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Wednesday, February 26 2020 / Published in General

Carrie Sarabella: Creating a New Life with Dog and Horse Snacks

Carrie feeds a poptart horse treat to Playlist.

By Tafra Donberger

Portraits by Shawna Simmons

Carrie Sarabella’s interest in horses started when her grandfather would tell her — without ever taking her — that he was going to “feed the horses.” Thus the obsession began, and eventually her mother insisted he take Carrie with him. That was when they learned that “feed the horses” was his code for going to bet on racehorses at the track.

Snaks candy

But Carrie’s mom, Natalie, continued to nurture Carrie’s interest, which included giving the pony-crazy girl the typical starter pack of My Little Pony toys and Breyer model horses. She eventually reached out to local farms and enrolled Carrie in riding lessons.

“I tried gymnastics and tennis, but I was totally obsessed with horses,” Carrie laughed. “It was a little more expensive than gymnastics! After leasing, my mom saw I was committed and did invest in my first pony.” That pony, named Little Foxy Lady, took Carrie through short stirrup and the children’s jumpers, as well as membership in her local 4-H club.

Like so many young women, Carrie envisioned a future with horses, but her parents, though supportive of her equestrian endeavors, still wanted her to go college and find a career. She started pursuing vet school, but ultimately turned toward the human medical world and cardiac anesthesia. She earned the lead internship at Cornell, which led to a job at New York University. It was perfect at the time: It gave Carrie weekends off so she could still ride, relieve stress and get her mind off a very intensive job. Eight years into her career, however, she was injured on the job, and it was unintentionally career-altering.

Baking Dog Treats

Carrie’s injury — a torn wrist — resulted in four surgeries that gave her quite a lot of recovery time, so she found a project in making treats that her dog with severe allergies, Pinero, could eat. Carrie was frequently in the vet’s office with him, trying to pin down what would help him cope. Finally, since she now had the free time, she started cooking for him.

“I was able to fix a problem while making him super happy, and I knew it was a product everyone would love,” Carrie said. “I made them with one arm and a cast on the other, from my apartment.” Friends started asking for them, then friends of friends, and Carrie realized that she had stumbled onto something that could be much bigger than her apartment kitchen and Snaks 5th Avenchew was born.

These weren’t just plain, shapeless dog treats. Carrie developed all-natural, preservative-free treats and turned them into visually appealing faux cupcakes, miniature ice cream cones and pastries. Word of her special treats for dogs began to spread, when suddenly Carrie received a cease-and-desist from Saks Fifth Avenue.

Snaks chips

They may have not liked her parody on the famous name, but Carrie and her lawyer fired back with a fair-use argument that noted other animal-friendly businesses had come out victorious in federal infringement suits. Saks Fifth Avenue agreed to not pursue any further action. That was the moment she had to decide which direction she wanted to go — back into the medical field, or into the new and exciting world of small business.

“I took a lot of time to think about what I wanted, followed my gut and gave it a shot,” Carrie said. “It was definitely a risk, but when I look back, I’m happy I did it!” Besides making treats that her own pup loved, Carrie saw an opening for gourmet horse treats. “There’s the generic molasses ball with grain, or a standard apple treat. There wasn’t anything to make the rider as excited as the horse to receive the treat,” she said. Carrie’s horse treats broke the mold with bakery-style design, flair and cute packaging that fellow horse owners loved.

Opening a Bakery

Between Pinero and her retired gelding, Hunter, Carrie had plenty of reasons to pursue the new venture into gourmet dog and horse treats, which she took onto Instagram and then made public in 2016. It wasn’t long before she was opening a bakery, and now she leads a team of 11 with a reach that stretches globally, from Germany to Dubai and even Australia.

“Pinero was instrumental in the development,” Carrie said. “He used to come to work every day. We celebrated his birthday, which is how we started our birthday line.” The options available from Snaks now range from individual treats like Doggy Donuts and Corgi Cannolis to Pony PopTarts and BrowNeigh Bites. The clever designs and animal friendly plays on human treats like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or donuts are made with simple ingredients that are safe for consumption by anyone, including humans.

Carrie realized she had come full circle when she went to the Hampton Classic with her Snaks treats and had the chance to chat with Ralph Caristo, whom she had ridden with as a child. “He was there with his daughter and their clients,” she recalled. “He hadn’t seen me since I was 10, but he remembered my pony. It was incredible!”

Snaks fiesta

Snaks 5th Avenchew products are now sold in retail stores across the country, and Carrie’s looking forward to expanding her travel to the West Coast, including HITS Thermal. But much of her business still comes online from avid followers of Snaks on Instagram. Her team members at the bakery are vital parts of the business, and now she’s seeing others playing off the idea and creating their own lines of treats.

From growing a love of horses, delving into the medical field then finding her calling as a gourmet chef to man’s best friends and partners, Carrie is grateful to be thriving. Even as other companies pop up, she enjoys seeing others succeed, knowing that her products are inspirations to many and a true treat for animal lovers.

“When I think about what Snaks has accomplished, it’s crazy,” Carrie said. “It’s definitely a blessing.”

For more information, visit snaks5thavenchew.com

Photos by Shawna Simmons, www.sasequinephotography.com

Snaks poptarts

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: Carrie Sarabella, horse treats, sas photography, shawna simmons, Snaks 5th Avenchew, tafra donberger

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

#stpatricksday #irish #stpattysday #green #ireland #luckoftheirish #stpaddysday #shamrock #happystpatricksday #lucky #saintpatricksday #leprechaun #stpatricks #stpatrick #kissmeimirish #clover #paddysday #march #potofgold #stpattys #love #beer #guinness #shopsmall #handmade #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #luckycharms
Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no stranger to balancing a busy schedule. From serving as president of the Pony Club South Region Youth Board to working on her online high school courses and modeling gigs, Devon has nearly every minute of her time planned out. And with her horses right in her backyard in Ball Ground, Georgia, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Devon’s fast-paced lifestyle stems from growing up around her parents’ animal casting business, Animal Casting Atlanta, where they train and provide animals for projects in the film industry. Devon’s parents, Carol and Greg, took her on her first film job at just two weeks old; both parents pushed Devon toward acting when she was younger. While Devon didn’t want to be an actor herself, she did follow in their footsteps with her love of animals, especially horses. 

“My parents’ company has provided animals for ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Suicide Squad,’ a majority of the Marvel TV shows, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and so many more,” Devon said.

Devon started her equestrian journey when she was 9 years old. Initially, the Tresans bought a flashy gray Welsh pony, I Am Superman, for Devon to take in the hunter ring. However, Superman lived up to his name and proved to be too speedy for the job. 

“He was super cute and just a great little ride,” Devon said, “but he was still a pony! He made me work hard for everything we accomplished together. I was lucky enough to ride with a trainer who did both hunters and eventing, so we were able to switch disciplines pretty easily. Those eventing lessons together kickstarted my love for the sport.”

Read all about Devon and her busy life in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more
@TrDevon Lane Tresan  @Devontresan

📸Photo by Carol Lane Tresan
📸Photo courtesy of Devon Tresan
📸Modeling photo by Sara Hanna, @atlphotos 

#model #fashion #photography #love #style #instagood #photooftheday #beauty #instagram #beautiful #like #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #Sidelinesmagazine
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