Michael Forester, Equestrian

Chief Executive Officer of 
Equi-Earth, a division of New World Equine, an aspiring company pursuing excellence in equine care as well as state-of-the-art global equine acquisitions.  Currently surrounded by Arabian horses, Michael is an all-around equestrian.  He is also involved in networking kids with horses, an honorable vocation….

Where do you live?

I am originally from Western Wisconsin, USA, just across the State border from Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota. My official current residence is Las Vegas Nevada. I am currently looking for farms in both California and Kentucky.

When did you meet your first horse?

Before I could walk. I was introduced to horses through a local friend / local who had horses and showed them in parade with his authentic stagecoach, which is currently in a museum.

How long have you been an equestrian?

I have had and worked with horses since I was 9 years old.  I currently represent top quality Arabian horses all over the world. I am putting together a new way to market Arabian horses that will be a game changer, reduce the cost of both selling as well as searching for purchases of Arabian horses (other breeds to eventually follow), the best part is that it would add, not subtract from, what others are already doing ... I am also putting together a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) to purchase LARGE equine related proprieties. I am talking about more than just a farm, taking advantage of the opportunities in the market with respect to value of acquisition which could pay for the acquisition in double quick time.

Who is your favorite horse trainer/method?

I have many that I like Bob Battaglia, a true horse-person's horseman; Shelia Varian, even though she does not show any more I love the way she never forgets that you need to make room for a horse to be a horse and that includes all of the champions she has bred throughout the decades; Michael Byatt, for the horseman he has become as well as an ambassador around the world that he is for the breed; Jay Allen, for the thoroughness in the job that he does in preparing a horse along with what he has done as the president of the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona. I think Jeff & Jerry Schall do a good job, as well as Sandro Pinha.  Jenna Ball is someone people should consider as she is an up-in-comer in the industry (and I can certainly vouch for her family’s character personally)... so many more...

What is your favorite horse breed? Why?

The Arabian horse, for it's beauty, purity of blood, it's soulfulness that you can see in the eyes. They raise your spirits, inspire your creativity, and they help people raise their children, making them responsible for an animal they respect and helps them to create a positive identity for themselves in the show ring.

Do you spend long hours in the horse barn?

Yes, I am helping a friend take care of 35 Straight Egyptian (Al Khamsa) Arabians, plus one Polish bred Arabian. They were severely neglected for ten months.  They are all healthy now with some of them selling half way around the world.

Do you have a favorite horse quotation?  

“For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the king was lost; for the lack of a king the battle was lost; for the battle being lost the kingdom was lost and all for the want of a nail.”

What are your future goals as an equestrian and horse-lover?

• The REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust)
• ™The Charity (working with kids and horses).
• Get involved with the Arabian Horseman's Distressed Fund (horse people need to stick together) http://www.horsemensdistressfund.com/
• ™Connect buyers and sellers in a way never thought of before.
• ™Buy, sell, breed and show some of the finest horses in the world.

What advice do you have for those who would like to own a horse?

• Buy or breed for what you like not what is the flavor of the month. Quality is always in fashion and fads are 15 minutes away from being 5 minutes ago.
• Buy the best mare/mares you can find; the foal is at least 60% of the mare, and invest in old bloodlines.
• Remember that no matter how much you pay for the horse, the purchase will be the cheapest part of ownership, so the purchase price should not be the primary limiting factor.
• Have a plan for each horse (show horse, sale horse, broodmare, etc.)
• Set a limit to how many horses you can handle - in expenses, time and attention. Don't buy more until you have sold one or more. Stay under your limit; if more people did this the market would be much healthier for all breeds.
• If it were to ever come down to feeding the horse or yourself, the horse eats first, or you should not own.
• Make time for your horse to be a horse, and not just work to a stall and back again (necessary if you want to maintain the horse’s mental health).
• ™Most of all, own them because you like what we have in the breed, not because you think you can make a profit, or as a tax shelter.

Connect with Michael:

mmforester_nwem@yahoo.com