I don’t know about you, but there are some days that I’m not sure if I’ll be able to keep up with how fast technology is changing and evolving. It’s become a necessary evil that “dinosaurs” like myself, familiar and comfortable with the print era that I grew up in, adapt to this technological era. It wasn’t all that long ago that everyone sent in their ad copy and press releases in hard copy via the United States Postal Service. Now, I would be hard pressed to even use all my fingers on one hand for materials not sent in via email.

It seems we all have our Blackberry and iPhone, which are connected to our Facebook and Twitter pages, along with our email keeping us in constant contact with anyone and everyone. Are you a member of Facebook or Twitter? If so, be sure to friend Equine Journal on Facebook and follow us at www.twitter.com/equinejournal on Twitter. Celeste Karpf, on our editorial staff, has been doing a wonderful job keeping both updated and is also including contests for those that visit. Our very first winner was Debbie Shea-Schiraldi of Poughkeepsie, NY, who correctly identified the new column that began with the July issue of Equine Journal. In case you haven’t heard, it is six articles with illustrations by the late Sally Swift. Congratulations to Debbie! Be sure to sign up for both so that you can message or Tweet your answer and win a great prize!

With all of the information that comes our way on a daily basis, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and start ignoring what floods your inbox. I’m guilty as charged at times but some of the information shouldn’t be missed. Have you heard about the crack down in New York State on horse trailers? It seems that state police are strictly enforcing the commercial hauling policy and some horse owners have been caught unaware of the state and federal Department of Transportation (DOT) laws. With New York being a popular horse show and racing destination such as the state fairgrounds in Syracuse, Saratoga, Lake Placid and of course, HITS Saugerties, it’s certainly worth the time to make sure you aren’t in violation before you get caught and get stuck paying a hefty fine.

George King, President of the New York State Horse Council (NYSHC) has posted some helpful documents on show manager Naomi Blumenthal’s website, www.naomishorseshows.com. Everyone hauling horses should be aware of their tow vehicle and trailer GVWR’s. If your truck and trailer combined have a GVWR of over 26,000 lbs. or if your trailer weighs more than 10,000 lbs., then you need a CDL license. This is also a good time to remind everyone that if you are hauling for shows as a hobby, then you do not need a DOT#, but if you are hauling commercially (and racing falls under commercial), you do. Don’t forget to sit down and read through a DOT manual if you are concerned that you may not have the proper equipment aboard (i.e. fire extinguisher) or have safety infractions (i.e. improperly hooked chains). Even if you don’t plan on going through NYS anytime soon, this is a good reminder for all of us to take inventory of our tow vehicle and trailer before we hit the road again – it could be eye opening.

For information like the above and more, be sure to check out the new Equine Journal website. After some blips and glitches, we are up and rolling. Visit us at www.equinejournal.com for breaking news, articles, classifieds and more!

Yours in Sport,

Natalee