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Equine Stock Photos

January 18, 2024 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Recently, equine photographer Shelley Paulson shared on LinkedIn about her equine stock photos. In fact, it was about an additional 2,000 photos she has recently added to her online library. At the time that she posted about this, she shared that her

Premium Equine Stock Photo Library features over 15,000 authentic equestrian-approved photos and videos.”

Wow!

Equine Stock Photos - Shelley Paulson, Photographer | Equus Education
Equine Stock Photos – Shelley Paulson, Photographer | Equus Education

As a horse person, I find it very easy to distinguish between a good (horse) photographer and one that doesn’t know horses. It may be the horse’s pose, ears in the wrong position, the handler on the wrong side, or something else. But, something that may not be noticed by a photographer who doesn’t know much about horses will be very quickly picked up by a horse person!

An example? Recently I had someone from a Marketing department invert a photo of me with a horse. This resulted in me leading from the ‘wrong side’. They did it to make the image work with the text they wanted to put over it. But to me, it screamed ‘incorrect!’

Equine Stock Photos – Shelley Paulson, Photographer

Having an equine photographer who is great at taking quality photos and knows what makes a good horse picture is a wonderful thing.

I can tell you now, that Shelley’s horse photos are well worth checking out. You can do so via https://shelleypaulsonstock.com/ – perhaps you’ll find something that appeals for your next horse related event, book or website that needs a photo – or two! And if you’re a photographer yourself – who knows horses – perhaps it can be some great food for thought about your own equine photography career.

And of course, how you may build up an extra source of income. This just screams passive income to me!

Want to learn a little more about Shelley and what she does? I encourage you to look at the profile that Equus Education did on her in late 2022 and her Equicapture Photo App! In this digital day and age, there are so many opportunities for those with the skills who are willing to think outside the box.

Filed Under: Business, Career

Profile On: Ashley Furler, Barefoot Hoof Trimmer

February 12, 2023 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I recently heard about Ashley through an equine business group on Facebook. Ashley was kind enough to answer some questions about her career as a barefoot hoof trimmer. Read below.

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Between Furler Equine and Marley, at least half of my day is usually spent with horses. And in true horse girl style, much of the rest of my day is spent reading, writing and talking about horses online or with my husband and friends.

What is it exactly that you do?
I’m a barefoot hoof trimmer, and online equine store owner although I have only found enough time to list one item in my store so far. But it will grow!

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full-time professional and earning a liveable income?
Absolutely. Farriers and barefoot hoof trimmers are in very high demand and most people struggle to find one that suits them and their horse or that is willing to come often enough for their horses’ needs.

I’ve heard many times that clients have had trouble with farriers/BFTs simply because they won’t answer their messages. If you are an:

  • effective communicator,
  • good at responding,
  • consistent with your online content,
  • good at what you do
  • and have done your local research to see if there is need of another hoofcare worker, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get as much work as you need.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Hoof trimming is something that you need to be passionate about to do for work as there aren’t many employment opportunities for trimmers. So you will most likely need to run your own trimming business.

It is also very hard physically and takes a lot of patience. It takes a bit to learn as the courses aren’t easily accessible all over Australia, and you need to get it right for the horse or you can do a lot of damage.

To be a farrier you do an apprenticeship under a master farrier. This is where you learn to do shoes and it’s a different philosophy of care to barefoot hoof trimming. To become a barefoot hoof trimmer, there are multiple courses online and small courses that pop up around Australia.

The only certified one I know of here is ACEHP’s 12-month course which has an in person element down in Tasmania then the rest of the course is done working with your local ACEHP trimmers.

Profile On: Ashley Furler, Barefoot Hoof Trimmer | Equus Education
Profile On: Ashley Furler, Barefoot Hoof Trimmer | Equus Education

I find the best place to start learning is with your own trimmer/farrier and once you feel confident and know the theory to keep your horse safe, practise on your own horse. Many hoof trimmers, including myself, are happy to teach you some basics while out doing your horses’ hooves. Ask a lot of questions.

Learn what a good trim is through reputable online learning sources like David Landerville, Progressive Equine Services and Hoofcare and The Equine Documentalist. Don’t just take your trimmers word for it, do your own research. Just like with the rest of the horse industry, there’s no standardisation of protocol.

Everyone has they’re own ways of doing things and not all of them are beneficial to the horse. Learn why they’re doing what they’re doing and if it can be done in a way more beneficial to the horse.

Profile On: Ashley Furler, Barefoot Hoof Trimmer

Once you have done the course in barefoot hoof trimming, practise, practise and practise some more! Keep learning from other trimmers as much as you can, never stop learning.

Finally, if you’ve never done a business course or run a successful busness, I would highly recommend such a course, as the hard truth is statistically, most new businesses fail. Yet another reason you need to be passionate to make it work. I’m doing a business course through TAFE Queensland and also network with other horse business people for support.

Favourite horse memory?
Seeing my brumby mare, Marley, for the first time. I got her from a brumby rescue where I was lucky enough to be the first to choose her out of the lot. I saw her straight away and just loved her.

She is a blue roan so she stood out and she seemed to be taking care of the other horses who were a bit scared since they weren’t sure what was happening. I sensed an instant mother-like vibe about her. She is caring, nurturing and kind and I just loved her straight away.

Future goals?
For Marley, we are just about to buy our first acreage. This has been my goal for the over 4 years that I’ve had her, finally living with my mare and find her another horse friend for company.

For my business, I’m wanting to focus it more online in the future; create courses, sell products, sell books if I can ever finish writing one! I also would love to run hoof trimming courses/clinics from our property.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
It’s absolutely fascinating and you never stop learning. Hooves are incredible structures and a good trim and right advice followed by the owner, makes the world of difference to the horse. It’s very rewarding seeing the improvement in their hooves.

Filed Under: Business, Career, Profile On

Equinet – a Farrier Application

January 21, 2023 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

It really is a delight to work in the field of equine education. Over the past year, my workplace has come to be offering a farriery qualification. One of these students made me aware of Equinet. This is a farrier application.

Although I am not a farrier – and do not have skills in hoof trimming! – I can assist with regards to health care, poulticing and bandages of the lower leg, horse handling skills and understanding equine behaviour.

Because of this, I was asked to assist with training and assessing a couple of the first year units. It was such a different dynamic – mainly young men – to the mostly young women that I often teach. It also provided opportunity to learn about different jobs and skills.

Equinet – Farrier Application

Recently one of the young apprentice farriers made reference to Equinet. It is an application that he and his father hoped to use in their farriery business. I made a note of this, not being familiar with it myself. It’s always good to learn about new horse related applications!

Equinet - a Farrier Application | Equus Education
Equinet – a Farrier Application | Equus Education


This application created by Mustad has been created for ‘making business easier for farriers’. Currently the application is only for use in Australia and New Zealand. But it has been downloaded by more than 700 hoof care professionals. So, if you’re in the hoof care industry in Aus or NZ, perhaps this application may be of interest!

With this application, you can:

  • create horse entries,
  • schedule appointments,
  • manage inventory,
  • place product orders,
  • manage finances
  • and collaborate with your team

You can learn more about the application on the Mustad site. It is available in the AppStore and on GooglePlay. What horse application makes your life that much easier? I’d love to know! Leave a comment.

Filed Under: Business, Career

Profile On: Liz Newman, Disrupt Equine

February 14, 2022 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I approached Liz about Disrupt Equine on LinkedIn, keen to profile her about this unique horse entrepreneurs idea. You can read Liz’s answers to the questions below.

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
My entire life, for the past 40 years, has revolved around horses. I have worked in many areas of the equine industry.

What is it exactly that you do?
I run two companies, Horse Homes, where we design and plan equine facilities and pools and Disrupt Equine, where we work with entrepreneurs and established companies on new innovations for horses. I find this work fascinating, meeting people who are passionate about their ideas and helping them to transition it into a viable business.

Profile On: Liz Newman, Disrupt Equine | Equus Education
Profile On: Liz Newman, Disrupt Equine | Equus Education

Profile On: Liz Newman, Disrupt Equine

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full-time professional and earning a liveable income?
I started both companies many years ago and it has taken a long time to get to where we are today.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
The people who work with us have a long background of working with horses plus all sorts of other skills.

Favourite horse memory?
I have many favourite memories, and hope to make many more. Getting my first pony when I was a small child was probably the event that set me on the path to becoming a horse addict!

Future goals?
I have lots of new projects in the pipeline and I am very excited about developing them for the future. With horses, we never stop learning. Horses are dynamic and fascinating and there is always something new to discover.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
For those who want to make their life about working with horses, the equine industry as a whole is vast and offers endless opportunities in countless areas. However, it is very much a lifestyle rather than a job. It takes hard work and dedication and if a work / life balance is a priority, horses are probably not for you.

Filed Under: Business, Profile On

Profile On: Laurie Berglie, Chestnut Pen

December 9, 2021 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I recently stumbled across Chestnut Pen on Instagram and was curious. I reached out to Laurie Berglie and she was kind enough to answer some questions about her horse focused business.

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
The vast majority of my days and weeks are related to horses! On a personal level, I have a small farm, so I keep my three horses at home. I love being able to care for them myself, but it’s so much work! (Absolutely worth it though).

On a professional level, I own Chestnut Pen, which is a boutique marketing agency specializing in copyediting, marketing copy, and other creative ventures for equestrian businesses.

What is it exactly that you do?
If it’s writing or editing related, Chestnut Pen can do it! Years ago, when I was working at my corporate job, I started freelancing on the side to help make a little extra money to support my horse habit. My first client was Horse & Style Magazine, where I became a regular contributor to their lifestyle magazine. I’ve been writing for them for almost seven years now and am responsible for three to five columns for each issue.

That opened me up to writing for a variety of other equestrian publication such as Sidelines, EQ Living, and Covertside.

During this time, I self-published my first equestrian romance novel and immersed myself within the equestrian author community. One of my favorite authors, (who is now a friend!), Carly Kade, asked if I’d be willing to copyedit her second book. With a background in English and a love for grammar, I jumped at this assignment.

In mid-2021, I decided to give my freelance work an official name so I could combine all my efforts, and Chestnut Pen was born! In addition to writing for equestrian publications and copyediting manuscripts, I also develop a variety of marketing and web copy for equestrian brands and small businesses.

I have also published three equestrian romance novels with a fourth on the way. (Hoping to publish that one in February of 2022).

Laurie Berglie, Chestnut Pen
Laurie Berglie, Chestnut Pen | Equus Education
In this field of work, is it possible to be a full-time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes! While I still work part-time with my husband’s business, (we own a travel agency), I am gradually moving away from that so I can devote more time to Chestnut Pen. I have a handful of wonderful, very regular clients, but I still need to build my base a bit more. While I’m not devoting full-time hours to my company just yet, I anticipate being able to do so in the coming year.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Starting your own business takes courage, but if you are confident in your skills and love what you do, then there’s no reason not to go for it! I believe I have been so successful in growing my business thanks to my social media presence. My personal Instagram account (@marylandequestrian) has a pretty decent following, so I’ve been able to generate a variety of leads through that platform.

Favourite horse memory?
My goodness – this one is hard!! But I’d have to say that my favorite memory was the day we brought our horses home to our farm. My husband and I had saved for years to be able to make this dream come true, so the day my two mares came home is one I’ll remember forever.

Future goals?
Professionally, I’d like to continue growing Chestnut Pen, especially on the copyediting side. Editing is my favorite thing to do, so I’d love to partner with some larger publishing houses for more regular work.

Personally, I’d like to get my newest horse to some shows in the new year. I ride hunters, but I’d like to try a little bit of everything with him!

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about owning my small equestrian business is that I get to be surrounded by horses, but in a way that benefits my talents of writing and editing. I always knew I wanted to be in the horse industry, but knew I was never a good enough rider to ride professionally or train others.

I briefly considered vet school, but I knew it wasn’t for me. For a while, it felt like there weren’t any other paths, and my skills didn’t align with the traditional professions you think of when thinking about a life with horses. But then it all came together when I started blogging about my mare, (this was back in 2011), and then it went from there. I realized that I could still be part of the horse industry but in a way that fit me – which is by writing about them.

Filed Under: Business, Career, Horse Books, Profile On

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