EP 143: A Barn Building Checklist

When I put out a call on Faceblast for a freelance professional to come out and give me a hand with my horses, Maria Falgione and her husband Ral Ayers came rollin up my driveway. I looked at Buck and said, “Well, you never know what you’re gonna get, but you gotta keep tryin’”. And from the minute Maria and Ral said “hello”, the four of us were instant friends. Funny how that works. What I was not prepared for, was just how talented, kind, and genuine these two people were, and how much fun they brought to our new adventure in Aiken. And so, in this episode, I introduce you to my new co-host… Maria. To get a really good idea of what she brings to our show, Maria shares a funny story about how she used Facebook to get her first ride at the race track, and then how she and Ral eventually landed in Aiken. There’s always something new at Stall and Stable, and this episode is no different… so listen in! This episode is brought to you by American Stalls, makers of premium quality stable components and acessories.

Building a barn from scratch requires a specific list of things to consider. It goes well beyond how many stalls, what kind of doors, and whether or not you want on-demand hot water. In this episode, Helena welcomes Hollyn Mangione, an Aiken horse neighbor and the woman from whom Helena and Buck purchased their new farm. Hollyn has many years of experience keeping horses and building private barns. She recently built a shedrow barn in the equestrian community called Bridle Creek, and joins the show today to discuss what kinds of things influenced many of the decisions she made along the way. If you are planning a new barn or thinking about modifying your existing one, this is an episode you’ll enjoy… so  LISTEN IN! This episode is made possible in part by American Stalls, makers of fine quality stable components and accessories.

We are back with another Triple Crown Nutrition episode. Today we answer three listener questions about equine nutrition: 1) What's the most exciting research happening in equine nutrition right now, 2) How can owners best manage feed times and exercise in sport horses, and 3) Once a horse is in good weight (or overweight), how do we manage the change in feed to accomodate their new weight.  This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium quality stable components and accessories. 

Wendy Murdoch joins Helena in this episode to talk about the biomechanics of the horse and rider partnership, her scientific background, the Feldenkrais Method that she employs to help riders find their best balance, and much more. Listen in! This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium stall components and barn accessories. 

If you're running a boarding or training business and struggling to stay afloat, you need to listen to this episode.  If you're a professional competitor, you need to listen to this episode. If you're an equine chiropractor, hoofcare provider, veterinarian, or hauler, you need to listen to this episode.  If you are NOT a business person but you are in the equine industry, this episode will inspire you to make a change and get the kind of help that can turn a tough job into a much, much easier one. Horse people have a unique skillset that does not typically include business planning or crunching numbers, that's why a bookkeeper who understands your profession can lead to the way to your salvation. For real! Listen in... This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS, makers of fine quality stable components and accessories.

We have a powerhouse episode this week, featuring our monthly Triple Crown Nutrition Spotlight, where we answer questions submitted by listeners about how to best feed their horses. Plus, an exclusive audio excerpt from the life-changing book, HORSE BRAIN, HUMAN BRAIN-The Neuroscience of Horsemanship, by Janet Jones, PhD.  Yes, listeners, feeding your horse can be fun! And, if you have ever asked yourself, "Why does my horse do that?", you will be so relieved to know that science has some very helpful answers for you... so listen in!  This episode is possible with the support of AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium quality stall accessories and components. 

Brought to you by American Stalls. This episode is very different than our usual fare. The audio features a conversation between three equestrian industry professionals, each offering a perspective from very different places within the industry. Emily Hamel is a 5* eventer, Samantha Baer is a trainer who specializes in developing and matchmaking horses for many different riders, and of course, yours truly who comes at things from the business, planning, and management side of barn life.  Sam’s questions are thought-provoking, sometimes uncomfortable, and often refreshing. Listen in!  

In this episode, Helena shares some big news from Hoo Too in South Carolina, and we welcome back equine nutrition specialist from Triple Crown, Stacy Andersen, to answer listener questions about flax allergies, anti-inflammatory ingredients, healthy versus unhealthy manure, and much more. Do your horse a big favor today and listen in! This episode is made possible with the support of our sponsor, American Stalls.

A few key elements are necessary to call oneself a professional. Those are: education, experience, and wisdom. And possibly one more: enthusiasm. Today's guest is a horse professional, entrepreneur, and host of The Equestrian Entrepreneur podcast. Samantha Baer is based in the Aiken horse community, develops lovely performance horses, and makes horse and rider matches that are appropriate and long-lasting. Her “next-generation” view of horsemanship, business, and sustainability in our industry is refreshing. Her enthusiasm for supporting her profession is what prompted her to launch the podcast and bring thoughtful discussion to those who need it most. We may not have all the answers in this episode, but we do bring up key questions all equine professionals need to consider these days… so listen in!  This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS.

In this second episode of our new Triple Crown Nutrition Series, Helena is joined by Dr. Clair Thunes, a Ph.D. and equine nutrition expert, to answer questions submitted by our listeners. Deciding what to feed our horses can be daunting. Some horse owners rely on their trainers for guidance, others rely on the barn manager, or even random tidbits from the Internet. Thankfully, there are people and companies for whom equine nutrition is a speciality. In this episode we discuss feed bag labels and how to interpret them, which supplements are necessary in winter, why salt is important, and more. LISTEN IN! This episode is made possible with the support of American Stalls and Triple Crown Nutrition.