World-class horse care rarely comes down to one big secret. It’s the result of hundreds of small decisions, consistent routines, clear communication, and a team that pays attention to every detail.
In the latest episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast, Denise Moriarty reflects on the systems and philosophy that have helped support Kent Farrington’s international show jumping operation for the past 14 years. While the horses perform on some of the biggest stages in the sport, the conversation focuses on something much more universal: how organization, communication, and consistency create an environment where horses can thrive.
Whether you care for one horse or a barn full of top athletes, Denise’s approach offers practical lessons that every horse care professional can apply.
Excellence Starts with a System
One of the most striking parts of the conversation was how organized every aspect of horse management is.
With around fifteen top-level horses under Kent Farrington’s direct care, plus clients, staff, and multiple locations, consistency is essential. Every horse has detailed records that the entire team can access.
Veterinary information, vaccinations, farrier schedules, and identification numbers are stored in the application HippoVibe. After every competition round, the team also documents practical details in dedicated WhatsApp groups. They note which boots the horse wore, whether earplugs were used, if a paste was given, and they attach the competition video.
It sounds simple, but Denise explains that this means every groom can step in for another if necessary, and every horse receives the same standard of care regardless of who is looking after it.
It also creates something incredibly valuable: institutional memory.
Instead of relying on someone’s recollection weeks later, the entire team can look back and see exactly what worked for a horse during a previous competition.
Great Horse Care Is Never a One-Person Job
At Kent Farrington’s stable, horse care is built around communication. Riders, grooms, veterinarians, farriers, home riders, managers, and office staff all contribute to the same system.
Every morning starts with observation. Is the horse eager for breakfast? Did it finish its hay? How much water did it drink? What does the manure look like?
If something seems different, Denise starts looking for an explanation. She checks the horse carefully, takes its temperature if needed, and pays close attention to any changes. Small observations, such as a horse feeling a little tired or not quite itself, are communicated to Kent and the rest of the team. Together, they decide whether the horse’s training or schedule should be adjusted that day.
If the observations point to a genuine health concern, the veterinarian is brought in to investigate further.
The important point is that the groom’s observations are trusted and taken seriously. Small changes are never ignored because they can prevent bigger problems.
Consistency Creates Confidence
One thing Denise repeated throughout the interview is that horses thrive on routine. Whether the horses are at home, traveling internationally, or competing at a five-star event, their daily schedule changes very little.
- Feeding times remain consistent.
- Horses are always hand-walked or put on the walker before being ridden.
- Whenever possible, they are turned out or hand-grazed to encourage natural movement and stretching.
That consistency helps horses stay relaxed, healthy, and ready to perform.
Rather than constantly changing routines, the team adjusts only what truly needs changing.
Small Details Matter
Throughout the conversation, Denise shared dozens of practical tips that reflect the same philosophy.
- She avoids overusing whitening shampoos because they dry the coat and actually make stains harder to remove later.
- She emphasizes brushing after bathing because, in her words, bathing doesn’t replace grooming.
- After clipping, horses receive careful skin care to prevent irritation.
- Even something as simple as cutting braiding elastics instead of pulling them out helps preserve the mane.
None of these techniques is revolutionary on its own, but together they create healthy, good-looking, comfortable horses and consistent results.
Preparing Horses for Travel
International travel is another area where preparation matters far more than people often realize. Denise explained that fitness before travel is critical because fitter horses recover more quickly after long journeys. Rather than thinking about recovery after the flight, the team starts preparing well before the horses ever step onto the plane.
One tool that supports that preparation is their weekly weigh-in. By consistently tracking each horse’s weight, the team knows which horses are more likely to lose weight during travel and can adjust their feeding program before a major trip. After arrival, they continue monitoring weight and recovery to help each horse return to its normal physical condition as quickly as possible.
Once again, there is no single secret to success. It’s careful planning, consistent monitoring, and using information collected over time to make better decisions for each individual horse.
Recovery Is Part of Performance
As all grooms know, winning a Grand Prix doesn’t mean the work is finished. For Denise, it marks the beginning of recovery.
After a major class, horses return to the stable, eat hay, drink, and have their legs iced before being bathed. Depending on the horse, magnetic therapy, hoof packing, walking, and bandaging follow.
Denise also pointed out that younger horses don’t always need extensive treatments. Sometimes the best recovery is simply turnout and movement.
That philosophy reflects an important principle repeated throughout the episode: every horse is an individual. Recovery plans should match the horse rather than follow one rigid formula.
The groom’s role is also to monitor how quickly horses recover after exercise, watch for signs of stress, ensure they stay hydrated, and communicate any concerns to the rider.
A Lesson Every Groom Can Apply
Although Denise works at one of the most successful operations in international show jumping, the biggest lesson from this conversation isn’t reserved for elite barns.
Every groom can become more organized. Every team can communicate better. Every stable can benefit from documenting routines instead of relying on memory. And every horse benefits when the people around them work together toward the same goal.
Excellence isn’t built through one spectacular idea. It’s built through hundreds of thoughtful decisions, repeated every day.
That’s what excellence looks like behind the scenes.
Listen to the Full Conversation
These are just a few of the lessons Denise shared. For the full conversation, including her practical examples, stories from life on the road, and insights into caring for some of the world’s best show jumpers, listen to the complete episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast.
Find Denise’s podcast episode on Spotify and on the Equus Radio Network.
Whether you’re a professional groom, barn manager, rider, or simply someone who wants to improve the care of your horses, you’ll come away with practical ideas you can apply in your own stable.
This episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast is presented by Horcery
Horcery’s AI-powered Stall Monitor helps horse owners, grooms, and barn managers stay connected to their horses around the clock by monitoring activity inside the stall and sending intelligent alerts when unusual behavior occurs. It’s an extra set of eyes that can provide valuable peace of mind when you’re away from the barn.
HorseGrooms listeners receive 5% off a Horcery Stall Monitor with the discount code HORSEGROOMS05.
Read this article or go to horcery.com to learn more about these helpful tools in the barn.
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Lead photo courtesy of Gary Howe/TCHS
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