Vaccination, parasite control, and smart management help working cats thrive while protecting horses and the barn environment.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a busy barn without a furry feline or two serving as pest control—and all valuable employees deserve health benefits. Proper care of barn cats is essential to prevent infectious disease, limit parasite spread, and help these loyal companions thrive in their role for as long as possible. Routine veterinary oversight, even for outdoor or semi-feral cats, plays an important role in early disease detection and overall herd health management within the barn environment.
What’s the secret to running a long-lived—and loved—United States Pony Club?
Part of the answer emerged at the largest USPC Convention in recent memory, held earlier this year at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Illinois where more than 500 attendees from 36 regions gathered, and nearly two dozen clubs were recognized for milestone 50th and 25th anniversaries.
“While the USPC Convention always provides a mix of education for any horse lover, one of the main points this year was the future of USPC,” said executive director Teresa Woods, noting the strong presence of members who have become leaders in their professions and communities. “We’re excited about where USPC is headed.”
One woman’s impulsive purchase led to an unexpected equine operation offering hope and healing for veterans across the nation.
When Page Etzler found a 28-acre property for sale near her Keymar, Maryland home while her husband was deployed in Afghanistan, she didn’t wait for permission. The ER nurse secured financing and bought the farm on her own. What began as a long-held dream quickly became a leap into loans, fencing, and outbuildings—followed by a growing herd of Clydesdales. Still, something felt missing.
“I kept wondering what is the purpose of this farm?” she said. That answer began to take shape with the birth of a filly named Glorious Mayhem. After Page shared the foal online, a veteran named Bryan Allison reached out, asking to meet her. When he arrived in a wheelchair, he shared his story—service in Africa, exposure to burn pits, addiction, and a difficult past. Stroking the filly’s neck, he opened up in a way that surprised even him.
New Jersey’s Garden State Grit. A Tony Legacy with a Backyard Heart.
New Jersey is one of the most quietly powerful equestrian states in the country—a place where Olympic legacy, hunt-country tradition, elite athletes, and deeply rooted everyday horse culture coexist in remarkably tight geography. It is not defined by size, but by density -- of talent, infrastructure, and participation. Within a short drive, a rider can move from a backyard pasture to a nationally renowned arena, from a Pony Club lesson to an international three-day event. The result is a horse culture that is serious, efficient, and enduringly authentic.
At the heart of New Jersey’s equestrian identity is its hunt country—particularly across Somerset and Hunterdon Counties—where preserved land and long-standing farms sustain a distinctly East Coast riding tradition. The Essex Fox Hounds remain one of the oldest mounted foxhunting clubs in the United States, with an active calendar of meets that continues to shape the rhythm of the local horse community. Their legacy extends beyond sport. Riders such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis helped elevate and cement New Jersey’s place within America’s historic hunt country network. This is not symbolic tradition—it is still a vibrant heartbeat – culminating each fall at the Far Hills Race Meeting. While one of the most iconic steeplechase events in the United States, it is also like most steeplechase meets: It is equal parts sport and social institution. Stylish tailgates stretch across the fields; local fans and families gather, and the full spectrum of New Jersey horse culture shows up in one place.
Question:
I feel like hay used to be so simple—one size, one shape, maybe a couple of types—and now there are all these formats, different cuttings, and nutritional differences to think about. How do I even start choosing the right hay for my horses and make smart decisions throughout the year?
Answer:
You’re not imagining it—hay really has gotten more complex. What once felt like a straightforward choice now includes a range of bale types, harvest conditions, and nutritional profiles. The upside is greater control—if you know how to approach it. From our perspective at Hicks Hay, it comes down to understanding your feeding setup, buying strategically, and matching hay to your horses’ actual needs.
To advertise or for more information, please contact: Phyllis Hurdleston at phyllis@eastcoastequestrian.net
