December 15, 2024 • 31 mins
Laura Mollrich, the first para rider to achieve the Dressage Foundation Century Ride, joins the Dressage Radio Show to share her inspiring journey in the equestrian world. The episode also features insightful discussions on the importance of downtime for horses, with expert tips from Nicole Harrington and Jessica Gaston on how to effectively give horses breaks during the busy holiday season. Listen in...
GUESTS AND LINKS DRESSAGE EPISODE 759:
- Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
- Guest: Laura Mollrich on her Century Ride | Article | Facebook
- Guest: Nicole Harrington | Website | Facebook
- Guest: Jessica Gaston | Facebook
- Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
- Please visit our sponsors, who make all this possible: Kentucky Performance Products, US Rider and Equestrian +
Time Stamps:
11:14 - Laura Mollrich
14:56 - Nicole Harrington
24:34 - Jessica Gaston
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:04):
You are listening to the HorseRadio Network, part of the Equine
Network family.
This is episode 759 of theDressage Radio show on the Horse
Radio Network, brought to youby Kentucky Performance Products.
The Dressage Radio show is theofficial podcast of the United States
Dressage Federation.
On today's show, we chat withLaura Mulrich, who is the first para
(00:26):
rider to accomplish theDressage Foundation Century Ride.
We have two great tips for youfrom Nicole Harrington on Downtime
With Horses and Jessica Gastonon what she does for the holidays.
(00:46):
This is Reese KofflerStanfield in Georgetown, Kentucky.
And I am Megan McIsaac fromOregon, Wisconsin, and you're listening
to the Dressage Radio Show.
Hi, Megan.
How are you?
I'm great, but how are you?
You sound terrible, everybody.
I apologize.
I sound terrible.
I actually feel a littlebetter than I have been feeling.
(01:08):
It got cold and my body doesn't.
Apparently do cold, so.
No, no, no.
It's time to head south.
My body is telling me.
So, yeah, I've got a littlebit of a cold.
So I'm going to throw it to.
You because you have someexciting news that you've just started,
right?
Yeah, it's a cool, excitingnew thing for me.
(01:28):
This old dog is learning new tricks.
It's a YouTube channel which,like I said, I know nothing about,
and it's called Barn Besties.
But when you search us, youhave to look up Barnyard Besties,
Wisconsin.
And the whole goal is it's twofriends, Stephanie and I, we've gotten
(01:49):
together and we went over ourfarms and we're sharing what we've
done, what we've done wrong,and the tips and tricks that may
help people.
And we've been visiting a lotof farms and I hope we grow into,
you know, talking aboutbusiness plans, permits, mental health,
(02:11):
and just.
Just discussing what it's liketo develop a farm and all the ins
and outs and we hope to savepeople time and money.
I love this so much you wereable to come visit me.
It was super fun.
We did some videos so you cansee my farm.
I'm on Barn Besties, which I love.
Yes.
So much fun we have.
(02:32):
I love this idea.
Four parts of Reese's farm andwe could have done even more.
And it's just such a blastbecause I love going to other people's
farms, seeing how you've done it.
You inspired me on storage andI love your arena and also having
the stalls.
So we just want to share andbuild a community to help everyone
(02:56):
who's Building a farm or whohas built a farm and you're not alone.
And yeah, I wish this was outhere when I built a farm, because
that is such a huge thing andI love it because you can reach everybody
in the equine industry, notjust dressage.
This is for everybody.
It's for everyone.
And discussing all of thethings, you know, it's for every
(03:19):
discipline.
It's how to handle horses,what's safe, what's not.
Yeah.
And also I think it's reallyfun to see how other disciplines
do things.
Also, the dairy industry hassome great ideas.
Not all, but.
And also sharing what's notgood, you know, it would have saved
me a lot of money, so muchtime and energy.
(03:40):
I love it.
So hopefully it'll really growinto something big and it'll be a
resource for all horse owners,horse lovers.
So there's been some prettyamazing tips.
So I.
I can't wait to share it.
So, yeah, come and check it out.
I love it.
So how can, how can we find itone more time?
Yeah, we are on Facebook underBarn Besties, but please go to our
(04:04):
YouTube channel.
You can Google Barn Besties,but the like handle is called Barnyard
Besties wi, Wisconsin.
So come check us out andthere's some funny, goofy videos,
have some laughs and.
But also use us as a resource.
Love it.
Love it.
Oh, my gosh.
I'm literally following youright now on Facebook.
(04:25):
This is so great.
I love it.
So everybody, let's.
Let's join with Megan becauseit's so cool.
And I mean, as we go throughour journey together, we want to
be supportive of everybody.
So I absolutely love it.
Well, we've also got somegreat stories today and we're going
to get right to it after thisbreak from Kentucky Performance Products.
This nutritional minute isbrought to you by Kentucky Performance
(04:48):
Products.
Biotin is a B vitamin and hasbecome commonplace in feed rooms
across the world because ofits reputation as an effective hoof
supplement.
An interesting fact that wasdiscovered by researchers looking
at biotin's impact on hoofquality was that horses with normal
blood levels of biotin stillhad poor quality hoof horn and that
(05:10):
despite normal blood levels,horses responded to high doses of
biotin given orally.
This tells us that unhealthyhooves are not necessarily a result
of a deficiency.
Over the years, multiple otherstudies have found a statistically
significant improvement inoverall hoof condition when horses
are supplemented with at least20 milligrams of biotin per day.
(05:33):
Researchers found that ifimprovement in hoof quality was seen
seen within 8 to 15 months of supplementation.
The horse would need to remainon biotin the rest of its life to
maintain that improvement.
Other nutrients such as zinc,methionine and iodine can also affect
hoof quality.
A well balanced hoofsupplement will contain all of these
(05:53):
nutrients in addition to the20 milligrams of biotin per serving.
When you're looking for anaffordable, effective hoof supplement,
we recommend cariform hoof andcoat supplement.
If you want a show ring shineand strong, healthy hooves, you can
count on caroform.
You can learn more aboutcarreform@kppusa.com Got questions
(06:16):
about your feeding program?
We can help.
Email Karen@questionsppusa.comor call us at 859-873-2974.
Well, tonight we are so happyto have Laura Mulrick from California.
She is just one and was thefirst classified para dressage rider
(06:41):
to win or perform the CenturyClub for the Dressage Foundation.
Laura, welcome to the show.
Thank you for having me.
I really appreciate this.
This is so exciting.
Well, we actually, we pickedup your article.
I was, we were at final and Isaw Jenny from the Dressage foundation
and I was asking her and shesaid this was so cool.
(07:04):
So, Laura, tell us a littlebit about yourself.
All right.
I have been in love withhorses since I knew what they were.
And that's basically lookingout my front door.
When I was a little girl, Ithink I was about six years old and
I lived out in the country andpeople would ride up and down the
street with their horses and Iused to cry, oh, mom, I want a horse
(07:29):
so bad.
And back then we didn't havebriar dolls and horses.
And so what I used to do wasmy mom would buy me magazines with
horses in them and I would cutthem out and I'd tape them up to
the wall above my bed.
Yeah.
(07:49):
And so that's I, they werewith me all the time and through
the night when I slept.
So horses have always been myfirst love.
Tell us about your partner,your current horse.
Okay.
I have two, actually.
Awesome.
That's the best way to do it.
(08:10):
Yeah.
Well, Pablo is, he's 27 and a half.
I bought him in when he hadjust turned eight years.
He had just come in fromHolland and I bought him from farm
up in Woodenville, Washington,Northwest Dressage.
(08:30):
And the woman that ownedNorthwest, I'm not really sure if
she still does, but she said,laura, I've got a boy that's coming
in and I think you ought tocome up and see him.
So my husband bought planetickets, and we took a woman with
us that was a trainer at thestable where I boarded originally.
(08:51):
And the three.
The three of us went up thereand I fell in love with him.
He's just got this.
He's got this aura around him,and he was very calm.
It was opening day huntseason, and you could hear.
It was out in the country.
And even though I was in acovered enclosed arena, you could
(09:15):
hear the guns.
And here I am riding him.
Hear this boom, boom, right?
And.
Yeah, so what?
Yeah, so good.
So my husband figured, okay,this is a good one.
He's not going to be bothered.
Yeah, that we like that.
Exactly.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So he wrote the check andhomie came to San Juan Capistrano.
(09:39):
Awesome.
And how long he's been.
Been with me ever since.
How long have you had him?
20 years.
20 years last month.
Yeah, 20 years.
And he.
Actually, I have to tell you,quite frankly, I didn't have.
I was coming off of beinghousebound for about two years.
(10:04):
Two years.
Plus I had epilepsy.
Really, really bad.
I'd gone through chemotherapyfor a year.
I had lupus cerebritis, which.
It was attacking my brain.
Oh, my.
So, yeah, I'm sitting in thehouse and finally, when things calmed
down a couple years later, Itold my husband, I want a horse.
(10:27):
And I don't know why, but Ijust said that.
And so we went out looking andI found a horse, but I didn't know
what I was doing.
I.
At the time before that, I wasriding Western.
So I got me a western horse,and I kept him for about a year because
what was going on at thestable at that time were all these
(10:50):
beautiful dressage horses andriders, and I thought, wow, I want
to do that.
Well, you can't really do iton a quarter horse.
That.
Yeah, not him, anyway.
I mean, they're out there andthey can do it, but he wasn't the
one.
When did you decide to go forthe Century Ride and explain that
(11:11):
to everybody, what that is,Just so they know what that is.
All right.
The Dressage foundation hastheir century.
What they call their CenturyRide, and they're basically a 501.
And they take donations andcontributions, and this allows them
to give grants that they haveset out for up and coming people
(11:36):
and people with dreams ofbeing something in dressage.
So it's a great cause.
And last year, on my mayorthat I have, I was the 2023 writer
of the year, USDF adequate.
USDF writer of the year, gradefour, grade four para.
(11:59):
And my mayor was grade fourchampion Holstein.
Thank you.
So.
And we are again this year, so.
Wow.
So let.
Yeah.
So last year my husband and Iwent to Omaha for the Adequan USDF
(12:21):
Convention and Awards Gala.
So we, we met everybody thereand I met the ladies at TDF and we
talked a bunch and they toldme all about this century riot.
And my husband and I have beenpretty avid sponsors for the Olympics,
the Paralympics, every showthat I showed this past year, and
(12:44):
there were six of them we'vedonated to and we've sponsored arenas
and that sort of thing.
But anyway, I just, I don'thave children.
We couldn't have children, sohorses are what we.
Oh, donate to.
I love it.
(13:04):
The Century Ride is a goodcause and I just believe in it.
And I can't wait to see theladies this next month and at the.
I know it.
I know it's gonna be so fun.
No, not Omaha.
Houston.
Houston.
Wrong place, everybody.
Conventions in Houston.
Sorry.
Yeah, wrong place.
(13:24):
We're going.
Awesome.
Well, I can't wait.
Oh, I can't wait to meet you.
And I have to say, I.
I love your quote.
I don't have time to stop.
I just am gonna keep going andso what are your future plans?
Well, I've already done oneshow for 2025.
(13:47):
Wow.
Right?
Good girl.
Yeah.
I did the Del Mar Halloweendressage show and I got one qualifying
score and so I need one more.
I do Grade 4 Grand Prix and soI'm going to do.
I need to do one more toqualify for year end and then do
(14:12):
a total of four shows.
So I've got three more to go.
Fantastic.
So that's my goal.
We are so excited and thankfulfor your time tonight and you're
just an inspiration.
That's why we saw your articleand we had to have you on the show.
So thank you.
Thank you so much for comingon the show and oh my goodness to
see you in Houston, but alsocatch up with you and see your whole
(14:34):
journey next year as well.
So congratulations.
Thank you very, very much.
I really appreciate it and Ican't wait.
Well, tonight we are so happyto have Nicole Harrington, international
dressage rider and trainerbased out of Ohio and a good friend
of mine and Megan's.
Nicole.
Welcome back to the show.
Hi.
Hi.
(14:55):
Well, we have.
It's December now and, youknow, it's that time of the year,
the holidays are coming up andwe were talking about this off air
and I Don't think we've hadthis discussion about downtime for
horses, and I just thoughtthis would be a great one to talk
about.
So, Nicole, start us off onthis sort of roundtable of how do
(15:17):
you give your horses downtime?
What's your thought on that?
I think it's well needed forall horses.
I really like to give myhorses some time here and there.
It doesn't have to be atremendous amount of time, a week
or two longer for some horses,but I think it's just, just like
us.
They need vacations and theyneed refreshers.
(15:37):
It just helps their body relaxand come back to where it needs to
be and then.
And then start over and, andthen you can build some new muscles.
Versus if the horses aregoing, going all the time, they get
burnt out.
They need a vacation just likewe do.
Yeah, no, I completely agree.
And you and I, Megan, you arein California.
(15:59):
Like our horses are a lot oftimes kind of doing a season all
of the time.
And I don't know about youguys, but like, I kind of try to
pick one or the other.
Like, I try to say, okay, I'mgoing to show in Florida and train
in Kentucky or I'm going to doit the opposite way.
Like, I try not to, you know,I try to give some blocks of time
(16:23):
that I know, okay, I'm goingto be really focused on showing or
I'm going to be really focusedon training.
And I typically.
It's so hot here in July thatI typically.
It's usually my family goes ona beach vacation every July.
It sort of happened my entire life.
So I kind of look at July asbeing our time for a little downtime.
(16:44):
So when I'm on vacation, thehorses get a little bit of time off.
They get.
Get to hang out and relax.
And then I typically will, youknow, as we're settling into sort
of Florida or, or into backhome, when we travel, I usually give
them not quite a week, but Igive them a few days for sure to
get over the travel and getinto the new routine.
(17:05):
And that's kind of what I do.
Megan, what do you do?
Like, for instance, fornationals, I gave them two days off.
And this week it's like slow,long and low work.
When we don't have ra, we'regoing to go out on the trail.
My small tour horse, Iactually gave her three days off
(17:26):
the other after regionals andshe was wild.
She doesn't want downtime, butshe's getting like very slow, no
collection, long and low.
That, like, that's her versionof downtime because she's an overachiever
or I do lunging or even lightjumping with them.
What about you, Nicole?
(17:47):
I kind of take it again by a horse.
By horse basis.
You know, it depends on theirage bracket.
It depends on what theymentally need.
My one of my younger horses inmy program, although he's a 7 year
old this year, this was hisfirst show season ever because he
was imported last year and hadnever shown or done anything.
(18:08):
And so, like, after regionals,he had like four or five days off
just because we were therefrom Wednesday through Sunday.
And, you know, I judge thehorse and when they start coming
to the stall or coming to thepaddock gate and saying, hey, I'm
ready, then I say, okay, it'stime to go back to work.
And I feel like then, thenthey want to go to the horse show.
(18:28):
You know, if they come homeand they're put right back into the
grind day after day, they'relike, why do I want to do this?
Yeah.
Versus if they like to show,they're going to go out there and
show off for you.
So.
Well, and I try.
I don't know about you guys,but I might come back really spoiled
from the show.
Like, I try to give them treats.
I try to spend extra time with them.
I try to give extra snugglesand grooms and, you know, I want
(18:52):
them to like, oh, I reallylike horse showing or, oh, I really
like going to clinics.
Yeah, I make it a really.
I try to make it fun because Ithink we all do forget, like, it
is actually supposed to be funto go to the show.
I mean, whoa, novel concept,but it is supposed to be fun.
And I want the horses to enjoygoing and being with us.
And like you said, Nicole,like, not make it this horrible thing
(19:15):
where they're like, this isn't fun.
Like, you know, I don't, Idon't like it.
So I'm kind of like you.
I do know my inventors.
A lot of my event horses willget a significant block of time off
in the fall, but that's.
That's kind of trained intothem from the time they're little.
You know, they will, theyreally give them.
They'll do a, you know, do abig event, and then they'll get two
(19:36):
or three weeks off or a month off.
But, you know, those horsesare like marathon runners.
Right?
I have found with dressagehorses, like, yeah, giving them more
than a couple days.
And I'm with Nicole, like, Ikind of Watch them and see when they're
coming to the gate or seeingwhen they're.
But, like, in general, myhorses, they don't understand.
They like.
(19:57):
They don't understand.
They're like, did I dosomething wrong?
Like, that I'm not gettingplayed with every day.
That's the way mine are.
That's why I do.
I choose to do, like, lessintense trail riding.
Just, you know, slow, easy,maybe even walk work.
But I.
You know, I slow it down andthe intensity isn't there.
(20:17):
But they don't like it.
They.
My horse, aj, he'll pound onthe stall if I try to give him too
many days off.
He's like, where are you?
And why are you not giving me attention?
Yeah.
Yeah.
And, you know, with theholidays coming up, I don't know
what you guys do over theholidays, but I do try to give them
a couple days sometimes.
Actually, like, overThanksgiving, I actually give them
(20:37):
their vaccinations that week.
So, yeah, I've always kind ofdone that.
I try to give them vaccinationactually Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
So Thursday, there is nofeeling bad that they have off.
Like, the barn is quiet,everyone's not feeling so good.
And then Friday again, a lotof times, I'll take that day off
as well.
So they'll get a little.
(20:57):
A little break.
Over Thanksgiving, my familycomes into town, and it's my brother
and his girls, and I don't seethem that often, so I really do try
to spend time.
And then I don't feel bad.
I'm like, the horses were just vaccinated.
They are fine.
So that's one thing I do overthe holidays.
And then over Christmas, mysister and I like to go on a Christmas
trail ride, actually.
So if we can.
(21:18):
Like, we do.
But sometimes now it's alittle bit more complicated with
all the family stuff.
But usually Christmas Eve, mysister and I go on a ride together,
and my niece comes over.
She likes to ride my bighorse, Bingo.
So one of the things.
Yeah, over the holidays.
How about you guys?
What do you do over the holidays?
For me, it kind of depends onwhether I'm south or whether I'm
north.
(21:40):
Christmas Day with Nicole, bythe way, we have done brunch on Christmas,
and it was a blast.
I have had a Christmas Daywith Nicole.
Yeah, I usually.
If I'm.
If I'm home, I'll go in andhelp my barn guy, and then we kind
of run around, and I love tosee the horses and give them a carrot
and, you know, say, merry Christmas.
To them.
And so anywhere we are, that happens.
(22:02):
But I typically definitelygive them Christmas off.
Yeah, I think that's more for us.
Like, I'm taking Christmas off.
Love y'all.
Well, in Florida, I think we rode.
Because it was fun.
Like, we were just having fun.
Like, again, I'm with Nicole.
When we're south and you don'thave all the family obligations,
like, you have brunch withyour friends, Like, a lot of times
we'll work.
It's a little bit different there.
(22:23):
But Megan, what do you do?
Usually Thanksgiving, we take off.
I love feeding them.
Like, that's my favorite.
That's my favorite thing to dois feed them.
And so I love it.
There's no one in the barn.
There's no staff, and it's myfiance and I.
We feed on Thanksgiving.
And then usually forChristmas, it's the same, but we
(22:43):
actually go on a little ridetogether, which is always really
special because he.
He's not really a rider.
He would like to be a cowboy,which I would prefer.
I don't.
I don't want him in dressage pants.
No, no.
And so it's just such aspecial time to share with each other.
So I enjoy it a lot.
(23:05):
Yeah.
Fantastic.
Well, both you ladies, merryChristmas to you and your horses
and your staff and everybody.
And Nicole, how can ourlisteners find you online?
If they have any morequestions, Facebook.
On Harrington Dressage orNicole Harrington.
Either one of those is a greatway to reach me and as my contact
number as well.
(23:25):
Awesome.
Well, Merry Christmas, girl,and we will see you soon.
Merry Christmas.
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Well, tonight we are thrilledto have Jessica Gaston.
I call her my barn daughterbecause she's been with me for many,
many years and she's a trustedadvisor now.
Jess, welcome back to the show.
(24:30):
Thanks for having me.
Glad to be here.
Well, happy holidays.
This is our December episodeand we are asking everyone, what
do you do with your horsesduring the holidays?
I think that's a great question.
My biggest thing is horses canbe horses and it won't kill them.
So if you're going for familyor the weather's bad, have them have
(24:53):
turnout and let them have alittle downtime, which is fine if
you have a young horse like Ido and sometimes the downtime is
not super productive, meaningthey get very bored and tear apart
their neighbors clothes.
Always, always a great thing, right?
Yep, yep.
I really like to do kind ofthe extra fun things.
(25:15):
So I was talking with a clientof, hey, during the holidays let's
teach your horse to long lineor let's do some in hand stuff and
why don't we teach him toSpanish walk or why don't we teach
him a fun thing on the groundjust for fun that he gets a reward
based system out of.
That's totally different thanthe normal dressage training that
we do.
(25:36):
I like doing stuff like thatwith them, especially the young ones
with their curious brainsbecause it opens them up to learning
and it's no stress, no pressure.
We're never going to go to ahorse show and do it right.
So if they learn it, cool.
If they don't, no worries, noone's going to get upset and it gives
them something to think aboutand sit out instead of tearing up
(25:57):
their neighbor's clothes theycan think about, oh, how did I get
that cookie today?
You know?
Yeah, no, I mean I thinkthat's right because your guy, he's
three turning four and he'scoming, he just imported and is coming
back to work.
And that makes sense, youknow, it's like let's keep his little
brain engaged and, and I thinkthat's super fun.
(26:18):
And do you guys go to the barnon Christmas or do you take the day
totally off?
What do you and Ethan do?
So I've always had thistradition since I was a kid is I'll
make apple pie for Christmasand I take all the cores and appeals
to the horses.
I've always done that since Iwas like, since I can remember.
So I like going to the barn onChristmas if I can, if the weather
(26:38):
allows it.
And I honestly, I go, I'lldress up my horses, I'll take pictures
with them, I'll give themcookies and I keep them like my family.
Right.
Like they don't have to workon Christmas.
None of us are going to beOlympics tomorrow.
Yeah, exactly.
Like end of the day I want toenjoy my horses and if that means
letting them have a week offso I can have a life, that's fine.
(27:00):
I love it.
I love it.
No, I think that's superimportant to remember.
Like, you know, a little bitof downtime is not going to hurt
anybody.
And I'm with you.
I love to go to the barn andgive everybody kisses.
Well, I live at my barn so Ilike to be out there and usually
I feed breakfast so it can bea little bit later start for everybody.
Or we try to take shifts withwho's working that day or a lot of
(27:22):
times I end up working, whichis fine.
You know, again, I quickly dothe barn and my husband even comes
out to help.
That's a big one.
Yeah, he's pretty good about it.
He'll come out and help, whichis so sweet.
And we kind of rock through itand have Christmas carols on.
And I like that time too withthe horses.
And then my family's local soI'm able to go and spend time, some
(27:43):
time with them.
So it's good.
So I love it.
I love the tradition of the apple.
I never knew that.
That's fun.
Yeah, it's just my littlething that I do.
I love it and tell us.
My horses are family, so.
Yeah, I like seeing them on Christmas.
And downtime with the youngsters.
I mean, in general, do youhave a set time that you give them
(28:04):
downtime or little time overChristmas or a little.
Like how do you, how do you do that?
Yeah, it depends on the horse.
Like I don't have a set rule.
Some horses love being turnedout, are super content not working
and I don't mind giving them aweek to two weeks off when I need
a break or vacation orholidays and stuff like that.
(28:24):
Some are a little bit busierin the mind.
Right.
And so with those types, Ilike to see if I can give them three
or four days and then maybepull them in and do something fun
with them.
Right.
Like spend 30 minutes playingwith them and then give them three
or four days.
And that seems to keep theirmind content while their body rests.
(28:46):
And typically with the youngones, when I start them back, I'm
obviously smart about it.
I don't just pull the fouryear old in and climb right on.
Right.
Like we're going to go andwe're going to start the system again
and we're going to have alunging day and then maybe two lunging
days and then, okay, we'regoing to lunge and then we're going
to ride.
Yeah.
You know, so I start them backvery systematically after they have
(29:08):
a break.
And I've never had a younghorse come Back worse for the wear
after a little bit of downtime.
Yeah, I'm knock on wood.
But you're smart about anything.
Yeah.
They come back better.
Yeah.
Yeah.
No, I think that that's smart.
Yeah.
And again, I think that's kindof the consensus we've had, you know,
lots of, lots of differentquestions on this and professionals
and I think it does.
(29:28):
It depends on the horse.
And then be smart when youbring them back, don't just pop on
them.
Even maybe an older horse.
Just be careful.
You know, even.
Even the older trained horses,a lunging day after two weeks off
is always a good idea.
You never regret lunging.
Never regret.
Never, never regret it.
Well, Jess, we want to wishyou and your husband Ethan a very,
(29:50):
very merry Christmas and happy holidays.
And if our listeners want tofind you online or they're in Colorado
or that or out west, how canthey get a of you?
Thank you.
Merry Christmas, too.
My best place to find me is onFacebook or Instagram.
I am Majestic dressage orJessica Gaston.
(30:11):
You can look up both andyou'll probably find me.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas.
You too.
Thanks so much.
Well, everybody, we arerecording this episode a little bit
early, so Megan and I willhave a full report in our next podcast
about convention.
Our book club.
We're so excited.
This is our first in personand Megan and I get to.
(30:32):
We're co hosting.
Megan, are you ready?
In person, in the flesh.
I cannot wait.
I'm so excited.
We're gonna really lookingforward to seeing everybody and so
we'll have more book club newsafter our session.
And I've got a trip to Denmarkplan, so I'm excited.
So we can't wait to see youguys and keep you guys up abreast
of what we're up to.
(30:53):
As always, you can find ourshow notes and links to today's guests
on ourpage@horseradionetwork.com search
dressage radio show.
Like us on Facebook.
Just search dressage radio show.
My website ismaplecrestfarmky.com and my email.
Is reese@horseradionetwork.commy website is lindenhoff.com and
(31:14):
my email islindenhoffllcgmail.com we'd like
to thank our friends and showsponsors, Kentucky Performance Products.
If you'd like to support ourshow and the horse radio network,
you can do that through theauditor program found@horseradionetwork.com
(31:36):
keep on kicking on until thenext show.
Talk to you soon.
You are listening to the HorseRadio Network, part of the Equine
Network family.
This is episode 759 of theDressage Radio show on the Horse
Radio Network, brought to youby Kentucky Performance Products.
The Dressage Radio show is theofficial podcast of the United States
Dressage Federation.
On today's show, we chat withLaura Mulrich, who is the first para
(00:26):
rider to accomplish theDressage Foundation Century Ride.
We have two great tips for youfrom Nicole Harrington on Downtime
With Horses and Jessica Gastonon what she does for the holidays.
(00:46):
This is Reese KofflerStanfield in Georgetown, Kentucky.
And I am Megan McIsaac fromOregon, Wisconsin, and you're listening
to the Dressage Radio Show.
Hi, Megan.
How are you?
I'm great, but how are you?
You sound terrible, everybody.
I apologize.
I sound terrible.
I actually feel a littlebetter than I have been feeling.
(01:08):
It got cold and my body doesn't.
Apparently do cold, so.
No, no, no.
It's time to head south.
My body is telling me.
So, yeah, I've got a littlebit of a cold.
So I'm going to throw it to.
You because you have someexciting news that you've just started,
right?
Yeah, it's a cool, excitingnew thing for me.
(01:28):
This old dog is learning new tricks.
It's a YouTube channel which,like I said, I know nothing about,
and it's called Barn Besties.
But when you search us, youhave to look up Barnyard Besties,
Wisconsin.
And the whole goal is it's twofriends, Stephanie and I, we've gotten
(01:49):
together and we went over ourfarms and we're sharing what we've
done, what we've done wrong,and the tips and tricks that may
help people.
And we've been visiting a lotof farms and I hope we grow into,
you know, talking aboutbusiness plans, permits, mental health,
(02:11):
and just.
Just discussing what it's liketo develop a farm and all the ins
and outs and we hope to savepeople time and money.
I love this so much you wereable to come visit me.
It was super fun.
We did some videos so you cansee my farm.
I'm on Barn Besties, which I love.
Yes.
So much fun we have.
(02:32):
I love this idea.
Four parts of Reese's farm andwe could have done even more.
And it's just such a blastbecause I love going to other people's
farms, seeing how you've done it.
You inspired me on storage andI love your arena and also having
the stalls.
So we just want to share andbuild a community to help everyone
(02:56):
who's Building a farm or whohas built a farm and you're not alone.
And yeah, I wish this was outhere when I built a farm, because
that is such a huge thing andI love it because you can reach everybody
in the equine industry, notjust dressage.
This is for everybody.
It's for everyone.
And discussing all of thethings, you know, it's for every
(03:19):
discipline.
It's how to handle horses,what's safe, what's not.
Yeah.
And also I think it's reallyfun to see how other disciplines
do things.
Also, the dairy industry hassome great ideas.
Not all, but.
And also sharing what's notgood, you know, it would have saved
me a lot of money, so muchtime and energy.
(03:40):
I love it.
So hopefully it'll really growinto something big and it'll be a
resource for all horse owners,horse lovers.
So there's been some prettyamazing tips.
So I.
I can't wait to share it.
So, yeah, come and check it out.
I love it.
So how can, how can we find itone more time?
Yeah, we are on Facebook underBarn Besties, but please go to our
(04:04):
YouTube channel.
You can Google Barn Besties,but the like handle is called Barnyard
Besties wi, Wisconsin.
So come check us out andthere's some funny, goofy videos,
have some laughs and.
But also use us as a resource.
Love it.
Love it.
Oh, my gosh.
I'm literally following youright now on Facebook.
(04:25):
This is so great.
I love it.
So everybody, let's.
Let's join with Megan becauseit's so cool.
And I mean, as we go throughour journey together, we want to
be supportive of everybody.
So I absolutely love it.
Well, we've also got somegreat stories today and we're going
to get right to it after thisbreak from Kentucky Performance Products.
This nutritional minute isbrought to you by Kentucky Performance
(04:48):
Products.
Biotin is a B vitamin and hasbecome commonplace in feed rooms
across the world because ofits reputation as an effective hoof
supplement.
An interesting fact that wasdiscovered by researchers looking
at biotin's impact on hoofquality was that horses with normal
blood levels of biotin stillhad poor quality hoof horn and that
(05:10):
despite normal blood levels,horses responded to high doses of
biotin given orally.
This tells us that unhealthyhooves are not necessarily a result
of a deficiency.
Over the years, multiple otherstudies have found a statistically
significant improvement inoverall hoof condition when horses
are supplemented with at least20 milligrams of biotin per day.
(05:33):
Researchers found that ifimprovement in hoof quality was seen
seen within 8 to 15 months of supplementation.
The horse would need to remainon biotin the rest of its life to
maintain that improvement.
Other nutrients such as zinc,methionine and iodine can also affect
hoof quality.
A well balanced hoofsupplement will contain all of these
(05:53):
nutrients in addition to the20 milligrams of biotin per serving.
When you're looking for anaffordable, effective hoof supplement,
we recommend cariform hoof andcoat supplement.
If you want a show ring shineand strong, healthy hooves, you can
count on caroform.
You can learn more aboutcarreform@kppusa.com Got questions
(06:16):
about your feeding program?
We can help.
Email Karen@questionsppusa.comor call us at 859-873-2974.
Well, tonight we are so happyto have Laura Mulrick from California.
She is just one and was thefirst classified para dressage rider
(06:41):
to win or perform the CenturyClub for the Dressage Foundation.
Laura, welcome to the show.
Thank you for having me.
I really appreciate this.
This is so exciting.
Well, we actually, we pickedup your article.
I was, we were at final and Isaw Jenny from the Dressage foundation
and I was asking her and shesaid this was so cool.
(07:04):
So, Laura, tell us a littlebit about yourself.
All right.
I have been in love withhorses since I knew what they were.
And that's basically lookingout my front door.
When I was a little girl, Ithink I was about six years old and
I lived out in the country andpeople would ride up and down the
street with their horses and Iused to cry, oh, mom, I want a horse
(07:29):
so bad.
And back then we didn't havebriar dolls and horses.
And so what I used to do wasmy mom would buy me magazines with
horses in them and I would cutthem out and I'd tape them up to
the wall above my bed.
Yeah.
(07:49):
And so that's I, they werewith me all the time and through
the night when I slept.
So horses have always been myfirst love.
Tell us about your partner,your current horse.
Okay.
I have two, actually.
Awesome.
That's the best way to do it.
(08:10):
Yeah.
Well, Pablo is, he's 27 and a half.
I bought him in when he hadjust turned eight years.
He had just come in fromHolland and I bought him from farm
up in Woodenville, Washington,Northwest Dressage.
(08:30):
And the woman that ownedNorthwest, I'm not really sure if
she still does, but she said,laura, I've got a boy that's coming
in and I think you ought tocome up and see him.
So my husband bought planetickets, and we took a woman with
us that was a trainer at thestable where I boarded originally.
(08:51):
And the three.
The three of us went up thereand I fell in love with him.
He's just got this.
He's got this aura around him,and he was very calm.
It was opening day huntseason, and you could hear.
It was out in the country.
And even though I was in acovered enclosed arena, you could
(09:15):
hear the guns.
And here I am riding him.
Hear this boom, boom, right?
And.
Yeah, so what?
Yeah, so good.
So my husband figured, okay,this is a good one.
He's not going to be bothered.
Yeah, that we like that.
Exactly.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So he wrote the check andhomie came to San Juan Capistrano.
(09:39):
Awesome.
And how long he's been.
Been with me ever since.
How long have you had him?
20 years.
20 years last month.
Yeah, 20 years.
And he.
Actually, I have to tell you,quite frankly, I didn't have.
I was coming off of beinghousebound for about two years.
(10:04):
Two years.
Plus I had epilepsy.
Really, really bad.
I'd gone through chemotherapyfor a year.
I had lupus cerebritis, which.
It was attacking my brain.
Oh, my.
So, yeah, I'm sitting in thehouse and finally, when things calmed
down a couple years later, Itold my husband, I want a horse.
(10:27):
And I don't know why, but Ijust said that.
And so we went out looking andI found a horse, but I didn't know
what I was doing.
I.
At the time before that, I wasriding Western.
So I got me a western horse,and I kept him for about a year because
what was going on at thestable at that time were all these
(10:50):
beautiful dressage horses andriders, and I thought, wow, I want
to do that.
Well, you can't really do iton a quarter horse.
That.
Yeah, not him, anyway.
I mean, they're out there andthey can do it, but he wasn't the
one.
When did you decide to go forthe Century Ride and explain that
(11:11):
to everybody, what that is,Just so they know what that is.
All right.
The Dressage foundation hastheir century.
What they call their CenturyRide, and they're basically a 501.
And they take donations andcontributions, and this allows them
to give grants that they haveset out for up and coming people
(11:36):
and people with dreams ofbeing something in dressage.
So it's a great cause.
And last year, on my mayorthat I have, I was the 2023 writer
of the year, USDF adequate.
USDF writer of the year, gradefour, grade four para.
(11:59):
And my mayor was grade fourchampion Holstein.
Thank you.
So.
And we are again this year, so.
Wow.
So let.
Yeah.
So last year my husband and Iwent to Omaha for the Adequan USDF
(12:21):
Convention and Awards Gala.
So we, we met everybody thereand I met the ladies at TDF and we
talked a bunch and they toldme all about this century riot.
And my husband and I have beenpretty avid sponsors for the Olympics,
the Paralympics, every showthat I showed this past year, and
(12:44):
there were six of them we'vedonated to and we've sponsored arenas
and that sort of thing.
But anyway, I just, I don'thave children.
We couldn't have children, sohorses are what we.
Oh, donate to.
I love it.
(13:04):
The Century Ride is a goodcause and I just believe in it.
And I can't wait to see theladies this next month and at the.
I know it.
I know it's gonna be so fun.
No, not Omaha.
Houston.
Houston.
Wrong place, everybody.
Conventions in Houston.
Sorry.
Yeah, wrong place.
(13:24):
We're going.
Awesome.
Well, I can't wait.
Oh, I can't wait to meet you.
And I have to say, I.
I love your quote.
I don't have time to stop.
I just am gonna keep going andso what are your future plans?
Well, I've already done oneshow for 2025.
(13:47):
Wow.
Right?
Good girl.
Yeah.
I did the Del Mar Halloweendressage show and I got one qualifying
score and so I need one more.
I do Grade 4 Grand Prix and soI'm going to do.
I need to do one more toqualify for year end and then do
(14:12):
a total of four shows.
So I've got three more to go.
Fantastic.
So that's my goal.
We are so excited and thankfulfor your time tonight and you're
just an inspiration.
That's why we saw your articleand we had to have you on the show.
So thank you.
Thank you so much for comingon the show and oh my goodness to
see you in Houston, but alsocatch up with you and see your whole
(14:34):
journey next year as well.
So congratulations.
Thank you very, very much.
I really appreciate it and Ican't wait.
Well, tonight we are so happyto have Nicole Harrington, international
dressage rider and trainerbased out of Ohio and a good friend
of mine and Megan's.
Nicole.
Welcome back to the show.
Hi.
Hi.
(14:55):
Well, we have.
It's December now and, youknow, it's that time of the year,
the holidays are coming up andwe were talking about this off air
and I Don't think we've hadthis discussion about downtime for
horses, and I just thoughtthis would be a great one to talk
about.
So, Nicole, start us off onthis sort of roundtable of how do
(15:17):
you give your horses downtime?
What's your thought on that?
I think it's well needed forall horses.
I really like to give myhorses some time here and there.
It doesn't have to be atremendous amount of time, a week
or two longer for some horses,but I think it's just, just like
us.
They need vacations and theyneed refreshers.
(15:37):
It just helps their body relaxand come back to where it needs to
be and then.
And then start over and, andthen you can build some new muscles.
Versus if the horses aregoing, going all the time, they get
burnt out.
They need a vacation just likewe do.
Yeah, no, I completely agree.
And you and I, Megan, you arein California.
(15:59):
Like our horses are a lot oftimes kind of doing a season all
of the time.
And I don't know about youguys, but like, I kind of try to
pick one or the other.
Like, I try to say, okay, I'mgoing to show in Florida and train
in Kentucky or I'm going to doit the opposite way.
Like, I try not to, you know,I try to give some blocks of time
(16:23):
that I know, okay, I'm goingto be really focused on showing or
I'm going to be really focusedon training.
And I typically.
It's so hot here in July thatI typically.
It's usually my family goes ona beach vacation every July.
It sort of happened my entire life.
So I kind of look at July asbeing our time for a little downtime.
(16:44):
So when I'm on vacation, thehorses get a little bit of time off.
They get.
Get to hang out and relax.
And then I typically will, youknow, as we're settling into sort
of Florida or, or into backhome, when we travel, I usually give
them not quite a week, but Igive them a few days for sure to
get over the travel and getinto the new routine.
(17:05):
And that's kind of what I do.
Megan, what do you do?
Like, for instance, fornationals, I gave them two days off.
And this week it's like slow,long and low work.
When we don't have ra, we'regoing to go out on the trail.
My small tour horse, Iactually gave her three days off
(17:26):
the other after regionals andshe was wild.
She doesn't want downtime, butshe's getting like very slow, no
collection, long and low.
That, like, that's her versionof downtime because she's an overachiever
or I do lunging or even lightjumping with them.
What about you, Nicole?
(17:47):
I kind of take it again by a horse.
By horse basis.
You know, it depends on theirage bracket.
It depends on what theymentally need.
My one of my younger horses inmy program, although he's a 7 year
old this year, this was hisfirst show season ever because he
was imported last year and hadnever shown or done anything.
(18:08):
And so, like, after regionals,he had like four or five days off
just because we were therefrom Wednesday through Sunday.
And, you know, I judge thehorse and when they start coming
to the stall or coming to thepaddock gate and saying, hey, I'm
ready, then I say, okay, it'stime to go back to work.
And I feel like then, thenthey want to go to the horse show.
(18:28):
You know, if they come homeand they're put right back into the
grind day after day, they'relike, why do I want to do this?
Yeah.
Versus if they like to show,they're going to go out there and
show off for you.
So.
Well, and I try.
I don't know about you guys,but I might come back really spoiled
from the show.
Like, I try to give them treats.
I try to spend extra time with them.
I try to give extra snugglesand grooms and, you know, I want
(18:52):
them to like, oh, I reallylike horse showing or, oh, I really
like going to clinics.
Yeah, I make it a really.
I try to make it fun because Ithink we all do forget, like, it
is actually supposed to be funto go to the show.
I mean, whoa, novel concept,but it is supposed to be fun.
And I want the horses to enjoygoing and being with us.
And like you said, Nicole,like, not make it this horrible thing
(19:15):
where they're like, this isn't fun.
Like, you know, I don't, Idon't like it.
So I'm kind of like you.
I do know my inventors.
A lot of my event horses willget a significant block of time off
in the fall, but that's.
That's kind of trained intothem from the time they're little.
You know, they will, theyreally give them.
They'll do a, you know, do abig event, and then they'll get two
(19:36):
or three weeks off or a month off.
But, you know, those horsesare like marathon runners.
Right?
I have found with dressagehorses, like, yeah, giving them more
than a couple days.
And I'm with Nicole, like, Ikind of Watch them and see when they're
coming to the gate or seeingwhen they're.
But, like, in general, myhorses, they don't understand.
They like.
(19:57):
They don't understand.
They're like, did I dosomething wrong?
Like, that I'm not gettingplayed with every day.
That's the way mine are.
That's why I do.
I choose to do, like, lessintense trail riding.
Just, you know, slow, easy,maybe even walk work.
But I.
You know, I slow it down andthe intensity isn't there.
(20:17):
But they don't like it.
They.
My horse, aj, he'll pound onthe stall if I try to give him too
many days off.
He's like, where are you?
And why are you not giving me attention?
Yeah.
Yeah.
And, you know, with theholidays coming up, I don't know
what you guys do over theholidays, but I do try to give them
a couple days sometimes.
Actually, like, overThanksgiving, I actually give them
(20:37):
their vaccinations that week.
So, yeah, I've always kind ofdone that.
I try to give them vaccinationactually Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
So Thursday, there is nofeeling bad that they have off.
Like, the barn is quiet,everyone's not feeling so good.
And then Friday again, a lotof times, I'll take that day off
as well.
So they'll get a little.
(20:57):
A little break.
Over Thanksgiving, my familycomes into town, and it's my brother
and his girls, and I don't seethem that often, so I really do try
to spend time.
And then I don't feel bad.
I'm like, the horses were just vaccinated.
They are fine.
So that's one thing I do overthe holidays.
And then over Christmas, mysister and I like to go on a Christmas
trail ride, actually.
So if we can.
(21:18):
Like, we do.
But sometimes now it's alittle bit more complicated with
all the family stuff.
But usually Christmas Eve, mysister and I go on a ride together,
and my niece comes over.
She likes to ride my bighorse, Bingo.
So one of the things.
Yeah, over the holidays.
How about you guys?
What do you do over the holidays?
For me, it kind of depends onwhether I'm south or whether I'm
north.
(21:40):
Christmas Day with Nicole, bythe way, we have done brunch on Christmas,
and it was a blast.
I have had a Christmas Daywith Nicole.
Yeah, I usually.
If I'm.
If I'm home, I'll go in andhelp my barn guy, and then we kind
of run around, and I love tosee the horses and give them a carrot
and, you know, say, merry Christmas.
To them.
And so anywhere we are, that happens.
(22:02):
But I typically definitelygive them Christmas off.
Yeah, I think that's more for us.
Like, I'm taking Christmas off.
Love y'all.
Well, in Florida, I think we rode.
Because it was fun.
Like, we were just having fun.
Like, again, I'm with Nicole.
When we're south and you don'thave all the family obligations,
like, you have brunch withyour friends, Like, a lot of times
we'll work.
It's a little bit different there.
(22:23):
But Megan, what do you do?
Usually Thanksgiving, we take off.
I love feeding them.
Like, that's my favorite.
That's my favorite thing to dois feed them.
And so I love it.
There's no one in the barn.
There's no staff, and it's myfiance and I.
We feed on Thanksgiving.
And then usually forChristmas, it's the same, but we
(22:43):
actually go on a little ridetogether, which is always really
special because he.
He's not really a rider.
He would like to be a cowboy,which I would prefer.
I don't.
I don't want him in dressage pants.
No, no.
And so it's just such aspecial time to share with each other.
So I enjoy it a lot.
(23:05):
Yeah.
Fantastic.
Well, both you ladies, merryChristmas to you and your horses
and your staff and everybody.
And Nicole, how can ourlisteners find you online?
If they have any morequestions, Facebook.
On Harrington Dressage orNicole Harrington.
Either one of those is a greatway to reach me and as my contact
number as well.
(23:25):
Awesome.
Well, Merry Christmas, girl,and we will see you soon.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
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Well, tonight we are thrilledto have Jessica Gaston.
I call her my barn daughterbecause she's been with me for many,
many years and she's a trustedadvisor now.
Jess, welcome back to the show.
(24:30):
Thanks for having me.
Glad to be here.
Well, happy holidays.
This is our December episodeand we are asking everyone, what
do you do with your horsesduring the holidays?
I think that's a great question.
My biggest thing is horses canbe horses and it won't kill them.
So if you're going for familyor the weather's bad, have them have
(24:53):
turnout and let them have alittle downtime, which is fine if
you have a young horse like Ido and sometimes the downtime is
not super productive, meaningthey get very bored and tear apart
their neighbors clothes.
Always, always a great thing, right?
Yep, yep.
I really like to do kind ofthe extra fun things.
(25:15):
So I was talking with a clientof, hey, during the holidays let's
teach your horse to long lineor let's do some in hand stuff and
why don't we teach him toSpanish walk or why don't we teach
him a fun thing on the groundjust for fun that he gets a reward
based system out of.
That's totally different thanthe normal dressage training that
we do.
(25:36):
I like doing stuff like thatwith them, especially the young ones
with their curious brainsbecause it opens them up to learning
and it's no stress, no pressure.
We're never going to go to ahorse show and do it right.
So if they learn it, cool.
If they don't, no worries, noone's going to get upset and it gives
them something to think aboutand sit out instead of tearing up
(25:57):
their neighbor's clothes theycan think about, oh, how did I get
that cookie today?
You know?
Yeah, no, I mean I thinkthat's right because your guy, he's
three turning four and he'scoming, he just imported and is coming
back to work.
And that makes sense, youknow, it's like let's keep his little
brain engaged and, and I thinkthat's super fun.
(26:18):
And do you guys go to the barnon Christmas or do you take the day
totally off?
What do you and Ethan do?
So I've always had thistradition since I was a kid is I'll
make apple pie for Christmasand I take all the cores and appeals
to the horses.
I've always done that since Iwas like, since I can remember.
So I like going to the barn onChristmas if I can, if the weather
(26:38):
allows it.
And I honestly, I go, I'lldress up my horses, I'll take pictures
with them, I'll give themcookies and I keep them like my family.
Right.
Like they don't have to workon Christmas.
None of us are going to beOlympics tomorrow.
Yeah, exactly.
Like end of the day I want toenjoy my horses and if that means
letting them have a week offso I can have a life, that's fine.
(27:00):
I love it.
I love it.
No, I think that's superimportant to remember.
Like, you know, a little bitof downtime is not going to hurt
anybody.
And I'm with you.
I love to go to the barn andgive everybody kisses.
Well, I live at my barn so Ilike to be out there and usually
I feed breakfast so it can bea little bit later start for everybody.
Or we try to take shifts withwho's working that day or a lot of
(27:22):
times I end up working, whichis fine.
You know, again, I quickly dothe barn and my husband even comes
out to help.
That's a big one.
Yeah, he's pretty good about it.
He'll come out and help, whichis so sweet.
And we kind of rock through itand have Christmas carols on.
And I like that time too withthe horses.
And then my family's local soI'm able to go and spend time, some
(27:43):
time with them.
So it's good.
So I love it.
I love the tradition of the apple.
I never knew that.
That's fun.
Yeah, it's just my littlething that I do.
I love it and tell us.
My horses are family, so.
Yeah, I like seeing them on Christmas.
And downtime with the youngsters.
I mean, in general, do youhave a set time that you give them
(28:04):
downtime or little time overChristmas or a little.
Like how do you, how do you do that?
Yeah, it depends on the horse.
Like I don't have a set rule.
Some horses love being turnedout, are super content not working
and I don't mind giving them aweek to two weeks off when I need
a break or vacation orholidays and stuff like that.
(28:24):
Some are a little bit busierin the mind.
Right.
And so with those types, Ilike to see if I can give them three
or four days and then maybepull them in and do something fun
with them.
Right.
Like spend 30 minutes playingwith them and then give them three
or four days.
And that seems to keep theirmind content while their body rests.
(28:46):
And typically with the youngones, when I start them back, I'm
obviously smart about it.
I don't just pull the fouryear old in and climb right on.
Right.
Like we're going to go andwe're going to start the system again
and we're going to have alunging day and then maybe two lunging
days and then, okay, we'regoing to lunge and then we're going
to ride.
Yeah.
You know, so I start them backvery systematically after they have
(29:08):
a break.
And I've never had a younghorse come Back worse for the wear
after a little bit of downtime.
Yeah, I'm knock on wood.
But you're smart about anything.
Yeah.
They come back better.
Yeah.
Yeah.
No, I think that that's smart.
Yeah.
And again, I think that's kindof the consensus we've had, you know,
lots of, lots of differentquestions on this and professionals
and I think it does.
(29:28):
It depends on the horse.
And then be smart when youbring them back, don't just pop on
them.
Even maybe an older horse.
Just be careful.
You know, even.
Even the older trained horses,a lunging day after two weeks off
is always a good idea.
You never regret lunging.
Never regret.
Never, never regret it.
Well, Jess, we want to wishyou and your husband Ethan a very,
(29:50):
very merry Christmas and happy holidays.
And if our listeners want tofind you online or they're in Colorado
or that or out west, how canthey get a of you?
Thank you.
Merry Christmas, too.
My best place to find me is onFacebook or Instagram.
I am Majestic dressage orJessica Gaston.
(30:11):
You can look up both andyou'll probably find me.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas.
You too.
Thanks so much.
Well, everybody, we arerecording this episode a little bit
early, so Megan and I willhave a full report in our next podcast
about convention.
Our book club.
We're so excited.
This is our first in personand Megan and I get to.
(30:32):
We're co hosting.
Megan, are you ready?
In person, in the flesh.
I cannot wait.
I'm so excited.
We're gonna really lookingforward to seeing everybody and so
we'll have more book club newsafter our session.
And I've got a trip to Denmarkplan, so I'm excited.
So we can't wait to see youguys and keep you guys up abreast
of what we're up to.
(30:53):
As always, you can find ourshow notes and links to today's guests
on ourpage@horseradionetwork.com search
dressage radio show.
Like us on Facebook.
Just search dressage radio show.
My website ismaplecrestfarmky.com and my email.
Is reese@horseradionetwork.commy website is lindenhoff.com and
(31:14):
my email islindenhoffllcgmail.com we'd like
to thank our friends and showsponsors, Kentucky Performance Products.
If you'd like to support ourshow and the horse radio network,
you can do that through theauditor program found@horseradionetwork.com
(31:36):
keep on kicking on until thenext show.
Talk to you soon.
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