2022 Platinum Performance
Horse Welfare Award Recipients

Animal Health is the Platinum Performance® Mission. Platinum Performance® believes in the power of nutrition and supplementation, and is committed to providing formulas that produce superior results. For more information, visit www.platinumperformance.com





2022 Honorable Mention


Smoothie
Official Name: Vanilla Smoothie
Birth Year: 2003 Gender: Gelding. Breed: Mixed

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MARE Riding Center
: “Vanilla Smoothie” was the first horse I became attached to at MARE just a few weeks after I started working there. Smoothie has been a career horse with a big part of his life spent at the famous Fox Field Riding School in Southern California. He was later purchased by a family for their teenager, needless to say her teenage years were tough and she took it out on Smoothie. Her parents donated Smoothie to MARE in summer of 2018 with hopes that we can give him an easier life all while still being able to bless Smoothie with a rewarding job.

Smoothie won our 2021-2022 Horse of the Year as he continues to be a Barn favorite and our go-to veteran horse. Smoothie is one of our top therapy horses at our facility, and primarily works with our veterans in our Stable Forces program. He excels with our veterans because his riders are often able to relate to him. He was overworked and didn't have the best life before coming to M.A.R.E. and has overcome so much fear and anxiety since we got him.

Smoothie can still be a little anxious when meeting new people, and it takes time for him to warm up and let his personality shine. Our veterans love him because gaining his trust and watching him show his silly personality is very rewarding, and they know they have a friend for life when they win him over. He is very good at working through new or stressful situations as long as he has the support and guidance he needs from his rider. Smoothie shows people that it’s ok to show what you're struggling with so you can get the help you need to overcome obstacles in your life.

He has been a shoulder to lean on not only for me but for his riders when they're having a tough day or week, and he's always willing to lend a horse ear for listening. He shows endless patience when his riders make mistakes, and would walk to the ends of the earth if that’s what was asked of him. He has a heart of gold, and the ability to bring a smile to anyone’s face no matter what they may be going through.

I believe Smoothie deserves this Platinum Performance Horse Welfare Award nomination and grant award to pay for his joint supplements. Smoothie, like many horses at his age, has arthritis and he counts on supplements like Platinum to keep him comfortable and happy doing what he does best! Thank you for your consideration of Smoothie at MARE Riding Center.

-Staci Earl
Equine Caretaker
PATH Intl Instructor in Training

Relationship of Nominator to Nominee
Instructor in training and Equine Caretaker- Staci Earl -- Staci Earl