Exceptional – Amberfields Steel Magnum, a 4-year-old Morgan stallion (left) and Festivo MR, an Andalusian stallion (right) from Aisling Sport Horses – both examples of exceptional equines that could be seen at the recent Equine Affaire.

Crowds flocked to see horses, talk to breed representatives, shop at the massive indoor marketplaces, participate in a clinic, or just catch up with friends. The annual trade show, clinic, seminar and equine celebration is held in Massachusetts at the Eastern States Exposition; for the Midwest in Ohio and also in California each year.

Note: Although many visitors were happy to simply see a live animal, extraordinary horses at the event include Festivo MR (right), Aisling Sport Horses's foundation Andalusian stallion. Festivo stands at 17.1 hands, an accomplished dressage champion and proven sire imported from Spain.

Amberfields Steel Magnum is a gray stallion from Amberfields Morgans, a full service equine facility and farm in upstate New York, breeding from Lippitt lines and producing a spectrum of rare colored Morgans. Two foals delighted visitors inside the barn.

Products, feed, clothing, boots – even jeweled bridles – to the more every-day aspects such as feed, wormers, insurance and medical support seen while walking around the acres and acres of booths and displays reminded us of how far-reaching and varied the equine industry is for humans and businesses.

Horse Economics: A Survey

Horses are an economic force in the United States – care and feeding, management of their health, support services such as transportation, housing, bedding, pasture maintenance – and then there's the joy of riding, learning and just watching them move. Competition in the form of racing, events and shows form another component of the industry.

Researchers at the University of Connecticut analyzes the state's horse industry in order to provide information to owners, businesses, and policy makers on demographic and economic characteristics of economics of equines and their owners in one state. Financial support for the research was provided by the UConn College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Report image is linked to official site.

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Anyone who has an equine knows the joy (and at times, trials) of a most beloved canine sidekick – a wonderful showcase for carriage dogs and their people is featured on The American Driving Society site – linked here. The distinction between a coach dog and a carriage dog and how classes are judged is also interesting.

Report: On Digestibility & Essential Nutrients:

An equine nutrition expert explains in plain language how a horse absorbs food and why understanding how it all works can lead to confidence – and more efficient feeding.

Read more, story.

© Copyright, content and images, 2012 Moo Dog Press Publishing LLC.

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