PRESS KIT
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
MARIAN NILSEN BIO Rider – Trainer – Owner of Healthy Horse Boutique
HOW IT ALL BEGAN Marian Nilsen presently resides in Carbondale, CO. She is a rider, trainer and owner of Healthy Horse Boutique (www.healthyhorseboutique.com), a health food store for horses and the people who love them. Marian’s passion for horses began when she was just a toddler riding horses at the family’s summer ranch in Wyoming, where the family spent their summers. By the age of two this tenacious toddler wore the cowboys down and was allowed to ride a horse on her own. This is when Marian's passion for horses began. Once summer was over the family returned to Michigan and local riding instruction was found for Marian. She first started riding Western. It took until she was six years old to trade in her Western saddle for an English saddle. She spent her youth doing Hunt Seat and Eventing. It was when she was in her early 20s that she began to focus on Dressage. Marian was fascinated by the sport and its ability to improve horses of all types. Initially Marian's time was divided between her two passions - riding and skiing. Once she was introduced to her mentor, Catherine Haddad (pictured right), things changed. Catherine's ability to teach feel and how to become truly connected with the horse through classical methods was what turned Marian into a dedicated dressage rider. In 2003, Marian began working with Evi Strasser (pictured left). What Evi brought to Marian was an understanding of the biomechanics of a horse and how to train a young horse to the upper levels. Until this time most of Marian's skills were applied to fixing horses that were either unable or unwilling to perform.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse Evi poured herself into teaching Marian for several years in Florida. It was during this period of time with Evi that Marian became very ill. Evi was there every step of the way keeping Marian on the right horse at the right time. In 2007, Marian's health had deteriorated to the point that she needed to put her trust into someone in a warmer climate. She has lived with colitis for most of her life. A good friend suggested WEG Bronze Medalist and Olympic alternate, Kathleen Raine. Initially two horses went to Kathleen and Marian (pictured right) would spend time in California riding them when she could and continued riding others at home in Colorado. Eventually more time was spent in CA with more horses. Kathleen's thoughtful and consistent approach to Dressage got Marian back into the show ring. To this day these three women continue to support and educate Marian. They each have played a huge part in what Marian brings to her training and teaching: feel, connection, understanding biomechanics, showing, consistency, horsemanship, versatility. In addition to Catherine, Evi and Kathleen, Marian has also worked with Sue Blinks, Robert Dover, Gary Rockwell and Morten Thomsen and often hosts clinics with these trainers so that others can also learn from them. While some people know Marian mostly as a rider and trainer, others are familiar with her Healthy Horse Boutique, a health food store for horses that only sells organic products that are GMO free with no sugars, fillers or chemicals. It’s those products
Marian and Kathleen Raine
that she’s either developed herself or discovered that make up horse health food store. Marian’s interest in improving a horse’s health was an outgrowth of her own health issues. She has found a way to keep her colitis under control and in the process she noticed when the colitis was in remission her riding improved. That led her to believe that horses may also be dealing with health issues. Marian has spent a lifetime working to help horses heal, because she noticed that when the horse’s healthy improved so did the ability for it to learn and progress.
By combining her knowledge of keeping horses healthy with training horses she has achieved a winning combination that she not only uses herself but also shares with her clients, family and friends.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
CHATTING WITH MARIAN NILSEN Q: Marian you have become a familiar face. Some recognize you as a rider or trainer others associate you with Healthy Horse Boutique. Who is Marian Nilsen? MN: I am someone who has spent a lifetime loving & caring for horses. Horses are my passion. I believe there is a hidden jewel in every horse and I have found some great ways to bring the best out in horses. I also believe every owner wants to do the same. So when I found things that worked I wanted to share. Healthy Horse Boutique is a result of me sharing. Sometimes as owners we spend more time worrying than riding. I just try to make it easier for owners to care for their horses so they can spend more time enjoying their horses. Q: What is Healthy Horse Boutique? A: It’s a Health Food Store for Horses. We only offer products that I’ve tried, tested and use on my own horses. Marian Nilsen aboard Romeo. Q: What lead you to create a health food store for horses? MN: I was the girl who did so much for her horses I never quite knew or understood what was working and what wasn’t. My horses seemed fine but I couldn’t tell you why. However, I could rattle off a list of “stuff” I did. Than one day a naturopath took me under her wing. She taught me to take everything back to basics. As a result my horses bloomed! I got it! Q: Got what? MN: Feed and supplement in a way that supports my horses so I can prevent a lot of health and training problems. Q: How is this a “health” food store for horses? MN: I learned how much of what I fed my horses was overprocessed. Their bodies were busy processing their processed food and supplements! I also learned to find feed and supplements without chemicals, fillers and sugars wasn’t easy. To make it harder I also wanted them organic and Healthy Horse Boutique offers supplements that are healthy NON GMO. And the big one... they needed to WORK! Once I found the basics and saw the results I needed to let everyone know. Finally, there is a one stop shop for owners looking for products that do what they say they will do without the use of harsh or harmful ingredients. And best of all, when your horse is healthy it’s amazing how many other things just fall into place. Q: Can you give some specific examples of products you use or suggest, why and what someone would notice after implementing one of your health programs into their horse’s diet? MARIAN – PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse Q: What are some things that you or your clients have seen improve when you ride them or work around them on the ground once you’ve improved their health? Suddenly they respond better to your aides, have more energy, enjoy what they are doing and stay more focused. MARIAN CAN YOU ADD TO THIS AND EVEN MENTION SOME OF THE CHANGES IN YOUR CLIENT’S HORSES.
Q: What are the standards you use to choose products? MN: I need to know the product works and to trust the manufacturer. I have a deep love for horses and respect for the owners hard earned income. If I cannot look that horse and owner in the eye and tell them it works, than I will not sell it. Because Healthy Horse Boutique is the only health food store for horses, I am approached by many manufacturers looking for a place to sell their products. There’s a lot of stuff out there making claims but they don’t deliver results. I do the legwork of weeding out those products so my customer doesn’t have to. I know all my manufacturers personally. They are willing to go the extra mile to help my customer. Q: On your web site you also have performance, fashion, grooming and Lotions & Potions. MN: It just seemed silly to make all these healthy choices than start grooming with chemicals, so I added grooming supplies. Performance is for horses and people. I have products for athletes. Everything from an energy drink (NRG) for people looking for more endurance, mental focus and stamina (without caffeine or sugar so we can sleep!), to products to help muscle growth and for when we overdo it. I created Lotions & Potions to fill a void. Horsey Lip Balm can be used to replace petroleum. The Rider Butter I made for myself. Sometimes I tweak my neck or back stacking hay or packing my horse trailer. This releases muscle tension and relaxes the mind. Q: How do you balance your riding and teaching, with running Healthy Horse Boutique and maintaining a personal life? MN: They all intertwine - the riding, teaching, and traveling with HHB. To teach well, I need to ride well; to ride well I need to be healthy and so do the horses. It is all one for me. So, my Healthy Horse Boutique carries products to keep everyone healthy. Maintaining a life outside the horses is a learned skill. I teach, train and do business better with a clear head. I love the mountains and living in Colorado allows me quick easy access to all the activities I enjoy. Nothing like a few hours of skiing to put things back into perspective! Q: Any final comments? MN: Building a health food store for horses is a big task but important. I have spent a lifetime earning the trust of not only local horse enthusiasts but several of the industry’s top riders. I just want owners to have a place they can go to get advice they can trust. It’s about freeing up time and money and creating healthy horses so that we can all go to the barn and do what we love...ENJOY our horse. I invite everyone to share with me on facebook (www.facebook.com/healthyhorse), which is where I post specials or visit the web site (www.healthyhorseboutique.com), where I share all my favorite products.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
Healthy horses are happy horses.
Healthy Horse Boutique owner Marian Nilsen enjoying what she loves – working with happy and healthy horses.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
HHB products are not just for horses
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
BOARDING – RIDING - TRAINING Marian offers Boarding at her farm in Carbondale, CO and she offers Dressage Training & Lessons both throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and at her farm. Her goal is to offer a variety of programs to suit all types of horses, riders, and budgets. Call or email for more detailed costs: Email: hhboutique@gmail.com | Phone: 970.309.4223
Boarding CONVENIENT LOCATION ~ 1 mile to downtown Carbondale, 3.5 miles from HWY 82, 5.5 miles to the nearest vet. Paved/flat roads.
Stalls 12x12 and 12x20 with private runs Outside shelters 80x200 outside arena with great footing Brand new insulated indoor arena
Lessons • Tuesday thru Sunday: 45 Minute & One-Hour Lessons Available
Training • Tuesday thru Sunday – Full & Partial Training Available. Mini's: are also offered when you need “eyes on the ground" or your horse needs light work/exercise. Perfect for keeping a horse fit while you are out of town, getting a horse fit after a layup or if you just need someone to watch something (are the changes clean, is the passage level, am I sitting correctly, am I ready to show?)
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
HOSTING CLINICS One of Marian's dreams is to share her passion of Dressage in her community. "I know everyone doesn't have opportunity to take time away from family and work to travel to learn from the top riders and trainers in our sport. I feel like offering clinics is a way I can share some of my experiences with other riders." IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING ON THE CLINIC MAILING LIST PLEASE CONTACT US: 970-309-4223, hhboutique@gmail.com or visit the web site at www.healthyhorseboutique.com.
CLINICIANS KATHLEEN RAINE: Her philosophy is simple. Regardless of your goals when it comes to dressage, she wants you to be successful. Kathleen is committed to helping you realize your Dressage hopes and dreams. So whether you are a young rider or an amateur adult seeking to ride for pleasure or to compete; a professional training looking to hone your riding skills to stay at the top of your game; or a Grand Prix rider destined for the international stage, Kathleen will work with you and your horse to create a true partnership that allows both of you to explore and achieve your potential. Photos: (left) Kathleen and Breanna at Show Park - (right) Kathleen and Marian at Gladstone CATHERINE HADDAD: in her words, "Accept riders of any level who are open to learning." Catherine lived in Germany for many years. This means she has been exposed to the best riders and horses in the world. When she comes to teach she brings this experience and shares it with the riders and auditors.
MORTEN THOMSEN: Morten Thomsen, a two-time Olympic Dressage rider from Silkeborg, Denmark, is renowned for his talent for training piaffe and passage. He is also well known for his kind enthusiastic manner with the rider and the horse. He is always able to allow both to work in a relaxed manner. "The aim I have as a dressage trainer is a beautiful horse. What is a beautiful horse to me? It is one that moves without force and in lightness. If we manage to desensitize the horse to outside influences we have a horse sensitive towards the demands of the trainer," It’s important that everything is horse-friendly and the result is a motivated, happily working dressage horse moving in lightness.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
PRESS RELEASES
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
HHB’s COOKIE OF THE MONTH CLUB Ingredients you can trust – Taste they will LOVE! Who doesn’t like a treat and what better delicacy then something filled with “goodness and love” ingredients that are actually beneficial to your horse. Well that’s why Healthy Horse Boutique is reaching out to all the horses in America to encourage their owners to join the Cookie of the Month Club so they get their monthly cookie surprise delivered right to their stable door. When HHB says healthy they mean it as all their products and especially their cookies are made with only the finest ingredients. All cookies include nothing artificial and have been tried and tested by HHB’s horses. The ones they all gobbled down to the very last crumb were the ones selected. Cookies will include ingredients such as oatmeal, brown rice flour, rice bran, honey, unsweetened coconut, soaked flax seeds, cinnamon, molasses, coconut oil, and salt. HHB owner Marian Nilsen, nutrition and supplement expert, scours the nation searching for products that she approves of and it was in that search that she found Vicki Dudycha, baker of the monthly cookies. “I have always enjoyed baking for my friends, family, and my four legged family members. Marian approached me on developing treats specific to the needs of a horse. With a few trials, and changes we’ve come up with a line of goodies that our horses love to eat and also benefit from. Every month we will be putting out a different healthy horse treat,” commented Vicki. “Each month Vicki will be getting creative in the kitchen. She will bake fresh goodies for club members. They will be shipped on the 28th of every month. Vicki will always use organic ingredients carefully selected for a purpose, whether it be for energy, inflammation, joy, relaxation or a wonderful treat and pick me up on the trail,” added Marian. HHB will be listening to its Cookie of the Month Club members to get their input as well. To join HHB’s Cookie of the Month Club visit www.HealthyHorseBoutique.com and click on the Cookies with a Clue link on the left side of the web site. For questions, fill in the “contact us” link at the bottom of the page.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
TIPS TO A HEALTHY HORSE Healthy Horse Boutique’s Guide to Healthy Horses It has taken society a while to recognize the importance and positive results obtained from eating healthy. Now owners are recognizing the improved performance results from doing the same for their horses, thanks to Marian Nilsen, owner of Healthy Horse Boutique. This health food store for horses and the people who love them is gaining a following of once skeptics, now believers who have learned that you can improve your horse’s performance with the products you feed them. Catherine Haddad, alternate for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, knows that keeping her horses happy and healthy is a big part of why she made it onto the WEG Team as the alternate rider. “When I travelled to the United States for the Dressage Selection Trials in July of 2010, I contacted my friend and student, Marian Nilsen, to inquire about a feeding program for my top horse, Winyamaro. I have never used complicated feeding programs. Simplicity and quality have always been my keys to success in feeding my horses. Marian provided both!” commented Catherine. Marian is a trainer and rider who has also become a nutrition expert. After years of research and testing numerous products, Marian has learned which products produce the best possible performance results for all types of horses. It was because of this knowledge that Marian started her Healthy Horse Boutique; a company that only sells organic products. It’s those products that she’s either developed herself or discovered that are available in her online store. “Healthy Horse Boutique believes in EQUINE DIETS which have NO sugars, fillers, chemicals, or hormones. HHB likes to keep things simple. We believe it’s easier for a horse to absorb nutrients if its feed is left natural. I need to know what I suggest to an owner is going to work each and every time. So I only recommend products which are standardized. I believe there is a time and place for drug therapy but I recommend horse owners offer programs designed to support horses in a way that will help prevent potential problems,” Nilsen commented.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse “In the past designing programs to deliver RESULTS could get pretty complex. I am proud to say I have been able to streamline my approach with the help of my customers. In most cases I can get the horse to where the owner wants with three products. It is really rewarding to get a call from a client seeing things change in 2-6 weeks!” THE POWER OF THREE #1-EQUINE DIET: In the past few years owners and riders have become more educated on the importance of feeding a low starch high fiber diet. They are also aware when the horse needs more calories for weight, muscle, or energy that fat is a better choice than carbs. The challenge has been offering a fat that is not over processed or creates undesirable side effects. HHB set out to manufacture a fat Formula which would deliver everything we want from a fat (shiny coat, calories, muscle, etc.) but would also go above and beyond by promoting and maintaining a healthy GI Track, decrease inflammation, help muscle strength, recovery and suppleness. This is possible by providing a blend of organic fat sources which offer Omega 3, 6, and 9 and GLA’s. #2: pH Balance: The second ingredient should be a product which is packed with enough live cultures and Saccharomyces Boulardii to balance the pH so the horse can digest and absorb nutrients like never before. #3: Target the Issue: The third ingredient needs to focus on targeting any issues the horse is having. For instance: recovery from illness, stamina for performance, muscle strength recovery or suppleness, or help with focus in times of stress. The Horse’s Speak Nilsen’s clients range from amateurs to Olympic veterans who have learned the proof is in the results. Western rider Jeanie Cragin, owner of Whiskey, has been using Marian’s suggested products for years and her horse says thank you. “After Whiskey started the program that Marian suggested he had tremendous energy, even after riding him on a daily basis. One of the first things we noticed was that after four consecutive days we asked him for flying changes on the diagonal, something we’d never done with him before. He did three on one diagonal and immediately did three on the other. He also showed athleticism and softness with some of his usual reining moves. He was enjoying himself, too. Whiskey has been on Marian’s nutrition program for a long time now and I could not be more pleased! He was wonderful before, but his energy is amazing now. And, he looks fantastic,” commented Jeanie. Maureen Sterling echoed similar comments about her horse noting, “Rhyme is doing amazing! Her canter is night and day. Marian educated me so now I know when I lose the quality of the canter I need to balance her pH. “I have the most amazing mare that try's harder than any horse I know and with HHB’s suggested supplements (fatFormula, Muscle Matrix and KLPP) her body is becoming all it can be. She makes my heart happy every day and now with many factors, to include HHB she feels fantastic inside and out. THANK YOU Marian Nilsen!”
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse “Where to start,” commented Laura Maloney. “I feel like I owe Marian a novel! She has helped educate me on the value of good, organic equine nutrition and my horses Monito and Wester have blossomed as a result. Marian also helped me to remember to pay attention to my 'gut feeling' when it comes to knowing what's best for my horses. HHB offers great products and Marian offers incredible advice. All horses and owners could benefit from her expertise.” Jumper rider Susan Penland’s older horse Link loves the fat FORMULA and in addition he is taking Muscle Matrix. Susan wanted more energy and after she started this combination she had one comment when asked how her 18year-old horse is doing. “Wild! Definitely has his winter persona. He feels quite good I think because of the fat supplement, since he has been on that the longest. We jumper people like them breathing fire. He doesn't even know what an old horse is supposed to act like,” Susan commented. Suzie Halle is having so much fun with her Dutch Warmblood, 13-year-old, 18H, dressage gelding Tennyson ISF, who is out of Innsbruck, sired by Contango with Rohemer as the dam’s sire. “Suzie was a true skeptic when she came to me for advice,” Nilsen commented. Yet Suzie was noticing things she wanted to solve. “I felt heaviness in the bridle. My horse was sunken by the hip and spine. I had his teeth floated and increased his hay portions, but didn’t see any improvement. That was when I asked Marian for some advice. “She told me that the hind gut could be compromised by the daily use of ulcer meds which were good for the tummy, but possibly changing the pH of the hind gut. The Pre-biotic (KLPP) was suggested to fix that. HHB’S omega fat FORMULA was suggested to help with energy and power and a mushroom muscle builder was suggested to help with the topline. “I quickly turned from a skeptic to a true believer because the results were remarkable. There’s a lightness in the bridle like I’ve never felt before and his neck muscles are more developed. I’m also noticing a filling in of that hind gut which has allowed him to step under and push more from behind and in lateral work, and the drop off of the spine in front of the haunches is now smooth.” Suzie concluded saying, “I will eat, drink, take or rub on anything Marian suggests based on the results I have experienced with my horse.” Marian has developed a line of performance packages to make it easy for people to choose the right combination for each particular horse. To find out more go to www.healthyhorseboutique.com. And Marian is available one-on-one for a free consultation. Simply email her at hhboutique@gmail.com to arrange a phone call session.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
STEMPHASE ADDED TO HHB’s PRODUCTS
Marian Nilsen, owner of Healthy Horse Boutique, a one stop shop for healthy food for horses, has recently added a new company to her line-up of tried and tested products. StemPhase Biomedical Ltd. The StemPhase program is a clinically proven breakthrough technology that is geared towards restoring soundness in horses and canines through the use of stem cell fluid. The biomedical therapy program is all natural, does not test and is drug free. What’s good about this program is that the fluid is an easy to administer injection given under the skin. It is supported by nutrient specific oral supplements which help “prep” the horse for increased absorption and continued healing. Since this is not about administering stem cells but rather the stem cell fluid, the associated costs are less and the survival rate of cellular fluid at the injury site is longer than that of actual stem cells. It has also been proven that prolonged exposure of injured tissue to cellular fluid supports stronger and faster recoveries. Marian was able to test StemPhase on her own horses by taking part in the early trials. “I had a horse suffer a catastrophic injury. After following my vets protocol for two years (surgery, stem cells,shock wave, PRP, hand walk regime, etc) my horse was a grade 2+ lame. When the vet suggested more of the same, I decided to be part of the pre-clinical trial StemPhase was doing. Two Months later my horse was sound enough to have a rider ‘tack walk’ him. By month three he was trotting. It took some time to get basic fitness after such a long layup but he has remained sound and is now ridden five or six times a week. I think StemPhase worked so well for my horse because it treated him as a whole. It doesn’t just treat the injured site but it helps systemically to fix the ENTIRE body and the supplement program supports him on a daily basis to continue the healing,” Marian explained. While Marian has this example of her own, others have used the StemPhase technology for many things including: Arthritis; Joint Deterioration and Skeletal Disorders; Soft Connective Tissue Injuries; Lumbar Spine Problems and Neck Injuries; Tendon, Suspensory and Ligament Injuries; Navicular, Ring and Side Bone Disease and Post-Operative. “I only carry products in my Healthy Horse Boutique online store that I have tried and have seen proven results from. I’ve tested many of the StemPhase products and I use them because they work,” concluded Marian. “Naturally once I saw that these products are not only all natural but really work I made the decision to add the StemPhase line of products to my online story.” For more information email hhboutique@gmail.com or call Marian Nilsen 970-309-4223. To order products from Healthy Horse Boutique, including the StemPhase line visit HHB’s web site at www.healthyhorseboutique.com. Feel free to contact Marian as she is happy to help guide you every step of the way to ensure that you are properly administering any of the products you purchase from her online store.
A Health Food Store for Horses…
www.healthyhorseboutique.com – www.facebook.com/healthyhorse
FOLSUM – THE TALKING HORSE
My name is Folsum and just like Mr. Ed I love to talk and get into all kinds of mischief. My mom is Marian Nilsen (my human mom that is). She’s into all kinds of healthy living and has this health food store for horses (and the people who love them) called Healthy Horse Boutique. Well, I know what you are thinking and you’re right. She only feeds me foods with no additives or preservatives and the same goes for anything she puts on my body. At first I was upset about that but because I feel so good all the time I realize mom knows best. And yes, I do get a chance to have some cookies and even a birthday cake because she has this Cookie of the Month Club which has cookies for me and for her (and for you!). And, you guessed it, all the ingredients are good for you. They have things like oatmeal, brown rice flour, rice bran, honey, unsweetened coconut, soaked flax seeds, cinnamon, molasses, coconut oil, and salt. And don’t worry, me and my friends tested all the cookies before she chose which ones to put on the menu. I also eat things like beet pulp and this fat supplement mom created because it makes my coat shine. (Marian – I want you to write this paragraph if you can – lean towards why for each thing you mention. Talk about Folsum’s daily diet). Anyway, mom wants me to share my knowledge and so I’ve started this blog called Folsum The Talking Horse. Also, I share a lot on mom’s facebook page: www.facebook.com/healthyhorse. My goal is to help as many horses as possible. So, I’ll be talking about my daily life, grooming, training, healthy diet and lifestyle and what it's like being young and venturing into the world of Dressage. And I’ll also let you know when I don’t feel so good or get hurt and how I get through that. I am now 5 years old so I’m starting to compete and as you can imagine there’s so many new things I have to deal with. So, I’ll be giving my other horsey friends ideas on the best way to cope and what it’s like being a horse on the road. So, take the time to follow me as I go through the good and tough times. For sure, I’ll keep you laughing with my tales of “whoa.” And email me with your questions. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll just ask mom to help me out. She knows all about equine nutrition and really loves helping other people. I like to help my horsey friends. Together mom and I can help your horse feel his best. And speaking of your horse – I’d love to know more about my horsey friends. So, tell them I want to chat with them (or if you prefer you can give me the inside scoop). If you don’t have a question then just horse around with me. Stop by my facebook page now, say hi, pass along your helpful tips, ask a question or answer questions I’ll be asking you when I need some help, or just follow me on mom’s facebook (www.facebook.com/healthyhorse). I’ll also be giving away coupons for some of the products mom sells in her store (www.healthyhorseboutque.com). I can’t wait to hear from you.
A Health Food Store for Horses…