From Horsetrader sales staff

If boots, hats or clothes are on the shopping list for your favorite cowboy or vaquero this Christmas, be sure to check out the huge sales are some of your favorite stores! Herradura de Oro in Ontario has 10X Larry Mahan hats discounted to $299 and Bota La Barca boots for just $45.99! (see Herradura ad on page 18). Hawthorne Country Store in Escondido has a cozy supply of Pendleton® shirts as well as sweaters at great prices, too (see Hawthorne ad on page 19), as well as their traditional gems of country Christmas decorations. And at Thrifty Horse in Norco, Bill and Fran Klovstad have put together an unmatched selection of holiday decorations and gifts, including hats for you as well as your furry-haired friends! (see Thrifty Horse ad on page 19). There are lots of other gift ideas in the Horsetrader Holiday Gift Guide on pages 18-19. Support your local stores this Christmas!

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is spreading the word that, starting on Jan. 1, 2020, the California drug testing fee will increase from $5 to $8 per horse entered in competition or consigned to a public sale. The California equine industry sponsored legislation in 1971 to prevent misuse of drugs and medications in equines (horses, ponies, mules and donkeys) in public shows and sales. The resulting law is known as the California Equine Medication Rule. To enforce the law, the California Department of Food and Agriculture manages the Equine Medication Monitoring Program (EMMP), which monitors equines in public shows, competitions and sales though random collection of blood or urine for chemical analysis. If you have any questions on the fee increase, be sure to contact the CDFA EMMP at emmp@cdfa.ca.gov, or call (916) 900-5002. See the CDFA ad on page 39.

If recent storms are any indication, wet weather is making a comeback this winter. Be prepared with products from Dry Stall USA, the choice of top trainers and clinicians. Dry Stall soil conditioner/absorbent minimizes mud from rain, softens hard ground and helps reduce thrush as it extends the life of your shavings. Dry Stall USA’s durable bedding products, Cedar Dry and Best Cedar, are fragrant solutions both inside and outside your stalls. Also, Best Pine pelletized horse bedding by Dry Stall USA will save stall-cleaning time, reduce dust and eliminate ammonia odors. For more info, see the ad on page 41, and visit www.drystall.com. Place your order now by calling (949) 636-8102.

SmartPak is celebrating an anniversary milestone—20 years! In 1999, it all started with a horse named Westley. Fast forward 20 years, and SmartPak is excited to be celebrating two decades of using its smarts to support healthy horses and happy riders. “SmartPaks were the idea that started it all, and over the last 20 years, we’ve taken pride in providing the best products and the best customer service experience to horse owners,” said Emily Joyce, Director of Brand and Customer Experience at SmartPak. “We come to work every day, inspired by our customer’s horses and our own. Our team of Horse Health Experts is available every day to help provide solutions, and as a company we continue to strive for innovation in what we do.”

SmartPaks are still the smartest way to feed supplements—not only are they are easier for you as a horse owner, but they are also better for your horse. SmartPaks help simplify your life because they are custom-made, pre-measured, sealed, and labeled daily doses of your horse’s supplements. Best of all, they are AutoShipped for FREE* every four weeks to ensure you never run out.

Your horse is unique, so his supplements should be too. With over 250+ supplements to choose from, there are endless combinations to make sure your horse is getting the right amount of support. In addition to supplements, SmartPak offers a variety of apparel, tack, equipment, and supplies. From Piper Breeches to the line of Ultimate Turnout blankets, SmartPak has you and your horse covered.

To learn more about SmartPak, or to get your horse started on a custom supplement program, visit www.SmartPak.com or call 1-800-461-8898 and speak to a Horse Health Expert who can provide you with a free supplement consultation.