The Business of Horses with Solo Select

"I wanted to be a winner."
It all starts with a powerful mindset, but what does it really take to reach the top of the Western performance industry—and more importantly, stay there? If you think you can't make it in the cutting horse world because you don't come from money, or because you weren't born into a performance horse dynasty... you are WRONG.
Kenny Platt and his family’s story is living proof, and it will give you the exact motivation you need to get right back in the saddle and chase those dreams.
This episode is packed with actionable insights on:
>How to make it as a professional horse trainer
>How to manage a successful training operation
>How to build a team that sustains growth and success
>How to navigate finances and customer expectations
...And why you should always be grateful for the struggle. PLUS: Hear the legendary story of the famous Moms Stylish Player, walk through the incredible rise of LBR Hangem, and so much more!

“We won’t see another horse like that in a long time. Whether he belongs to me or someone else is irrelevant, this horse is a generational horse, he is just different”. — Ty Smith, co-owner of LBR Hangem
The entire team behind LBR Hangem—Don Ham, Todd Carpenter, Melanie Smith, and Ty Smith—sat down to record this episode right after the horse won the Open 5/6 at the Super Stakes. It was a run that put Shotty in the NCHA Hall of Fame, forever sealing his legacy in one of the toughest sports in the Western industry.
This is the story of a VERY special horse that has conquered the hearts of the entire cutting industry. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did.
"He never did anything just a little bit, he was always 100% and I think he does the same thing on a cow, the moves he makes are always 100% and he was that way his whole life." — Don Ham, Shotty’s breeder and co-owner

Part 2 of 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝟐-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐱 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧 is for the owners who don’t just want to start a colt, they want to see it all the way through.
Because getting a horse to the championship pen doesn’t start at three, it starts the moment you decide who you trust with your 2-year-old.
In this episode, we break down what the trainer–client relationship really looks like when the goal is long-term success. The level of trust it takes to hand over a young horse, the consistency, communication, and decision-making that happen behind the scenes, and the difference between clients who help build great horses—and the ones who unknowingly hold them back.
If you’re thinking about sending a colt to a trainer, or you want to give your horse the best possible shot from day one, this is the side of the industry you need to understand.
Because the best programs aren’t built overnight and they’re never built alone.

Most people only see the finished product.
The futurity runs. The earnings. The champions.
What they don’t see is everything that happens at the very beginning. In Part 1 of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 - 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝟐-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬, Ty Benson and Max Morin dive deep into the most defining—and unforgiving—stage of a horse’s career: the 2-year-old program. This is where careers are built from the ground up, where mistakes are expensive, and where the difference between good and great is decided long before the show pen.
From evaluating raw prospects to managing mental pressure, physical development, and long-term soundness, this episode breaks down the real work behind elite horses. Not the highlight reel—the foundation.
Because great horses aren’t made when the world is watching.
They’re made when it’s quiet, early, and everything still matters.

“𝗪𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼.”
In this episode, Melanie Smith of Solo Select Horses joins Recipient Farm Manager Kimberly Howard to take you behind the scenes of running a successful recipient mare program. With a herd of over 2,500 mares, every decision matters.
Melanie and Kimberly break down the logistics, planning, and daily dedication required to turn a tiny embryo into a future champion. “If we can improve our chances by just 1% every time we do something, those small gains quickly start to add up,” they explain.
With a dedicated team that carefully calculates every move, they ensure both the embryo and the recipient mare are as healthy as possible.
This episode offers an insider’s look at how much time, care, and attention go into understanding exactly what recipient mares need for a successful pregnancy. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform and discover what it really takes to play the game at the highest level and give every embryo the best shot at greatness.
🎧 Find the episode now on any of your favorite podcast platforms.

Melanie Smith recaps the 2026 AQHA Convention, explaining how AQHA is governed, how committees and directors work, and how rule changes are proposed and voted on.
She encourages members to get involved, outlines practical steps (committee applications and proposal deadlines), and explains why attending the convention matters for influencing policy.

The AQHA 2-Year-Old Rule has shaped breeding, marketing, and futurity timelines for decades — but is it time for a serious conversation about change? In this episode of The Business of Horses, Melanie Smith sits down with industry leaders Tricia Aldridge, Carol Rose, and Brooke Wharton for a candid and forward-thinking discussion about how the AQHA 2-Year-Rule impacts stallion owners, mare owners, breeders, futurity programs, and the long-term soundness of the modern Quarter Horse. Together, they break down:• The intent behind the rule• How it affects the industry today• The economic ripple effects across programs• What reform could mean for the future of the industry This is not surface-level commentary. It is a real, informed conversation from women who are actively shaping the direction of the industry. If you care about the future of the American Quarter Horse and the sustainability of our programs, this is a conversation you will not want to miss. To find out more about how you can get involved or find out information on the AQHA Convention, click here: https://www.soloselecthorses.com/post/the-aqha-two-year-rule-how-it-works-the-impact-and-your-role

“𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻—𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁?”
After our first episode focused on the logistics side of Breeding 101, Melanie Smith returns—this time from a more consultative perspective—to dive into how to truly build your breeding plan.
In this episode, she breaks down how to structure your program, define your goals, and identify the most effective paths to achieve them—whether you’re breeding to compete, to sell, or to create long-term genetic value.
🎧 Find the episode now on any of your favorite podcast platforms.

In the latest Solo Select Podcast, Melanie Smith pulls back the curtain on what modern breeding really looks like, answering the questions breeders ask every day… and the ones they usually don’t think to ask until it’s too late.
Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, Melanie walks listeners through the full scope of Breeding Logistics 101 — from the big-picture foundation to the smallest details that quietly make or break a season.
Listen to the full episode now and let Melanie Smith guide you through Breeding Logistics 101 — from first-time breeders to seasoned programs looking to sharpen their edge.

Melanie Smith of Solo Select Horses and team member Hayden Dixon host Tarleton State students for a candid Q&A covering how Solo Select grew, the importance of building the right team, branding and marketing, and practical career advice for entering the equine and reproduction industries.The episode explores internships, hands-on training, facility management, international breeding and export challenges, risk-taking and leadership lessons, plus tips on starting a sustainable equine business and building a media-driven brand.