in sync.

YELLOW cautionary Actions that cause you to pause and question whether they are acceptable.

Some actions may be acceptable for a very short period of time but may escalate to mistreatment if pressure or conflict increases in intensity.

RED

unacceptable OR not okay

Actions that make you think, “This is not okay.”

Actions that make you immediately think, “This behavior must stop.”

Sometimes athletes can be acting in the red zone without even realizing it - these situations may be resolved by a licensed official interrupting the training, discussing the issue, and providing a verbal warning.

If you see an interaction that falls into the red zone, please alert an official to the situation and submit a report.

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HORSES FIRST

“IF WE WANT TO HAVE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HORSE, THEN WE MUST LEARN TO BECOME BETTER LISTENERS.” - Mary Miller-Jordan

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a kick. Equestrians can learn to recognize the subtle ways a horse can say “no,” such as the shift in weight that might come before the kick. As we practice truly learning to listen to our horse, we move into an even more advanced place where we can communicate with their thoughts as they are forming, even before a shift in weight.

“This conversation becomes so soft and intimate, that you hardly see it from the outside, but you can tell it is happening through the seamless connection between horse and human,” Miller-Jordan said. “Master equestrians are doing this every time they slightly open their hand on the rein, every time they do a subtle shift with their own center of gravity to support the horse’s balance, or anytime they are even near the horse.”

Don’t be afraid to ask Miller-Jordan believes that we can get stuck in thinking things have to be a certain way, and then can become afraid to ask for things to be different.

She recommends not being afraid to ask your trainer for a lesson on listening in specific contexts, such as an entire lesson around bridling and truly paying attention to how the horse is communicating throughout the process. “This would be such a valuable learning experience that would transfer to everything else with the horse,” she said. “Anyone can be the one to ask for something different. The truth is the horse is already asking for a two-way conversation. They are asking every time they walk away when they see the halter. They are asking with every subtle ‘no’ they offer. They just need us to listen.”

Riding isn’t just about learning form and position. It is about recognizing the horse as an active partner. “If you are always missing the horse’s subtle ‘no,’ then you miss the opportunity to develop a more meaningful relationship, one that both you and your horse partner can enjoy,” Miller-Jordan concluded.

PHOTO: IIVY STARNES

“Many times, after you say ‘yes’ to a subtle ‘no’ they will let out a release and you can simply ask again. This time they are more prepared, they know what to expect, they are not holding their breath, and it is easier for them to say ‘yes’ back to you.”

An example of a common struggle with domestic horses is bridling.

“I cannot count the times I have seen a horse trying to avoid the bridle at all costs, by tossing their head or holding it high above the person,” Miller-Jordan said. “These are all ways of saying ‘no,’ but often the person simply struggles to get the bridle on anyway.”

Instead, she suggests seeing bridling as an opportunity to have a conversation. “Observe the horse from the first moment you are arranging the leather in your hands. Do they become tense at the sight of the bridle? Are they loading their weight in the leg away from you? Are they turning their head away from you?” she asked. “The slightest tension, the smallest shift in weight, or the tiniest glance of the eye are all subtle ways the horse communicates.”

If you are arranging the bridle in your hands and your horse becomes tense and says “no,” simply pause to say “yes, I hear you,” according to Miller-Jordan. “But do not freeze, make sure you are breathing, and then pay attention to your horse’s releases,” she stressed. “The information you can gather in this space is very important. What exactly were you doing when their first subtle ‘no’ happened? Trace back the process of bridling into every small step so that you can identify which step is a concern for your horse, such as the smell or feel of the bridle. Listen closely and do not miss the opportunity for a constructive conversation.”

As your communication deepens, the process of saying “yes” to your horse’s “no” will still occur, but it will be more subtle. Many people are only able to see the horse’s “no” when it is as obvious as

Abe the Mustang communicates with his “owl ears.”

JUNIORS’ RING

Balancing Big Dreams With Realistic Goals

By Debbie Elliot

How parents can support equestrian aspirations and competition goals without breaking the bank.

Praise the Effort, Not the Outcome The key is setting realistic expectations, said Stephanie Fernandez, Ph.D., LLC, a licensed psychologist who works with many young riders.

“If you’re a parent and you want to support your kid, make sure there is an emphasis on things that are well within their capabilities — which means, do not focus on outcome, focus on the effort,” she said. “Parents can get very attached to outcome, especially if they are paying for it.”

The IKEA Effect (named after the Swedish furniture store) shows that people often value something more when they have worked to create it. For kids, praising effort rather than the final result reinforces the value of the process, helping them feel ownership and pride in what they are building or learning.

“There are two ways to praise a child,” Fernandez explained. “You can praise them for the outcome, ‘I’m so happy you got an A on that test.’ Or you can praise them for the effort, ‘You 30 FALL ISSUE 2026

PHOTO: LESLIE POTTER/US EQUESTRIAN

We all want to give our children the best things that life has to offer, whether that is fun activities or opportunities to prove themselves. When it comes to horses, those things often involve big price tags, so how do we balance helping our children pursue their equestrian dreams while also making smart financial decisions for the whole family?

Equestrian sport can be incredibly rewarding for riders and non-riders, but families need clear expectations, honest budgeting, and healthy boundaries, so =the experience stays positive for everyone involved.

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JUNIORS’ RING

“KIDS REALLY STRUGGLE WHEN THEY FALL INTO THE COMPARISON TRAP.”- Stephanie Fernandez really put in the time, you learned these difficult things, and I’m proud of you.’

What parenting literature shows is that if you praise the effort, those are the children who develop a higher degree of resilience and don’t have emotional struggles when there is a setback.”

To put it into equestrian terms, don’t just praise the blue ribbons, praise the times when they had a refusal or the dressage test didn’t go as planned, because they put a lot of effort into it and had a great learning experience with their horse.

It is also important to value achievable goals that don’t require extra investment, by praising things like progress, dedication, commitment, and having an activity that helps them stand out and makes them unique.

Money Doesn’t Guarantee Outcomes In equestrian sport, money can provide access to top-level horses, training, and competition opportunities, but talent, hard work, and dedication are crucial ingredients in the development of a young rider.

“It is important for both parents and kids to separate having talent from having money,” Fernandez explained. “A lot of times they conflate the two. They think, ‘If I don’t have the expensive horse underneath me or if I don’t do the full show circuit, it means I’m not good enough.’

And those are completely distinct concepts. There is a tendency to internalize financial limitations and treat it like personal failure and a lack of ability, which is totally not true. Parents and kids have to understand the notion that money doesn’t guarantee outcomes,” she continued.

Helping kids let go of unrealistic constraints also sets them on the right path for life, where there’s always going to be someone who’s going to have more or be able to do more. Setbacks can happen to anyone, whether you are on a $150,000 horse or a lesson pony, but it is how you handle them, learn from them, and move on that is most important.

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A lot of times riders who have talent but not resources get the benefit of learning how to ride different horses by catch riding. They learn how to ride green, young, or difficult horses, instead of the expensive, safe schoolmaster, and become better equestrians. Kids who can’t afford grooms learn horsemanship skills and create stronger bonds with their horse as they handle their daily care.

The Power of Internal Validation While it is normal for young people to seek approval from their parents, trainers, peers at the barn, and social media followers, it is also important to prioritize internal validation over external validation. We should not go through life seeking external validation to determine our self-worth. Instead, we need to have our own internal compass and value system, according to Fernandez.

When a youth rider strives to get a better horse, a more expensive saddle, or to step up to the next level, is this something they genuinely desire and need, or is it the equestrian version of “keeping up with the Joneses?”

This is a good time for parents to have a conversation with their kids about valuebased priorities, just as you would have in any other area of life, Fernandez said. It is the same conversation that you would have if you were talking about getting a better car or buying the sneakers that all the kids in school wear.

“Kids really struggle when they fall into the comparison trap,” Fernandez warned. “Why are they perceiving the saddle to not be good enough? Is it because they are looking at what other people have? It doesn’t mean that in reality, their saddle is not good enough.”

The comparison game can also lead to the mental cycle of “my horse isn’t good enough, my tack isn’t good enough, so then I’m not good enough,” she said. When that happens, it can be a good time to inquire about what matters to them and what their definition of success is.

“If someone’s success is winning a class or winning a ribbon, then that is constantly going to be a moving target,” she said. Oftentimes, they learn more in terms of resilience and personal growth from the classes they didn’t win, rather than the ones they did.

“It is not a good idea to have your success based on a specific outcome because then you won’t be happy if you don’t achieve it,” Fernandez warned. “What is success for that kid? Is it learning how to do something that makes them unique?

Is it a set of problem-solving skills? Or is it being a good custodian to their horse?”

Finding Family Balance There are also other members of the family to consider, not just the young star equestrian. There may be a daughter who wants the expensive horse and to go to all the shows, a son who wants to play soccer, a dad who wants to up his golf game, and a mom who wants a family vacation.

“In that situation, parents need to figure out what their financial limitations are and where their comfort level is,” Fernandez said. “Kids have to accept some boundaries, which is made easier if parents are transparent about what they are comfortably willing to spend, as that creates a sense of predictability around the situation. The kid is going to cope a lot better if the parents sit down and say, ‘We have X number of dollars to spend, and your show choices are X, Y, or Z.’ If instead they say, ‘Let’s wait and see,’ as that is going to create more anxiety.”

What causes most distress in life is uncertainty, and unpredictable things that we can’t control. The brain actually prefers a bad answer to no answer, as a known problem can be planned for.

Anxiety comes from not knowing what outcome to prepare for.

“A kid doesn’t need to know the nuances of dad’s 401K, but they need to know if you can afford two shows this season or 10 shows, then they have a parameter they can work with,” Fernandez said.

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JUNIORS’ RING At the beginning of the season, set out a show schedule that is within your family’s budget and time allowance, and — barring any injury — stick to it, as the predictability will help your child prepare for what is to come.

Introducing Budgets to Kids As adults, balancing budgets is an intrinsic part of our daily lives, but for kids, the concept is mostly alien to them.

“It can be hard to introduce the concept of budgets to kids or teens because many have not yet had experience managing money, and horse costs typically are beyond monetary amounts youths handle on their own,” Fernandez explained. “Budgets also represent limitations, which in the horse world can tap into emotional factors. For many young riders, equestrian sport represents their identity, creating a sense of belonging and achievement. So, it is often a difficult reality to recognize that budgets can place constraints on that self-identity.”

Because young riders often lack a complex understanding of finances, it can feel personal when a parent says no to a new horse, show, clinic, new piece of equipment, or other horse-related opportunity, she added.

However, learning about the financial realities of horse ownership can create important key skills for young riders, such as making realistic decisions and goals; learning how to tolerate delayed gratification; developing a sense of responsibility; and a deeper appreciation for the sport.

“In addition, young riders who are educated about costs tend to better maximize what they have, rather than focusing on what they don’t have,” Fernandez said. “Even in cases where parents don’t have to make difficult financial choices, this is often a lifelong sport and as children become independent adults, awareness of costs and how to budget for their sport is important for it to be sustainable over the long term.”

Parents can help their child understand that a budget is not simply the decision maker for what the child cannot do, but instead, it is a guide for choices they can make, she advised. Creating separate “wants” (e.g. new saddle pads or designer breeches) and “needs” (essentials like board, farrier, etc.) columns in a young rider’s equestrian budget will help them make healthy choices.

With balance, boundaries, and clear communication, parents can support and encourage successful young riders in equestrian sport without causing unnecessary financial stress.

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PHOTO: AVERY WALLACE/US EQUESTRIAN

A strong bond with your horse is something money can’t buy.

Setting Healthy Boundaries Boundaries are inherent to every healthy interaction and conversation we have with another person, but we are usually not even aware they are there.

“Boundaries only become something we have to talk about when we feel like we are being pushed or pressured,” Fernandez stated. “Then we have to address them because there’s already a situation that doesn’t feel very good.”

Just as it is important for parents to set boundaries with their children, they also need to establish healthy boundaries with coaches and trainers.

Many of us have been in the situation where our trainer has announced they have found the perfect horse for us — even if we’re not horse shopping, or if the horse is well out of our budget. The majority of trainers have heartfelt intentions and want their clients to have the best horse or tack to maximize their chances of success, but it can lead to uncomfortable conversations if their vision does not match your financial means.

“It can be hard if parents feel like they have to push back, or if they fear there is going to be a conflict,” Fernandez said. “It’s important that parents establish their financial boundaries and what their kid’s goals are before the trainer is involved in the conversation,” Fernandez said. “Parents may feel inferior or like they’re not giving their kid and horse the best resources if they don’t write the check, especially if they have limited horse knowledge and are putting their faith in the trainer’s expertise.”

When it is a veterinary issue or animal care need, then the investments are important to prioritize, but if they are pushing a non-essential item or competition, then healthy boundaries should be set.

“It’s important to find a trainer where there is a foundation of respect and transparency on both sides,” Fernandez said. “If the rider and their family are in a situation where they feel like their boundaries are constantly being pushed, then maybe that trainer isn’t the best fit.”

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Staying Calm, Prepared & Informed About EHV

by Sarah E. Coleman

News of an EHV outbreak can strike fear in horse owners, but following preventative measures and biosecurity protocols can keep your horse — and others — healthy.

There is constant concern in the horse world about the spread of equine herpesvirus (EHV).

Social media content and news reports often amplify the anxiety as equestrians debate the best way to avoid exposure once a positive EHV case or outbreak has been confirmed.

As we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, preparation, prevention, and following biosecurity protocols is far more valuable than panic when it comes to tackling a highly infectious disease.

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Biosecurity protocols are implemented at USEFlicensed competitions to protect equine health.

PHOTO: ISABELLE WHITESIDE/US EQUESTRIAN

Causes of EHV Though the term “equine herpesvirus” is often used without an identifying number, EHV is actually a family of equine viruses named EHV-1 through EHV-5. The most common equine herpesviruses in horse populations worldwide are EHV-1 and EHV-4.

Nearly all horses will be exposed to EHV over the course of their lifetime, many at a young age, and most will show no serious symptoms from the virus. Equine herpesvirus is ubiquitous in the environment, so there is no way to keep a horse from being exposed to the pathogen.

Once the horse inhales the virus from their environment, it attacks and replicates within the cells lining the horse’s respiratory tract. Immune cells pick up the virus and carry it to the lymph nodes to eliminate it, but instead the virus replicates and enters the bloodstream.

“After a horse has been exposed to the virus, equine herpesvirus can become latent in nerve tissue and immune cells, effectively ‘hiding’ in the body until something activates it,” said Dr. Ben Buchanan, equine internist and critical care specialist at the Brazos Valley Equine Hospital in Navasota, Texas. “No one knows what triggers it.”

Once the virus is activated, a horse will shed the virus from its respiratory tract into the environment. “Hence, we say EHV is always around as apparently healthy horses are shedding the virus, and sick horses are shedding a higher level of virus,” explained Dr. Katie Flynn, US Equestrian Senior Veterinarian for Equine Health and Biosecurity.

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Diagnosis and Treatment The common test for EHV is a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. Done via nasal swab or blood, this test identifies viral DNA, meaning the horse is actively shedding the virus. A PCR test is very sensitive; it can detect tiny amounts of DNA and can often catch infections early. The sensitivity of PCR tests is why they are not recommended for every horse who has 38 FALL ISSUE 2026

Top left: Shared equipment such as nose rags can transfer the virus if used between horses.

Top right: One of the best ways to tell if a horse is not well is by taking their temperature at least twice a day.

Bottom left: A fever (a temperature of over 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit) is often the first sign a horse is sick with EHV. Bottom right: EHV remains contagious in water longer than on dry surfaces, so avoid resting hoses in buckets when filling, and don’t let horses drink from the hose.

PHOTOS: KIMBERLY LOUSHIN/US EQUESTRIAN

Symptoms of EHV-1 A horse with EHV may look perfectly healthy and offer no signs that they are shedding the disease. Alternatively, EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease, said Dr. Buchanan. “Horses often have a snotty nose, runny eyes, or a cough. They may also have a fever and feel generally off.” It’s important to note that these symptoms can be attributed to multiple other issues, including allergies.

“Once a horse is exposed to the virus, it takes two to 10 days for the virus to incubate in them before clinical signs may appear,” said Dr. Flynn. A fever (a temperature of over 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit) is often the first sign a horse is sick.

Older competition horses seem to be more at risk of EHV-1 than younger horses, and all competition horses are certainly at more risk than horses who don’t leave the farm. “Most reports we see show horses over 10 years old having more problems [with EHV-1] than the younger horses,” Dr. Buchanan said.

“Herpes symptoms are often short-lived, but the impact on a training schedule can be substantial,” he continued. “Even when a horse appears clinically recovered, it may take several weeks before they are ready to resume full work. More severe cases can require months before returning to previous levels of performance.”

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Risk of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) While the biggest fear is the progression of EHV-1 infection to cause the neurologic form of the disease (called equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy or EHM), less than 10% of cases progress to that stage.

It is not known why EHV sometimes develops into EHM, Dr. Buchanan said. “It is believed that the higher the amount of virus circulating then the higher the incidence of EHM, but that has not been proven,” he explained.

In cases where it does progress, the virus causes inflammation along the blood vessels of the spinal cord, which is like a mini-stroke, resulting in neurologic damage.

“EHM should be considered in horses presenting with acute fever followed by ataxia (poor muscle control or a wobbly gait), weakness, urinary dysfunction, reduced tail tone, or recumbency,” Dr. Flynn stated. Clinical signs range from mild hind-limb incoordination to rapid progression, to the horse being unable to rise.

“The prognosis is dependent upon the individual horse and the severity of signs. A mildly affected horse may recover from EHM with intensive supportive care, whereas recumbent horses have a substantially poorer prognosis,” she continued. “Prompt identification, isolation, biosecurity measures, diagnostic testing, and supportive management are critical to limiting transmission and improving outcomes.”

It is worth treating horses with EHM, as many — but not all — can recover completely, Dr. Buchanan concluded.

40 FALL ISSUE 2026

been around another horse who has tested positive for EHV-1. Healthy horses may intermittently shed a low level of virus, making detection an incidental, unrelated finding.

“For the purposes of testing, we only care about the horse who is contagious in that moment,” Dr. Buchanan explained. “That’s why we don’t ask that every horse who was on show grounds with an EHV-positive horse be tested.”

The primary treatment for a horse with EHV-1 is supportive therapy, such as anti-inflammatory drugs like flunixin meglumine (Banamine) or phenylbutazone (bute) to reduce fever, pain, and inflammation.

“There is some evidence that anti-thrombocytes [blood thinners to prevent blood clots] may prevent the neurologic form of EHV, but it’s difficult to recreate, so few studies have been done,” said Dr. Buchanan.

Some veterinarians will administer heparin, a blood thinner, subcutaneously for three days to a horse who has a confirmed EHV-1 diagnosis in an effort to prevent the neurologic form of the disease, he explained.

In addition, valacyclovir is an anti-viral medication that can be administered to reduce the amount of virus in the bloodstream. “If I have a client with a horse with EHV-1, we discuss whether we want to use valacyclovir or heparin — or anything at all — knowing that 90% of horses with EHV-1 will not become neurologic,” said Dr. Buchanan.

Many horse owners opt to not use either drug, simply letting the virus run its course.

“Unfortunately, I can’t predict the outcome of a horse infected with EHV-1,” said Dr. Flynn. “I have had healthy, young horses succumb to severe neurologic disease, and I have had 25-year-old horses with extremely high fevers and high viral loads stand there and look perfectly healthy. What I have learned is that EHV affects each horse differently and there is no predicting the outcome.”

Dr. Flynn stressed that immediate attention and treatment of a clinical horse is essential, and early treatment and intervention typically leads to the best outcome of less exposed and clinical horses.

Prevention EHV is not considered a core vaccine by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), but this doesn’t mean that horse owners should simply dismiss the vaccine’s validity as a vital part of their horse’s healthcare, especially if the horse travels off their home farm.

An EHV vaccine is a risk-based vaccine, meaning that the horse’s treating veterinarian will assess the risk a specific horse has of contracting a disease. If the horse travels frequently or co-mingles with horses who do, an EHV vaccine is recommended every six months.

“An EHV vaccine is inexpensive and incredibly safe,” said Dr. Buchanan.

Few horses have any reaction to the vaccine, even when administered twice per year, as is recommended for most competition horses who travel extensively.

“We know that if the horse is vaccinated for EHV, it’s going to shed less virus for a shorter amount of time,” he continued. “If the virus moves from the respiratory tract into the horse’s blood [viremia], it won’t be as high or as long if they do become sick, and their neurologic risk is less.”

Protecting your horse also helps protect all the other horses they come in contact with. “If everyone vaccinates their horse, a potential outbreak is smaller and shorter,” explained Dr. Buchanan.

It’s worth reiterating that a vaccine is not a guarantee that a horse will not get sick. “Just like the human flu vaccine, the EHV vaccine reduces the nasal shedding and amount of virus in a horse. With less virus in the horse, the horse is more likely to successfully overcome the mild disease symptoms,” Dr. Flynn explained.

“Vaccination is a critical tool in the toolbox of protecting equine health, but it must be used in conjunction with routine biosecurity practices to best protect your horse,” she said.

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Horse owners should always use individual buckets and nose rags at shows, and take care to not let a hose end rest inside every bucket when filling. EHV remains contagious in water longer than on dry surfaces, so care should also be taken in wash racks to not spray the horse directly in the face with the hose or let them drink from it.

“We also can’t rule out some component of virus spread from human deliveries,” said Dr. Buchanan, such as from braiders, farriers, riders, and health professionals. “Hand sanitizers Dr. Ben Buchanan are great, as is a reminder not to touch every horse.”

Opinions vary about whether or not to vaccinate a horse who has been potentially exposed to an EHVpositive horse. “My advice is to vaccinate,” Dr. Buchanan stated. “The data is mixed regarding if vaccinating a horse with exposure is harmful, and there’s logic that it may slow down virus transmission enough that it [the virus] will burn itself out.”

“AN EHV VACCINE IS INEXPENSIVE AND INCREDIBLY SAFE.”

To access the USEF Biosecurity Measures guide, please scan the QR code with your smartphone.

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Competing With Care Assistance with developing and implementing biosecurity protocols for competition facilities is available to all USEF competition organizers in a newly-released guide that includes everything from best practices on entry procedures to disease response to communication templates. If an infectious disease outbreak does occur, USEF works with the competition organizer and state animal health officials to assist with any contact tracing and advise on the risk assessment and epidemiological investigation that state animal health authorities conduct.

A horse getting a positive test for a transmissible disease at a competition doesn’t automatically mean that all horses there are at risk, although it is essential to follow strict biosecurity measures to prevent an outbreak.

“As a state animal health official for over 20 years, I have managed over 40 equine herpesvirus outbreaks, as well as numerous other equine infectious disease outbreaks,” said Dr. Flynn.

“From my vast experience, I can confidently say that if a sick horse is immediately removed and the exposed horses are monitored, the virus spread can be stopped almost immediately.

However, any delays in removal of the sick

horse or lapses in biosecurity precautions, or the failure to properly monitor temperatures, guarantees disease spread.”

One of the best ways to tell if a horse is not well is by taking their temperature at least twice a day; if they have a fever, something is amiss.

Thermal microchips can be helpful, but Dr. Buchanan stresses that these may not reflect an accurate core temperature if the horse has just worked hard or is lying in the sun. It’s important that a caretaker is willing to also take a rectal temperature if the microchip reads high. The mandatory fever reporting rule in place at USEF competitions was driven by the need to identify any potential infectious disease cases early.

This rule ensures sick horses are evaluated, and those suspected of an infectious disease are isolated in accordance with the USEF-required isolation plan.

Dr. Flynn said she is confident in the USEF biosecurity protocols implemented at USEFlicensed competitions to protect equine health, while ensuring early detection and prompt response to an infectious disease incursion.

“Furthermore, we have successfully managed — in collaboration with the competition veterinarian, competition management, and state veterinarian — several infectious disease incursions on the show grounds and continued competition with the unaffected population while exposed horses were quarantined,” she explained. “In all cases, no additional confirmed cases were identified. This is evidence that USEF biosecurity protocols work.”

It’s easy to worry that an EHV case could spread through the show grounds like wildfire, but actually, Dr. Buchanan said that EHV outbreaks are often in a single barn. If there are multiple cases at a competition venue, they are not in a sequential line. “Herpes is more random,” he added.

“In my experience, identifying exposure is dependent upon numerous factors and is not as simple as the horses in the same part of the barn,” said Dr. Flynn.

Above all, Dr. Flynn says, it’s important to keep perspective. EHV cases pop up all over the country throughout the year, and in the vast majority of situations, they don’t spread to other states — and sometimes not even to other barns. The best defense for infectious disease is always a good offense in the form of consistent biosecurity practices before there’s a disease positive.

For more information on equine health and biosecurity please visit usef.org/learn/ equine-health/biosecurity-measures or email equinehealth@usef.org.

Zen Elite Equestrian Center, located in Southwest Ranches, Florida is everything the name suggests and much more.

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But Zen Elite is more than just soothing to the soul. The facility is unique in its scope, hosting grassroots dressage and jumping lesson programs in the same arenas where international trainers are preparing for national and world competitions.

Owner, Heidi Humphries’ vision is legendary, in that it supports the future of horse sport in the spa-like serene atmosphere that is Zen Elite Equestrian Center.

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MINDFUL

“Am I Good Enough to Be Here?”

Imposter syndrome can impact any of us, especially when we are stepping up a level, moving on to a new horse, or are selected to represent a team.

We have all had those times when we just don’t think we’re worthy of being where we are at, whether that is in our equestrian endeavors, at work, or even in personal relationships.

That persistent feeling of self-doubt and being “not good enough” is called imposter syndrome. The term was first used by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978 to describe an “internal experience of intellectual phoniness” experienced by those with “outstanding academic and professional achievements,” according to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website.

Ironically, it is often high-achieving, successful people who suffer from imposter syndrome as they set such high standards of perfectionism for themselves and see anything less as failure.

“In a sense, imposter syndrome is almost a byproduct of high achievement,” said Ashley Johnson, ALM, MS, a former 5* event rider and sports psychology professional.

“Individuals who experience imposter syndrome often hold themselves to exceptionally high standards. They are highly motivated and self-aware, and always continually striving to improve.”

While these might sound like positive traits, they can sometimes create situations where individuals focus too much on perceived shortcomings. In addition, as riders improve, they become increasingly aware of what they don’t know. Internally, this can sometimes be misinterpreted as inadequacy, Johnson explained, while in reality it is a sign of growing expertise.

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Channel Confidence Imposter syndrome also goes hand in hand with confidence, Johnson explained. “One of

Johnson used mental preparedness skills with her horse, Tactical Advantage, before stepping up to the 5* level.

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the key factors of confidence is successful past performance — or on the flip side, unsuccessful past performance,” she said.

Unfortunately, poor performance often impacts us more deeply than successful performance. “A coach used to say to me, ‘Every time you jump a jump, you put a dollar in the bank.

Every time you have a refusal, you take $100 out,’” Johnson recalled.

We are often told to look in the mirror and say affirmations about how good we are, but that isn’t enough when you also have your horse relying on you, she said. “You can say you are confident and ready, but if you don’t have that partnership and that skill with the horse that you’re riding, it’s still not going to play out. You really have to have both mental confidence and physical skills,” she said.

From a psychological standpoint, sports can be separated into closed skill sports, such as golf where the athlete has a lot of control over what’s going to happen, or open skill sports, like soccer, where it’s very dynamic the whole time and you

are always reacting to what’s happening on the field. Whereas equestrian sports are mostly a combination of the two.

“Dressage, for example, can be considered to be more akin to closed skill sports as you’re given the test and movements ahead of time,” Johnson said. “On cross-country, while you’re given the course that weekend, it fluctuates from

one phase to another and is more unpredictable, making this phase more like an open skill sport.”

Imposter syndrome can occur in both types. In closed skill sports, any minor mistake can feel deeply personal and make you think you are not as skilled as others. In open skilled sports, it can emerge from uncertainty or comparison. If you win, you might put it down to luck, your team, or your horse. If you perform badly, you may feel like you let them down, or that the outcome felt uncontrollable.

“In either case, overcoming imposter syndrome is similar to building confidence. It is a combination of having a strong mental skillset, and a strong technical skillset,” Johnson said.

“When I coach students who have those skillsets but doubt themselves, I tell them, ‘If you are in the room, then you deserve to be in the room.’

You are not there by chance.”

Find a Support System A key factor in overcoming imposter syndrome is finding a mentor or a support system, Johnson explained.

PHOTO: SHANNON BRINKMAN PHOTO

Imposter syndrome can emerge when you are thinking about moving up a level or taking that next big step, when you ask yourself, “Am I ready to be here?”

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Having a strong support system is key to overcoming imposter syndrome.

“Trusted individuals provide perspective, reminding athletes of what they are capable of.

Sometimes this may just be a trusted friend or a supportive parent who shows up and is present and happy to listen,” she said. “Other times, this may be a coach who has a deeper understanding of a rider’s skills and can offer technical guidance, or a performance psychology coach who can help with mindset, pre-performance routines, and reframing.”

These people can act as emotional regulators who help riders stay grounded and confident, Johnson continued. “Sometimes having someone else believe that we are capable of something helps us be more confident in achieving our goals. Ideally, this support system comes from individuals who have both a shared understanding of the demands of the sport, and can also provide an honest mirror to the athlete,” she added.

While having a strong support network won’t eliminate self-doubt, it will help to keep things in perspective.

“We need to normalize these feelings,” Johnson said. “Horseback riders are all very competitive by nature, and we tend to challenge ourselves, but we also often question if we have the skill to do it, and we are worried about failure.”

Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable While we may put ourselves into situations where we are uncomfortable, we have to remind

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ourselves that equestrians are extremely resilient people. Instead of thinking that you shouldn’t be feeling uncomfortable, acknowledge that you will feel this way. “This is a normal emotion because you are testing yourself, pushing yourself to be better,” Johnson said.

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is how you grow. Even top event riders are anxious before they go out onto the crosscountry course, but they do it anyway as they know they have the skills and the mindset to succeed. Johnson noted that anxiety and excitement are physiologically very similar, so when we are preparing for something, our bodies naturally become more activated.

When Johnson first began eventing at an elite level, mental health and performance anxiety were not talked about widely like they are today. “Now everybody talks about it, and it is more normalized,” she said. “Many 5* riders do specific workouts to become better riders; and they have coaches to become mentally stronger.”

Johnson revealed that throughout her journey as an upper-level rider, she has always had a thirst to learn about mental states. She recalled a time when she was preparing to progress to the 5* level and knew she was going to ride a course that was harder than anything she had done before — and with about 30,000 people watching her!

“I knew going in that I needed a really strong mindset. I don’t know if it was imposter syndrome necessarily, but it was absolutely me saying, ‘I’m going to be overwhelmed if I’m not ready for this,’” she explained.

While preparing for the 4* event at Red Hills International, before then heading to her first 5* at the Kentucky Three-Day Event, Johnson felt immense pressure to ride perfectly and started worrying that she wasn’t good enough. So, she called a fellow event rider and asked what she would do in her position and was told: “I would ride to the level that I thought was fun.”

Johnson decided not to ride cross country at Red Hills and then did a 3* at Poplar Place Horse Trials in Georgia. “I dropped back and I had fun ... and then I went to Kentucky,” she said.

Johnson also began talking with her off-thetrack Thoroughbred, Tactical Maneuver (a.k.a Gucci), telling him that all the people there were rooting for him. “I created a Tinkerbell

PHOTO: AVERY WALLACE/US EQUESTRIAN

MINDFUL

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experience in my mind where the crowd was there to cheer us on and support us, and the more people clap, the brighter we would shine,” she said. “Every time I started to feel anxious and thought, ‘Are we ready for this?’ I would do mindful breathing and put myself into that Tinkerbell story.”

Partnership Pressure Feeling like we are not good enough for our horse is a form of imposter syndrome that is unique to equestrian sport. “As riders, we often feel deeply responsible to our horses, and rightfully so, as they do so much for us,” Johnson said. “In this situation, rather than focusing on the worry of being good enough, or that we might make a mistake and let our horse down, riders should focus on the concept of, ‘How can I show up in a way that supports my horse right now?’”

This kind of imposter syndrome can kick in when we’re stepping up to a more advanced horse after feeling comfortable with your former mount or have anxiety over being given someone else’s horse to ride. However, a mental reset will help athletes show up at their best, Johnson explained. She stresses the importance of cognitive reframing — when we take a scenario and find a way to describe it in words that allow for positive outcomes.

“This is a critical component of a growth mindset, which in turn is crucial for evolving as an athlete instead of becoming overwhelmed by pressure and perfectionism,” Johnson said. “Instead of saying, ‘I always crumble when the pressure is high,’ try telling yourself, ‘I am learning how to manage my emotions in high-pressure situations with the tools I have learned.’ The second way of looking

50 FALL ISSUE 2026

at it allows the brain to find ways to shift patterns.”

While most aspects of equestrian sport involve only a partnership with our horse, there are some situations where you may compete on a team, such as Pony Club, IEA, collegiate teams, and at the far end of the spectrum, Olympic teams. It is natural to feel higher pressure and expectation in these situations because the visibility is higher, but Johnson reminds us that we should acknowledge these emotions rather than burying them.

“Remember you were chosen to be on that team for a reason,” she said. “Rather than thinking you don’t deserve a spot or you might let the team down, it is important to instead focus on contributing to the collective. This might mean making every effort to perform well in competition, but it also could mean supporting teammates, being composed under pressure, or being organized and reliable. Often times in team settings, the soft skills are just as important as the riding skills themselves,” she added.

We all question our abilities at certain times in our lives. Even the best athletes experience self-doubt, but they don’t let that emotion take away from their arsenal of highly developed skills. “Discomfort is part of pushing yourself to be your best,” Johnson concluded.

Left: “As riders, we often feel deeply responsible to our horses,” Johnson said.

Right: If doubt sets in, equestrians should focus on the concept of, “How can I show up in a way that supports my horse right now?”

PHOTOS: AVERY WALLACE/US EQUESTRIAN, LESLIE POTTER/US EQUESTRIAN

MINDFUL

TRUSTED BY THE BEST

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CUSTOM FIT & DESIGN

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 51

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Equestrian-Inspired Style for Everyday Wear

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Flattering cuts, high-quality fabrics, ease of movement, and exquisite equestrian details epitomize Ariat’s fall Countryside Collection.

EFFORTLESS MOVEMENT Dress to impress while also having ease of movement in Ariat’s Culham shirt dress, which pairs perfectly with boots or sandals. Made from beautiful, drapey mid-weight fabric, the Culham has a figure-enhancing cut, flattering tie waist, scalloped hemline, and handy pockets for life’s essentials.

SOFT AS SILK The Coney Sweater works equally as well for a dinner date or business meeting as it does for a day out in nature. Made from a soft, silky cotton-blend, the lightweight sweater can be worn solo or as an extra layer on cool, winter days. Raised stitches on each sleeve, and a bit detail on the back of the collar offer a dash of equestrian flair.

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ARIAT

As equestrians, we express our love for horses in everything that we do and wear. Even when we are not at the barn or in riding clothes, our sense of style and can-do attitude is communicated through our wardrobe choices. Ariat’s Countryside Collection for Fall 2026 is designed for horse enthusiasts to wear in the non-riding hours of their lives.

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GO WITH THE FLOW Even when you are not riding, it’s important to have an outfit with movement, flexibility, and flow. The lightweight and silky Cricklade Long Sleeve Blouse gives you all that — and more! Distinctive yoke detailing and delicate ruffles create the element of classic Western tailoring. The Dornie Blazer adds a dash of preppie flair thanks to its tailored fit, striped sleeves, and cinchable waist. Made from Italian wool, the blazer has eye-catching horse-stamped metal buttons, and an equestrian-themed taffeta lining.

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ARIAT

EQUESTRIAN STATEMENT The bridle-inspired stitching on the Blaire Boot (above) shows you are a horse girl, while its sleek cut creates a leg-lengthening silhouette.

Velvety soft nubuck leather, fun tassels, and equestrian inspired hardware make a stylish out-of-the-saddle statement, while an All-Day Cushioning insole and easy zip entry adds to the wearability.

The Blaire Boot’s CASLITE® rubber sole by Caster S.A. is made with 35% recycled material for a classic look.

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TRENDING

SLIP INTO COMFORT (top) A versatile slip-on mule is a must-have item, whether you are walking around horse show grounds or meeting friends for lunch. Ariat’s Country Mule boasts a Duratread™ sole that offers durability and flexibility and is engineered for long-lasting performance. Pictured here in Olive suede, it comes in a variety of colors and is available in women’s sizes 5.5 through 11.

REFINED AND RUGGED Layers are the key to staying content in changeable fall weather. The Clement Shirt is a classic buttoned flannel that is soft on the skin and cut with a slim and flattering European-style silhouette. For extra warmth, add the 100% wool Bolinas Sweater, which has a half-zip mock neck and windproof lining for extra protection from the elements. Top off this timeless look with the waxed cotton fabric St. Thomas Jacket, lightly quilted with a silky lining, which acts as a season staple for every occasion. Your lower body will appreciate the M4 Relaxed Grizzly Boot Cut Jean. Designed to be relaxed through the waist, hip, and thigh, Ariat’s most popular jean has a no-rub comfort inseam that lays flat to minimize chafing in high-movement areas, and extra deep front pockets to safely store essentials.

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FALL MUST-HAVE Everyone can enjoy the versatile and enduring Cooper Chelsea Boot, which is styled similarly to a paddock boot and is comfortable enough to wear all day long. It is made from water-resistant leather that will stand up to the wettest of dog walks, while a lightweight sole allows long-lasting wear with cushioned rebound. The slip-on Cooper Chelsea Boot has elastic twin gore, equestrian details, and a 1-inch heel.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ARIAT

BEAUTIFUL AND PRACTICAL (middle) The Ashton Boot adds a dash of equestrian elegance to any outfit. The streamlined silhouette and block heel look just as good with a skirt or dress as they do with jeans or pants. Made from rich, full-grain leather with equestrian-inspired metal hardware, this sophisticated boot with refined riding style features an all-day cushioning, a removable insole for comfort and support, and a CASLITE® rubber sole made from 35% recycled material.

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TWO-IN-ONE The Sausalito Coat (above) is Ariat’s most sought-after jacket of the season, and for good reason! The hybrid sweater/jacket is equally suitable at the barn or the bar, thanks to its hand-cut fringe and bold front pockets.

The front of the Sausalito is made from a soft wool sweater blend, and the back panels are recycled nylon with Primaloft® recycled insulation, with a SWEATER ESSENTIAL PFC-free finish.

Everyone needs a signature sweater for the season. Welcome to the Heddon Sweater, made from 100% Merino wool that naturally resists odor for lasting freshness, and highlights color variations for added texture. This refined knitwear fits close to the body, while still giving you room to move.

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ARIAT

STATEMENT JACKET The slightly cropped, A-line silhouette of the Bransmoor Jacket (right) makes it stand out in a crowd — or a field! Made from durable, lightly weather-resistant waxed cotton sourced from Scotland’s famous Halley Stevensons mill, the Bransmoor has a relaxed, boxy fit, wide cuffs, and oversized side pockets. It is layered over the Coney Sweater, a soft, cottonblend base with raised stitching on each sleeve and a bit detail on the back collar.

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WHAT TO KNOW

BEFORE YOU TOW Expert advice on how to protect the well-being of all your fourlegged friends at the barn and at horse shows.

Teaching your horse to calmly load onto a trailer is a valuable life skill for them.

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Being able to safely transport your horse is essential whether you are showing, wanting to meet friends for a trail ride, or needing to evacuate in an emergency.

As infuriating as it is when your horse won’t load when heading out to a competition or an off-site lesson, it can become a matter of life and death if there is a forest fire or hurricane — which was proven during the January 2025 Los Angeles fires.

The safety issues don’t stop once your horse is loaded, however.

It is also essential that your trailer is in good working order, and that it is being towed by a trained driver — whether that is you, your trainer, or a hired hauler.

PHOTO: SHELLEY PAULSON

BY DEBBIE ELLIOT

LEARNING TO LOAD Like most things when it comes to horses, teaching a young or green horse how to load onto a trailer takes time and patience.

If this is also something new for you, consider hiring a professional who will come to work with you and observe how your horse reacts, advised Sara Mastellar, PhD, associate professor and equine programs coordinator at the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute.

“They can give you more information about why a behavior is occurring or not occurring while attempting to load, such as the trailer lighting or handling timing,” she said. “Having those expert eyes there to really understand the entirety of the situation

and to help you get your horse onto a trailer is important. This is something you really want to go well for your horse because it is such a foundational skill.”

Rebecca Gimenez Husted, BS, PhD, who provides training in Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue techniques, advises always giving your horse time to evaluate the situation.

“Studies show that it takes a horse between 12 and 17 seconds to really evaluate and then decide that they are going to go forward,” she said. “Horses will also often show you what they are looking at, whether it is a hole in the floor, a creek they’re considering crossing, or stepping onto a dark trailer.”

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 61

Left to right: USEF rule GR1301 states that dogs must always be held on a leash or otherwise restrained at sanctioned competitions.

Left to right: Make sure that your horse has light and ventilation, but no potential escape route if they panic.

Access to fresh air is important, but don’t let your horse stick their head out the window when driving.

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Trailers can be particularly frightening because horses can only distinguish shapes in dark conditions after a long period of visual adaptation, meaning they cannot adjust from light to dark as quickly as humans can.

“Lighting is important,” said Mastellar.

“You’re making a prey animal go into a dark enclosed space that might not have food or a buddy in it, which is going to be scary.” While you want to make the trailer feel like a safe space, you have to balance lighting with what the horse may perceive as a potential escape route. “Occasionally you’ll see on social media horses who tried to go through a trailer window or the escape door. We should be thinking through how we can provide light in a way that makes the space inviting, but not so much that if the horse were to panic they think that is an exit.”

Preparing your horse before they even step on the trailer ramp is the key to success. “People spend hours in the arena training their horses, and they should also spend time learning how to get their horse in the trailer safely,” Husted said.

“You have to teach them the right skills before you even ask the horse to go into the trailer.”

When teaching a new horse to load — or if people are learning how to load themselves — Husted recommends wearing a helmet. “I require young people to wear a helmet when loading and unloading horses from trailers because it is dangerous inside that space if a horse freaks out,” she said.

Mastellar recommends breaking down aspects that make up the trailer experience, such as teaching your horse to be comfortable walking on different surfaces or flooring. “If you have a wooden bridge in a trail class, that would be good practice before you get to a trailer ramp,” she said. You can also practice walking between narrow spaces.

Noise desensitization is also important, and Mastellar suggests having the horse walk past a trailer that has a different horse inside, so they associate the sounds as coming from a safe place without the pressure of having to go into that enclosed space yet.

While having a buddy inside the trailer may make it seem less scary, you need to understand the herd dynamics between the horses beforehand. “Make sure it is a horse or pony they want to be associated with,” Mastellar warned. “If you have a trusted buddy in there that can be a good way to help a new horse get acclimated to the situation.”

We often put a hay net in the trailer or try to lure our horse in with high value treats, but we should also think about making sure they have some forage in their digestive tract to protect the stomach lining while traveling. “Essentially, you’re bouncing them around in the trailer and then they could have acid splash up in their stomach,” Mastellar said. Because horses produce stomach acid continuously, forage in the stomach can help create a protective fiber mat and stimulate saliva production, which

PHOTOS: SHELLEY PAULSON

Horse people are often also dog people .

helps buffer acid and reduce irritation to the stomach lining.

Each horse will be unique in terms of how long it takes them to feel comfortable with the trailer. Mastellar said she has some weanlings who jump right on with no fear, while other horses need to go through each step slowly and repeatedly. “Wherever you are at, you need to make sure you end each training session on a positive note,” she said.

“Trailer training is all about good horse welfare and good communication,” Mastellar stressed. “It is about making it an enjoyable, positive experience for your horse.”

Once you have that foundational skill, the easier it is for you and your horse, and the calmer they are going to be at shows.

“Just like with any other in-hand obstacle training, you need to practice trailering when there are low stakes — not when the barn is on fire, or you’re late for a lesson or class,” Mastellar concluded. “Then work up to the more challenging situations.”

TRAILER MAINTENANCE If we’re going to try and persuade our horse that entering a trailer is safe — then we have to make sure it is actually safe!

“We sometimes set our horses up for failure because we use trailers that are unsafe,” Husted explained. “You are asking your horse to do the most difficult, dangerous, terrifying thing to them that you could ever dream up — putting them in a moving black box, sometimes without their friend. You have to do your homework, and make sure that it is a nice, safe place for them that is as inviting as possible.”

She stressed the importance of having lights in your trailer (that work!) and a camera so you can see your horses in the dark while driving. “Nighttime in the summer is the coolest time to drive, and it is also the safest time on the road as there is less traffic,” she added.

Husted recommends that when shopping for a new trailer, take a person with you who knows what they are looking at, such as someone who works at an RV dealership. She said things to check are the hitching system; make sure your trailer and the truck match; look for signs of wear, damage, or rust; ensure the floor is secure; check the brake system and ensure there are brakes on both axles.

“Bring a tarp with you so you can check underneath that trailer, because most of the signs [of wear] that we find in trailers are there out of sight,” said Husted. She also suggests weighing your truck before you even start looking at trailers. The gross weight of your truck determines how much combined weight it can safely carry and tow, including the trailer, horses, passengers, tack, feed, water, and equipment.

If you are hiring a hauler, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions as you are putting your horse’s life in their hands, such as do they have insurance? Do they have a commercial driver’s license? Do they have paperwork and a bill of lading? How long will the trip take?

(Many haulers pick up several horses along the route.) The National Horse Carriers Association website at nationalhorsecarriers.com has a wealth of information on what questions to ask, and how to spot illegal or unlicensed haulers.

Before every trip in a trailer, USRider Equestrian Motor Plan recommends ticking off the following checklist: ∆ Inspect hitch and coupler for wear, rust, or damage, and that the hitch is securely attached to the towing vehicle. ∆ Test all brake lights, turn signals, and running lights; inspect the wiring for any signs of damage or wear.

“THIS IS SOMETHING YOU REALLY WANT TO GO WELL FOR YOUR HORSE BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A FOUNDATIONAL SKILL.” - SARA MASTELLAR

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- REBECCA GIMENEZ HUSTED

CONSCIENTIOUS DRIVING Just as you wouldn’t learn how to drive a car by reading a magazine article or blog, you shouldn’t plan to learn how to tow a trailer that way either. Before hauling a horse, drivers should strongly consider taking a trailer-towing course or safety clinic that covers hitching, weight distribution, braking, turning, backing up, and how to respond if the trailer begins to sway. Licensing requirements can vary depending on the state, trailer weight, combined vehicle weight, and whether the hauling is commercial.

Once you are properly trained and confident to drive on your own, be mindful that how you drive impacts your horse’s body weight distribution. To avoid your horse having to scramble for balance, USRider advises watching your speed, turning and accelerating slowly, and braking gently.

As over 65% of your horse’s body weight is on their forequarters, it’s difficult for them to keep their hind legs on the floor when you apply the brakes — causing them to tip forward and brace with their front legs. In addition, drive over bumpy roads carefully to prevent excessive bouncing for your equine passengers.

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PHOTOS: CHRISTINE RIVET/US EQUESTRIAN, COURTESY OF REBECCA GIMENEZ HUSTED

“PEOPLE SPEND HOURS IN THE ARENA TRAINING THEIR HORSES, AND THEY SHOULD ALSO SPEND TIME LEARNING HOW TO GET THIER HORSE IN THE TRAILER SAFELY.”

∆ Check tire pressure and inspect for signs of wear, cuts, bulges, or punctures. Ensure spare tires are properly inflated. ∆ Test the trailer brakes to ensure they are functioning correctly, and check the brake fluid. ∆ Verify that safety chains are securely attached to both the trailer and the towing vehicle, with no signs of excessive wear or damage. ∆ Check the suspension system for signs of damage or wear, and inspect the trailer frame for rust, cracks, or other structural issues. ∆ Ensure emergency equipment such as a fire extinguisher and first aid kit are present and easily accessible.

USRider serviced nearly 3,000 calls with horses on board trailers in 2025, the majority of which were tire changes. The most common breakdown type for trailers is having a second blow out (after you’ve used your spare and now you don’t have an extra one) which is why USRider highly recommends having two spare tires for your trailer.

Your regular trailer maintenance program should also include: ∆ Grease wheel bearings every 12 months or 12,000 miles. ∆ Inspect brake pads, drums, and hydraulic lines regularly for wear and tear. ∆ Replace brake components as needed to maintain optimal braking performance. ∆ Regularly inspect the trailer flooring for signs of rot, damage, or weak spots. ∆ Check dividers, bars, and gates in the stall area to ensure they are securely latched and in good condition. ∆ Lubricate hinges, latches, and other moving parts to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation. ∆ Clean windows, roof vents, and other ventilation systems to ensure proper airflow for the comfort of the horses, and check for any damage. ∆ Regularly inspect all doors and latches to ensure they open, close, and lock securely. ∆ Inspect interior lights, fans, and other electrical components to ensure they are working properly; replace any bulbs or wiring that are damaged or malfunctioning. ∆ Check reflective triangles or flares to ensure they are present and in good condition; replace expired or damaged safety equipment as needed.

ARRIVING WITH A HEALTHY HORSE Offer your horse water every two to four hours while on the road but be aware that many are reluctant to drink unfamiliar water, so packing water from home can often make them feel more comfortable. Many people offer their horses hay in the trailer, but it should be free of dust, so soak it before putting it in the hay net. Never feed grain in the trailer as it is more likely to cause digestive upset.

Some horses also “bolt feed” when stressed, increasing the risk of choking.

While owning your own trailer takes time, training, education, and a financial commitment, Husted said that if you have the means, it is the best option for you and your horse. “I like people to have horse trailers because it gives them the opportunity either for evacuation in case of an emergency, or the freedom to travel and enjoy their horse when times are calm,” she said. “It means they are not trapped at the barn or dependent on somebody else, but I also understand that financially a trailer is a big swallow for many people.”

Left to right: Always inspect the hitch and coupler for wear, rust, or damage.

Having access to a trailer and knowing how to tow it opens up a multitude of equestrian opportunities.

PHOTOS: LESLIE POTTER/US EQUESTRIAN

A 2016 study titled “A Survey on Transport Management Practices Associated with Injuries and Health Problems in Horses” by Barbara Padalino et al found that 45% of transport-related problems consisted of traumatic injuries (cuts, wounds, etc.) rather than medical or muscular conditions (heat stroke, colic, etc.), and over 50% of the injuries impacted the lower limbs.

USRider recommends using leg protection for your horse, especially if they are young, green, traveling for more than 30-60 minutes, or sharing the trailer with other horses. The most common types of protection are shipping boots, and standing wraps (with quilts or nobow bandages). Please note that wraps must be properly applied, as poorly wrapped legs can do more harm than good, especially if the wraps come loose.

Other health factors to consider when hauling are temperature control, as the trailer can often be warmer than outdoors. Monitor if your horse is sweating, allow ventilation (but don’t let your horse hang their head out the window when traveling), and use a fly mask to protect from bugs or foreign objects.

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THEAULT

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CUTTING COSTS,

BUT NOT CUTTING CARE Horses are expensive, but there are things we can do to keep costs down while also prioritizing our horses’ welfare.

BY DEBBIE ELLIOT

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PHOTOS: ISABELLE WHITESIDE/US EQUESTRIAN

There is no doubt that wherever you live, the cost of living is getting more expensive. For many members of the equestrian community, the financial pressure is very real. Feed, hay, veterinary care, and boarding costs have all climbed in recent years.

Many of us are looking for ways to reduce our monthly and annual costs without reducing the care our horses receive, as we continue to put their health and welfare above all else.

From tough decisions, like “Should I move to a cheaper barn, or reduce my show schedule?” to everyday choices such as, “Do I really need another saddle pad ... and matching boots and bonnet?” — there are a number of ways we can be more financially mindful and budget-conscious without negatively impacting our equestrian experience or our horse’s well-being.

“If you are feeling stressed and stretched financially caring for your horse, look at other barn or trainer options around you,” advised Katie Walsh, owner of Turning Tide Farm in South Hamilton, Mass. “Try to find a place where you fit in, feel comfortable, and where they help you work within your budget.”

Barns can range from high-end, full-service boarding with luxury facilities, concierge management, competitive show schedules, lesson obligations, and groom service, to self-care board where you take full responsibility for your horse’s needs.

At Walsh’s barn, she strives to make it affordable and enjoyable for her boarders, without scrimping on service or lessening their equestrian experience. “It’s not very big and it’s not glamorous, but we do all sorts of fun things with our horses, like local shows, fox hunting, hunter paces, and riding on the beach,” she said.

She uses simple tactics to keep her own costs down, which then makes board and care more affordable for her barn community. “It comes down to the small things. I buy a tractor-trailer load of hay — which is hard to do, but it saves you money, and you have quality hay that’s the same all the time,” she said. “I source out shavings as they have gone up in price, and I mix my own grain with flax, alfalfa pellets, and oats — it costs less money than those processed grains, and I feel like it is healthier for the horses.”

Walsh said that although her business strategy makes more work and labor for herself, it is worth it. “I have wonderful clients, and the best thing about them is they never skimp on what their horse needs,” she said. “Instead, they’ll cut back on a lesson, or they’ll cut back on going to a show. I also offer partner opportunities just because it helps me out, too. If they need to work off a little bit of their board for the month then I will have them do some feedings, and that frees me up to do something else around the farm.”

Many of Walsh’s clients are adults who rode as kids and stopped for many years to have careers or families, then returned to riding. While most of them own their own horses, Walsh does arrange half leases, where she finds somebody to ride their horse two or three days a week. “This really helps people who are working and can’t ride every day, plus it helps offset everybody’s costs,” she said.

If you are considering a half-lease option for your horse, Walsh stresses the importance of having your trainer find a

Katie Walsh hosts “adult Pony Club” days to teach her clients horse care and turnout skills.

“ Try to find a place where you fit in, feel comfortable, and where they help you work within your budget.”

- Katie Walsh

suitable lessee. “I always make them take one lesson a week so I can keep an eye on them and make sure that the horse is being ridden properly and taken care of,” she explained. Also, always ensure you have a liability insurance policy in place, and a legally binding contract.

Boarding facility “extras” such as bathing, braiding, grooming, wrapping, and holding horses for the vet and farrier can quickly add up. Instead of racking up their bills, Walsh likes to give her boarders the tools and education to do those horsemanship tasks themselves. “One Saturday a month, I host ‘Adult Pony Club,’ and I’ll show everyone how to braid, wrap their own legs, do wound care, trailer loading, etc. ... all that stuff is important, plus it’s lots of fun!”

She has that same “do it yourself” attitude when it comes to trailering to the local shows they attend, choosing to use her USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 69

Buying a gently used saddle means you can get a top brand for less.

own trailer instead of hiring a professional shipper, and having everyone chip in for gas.

Horse prices are surging, plus U.S. tariffs are adding additional costs to import fees. However, Walsh believes that the off-the-track Thoroughbred population is a hidden gem. “People can do anything on the OTTBs I have right now. Quite a few of my clients have gone the route of letting me try to find them a nice Thoroughbred,” she said. “Instead of spending the price to import something, they spend a minimal amount of money and put what they saved into training. In a couple months, they have a really nice horse who they can do all the things with.”

“ Buying a brand-new saddle is like buying a new car.”

- Taylor Hall

Walsh also helps her clients find used saddle options, making sure they fit the horse and rider so everyone is comfortable.

Taylor Hall, owner of Tried Equestrian consignment store in Valencia, Calif., said it is often even better to buy a used saddle then opting for something new. It is faster than waiting for a custom saddle; it is already broken in; and if your horse changes and no longer fits the saddle, then you can resell it.

“Buying a brand-new saddle is like buying a new car,” Hall explained. “It’s going to have a huge drop in price the moment it hits a secondary market. However, with saddles, once they’ve had that price drop from brand new to used, they can hold value for quite a while if maintained properly, and the price doesn’t diminish dramatically.”

Saddles are far from the only equestrian item that you can buy used; in fact almost everything you have in your tack room or closet can be found on consignment, aside from safety equipment such as helmets and vests.

“You might not find the exact item you are looking for, but if you’re OK with a different color or trying a different brand of a similar quality, you can usually find what you want,” said Hall, who recommends shopping around at local consignment stores, online outlets, and Facebook Marketplace. “Bigger brands like Ariat offer great quality and they hold up really well, so are still in very good condition when bought used.”

There are a lot of reasons why people sell “barely used” items, such as changing disciplines, buying or selling a horse, stopping riding, gaining/losing weight, or kids outgrowing 70 FALL ISSUE 2026

clothing. “We also have people who bought things, tried them on once, and realized they didn’t love the fit or the design,” Hall said. “Show jackets are a great item to purchase used, as a lot of times people don’t get a lot of wear out of them, so they are barely worn when they come to us.”

Equestrian clothing, like any style-driven industry, changes seasonally as styles and colors come in and out of fashion. However, tack is less style-specific than clothing, and the changes that are made are much smaller, so items from a few seasons ago don’t look dated. Plus, your horse doesn’t care if they are wearing last year’s hot color!

“Leather has, in my opinion, more of a luxury feeling once it’s already soft and broken in,” said Hall, adding that bridles and boots are some of the most popular pieces of tack to buy used.

Some items at consignment stores are still new with tags and may come in because the brand had overstocked items, they have minor flaws, or they start using a different leather or fabric and can no longer sell last year’s inventory.

Of course, aside from saving money by buying used, you can also make money by selling tack, accessories, or clothing that you no longer want.

“We want to make it easy for people to sell those items. When they decide, ‘I no longer need this,’ instead of having to sit in their closet for five years, they can list it for consignment and it can quickly move on to that next person,” said Hall, adding that Tried Equestrian has over 3,500 consignors from all around the country. “We send you a shipping label and an agreement

PHOTOS: ISABELLE WHITESIDE/US EQUESTRIAN

SHOP CONSIGNMENT

that you include with your things. You can put it into any type of packaging — an Amazon box, a Chewy box, etc. — and use our shipping label. When it gets to us, we will price it based off the current market value, take photographs, and launch the listing online for our audience. Once it is sold, we ship it out to the buyer and then you are paid within a month.”

Whether you are planning to sell unwanted items or are trying to extend the lifespan of things that you own, Hall recommends always taking care of your equipment and clothing.

“Little changes can make a big difference when it comes to saving money,” she said. “If you get things replaced, fixed or cleaned, they can still be usable for a couple more years. If you think your tall boots look really bad, take them to a boot repair store and ask them to clean them up for about $25. It will look like you have brand new boots!”

Hall also advises people not to feel pressured to have to buy something just because someone else has it. “The spending can be never ending if you allow it to be,” she said.

Learning to braid your horse’s mane and tail can reduce horse show costs.

EMBRACE LOCAL SHOWS Walsh encourages her clients to compete in local shows, rather than traveling to prestigious, long-distance shows that have higher fees, last more days, and often require you to travel further and stay in a hotel, which can greatly amplify the costs.

Marnye Langer is the president and CEO of The Langer Group, which has been involved in the horse show industry since the 1970s, and was a leader in the growth and development of major shows on the West Coast.

Despite being involved in high-level competition management, and jumping herself at a high level, Langer said her heart has always been with entry-level competitions and local shows.

“I understand how intrinsically important local competition is. It’s not glamorous and it’s not glitzy, but it is such an essential part of our sport and our industry,” Langer said. “The essence of local level first-time shows remains the same across all disciplines, whether you are riding hunter/jumper, saddle seat, western dressage, hunt seat, etc. The components are very similar.”

One of the challenges of managing a local show series is being able to put on a technically correct show, meaning having good officials, staff, facility infrastructure, and equipment, Langer said. As manager of Gold Coast Horse Shows (which are rated by USEF, USHJA Outreach, PCHA, and LAHJA), she understands the importance of having experienced staff rather than relying on volunteers.

“I’ve been an exhibitor, I’m a mom, I work, and I know how important time management is to our lives,” she said. To ensure the show schedule runs smoothly, while also keeping costs down for exhibitors, Langer said she hires a combination of proven staff and officials, alongside some greener, less experienced people.

“We need people to be entering this industry and wanting to have jobs in it, so they’ve got to start somewhere,” she stressed.

Having originated at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Gold Coast Horse Shows are now held at the Hansen Dam Horse Park in Sylmar, Calif.

“ I understand how intrinsically important local competition is.”

- Marnye Langer

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During COVID, when everything competition-wise shut down until mid-2021, Langer spent a lot of time talking with trainers and exhibitors to learn what they wanted from a horse show series. “I kept feeling there was a need for this kind of three-day horse show with a significantly lower price point, and a more simplified class structure,” she said. “So, I went out and asked questions, and then I shut my mouth and listened.”

The Gold Coast management team opens its arms to all levels of riders, aiming to be a safe space for first-time competitors, while also offering a high standard of competition for more experienced equestrians. “I’m trying to have it be a welcoming place for newer exhibitors who are less experienced, or the family who’s got one kid who rides, one kid who plays soccer, a dad who wants to go play golf, and a mom who has got something she also wants to do,” Langer said. “We want to help the family fit it all in on a weekend.”

Langer ensures that the shows aren’t intimidating to anyone, no matter their past experience. “I get some people who were convinced they can’t go to a USEF show because they aren’t good enough,” she revealed. “I see myself as an entry point, and I want to show people that you can come to a USEF show, you can fit in, you are welcome, and you can have a good time. Plus, there is a system of rules and structure to keep things safe and fair, but they are all for the riders’ and horses’ benefit.”

Instead of a fancy VIP section, the Gold Coast Shows include cost-effective extras such as complimentary exhibitor breakfast on Saturday mornings, and a choice of horse-themed goodies for first-place ribbons.

Langer recommends that anyone who is trying to keep down their show bills should not buy into the myth that you should only go to a big show, but instead look around for local USEF

Any equestrian clothing, tack, or accessories can be found in consignment stores.

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Gold Coast Horse Shows creates a welcoming space for everyone from first-time competitors to more experienced equestrians.

shows where you will save money, and also have a better-quality experience than at an unregulated schooling show.

“I think most people would be surprised to find that there’s places in those shows where they’re just as competitive, and they don’t require an uber fancy horse and all the accoutrements,” she said. “If you’re not sure, go to some of those shows and spectate, and reach out to the management. If they don’t respond to you in a suitable way, then maybe that’s not the place you should put your dollars, as you deserve to be respected and treated well.”

PHOTOS: ISABELLE WHITESIDE/US EQUESTRIAN, EQUINE CLICKS PHOTOGRAPHY, JON SIEGEL/PM ADVERTISING

PREVENTATIVE CARE On average, routine vet bills are about 5% to 15% of annual horse ownership costs. While vet bills are unavoidable and you should never scrimp on veterinary care, especially in the case of an emergency, there are preventive and educational measures you can take to reduce your annual costs. However, always remember that part of being a responsible horse owner is knowing when to call out the vet.

Just as Walsh teaches her clients basic wound care so they can treat minor issues themselves, you can learn how to treat non-emergency ailments and basic procedures yourself and save on vet services fees. When you do need to have the vet out for a non-emergency visit, coordinate with your barn mates so they can treat multiple horses at once to reduce farm call fees.

Another way to save on vet bills is to prevent issues before they even occur. “Prevention is very important when it comes to horse care. Not just dealing with something once it happens, but trying to prevent it from happening,” said Dr. Stephen Schumacher, DVM, PhD, Chief Veterinary Officer and Chief Administrator for the USEF Drugs and Medications Program.

An annual physical exam can catch conditions before they escalate, as can dental exams because not chewing properly can lead to poor digestion and colic. In addition, adding a fecal egg count, which measures the number of parasite eggs in your horse’s manure, to annual equine examinations can help eliminate unnecessary deworming treatments.

“ Prevention is very important when it comes to horse care.

Not just dealing with something once it happens, but trying to prevent it from happening.”

- Dr. Stephen Schumacher

Horsemanship skills such as knowing how to wrap legs can save money on groom fees.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 73

Marnye Langer of The Langer Group believes that local shows are an essential part of our sport and our industry.

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in Platinum Paks® or buckets, and follow the annual recommended veterinary wellness requirements for their horse.

MAKE A BUDGET — AND STICK TO IT! Just like with any big financial responsibility, creating a budget and tracking your spending will ease the financial stress of horse ownership. From trying out a new horse to planning for their retirement, a well-maintained budget is essential.

“When I first thought about buying my horse, I put a budget together that included costs of the horse purchase price, hauling the horse back to my barn, and my trainer’s commission fee. If I could not get to an agreement, then that horse wasn’t for me,” said Shea Boulware-Creed, senior vice president and financial advisor at Boulware Investment Group in Phoenix. “As someone who helps people achieve their financial goals, whether that means sending kids to college or buying a horse, I understand the importance of staying focused on the financial side of horse ownership. As we all know, buying a horse is just the beginning of the cost.”

Once the horse is purchased, your budget shifts to covering basic care, emergency situations, and achieving equestrian goals. On a spreadsheet, list essentials such as board, feed, veterinary and farrier bills; show costs including lessons, travel, training, and membership fees; and optional costs like clinics, extra tack, bodywork therapies, and grooming services. It is recommended that you always have a safety net of $5,000 to $15,000 in case of emergency as unexpected veterinary care can quickly exceed routine monthly expenses.

PHOTO: EQUINE CLICKS PHOTOGRAPHY

Managing allergies and preventing respiratory disease through good husbandry can cut future costs, Dr. Schumacher said. He suggests opening up your barn to allow more ventilation; choosing low-dust bedding; keeping your barn clean; maximizing field or turnout time; and hay management such as soaking and steaming.

In addition, Dr. Schumacher recommends careful consideration before you give supplements, as he believes many owners are over-supplementing their horses. Supplements are expensive, and many are not FDA approved so can cause unexpected side effects or accidental drug violations when used in competition. He also advises against routine joint injections (which should be administered sparingly and only after a diagnosis has been identified), and long-term nonsteroidal use. “Treat them like us taking Tylenol or ibuprofen for an ache. We take it, then we re-evaluate our pain level instead of simply continuing to use it,” he said.

Above all, the best preventative medicine or treatment you can give your horse is rest, said Dr. Schumacher. “We feel like we have to work them constantly,” he said. “If people stayed home, took more time training, less time showing, and rested their horse more, I think the horses would be in better health.”

Having a reliable equine insurance plan can take the stress out of vet bills. However, some horses are difficult to insure due to age or pre-existing conditions. Platinum Colic Coverage® can be a life-saving alternative, offering up to $15,000 in colic surgery reimbursement. The complimentary program is available for customers after enrollment who purchase a qualifying auto-ship order of a wellness formula

PulseVet® Shock Wave, the OFFICIAL Shock Wave of the US Equestrian Team PulseVet Shock Wave is proven effective for: Back pain SI pain Tendon/ligament injuries Navicular pain Sole depth Asthma To find a vet near you

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HOW CHROMATIC BF’S LEGACY FUNDS VITAL EQUINE STUDIES

BY DEBBIE ELLIOT

Chromatic BF finished third in the second leg of the World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before his tragic death.

The Chromatic Fund, named after the late U.S. show jumper, is currently supporting two research projects that aim to improve the health of countless horses.

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“I’m proud that his passing was able to touch a chord in the hearts of people who can make a difference.”

- Owner KC Branscomb

PHOTO: HELEN CRUDEN

In October 2025, US Equestrian announced funding details for the first two research projects powered by the Chromatic Fund, which was established the previous year.

The fund, which is named in honor of Chromatic BF — a 13-year-old Oldenburg U.S. show jumper who died at the 2024 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after several superior performances — is a collaborative effort between the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), US Equestrian, Chromatic’s breeder KC Branscomb, and The Foundation for the Horse.

Its focus is to support research that can be submitted to peer-reviewed academic journals and then be taken into the field to improve the health and welfare of competition horses.

“Our members have consistently told us that they see the support of equine health as part of our responsibility as a national governing body of equestrian sport, and we agree with them,” said US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney.

“The two studies chosen were selected by the AAEP review group,” said Dr. Stephen Schumacher, DVM, PhD, who is the Chief Veterinary Officer and Chief Administrator for the USEF Drugs and Medications Program. “The areas that we were most interested in trying to fund were previously discussed at a USEF summit of high-level veterinary experts in Ocala, Fla., in March 2025. The effects of vitamin E supplementation on vitamin K was a talking point there, but there is no scientific data on it, so that was identified as an area of interest and concern, as was the safety of single high vs. repeated low-dose steroids.”

Chromatic BF’s Legacy After jumping three double-clear rounds at the World Cup Final in Riyadh and finishing third on Thursday, April 18, 2024, Chromatic BF (Connor x Sonnengirl B) died suddenly due to an unintended consequence of a misinformed veterinary intervention.

From the day he was born, Chromatic BF “ was brave, funny, curious, and excited about the world,” said KC Branscomb.

The gelding’s owner and breeder, KC Branscomb of Branscomb Farm in Half Moon Bay, Calif., was present when he passed away and said the beloved gelding died in the arms of her and her team.

Branscomb, who has bred and developed many U.S. jumping horses to the Grand Prix and FEI levels, shared memories of Chromatic from when he was a spunky little foal. “From the day he was born, he was brave, funny, curious, and excited about the world. He was pretty sure he was all that,” she recalled.

The breeder said she usually gives mares and foals a couple of days in the foaling stall after birth before introducing them to the outside world. The foal will then nervously follow their dam out to the paddock, often needing gentle persuasion from staff.

However, when they opened the stall door to let mare Sonnengirl B and baby Chromatic out, he practically knocked everyone over. “He didn’t care about his mother. He was not interested. He just wanted out of that box; he wanted to get out and see the world, so he took off!” Branscomb said. “That was the beginning of Chromatic.”

As Chromatic was developed over the years, he grew into a special horse with a unique personality who really loved the sport and the crowds.

Once Chromatic partnered with rider Jill Humphrey, he really came into his own and the pair won multiple Grand Prix classes together. “Jill understood and loved the horse; the horse loved and trusted her,” Branscomb said. “I think what made Chromatic so special was that he had always been in our program. He had been raised here, and no one had ever asked him to do anything he couldn’t do.”

As tragic as Chromatic’s death was, Branscomb is grateful to have been able to turn a negative event into something positive for the sport, and for horses everywhere.

“As custodians and horse lovers — I call us ‘horseaholics’ — we have an obligation to demonstrate that we love and care for our horses more than we love the sport or winning,” Branscomb USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 77

said. “That’s really where we have to get back to basics: it’s got to be about the horse, and the horse has to come first. I think we win when we’re able to demonstrate that incredible connection you see every day among top athletes and their horses, or kids in the pony ring. They love each other and you can tell the horses are proud of themselves and want to compete.”

One of the main aims of the Chromatic Fund is to share important research in layman’s terms and get it into the hands of veterinarians and trainers. “We need to understand the research and make science-based evidence available,” Branscomb said.

“With the Chromatic Fund, we look for opportunities where research organizations are ready to do strong work on popular interventions already being used in the sport, especially when the science is still unclear or hasn’t been done yet.”

Branscomb would like Chromatic’s legacy to be that people associate his name with the love of the horse and the desire to do right for these very special, generous animals.

“I’m proud that his passing was able to touch a chord in the hearts of people who can make a difference,” she said.

Above: Dr. Carrie Finno led the study at the University of California, Davis, on the effects of vitamin E supplementation on vitamin K status in healthy horses.

Research Today, Saving Lives Tomorrow The two research projects currently funded through the Chromatic Fund are as follows:

“USEF and the Chromatic Fund have clearly defined research priorities to better understand the effect of supplements and other ‘natural’ products that get used in competition horses.”

- Dr. Carrie Finno

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Dr. Carrie Finno, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM), is a professor of veterinary genetics and the Gregory L. Ferraro Endowed Director at the Center for Equine Health at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and the Weill School of Veterinary Medicine. Her research into the underlying genetic cause of equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/degenerative myeloencephalopathy (eNAD/EDM), an equine neurological disease associated with vitamin E deficiency, led to a broader interest in the role vitamin E has in neuromuscular health for horses.

“It made us realize that vitamin E in horses really seems to have a profound environmental effect,” said Dr. Finno, an amateur eventer who currently owns three horses. “Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and is required for normal neuromuscular health, and a deficiency in some horses leads to devastating neuromuscular disease.”

Her eNAD/EDM studies found that show horses who didn’t spend enough time on pasture eating fresh green grass were all deficient in vitamin E, but the research team only saw overt disease in a subset of those horses, suggesting that other factors, such as genetics, also have important roles.

Vitamin E supplementation has a positive impact on some affected horses, especially at a young age, and Dr. Finno provides owners with guidance on how to effectively supplement horses at different life stages. Her experiences with vitamin E-deficient horses have now led her to wonder about the other extreme — the potentially negative impact of high doses of vitamin E.

PHOTOS: DON PREISLER, NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Study 1: Effects of vitamin E supplementation on vitamin K status in healthy horses

She knew that too much vitamin E in humans could make blood less likely to clot normally and increase the risk of bleeding because it interferes with vitamin K activity and wondered if it was the same in horses.

“If you have a horse who is already prone to bleeding and you give them a high dose of vitamin E because you think it’s going to help their muscles, you could be making it a lot worse,” she said.

The study was launched on May 1, 2026, utilizing 16 of the UC Davis Center for Equine Health’s Teaching Herd horses who were given either a daily high dose of vitamin E or a placebo.

“We measured their vitamin E and vitamin K1 concentrations and assessed their clotting profiles with blood analysis, and a very cool technique called thromboelastography (TEG), which uses a blood sample from each horse to measure the ‘strength’ of the clot formed,” Dr. Finno explained.

Dr. Finno said that the next steps are dependent on the outcome of the research (at the time of publication, the study results are still pending). “If it shows that high levels of vitamin E impact horses’ coagulation profile and change their propensity to bleed, I will be talking to supplement companies and veterinarians to share that with them,” she explained. “It will also mean that it is even more critical for vets to measure blood vitamin E levels in horses when supplementing.”

However, if the results are negative, that means that either the tested dose wasn’t high enough, or vitamin E doesn’t have the same effect on clotting in horses as it does in humans.

Dr. Finno emphasized the importance of not only communicating the research results to vets, but also for owners and trainers to talk with their vets about what supplements they are giving their horses and any concerns they may have. She also recommended reaching out to supplement companies and asking what studies they have conducted on their products. “If they haven’t done any studies, then that is a red flag,” she said.

“USEF and the Chromatic Fund have clearly defined research priorities to better understand the effect of supplements and other ‘natural’ products that get used in competition horses,” Dr. Finno concluded. “The term ‘vitamin’ seems like a positive thing, but it is critical to remember that product quality assessment and safety studies are still required.”

“Many of those initial studies were conducted on racehorses, which can differ significantly from the broader sport horse population.”

- Dr. Lauren Schnabel

Below: The death of a Quarter Horse named Fiona inspired the study looking into steroid use at NC State University.

Study 2: Safety of single high vs. repeated low-dose steroid use The research study by Dr. Lauren Schnabel and Dr. Kimberly Hallowell at the North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., was inspired by the fate of a young Quarter Horse named Fiona.

The competitive reining horse, who was owned by Karie Tucker, a registered veterinary technician at the university, was examined for lameness and diagnosed with sacroiliac pain.

“We decided to proceed with steroid injections in her SI joints using a safe, accepted dose of 18 milligrams of triamcinolone,” said Dr. Hallowell, a Ph.D. student in NC State’s Comparative

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 79

Biomedical Sciences Program who was part of Fiona’s care team. “Within two weeks, Fiona had developed very severe, rapidly progressive laminitis that we were ultimately not able to get under control, and she was euthanized as a result of it.”

Dr. Hallowell, a hunter/jumper rider and former member of the Colorado State University polo team, explained that anytime a case goes badly, the researchers consult with their colleagues to learn from the case. She found that a lot of them had similar experiences when treating joints with steroids, and many different opinions on what increases a patient’s risk.

“However, when you looked at the literature at the time this case happened, there was nothing there to tell you how you’re supposed to be doing this the safest way,” she said.

“Many of those initial studies were conducted on racehorses, which can differ significantly from the broader sport-horse population in several ways, including metabolically,” said Dr. Schnabel, DVM, PhD, a double board-certified Professor of Equine Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine.

To prevent other horses from suffering the same fate as Fiona, the clinical team put their minds together and devised the study criteria.

“There are four big studies related to this same thread that we have completed, or that are in progress,” Dr. Hallowell said.

“In the first, we looked at injecting triamcinolone at a standard intrasynovial [joint] site like the carpus; and an extrasynovial site like the sacroiliac (SI joint) to see if there were differences in drug absorption or metabolic effects.”

That study found that there was more drug absorption from the carpus than the sacroiliac site, but there wasn’t any difference in the metabolic parameters between those two groups.

Dr. Kimberly Hallowell was on the clinical team studying the safety of single high vs. repeated low-dose steroid use.

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PHOTOS: JOHN JOYNER/NC STATE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Dr. Lauren Schnabel and Dr. Kimberly Hallowell in the North Carolina State University research laboratory.

“Horses in both groups had increases in insulin and glucose, and suppression of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) regardless of where they got the steroids,” Dr. Hallowell said. “We found that horses who already had elevated baseline insulin levels reached significantly higher insulin concentrations after the steroid than those with normal values, suggesting that pre-existing risk factors — one of which might be equine metabolic syndrome or preexisting insulin dysregulation — could be what lead to steroid-associated laminitis.”

Equine metabolic syndrome is a condition where a horse has abnormal insulin regulation, often alongside easy weight gain or regional fat deposits, increasing the risk of laminitis.

The second study examined the prevalence of insulin dysregulation and radiographic evidence of laminitis in a sport-horse population and found that 23% of the 180 horses tested had equine metabolic syndrome.

“More interestingly, of those horses, only a fraction of them were able to be diagnosed on a baseline fasted insulin sample, which is a very commonly used sample in clinical practice,” Dr. Hallowell revealed. “The alternative is a dynamic test, where you give the horse a set amount of sugar and then measure their insulin levels at 60 and 90 minutes after that sugar. The dynamic test is something we’ve now been advocating for to assess if these horses have the disease.”

Dr. Schnabel, a lifelong horse owner who currently competes in dressage and working equitation on her Lusitano, stated that there is the risk of missing 75% of the horses with metabolic disease or insulin dysregulation if they don’t have such dynamic testing, which isn’t always easy for veterinarians in the field to do. “It’s a problem on two fronts — the disease is more common in sport horses than we thought it was, and it’s a challenge for veterinarians to diagnose in the field. Our studies have evolved from there to see what we can do to reduce risk when we treat them,” she said.

“The other thing that the study results highlighted for us, is that we historically think of equine metabolic syndrome as a disease impacting overweight horses who aren’t in work, but

the range of positive horses in our study included two-year-old reining Quarter Horses and 5* event horses who have perfect body condition scores and are in peak fitness, but were still abnormal,” Dr. Hallowell continued. “It highlighted for us that we really should be testing any horse who we’re considering giving steroids that might increase their risk of complications.”

These two studies led to the proposals submitted to the Foundation of the Horse, and the two projects now being funded by the Foundation and the Chromatic Fund. If equine metabolic syndrome may be more common than we’ve historically believed, and some steroid doses can be especially dangerous to horses with metabolic issues, the next step for the team is trying to decide what dose of these common medications is safest.

“With Fiona, we had used an 18-milligram dose of triamcinolone and that is considered to be the safe maximum dose,” Dr. Hallowell said.

However, if a horse needs injections in its hocks, stifles, and coffin joints and receives 18 milligrams of triamcinolone in each joint over two or three months, could that be dangerous for the horse? The first of the two new projects has already undergone data collection to find out.

“We decided to compare that repeated dosing strategy of 18 milligrams three times once a month to giving the horses all three of those sets of injections for a total of 54 milligrams of triamcinolone all on a single day, and we followed them for a month after each injection,” Dr. Hallowell explained. “The repeated dose horses were in the study for three months, and the single dose horses were in the study for one month, then we measured their insulin, glucose, ACTH, and cortisol to compare the metabolic safety of those two different approaches to steroid injections.”

The fourth study examines the individual risk factors that make some horses have greater insulin responses to triamcinolone than others.

“In our original study with the different injection sites, we had some horses who only reached insulin values of 40, maybe 50 after injection. We had other horses who reached peak USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 81

“There are four big studies related to this same thread that we have completed, or that are in progress.”

- Dr. Kimberly Hallowell

insulin values of over 300,” Dr. Hallowell said. “Clearly there’s something different about those two sets of horses that is not explained by baseline insulin alone. So, with that study, we’re doing baseline testing on the horses with the aim that it could reasonably be performed by a veterinarian in the field. The goal is to predict which horses have the highest insulin responses

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to the steroids so we can then develop more practical tools that practitioners can use to identify those at-risk animals.”

Dr. Schnabel explained that the main takeaway is that we need to be screening horses’ insulin levels even if they are not overweight or showing signs of equine metabolic syndrome in order to more accurately identify which are at risk, and then find better ways to give steroids when we need to in certain horses. The research team stresses that the answer isn’t to reject steroids because occasionally something bad happens after they are administered, but instead to analyze different risks and work with veterinarians to make the safest choices to treat their patients.

The team shares their findings with veterinarians, owners, and trainers by publishing their results in research papers, through social media, and at speaking engagements. “A research paper is of no use if it sits on the web and no one knows about it. We have to reach the people in the field doing the hands-on work,” Dr. Schnabel said.

If you are interested in supporting equine research efforts, please consider donating to the Chromatic Fund by visiting usef.org/donate and selecting “The Chromatic Fund” in the dropdown menu.

PHOTO: HELEN CRUDEN

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Where to Find the Penalties and Rule Violations To provide more transparent, comprehensive, and up-to-date information, the penalties for rules violations have moved to a digital format that can be found on the USEF.org website at usef.org/ compete/regulation/rulings-findings or by scanning the QR code below with your smartphone.

For hearings conducted after January 2026, the Hearing Committee has agreed to publish their full written decisions (not just conclusion summaries) from cases that appear before them. Matters resolved outside of a hearing (informal resolutions) will continue to be published in a summary format. These will all be available at the page linked above.

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