Like many equestrians, Regina has gazed upon equine art and thought, “What a beautiful picture. I’d love to own that.” Yet, she hasn’t felt educated enough about art to actually whip out the credit card and take it home. After all, no one wants to make a mistake when purchasing art! Regina sought the advice of Juliet Harrison, owner of the Equis Art Gallery in Red Hook, New York. Here's what Regina has learned. There’s no such thing as the wrong choice or making a mistake when selecting...

The purpose of Ponysodes is to create a place to celebrate our first ponies. Our goal is to honor first ponies and memorialize them before their stories are lost. Every pony deserves to have his or her story told.  This is the story of Popcorn, who is remembered and loved by Christy Landwehr. 

Heather and Marley love Pie. Like, legit, they love their new adventures with their new horse, “We Love Pie!” Lynn and Regina loved hearing about the ins and outs of the hunter/jumper world. In this episode, Heather talks about her experience as a pleasure horseperson who went to the hunter/jumper segment of our industry. Heather and Marley are testing the waters and succeeding in this whole new horse world. Hair nets, daily horse baths with soap, daily tack cleaning, no showmanship...

We all know that one dog year is equal to 7 human years. But how does it work with our horses and ponies? This week, Regina, Lynn, and Heather are together discussing horse-years-to-human-years. You’ll discover why our gangly 2-year-olds remind us of awkward human pre-teens! Regina also shares the Top 10 oldest horses on record. Did you know that a horse named Old Billy was 62 years old when he died? Can you believe that? Fun Fact: Regina’s parents still have a pony born on their farm in...

In this episode, Regina speaks to Emily Fields. Emily is an Instructor, Barn Manager, and Program Director at the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center. The Cheff Center was founded in 1969 as the first therapeutic riding center built especially for the purpose of serving those with special needs in North America. The Cheff Center’s efforts were groundbreaking and they continue to set the bar for creating an environment of horses helping people. As they discuss the various facets of equine assisted...

How do you grow a 4-H equine program from 60 kids to 157 kids in two years? That’s the question Regina poses to Melissa Gordon, the Superintendent of Michigan’s Monroe County 4-H Horse and Pony Program, because Melissa and her team did it! That’s a 162% increase in enrollment. That’s unbelievable. And that’s the kind of enrollment increase that our industry needs!  At a time when there is much discussion across the industry about declining youth numbers and barriers to entry (check out...

In this episode, Kathy Simmers, author of Jump the Moon and Posey’s Problem: A Pony Tale, joins Regina to discuss the true stories behind her heartwarming books. Kathy also gives us a preview for her new book about Pickles, another real-life pony! Kathy’s journey as an author began after her daughter’s beloved lesson pony, Me Too, was sold out from under her at a horse show. Years later, as an adult, Kathy’s daughter set out on a quest to find the long-lost Me Too and, finally, bring her...

This episode is about entry points into the horse industry: what they’ve been, what they are now, and what they could be. Regina and Heather speak with Emily Ream and Karen Waite. From Ream Performance Horses, Emily Ream is a horse trainer with a long history of successfully working with youth and amateurs from 4-H shows to World Shows at the breed show level. Both guests bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the topic of entry points into our horse industry. Karen, from Michigan...

“Some days, you’re the windshield. And some days, you’re the bug.” In this episode, we get to know Coltin Crystal, who is part of the CCC Show Horses team. Idaho-raised and Idaho-based, the “wild barrel racer child” rodeoed throughout his youth, spent some time jumping horses and finally found his niche with the all-rounders. Coltin talks about his ups and downs as a trainer and the big moments in his career. He also shares his further plans with Heather. At the end of the interview, Coltin...

Did you know it’s against the law to lasso a fish on horseback? You may get fined for riding an ugly horse. It’s against the law for a horse to sleep in a bathtub? Who proposes these crazy horse laws, and what is the rationale?   Regina, Lynn, and Heather discuss bizarre horse-related laws in this fun episode that makes you wonder, “WHY?!”   Ultimately, the co-hosts propose their own “horse laws” that should be written and enforced. What law would you like to suggest?  To learn more...

Hey There!  It's time to talk about Hay!  If you're a horse owner, then this topic is likely very near and dear to your... pocketbook? In today's episode, Heather sits down with Mitch and Taylor Fabus of Fabus Farms in Ovid, Michigan, to talk about the hay business from the farmer's perspective.  We all know how important hay is to our animals, but what can we do to have a good relationship with our hay farmer to ensure the best for our horses?  We'll discuss how even knowing, or not...

In this episode, Regina introduces Lynn and Heather to koumiss (aka kumis, kumiss, kumys)! What is koumiss, you may wonder? Well, it is none other than fermented mare’s milk! Yup. That’s correct. Koumiss is a light alcoholic beverage. It has been described as both sour and sweet. Those who love its taste consider it refreshing! Regina shares her research on koumiss and its availability today. (Disclaimer: we do not encourage you to run out to the barn and take a sample from one of your...

In this episode, Heather interviews Terri Delbridge -- And what a story Terri has! Terri is a carded Arabian judge. She’s been in the center of some of the biggest show pens in the fine horse world, like the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. Yet, not everyone knows the challenges she’s faced. Terri survived a flesh-eating bacterium that resulted in a 4-month stay at the University of Michigan with a 1% chance of survival. She has endured 20 surgeries and a mountain of physical challenges. She’s...

This episode is crappy. It’s crappy because it’s all about manure. Horse manure. It smells perfect for Regina, Lynn, and Heather but not so much for others. The co-hosts each have their manure management system (Regina won’t stop singing the praises of her Millcreek Spreader). Yet, manure disposal can be a complicated topic for some horse owners. No matter what, it’s something that we all must deal with. Today, we have equipment and knowledge. In the past, large cities like New York had a...

In this episode, Regina sits down with  Traci Bousman. Traci has been the year-end amateur champion with PtHA for the last few years with her special partner, Snoopy (AKA Vested Sensation). However, she had one big goal for 2023. Traci wanted to win the all-around title at the 2023 Pinto World Championship show.  However, on the night of June 17, Tulsa, Oklahoma, was ravaged by storms with winds of over 100 mph. The Pinto World Championship show was in full swing at Tulsa Expo Center and was...

Three years and six months ago, Lynn was referring to the podcast as “that blog thing that Gina wants to do.” Now, the team is celebrating their 3rd ANNIVERSARY! In this episode, Heather asks Regina and Lynn to reflect on how it all started. One thing is clear, the HIP team’s work derives from a strong appreciation and passion for the industry. What’s unique about their podcast is that it is all-encompassing in the industry, not just stock horses, hunter/jumpers, cutters, or driving minis....

This week on the podcast, Heather discusses her first-hand experience with hosting winter clinics at her farm. Based on her desire to keep learning, she recognized a need in the industry and decided to fill it. The clinics she’s hosted have provided DYI-ers access to local trainers who may otherwise be unavailable. Heather’s clinics have sold out. The co-hosts also discuss the pros/cons of clinics, the lure and expense of private lessons, whether trainers should feel obligated to work with...

The foal you’ve been dreaming about and planning for has lost its mother. A foal can become an orphan for a number of reasons, but there is one certainty: an orphaned foal is fragile, and time is of the essence.  In this episode, Lynn interviews Bronwyn Watts of ColdSpring Nurse Mares of Ocala, Florida. ColdSpring Nurse Mares provides an ethical solution in the nurse mare industry, providing a second career for mares who are no longer broodmare sound or are at an age where they cannot carry...

Pre-purchase exams. It’s hard to know what to do… where to do it, and when to do it! What’s the financial risk you’re willing to accept? Are you getting these PPEs done to decide whether you’ll buy the horse, or are you paying for a PPE with an eye towards effective maintenance after the purchase? Heather, Lynn, and Regina share their experiences, concerns, and rationales for why they did/did not order a PPE on the horses they purchased. Always remember: Buying the horse is the least...

A few days after interviewing Vicki Croghan Pflasterer about growing up in the family that owned the versatile paint stallion Fawago King, the stallion was named one of the 2024 APHA Hall of Fame inductees. Regina couldn’t believe her good fortune to capture the story of Fawago King at such an exciting time.  Fawago King, a “sweetheart of a stallion,” was a 1971 sorrel overo stallion best known as a prolific sire of all-around performers.  He was owned and loved by the family of Donald and...

In this installment of the Horse Industry podcast, hosts Regina, Lynn, and Heather delve into the complexities of juggling marriage and a passion for horses. They explore the challenging yet rewarding task of balancing these two significant aspects of their lives. While Lynn enjoys a somewhat smoother experience, thanks to her equally horse-enthusiastic partner Kevin, who also plays the role of driver for distant horse shows, Regina and Heather navigate a more solitary equestrian journey,...

As shared in Frank Holmes' book, "Paint Horse Legends: More Than Color" (Vol. 2), Flying Fawago had a profound impact on the American Paint Horse Association through his show record and the accomplishments of his offspring. Regina shares her research on this amazing stallion who always wanted to be a good boy.  To learn more about this episode :  00:05) - The story of Flying Fawago (11:45) - Flying Fawago’s journey in Canada  (18:51) - Exploring Bloodlines and Winning Titles

Saddle up for a hearty dose of laughter and relatable horse tales as we gallop into the new year with the Horse Industry Podcast! Heather Werkema Smith joins our current hosts, bringing a fresh perspective on equestrian life that's sure to resonate whether you're a seasoned rider or simply horse-crazy at heart. From funding our four-hooved friends to integrating significant others into farm life, we've got stories that promise to entertain and touch the heart of the equine community. To...

For many of us ponies ignited our equine passion, so in these special episodes, we celebrate the real ponies of our past and present. Today our story is titled Driving Lessons, and this episode is about a pony named PS Major that was loved by a girl named Beth Brown. We want to share the story of your Special Pony. Reach out to us at horseindustrypodcast.com. Mentioned in this episode:  Join The HIP VIP Group! (The Horse Industry Podcast's VIPs

Welcome to our very first episode of what we are calling: Ponysodes! For many of us ponies ignited our equine passion, so in these special episodes, we celebrate the real ponies of our past and present. We are so excited to share with you the ponies that have made a difference in our lives. In this first episode, Regina shares the story of her first pony, Buttercup.  We want to share the story of your Special Pony. Reach out to us at horseindustrypodcast.com. Mentioned in this episode:  ...