Abigail Boatwright Communications

07/04/2025

Let's talk about RACETRACKS! The chapter in Your Complete Guide to Equine Arenas about racetracks was one of the most interesting to research and write. Racetrack crews spend hours watering the track overnight, harrowing before morning works and before the races begin, in between races, and at the end of the day--as well as during days off.

Track crews pay close attention to weather reports to prepare for potential rainstorms. George McDermott talks about sealing off the track before the rain hits, which allows the water to run off instead of soaking in to make for sloppy footing. In dry conditions, the footing can take a tremendous amount of water to maintain the proper moisture. And if the nighttime temperature drops below 28 degrees, the footing will freeze. McDermott says the track crew will then need to manipulate the ground all night to keep it loose for racing the next day.

“Otherwise, it’ll freeze solid and it’ll be like a rock,” McDermott said. “You have to adjust to the climate that you have.

Purchase Your Complete Guide to Equine Arenas here: https://trafalgarbooks.com/products/your-complete-guide-to-equine-arenas?_pos=1&_sid=6850e3383&_ss=r

06/27/2025

Today is my first installment of , where I'll be sharing tips about equine arenas and news about my book, Your Complete Guide to Equine Arenas. If you'd like tips sent to your inbox, I'd love for you to sign up for my email list here: https://mailchi.mp/abigailboatwright/your-complete-guide-to-equine-arenas-newsletter

On to the tips! Horse Nation graciously published an article with an excerpt of my book. In this article, you'll learn some key definitions used to describe footing. Of the definitions in this excerpt, "shear strength" was a new term for me to explore with the book's arena experts. Which ones are interesting to you?

https://www.horsenation.com/2025/05/20/riding-on-the-right-surface-footing-considerations-with-your-horses-health-in-mind/

In this excerpt, adapted from Your Complete Guide to Equine Arenas, equestrian journalist and horsewoman Abigail Boatwright explains some of the key factors in ensuring our horses’ health, from the ground up. Grass surfaces have historically been used for horse training and competition arenas. How...

06/18/2025

More info about my recent American Horse Publications awards!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  June 18, 2025                         &am

06/12/2025

Y’all, I’m so excited to share my first online article for !! 😍 link in my bio.

06/12/2025

Y'all, I'm so thrilled to share my first online article for Chewy!

Camping with horses can be a fun, adventurous way to spend time with your horse. Learn everything you need to prepare for your excursion.

06/10/2025

Check out our latest episode!

05/20/2025

The 2025 AHP Lone Star Summit concluded with the Equine Media Awards—the highlight of the Equine Media Conference. I have entered this contest for many years, have placed countless times, but I have only won awards four times. This is the culmination of a year of work for many of us equine media professionals. We are judged against the quality articles, photos and media of our peers, and I always love seeing our work recognized. This year I was so fortunate to win TWO Equine Media Awards: “The Ins and Outs of ICSI” in Service to the Consumer class (thank you Jessica of for entering this Paint Horse Journal article) and Freelance Writer Feature Single Article “Survivors” published in The Remuda - .

My story “Gear Gathering” for Quarter Horse Journal placed second in Association/Organization Equine Media Single Article, and (of which I am the editor) summer and winter 2024 issues placed second in Equine Media Single Issue or Multi Issue Electronic Publication.

It was so special for my husband Zach to be able to attend the awards dinner! Congratulations to my friends and colleagues on your achievements. Together we are telling the stories about our beloved horses. Thank you for putting on this conference!

05/20/2025

The 2025 AHP Lone Star Summit concluded with the Equine Media Awards—the highlight of the Equine Media Conference. I have entered this contest for many years, have placed countless times, but I have only won awards *four* times previously. This is the culmination of a year of work for many of us equine media professionals. We are judged against the quality articles, photos and media of our peers, and I always love seeing our work recognized. This year I was so fortunate to win TWO Equine Media Awards: “The Ins and Outs of ICSI” in Service to the Consumer class (thank you Jessica of Official American Paint Horse Association for entering this Paint Horse Journal article) and Freelance Writer Feature "Survivors" published in The Remuda - Texas Equine Veterinary Association.

My story “Gear Gathering” for @ Quarter Horse Association Quarter Horse Journal placed second in Association/Organization Equine Media Single Article, and Western Life Today (of which I am the editor) summer and winter 2024 issues placed second in Equine Media Single Issue or Multi Issue Electronic Publication.

It was so special for my husband Zach to be able to attend the awards dinner! Congratulations to my friends and colleagues on your achievements. Together we are telling the stories about our beloved horses. Thank you American Horse Publications for putting on this conference!

05/18/2025

The AHP Lone Star Summit has wrapped—and what a great experience! Here are some photos from the conference portion. I’m so thankful it was held in Dallas this year. With my kids’ end-of-year school and dance activities, I was able to attend as much of both as possible! I was the tour coordinator and worked with my friend and colleague Jessica Hein, conference committee chair, to really showcase the Western performance horse focus of DFW.

Thank you to for putting on a fun and educational conference! I enjoyed seeing friends and colleagues, and making new contacts. We had a great meetup for The Freelance Remuda on Thursday night, and line dancing fun for the Student Award Party. I’ll post about the awards next!

05/18/2025

The AHP Lone Star Summit has wrapped—and what a great experience! Here are some photos from the conference portion. I’m so thankful it was held in Dallas this year. With my kids’ end-of-year school and dance activities, I was able to attend as much of both as possible! I was the tour coordinator and worked with my friend and colleague Jessica Hein, conference committee chair, to really showcase the Western performance horse focus of DFW.

Thank you to American Horse Publications for putting on a fun and educational conference! I enjoyed seeing friends and colleagues, and making new contacts. We had a great meetup for The Freelance Remuda on Thursday night, and line dancing fun for the Student Award Party. I’ll post about the awards next!

05/03/2025

Our April issue of Western Life Today is celebrating the horse--with lots of tips along with our lifestyle content. Go check it out!

Spring is in full swing, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with the latest digital issue of Western Life Today: The Horse Issue 🐴

Check it out: tinyurl.com/43z5wfa3

In this digital issue, you’ll find:

▪️ The Along for the Ride Symposium
▪️ Tips for bathing your horse
▪️ A preview of the APHA World Championship Show
▪️ Texas rancher Kim Ratcliff
▪️An excerpt from “Never Trust A Sneaky Pony: And Other Things They Didn’t Teach Me in Vet School” by Madison Seamans
▪️ Reining and cow horse stops
▪️ The Santa Fe Indian Market
▪️ And more!

04/15/2025

This is such a cute snack stop at National Reining Breeders Classic thanks to Tremblay Reining Horses and Tinker With Dreams "Cilantro". I’m enjoying gathering training stories for NRHA - National Reining Horse Association Reiner magazine this week at the show!