Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com, a respected source for educational materials about Miniature Horses, is pleased to announce the release of the second DVD in its Pony Primer Series.   This series is especially geared for new enthusiasts becoming involved with show ponies for the first time.

The newest DVD in this series created by Smoke-In-Motion is entitled “Harness Up with Amber Montgomery.”  In it, Montgomery, a respected pony trainer, discusses harness, its parts and fitting harness.  In this 71 minute presentation, Montgomery demonstrates harnessing and finishes by showing how to properly hitch your well-appointed small equine to a cart.

“Our goal was to provide solid, helpful information that anyone who wants to harness ponies correctly can use,” said Montgomery.  “Fitting harness and making sure you routinely cover the basics are important.”

In the pony world, many newcomers are entering the industry with a big-horse background or skills different than what is needed for successfully showing ponies.    Other former enthusiasts are returning to the business after years of absence so their skills might be a little rusty.  This new Pony Primer series developed by Smoke-In-Motion exclusively for Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com can help both the newcomer as well as the pony enthusiast who simply needs to brush up on his or skills. 

The first DVD in this new series – “Pony Halter with Amber Montgomery” - was released earlier this summer. That initial DVD is especially suited for newcomers getting involved with American Shetlands, but much of the information presented will also be helpful to those interested in American Show Ponies or Hackneys.

Amber Montgomery, from Alexandria, IN, is one of today’s most successful professional pony and small equine trainers.  She is also a highly sought-after licensed judge in the pony industry. Known for her work in training new judges, conducting continuing education for judges and working with junior judging programs, Montgomery is a natural choice to present the materials in this series.

Gassville, AR — Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com, long a respected source for educational DVDs and videos about Miniature Horses, is pleased to announce the creation and release of the first DVD in a new Pony Primer Series. 

The new series of pony-related DVDs created by Smoke-In-Motion focuses on how to properly and professionally prepare and present your show pony.  The DVD is especially suited for newcomers getting involved with American Shetlands, but much of the information presented will also be helpful to those interested in American Show Ponies or Hackneys.

In the pony world, many newcomers are coming to the industry with a big-horse background or skills much different that what is needed for successfully showing ponies.  Where do you start if you are a new Shetland or American Show Pony owner?  What if you are a long-time pony enthusiast returning to the show world after many years who is overwhelmed by the changes and expansion to the American Shetland divisions? What if you simply need to brush up on the latest techniques in show pony preparation?

Then, the new Pony Prime series developed by Smoke-In-Motion exclusively for Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com can help!

“As a new pony exhibitor headed to my first National Shetland Congress this August, I found this DVD very helpful,” said new Shetland owner Debbie Weaver.  She added, “I was really glad to be able to learn and see examples of how to properly show at halter before competing at the national level.”

The first DVD in the Pony Primer series is “Pony Halter with Amber Montgomery.”  Montgomery, from Alexandria, IN, is one of today’s most successful professional pony and small equine trainers.  She is also a highly sought-after licensed judge in the pony industry. Known for her work in training new judges, conducting continuing education for judges and working with junior judging programs, Montgomery is a natural choice to present this first pony DVD.

Smoke-In-Motion’s “Pony Primer - Pony Halter w with Amber Montgomery” runs one hour and 58 minutes. In it, Montgomery utilizes her expertise and experience as a trainer, exhibitor and judge to teach viewers how to properly and professionally show a pony at halter.  She explains the difference between the American Shetland divisions - Classics, Foundations, Modern Pleasures and Moderns – and demonstrates how to prepare ponies for their correct class. The Modern Shetland portions of the DVD dovetail well for exhibitors with American Show Ponies or Hackneys.

Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com is gearing up for the 66th Annual American Shetland/American Show Pony Congress. Ozark’s traveling tack shop will be on hand when the Congress takes place Aug. 7-11 at Expo Square in Tulsa, OK. 

With pony enthusiasts rushing to make their last minute preparations for this prestigious pony championship, MiniTack.com is pleased to offer several last minute deals to help the harried small equine owner.  Discounts on Congress orders are available and delivery directly to the show is possible.

Pony exhibitors can visit the Ozark Mountain website at www.MiniTack.com to learn more and to place their Congress orders.  Customers may place any order in July and have it delivered to the ASPC Congress in Tulsa, OK.  These orders will also receive 10% off the entire order, making July the perfect time to select that new show halter or a hand-crafted leather show harness by Mose Miller.  To receive the automatic Congress discount, customers should indicate delivery as Congress when checking out, and Ozark will apply the discount before the order is processed.   Congress orders this month will also benefit from no delivery charges or taxes.  Show Halters must be ordered prior to July 15th in order to deliver at Congress.

Other great deals are available from Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com in July.    The pony-sized easy entry cart with 60” shafts are on sale this month.  These carts can even be delivered to the Congress in Tulsa as well.

July is also a great time to purchase gift certificates to Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com.  Purchase a gift certificate in any amount and Ozark will automatically add an additional 10% to the certificate amount at no charge.  Consider stocking up on gift certificates for your future horse lover gift needs now to take advantage of this special offer.

Ozark MiniTack.com, a leading supplier of equipment and accessories for Miniature Horses and ponies, is expanding its efforts to better serve owners of American Shetlands, Americans Show Ponies and other pony breeds.

Long known for its commitment to providing quality tack and supplies to the Miniature Horse industry, Ozark has more recently begun offering a larger selection pony equipment as well such as hand-crafted leather harnesses by Mose Miller and custom pony-sized blankets from Kensington Protect Products. 

MiniTack.com is furthering its commitment to ponies and their owners through its support of this year’s ASPC/ASPR Congress, the national championship show for American Shetlands and Show Ponies.  Ozark is proud of the design it recently commissioned for the 2012 Congress’s official t-shirt.  Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com is also making plans to support Congress Youth, Congress Royalty and more.

“It’s our pleasure to serve these versatile and exciting ponies and to support a great historic event like Shetland Congress,” said Lisa Borg, Ozark’s Director of Marketing.

Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com also recognizes the importance of small equine promotion.  In addition to supporting activities of the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., such as the Congress, MiniTack.com continues to seek out unique pony-related partnerships. For example, Ozark continues to be a strong supporter of the new pony media outlet, Society Pony Online.

Society Pony Online is a new multi-faceted website serving the Shetland Pony, American Show Pony and Hackney Pony industries.   The new site, www.societypony.com, has been operating approximately eight months. 

With many horse and pony exhibitors on the road attending shows, parades or other equine events this time of year, it’s especially important to think about protecting the legs and feet of Miniatures Horses in transit or in the show ring as well as those engaging in other activities.  To help owners and handlers keep their top equine competitors sound this busy show and parade season, Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com is pleased to offer special deals on Miniature Horse leg and hoof protection products throughout June.

This month at Ozark Mountain, shipping boots with a cordura shell and quilted lining are on sale as are Bell Boots by Bar F made of rugged neoprene with hook-and-loop closures. Ozark is also running a clearance on Miniature Horse Sport Boots by Bar F that offer excellent protection for a Miniature Horse’s ankles and pasterns.  Finally, Bell Boots and weighted Bell Boots by Bar F are also on special this month at MiniTack.com

Whether it came in like a lion or a lamb, the arrival of March can only mean one thing: it’s time to prepare for the busy horse show and foaling seasons.  Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com, a leading supplier of equipment and accessories for ponies and Miniature Horses, is offering roaring good specials this month to assist horse and pony owners or exhibitors with these preparations.

“Spring can be a hectic time for small equine owners, and show season will be here before we know it,” said Debbie Weaver, Operations Manager at Ozark Mountain.  “MiniTack.com is pleased to offer some great specials in March to help everyone get ready.”

Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com’s specials for the month of March include great sales on some of the blankets and gear that can help ponies or Miniatures handle the ups and downs of unpredictable spring weather.  The offerings include a special on overstocked items from Kensington Protective Products.  Kensington’s Waterproof Roustabout Blanket, Waterproof Foal Blanket and Quilted Blanket are all on sale through Ozark’s website. There are deals on Kensington cotton, fly and protective coolers as well, making March the perfect time to stock up on these warm-weather items.

The 2012 foaling season for Miniature Horses and pony breeds is getting underway in the United States and Canada.  Now is the time to finalize preparations for the safe arrival of healthy new babies.  To assist in those efforts, Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com offers the following suggestions to help anxious mare owners insure safer delivery of the 2012 foal crop.

Owners expecting foals should read up on the signs of foaling and labor predictors. There are a variety of signs that help indicate when a mare is preparing to deliver.  One obvious sign is that mares will “bag up” – i.e., their udder will begin to expand and then fill - in advance. The time frame for bagging up can vary dramatically from broodmare to broodmare.

Because signs of foaling vary from mare to mare, foaling predictor kits are available for today’s modern horse owner.  These kits can help make the foal watch easier and more accurate which means mare owners can be more alert to any potential labor or delivery concerns sooner.   Ozark Mountain MiniTack.com offers one of the small equine industry’s top foaling predictor kits.  This kit is on special during the month of February at www.MiniTack.com.

You might not know the name ... Gordon Hanagan.  However, many society pony owners have shown at his facility - Gordyville USA just outside of Rantoul, IL.  Hanagan was recently inducted into the Quarter Horse Association’s Hall of Fame.  As an auctioneer, Hanagan has worked some extremely well-known AQHA related sales including the American Quarter Horse Sale at the Chicago International Livestock Show Sale and a sale at the historic King Ranch.  His family is also involved with raising and showing Quarter Horses.

Gordyville USA is a multipurpose facility that hosts both shows and sales.  It has been home to some important society pony events including a number of National Shetland Congresses as well as several area championships and local shows for the American Shetland Pony Club and American Show Pony Registry. Central States Pony Association has hosted many shows at Gordyville featuring competition for Shetlands and Hackneys.  Glenn Steinke held his pony sale at Gordyville.