By MARLEY LIEN-GONZALEZ
The name of Ruthann Smith’s business, Lucky Braids, is endearingly derived from what clients used to call Smith’s seemingly magic effect on horses and their manes.
“People said I braided luck into the manes,” Smith says, “but really, my work was about encouraging calm and centeredness in the horse during the process of braiding. What happens in the barn establishes a horse’s worldview, which is pivotal to what happens under saddle. By teaching the horse to stand still, I am teaching it to relax.”
Which horse seems more likely to win? The one looking all around as they walk to the ring, or the one that is relaxed, confident, and focused? Smith says, “I was instilling a quiet confidence–which is the foundation of making horses’ hearts big and what I believe to be the key to winning.”
Smith never saw a lifetime career in the horse world, but when she braided for what she thought would be a stepping-stone occupation, she realized that she was already roped in. “My job was to help the horses look and feel like winners,” Smith says of her time spent knuckles deep in mane and tail hair—so to help others do the same, she created award-winning products, multi-media guides, demonstrations, and Top Turnout Clinics.
A Culture of Care
Smith grew up in a barn she describes as the canonical old school of horse care and training with an Olympic medal-toting mentor. By chance, her mother was best friends since college with renowned dressage rider Dottie Morkis and by the age of 9, Smith was regularly watching and working around some of the top-performing horses in the world. During her formative years, she spent a decade as a working student, weaving together comprehensive knowledge of all the pieces that play a role in a horse’s success.
“Many people are integral to getting a horse to the ring, and every person on the team matters. When I shifted from grooming to braiding, I was still part of the team and acutely aware of the horses’ needs and feelings,” says Smith. “Sometimes, I would let the grooms know a horse may need extra time. Or, if a horse was uncomfortable, I did what I could to relieve them or told someone. It’s about building a community of caring around the horse.”
When Smith tried to move on from horses and pursue her other passion of documentary filmmaking, she stumbled upon a growing gap she felt compelled to fill. “To quit braiding, I started teaching clinics. I was scouting someone to take my accounts. What I discovered is that my own culture of sound horsemanship was dying,” she says, “I turned the lens around and made my how-to braid video.”
“At clinics, I would be running down aisles, pulling saddle pads up into pommels, and opening the stall doors all the way so the horses didn’t catch their hip.” She realized standards among top horsemen were not being passed down to the masses, so she expanded her clinic content beyond just braiding. Top Turnout Clinics and groom trainings now address horse care, handling, and safety, taught in both English and Spanish.
“Over the years, my clinics have evolved to focus a bit less on the mechanics of grooming and more on the awareness of the energy you bring to a situation and being conscious of the why behind the what—which can be life-changing,” says Smith. Top Turnout Clinics are for everyone—from any discipline or breed. Grooms, riders, trainers, vet techs, parents, partners; everyone could learn something they’ll use every day with horses for the rest of their lives. After all, the wise man says, ‘I don’t know.’”
Keep It Simple
While revolutionizing how people understood horse care and relationships from the ground, Smith realized the grooming product market wasn’t suiting her and her principle values of simplicity, comfort, and effectiveness.
Ruthann was perplexed by why every barn had cabinets full of products and still so many skin problems persisted.
With a horsewoman’s sensibilities and years of grooming and braiding under her belt, Smith dove into producing her own line of products. Initially, she just wanted to braid clean manes and reduce rubbing. As it turns out, she was able to finally solve a host of issues with very few products that protect and offer relief to skin, as well as strengthen hair. Her streamlined protocol makes it easy to resolve problems with typically only 1-2 products, instead of 8-11 conventional products. This means less to buy, manage, and ship. It’s better for the horses, their people, and the planet.
“I worked with a naturopathic vet to develop a distinctive and more effective strategy. I didn’t intend to have a business. I didn’t set out to have products. I realized how perversive age-old problems were and had to solve them. I want it to be easy for horses to be comfortable in their skin—for the highest quality care to be simple and easy,” she says.
Top Turnout Clinics and Grooming Resource
True to Lucky Braids’ overarching mission of raising the bar of horsemanship, Smith has also spent years compiling educational resources, which she shares on her website and across her social media platforms. These include articles she has written that address the most important and commonly misunderstood issues regarding horse care, handling, safety, braiding, and management. Ruthann also shares her formula for braiding beautifully via her how-to video, specialized tools, yarn, and hands-on workshops at clinics.
“In these days of the internet and social media, it can be tricky to determine who offers sound horsemanship and who is simply well-branded. The marketplace is muddy, with tons of dissenting opinions. I created the Grooming Resource to address important, sometimes forgotten, aspects of horsemanship,” says Smith.
In this age, trainers spend more time at the ring. There are fewer true barn managers constantly on the aisle maintaining quality of care. Customers come and go. Riders are not often encouraged to really connect and care for their horses themselves. That’s where Lucky Braids meets the market, with products that make quality care easier, so people can love horses in the ways they want to be loved.
“My articles share tips, observations, and things learned the hard way while working with the greats. I hope the educational resources I share inspire people to do right by their horses,” she says, “I know if they do, it not only will save them time and money. It levels the playing field. Horses are our teachers and healers. In the process of helping them be their best, they give us the opportunity to understand ourselves better. Horsemanship is a life skill.”
Grooming and Care Tips from Ruthann Smith
CURRY: The best thing you can do for your horse is curry lots. It’s an important way to increase circulation and also listen to how the horse feels.
WALK: Getting your horse out of the stall and walking lots is pivotal to maintaining soundness of body and mind. A wonderful thing you can do to bond with your horse is to take them out walking and grazing. When riding, it’s important to walk lots before and after riding. Many soundness issues can be avoided with taking plenty of time to warm up and cool down.
SKIN ISSUES: Lucky Braids All-In-One Shampoo offers relief and helps protect against: bumps, rubs, scratches, itching, fungus, rain rot, scurf, sweet itch, bugs, stains, breakage, and more. Always dry legs completely. I prefer toweling to increase circulation. Lucky Braids Shampoo helps avoid issues, but if there are scabs, don’t pick them. Let crud fall off when the skin is healed.
STAIN REMOVAL: Use the Whitener/Dry Wash on ANY color horse on cold mornings, when muddy at the ring, or when in a rush. Keep tough old stains soaking—the longer the better—to separate the stain. Once gone, just use Lucky Braids Shampoo to keep the coat easier to manage.
Lucky Braids Customer Testimonials
“Ruthann has been a sponge since back in the day, learning everything she could about what’s best for horses. It’s a natural evolution that she would share her knowledge by teaching sound horsemanship and develop grooming products that are the most efficient and effective. Her work helps everyone save money and time as well as have the best relationships with their horses.” -Dottie Morkis
“Life has a way of giving you what you need when you need it even if you don’t realize it at the time. Ruthann is one of those gifts in my life. I met Ruthann when I was riding as a junior at Beacon Hill. She was always someone I looked up to. She always thought of making the horses’ lives better anyway possible, which is something I always try to accomplish. We have been friends for 30 plus years and we both still focus on what is best for the horse.
Lucky Braids is the product of Ruthann’s vision and passion. I love the products she has created. The Shampoo makes every horse look so much better. Skin issues either disappear or never become an issue. The Whitener is far superior to any other spot remover on the market. I have always loved taking care of the horses almost as much as riding them. I think it is such an important part of knowing each horse. I have tried to pass this on to my daughter, who seems to enjoy it as much as I do.
Ruthann was the first person to notice the bond Taylor and I have with the horses which meant the world to me. My favorite thing to do is take care of Taylor’s horse during shows when I am able. There is no greater feeling than watching my child achieve her dreams on a horse that is giving all they have to give because they are happy and healthy and loving what they are doing. Ruthann is part of this and I will always be grateful for her commitment to horsemanship and sharing it with all who want to be great horsemen!” -Molly Ashe Cawley, US Equestrian Team Showjumper
““At Ashmeadow Farm we choose Lucky Braids for Top Turnout shampoo and spray as our go-to grooming products. Our horses’ skin and coats stay so much healthier and more moisturized which prevents itching and other skin issues. It’s easy to spot the Lucky Braids shine across the ring! Not only are these products safe, natural, and the highest quality ingredients. They also come with Ruthann’s years of expertise. On many occasions, Ruthann has come to visit the farm to educate my grooms on how to best utilize her products.” -Amanda Steege
“We started using Lucky Braids Shampoo at the advice of our groom in 2011 and haven’t looked back. This shampoo has so many benefits—it’s natural, gentle, and doesn’t dry out hair or skin. It helps with itching and, in our opinion, does a better job than any purple shampoo when it comes to making whites truly sparkle. Plus, our horses’ coats have never been shinier, and we’ve noticed it even makes a difference when clipping—the blades glide through the hair more easily and stay sharper longer. We recommend it to anybody and everybody—once you try it, you won’t want to use anything else!” -Alex and Holly Grayton
“Ruthann’s expertise in horsemanship has been instrumental in guiding me through my junior years and shaping me into the professional I am today. Her attention to detail and extensive knowledge are unparalleled, and she knows how to bring out the best in every horse. The shampoo and whitening products she offers help our horses shine in the ring, while the skills she has taught me over the years enable me to manage my program smoothly and efficiently.” -Lily Hinckley Foregger
“Lucky Braids products are a staple in my program! I see less skin irritation and stronger, healthier-looking hair. Grooming, braiding, and clipping has never been easier. Even stains that layer deep come out with ease. I will always use Lucky Braids in my barn.” -Emily Elek, Stonewall Ponies
“This stuff is a GAME CHANGER!!! I tried everything to get my mare, Diacavada’s tail white. Dawn, Ivory, Quick Silver, all the whitening shampoos, oxy clean, baking soda, vinegar, ketchup, bleach, hydrogen peroxide… literally everything. Nothing worked until I tried Lucky Braids All-in-One Shampoo and Whitening Spray. I had spent hours and hours and tons of money trying different products and all I needed was Lucky Braids. I wish I found it sooner.” -Christie Davis
