Blog : Equus Education

Horse Country, Kentucky

October 6, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I have a couple of Google Alerts that I get notified via email when people search a particular term. One such is horse country as this is the name of my debut novel. A recent alert for this term led me to check out an article about Horse Country, Kentucky.

It seems that there is one place you can go to experience Kentucky’s horse country. Perhaps you want to visit some thoroughbred studs in the heart of the Bluegrass. Or maybe you’re interested in visiting some nurseries and equine clinics. Perhaps, it’s all of the above! Whatever your desire, you can book in for tours to see each of these horse related places.

Horse Country, Kentucky

I love the tourism side of the horse industry. It helps people to explore, to dream and to learn about what’s on offer in the great equine industry. You may have a passion for racing, breeding, training or health care. Whatever it is, chances are you can be doing it as a career in the horse industry. In fact, on the Horse Country, Kentucky website there are 26 tours listed; some of these include:

Coolmore America
Claiborne Farm
WinStar Farm
Adena Springs
Godolphin at Jonabell (Darley stallions)
Gainseway Farm
Hallway Feeds
Taylor Made Farm
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

So! If you’re thinking of a visit to Kentucky’s Horse Country, be sure to check out this website to book a tour or two! And if you live in an area that is considered a horse capital, then maybe you could set up something to promote local horse businesses? Food for thought.

“When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes. ” – William Shakespeare

OTTB Designs

October 4, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Recently I was checking out Alex Brown’s website and reading through a list of comments from horse people. These words related to Alex’s latest release, Missionville. One of the people quoted was Caitlin Taylor of OTTB Designs.

Curious, I did a search online to find out what exactly OTTB Designs was. I then contacted Caitlin about the work she does and the possibility of being profiled. She was quick to give me a reply email.

“As for OTTB Designs/OTTB Identity, I don’t know that we are the best example of how to run a business. Most of our profits go to charity and I work a regular 9-5.

“OTTB Designs could be more profitable, but I feel that would be disingenuous to the purpose of the brand. We keep the margins pretty thin because we know our customer doesn’t have a lot to spend. Many OTTB owners are girls and women on a tight budget so we try to accommodate that demographic.”

Chances are if you are familiar with the thoroughbred world, you’ll know the acronym OTTB. Many people search for off the track thoroughbreds (OTTBs) to retrain and give a second life in another discipline. The thoroughbred breed is very versatile and can often go onto dressage, jumping, eventing or even showing or pleasure riding.

Do you have an OTTB? Fancy Branded Gear for when you Ride? Check out OTTB Designs.

For the person who has an OTTB, perhaps it would appeal to them to be able to have riding gear with an associated logo on it! Saddle blankets could be one such item. If you check out the OTTB Designs website, you’ll find that there’s even jewellery with an OTTB logo.

What I love about this setup is that there are so many people with off the track thoroughbreds. The designs are a unique idea, but one that many can utilise! And of course the fact that a lot of their profits go to charity is also appealing.

Missionville by Alex Brown

October 2, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Recently Equus Education had the opportunity to profile Alex with regards to his career as an exercise rider. He has newly released a horse racing novel titled Missionville.

I was rapt to be able to receive a copy of this book to read before it’s release. Missionville tells an interesting tale of behind the scenes of racing. It is an intriguing mystery, written by someone obviously in the know about the racing industry.

The reader is first introduced to Pete Wright, a struggling trainer at Missionville, the local Pennsylvania Racetrack. Pete is in the business of claiming horses as cheap as he can for his one owner. He then trains the horse, races it to hopefully win and sells it on again in another claiming race, turning a quick dollar.

Missionville by Alex Brown | Equus Education

Although Pete had grand ideas about being a top racehorse trainer, he has found himself struggling to make bread and butter. In time he accepts a job through local track pony rider, Jake. The job is the lowest of the low in Pete’s opinion. It involves delivering horses to slaughter. Once was enough for Pete and he vows never to do it again, no matter how desperate for money he is.

Cue Amanda, successful bank manager and keen horse lover. Amanda spends her weekends at the track, building up connections. She is working to make the after racing life of thoroughbreds more promising. She hates what is happening in the slaughter world. When Amanda learns of Pete’s connection to driving the horses to slaughter, she realises she has an in that could help to bring the whole sordid industry to an end.

In time Pete and Amanda work together to stop the overt slaughtering of racehorses. When Pete realises something is fishy with one of the other horse owners – who just happens to own the racetrack – he knows he needs to investigate further.

Missionville is a great mix of horses, mystery and romance. It’s also a delightful look at the behind the scenes of racing on a small country track.

Author – Alex Brown
Fiction – adult
In my library – as an electronic copy it is!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

A Horse Camp Getaway for Equine Industry Professionals

September 29, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Recently at a church service I found out about Tree Tops. This is a camp that is provided to missionaries who need a break between outreach programs. They can come somewhere with their family and relax, connect as a group and not worry about having to prepare meals or do house chores. And all this is provided at a base cost so that it’s truly affordable. Those who provide this accommodation are providing it as a service – and a blessing! – to those who are ministering outside of their comfort zones. So why not something similar for horse industry people? A horse camp getaway for equine industry professionals, if you will.

If you Heard about a Horse Camp for Equine Industry Professionals, would you Consider it? | Equus Education

What’s the general idea? Some people work so much in the equine industry. They may be struggling to afford a break, even when the quiet season comes around as they work in an industry for love – not for good hours and pay.

This person could be a horse breeder or land owner, a stud hand or even someone who is working their way up in the equine performance world. Money can be tight, hours are long and the work is hard. But still, they do it with a goal in mind.

The Ultimate Horse Camp Getaway

What if there was one place they could go for a holiday that allowed them to still enjoy and appreciate horses, but not have to do any of the work? They can be fed, rest and go out riding / be around horses whilst on this holiday.

Is it your heart to provide a service to other people that are working so hard, but their efforts aren’t necessarily recognised? Could you provide accommodation, food and horses for them to enjoy at a small cost so they can take a break as time allows? I am sure an initiative like this could draw lots of sponsors from the horse industry – those who are making a generous living. What do you think?

Profile On: Alex Brown, Former Exercise Rider

September 27, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Alex Brown recently released a novel relating to the horse racing industry. As someone who was a professional exercise rider, he has fit a lot of his knowledge into his book Missionville. He also kindly took the time to answer some questions about exercise riding as a career.

Former Exercise Rider, Alex Brown with a Fan | Equus Education

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
For now, very little, unfortunately, unless you count writing about them, and my new book, Missionville!

What was it exactly that you did?
I worked in horse racing, in the United States, on and off for more than 25 years. During this time, I mostly exercised horses as a salaried or freelance exercise rider. A typical morning would mean galloping about 7-8 horses, starting around 6, and finishing around 10 in the morning.

This gave me plenty of time to do some other stuff. During the latter years, a lot of my additional time was devoted to horse welfare issues, horse slaughter and the retirement of racehorses.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes, an exercise rider can do quite well. My last salaried job, which was for Steve Asmussen, I was earning around about $30k salary. Because of the short working hours, I could do a little extra work, if I wanted. That might have been breaking young horses, freelancing a few extra horses at the track, or working in a role at the races (which I never did).

Missionville by Alex Brown | Equus Education

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
I was lucky. I’ve ridden all my life, and went to the US to ride for a racehorse trainer who had recently moved to the US too. Basically, you need some decent riding experience before heading to a racetrack, and then you need a trainer who will spend some time helping you get started. You don’t want to be thrown in the deep-end straightaway.

Riding on a track is quite different to equestrian riding. You need to learn how to ride off a neckstrap, bridge your reins, ride with shorter stirrups, and so forth. Strangely, you learn to ride longer, with more experience, but it’s important to get the balance of riding short.

Favourite horse memory?
That’s a tough one, after twenty five or so years. But it will be about a horse winning a race. It’s just a great feeling, after galloping a horse for awhile, to see it do well at the races.

Most recently, probably when Maple Time won a little race at Penn National. When I worked for Asmussen, any time Salty Langfuhn won a race.

Future goals?
Now I’m back in the UK, and retired from horse racing, who knows. I really enjoyed writing Missionville, which is in part based on my experiences at the race tracks in the US. But I’m not sure writing full-time will ever be my calling. I am fortunate to have another career in the sphere of MBA admissions, so that keeps me busy too.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I just love horses. We owe so much to them.

Horse Country, Kentucky

Horse Country, Kentucky

OTTB Designs

Missionville by Alex Brown

A Horse Camp Getaway for Equine Industry Professionals

The Ultimate Horse Camp Getaway

Profile On: Alex Brown, Former Exercise Rider

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