Identifying Pain In Your Horse And Why It’s Almost Never A Training Issue
As horse owners, being able to identify signs of pain is crucial in protecting our equine partners. In this video, we challenge the common belief that horses misbehave and shed light on the underlying pain and discomfort they may experience.
Join us as we explore the fascinating connection between pain, behavior, and saddle fitting.
Pain is a multifaceted subject, and while the absence of pain in horses can never be fully guaranteed, it is our responsibility to develop the skill of recognizing pain-related cues. By debunking the notion that horses are intentionally misbehaving, we shift our focus to understanding their challenges and struggles. As the saying goes, your horse is not giving you a hard time, your horse is HAVING a hard time.
Read more: Identifying Pain In Your Horse And Why It’s Almost Never A Training Issue
You May Be Still Be Entitled to Money Back for Your Equine Business with ERC!

Sharon Dominguez is an expert in the equine business and can help maximize the money you may be entitled to receive through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program. Sharon has been immersed in the equine industry her entire life, with extensive experience in Thoroughbred, Standardbred, Show, and equine non-profits. She possesses an unrivaled understanding of its complexities and how it applies to the ERC program. Learn more about Sharon Dominguez.
She has successfully secured over 30 million dollars in funding for business owners. Let her help you too! Connect with her HERE and she will reach out to you to discuss your specific needs as an equine business owner. And yes, if you received PPP you can still be eligible for ERC!
UPDATE: On 9/14/2023, the IRS released updated guidance on the Employee Retention Credit program. The news release here explains that the IRS has placed an immediate moratorium through the end of the year on the processing of new ERC claims in effort to curb fraudulent applications by bad actors. While a moratorium may sound alarming, this intentional pause is a common practice used by the IRS.
DON’T DELAY! Preparing your Employee Retention Credit (ERC) filing during the moratorium is a strategic move for business owners. By doing so, they can position themselves at the forefront of the application queue once the IRS resumes processing. This proactive approach ensures quicker access to crucial financial relief and a competitive advantage in securing ERC benefits for their businesses.
Sharon’s team of CPAs and Tax Attorneys are highly skilled in the ERC program to ensure you receive the most comprehensive and accurate ERC filing.
WHO IS POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM ERC?
✅ Trainers and Riders
✅ Boarding Facilities
✅ Shippers
✅ Veterinarians
✅ Feed Supply
✅ Non-profits; Museums, Aftercare, Therapeutic Programs, etc.
*Businesses with W2 employees
QUALIFY FOR UP TO $26,000 PER EMPLOYEE
✅ No Cost / No Risk Assessment
✅ Not a Loan
✅ Work One-On-One With Experienced Equine Consultant
✅ 4-Step Streamlined Process
✅ Secure Process
✅ Full Service – Audit Ready
WHAT CLIENTS SAY!
“I know Sharon…like so many other friends…through her famous husband, Ramon. And he is a smart, sensitive, courageous and generous person. And that’s what they have in common. Every meeting or transaction I’ve had with her through Old Friends has been exceptional . She’s delivered on every promise and exceeded all of my expectations. I consider her a great friend and really consider her friendship n amazing gift. As trustworthy as she is kind I can’t wait for her to call me with another of her great ideas.” Michael Blowen, Old Friends
WHAT IS THE EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT (ERC)?
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a refundable tax credit for businesses and tax-exempt organizations that paid qualified wages to some or all employees after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2022. The credit was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) in March 2020 and has been extended several times since then.
The amount of the credit depends on the number of employees the business had in 2019, the amount of wages paid, and whether the business was fully or partially shut down due to COVID-19. The maximum credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid per employee.
To qualify for the ERC, businesses must meet certain requirements, including:
- Continued to Pay W2 Employees in 2020 and/or 2021 during the period for which they are claiming the credit.
- They must have experienced a decline in gross receipts during 2020 or the first three quarters of 2021 compared to 2019. AND / OR
- They must have experienced governmental restrictions in 2020 or 2021 that either restricted day-to-operations, limited capacity or deduced hours of operation such as canceled competitions (racing and/or shows), symposiums, etc.
*They must satisfy the nominal impact requirements.
Businesses that qualify for ERC receive checks directly from the IRS.
The ERC is a valuable tax credit that can help businesses keep their employees on the payroll during difficult times. If you are a business owner, you should contact Sharon HERE to discuss your potential eligibility for ERC.
Please note: The author has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information within this article was correct at time of publication. The author does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from accident, negligence, or any other cause.
The Inspirational Tale of Angelina Natale

When single Mom Angelina introduced her young daughters to horses she had no idea that the life journey would land them on a mountain top 15-acre farm in New Hampshire, USA. The cuddly toy horse she gifted her eldest daughter when the now renowned horsewoman Ashley turned five, was greeted with delight.
“You bought me a pony!” Ashley said with excitement. Well, not quite. A real equine critter was not waiting outside tied up with a birthday bow. That was to come later, along with a lifelong love of horses for both of Angelina Natale’s then young children, that started out with riding lessons at a local barn and ponies in the garage.
“We lived in a ranch style house in Massachusetts in a country setting on a quiet back road. While I had been fortunate to ride and had a love of horses from a young age, a bad fall suspended my time with horses at my mother’s behest. My passion for horses was not to be indulged. My mother was frightened by the reality that people can and do get seriously hurt riding horses,” explains Angelina.
As time passed and her daughters, Ashley and her younger sister Gabi became infatuated with all things equine, Angelina didn’t hesitate to convert their attached garage to stall space for ponies, much to the bemusement of her neighbors.
The close bond with horses enjoyed by the three women grew as they grew, and it wasn’t long before Ashley bloomed into a talented saddle seat competitor who loved to show.
“Even at the tender age of five at her first show on a lesson pony, Ashley loved to be in the ring and compete. Gabi would come along and play with her toy horses, and later she too began taking lessons,” Angelina says proudly.
It wasn’t long before the inevitable happened and both girls had their own mounts. Gabi receiving her equine partner Tory when Mom presented the critter all wrapped up in Christmas paper with a bow.
The young equestrians would soon work their way into advanced show circuits.
“Running about on multiple show circuits, 2 girls on 3 different circuits at one point, as a single, working mom with two girls competing was a lot of work. But it was all worth it. We had started with a motley collection of horses but that didn’t matter. Soon we outgrew the garage ‘barn’, and we boarded the horses at a nearby stable. Though it was wonderfully convenient being able to go do barn chores by opening the interior garage door and walking in to do night checks in your pajamas in those early days.”
The challenge of juggling working life with raising two horse crazy kids and fulfilling their dreams to be out on the road showing horses at the highest levels was not an easy one to accomplish. The girls scored some impressive wins including Gabi’s achievements in advanced competition, included trips to successfully compete at the prestigious “Worlds” competitions following multiple Hi-Point Championships including in stock paint and pinto divisions.
Poor Performance in Horses: Training or Pain? How to Tell the Difference (9:49)
Is your horse being resistant or could the issue be pain? World-renown equine orthopedist / lameness expert, Dr. Sue Dyson, shows you the signs of pain in the ridden horse. This video will help you "train your eyes" to see the subtler signs of pain BEFORE the obvious head bob sets in.
For more in depth information on subtle lameness and hours of progressive equestrian content go to www.EquitopiaCenter.com.