Grand Slam Equestrian, LLC.- Nina M. Shaffer

05/12/2024

Please help our dear friends if you are able. 🙏🏼

This morning, one of the founding farms of the Triangle Show Series - GRAZING ACRES - experienced a barn fire losing their original barn. All horses are safe but they lost hay, feed, equipment and much more. Oxford Feed & Lumber, a long time sponsor of TSS, is taking donations to help the Healy family in this crisis. Please contact them for any/all donations.

03/12/2024

This week marks my 9️⃣th year as a Professional equestrian. I am filled with so much gratitude. Thankful for the wonderful customers who have followed me on this journey and those who have recently joined us.

There was never a doubt in my mind that this is what I would continue to pursue- following my life’s greatest passion and being a voice for these amazing animals.

Thankful for my outstanding Mentors and friends who have stood behind me and my vision. To all the amazing horses- thank you for carrying me through difficult terrains, down centerline, over fences, and ESPECIALLY through tough times.

I opened this card and was flooded with tears. Be kind, always. 🥹

27/11/2024

https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/survey-says-the-future-of-the-horse-world-is/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR13MqP_Noj6CY_sUtKRSp9eoY_QEcLLqhkjc_TJgc88AoleWx0A_2DAITk_aem_gg2zr1MVVwizfn8kfdK1pg

This old joke is funny because it’s true. And if you’re an equine professional, it’s also sad because it’s true. Growing up in the horse world, I heard things like this all the time—“There’s no money in horses!” or, “The only way to make any money is in sales, and they’re all cro...

27/11/2024

Although Mindset Equestrian/ Karen Fulcher did not include this particular video as Part 4 in her series, I am doing so.

Here, Karen interviews the top handlers at Dressage at Devon which includes Bruce Griffin II, Bruce “Turtle” Griffin III of Griffin Sport Horses, LLC, Klaus Schengber of High Point Hanoverians & Rebecca Arnold (Turtle’s incredible “whip”).

In 2002 when I first attended DAD as a spectator, I quickly learned who Bruce was as he showed horses I had handled as babies working for Sporting Chance Farm-Breeders of International Quality KWPN Horses. Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Jimenez gave me my start in this industry and earned the title several times at DAD Winning the BORN IN THE USA AWARD.

It has been a great honor to handle horses alongside Bruce two decades later in several disclipines. Truly a family affair for the Griffins.

Well mannered horses will ALWAYS be IN STYLE.

22/11/2024

🥶❄️🥶❄️ 🥶❄️🥶❄️ 🥶❄️🥶❄️ 🥶❄️🥶

Today is the perfect day to start thinking about your cold weather attire! Amazon has my favorite heated vest on a Black Friday deal for 26% off! Follow the link below to purchase yours today and have it in time for the holidays!

ORORO Women's Lightweight Heated Vest with Battery Pack (Black,M)

20/11/2024

Mindset Equestrian/ Karen Fulcher was live at Dressage at Devon providing great details regarding showing in hand. This is Part 3 in her series on the topic.

Karen’s commentary in this video would be most beneficial for those looking to get started showing in hand, but it has also been done in a way that is incredibly helpful for spectators who likely don’t know what the horses are being judged on in the ring.

I think back to my first time spectating at DAD in 2002 and then showing at DAD in 2010 with when spectators were much more plentiful. That was a time in our industry when trainers could scout young prospects for their clients and programs much more easily. Almost like a one stop shop at certain shows such as DAD, The Devon Horse Show, Upperville C**t & Horse Show, and Warrington where these young horse classes in hand still exist. With show schedule changes across the disclipines, lack of entries, lack of experienced, capable handlers, I strongly believe it’s become a difficult task to keep these classes on the schedule, which I believe has minimized the accessibility in some ways to US Bred horses. 🇺🇸

Well mannered horses will ALWAYS be IN STYLE.



Griffin Sport Horses, LLC

20/11/2024

When Myra Utterback purchased off-the-track Thoroughbred Deceiving in November 2022, she wasn’t imagining she’d be competing in this year’s Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3″ Equitation Championship. But less than two years after the horse came off the track, the pair put in a solid round at the Na...

19/11/2024

Yellowstone fans that are real horse people got a little confusing information on the Sunday, November 17, 2024 episode. This popular show appears to take pride in its western production on being very authentic - yet some how they had a BIG mistake with treating a horse with intramuscular Banamine.

What is the BIG deal? In this Yellowstone episode a horse was administered Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine) intramuscularly. Yet the nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory is only administered orally (in the mouth) or intravenously (in the vein). Remember Banamine is never recommend to be administered to horses any other way.

Why not? Banamine causes muscle damage when injected intramuscularly! There are spores of bacteria known as clostridium that can rest in healthy muscle; however, the bacteria may awaken if the muscle becomes damaged from an IM injection particularly when Banamine is administered this way. This may cause clostridial myositis - which is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Post injection signs of a problem would be swelling and a painful injection site with gas underneath the skin. The bacterial toxins may migrate into the bloodstream causing depression, colic, fever and a lose of appetite. Treatment by a licensed DVM is necessary if you make this mistake. Supportive care, antibiotics, and possibly a surgical excision of the infected injected site may be necessary.

This episode of Yellowstone was a good reminder - what is entertaining may not always be real and correct. Check with your equine veterinarian if you are unsure how to administer Banamine.

15/11/2024

14/11/2024

Mindset Equestrian/ Karen Fulcher has done a terrific job with this Part 2 of her three part series about showing in hand.

As the winter draws near, we will be faced with days we aren’t able to ride due to poor ground conditions. These are a few things you can work on achieving with a horse of any age through the winter months.

Well mannered horses will ALWAYS be IN STYLE.

10/11/2024

They are still putting out hot spots today. Please do a rain dance. The horses are not handling this dry spell well. Absolutely heartbreaking. Agriculture is not just a lifestyle, it is how we feed our families.

06/11/2024

As December draws near, there are a few things to do to prepare for the upcoming 2025 show season. Mindset Equestrian/ Karen Fulcher has done a lovely three part series regarding showing in hand that I am going to highlight.

While showing in hand is often associated with young horses, it is never a bad idea to teach an older horse “new tricks”.

Well mannered horses will ALWAYS be IN STYLE.

04/11/2024

WBFC has responded to three lawnmower fires within the last five days. These fires have ignited due to the dry conditions and mowing or mulching leaves.

The fires are no fault of the homeowner, they’re due to the dry conditions that we are experiencing across the region.

We must urge our community to use extreme caution while mowing and mulching leaves. Please have a fire extinguisher handy as leaf debris and dust is extremely flammable at this time.

Also, just as a remember: the entire area of Chester County is currently under a burn ban. All open burning is prohibited.

31/10/2024

🐴DRESSAGE SOLUTIONS:🐴 To post more efficiently for forward motion …

Imagine your body as a box with hinges at the hips. Keep your box square as you rise freely in the posting trot. This “squareness” (no tipping left or right) will keep your horse’s body traveling straight and forward, too.

— Janice Dulak, dressage rider and pilates instructor