Shutterstock Image Well, science finally has an answer. Or, at least, a very well-researched hypothesis published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. A recent study under review titled "Horses Prefer Their Rider: A Strange Situation Test Adaptation Shows Behavioral Evidence for Partner-Specific Bonding" decided to tackle this age-old mystery. Here is a breakdown of… Continue reading Do Horses Actually Like Us? Unpacking the Science of Equine Affection
Author: Richard Merriner
Confessions of a “Dirt Jar” Executive
Shuterstock Image Hi everyone! I’m the President of Richdel, Inc., an MBA candidate, and, most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, it feels like those three identities walk into my office, and I’m reminded of the punchline: "My LinkedIn profile says 'President and MBA Candidate,' but 2 Corinthians essentially calls me a dirt jar."… Continue reading Confessions of a “Dirt Jar” Executive
Stop the Presses: Groundbreaking Study Confirms Horses Actually Love Carrots
Shutterstock Image Breakthrough Science: Horses love carrots AND they're good for them! Hello fellow equine enthusiasts! As the President of Richdel, Inc., and someone currently surviving on coffee as an MBA candidate during Mid-Terms at the University of Nevada, Reno, I always appreciate when hard data backs up common sense. Case in point: a "groundbreaking"… Continue reading Stop the Presses: Groundbreaking Study Confirms Horses Actually Love Carrots
The ROI of Grace: Why Luke 6 Leadership is Harder (and Better) Than Networking
Image created by Google Gemini AI As an MBA candidate at UNR and the President of Richdel, Inc., I spend a considerable amount of time analyzing corporate strategy. In the modern business world, one of the most celebrated skills is "networking." We are taught to strategically align ourselves with positive, highly successful people and organizations… Continue reading The ROI of Grace: Why Luke 6 Leadership is Harder (and Better) Than Networking
The Nutritional Triad: Understanding Omega 3, 6, and 9
Hello everyone. In my dual roles as the President of Richdel and an active MBA student, I frequently find myself analyzing the intersection of equine nutritional science, supply chain economics, and product innovation. One topic that perfectly bridges these areas and fundamentally impacts the health of our horses is the strategic use of dietary fats:… Continue reading The Nutritional Triad: Understanding Omega 3, 6, and 9
Embracing Female Leadership in the Animal Health Industry
As we celebrate Women's History Month, I’ve been reflecting on the forces that shaped my view of leadership. As a business leader, the owner of Richdel Inc., and a current MBA student, my strategic philosophy is constantly evolving. But its foundation was built decades ago, watching the incredible women in my life break barriers. A… Continue reading Embracing Female Leadership in the Animal Health Industry
GRAS, Not So Fast!
The Historic Shift to Federal Oversight in Animal Health For decades, animal health manufacturers utilizing the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) process have navigated a delicate balance between federal guidelines and state-level enforcement. Today, that regulatory landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. As the President of Richdel, Inc., I believe it is critical for our… Continue reading GRAS, Not So Fast!
Why Going Back to School Can Boost Your Leadership Skills
Picture this: you’ve spent more than 35 years building a business from the ground up. You launched your company back in 1989 while still an undergrad at the University of Nevada, Reno. Fast forward to today, and that company, Richdel, Inc., is a successful nationwide manufacturer for the Select The Best brand. You know the… Continue reading Why Going Back to School Can Boost Your Leadership Skills
Faith-Based Leadership: Principles for Modern Businesses
Over the past few years, building brands, writing, and reflecting on what kind of leader I want to be. I’ve come to believe that leadership is less about position and more about identity. In a recent seminar outline I developed around “Kingdom Leadership,” three ideas stood out to me: identity, obedience, and action. While those… Continue reading Faith-Based Leadership: Principles for Modern Businesses
Mastering Horse Health Branding Strategies
As President of Richdel, I’ve seen brands thrive and fail in the crowded, passionate horse health space. This market's fragmentation reflects diverse customer needs, but it also means you can’t be everything to everybody. Finding Your Lane In a noisy market, clarity wins. Take Select The Best as a strong example of a "backstop" brand… Continue reading Mastering Horse Health Branding Strategies
Supporting Healthier Animals & Developing Successful People 