In this episode, we continue with Erin Brown and her non-profit journey as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy (PURA). In her day job she gets to utilize halter horses to make a difference in the lives of youth in inner city Philadelphia. In addition to fundraising and managing horses and students, Erin is an amateur halter exhibitor, stallion owner, and world changer.

Erin recently experienced the generosity of a fellow halter horse lover, Jannee Pugliani with the donation of stallion, I Am The One And Only to the program. Jannee believes in the mission of PURA and partnered by adding "Uno" to the current stallion line-up. Jannee has been involved with horses most of her life. She started in the American Quarter Horse world in 1997 and in 2021, she purchased her first halter horse.

Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy

We love a beautiful neck on a halter horse and sometimes it takes a little extra work to get the look we're trying to accomplish.  Neck sweating is a long-standing and simple practice that can be used to refine the neck.  Consistent use of a neck sweat can make the difference!

We talk through the details, tips, and a few products with halter horse trainer, Joe Holman of Holman Halter Horses in Hempstead, TX.  He shares his experience with Elite Sweats, the length of time he leaves the sweat on, and a few tips on topical products you can try.

Leighton Wetzel just returned from the All American Quarter Horse Congress with titles and success.  We get to meet his 2024 show string and learn how he selected each horse for this show season.  He shares everything from show prep to program, challenges and solutions as a DIY exhibitor, and how to be a great show dad to daughter and exhibitor, Karsynn. 

We experience how it felt to be named Congress Champion this year plus a rewind to where it all began for Leighton as an 8 year old with his first halter win.  Leighton and his family represent the multi-generational involvement our industry needs.

Mary Caitlyn O'Malley of MC Graphic Design and Photography is the artist behind the Fit for Halter Podcast logo and artwork. She takes the time to teach us about equine marketing, photography, and social media strategies. Her personal horse journey and three quarter horses help fuel her passion for art and design.

In this episode she gives us her top dos and don'ts, current trends, advice for marketing your sale horses and breeding stallions, and ideas on how to get the best photos of your horses.

MC Graphic Design & Photography on Facebook

Jenna Tolson and Liz Keller from On the Rail Podcast join me for a conversation about a herd of topics including their podcast journey, their perspective on how podcasting and long form content helps the horse industry, and their thoughts about the halter side of the stock horse industry.

We touch on the finer details of podcasting so if you have an interest in launching a podcast someday, listen to capture the inside scoop on starting a podcast and what's involved. 

On The Rail Podcast 

Saul del Villar Solis recently showed in Fort Worth and was featured in the Paint Horse Journal after showing at the Halter Million.  His story is worth repeating as a reminder to all of us how we can make an impact on the future of our industry.  Trisha Shorten Armstrong recognized the natural talent in Saul and helped him get to the World Show this summer.  He won the Reserve World Champion title in the APHA Youth Yearling Mares class with Very Coolicious, owned by Armstrong and leased by Solis.

To say he is "hooked" is an understatement.  You can see his excitement and hear the appreciation in his voice after being given this opportunity.  He absorbed the words of many who invested in him, entered the ring, and helped the yearling filly shine.  

One of our Fit for Halter friends connected us with Dean Meyer, DVM, and Craig Sandmire for a conversation about Doctor's Choice Supplements and the importance of analyzing your feed and hay. 

Dr. Meyer has a passion for generational nutrition and explains the importance of your feeding program for your broodmares.  He discusses the impact we can have on a foal in-utero and how to set your babies up for success.  He helps break down the use of supplements into easy to understand pieces.

Craig Sandmire brings product knowledge and decades of experience in equine nutrition.  He explains the how-to's of hay analysis and how your feeding program will rise or fall based on the quality of your hay.  

Check out their line of equine supplements here.

In this episode we were able to catch Chris Perniciaro in between the Breeders Halter Futurity and the APHA/WCHA Halter Million. Chris recently won the DIY Weanling Fillies class at the BHF with Pretty Credible by Ecredible out of an Execute mare.  This past Saturday he added another title at the Halter Million in Fort Worth.  Pretty Credible is the WC SPB weanling filly.

Chris and his wife Laura began riding horses at a young age, they met at a horse show, and have been spending their vacation time at horse shows ever since.  Every year they select one baby to show and enjoy.  After their time in Fort Worth, this filly will go on to the AQHA World show and be shown by both Chris and Laura.  At the end of their show season, the filly will get a much deserved break to rest and grow until next year.

We started the conversation about breaking the halter horse to ride with Corina Holman (007).  In Episode 025 we had a great time taking a deeper dive into the subject in our first roundtable discussion.  

Trainers Jeremy Rosheisen, Lindsay Black, and Todd Grant bring multiple perspectives and first-hand experience with the versatility of the halter horse and encourage owners to give each horse a job outside the halter pen.  This episode will help you if you are pro-ride, uncertain, or have been discouraged by others to ride and enjoy your halter horse.

Jeremy Rosheisen on Facebook

Todd Grant on Facebook

Lindsay Black on Facebook

Dewey, Tammi, and Colton Smith along with Jerry and Penny Robinson operate JL Robinson and Dewey Smith Quarter Horses in Bellefontaine, Ohio. We catch a glimpse of how the Smith family balances a heavy show schedule, an active high schooler, and stands 3 stallions. You’ll hear how this multi-generational team serves their customers well through attentiveness and a “make it happen” spirit.  

Colton gives us a next-gen perspective on the horse industry and how collaboration will be key to the future.  He credits leadership development through AQHYA as a catalyst for his growth.  He has learned to treat the horse as an individual and has come to appreciate the history of the horse as well as the value of studying bloodlines.

Dewey Smith Quarter Horses

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