Noelle Floyd Subscription Box | September & December Boxes

By now, I am sure many of you have heard of the Noelle Floyd subscription box designed to pamper equestrians. A few awesome equestrian bloggers reviewed the first box that was released in September (The Hunky Hanoverian , Horse Glam and The Hunt to name a few), and after reading their reviews, I just had to try the box out for myself.

The price is $60 per box, but NF claims that each box contains products with total retail of $100+. That sounds pretty great, right?

When I purchased my subscription, I ended up receiving both the September and December boxes, so I decided to review both in one post. I will start off with the September box and then move into the December box. Once I have reviewed the contents of both, I will make the final decision on whether I think it is worth the money to buy a subscription or not. Let’s get started! 🙂

The September Box

1. Dreamers and Schemers Socks (Retail Value: $17.95)

This was hands down my favorite item in the whole box! D&S socks are the bomb.com, and this pair is no exception. I love that the polka dots are actually knitted into the socks rather than just a print, and the saying “stay grounded” that is on the bottom is just plain cute. Overall, I would give these a 10/10.

 

2. Scentuals De-Stress & Balance Aromatherapy Roll-On Oil (Retail Value: $12.23 each)

 

Ok, so I am not normally on the essential oils train but I actually love these rollerballs. I use them almost daily, and I am pretty convinced that the De-Stress rollerball is the reason I have been sleeping so well. I use it every night before bed and let me tell you, I have been sleeping so well! Overall, I would give these a 9/10.

3. Scentuals Grapefruit and Turmeric Hand Repair Cream (Retail Value: $7.63)

Sadly, I was not a fan of this product. Don’t get me wrong, I love some good lotion, but I just can’t get past the strong turmeric smell of this one. It also doesn’t help that it is a bit greasy. Its only saving grace is that it is quite moisturizing and helped my chapped hands. It isn’t terrible, but it just isn’t something that I will be reaching for again. Overall, I would give it a 4/10.

4. Equestrian Wellness Essential Helmet Spray (Retail value: $14)

I actually really liked this spray. The scent is not too overpowering and it does a really good job of keeping my helmet liner fresh in between washings. I just spritz a little on the liner before putting my helmet back in my ringside bag and it’s good to go for the next ride. There’s not much else to say about it other than that. 😬 Overall, I would give it an 8/10.

5. Ruespari Thin Surcingle Belt (Retail Value: $75)

Some of you all are going to hate me, but I actually didn’t like the belt. 🙈 After reading other reviews, I was a bit worried that mine might not fit (I’m no stick you know) but lo and behold, it did. I will disclose that it was a bit snugger than I would like though. My biggest complaint: I just plain don’t like how thin it is. All of my favorite belts (Ellany and Tailored Sportsman) are all 2″ to fit the belt loops on my Tailored Sportsman breeches. I’m not quite sure the exact width, but I know for a fact it isn’t 2″. It also doesn’t help that the belt is not as stretchy as I would like for a surcingle belt. I keep asking myself this question: Why in the heck is this belt priced at $75? I can go out and buy one of these types of belts for $40 right now! I guess you’re just paying for the name at this point. Overall, I would give this belt a 3/10.

6. $50 Credit To The NF. Shop

Even though I haven’t used mine yet, this actually really made the box for me. Who doesn’t love a good gift card? Not me!

The total value of the box ended up being $189.04 with the credit included – 3x the initial price of the box ($60). 

The December Box

1. Savvy Muscle Cream (Retail Value: $28)

Heh, I actually ended up using this straight out of the box as the old man (Diablo) decided that I was getting a little too comfortable and proceeded to reintroduce me to the ground today. I guess that’s what I get for thinking I could ride around on a loose rein on a windy day. 🤷‍♀️ Anyway, to get to the point, I like this product. The scent is not offensive (it has a minty type smell) and feels nice and cooling on the skin. The cream is also not super thick or greasy, so the application is not messy or unpleasant. I actually do think this helped a bit with my soreness a bit, but it definitely can’t do the wonderous things Advil can do. I also just have to mention that I like the wording on the can: for rusty humans. It’s fitting, right? Overall, I give this product an 8/10.

2. Equestrian Wellness Campfire Story Candle (Retail Value: $32)

I was actually super excited to open the box and find a candle inside. If you have read some of my other blog posts, you know that I am addicted to Grey Horse Candle Co. Those candles are the bomb! This candle, however, was a miss for me in the scent department. I hate the smoky scent of it, which was disappointing. I really wanted to like it. On the plus side, the candle itself is actually really well made and the label was very well thought out design wise. Overall, I give this product a 1/10.

3. Bibimbap Lip Treatment (Retail: $26 $12)

I must be missing something here. Is this not just lip balm? The words lip treatment makes it sound really fancy, but I am pretty sure this is just lip balm. Either way, I really like it. The scent is really nice (lemongrass is one of my favorite scents), it feels smooth and soothing on the lips, and it does moisturize them really well. It’s really good lip balm but it’s totally not worth the orginal $26 price tag. Overall, I would give it a 9/10.

4. Platinum Bar EQ (Retail Value: $3.10 per bar)

I was kind of confused when I saw this one. My first thought was: they sent me a granola bar? Well, boy, was I wrong about that one. This is, in fact, a granola bar for horses. Ok, well, it isn’t actually a granola bar, but that is what it looks like to me. It is really a horse “treat” made by the makers of Platinum horse supplements. If I’m reading the description right, it says that each of these bars is equivalent to feeding one serving of their Platinum Performance Equine Wellness supplement. The real question here is: why would I want to feed my horse an expensive “treat” bar twice a day when I can just dump a scoop of the supplement in their feed? I don’t know. It just seems kind of pointless to me. Did I forget to mention that a box of 22 of these puppies (11 days worth) is $66? I can get a 10 lb tub of this stuff (34 days worth) for $60. Yeah, no thanks. Overall, I give this a 1/10 only because Diesel seemed to like it. I just don’t see the point.

5. $70 Off A One Year Subscription of NF. Insider

I’m not quite sure that I will ever use this since even with the discount code, their subscription still costs $80, but the sentiment was nice! If any of you have a NF. Insider subscription, please let me know if it is worth the money or not. I am curious to know!

The total value of this box ended up being $145.10 with the coupon for NF. Insider included – a little over 2x the value of the initial $60 you spent on the box. 

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My overall verdict on the NF subscription boxes: If you like wellness and beauty items, this box might peak your interest. If you like horse-related items, then you might want to try Cavali Club instead.

I thought the boxes themselves were ok overall. However, I did feel that the first one was better than the second – especially when it came to the added coupon/credit.

Although not everything was a win for me, I can’t completely blame the misses on NF as everything comes down to personal preference. That’s just kind of the risk you take whenever you order these types of subscription boxes. That being said, I honestly like these type of boxes because you can try some really neat stuff that you normally might never pick up on its own, which I did with these boxes.

I have two critiques for NF. The first would be that I wish the second box would have included another item rather than the coupon code for NF. Insider. That $70 could have been used to buy another big ticket item or two smaller items that could have really put the box over the top. As it stands, the box was not up to standards for me. The second is that I wish they would have included a little note saying which rider chose what item and why in the box itself. I know that they gave you the link to the webpage that said all of that, but I think that having it right there in the box would have added a special touch to it that many people would have appreciated. I know I would have. Just providing a link seems a little lazy to me, but that’s just my opinion.

The final question remains: Will I continue my subscription? For now, yes I will. I am extremely curious to see how NF improves from here. I am crossing my fingers that the next box will knock it out of the park for me and not another wild miss! Let’s just say that if the next box was as big of a miss as the December box was for me, then I will not continue to subscribe.

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What about you guys? Would you subscribe? Let me know down in the comments!

 

The Herbal Horse’s Healthy Hair | Product Review

Everyone that knows me knows that I am a sucker for a well-groomed horse and am a little obsessed with my horses’ grooming routines. What can I say? I love squeaky clean ponies!

I have been holding off on reviewing the products I bought from The Herbal Horse oh so many months ago, but after putting them to the test over the past few months, I am now ready to give y’all the low down.

A few months ago I made the leap and decided to give The Herbal Horse’s products a try after stumbling upon their website one late night. And let me tell you, I was in heaven! I honestly wanted to try everything they make, but since I am not a millionaire yet, I had to rein in my excitement and narrow it down to just a few items. Today I am going to review my favorite item from my mini haul: Herbal Horse’s Healthy Hair Salve.

The Herbal Horse’s Healthy Hair Salve is a 100% natural product that is intended as a deep conditioning treatment. While I have used it strictly on my ponies’ tails, it can be used on horses, people, and dogs! It is offered in sizes ranging from 1 oz to 16 oz and comes in cute recyclable containers.

I ended up buying two 4 oz containers – one for each of the ponies to use. I thought it would be a great experiment to use the product on a horse that has a thin tail (Diablo) and a horse that has a thick tail (Diesel) to compare both the results and how fast I went through the containers. Even though their tail thickness differed, each container has lasted me around three months of almost daily usage.

The salve itself smells absolutely amazing and is easy to handle. It isn’t sticky or messy, which makes distributing it into the tail effortless. All you have to do is hold it in your hands for a few seconds to warm it up and it is ready to. Unlike show sheen, it doesn’t make the hair slippery or slippery feeling. It leaves their tails shiny and soft without making it look greasy.

Look at that beautiful tail!
Photo credit: Emily Gann Photography

After a few months of using the product daily, I feel confident saying that this product really works! Both of their tails look super healthy and shiny! If I had to choose between this salve and other tail conditioners on the market, I would definitely choose this one! What is there not to love? It is effective and 100% all natural. I love the product so much that it is now a permanent staple in my grooming routine!

Let me know if you have ever tried a Herbal Horse product down in the comments! I am always interested to hear what other people think of the products I review!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide | Equestrian Edition

Are you looking for a gift for that special equestrian or just want to treat yourself this holiday season? Look no further than this list of my favorite products and equestrian-based businesses!

Ellany Equestrian Belts

Similar to the belts made by the well-known brand Ruespari, the belts sold by Ellany Equestrian are made with high-quality elastic fabric and hardware. Not only are they affordable for those on a budget, but they are sleek and stylish enough to make the transition from the schooling ring to the show ring. It also doesn’t hurt that the colors they offer are sure to please anyone, and the belt is adjustable to fit most waist sizes. Did I mention they offer belts with rose gold hardware? Check out their site now for some awesome Black Friday deals!

Price: $38-$45

Sox Trot Socks

An equestrian can never have enough pairs of socks! These socks are thin enough to not disrupt the fit of your tall boots, yet durable enough to last through long days of wear at the barn. They come in some fun patterns, but if you’re more of the conservative type, they offer great solid colors as well.

Price: $7-$10

Dreamers and Schemers Socks

Yes, really, another recommendation for socks. You can never have enough pairs of socks! The socks from Dreamers and Schemers are extremely comfortable and come in a wide variety of cute patterns. The socks feature a lightly padded footbed to add cushioning and protection in high friction areas. The socks are also made of a stretchy material to help give a custom fit.

Price: $18

The Herbal Horse

The Herbal Horse offers a wide selection of amazing hand-crafted and organic products for both you and your horse. The Healthy Hair salve, Shine Bright coat spray, Aloe Vera shampoo, and Muscle Soothe lotion are, in my opinion, some of the best organic products on the market. I wouldn’t use them on my boys or myself if I didn’t think they were wonderful! You really can’t go wrong with any product you choose. Get 25% off with the code BFCM2018.

Price: $3.50 and up

Myst Equine Products

I am a believer in trying out products from awesome small businesses, and this business is no exception. Myst makes some fabulous dry shampoo that is sure to knock your socks off this holiday season. It smells great and works well on horses ranging from bays all the way to those high maintenance greys. They also offer a great selection of other coat products that are sure to leave your equine partner looking their best. Check out their website for more details!

Price: $19-$24

Sport Horse Essentials

If you haven’t noticed by now, I have a slight obsession with grooming products. Sport Horse Essentials is yet another small business that makes some amazing grooming products. All of their products are non-toxic and all natural, so you know their your pony is only getting the best. Also, their wide variety of products are sure to please even the pickiest of equestrians. Right now, their individual products are 30% off and their waterless shampoo is 50% off!

Price: $16 and up – check out their gift baskets for some awesome deals!

The Artful Equine

If you or your favorite equestrian are in the market for a stellar set of brushes, look no further than The Artful Equine. These custom horse brushes are some of the best brushes I have ever used, and they are absolutely stunning. Each brush is handpainted custom to your specifications. Want a portrait of your horse? Done! Want a brush with your farm logo on it? Done! Anything is possible with these brushes. You won’t ever lose your brushes ever again with these beauties.

Price: $15 and up depending on number of brushes

Saucy Piaffe

From quality leather halters with custom nameplates to custom engraved brushes, Saucy Piaffe has all of your personalized product needs. Their products are top-notch, but my personal favorites are their leather halters. Not only is the quality of the leather great, but so is the quality of the custom nameplate that comes on it. They offer two models – the padded leather halter or the ergonomic fancy stitched leather halter. You really can’t go wrong with either!

Price: $80-$140

Triple Crown Custom

If your favorite equestrian is in need of a new cooler, rain sheet, blanket, or scrim, look no further than Triple Crown Custom. All of their blankets are very high quality and meant to last meaning that you and your horse should be able to enjoy your custom blanket for years to come. Not to mention, all of their blankets and stable accessories are made right here in the USA.

Price: $145 and up

Back On Track Mesh Sheet

You can’t go wrong when purchasing any of Back On Track’s products. Every single product they make is sure to be a home run with ponies and humans alike! Although they are all great, my personal favorite is the mesh sheet! It helps warm up the muscles pre-workout to help your pony get the most out of their workout and provides relief to sore muscles after a strenuous workout. Both ponies absolutely adore their BOT apparel and I do too. 

Price: $199

Have you ever tried any of these products or shopped with any of these businesses? Feel free to leave your reviews below and tell me what you think! Happy holidays, everyone!

Fall Favorites | 2018

 

PC: my lovely trainer

Now that the leaves are falling and the air is getting cooler, it is time to break out all of the lovely things that are reserved for the cooler weather! I haven’t been doing much shopping here lately, but I have accumulated some things over the past few months that I just can’t wait to share with you.

Back On Track Mesh Sheet

 

All warm and cozy in his fancy BOT mesh sheet!

I am in love with this sheet! I purchased the burgundy sheet and neck combo from Smartpak, and let me just say, it is gorgeous! Burgundy is definitely Dies’s color! Since Dies is known as the destroyer of blankets, I reserve it for shows and supervised grazing only. I can’t stand the thought of it getting a rip lol. I ordered a 78″ sheet, but I will say that it definitely runs on the larger side – especially in the chest area. I think Dies could have gone for the 75″, but the 78″ is fine since his older brother will be using it as well. Diablo could not have squeezed his chunky butt in the 75″. Other than the larger fit, the sheet fits and works great! I definitely notice a difference in relaxation and suppleness when using the sheet on cold mornings and nights.

Equifit D-Teq Boots with Colored Binding

I finally bit the bullet and bought a new set of Equifits as the XL pair I have loved for years ended up just being too big for Diesel. He really needs a large for them to fit correctly and not slide down. Instead of buying a pair of plain black ones, I opted for the D-Teq boots featuring a brown binding. Let’s just say they are GORGEOUS! I love them so, so much.

A Fungus Amungus Leg and Body Wash

We all know how irritating it is to stumble across fungus when grooming your horse. No matter how well you take care of them, it always seems to make an appearance – especially when the wet months set in. After fighting a losing battle against cannon bone crude for what seems like forever, I stumbled across a super product called Fungus Amungus shampoo. Washing my guys’ legs with this after every ride has completely eradicated the cannon crud. It also has a pleasant smell and lathers nicely, resulting in a squeaky clean and fungus-free pony.

Glossier Makeup

 

While I like to trick myself into thinking I actually like full coverage makeup, I’m not a huge makeup person when it comes time to actually putting it on. Glossier caught my eye as their makeup is designed to be quick and easy to apply. You can achieve a healthier, more put together look without the time commitment of applying full coverage makeup. That is definitely a huge plus when you’re a busy college student and equestrian. Who’s got the time for a full face of makeup between a schedule full of lessons and classes?

If you’re looking for a sheer, all-natural makeup look, Glossier products are just the thing for you! I currently own the skin tint, concealer, boy brow, haloscope (highlighter), cloud paint (blush), wowder, and lidstar (eyeshadow). All of their products feel wonderful on the skin, and you can achieve a full look in around 10 minutes! How great is that?

Grey Horse Candles and Melts

Let’s just say that I spend an ungodly amount of time browsing through Etsy. I have a real weakness for personalized, hand-made products. When I stumbled upon Grey Horse Candles on Etsy, I just couldn’t say no. Candles that are horse themed? Yes, please!

The candles from this shop are very well made – they always burn evenly and produce a great scent payoff. You can really tell that the owner put a lot of work and love into each candle. Also, the scents are just amazing! My favorite scent by far is Morning Hack, which really reminds me of just that, a morning hack. It has a very fresh, woodsy smell that is so relaxing. I also love Sweet Feed and High End Tack! They smell just like the real things!

Hello Fresh

As a college student who is shopping for one, buying ingredients and cooking meals is always such a pain. I always seem to end up with too many ingredients that take up way too much space in my refrigerator and pantry and I struggle to find good, healthy recipes that don’t require 40 pieces of cookware. Not to mention, I’m not the best cook.

I just recently started receiving weekly meal-kits from Hello Fresh, and all I can say is wow! Each kit comes with all the ingredients you need (minus salt, pepper, and olive oil) and detailed step-by-step instructions on how to prepare your chosen meals all for around $40 a week. While it may seem kind of expensive, if you compare the cost of eating out and factor in that the kits give you four meals, it is actually really reasonable. It also doesn’t hurt that the meals are delicious and easy to make! Even I, the worst cook in America, can whip up a tasty meal. That’s really saying something.

 

Equifit ImpacTeq Half Pad | Product Review

It’s no secret that I am a saddle pad lover and hoarder. Despite my love for saddle pads, I am not a big collector of half pads. The only half pad I have ever owned up until now was a ThinLine as my custom saddle never needed any extra padding. But with Diablo getting older and not as fit as he used to be, his saddle has gotten a tad too wide for him. While I start to rebuild his topline and get him back in shape, a half pad will help fill in the gaps between him and the saddle to help it fit him better in the meantime. Plus, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to have a nice half pad for my trainer to use when she rides Diesel in her saddle. It’s a win-win situation. 😉

In my search for a good half pad, my curiosity got the best of me when I saw an Equifit half pad for sale on a Facebook group for a really good price. I just had to try it out!

I am a huge fan of Equifit’s line of protective boots. Their T-Foam EXP2 Open Front Boots have been a staple in my tack trunk for the past four years. Yes, that’s right, they have held up to weekly wear and tear for four years and are still going strong. Since I love their open front boots so much, deciding to purchase one of their half pads was a no-brainer.

Diablo in his Equifits four years ago!

Diesel wearing the same pair of Equifits!

According to Equifit, the ImpacTeq Half Pad is “designed to absorb extreme impact” and “provides the ultimate protection for both horse and rider”. They also claim that the ImpacTeq Technology allows the pad to contour to the horse’s back to provide a custom fit while “an open-cell non-newtonian foam transforms from soft to rigid upon impact”.

The half pad itself comes in a variety of colors including black/black, black/brown, black/navy, black/green, black/red, and black/black ostrich. If you want to take the pad into the hunter ring, don’t worry, Equifit makes a fleece cover for it. The pad itself retails for around $259 and the cover retails for $86. While it is pricey, I do feel that you are paying for an excellent quality product.

The first thing I noticed about my Equifit ImpacTeq Half Pad in black/black ostrich was how sleek and simple the exterior of the pad was. I am the type of person that prefers my half pad to not stand out or clash with the saddle pad I choose to put under it. The black/black ostrich combination looks sleek and sophisticated and adds a bit of flair to the pad without becoming overbearing. It looks beautiful and doesn’t distract from the horse, which I love!

Not only does it look beautiful, but it fits my horse well! My biggest pet peeve when it comes to half pads are pads that lift the saddle way off of the horse’s back and cause it to perch atop the horse. I hate it with a fiery passion. When I first received the pad and pulled it out of the box, I was a little nervous that the thickness of the pad would do just that, but to my relief, it softened and contoured to my horse’s back allowing the saddle to rest as if the pad was not there. The pad seems a little stiff at first, but once it is on the horse, the horse’s body heat warms up the pad and softens the foam allowing for a more custom fit. I found that the exact same thing happens with their protective boots as well. If you are familiar with their boots, you know exactly how that feels.

While I didn’t notice any overly dramatic changes in Diablo’s movement, I did notice that he seemed a little looser through his back and warmed up a little quicker than he usually does without using the pad. He definitely seemed a little more comfortable than normal. The same thing can be said when I put it underneath my trainer’s saddle on Diesel. I can also say that I didn’t feel perched atop of my horse while riding in the pad. I actually felt that I maintained a close contact feel throughout the whole ride.

Peep the Equifit ImpacTeq Half Pad underneath my saddle

Diesel schooling in the Equifit ImpacTeq Half Pad

When the ride was over and I removed the pad, neither of them was overly sweaty underneath the pad which was a huge plus. It must be pretty breathable as Diablo has a tendency to sweat like a pig! He actually seemed quite cool despite the summer heat. Once off, all I did was wipe it down with a damp towel and it was good to go for the next ride. Plus, it has held up extremely well and looks brand new despite me buying it already used from its previous owner.

Overall, I can without a doubt say that Equifit’s ImpacTeq Half Pad is worth the money! If you are in the market for a half pad that is sleek, stylish, and has superb craftsmanship, definitely give this one a try!

 

 

 

 

Anything For The Win

I will start off this post by saying this: while I love horses and care extensively about their welfare, I do understand that every horse cannot go in a double-jointed snaffle and simple hunter noseband bridle. I am not one of those people who think bits and bridles are bad. In fact, I generally believe that the bit and bridle are only as severe as the hands holding the reins.

However, after watching the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event this year, I was left with sadness in my heart and a feeling of anger and disappointment centered at the organizations that serve as the foundation of our sport. The center of it: Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous.

Pictured below is an image of ML from the dressage phase of the Land Rover Three-Day Event and a closer look at the same picture.

Marilyn Little atop RF Scandalous

A closer look at the picture posted above.

When I saw how tight that flash noseband was, I was appalled. A noseband as tight as this one has every possibility of restricting air flow and causing injury to the lips and tongue. Not to mention, the tightness could very well cause damage to cartilage that makes up the horse’s nasal passage.

My first thought was: how could this have passed the tack inspection?

After all, according to the eventing division of the USEF rulebook, “a steward should be appointed to check the saddlery of each horse before it enters the arena or starts a Test“, and that “the checking of the bridle must be done with the greatest caution“. And while I see that there is no direct reference to the tightness of flash nosebands in the USEF rulebook concerning the evening division, I did see a rule that states that “a cavesson noseband may never be so tightly fastened as to harm the horse”. Does this not apply to flash nosebands as well? What happened to the two-finger rule?

A noseband as tight as this one should have never been allowed to enter the ring.

To make things worse, not only was Marilyn’s flash noseband obscenely tight in the dressage phase but RF Scandalous was found to have blood in her mouth before, during, and after the cross-country phase. This is not the first time this has happened with Marilyn Little. In fact, there are at least two other documented cases of the presence of blood in RF Scandalous’s mouth – once at Boekelo and once at Fair Hill beside this instance. This doesn’t include the multiple other offenses with other horses that Marilyn has racked up. You would think after the third documented instance with the same horse that something would be done as this is obviously no longer a coincidence. After seeing her groom rush over to the pair with a RED towel after cross-country, I definitely think not.

Marilyn Little’s RF Scandalous displayed blood in her mouth while on cross-country at the Land Rover Kentucky CCI****. Photo by Erin Harty/Retired Racehorse Project acquired from Chronicle of the Horse.

It can be seen in The Chronicle of the Horse’s article concerning the blood found in the mouth of RF Scandalous that the official vet ruled the blood was due to the horse biting her bottom lip. After seeing the photo of how tight Marilyn’s noseband was the day before, I would be hardpressed to believe that the horse biting its lip is an unrelated incident – especially since this is only one of the multiple incidences involving ML. Think about this: how many times have you heard of a horse biting its lip resulting in blood beside the cases related to Marilyn? The blood could very well be the result of a too-tight noseband. That would be my first guess after seeing how tight her flash was in dressage.

As a rider and a member of the equestrian community, it saddens me to see such blatant abuse of equipment by a professional that is supposed to serve as a role model to the younger generation of riders. It saddens me even more that the organizations that are entrusted with regulating our competitions and the welfare of the horses competing allow this to happen without enforcing any kind of punishment. This is a welfare issue that needs to be addressed.

While this post is undoubtedly centered around Marilyn Hill, she is not the only person at fault in this industry. Our organizations need to hold people accountable for their actions instead of making excuses for them. The FEI/USEA/USEF need to examine their rules and standardize a rule across all disciplines and actually enforce them. Blood is not acceptable in any circumstance – especially not the amount of blood that was coming from RF Scandalous’s mouth. Step up to the plate, FEI/USEA/USEF, something needs to be done now.

 

 

 

 

 

My Current Favorites | Early 2018

If there’s one thing I love, it’s trying out new tack and horse-related products. I don’t usually get to splurge on high-end horse products very often due to my unfortunate limited bank account, but when I do get the chance, I go for the stuff I’ve been drooling over for a long time. If you’re looking for your next splurge-worthy list of items, look no further for I have made a list of my current favs!

Galloping Graphics

The search is over – Galloping Graphics is your one-stop shop for everything custom. Not only did Elizabeth do an AMAZING job with my new logo, but her shop carries some great items such as custom stickers, mugs, t-shirts, and beautiful custom graphics. I can’t put into words how much I love my new logo and the items in her shop! They are truly unique!

SmartPak Air + Neoprene Girth

If there is something that I couldn’t live without, it would be this girth. I have one for both of my guys and won’t use anything else as an everyday girth. In fact, Diablo has had used his every day since I got it in 2016. They are so easy to clean with the removable neoprene lining, and both ponies seem to think they are pretty comfortable.

The Herbal Horse’s Healthy Hair Salve

I’m a little obsessed with The Herbal Horse’s products now that I have been using them for the past few weeks. However, their Healthy Hair salve really stood out to me due to its luxurious smell and the results I have had with it.

CWD French Noseband Bridle

This honestly has to be my favorite item that I have ever purchased off of eBay. I got lucky and snagged this gem for $200 – it retails for $500 brand new on CWD’s website. The best part is that it only had five rides on it when I purchased it! It has now become a part of Diesel’s show wardrobe and looks fabulous on him! Plus, the leather is so soft and supple that it feels like butter in your hands. I was really surprised that I actually liked the more narrow noseband as I gravitate towards wider noseband bridles. However, the noseband on this one really shows off Diesel’s features.

 

Saucy Piaffe Ergonomic Fancy Stitched Halter

I definitely splurged a lot on this purchase even though I snagged it while on sale. I have to say, it was definitely worth it though as the halter is just beautiful! Saucy Piaffe is so great that I have been a repeat customer of their’s for quite some time. All of their products are great!

Back On Track Quick Wraps

As a standing wrap girl, I told myself that I would never own a pair of these. But alas, the temptation was too strong after the baby horse decided that taking standing wraps off is fun. They are definitely pricey, but the ease of putting these on and taking them off makes it worth it.

D sporting his brother’s BOT Quick Wraps

Dy’On Rubber Working Reins

I ended up buying these reins spur of the moment off of a Facebook group when I found them for a price I just couldn’t pass up on! These reins are usually pretty pricey, but I managed to snag them brand new for $40. They have flat buffalo leather fronts, which I have found makes them super durable. Plus, the rubber portion of the reins is probably the grippiest rubber I have ever felt on a pair of reins.

 

Back On Track Back Pad

This is one of several BOT products that have made my list. As it turns out, I am an avid fan of BOT. In fact, I own several of their products and use them all the time. I bought BOT’s back pad on a whim for $30 from a Facebook group in an effort to try and avoid forking out the money for one of their coveted mesh sheets. At first, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to like the pad, but it has quickly become a staple in Diablo’s warm-up routine.

Ogilvy Baby Pads

This is probably no surprise to anyone. I’m a saddle pad hoarder with an affinity for anything that is customizable.

 

 

 

Oglivy Saddle Pads: Worth the Hype?

I am what you would call a “saddle pad hoarder”. To be exact, I am an Ogilvy saddle pad hoarder. I absolutely adore their line of saddle pads and baby pads, and my tack trunk can attest to that. At the moment, there are six Ogilvy baby pads, one profile pad, and a hunter shaped pad neatly folded inside of my tack trunk. I would definitely have more if my bank account would allow it! 😉

Every time I log onto my computer I see questions surrounding Ogilvy’s line of baby pads and saddle pads. I thought now would be the perfect time to go ahead and write out a thorough review since I have been using their baby pads for quite a while now. I have not ventured into their other specialty pads as I am not a fan of their memory foam additions.

 

Fit: The main difference between Ogilvy’s baby pads and their regular profile pads is the size difference. Of course, their baby pads are smaller and more fitted to the saddle, which I actually prefer. I find that their baby pads aren’t as likely to bunch up under the girth compared to their profile pad due to their shorter length, which is ideal for short flapped saddles like mine. I have noticed that the absence of the billet straps on their baby pads is not a huge deal for me. I haven’t had any of my baby pads slip underneath my saddle during my rides. However, the profile pad I own has slipped despite the presence of the girth strap. I am attributing the slippage to the less than ideal fit of the pad underneath my short flapped CWD. Plus, it could have something to do with the shapes of my guys’ barrels. Overall, in my opinion, I feel that their baby pads have a superior fit to their profile pads as they slip less and fit neater up under shorter flapped saddles.

Diablo with his custom UGA baby pad!

Diesel lunging in an Ogilvy profile pad and the same saddle as above.

Diablo in the same profile pad with the same saddle.

Customization: When it comes to customizability, Ogilvy doesn’t disappoint. With ten body color options, 27 piping colors, and 20 binding colors to choose from, choosing a color combination can be quite the task! There are so many great color combinations to choose from to create the pad of your dreams. Need to add a billet strap to your baby pad? No problem! Want to order saddle pads with a custom logo on it? Consider it done! The range of customization is downright impressive. All you have to do is give their customer service a quick email and your saddle pad dreams will come true! Not to mention, their monogramming is top notch with sturdy stitching and bright thread. I ordered a baby pad with UGA’s distinctive G embroidered on it, and it turned out absolutely beautiful! I get compliments on it all the time, and it has held up beautifully with every wear and wash. Even ordering a pad with their logo on it looks classy enough to take into the jumper ring. Customization is definitely Ogilvy’s strength.

Diesel wearing a burgundy Ogilvy baby pad with my monogram on it.

Diesel showing off a navy Ogilvy baby pad with pink piping and grey binding.

Washing Durability: On their website, Ogilvy states that their saddle pads are stain-resistant and anti-bacterial/anti-fungal. Surprisingly, I have found this to be true! The two white bodied baby pads that I own have definitely not been babied. They have gotten dirt and mud smeared on them, sunscreen spilled on them, and even hoof polish was spilled onto the side of one. Despite the abuse, they both come out of the wash sparkling white and looking brand new. (I will definitely post pictures when I can make it out to the barn to get some!) None of the stains stick! Now that is downright impressive! Every single pad I own gets a good wash in the washing machine once every two weeks to keep them smelling fresh and clean. All of my other saddle pads that are not Ogilvy tend to fade and lose their shape over time. However, despite the frequent washing, all of my Ogilvy pads still look brand new and still hold their shape. Plus, the stitching on all of the pads is holding firm. Ogilvy was right, they are durable!

 

To give you an idea, my saddle has a 2L flap!

 

Shipping Time: Sigh. The one downside of ordering one of their pads directly off of their site is that their shipping time usually ranges from 3-4 weeks. That being said, it really isn’t too terribly long to wait when you consider that they are custom made just for you. However, it is just so hard to wait! If you want a saddle pad for a specific event, I would advise that you order it at least two months in advance. Since they are based out of Canada, shipping into the US can take a little longer than normal.

Ratings: Considering all of the pros and cons of these pads, I would give Ogilvy’s baby pads a 10/10 and their profile pads an 8/10. In my opinion, Ogilvy’s baby pads outperform their profile pads in terms of fit and overall value. They just seem to work better for me and my boys. That isn’t to say that their profile pads won’t suit your horse!

Overall Impressions: If you are considering ordering a saddle pad from Ogilvy, do it! You definitely won’t be disappointed! Personally, I won’t buy any other saddle pads other than Ogilvy since they have worked so well for me! Not only are they stylish and classy, they are also super durable too! They definitely have my seal of approval and are, in my opinion, worth the hype. 🙂

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Despite how much I adore their baby pads, the same love does not follow their line of popular half pads. I am probably in the minority on this, but their half pads don’t impress me whatsoever. I know that they have become super popular, but I have found that they can actually be detrimental to saddle fit when used with a saddle that fits your horse. If you have a custom saddle, please don’t stick one of these memory foam half pads up under it. The thickness of the pad itself will cause your saddle to slide up onto the withers or slide to either side. The memory foam also does next to nothing to cushion your horse’s back. It condenses down so much that all it really does is add bulkiness up under your leg. The bulkiness of the pad itself is just a huge turnoff for me. That being said, if it works for you, great! An opinion is just that, an opinion. 😁 I can’t comment on the gummy half pads as I have never used one or seen one.

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I hope you all found this review to be helpful! If you have any other questions that I did not address in this post, feel free to leave me a comment! I am always glad to lend a hand! Happy riding, everyone!

 

 

 

SmartPak Blanket and Sheet Review

Who doesn’t love SmartPak? Their outstanding customer service, knowledgeable and friendly staff, fast shipping, and convenient supplement system makes them extremely popular in the equestrian community. After all, who doesn’t love a company that takes care of their customers?

My journey with SmartPak began in 2011 when I purchased my first month of supplements for Diablo. Let’s just say that it was love at first sight. Ever since that day, I have been an avid SmartPak user. In fact, both of my horses receive SmartPak supplements every month like clockwork and a SmartPak box can be found at my front door almost every other week. However, this post isn’t going to be about their supplements or other products, even though I think they’re awesome. I’m here to write about their line of blankets and sheets. After all, I do have a slight addiction to blanket shopping.

SmartPak Deluxe High Neck Turnout Sheet

I took the plunge into SmartPak’s blanket and sheet line this past November when I purchased their high neck turnout sheet for Diablo to expand his wardrobe in preparation for clipping season. I wasn’t ready to break the bank on a sheet when I had to buy a full, new wardrobe for Diablo’s baby brother. The SmartPak Deluxe High Neck Turnout Sheet caught my eye while I was browsing the site and before I knew it, it was being shipped to my house.

D sporting his SmartPak Sheet in a size 78 and BOT Quick Wraps

Fit: The sheet itself looks absolutely stunning on the horse and fits true to size in my opinion. The shoulder of the blanket is just wide enough with the cut that it allows the horse to have a full range of motion while staying snug against the body to prevent frequent snagging. If you have a horse with wide shoulders, this sheet could be the one for you – I haven’t experienced any rubs or slippage even though Diablo has wider shoulders. The material that it is made of seems to be very durable as it is made of 1200D rip-stop material. It’s high neck design also keeps Diablo dry, even in the pouring rain, and does not rub his withers like other blankets tend to do. The waterproofing of the sheet is top-notch, and he always comes in dry and warm. The stitching also seems to be quite durable and sturdy, which as we know, is getting to be pretty rare nowadays. I ordered my sheet with a red monogram on the left flank, and it looks very nice on Diablo’s black sheet.

Hardware: It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the closures on Amigo’s Wug blankets. However, I feel that the hardware on the entire blanket is sturdy enough to withstand wear and tear while also making putting the sheet on a breeze. The quick-clip closures on the front of the sheet are relatively easy to snap in cold weather, and I haven’t had any problem with any of the snaps sticking or the straps lengthening during use.

Warranty: The deluxe sheet is covered by SmatPak’s 100% Happiness Guarantee. Despite what many people think, only the ultimate blankets are covered under their 10-year warranty.

Price: $136.76 (includes 5% USEF discount and 10% SmartPerks discount)

Rating: 9/10 – If this sheet was also covered under the 10-year warranty, I would give it a 10/10! Overall, the sheet is absolutely amazing for the price and value. I will definitely be purchasing one for Dies.

D sporting his SmartPak sheet in a size 78 and BOT Quick Wraps

SmartPak Ultimate High Neck Turnout Blanket

I managed to snag this blanket on clearance for a whopping $90 during SmartPak’s end-of-the-year sale! How could I possibly pass up on such a great deal? It has quickly become Diesel’s main blanket since his Amigo Hero has taken quite a beating. It’s no secret that young, rambunctious horses can give their blankets a run for their money. Sadly, the Amigo Hero blanket that I bought him a month ago has been torn seven times in the last month and is currently being repaired in hopes that it may last the rest of the season. Let’s just say that 600D is not strong enough to withstand the tornado that is a baby horse – lesson learned.

Diesel modeling his SmartPak blanket in a size 78

Fit: Since I bought this blanket when it was on clearance, I was limited to purchasing a size 78. I originally thought that it would be too big on Diesel as he normally wears a 75 in Amigo blankets, so I was expecting it to just become a spare to switch between both of my boys. However, the 78 fit Diesel quite well. That leads me to believe that this style runs a little on the smaller side. However, the sizing doesn’t seem to affect the shoulder area of the blanket as the cut still allows the horse to move without causing shoulder rubs and seems to provide enough give to keep the horse’s movement from being hindered. Plus, the high neck is wonderful for keeping the horse dry while grazing in the rain – Diesel has come in dry after each wear. It also is a plus that the high neck relieves wither pressure. Like the sheet, the stitching and binding seem to be very sturdy and is done very neatly. I saw some reviews on the website where people have had problems with the stitching unraveling, but I haven’t had a problem with that so far. Also, the entire blanket is very well made and seems to be extremely durable with 1050D fabric. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will hold up to Diesel’s antics. Last but not least, the color I received, midnight blue, is absolutely stunning. However, it seems that they no longer have that color available, which is a huge bummer. 

Hardware: The hardware is the exact same as the sheet above with the quick-clip closures on the front. Like the sheet, I haven’t had any problems with any of the snaps sticking or becoming jammed or the surcingles lengthening over time. They seem to be holding up so far.

Warranty: All of SmartPak’s ultimate blankets are covered under their 10-year warranty unless you get embroidery on anywhere other than the surcingles, which is a complete bummer. I was extremely disappointed to find out that I couldn’t get it monogrammed without voiding the warranty. Despite that, the promise of a 10-year warranty on a blanket worn by a young, rambunctious horse is just too good to pass up. If you have a blanket destroyer or just a young horse, I definitely recommend you purchase it! Their customer service is awesome, so exchanging it is a breeze.

Price: $179.59 (includes 5% USEF discount and 10% SmartPerks discount)

Rating: 9/10 – Overall, I would say that the blanket is a definite competitor in the blanket market. Its quality is up there with Amigo blankets, but the 10-year warranty just puts it over the top! If you are looking for a nice, sturdy blanket, this is the one for you! I will definitely purchase it again in the future, and I will be buying several more ultimate sheets and blankets to complete Diesel’s wardrobe. I only docked a point because it doesn’t seem to fit true to size.

Diesel modeling his SmartPak blanket in a size 78 – too cute not to post!

The overall verdict: SmartPak knocks it out of the park again! Both the sheet and the blanket have exceeded my expectations so far, and they are both holding on strong. I definitely recommend that you give their blanket line a chance! After all, who could beat owning a blanket with a 10-year warranty? SmartPak, keep up the good work!