Barn Lounge

BY MEGAN HOFFMAN Late last year, I shared the story of my son, Ziggy. How he went from being bullied in school, to finding his happy place in the barn. While...

2018 Equestrian Voices Distinguished Entry BY JOAN AGUADO There are five of us in the Thursday night jumping class, armored up in helmets and air vests, bracing ourselves to fly over jumps...

BY HANNAH O'BIE If I had to pick one word to describe my life it would be ‘average’. I work at a pharmacy, change into riding clothes and grab a coffee...

BY IRENE ELISE POWLICK Every winter, as snow descends onto the mountains of Salt Lake City where I live, I plan trips to warmer climes, especially places that feature world-class horse shows....

BY LAUREN MAULDIN It took me a while to be able to go to the barn. I got home after my holiday travels a little less than a week after I...

BY PONYMOMAMMY “The horse does one of two things. He does what he thinks he’s supposed to do, or he does what he thinks he needs to do to survive”...

BY TONYA JOHNSON, MA The fall season’s important classes, medal finals, indoor venues, and special shows often have unique schedules that may cause you to have more down time in your show day than normal....

BY LINDSEY ABBOTT For years I’ve loved working as a barn manager and stay-at-home trainer. Part of my job is acting as a liaison between the boss and the two different...

BY JESS CLAWSON Throughout my career with horses, I’ve known dozens of farriers with bold personalities. They’ve spanned the range from homophobes that I've ceased to involve with my...

BY KATHRYN A. ECKERT Recently the Kentucky Supreme Court addressed liability issues facing Kentucky horsemen when offering riding horses for sale. The sale of horses for riding use is a common facet of the horse...

BY EMILY RIDEN / JUMP MEDIA Ask anyone what they think it takes to make it in the equestrian industry, and, while you may get a myriad of answers, there is likely to be a...

BY PUBLISHER PIPER KLEMM When I’m on some drive that never seems to end, I choose not to get gas in an obvious moment and the sky is clear and then I NEED gas and...

BY BLOG EDITOR LAUREN MAULDIN It took me almost twenty years of riding to learn what a heart horse actually is. I mean, in some way I've loved all the horses...

When showjumper Nikki Carr first moved to Kanawha, Texas, the 22-year-old had a lifelong career on the competition circuit and almost no experience of cattle ranching. After living and training between Kentucky and Palm...

BY ASHLEY SHAW Regardless of whether you consider New Years to be a fresh start, setting a new set of goals for yourself is always beneficial. As we dive into...

BY PUBLISHER PIPER KLEMM This year felt like the longest of my life, and I learned something important – I was uncoachable. I’ve always known that I am unmanageable, but at 30 I had...

BY THE PLAID HORSE STAFF It's been a big year in the hunter/jumper world! Here at The Plaid Horse we've put a spotlight on amazing kids, top trainers, controversial opinions and big discussions.

BY LAUREN MAULDIN I'm in my mid-thirties, and there are two things that will, without fail, make me cry: the scene from Black Beauty when the kids have to sell Merrylegs,...