Horsing Around the World: Garmin Headquarters
The Garmin Blaze is a product designed specifically for horses, blending high-level technology with equestrian practicality and Horse Nation was able to experience it firsthand!
When I caught wind of Garmin’s brand new equine training tool, the Garmin Blaze, I was beyond curious. A product designed specifically for horses, blending high-level technology with equestrian practicality — it sounded like the kind of innovation we’ve all been waiting for. So when the opportunity came to head to Garmin Headquarters and experience the product firsthand, I packed my bags (and allergy-friendly snacks, just in case), ready for an adventure.
Spoiler alert: it was everything I imagined and more.
Photo by Sally Spickard
My journey began with a flight into Kansas City, the heart of the Midwest. While Kansas City is known for its barbecue, my excitement had less to do with ribs and more to do with what awaited at Garmin. From the airport, I made my way to the Sheraton, my hotel for the trip. The Sheraton had a polished, business-travel feel with just enough comfort to make me forget I had a jam-packed itinerary. It was the perfect place to drop my bags, take a quick nap, and get ready for the first official stop of the Garmin Blaze launch experience.
The first event was at Rye – Mission Farms, a warm, stylish restaurant that balances modern dining with a comfortable Midwest vibe. This wasn’t just a dinner; it was a full-blown presentation and hands-on experience with the Garmin Blaze. Picture this: a U-shaped table filled with enthusiastic horse people, tech experts, and Garmin staff, all buzzing with the energy of unveiling something game-changing.
Before I dive into the product, I have to pause and give credit where credit is due. Rye managed to put together a full dinner option that was allergen-free for me. Considering my laundry list of allergies — wheat, soy, sesame, nuts, shellfish, and maple — that’s no small feat. Honestly, sometimes I can’t even order a side salad without running into one of those ingredients. The fact that Garmin and Rye coordinated this detail made me feel extremely welcom. And, yes, the food was fantastic.
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During dinner, we were given the chance to see and hold the Garmin Blaze. When a horse-crazy person meets cutting-edge tech, they’re hooked. I’m speaking from experience.
Here’s what stood out to me:
- The Device: Small, sleek, and designed to be unobtrusive on the horse. Garmin clearly thought about the fact that horses don’t want bulky gear interfering with their movement.
- The App: Pairing with your phone or watch is as easy as tapping to start a session. From there, you can monitor live biometrics like heart rate and HR zones, kinetic data, and recovery stats.
- Training Versatility: The Blaze has modes for outdoor training, indoor arenas, recovery sessions, and even during transport. (Yes, now you can keep an eye on your horse’s vitals while hauling them. Talk about peace of mind.)
- The Design Choice: Garmin staff explained why they chose certain features, and it was clear they didn’t just build this for tech’s sake. They built it to solve real problems horse owners and riders face.
By the main course, I was already imagining how this tool could change training sessions with my own horse. And if you know me, you know that any product that lets me nerd out on data while still connecting with my horse is a winner.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
The next morning, we headed to Julie Wolfert Eventing for what was arguably the highlight of the trip: a live demonstration of the Garmin Blaze in action. Watching the product being used on an actual horse took everything we’d learned the night before and made it real. The horse was fitted with the device, and as it moved through flatwork, jumps, and transitions, we could see data stream instantly to the app. Heart rate zones lit up, recovery times displayed, and kinetic data showed how the horse was performing; not just to the rider’s eye, but scientifically.
The Blaze didn’t bother the horse at all. No fussing, no irritation, no compromise in movement. It was there, quietly doing its job while delivering a wealth of information to us. It really put into perspective that this is the future of training. It’s not about replacing feel or horsemanship — it’s about adding another layer of insight that helps us make better choices for our horses’ health and performance.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
After the barn demo, it was time for yet another activity: a tour of Garmin Headquarters. If you’ve never been to Garmin’s home base, it’s sleek, modern, and buzzing with innovation. What surprised me most were the unexpected touches like the interactive displays throughout the building, where you can get hands-on with different Garmin products, and a serene Zen garden tucked into the campus that makes you forget you’re standing in the middle of a global tech hub.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Photo bo Sally Spickard
Walking through the labs and facilities, we were able to see a bit of how the Garmin Blaze was brought to life. You could feel the care and precision that went into building a product tough enough for the barn, yet sophisticated enough to track elite-level data.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak in the Garmin Zen Garden
And because apparently Garmin knows the way to my heart, food options inside their headquarters were also allergen-friendly. Two days in a row of safe, delicious meals? Someone pinch me.
Lunch at Garmin. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
The Garmin Blaze isn’t just another gadget to toss in your tack trunk (although you can store it there). It represents a shift in how we think about equine training. By combining real-time biometrics, recovery insights, and kinetic data, it allows riders, trainers, and owners to make smarter decisions that put the horse’s well-being first.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
For me, the trip was more than just product demos and facility tours — it was a celebration of how far technology has come in the horse world. From Rye’s allergen-free menu to the Zen garden at Garmin Headquarters, every detail felt intentional, thoughtful, and welcoming. And while I came for the Blaze, I left with a deeper appreciation for the people behind it, the engineers, designers, and equestrian partners who believed horses deserved a product built just for them.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
So here’s my takeaway: if you love horses, if you love data, or if you simply love peace of mind knowing exactly how your horse is handling training, the Garmin Blaze is a game-changer. Horse Nation is thrilled to share this innovation with you, and I’m even more thrilled that I got to see it all unfold firsthand.
Also, let’s be honest: I’m still dreaming about that allergen-free dinner.
Photo courtesy of Marcella Gruchalak
You can learn more about the Garmin Blaze and purchase it here.
